While there are specific criteria by which one can judge the quality of a movie, in the end, one’s enjoyment of a film is subjective. While I think I have good taste in movies, my wife would argue otherwise, and no matter how many bad films she makes me sit through, I’ll likely never come to appreciate her preferences. With that in mind, here’s the list of my favorite movies of 2013 – not the best, mind you, but the ones I enjoyed the most.
I begin with my favorite and work my way down, simply because you must see “Gravity,” and I would hate for you to miss it because you stopped reading after seeing “Star Trek: Into Darkness” on this list. (Hey, give me a break; I crossed off “The Last Stand” and “R.I.P.D.” after thinking twice.)
Also, I compiled this list before seeing a number of likely candidates, such as “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Gravity
As “Gravity” ended and the credits rolled, the audience with which I watched the movie was silent. Then a woman in the back of the theater said, “That was amazing.” Moments later, I could hear several people echoing her thoughts. I will resist the temptation to call “Gravity” a landmark achievement in cinema, and will simply instead echo the awestruck reaction of the woman: “It’s amazing.”
Prisoners
“Prisoners” is not a date movie. The subject matter – child abduction, pedophilia, and torture – warrant a different mindset. But it is great filmmaking, and that alone makes it worth seeing.
Frozen
“Frozen” is easily one of modern Disney’s best movies. See it while it’s in theaters. Just remember to take a child along – if not a real one, then the one in you.
Man of Steel
If there is any humanity in Superman, it’s in his quest for meaning. The first third of “Man of Steel” is about his quest to discover who he is and his purpose for being here, and the rest of the movie is about him learning to trust mankind and vice versa. The focus on theme gives the characters bones, the story muscle, and the action skin.
The Conjuring
It’s been a long time since we’ve had a scary movie as good as “The Conjuring.” It’s less concerned with special effects and more focused on developing its characters and building genuine scares.
The Wolverine
“The Wolverine” is a good comic book-based movie and easily the best film in which the title character has appeared. It ends with a tantalizing mid-credits teaser of “Days of Future Past,” so here’s looking forward to seeing Jackman brandishing the claws again next summer, this time without the burdens of his character’s past.
Star Trek: Into Darkness
“Star Trek” might not be as socially conscious as it once was, but it is more entertaining than ever. I’ve never been a Trekkie, but I’m loving these new movies.
The Raid: Redemption
“The Raid: Redemption” is like a shot of pure adrenaline in the veins of this action junkie. It offers 101 minutes of meticulously choreographed and wildly creative hand-to-hand combat. In fight after fight, the actors unleash brutal fury upon each other and pull off countless unforgettable stunts. I would have thought it was impossible to execute some of the moves, but you can watch documentaries online showing director Gareth Evans filming them.
Rush
“Rush” is not a hit. I watched it alone in a movie theater on a Monday. But don’t let going by yourself stop you from experiencing it on a big screen in a theater with a great sound system. Not only will you be immersed in an extraordinary audiovisual experience, but you’ll enjoy larger than life characters as they were meant to be seen.
The Great Gatsby
Have you ever seen a classic film and thought, “They don’t make movies like that anymore?” “The Great Gatsby” is proof that they do still sometimes make them like that. It’s lavishly produced, impeccably acted, and tells a story you can sink into and then walk away from utterly captivated. It will be with me for a long time.