Gary Murray Top Ten of 2013
10. The Wolf of Wall Street. Yes this three hour opus to the evils of more runs on a bit too long but one has to be impressed by the shear magnitude of what Martin Scorsese is trying to accomplish. It is also Leonardo DiCapiro’s finest performance as an actor. It is a telling tale of greed in this modern world. It is also a character study of a very flawed man.
9. Even though it is a bit too schmaltzy, I loved Saving Mr. Banks. Call me a sentimental old fool but this is the kind of film that just warms the heart—the best reason to watch a film. It has one of the best performances by Emma Thompson.
8. One of the big entries in the ‘hard to watch category‘is Dallas Buyer’s Club, a film that tackles one of the first battles with a giant disease with a very little name. Mathew McConaughey is amazing as our lead but it is Jared Leto who shines as his confused friend.
7. American Hustle is a con film among con films. It has four of the best performances of the year and a certain Oscar contender. This movie never has a ‘tell’—meaning it never lets the audience know where it is headed. A brilliant directing job by David O. Russell and a sure win in the SAG cast award.
6. The animated film was in rare form this year. It seemed that just about every month, some computer generated image filled the screen. Frozen is the return to form by Disney and the best animated feature of 2013. It was so much fun to watch and the images just leapt off the screen. It was the best use of 3D techniques this year.
5. The Book Thief. I cannot say enough superlatives about this work. Out of all the films on this list, this is the first one in the ‘want to own on DVD’ category. Outstanding performances by Gregory Rush and Emily Watson make this a must see event.
4. Gravity is the film on this list that will be most studied by film students. It is a visual feast. This is how a space film should be done and Alfonso Cuaron and company deliver the goods in such a way that make this film hard to forget. It must be seen on the big screen to be fully enjoyed.
3. Lone Survivor is both a gripping action film and a commentary on modern fighting. It shows the band of brothers that is the military. With a title like Lone Survivor, one can guess what is going to happened to the others in the group but it is still a rousing adventure story and a testament to the bond of service.
2. Twenty Feet From Stardom is easily the best Documentary Film of 2013. It is a touching reminder of why we love music. These women have all the talent, they just didn’t’ get the major breaks. It is a movie that reflects our love affair with the 1960s.
1. Twelve Years a Slave is the hardest film on this list to watch but in the end, it is the most satisfying. There are moments in this film that will haunt the backwash of my mind for years to come. It is a sure Oscar contender.
Films that almost made the list—Man of Steel, All is Lost, Polemena, The Grand Master, Kings of Summer
There is a long list of bad films that came out this year. From After Earth to Grown Ups 2, to The Lone Ranger, Hollywood had its share of films that stunk up the Cineplex. But, the worst are films that take themselves way too seriously; thinking that they are perfect when all they are is pretentious.
The worst offender is a documentary called Inequality for All. It is the story of people struggling to make ends meet and how there are only two classes in this modern system. It is a push for labor unions. The makers just don’t recognize the 5,000 pound gorilla in the room—the overreaching federal government. It becomes pabulum for those who cannot think for themselves and a symptom of what is wrong with the economy..
