Top 10 Movies of 2013

Well 2013, you've been great to us movie fans. 

After a lackluster beginning, and having to follow up from the mega-year 2012, everyone expected this year to be a bust. But then, among the ashes of Gangster Squad and Movie 43, were a few blockbuster surprises like Oz the Great and Powerful and critical darlings such as 42. No one knew how to handle the summer season, with a few predictable successes (Star Trek Into Darkness, Despicable Me 2), middle-ground surprises (The Heat, Fast & Furious 6), and flat-out bombs (After Earth, The Lone Ranger). By the Fall movie season, early predictions were tossed out the window, with one critical success right after another. This has led to an exciting onslaught of Oscar contenders, which has proven to be a very interesting race.

Now, on the cusp of 2014, it's time to take a look back on the film year that was 2013. So, without further adieu, here are the Top 10 Movies of 2013.

10. The Wolf of Wall Street (Martin Scorsese)

A parable of financial excess, The Wolf of Wall Street is arguably one of the best Scorsese-Leonardo DiCaprio collaborations ever filmed. A pet project of the actor for years, the story of Jordan Belfort is a hedonistic look at the guilty pleasures in life, with obscene amounts of profanity, sex, and drugs lacing the film into a sinful entree. Only Martin Scorsese could turn this movie into an artful character study, making each sinful desire a necessary plot device. Wolf is shot with the same rabid intensity of the infamous day-long cocaine chase from Goodfellas, crafted into a 3-hour drama with so much to talk about. Scorsese makes us want to join this fraternity of criminal stockbrokers, reminding us why the filmmaker is so good at directing evil. 

9. Monsters University (Dan Scanlon)

It was a ripe year for animation, and many people will name half a dozen other cartoons they liked better than this one. But Monsters University stuck with me throughout them all, and for that reason, it makes my favorites of the year. It brings up several eyebrow-raising comments about the education system as a whole, a theme few kids movies tackle. MU is a fun setting with colorful characters, best of all giving fans of the original Monsters, Inc. the same style of humor and pacing. It's a vast improvement over Cars 2 that shows Pixar is still capable of making a good follow-up (even after all these years). Come for the Disney brand, stay for the hijinks, and remember it for the loving emotions behind the best animated movie of 2013. 

8. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Francis Lawrence)

Few action movies have the nerve to make audiences think a little bit. They drown them in meaningless babble and nonsensical situations, numbing them from the problems of the real world. But The Hunger Games franchise fights for just the opposite, and Catching Fire is a fine entry into this canon. Fueled by the raw energy of the novel source material, this sequel addresses political themes much better than the original installment, pitting the hero Katniss Everdeen against the corruption of the Capital and its malevolent leader President Snow. Jennifer Lawrence brings her star power into the role once again, leading a beautiful cast of talented performers. It's fast-moving, nail-biting thriller that proves how sequels can fix and improve upon the first, making us excited for future movies and the forthcoming revolution. 

7. The Way Way Back (Nat Faxon and Jim Rash)

In their own way, coming-of-age dramas can say more about a human life than anything else. Under the lens of a teenager, the world can seem a large and intimidating place, and in The Way Way Back, that world is a beach centered around a water park. Liam James plays Duncan with realistic emotion, demonstrating how much more grown up kids can be than adults. Steve Carrell surprises with an antagonistic performance, but Sam Rockwell gives the more shocking show, in easily my favorite role of his to date. It was the summer drama we all needed, and we're thankful for it's wider release than normal. The Way Way Back is an accessible, funny, and heartwarming tale about growing up, and learning how to count on friends to lead the way. 

6. Saving Mr. Banks (John Lee Hancock)

Movies about making movies may not seem appealing, but they have proven to be an intriguing genre that educates viewers on the magic of cinema. This year, it came in the form of Saving Mr. Banks, which chronicles Walt Disney's journey to secure the rights to Mary Poppins from book author P.L. Travers, wonderfully portrayed by Emma Thompson. Disney is played, for the first time, by an actor, and who else better to perform the role than American everyman Tom Hanks. With several allusions to both Mary Poppins and the Disney canon throughout the picture, Saving Mr. Banks is also a fascinating look into the creator of the supernanny, giving viewers an almost separate flick in her frequent flashbacks. It's a touching tale of acceptance, and masterfully demonstrates the lengths to which a person will go to protect their creation. 

