On The Top Ten of 2013

Of the 62 films seen this year and the shortlist of 21 that this list was whittled down from, below are the top 10 films seen in 2013. The number one is not surprising and while its characters may not be as developed as any of the other films, Gravity is a cinema experience unlike anything else this year. In fact there are two such films that have such a label, the other being Atlantic Ocean fishing documentary Leviathan, a film quite unlike any other of its genre in recent years.

What may be a surprise and what has been massively overlooked all year is Prisoners. Villeneuve impressed in 2010 with Incendies and Prisoners has the same level of shock and resonance. This a film as lasting as is perfectly crafted.

Filmmakers' films round out the rest of the list, by which is meant character driven and aesthetically impressive made by directors working in their most interesting phases. Both Payne’s Nebraska and Spielberg’s Lincoln also came very close. What is notable is the absence of any of the larger budget tent pole films as the repetitious formula is becoming tiresome, as are endless sequels and ‘linked’ films. Before Midnight, while being a sequel, rounds out a perfect trilogy. Yet the big budget World War Z impressed with its intense action sequences and ordinary man protagonist (its harder to relate to Norse gods and genetically altered people).

In short the list comprises filmmakers of more than six countries telling stories that have lasting impact. 

     1. Gravity (dir. Alfonso Cuaron)

2          2. Prisoners (dir. Denis Villeneuve)

3          3. Before Midnight (dir. Richard Linklater)

4          4. To the Wonder (dir. Terrence Malick)

5          5. Philomena (dir. Stephen Frears)

6          6. Blue is the Warmest Colour (dir. Abdellatif Kechiche)

7          7. Mud (dir. Jeff Nichols)

8          8. Frances Ha (dir. Noah Baumbach)

9          9. Leviathan (dir. Lucien Castaing-Taylor & Verena Paravel)

1         10. Trance (dir. Danny Boyle)