TOP 10: Films of 2013

     The year is nearly to a close, with 2014 right around the corner. Here are the top 10 best films of 2013.

1.  The Wolf of Wall Street

This is all out fun. Leonardo DiCaprio brings out the performance of a lifetime, while Jonah Hill is unrecognizable as Leo's drug-riddled best friend.  Martin Scorsese is at his all time best with this dynamic piece of work that can be seen as Goodfellas with high octane laughs, extremely vibrant dialogue, and an eclectic array of cinematography.

2.  Gravity

I might not go into space after this. The special effects were the leads in this film. The music is the best music of the year. You get shivers, you smile, you cry in this tale about survival. Sandra Bullock also pulls out the performance of a life time. When a movie can make you laugh and cry at the same time, it's one of the best movies of the year.

3.  Dallas Buyer's Club

Matthew McConaughey's having a great year. This film proves his acting prowess. Not only his acting, but the acting superiority of an underrated Jared Leto. Both actors are unrecognizable in this tragic, but uplifting story of two peoples' fight against AIDS. Like every film on this list, the script stands out for bringing a dynamic, character driven story.

4.  Saving Mr. Banks

Again, when a film can make you laugh and cry at the same time, it is a must for this list. That's what this film did all too well. Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell stand out as acting royalty, while Tom Hanks gives us an always worthy performance. In a fairly large cast, no one misses their mark. The dialogue flows while the bright cinematography hides the darkness of this tragic story. The last ten minutes are the best ten minutes of the year.

5.  The Kings of Summer

Child actors have a sense of urgency to them. They bring out the kid in all of us. They act harder than any actor. The kids in this film brought their all to the big screen, and scored. This is just a good old fashioned coming of age tale that'll pull at your heartstrings until the very end. 

6.  Fruitvale Station

Michael B. Jordan made this film. From start to finish I was enthralled with this character who never had an opportunity to show the world what he was made of. It's a character study, but also a piece of history that shouldn't be forgotten. It wasn't about the dialogue, the pacing or the end. It was about the main character and his choices leading up to his final moments on Earth.

7.  Star Trek Into Darkness

I loved this film. I thought it was a perfect sequel. Sure, there were some problems with it, but it was all glazed with witty dialogue, superb special effects, and a out-of-this-world cast. The acting was great and who doesn't love some Benedict Cumberbatch.

8.  Blue Is The Warmest Color

I'm a sucker for romance films. This is one of the best romance films of the year. Besides the gratuitous nudity, this film is gritty and beautiful. The dialogue impresses and, again, you love these characters because of their flaws. Through this elongated epic, these women fall in love then fall apart. When a romance can portray true love then destroy it with you being enticed all the way through, it must be worth watching.

9.  12 Years A Slave

More great acting and more great story telling of a time that we all wish we could forget. Fassbender and Ejiofor were amazing and the best parts of this dark tale. The cinematography was great even if the beauty of the shots was sometimes forced upon the audience. Every shot was brilliantly captured and the dialogue was all too real.

10.  Before Midnight

From the long shots, the dialogue, the acting, the sets, this film is real and doesn't mind showing it. It felt like a normal day turned ugly. You'd believe that it's just random talking, but underneath you can see these characters' lives changing and their thoughts churning. Best screenplay of the year.

Honorable Mentions:  Escape from Tomorrow, American Hustle, Man of Steel