5. Captain Phillips (Paul Greengrass)

Much like Argo, Captain Phillips makes a real-life incident surprising, chilling us to the bone even though we all know how it is going to end. This is possible due to three people: Paul Greengrass, whose Bourne experience gave him the necessary camera comfortability to accurately shoot a claustrophobic and gripping story with a documentary-esk shaky cam; Barkhad Abdi, whose portrayal of the film's villain is interestingly sympathetic, giving another layer to this story that easily could be one-sided were it not for such a graceful performance; and, of course, Tom Hanks, who makes a career comeback (yes, a comeback- think of the last good movie you saw him in, odds are it was almost a decade ago) by returning to his roots of the average guy, forced in an impossible situation yet able to keep his cool to protect his crew.

4. Iron Man 3 (Shane Black) 

The best action movie of the summer is not only a superhero movie, but the most genuinely satisfying film of the season. Showing more Tony Stark than the metal hero himself, Iron Man 3 is a refreshing follow-up to The Avengers, with an original story that gave comic book fans and regular audiences plot twists no one was expecting. Robert Downey Jr. carries the film's intensity, but several other characters anchor the project in heightened cinematic technique. It remains one the best entries into the Marvel canon, and started summer with an explosion of fun that was never quite replicated. 

3. 12 Years a Slave (Steve McQueen)

12 Years a Slave is an educational experience into not only the United State's dark past, but the disturbing potential of humanity itself. Steve McQueen, the director of sex-addiction examination Shame, brings the same canine intensity to this motion picture, a film of symbolic power told from the point of view of a single slave. This is part of the movie's appeal; Chiwetal Ejiofor has finally made his way to the center stage by portraying real-life hero Solomon Northup, who sees first-hand of slavery's brutality after losing his lifelong freedom. 12 Years a Slave does not hold back anything; all cards are on the table, from every stinging lash to every twisted lecture by Michael Fassbender's bible-thumping slave driver. If they can even stomach it, 12 Years should be required viewing for every high school student in America, to show how terrifying the U.S. once was, and to guarantee that it never happens again. 

2. American Hustle (David O. Russell) 

From the moment we first saw the trailer for American Hustle, we knew we were in for a cinematic treat. David O. Russell has slowly become one of my favorite directors, after The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook made a huge impact on their respective Oscar years. Now, he has combined the best elements of both casts to craft an intricate crime saga, delving audiences into the rich culture of the 1970's. The cast is worth the price of admission alone, and each actor gives a performance of the highest possible caliber. Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and most of all Jennifer Lawrence all prove that they are among the finest actors of our generation. It's an addicting story with the best collection of characters of the year. 

1. Gravity (Alfonso Cuaron) 

Gravity is the most visually spectacular movie since Avatar, and is much better executed. In only an hour-and-a-half, Cuaron takes us on a roller coaster ride of zero-gravity entertainment, making us feel like we are actually in outer space. Gravity is a thrillingly imaginative piece of science fiction that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible, demonstrating all that cinema is and should be capable of when done perfectly. Sandra Bullock gives the greatest performance of her career, and George Clooney is irreplaceably perfect for his comedic part. From the onset of the 13-minute IMAX 3-D opening shot, the film literally took my breath away. I was shaking for hours afterwards, because I knew I had just completed one of the greatest movie theater experiences of my entire life. Or, simply put, the best movie of 2013. 

Well, there you are: the best films of 2013! I hope you enjoyed the list, and are adding these films to your Netflix queues as we speak. Just for fun, here are a few Movie Critic's Club Awards that we hope you enjoy!

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Christian Bale, American Hustle (Runner-up: Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips)

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock, Gravity (Runner-up: Judi Dench, Philomena) 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Sam Rockwell, The Way Way Back (Runner-up: Jake Gyllenhaal, Prisoners)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle (Runner-up: Margot Robbie, The Wolf of Wall Street)

Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity (Runner-up: Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips)

Best Screenplay: Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell, American Hustle (Runner-up: John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave)

Best Song: "Please Mr. Kennedy", Inside Llewyn Davis (Runner-up: "10538 Overture", American Hustle)

Comeback of the Year: Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips and Saving Mr. Banks (Runner-up: Mathew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club, Mud, The Wolf of Wall Street) 

Honorable Mentions for the Top 10: The Heat, Despicable Me 2, Philomena, 42, Don Jon, The Wolverine

Flashback Friday: The Fighter (Russell, 2013)

