Sunday, December 22, 2013

My Top Ten Films of 2013

So it was inevitable that I was going to publish a list like this, so without further ado here is my ten favourite films, in order, of 2013:

Snubbed by Hollywood for apparently being too gay this touching and hilarious Liberace biopic premiered on HBO therefore denying both Michael Douglas and Matt Damon for Oscar nominations.  It got a cinema release here in the UK and I loved it.

An obvious choice that will be in everyone’s end of year lists, this sci-fi thriller was a cinematic phenomenon reminding us all what we should expect from the big screen.  To all those people who pirated the film online, as they couldn’t be bothered to pay to see it: you missed something special.

An understated documentary that gave an insight into the terrible AIDS virus of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.  A heartbreaking and brilliant film about the power of people in the face of government prejudice – it was released in a year where LGBT rights are expanding at an amazing rate in the West, but there is still so much work to do.  A humanizing and important film.

A truly disturbing and compelling documentary about the terrors of the genocidal regime in Indonesia and the lack of remorse from areas of the population after the transition to ‘democracy’.  Single-handedly raising the bar for what can be achieved through documentary filmmaking

A great film with three distinct chapters that highlighted the importance of cause and effect within families.  It also had an amazing soundtrack…


A largely ignored film due to mainstream audiences aversion to ‘world cinema’, this was unashamedly French and quirky.  The central performances are great and the narrative is very fun.  Essentially a dark, satirical and voyeuristic look at education and families that would have been a hit if it was in English… shame.

A film that was unapologetically aimed at teenage girls, both speaking their language and appealing to their biggest fears (being ignored by, and then ultimately losing their ‘first love’).  With moments of actual horror mixed with acute Britishness – I was surprised this film did not get more attention.

An avant-garde, black & white film with a microbudget from America:  The entire narrative is told through phone conversations with a bunch of New York hipsters – this film is not for everyone, but for those who have patience and are interested in the financial crisis from the point-of-view of twenty-somethings then this is golden.

The story of Wikileaks as told through the eyes of its founder Julian Assange and his second in command, Daniel Burg (although based on the novel by Burg).  Almost filmed as homage to The Social Network (David Fincher), it will appeal to anyone who is fascinated by social media, the Internet and the supposed decline of traditional media.

A vampire story told on the streets of London and Hastings.  A kind of feminist response to the Twilight series (and a second inclusion on the list for the amazing Saoirse Ronan).


Honorary Mention: Oblivion

An openly silly Tom Cruise sci-fi that I loved.  And I’m not afraid to say it…

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