Yesterday, we passed the half way point of the year, so what better time to review the movies released so far and give you my run down of the 10 films that have impressed me the most. While this year may not have been as noteworthy as 2011 or 2007, 2013 has certainly provided some startlingly good viewing experiences. World cinema and british independent cinema has shone through and many of the best movies released in the first 6 months have been made on relatively small budgets. However, it is the blockbusters that have really disappointed and some of the highest grossing movies have also been the worst. But back to the good stuff, and boy, was there some good stuff released from January to July. To give you an idea of how great 2013 has proved to be, here is a list of films that didn't make it into my top 10:
American Mary
Behind The Candelabra
Beyond The Hills
Django Unchained
Flight
Lore
Robot & Frank
Side By Side
Wreck It Ralph
All of these films are very good and each deserve a place on my top 10 list. However, as rules dictate I can only have 10, so I have really picked out the movies which truly moved, scared and astonished me. Of course, opinion is relative so you may not totally agree with my list. Feel free to argue and post your own countdowns, I would love to read them. But as it stands, here is my top 10 favourite movies of 2013 so far :
This tragic and powerful Irish film showcases director Lenny Abrahamson at his absolute best. Featuring a moving and astonishing performance by Jack Reynor and capturing teenage angst and frustration in a completely believable way, Abrahamson manages to encapsulate the pro's and con's of being an adolescent while surrounding it in an almost Shakespearean sheen. Certainly unforgettable and overwhelmingly engulfing, 'What Richard Did' is the best film released from the emerald isle so far this year.
Michael Winterbottom's beautiful film about the life of a family whose father is imprisoned is one of the most beautiful films I have seen in a long while. Starring the quiet Shirley Henderson and the irreplaceable John Simm, 'Everyday' is a brilliantly acted piece that shows the effect that prison life has on the families affected as well as the incarcerated. Featuring a poignant score by the always reliable Michael Nyman and utilising effective hand held camera techniques, 'Everyday' is a prime example of a film that doesn't need a big budget to have an emotional effect on the viewer.
Directed by the prolific Ken Loach, 'The Spirit Of '45' captures a time in history was Britain was truly 'Great'. Starting from the end of World War 2 and ending at the election of the present coalition government, The Spirit Of '45' traces the political, economic and social history of our country and shows that things truly were better back then. Sometimes brilliantly optimistic and other times extremely infuriating, the film is a landmark for a patriot like me and shows that when all is said and done, money certainly does speak louder than words.
Featuring Oscar worthy performances from John Hawkes, Helen Hunt and William H. Macy, 'The Sessions' takes one of the most controversial subject matters possible and turns it into a hilarious and moving portrait of a person who through fierce optimism and blind faith, changes the lives of all of those around him. Telling the story of a disabled man who wants to lose his virginity before he dies, 'The Sessions' is a very frank and graphic film that captures the beauty of sex, the joys of love and the gift of life.
Barry Levinson's viciously effective horror movie is one of the most intense and claustrophobic watches I have had in a very long time. Full of political and social satire and showcasing hideously graphic violence and nauseating gore, 'The Bay' is a found footage horror movie that doesn't contain any of the boring conventions or clichés that have made the subgenre so deathly dull. Featuring realistic performances and an ominous soundtrack, 'The Bay' is a horror film that has stuck with me and still makes me think twice when having a drink of water.
Baz Luhrmann's voluptuous adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's incendiary novel showcases Leonardo DiCaprio at his absolute best and with it's amazing cinematography, brilliant acting and superb direction, the film is sure to feature heavily at next years Academy Awards ceremony. The first half of 2013 hasn't showcased many potential best picture nominees, but I definitely think that 'The Great Gatsby' is in the running and based on the big budget releases that have been shown so far this year, it may have a chance of grabbing the gold next year.
4) MEA MAXIMA CULPA : SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD - http://dc-moviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/mea-maxima-culpa-silence-in-house-of.html
This extremely upsetting documentary is possibly the most important film that has been released this year. Telling the story of horrific abuse and the usurpation of power by people who seem to believe they are above the law, 'Mea Maxima Culpa : Silence In The House Of God' is a documentary that should be seen by everyone on the planet. Giving a voice to those who do not necessarily have one and not afraid to name names, director Benh Zietlin deserves all the accolades possible for this powerful and extremely earth shattering movie.
Kathryn Bigelow continues to prove that she is the best female director in the world with this very tense and suspense filled war epic about the greatest manhunt in history. Monumental in every way, 'Zero Dark Thirty' is a landmark in American cinema and may change the way directors and producers look at war movies from now on. Jessica Chastain gives one of the best performances of the year and featuring a bravura supporting cast, 'Zero Dark Thirty' is a very well made film that manages to be patriotic without being xenophobic or one sided; showing both the evil of the Taliban and the unorthodox ways the Americans gathered information through torture and physical abuse. Not afraid to tell the truth, Bigelow gained a huge amount of controversy and to me, this is the reason why the movie was snubbed at the Academy Awards. Sadly, one of the greatest films of the year was ignored purely for the fact that it told the truth; who said the academy voters were biased?
This absolute masterpiece of a musical features astonishing performances from it's entire cast, showcases some of the greatest music in movie history and earns Tom Hooper the title of my favourite British director working today. It is melancholic, joyful, epic, quiet and extremely powerful all at the same time and not since 'Black Swan' have I been so affected by a film. It's atmosphere is completely engulfing and there isn't a moment I would cut from it. Everything about it is perfect and for a long time, was way ahead of the pack as the best movie of 2013. However 3 months later, I would watch a film that would cast a shadow over the mighty 'Les Miserables'.
J.A Bayona's piece de resistance is by quite a long way the best movie I have seen in 2013. Out of the nearly 100 movies I have seen, this one towers above all others. Telling the story of a family caught up in one of the worst natural disasters of all time, 'The Impossible' is a deeply moving and traumatising film that still shocked and disturbed me when I watched it again a few nights ago. Naomi Watts gives the best performance of the year and 16 year old Tom Holland deserves all acting awards possible. Tense, moving and unbearably harrowing, 'The Impossible' shows that human nature will always triumph over huge adversity and if we have enough hope, trust and love, we can defeat unbeatable odds.
As of Tuesday 3rd July, these are my top 10 favourite movies of 2013 so far. But of course, I only have one pair of eyes so I didn't get a chance to see everything released in the first 6 months of the year, so there may be films that I still need to see that will push their way into my countdown. But we are only half way through 2013 and who knows, maybe 10 better films will completely destroy this list and replace every one of these remarkable pieces of art. Let's see in 6 months time.....
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