Joe's Top Ten Films of 2013

by Joe Moss

Much the same as my counterpart Cinephile, Trevor, already stated, it was surely a difficult time narrowing the outstanding films from this year to a TOP TEN list. He and I heckled back and forth over the past month regarding numerous films that spoke to each of us on different levels. You will see some of the same titles, but indubitably, our lists are unique and rarely mirror each other. I live in a more rural area than he, so his access to a few of the more independent and/or lower budget films affords him greater variety from the more main-stream films I can access. I hope that you have enjoyed our first year of Cinema Bytes, and I hope you will stay tuned for many years to come. Without further ado, here is my list of the ten BEST films from 2013, in descending sequence:

10. The Spectacular Now

Sutter and Aimee on their first date.

This coming of age drama entails an age-old lesson that is embedded into all of our psyche at an early age--"don't judge a book by it's cover." The films follows the teenage dalliances of Sutter (Miles Teller), the quintessential "popular high school" guy who ultimately falls for the rather well-put-together "nobody," Aimee (Shailene Woodley). What ensues throughout the film is a whirl-wind of teenage emotion as each is forced to grow up into the world around them, rather than simply live for the "now." The film reminds everyone what it is like to truly fall in love for the first time, but told from a young-man's perspective rather than a females. It is funny, pathetic, sarcastic, and raw...otherwise, Spectacular!

9. The Place Beyond the Pines

Emotional overload from the actors in Place Beyond the Pines

The decade of Bradley Cooper and Ryan Gosling would not be complete without this emotionally charged conflict-drama. With the emotional intensity of a runaway train, we watch the suspense build in the story of a boy (Dane DeHaan) who lost his unknown father (Ryan Gosling) early in life become much like his dad in all aspects. He gets pulled into the fold of the "new kid in town," AJ (Emory Cohen), who is the local police commissioner's son (Bradley Cooper). Told in inter-twining tales (with many flashback sequences), we learn from this film that the world is a really small, and that each action of our lives affects another person--even if in a small seemingly innocuous way. This was the first 4-star review I published this year, and has stuck with me ever since. The ending is Perfect!

8. Her

Theodore waits for a life changing moment.

Spike Jonze is bound to be one of the most unique and visionary (if not the most unique) filmmaker of the last 20 years. From "Being John Malkovich" to a decidedly very-children's like "Where the WIld Things Are," Jonze has once again taken film to new depth. "Her" is the story about Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) who is lost in love. Not lost in the traditional sense of love, rather a man who is emotionally UN-able to connect with his former girlfriend, Catherine (Rooney Mara) and even seems slightly disconnected from his friends. His life takes a turn for the better when he purchases a new artificially intelligent operating system for his home computer network, named Samantha (Scarlett Johannson). Through his time with Samantha, Theodore quickly learns to appreciate life; learn about love; and embrace himself as never before. This is assuredly one of the greatest original screenplays of the last decade...and definitely my choice for the 86th Annual Academy Award winner for Best Original Screenplay. Jonze pushes the boundaries of love and relationships into unknown waters and does so with aplomb.

7. The Kings of Summer

Joe, Patrick, and Biaggio jump-starting their adventure.

In my opinion, the best coming of age drama that I have seen since "Stand by Me." Joe (Nick Robinson) and Patrick (Gabriel Basso)  are life-long best friends who have decided that enough is enough. At the age of 16, they are tired of their parents ruining their lives. They are sick of being belittled, and micromanaged in every activity. As summer descends upon them, they take matters into their own hands and run-away to live in the woods outside of town. They build a massive home from scraps gathered from around town and become Kings of their domain. Along the adventure, they take Biaggio (Moises Arias) into their fold--as he adds a much needed comedy element to keep the mood balanced. However, after about a week, things begin to head south as friendships are tested by love, family drama, and the unspoken rules of brotherhood. We are shown how friendships are a fluid organism. That to remain unaltered (not losing emotional volume), there is a delicate balance that must be achieved though mutual respect and understanding. The care-free effort of this film, and the easy way with which the young actors play their roles speaks volumes of maturity. I can understand easily why this was an "Official Selection of The Sundance  Film Festival 2013."

6. 12 Years a Slave

Solomon Northrup's (Ejiofor) enslaved talents at work.

While many people may consider this a tired-old tale of Civil War era proportions, Steve McQueen and company made this film leap from the pages of the book of the same name (written over 150 years ago) in one very prolific adapted screenplay (John Ridley). Solomon Nothrup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is an accomplished musician known across New England. For a very generous sum, is asked to join a traveling group in performances throughout the South--basically told that his abilities will lift the entire troupe to the next level. However, just as far south as Washington, D.C., Northrup runs afoul of trickery and is taken into slavery. He finds himself purchased by a kindly slave owner, Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch), at first sale; only to be traded at a later time to one of the most sadistic slave owners, Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender). Epps lustful eye and his ardent cruelty is not solely directed at Northrup, but at a young female slave, Patsey (Lupita Nyong'o) as well--who's performance is absolutely spellbinding. This harrowing tale of a free black-man sold into slavery is one that will evoke deep emotions and pure sympathy for Nothrup's struggles. Chiwetel gives the performance of his varied career. Magnificent!!

5. Before Midnight

Celine and Jesse in the throws of a sarcastic argument.

