My Favourite Movies of 2013

I realise I am probably late to the party here in offering up my list of my personal favourite movies for 2013. I have already read and watched many reviews on the year in cinema but here are my two cents worth anyway.

I think that these lists say more about the person that compiles them than the quality of the film, as all film is subjective, so you are free to reflect on what my list says about me (and perhaps what your list says about you).

When I look at my list I encounter the truth of my Grinching Theory. All of the movies on this list have one thing in common - they surpassed my expectations.

Before I continue I must add the perhaps obvious disclaimer that I have not seen all the movies that were made this year, not even all the movies I wanted to see (Unfortunately I have bills to pay and a family to feed. Annoying I know.) This means for example that the probably to-be Oscar nominated Gravity is not on this list. If you are reading from overseas, you also need to note that the probably to-be Oscar winning movie 12 Years a Slave is not in this list either, but that is because we have to wait till February here in NZ.

With explanations out of the way, here are my favourite movies of 2013. (Spoiler alert.)

5. Man of Steel
Finally a Superman movie that meets the potential of this iconic character! The Christopher Reeve movies were far too camp for me, and in every incarnation the main issue I had with it was Lois Lane. This intelligent prize-winning journalist does not realise that the man in the glasses in front of her everyday is Superman. I never found that believable. In fact, it could almost be considered demeaning!

I realise I am talking about Superman and believability should not be important, but it did not make sense with the character of Lois that this 'unbelievable' world created. So the fact that the 'Man of Steel' Lois goes about cleverly seeking out the identity of the mysterious man who saved her life, and actually finds him, finally gave me a Superman movie I could believe in.

Ironically, I thought the casting of Amy Adams, as much as I love her, was the weakest in the movie as I did not see any chemistry between her and Henry Cavill. However, I was a big fan of Russell Crowe as Jor-El and the whole origins story presented in this adaptation.

I know that fan-boys and girls were upset, even angry with this movie, especially with the ending where Superman actually kills someone! (Shock horror!) But the reasons they did not like it were probably the reasons that I did. Zack Snyder finally gave me the Superman I've been waiting for, which is why it deserves a spot in my top 5.

4. Warm Bodies
I watched Warm Bodies on a plane and it made the 13 hour flight a whole lot more enjoyable. I was looking forward to seeing it ever since I saw the trailer and it was even better than I expected.

I have heard other reviewers compare it to 'Twilight' but I could not disagree more! For starters, I have watched all the 'Twilight' movies (purely for research purposes) and they are as shitty as everyone says!

Warm Bodies is a funny and cute movie inspired by Romeo and Juliet, with the original spin being that it is a Zombie movie. I think the comedy-zombie movie, a la Shaun of the Dead, should officially be considered a new genre. Warm Bodies adds another level as a ZomRomCom and I love it!

3. About Time
I was not looking forward to seeing 'About Time' as much as the other movies on this list. After all, do we really need another movie where Rachel McAdams is in love with a time-traveller? Do we really need another Richard Curtis movie? Well it turns out that the answer is definitely yes!

I might even go so far as saying that this beautiful film is my favourite from Richard Curtis. It is so sweet and the message behind it is so touching without being schmaltzy.

Domhnall Gleeson in the lead does a better job at being Hugh Grant than Hugh Grant did, and Bill Nighy was so lovely as Gleeson's father.

I've just realised that this mini review of mine includes the kinds of words that filled my mind after watching About Time - beautiful, sweet, touching, lovely...

2. Star Trek Into Darkness

I loved the 2009 Star Trek movie. So much so that as soon as I left the theatre I looked up when the sequel would be made and my heart sank when I discovered that I had to wait 4 long years before I could visit with Captain Kirk, Spock and their mates yet again. Luckily I had the DVD to keep me company, but this led to a lot of expectation leading up to 'Into Darkness'.

This was added to by the inclusion of Benedict Cumberbatch as the totally bad-ass, yet beautiful, Khan. This has been Cumberbatch's year with many of his movies that have been released, but personally, this was finally the year that I watched his amazing version of Sherlock and what can I say? He had me at "deduce". I am certainly part of the Cumbercollective.

This movie had its faults and die hard Trekkies hated it. They even voted it the worst Star Trek film ever at a recent convention - making me love the movie even more to be honest. The problems in the movie (They cured death? Really??) were outweighed by Cumberbatch and all the adrenalin-inducing fun!

It is simply a good-time space movie, which is what you want in a Star Trek outing don't you? It also helps that the characters and the dynamics between them are so easy to love in this world that JJ Abrams has created . (Here is hoping he can do the same for Star Wars!)

I have already watched 'Into Darkness' 5 times and I will no doubt watch it some more, and I already can't wait for the next instalment. (I just hope JJ Abrams' successor doesn't screw it up!)

1. Thor: The Dark World
I loved 'Thor' (the best pre-Avengers movie) and 'The Avengers' so once again I eagerly awaited the next instalment from Marvel. 'Thor: The Dark World' did not disappoint. Director Alan Taylor did an excellent job of picking up where Kenneth Branagh and Joss Whedon left off, as did the whole cast.

The writers also did a great job in continuing the love story between Thor and Jane, and what is ultimately the story of a dysfunctional family, which includes Thor, Loki, Odin and the tragic Fridda.

Malekith, the resident baddie is really just the vehicle for exploring the dynamics of the more important characters. Some Marvel fans may take issue with this. I did not. I don't really care about a baddie who is here today and gone tomorrow. To be honest, I mostly care about Loki. He is the true star of the movie. It sounds cliche but Loki seems to be the role Tom Hiddleston was born to play. Hiddleston as Loki can make you happy, sad, angry, empathetic, mournful and joyous.

As soon as I left the theatre I wanted to see this movie again and that feeling has not waned. That is the sign of a great movie.

Honourable Mentions:
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
Let's face it, this is such a great yarn that it deserves a mention at least. I also have to include it because as a Kiwi I think I would be breaking NZ law if I didn't.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
I have a feeling that this will make it higher up my list after a few more viewings, but at the moment, even though I loved the cliffhanger ending, it made me so impatient for the final instalments that it does not make the cut just yet.

Worst Movie:
The Big Wedding
So much talent, so much potential, so much disappointment. I hated, and I mean hated, this movie and all of the characters in it so much I couldn't make it to the end. It is fine to disagree with my favourites list, but please, I urge you, steer clear of this shocker. You have been warned!