We talked about the worst of 2013, now it’s time to shift gears and talk about what was the best. As I said it my last post, figuring out the worst is always easier. My list consist of the best made films and the best for repeat viewing. Without further adieu, The Dork Knight’s best of 2013.
10. Saving Mr. Banks – If you’re a fan of Disney’s Mary Poppins, how can you not like this film? There are two stories in one here. The first being the relationship between Walt Disney and P.L. Travers the author of Mary Poppins and the other is Travers relationship with her father that help inspired her creation. I dare anyone to not sing along it’s that much fun. In a word, it’s superfragilisticexpialidocious.
9. Fast & Furious 6 – This may be the best of the franchise. It is also the very definition of a popcorn film. Fast 6 is so over the top with its action scenes that it reminds me of some of my favorite Bond films. Movies should be as much about escapism as it is as a means to educate. This one is pour escape in more ways than one.
8. Thor: The Dark World – This could have easily been The Wolverine. I ultimately chose Thor instead because it delivered on what a comic book film should look and feel like. Something, that both Iron Man 3 and Man of Steel failed to do. And unlike Iron Man 3, this was a worthy follow-up to last summers Marvel’s The Avengers.
7. Hunger Games: Catching Fire – This second entry in the Hunger Games saga manages to out do the first. It delivers on the action and in the drama department with a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more.
6. The Wolf of Wall Street – Does Director Martin Scorsese push the envelope in terms of gratuitous sex? Yes. But beyond that, Wolf starring Leonardo DiCaprio is a well crafted, well acted look at how things use to be in 1990’s here in America
5. 12 Years a Slave – Probably the most powerful film of the year. It will undoubtedly get many recognitions come awards time and rightfully so. This was the hardest film for me to rate. It is relentless in its raw exposure to the horrors of slavery. It was hard to stomach many times but necessary nonetheless. It is brilliantly acted by everyone but especially so by Chiwetel Ejiofor who should win the Oscar for best actor. A must see.
4. Captain Phillips – Based on the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama
3. Frozen – Simply the best animated film of the year. Frozen is Disney at its finest. From a well adapted story from Hans Christian Anderson to a musical score that begs to be on Broadway. Frozen will forever take its place among the Disney classics.
2. The Way, Way Back – I believe there is a Duncan
1. Star Trek: Into Darkness – Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan, might have been the worst kept secret of the year but his performance and that of the entire crew of the Enterprise
There they are, the best of 2013 according to yours truly. This list covers both the artistic side of films, as well as the welcome need to escape reality. Life is all about balance. Movies are no different. I look forward to your comments and I look forward to seeing what’s in store for 2014.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
