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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