Greg's Top 10 Films of 2013

A few days ago I introduced my selections for the Top 10 Films of 2013. This time around my friend and film-buff, Greg Rouleau (Reel True), wanted a crack at the action. I have massive amounts of respect for Greg's credentials as an avid fan of cinema. He's graduated with a degree in filmmaking and as another loyal member of The Philadelphia Film Society, Greg's been exposed to just about every major release of the year. So for another opinion regarding the best films of the year, here are Greg Rouleau's picks.

Honorable Mention: All Is Lost, Enough Said, Rush and Spring Breakers.

#10. This Is the End

This apocalyptic comedy from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg was easily the funniest movie of the year.  From the cameo-filled opening to the ridiculous final sequence, it was a joy to watch this group of real-life friends play exaggerated versions of themselves.  The writing duo perfectly balanced some raunchy humor and wild horror elements with a touching theme about friendship.  

#9. Captain Phillips

Paul Greengrass helms this thriller with a deft hand for staging action and building tension that leads to a terrific final sequence.  Newcomer Barkhad Abdi goes toe-to-toe with veteran Tom Hanks, who turns in another stellar performance as the title character.  Hanks final scene is a gut-wrenching display that should earn him another Oscar nod.  

#8. Blue Jasmine

Cate Blanchett was penciled in as the Oscar frontrunner when this summer release hit theaters, and since then nothing has changed.  The acclaim is well-deserved, but what really makes the latest effort from Woody Allen shine is the great supporting turns from the likes of Sally Hawkins, Bobby Cannavale, Peter Sarsgaard and The “Dice Man” himself, Andrew Dice Clay. 

 #7. Mud

Hopefully everyone is aware of the “McConassaince” by now,  the career resurgence of Matthew McConaughey that started roughly around late 2011. 2013 was his finest year so far and it started off with Jeff Nichols’ story of a young kid helping a fugitive find his long, lost love.  McConaughey and Sam Shepard have great supporting roles and Tye Sheridan gives a jaw-dropping performance in the best coming-of-age tale this year.  

#6. Dallas Buyers Club

McConaughey’s best leading performance, however, was as Ron Woodruff, a man dying of AIDS who seeks alternative treatments in his fight to survive.  Jared Leto also turns in a career best as the transgender patient, Rayon, who forms a bond with the homophobic Woodruff.  It's a great story of survival that features my favorite leading and supporting performances of the year.

#5. American Hustle

David O. Russell’s latest film is a fun, entertaining, mishmash of a movie.  It’s part caper, part comedy, a little 70s music video with a touch of Scorsese.  Bale, Adams, Cooper, and Lawrence all deliver excellent performances and the final product confirms the director has really hit his stride. 

#4. Before Midnight

If you haven’t been introduced to the “Before…” trilogy, now would be a great time to jump in.  Richard Linklater’s 3^rd installment of this very mature look at an adult relationship is in some ways, the very best of the series.  Taking place 18 years after the 1^st chapter, and 9 years after the previous, Midnight gives us a deeper, darker look at a couple that met on a fateful train ride in 1995.  This lowest grossing trilogy of all-time is still one of the very best thanks to a fantastic third installment. 

#3. The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street is the most fun I’ve had at the movies all year.  Jordan Belfort’s story is a wild, hilarious, drug-fueled tale of debauchery brought to life by Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio.  Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie and Matthew McConaughey also deliver memorable supporting performances, but it’s 100% Leo’s movie and maybe a career best.  In the latter days of his long career, Scorsese has delivered another gem.  

#2. Her

The most emotional film of the year is Spike Jonze’s Her.  The originality that Jonze brings to the screenplay and the direction is outstanding. Joaquin Phoenix plays the melancholy lead who falls for his computer’s OS, voiced by Scarlett Johansson. It’s a deep, nuanced film that features a nice commentary on our current dependence on technology, but the heart of the movie is the love story.  The way the film explores human relationships, both real and artificial is what makes this very original work, one of the best of 2013. 

#1. Gravity

Alfonso Cuaron had a small but stellar filmography before Gravity, so after some great trailers there were some heavy expectations behind this one. Thankfully, I wasn’t disappointed as he delivered the best film of the year.  A technical masterwork, from the music and sound design, to the smooth and fluid camerawork, every second feels as if we’re right there with the characters in space.  It’s a spectacle in every sense of the word.  2013 was the best year in film I’ve ever witnessed and with all of the great movies, the visionary Gravity stands above them all.