Before Sunrise (1995)...Before Sunset (2004)....and now, Before Midnight. Written and directed by Richard Linklater (with help from Julie and Ethan on the screenplay for last two films). I was supremely enchanted by this third installment of the artful, and intimate, love story between Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy). I have grown with both of them over the years, and it is almost as a visit to a long-lost friend every nine years when the films are released yet again. For 109 minutes, I am able to catch up with my friends in the latest installment of their lives, their struggles and their dreams for the future. I can glimpse the joie de vivre that they entail and then, all too short...I am having to wish them au revoir until we meet again. This is one of my most favorite trilogies, and my choice for best adapted screenplay this year. I can only hope to see them again in nine years hence.

4. Short Term 12

Group meeting with the whole gang at Short Term 12.

Soulful, gut-wrenching, and intensely powerful. This story involves the evolution of Grace (Brie Larson) as she struggles to live with her life choices, the mistakes of her past, and the unknown future. She works at a facility for teenagers in-between foster homes and/or adoption. She is not a counselor, she is not a teacher, she is just supposed to help monitor their behavior and make them happy for their stay. She and her boyfriend, Mason (John Gallagher, Jr.) met here while working, and their relationship has slowly changed from friends, to lovers--but there is a small piece missing. Grace, for all her patience with the wards of Short Term 12, cannot seem to find it within herself to open up about her own inhibitions and her own demons. That is, until she is forced to face them head-on with the addition of a new ward to the facility, Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever). This screenplay (Destin Cretton) is nothing short of magical. I cannot wait to see many more films from this young writer/director.

3. Blue Jasmine

Jasmine (Blanchett)  contemplates her fate.

What more can I say other than this is Woody Allen at his best! Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) has run into some money troubles as her philandering and crooked husband Hal (Alec Baldwin) has been indicted for multiple counts of fraud by the SEC. In order to escape the entire situation (and because she is 100% broke), Jasmine, packs her Luis Vuitton and moves to San Francisco to live with her estranged sister, Ginger (Sally Hawkins). What ensues is a magical performance from Cate Blanchett that will surely have her grasping the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Her depth of emotions range within this 98 minute film is breathtaking and surreal. Were the category for Original Screenplay not so crowded, I would suggest this as a surefire win...alas it faces tough competition from "Her" and "American Hustle."

2. The Wolf of Wall Street

Jordan Belfort celebrating his life of excess.

As I stated in my original review of this film last month, I have never been a huge fan of either Leo DiCaprio or Martin Scorsese. But with "The Wolf Of Wall Street," my opinion has shifted. This was the role of a lifetime for Leo DiCaprio as he truly BECAME Jordan Belfort on screen. This film was adapted from Jordan Belfort's book by Terence Winter, and it is electrifying on all senses. To steal from myself,  "the 180 minute run time [of the film] flies by as though on a cocaine high with a Quaalude kicker." I loved every minute and was riveted to the screen. There is so much recreational drug-use and sexual debauchery flashed across the screen that the movie may even have deserved an NC-17 rating. But this truly shows that Marty is not afraid to show the Excessive 80's as they truly existed for the Ultra-Elite Wall Street tycoons. Not only was DiCaprio outstanding, support from Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie completed the all-star cast that propelled this film into the heights of film legend. While "Wolf" could have easily topped my list for #1 film of the year, it has to run second to what I felt was the most prolific film-making I have seen in a very long time (since perhaps I first fell in love with "Star Wars" in the 70's).

1. Gravity

Ryan Stone (Bullock) is propelled into space as the shuttle disintegrates behind her. 

 Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a medical engineer who was tasked by N.A.S.A. to fix a probe (that she designed) on one of the satellites in constant orbit around Earth. During the mission, an accident occurs that destroys the mission and jeopardizes all of their lives. Commander Kowalski (George Clooney) is on his final mission before retirement and is tasked with trying to get both of them back to earth as quickly as possible--before life support systems and all mode of transport are obliterated. This film was so outstanding, it has been at the top of my list of films for 2013 since Opening Weekend in October. Alfonso Cuarón has directed (and co-written) a masterpiece of modern film  that showcased the acting chops of those lucky enough to have been involved. Breathtaking scenery, a mesmerizing "at-the-edge-of-your-seat" screenplay and perfect editing (sound and film) suspended the belief of all in the audience. The film was shot and designed for 3D viewing, and the IMAX presentation did not disappoint. After the movie, I was speechless for a few moments...the entire time thinking nothing but a resounding "WOW!" This film showcases what green-screen and computer age-movie making should be about--ELEVATING the acting abilities of those on screen out of the thermosphere into PROLIFIC status. This film has already been racking up accolades for Cuarón and many nominations for Bullock. I view it as one of the front-runners to earn a unique place in Academy Award history as the FIRST space film to win Best Picture of the Year. Regardless if I am wrong, it will remain my choice for such.

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My Individual Awards are as follows: (not Academy Award Predictions, but my personal choices)

Best Picture of the Year - Gravity
Best Director - Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity)
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
Best Actor in a Leading Role - Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Jared Leto (Dallas Buyer's Club)
Best Original Screenplay - Spike Jonze (Her)
Best Adapted Screenplay - Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy (Before Midnight)

Honorable Mentions: (films that I struggled to include on my list that "almost" made it)

11. The Way Way Back
12. Nebraska**
       I was never able to see this film, so did not include it on my list of 10 becuase that would have been false. But from every review I read and every trailer and interview I saw, I know that when I am FINALLY able to get my hands on a copy, I will love this film...and it may very well make my DECADE list.

This year was one of those years that reminds me WHY I love the movies and the Academy Awards. I can only hope that next year does not fall flat. Bring it on!!!