This isn’t a list about the best films of 2013. It’s not a list about the most important or the movies that deserve awards. There are countless lists for those categories. No, this is the list of the movies I had the most fun watching in 2013.
Above all else, movies are entertainment. I go for the escape, the fun, the imagination just as much as the art, the message, and the presentation. So why not put together a list of the movies I had the most fun experiencing this year?
Did I see everything? No but I’ve seen a lot. Probably above average. This time of year, all of the “important” films get released for awards competition. I haven’t seen several of them yet but usually “important” is not synonymous with “fun” so I’m pretty sure this list won’t change a whole lot.
10) The Place Beyond the Pines
I love a great story and I adore interesting characters. The Place Beyond the Pines has both. I was mesmerized by the interlinking stories and the passage of time. The actions and decisions the characters make cause ripple effects that feel earned and compelling. I’d put this up with one of the greatest movies about consequences ever, A Place in the Sun (1951).
9) The Iceman
Michael Shannon is a favorite actor of mine (even though he wasn’t given much to work with in Man of Steel this year, he did his best). This is the movie to watch if you want to see a character with some meat to him. I love true stories that are so crazy you almost can’t believe they’re true. The true story of a hit man leading a double life as a loving family man. Not even his family knew the truth. Look for a scene-stealing performance from Chris Evans (Captain America himself) as well.
8) John Dies at the End
Don Coscarelli is one of my favorite directors. Not only did he make the Phantasm series which is all kinds of crazy horror ideas mixed together and Bubba Ho-Tep (a Bruce Campbell masterpiece), he also made a childhood favorite, The Beastmaster. Don’s never had the kind of budget that would do his work the justice it deserves but the guy does more with a few million than many films with budgets north of $50 million. The film is totally bizarre (as expected) but also a blast. So much creativity. You will never be able to guess what happens next and that’s the way I like it.
7) Phantom
I’m a huge fan of submarine movies and Phantom doesn’t disappoint. Ed Harris plays the captain of a Soviet submarine. I love that they didn’t force the actors to speak in Russian accents. It’s got tight quarters, lots of close-ups of people sweating, claustrophobia, and suspense. It’s great to see David Duchovny playing a slimy party-hack who’s the ultimate foil to Ed Harris’s haunted captain. This one flew under the radar but I loved it.
6) World War Z
On paper, World War Z should be a complete disaster. Massive reshoots at the latest possible minute. Rewrites and actor confusion. Whole parts of the story thrown in the garbage. Massive overages in the budget. These are usually tell-tale signs of a box office disaster. I had low expectations going into this but I was pleasantly surprised. Liked it so much we saw it several times. Is it like the book? Nope. Is that okay? Yep. The PG-13 rating doesn’t hurt the suspense and sometimes adds to it because you don’t get to see everything. Your imagination can be much worse. But what takes this one over the top for me is the hugely gutsy decision to end on a slow-burn, intimate final scene. The action goes from gigantic to close and personal and I love it for that.