Let me preface this by saying that the ten movies I listed here, I am not claiming to be THE best movies of 2013. Admittedly, a lot of the big movies I had anticipated on seeing, I have yet to watch. I have the blu-rays of most of them, but the Mrs. gets irritated when I watch a movie she wants to see without her, even though every time I suggest one, she doesn't want to watch it. Haha. So I have yet to see 'Star Trek Into Darkness', or 'World War Z', or 'The Wolverine', or...
So with that being said, out of what I actually managed to see this year, these were my favorites.
10.
This Is the End
This movie started a LITTLE bit slow for me, but once it got going, it was so over the top and ridiculous that I couldn't help but laugh. The last half of the movie is definitely better than the first, but overall, it was just a fun movie. The actors all playing fictionalized versions of themselves was hilarious. Emma Watson, from 'Harry Potter' fame, to me had some of the funniest parts. Maybe it's because it was just more shocking hearing some of the stuff coming out of the mouth of Hermoine.
9.
The Heat
Sometimes I love Sandra Bullock and sometimes I shake my head in disbelief at some of the crap she agrees to do. This one would be a case of the former. Bullock is an FBI agent while Melissa McCarthy is a cop. Bullock's character is very by the book while McCarthy's character definitely has some questionable tactics. But the movie was pretty much hilarious from start to finish. The real star was McCarthy, who has really departed from that squeaky clean 'Gilmore Girls' role. Highly recommend this one.
8.
Iron Man 3
'Iron Man 3' was probably my least favorite in the series. I think there were some issues in the story that were unnecessary and some were just a little dumb. I have to get this out. Not just in this movie, but in pretty much every movie that has one, I hate the whole "kid sidekick" thing. It's annoying. To me, it always seems like a kid is just tossed into a story so that the movie itself will appeal to kids. "Hey, that kid can be Iron Man's lackey, maybe I can too". Small detail, but it irked me. And there was a "twist" in this film that I didn't particularly care for concerning the villain. But I don't want to spoil anything. Gwyneth Paltrow has her biggest role in the series in this installment and admittedly, she's pretty badass in it. Robert Downey, Jr. IS Tony Stark so there's no way he wouldn't be excellent in it. The overall big story was really good, and the scenes at the end were just amazing to watch.
7.
The Lone Ranger
Apparently I am in the minority here. Critics panned the movie. Many friends of mine told me to steer clear. My anticipation for watching it had somewhat dwindled away to nothing and then one night I reluctantly watched it. And I loved it. Johnny Depp as Tonto was brilliant acting as always. And Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger, I thought, was fantastic as well. Many complaints were that the Lone Ranger was more wussy in this movie than he's "supposed" to be. Well, for starters, I know bits and pieces of the original Lone Ranger, because to say it was before my time is an understatement. So I can't really compare the two interpretations of the titular character. What I can say is that I thought the story was believable. The guy starts as a lawyer, and becomes a vigilante of sorts, with no previous dealings with upholding the law. So I would expect someone in that predicament to make a few mistakes, be a little clumsy, not be the perfect hero. And that's what he was. A normal guy who decides to get justice. I'm just saying, if I were to put on a mask and try to beat up bad guys tomorrow, it probably wouldn't go so well for me either.
6.
Monsters University
'Monsters University' was a fun movie. It was even one of the better Pixar films from the past couple of years. But in my opinion, it still didn't hold up to the likes of 'Toy Story 3' or 'Finding Nemo', or even it's predecessor 'Monsters, Inc'. With that being said, it went back in the right direction. If for nothing else, it was a nice nostalgic trip with some familiar faces, and it was enjoyable. Sadly, there will not be a new Pixar release until 2015, where we get not one, but two new features from the computer animation kings.
5.
Man of Steel
I really left 'Man of Steel' with so many mixed opinions and emotions, that I'm not really sure whether my little write-up here will convince anyone to watch it or stay far away from it. Let me start with the bad. 'Batman Begins' created a new kind of superhero. One that was dark, moody and dramatic. And that works for Batman, because of his backstory and his style alone. But just because it worked for Batman, doesn't mean that every superhero movie needs to follow that dark formula. That was one of my biggest complaints about 2012's 'The Amazing Spider-Man'. And 'Man of Steel' falls into the same trap. While it bothered me for the unnecessary Spider-Man reboot, it bothered me even more here. Superman is a symbol of hope. A hero that does the right thing no matter what. He embodies truth, justice and the American way. For this movie, the writers were like "Throw all that out, make him moody, and have him steel some clothes while he's at it, because that's something moody Supey does". I just thought there were too many instances in the movie that I couldn't see Superman actually doing. However, with the exception of Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent, the casting was excellent. The overall story arc was enthralling. And the special effects were mind-blowing.
4.
The Conjuring
'The Conjuring' is another one of those "Based on a True Story" horror flicks, and another haunted house story. Actually the couple that this film is about were also involved in the supposedly real events of the 'Amityville Horror' (though they are not mentioned in that film, nor or those events mentioned in this one. That was a separate case). But despite it having so much similarity to things that seem like they've been done 100 times now, this movie was quite anxiety inducing and very tense. And it showed that even Hollywood can take a been-there-done-that story and make it fresh and new again.
3.
Maniac
Technically, 'Maniac' is a 2012 movie, but it was not released theatrically in the United States until June of this year. Even it's theatrical release was very limited. But this is a gem of a horror movie. I went in with little expectations, because truth be told, I didn't like the original so I didn't see how this remake would convince me of feeling any different towards it. But surprise! It did. I'm not sure if it was the acting, or the macabre style of the movie, but while the original bored me to tears, this one was enthralling from the moment it started. Who knew Frodo could be so vicious?
2.
Evil Dead
The tagline on the poster reads 'The Most Terrifying Film You Will Ever Experience'. Was it worthy of such a bold statement? No. But horror movies aren't really that scary anymore. We've seen it all and that's caused a sort of desensitization to elements that maybe even five years ago would make you have nightmares. The remake/reboot/sequel did make me jump on several occasions though, and it the film overall was just downright brutal. It was creepy, disgusting and while the majority of the cast was either decent or "meh", Jane Levy of 'Suburgatory' fame in the lead role as Mia was perfect. She made you believe she was a druggie struggling with her addiction. And then she made you believe she was possessed by one of the nastiest demons we've seen in film in quite some time.
1.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
'Catching Fire' was one of the last big blockbusters released in the year, and it was so worth the wait. Jennifer Lawrence is proving that she is a force to be reckoned with. With the first installment in 'The Hunger Games' series just coming out last year, one could worry that it's sequel being released the following year was risky. Sure, 'Paranormal Activity' does not take a lot of preparation, but 'Catching Fire' is covered with impressive special effects from beginning to end. While I expected to like this movie very much, considering I really liked the first installment, I was surprised that it ended up being my favorite of the year, but alas, it has.
Most Anticipated of 2014 (in order by release date):
- Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (01/03)
- Muppets Most Wanted (03/21)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (04/04)
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (05/02)
- Godzilla (05/16)
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (05/23)
- Malificent (05/30)
- 22 Jump Street (06/13)
- Transformers: Age of Extinction (06/27)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (08/01)
- Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (08/22)
- Paranormal Activity 5 (10/24)
- Big Hero 6 (11/07)
- Dumb and Dumber To (11/14)
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part I (11/21)
- The Hobbit: There and Back Again (12/27)