Boxing has always been the sport of cinema. Sure, football and basketball teams coming together in the midst of adversity represents important themes, but the individual underdog's triumph just seems so much more fitted for the silver screen. Each generation has their own boxer: Charlie Chaplin from City Lights in the 1930's, Rocky throughout the 1970's, and Raging Bull's Jake LaMotta during the 1980's. Currently, Mickey "The Irish" Ward is the Welterweight Champion of the movie ring. His family's story captured the hearts of millions, and the film adaptation fought it's way to Oscar gold. With director David O. Russell re-teaming with stars Christian Bale and Amy Adams, along with the main cast of Silver Linings Playbook, in this year's American Hustle, Movie Critic's Club is taking a look at one of the director's finest achievements. Today on Flashback Friday, we're going toe-to-toe with The Fighter.

Mickey Ward is the youngest son among the nine children of Alice Ward, the matriarch and dominating presence of the family. His only brother, Dicky Ecklund, was once a promising boxer who beat "Sugar" Ray Leonard, but ruined his opportunity by becoming dangerously addicted to drugs. Dicky is known as "The Pride of Lowell", referring to his hometown which prizes fighters and the Ward/Ecklund clan.

Micky was always proud of his brother, but never knew if he actually wanted to be a boxer himself. He had the talent and brute strength, but was constantly overcast by his brother's fame and infamous behavior. After losing fight after fight, Micky was about to give up, until his girlfriend Charlene encouraged him to follow his dream. The brothers had to learn to overcome their differences and give Micky the shot at the top like they always imagined for their family.

Mark Wahlberg had sought the rights to the project for years, originally planning to produce the film with fellow Boston native Matt Damon before he learned that the Wards were already approached by Paramount. Not wanting to step on any toes, Wahlberg backed down, but Paramount later asked for him to play the lead character and produce the picture. He excitedly agreed, but with script problems and production issues plaguing the movie, the film was put on a hiatus.

It took almost four years for a director to finally be found- David O. Russell, who Wahlberg personally recommended after working with him on Three Kings. The actor convinced the producers that Russell could perfectly emulate the emotional intensity of the family drama, the power of the fight sequences, and the love between Micky/Dicky and Micky/Charlene.

Despite a nearly four year wait, Wahlberg trained relentlessly throughout that time, and while working on other projects. Every morning, he would practice boxing and exercises with his personal coach, so that when The Fighter would start filming, he would be more than ready. Christian Bale was chosen to play Dicky because of his startling ability to physically and mentally transform himself into a character. After running into Wahlberg at a party, the two became friends almost as close as the real-life Micky and Dicky.

For the role of Charlene, Amy Adams lobbied for the part, despite Russell's reservations about her nice-girl charm that "couldn't throw a punch". When she won the part, she took boxing lessons to make her sassy nature more physical. Melissa Leo dived into Alice Ward, acting as the flamboyant mother both on and off the set. Other supporting actors included cop/trainer Mickey O'Keefe, who played himself, and Jack McGee as Micky's father George.

The fight sequences were shot in three days- an extremely short time in comparison to most other films. Russell and Wahlberg wanted HBO sports crews to come in and film the realistic recreations, with the actors (Wahlberg included) staging improv fights. Their feat was successful, and as a result the scenes in the ring were highly innovative and fun to watch.

The citizens of Lowell were intrigued with The Figher, and allowed the film crews to make the movie on location. The whole town became involved with the production, and many of them make cameos in the picture. However, some were upset with the film; the sisters of Micky and Dicky were not pleased by their crass depictions, and the real-life Dicky had reservations about the way his character acted. Nevertheless, most were very excited to get the opportunity to have their tales told on the big screen.

The Fighter, after nearly five years of development, was finally released in December 2010 to critical and commercial acclaim. It solidified David O. Russell's place as one of Hollywood's finest directors, paving way for films like Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle. Christian Bale and Melissa Leo won Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively, at the Academy Awards, becoming the first dual-win of this type since Hannah and Her Sisters in 1986; The Fighter was also nominated for Best Picture, and won dozens of other year-end prizes.

The Fighter is a highly entertaining, and very poignant, drama that is regarded years after it's release. It is the best boxing movie since Raging Bull, and has become the Rocky of recent memory. With all the themes of family loyalty, following your passion, doing the right thing, and just being a good human being, there is much to discuss about this unique biopic. However, it is the shamefully un-nominated work of Mark Wahlberg that makes this film timeless. The Fighter is arguably my favorite sports movie ever made, and it's dedicated ensemble, crisp direction, and inspirational story makes arguing that point a tough fight.