Best Films Of 2013

Best Films of 2013

As I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, the average film viewer sees only 6 films a year.  And, one of the reasons for my blog is to let film viewers, whether frequent or infrequent, know where to spend their money.  

Note, however, in my estimation, 2013 was a very good year for films.  Many more than 6 are worth seeing.  Therefore, in addition to the list of Absolutely-Must-See Films, I’ve, also, listing several “categories” from which you might pick more films based on your particular taste.  Full reviews are available in past postings.

So, here are the 6 Absolutely-Must-See Films and 14 additional categories in hopes you will be inspired to become more than an average viewer and go to the movies more often.  Also included are my award picks for actors and key crew.   (Note duplications in some categories with Must-Sees, as well as "ties" in some film and actor/crew categories where I just couldn’t narrow the choice to one.) 

If you can’t find these films in theaters, go to Netflix or buy/rent the DVDs.  Those listed are all worth your while. 

The 6 Absolutely-Must-See Films of 2013

(in order)

The Book Thief

Flawless…The best of the year

Now You See Me

 Pure fun…My personal favorite

The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza)

The 21^st Century La Dolce Vita

The Wolf Of Wall Street

A fabulous depiction of American greed by a master filmmaker

Despicable Me 2

Belly laughs and sweetness

The Butler

A tribute to overcoming

Select Categories

Most Poignant Film

Philomena

Most Charming Film

The Way Way Back

 

Most Interesting Film Story (a tie)

Now You See Me

The Wolverine

 Most Thought Provoking Film

Her

Most Courageous Film Production

12 Years A Slave

Best Foreign Film

The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza)

Best Acting Ensemble

American Hustle

 Best Action Film

Fast & Furious 6

 Best Animated Film

Despicable Me 2

 Sweetest Film

About Time

Funniest Scripted Film

We’re The Millers

 Funniest Improvised Film

Bad Grandpa

Best Documentary

The Gatekeepers

 Most Underrated Film

The Big Wedding

Now for the Bottom of  the Heap

Most Overrated Film (a tie)

Inside Llewyn Davis

Frances Ha

Much ado about nothings

 Worst Film

The Lone Ranger

Reprehensible on most every level

Here Are My Award Picks for Actors & Crew

Best Actor

Forest Whitaker – The Butler

Best Actress – (a tie)

Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine

Best Supporting Actor

Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club

Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle

Best Breakout Performance

Sophie Nélisse – The Book Thief

Best Director

Martin Scorsese – The Wolf Of Wall Street

Best Adapted Screenplay – (a tie)

Terence Winter – The Wolf Of Wall Street

Michael Petroni – The Book Thief

Best Original Screenplay

Richard Linklater/Julie Delpy/Ethan Hawke – Before Midnight

Best Cinematography (a tie)

Emmanuel Lubezki – Gravity

Rodrigo Prieto – The Wolf Of Wall Street

 Best Editing

Thelma Schoonmaker– The Wolf Of Wall Street

Best Casting Director

Alison Jones – The Way Way Back

Best Production Design

Dan Hennah – The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

Best Costume Design

Catherine Martin – The Great Gatsby

Best Soundtrack

Hans Zimmer – Rush

Let’s hope for more great viewing in 2014.

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