If you were to tell me that Zack Snyder’s Superman reboot would not have been in my top 10 films of 2013 at the start of the year, I would consider you insane. But alas, the year is coming to a dramatic close, and with every end of year, comes the film critic’s lavish ‘Top 10 Films Of [enter year here]’. Because I am a movie fan, I feel as if it is right that I too have a ‘Top 10’ list. If you are looking for films such as Fast And The Furious or Man Of Steel, you will not find them here; instead you will find some of the most underrated, and some of the best films of 2013. Fasten your seatbelts; it is going to be a bumpy ride.
Number Ten – The Croods
Every year has its animated film, and for 2013, it was none other than the Dreamworks film, The Croods. Featuring a stellar cast including Emma Stone, Nicolas Cage and Ryan Reynolds, the film centres on caveman family as they go out of their comfort zone and travel away from their home. The film is heart warming and really makes you want to go give a big damn hug to your family, even your annoying ass brother. While I would have put Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University in this spot, after showing my six year old sister The Croods and seeing how much she enjoyed the film, I could not have, not placed the film on the list.
Number Nine – Gravity
Starring perhaps two of Hollywood’s best working actors at the moment, those two being, George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, the genius behind Children Of Men, Gravity tells the incredible story of a medical engineer and an astronaut and how the two survive when once an accident sends them adrift in space. Gravity shows how you can successfully blend action, drama, suspense and a visual orgasm into one amazing film. If you are stuck on what movie to watch tonight, either Gravity or Iron Man 3, definitely watch Gravity.
Number Eight – Pacific Rim
What happens when you attempt to make a Power Rangers film for a grown up audience? The amazing, groundbreaking and special film Pacific Rim. Showcasing what every guy dreams about at night, Pacific Rim combines two of the coolest things ever, robots and monsters, the outcome? Whatever you want it too be. While the acting may not be the best, when the film is at its best, it really is at its best. Michael Bay should take some notes for next year’s Transformers Age Of Extinction.
Number Seven – This Is The End
What do you get when you shove some of the best comedy actors, Biblical events and The Backstreet Boys? The second funniest movie of the year. This Is The End is f***ing hilarious, it really is. While I cannot say much about this film because I really would like to not spoil anything, if you have ever laughed at a Jonah Hill film, or have a soft spot of spoof films like Airplane! I recommend you watching the comedy masterpiece that is, This Is The End. Plus, The Backstreet Boys are still awesome.
Number Six – The Spectacular Now
The Spectacular Now was this year’s Perks Of Being A Wallflower, it really was, featuring some brilliant up and comers like Shailene Woodley, the actress who was supposed to portray Spider-Man character, Mary Jane Watson in 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and rumoured The Fantastic Four star, Miles Teller. The film tells the ‘usual’ high school dramedy story, except this time, it’s not over done. The film manages to find a perfect place between ‘average high school movie’ and ‘instant classic high school movie’. The film centres on popular boy, Sutter as he falls for the shy, nice-girl, Aimee. While the film’s story may feel like a retelling of the John Cusack film, Say Anything, The Spectacular Now is one of the best films of the year, and you should definitely check it out!
Number Five – Only God Forgives
One of 2013’s most controversial films, Only God Forgives tells the story of drug-smuggler, Julian as he tracks down his brother’s murderer. The film marks the highly anticipated reunion of Drive director; Nicolas Winding Refn and Drive star Ryan Gosling. While many have complained about the “over the top” violence, the film is meant to be violent, it is very real, and is really the definition of a gritty film. Gosling says very little in this film (his character delivers 17 lines of dialogue) he still manages to engage the audience. If you loved Drive, you’ll love Refn’s latest film.
Number Four – Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
“WHHHHAAAAAAAMMMMMYYYYYYY!” It’s hard to believe it’s been nine, yes nine years, since Ron Burgundy and his news team first graced the silver screen. While those nine years of waiting have been rather long, and rather boring, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues makes all the waiting well worth it. The film is just magic; Ron Burgundy’s sudden loss of sight, Steve Carell’s Brick Tamland, everything about this film is just perfect. For fans of the first Anchorman film, this sequel defiantly lives up to the ridiculous expectations we all had, unlike another film this year cough *Man Of Steel* cough. But seriously, Paul Rudd needs to keep his ‘pornstache’ for Ant-Man.That is all. You stay classy now.
Number Three – The Wolverine
If you told me the latest instalment in the X-Men series would be the third best film of the year in my eyes at the start of 2013, I would have assumed you were joking. But here I stand; The Wolverine was arguably the best comic book film of the year and was one of the best films of the year in general. Featuring Hugh Jackman in the role that made him Hugh Jackman, the film tells a unique side to the superhero genre, swapping massive CGI effects for story and immense character development. While the film is action-packed, calling The Wolverine an action film definitely decreases its beauty. If you are a ‘Fox hater’ I recommend giving The Wolverine a shot, you never know, it might surprise you.
Number Two – The Way Way Back
Sam Rockwell… My word. Never before have I felt that Iron Man 2 star, Sam Rockwell should have an Oscar sitting on his desk at home, but after watching The Way Way Back, I am demanding that the Academy give Rockwell the award he deserves. While Sam is brilliant in this coming of age story, the film’s focus is on young actor Liam James and his character, Duncan. Duncan is perhaps one of the most relatable characters put on the big screen this year (only to be beaten out by Ben Stiller’s Walter Mitty). Featuring a stellar cast including Maya Rudolph and Steve Carell, in a role that is very, very different for the latter. The Way Way Back is one of the year’s underrated gems.
Number One – The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty
2013’s best film the Ben Stiller feel good movie. The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty is the best film of the year for a number of reasons; the one reason that is evident throughout the entire film is how relatable Stiller’s Walter Mitty actually is. The dude is just downright relatable, he has trouble talking to Kristen Wiig’s Cheryl, and he is just everyone’s bitch. Because of Mitty’s relatable side, we as the audience are really sucked in; this is one of the reasons’ why critics are being very harsh on the film (47% on Rotten Tomatoes), some critics are really cold-hearted. Ben Stiller’s directing has increased dramatically since Zoolander, some of the shots in this film are seriously breathtaking. Perfectly blending comedy, drama and motivation, Ben Stiller’s The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty reminds people that dreams are meant to be lived, a message that is not sent across enough in film today.
Thank you very much for reading this, I hope you all enjoyed this! If you have any film that didn’t make the list, but you feel should’ve made the list, chuck us a comment down below or tweet me @RobDogg_ and lets start a conversation! Have a happy New Year everyone, and lets all prey that Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2 finds a place in next year’s ‘Top 10’. Please God… Pleas
