My Top Movies Of 2013
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- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsIan McKellenMartin FreemanRichard ArmitageThe dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain, their homeland, from the dragon Smaug.As with last year, the second Hobbit film is my film of the year. Without a doubt the best character driven of all the 'Rings' films. Never read the books so I dont care whats been missing or what has been added. Evangeline Lilly stealing the show for me and the set pieces with the spiders and the barrels was fantastic. Roll on There & Back Again.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsDaniel BrühlChris HemsworthOlivia WildeThe merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda.Would have been my film of the year hands down if it wasnt for The Hobbit. Not really a film so much about motor racing, but the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda. If there is any justice at all, Daniel Bruhl deserves an Oscar nomination for his role as Niki Lauda. You could tell his heart was in it 100% for this film. Amazing.
- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsIdris ElbaCharlie HunnamRinko KikuchiAs a war between humankind and monstrous sea creatures wages on, a former pilot and a trainee are paired up to drive a seemingly obsolete special weapon in a desperate effort to save the world from the apocalypse.Wont go too much into detail but it did what it said on the tin: Giant robots fighting giant monsters. Also looked and sounded incredible in IMAX 3D. Hope it gets a sequel even though it didnt do amazingly well at the box office.
- DirectorJoseph KosinskiStarsTom CruiseMorgan FreemanAndrea RiseboroughA veteran assigned to extract Earth's remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself.Just loved this film. Visually amazing, a great cast and a great story. Made the mistake of NOT seeing this in IMAX as I bet it would have looked even more breathtaking. People can say what they want about Tom Cruise, but he makes cracking films and this was no exception. TRON: Legacy was VERY underrated in my book and Joseph Kosinski delivered here again. Also as with Daft Punk doing the score for TRON: Legacy, Jospeh Kosinski nailed the soundtrack again by getting M83 to do an incredible score. Brilliant and have watched it four or five times now. Really looking forward to Cruises next sci-fi: Edge Of Tomorrow.
- DirectorJames MangoldStarsHugh JackmanWill Yun LeeTao OkamotoWolverine comes to Japan to meet an old friend whose life he saved years ago, and gets embroiled in a conspiracy involving yakuza and mutants.Seemed to have got mixed reviews but it made more than three times its budget back and I personally thought its the best X-Men film to date. The film makers pushed the film as far as they could with the violence and the end result was superb. A bit of a 'routine super hero formula' towards the end, but it didnt matter. The extended cut is even better by being more brutal and bloody. Roll on Days Of Future Past.
- DirectorLouis LeterrierStarsJesse EisenbergCommonMark RuffaloAn FBI agent and an Interpol detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances, and reward their audiences with the money.Saw this recently on blu ray and just loved it. Basically Oceans 13 with magic and the twist at the end was well worth it. Hear they are moving forward with a sequel and I hope it happens.
- DirectorAlan TaylorStarsChris HemsworthNatalie PortmanTom HiddlestonWhen the Dark Elves attempt to plunge the universe into darkness, Thor must embark on a perilous and personal journey that will reunite him with doctor Jane Foster.Thought the first Thor was excellent and it was a nice surprise that the sequel was even better. Loved how ALL the cast got something to do but again it was Tom Hiddleston who stole the show who also sets up another sequel at the end. The 3D and IMAX was well worth it too.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJamie FoxxChristoph WaltzLeonardo DiCaprioWith the help of a German bounty-hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner in Mississippi.Possibly Tarantinos best work after Pulp Fiction. Another cracking cast and soundtrack. Christoph Waltz completely stealing the show and deserving his Oscar. Plus Leonardo Dicaprio can do no wrong when it comes to films and cant wait to see The Wolf Of Wall Street.
- DirectorDavid TwohyStarsVin DieselKarl UrbanKatee SackhoffLeft for dead on a sun-scorched planet, Riddick finds himself up against an alien race of predators. Activating an emergency beacon alerts two ships: one carrying a new breed of mercenary, the other captained by a man from Riddick's past.Another great sequel and I dont mind the previous two films either. Loved the fact that the whole film is a fight for survival from start to finish and looked incredible. Thought it was the best one of the three and I hope we havent seen the last of Riddicks adventures on the big screen??
- DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppArmie HammerWilliam FichtnerNative American warrior Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid, a man of the law, into a legend of justice.Just gutted this film got the bad press and poor box office that it did!!!! Wont go into detail but I thought it was excellent and the last 20 minutes was worth the price of admission alone. A great score by Hans Zimmer, wonderful cinematography and looked superb in IMAX. Shame it 'kind of' flopped as I would have loved a sequel.
- DirectorJeff WadlowStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonChloë Grace MoretzChristopher Mintz-PlasseFollowing Kick-Ass' heroics, other citizens are inspired to become masked crusaders, but Red Mist leads his own group of evil super-villains to get revenge, kill Kick-Ass, and destroy everything he stands for.Yet another great sequel where the characters really do make the film. Yes its VERY VERY violent, lots of bad language but so did the first one. Hope another one is made and finish it off as a trilogy.
- DirectorJames WanStarsPatrick WilsonRose ByrneBarbara HersheyThe Lamberts believe that they have defeated the spirits that have haunted their family, but they soon discover that evil is not beaten so easily.Another franchise that seems to split peoples opinions right down the middle. The first one scared the absolute s**t out of me and although this one wasnt as scary, it still gave the scares and the jumps. An ingenious bit in the middle that takes you back to the events of the first film was superbly done. Yes, there will be a third with what sounds like (if you heard the sound effect at the end) the return of Darth Maul from the first film?? Brilliant.
- DirectorAdam McKayStarsWill FerrellChristina ApplegatePaul RuddWith the 1970s behind him, Ron Burgundy, San Diego's former top-rated newsreader, returns to take New York City's first twenty-four-hour news channel by storm.Thought the first one was 'ok' but this had me and the entire audience in laughter pretty much all the way through the film. Yet again there is another 'battle of the newscasters' at the end with a-listers galore which even beats the first film. Again its got mixed reviews but I thought it was hilarious. Part 3 maybe????
- DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Guy PearceGwyneth PaltrowWhen Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.A film that takes $1.2 billion at the box office cant be awful?? Right?? The hate towards this film astonishes me as the ONLY thing that let it down was what they did with the character of The Mandarin. This is the ONLY problem I had with this film. This film has my favorite set piece out of the entire trilogy and that was the Air Force One rescue. Visually and dramatically incredible in IMAX and when the scene ends, you realise that Tony Stark is a REAL hero. I think Im right in saying that Robert Downey Jr has signed on for the next two Avengers sequels but I would love for him to carry on with stand alone Iron Man films.
- DirectorMikael HåfströmStarsSylvester StalloneArnold Schwarzenegger50 CentWhen a structural-security authority finds himself set up and incarcerated in the world's most secret and secure prison, he has to use his skills to escape with help from the inside.Not an incredible film but was so much fun. Arnie completely stealing the show with some classic one liners and jokes and the 'say cheese' line on the stairs was priceless. A guilty pleasure and took me back to when Stallone and Arnie were the action stars of the 80's. A fun film.
- DirectorFrancis LawrenceStarsJennifer LawrenceJosh HutchersonLiam HemsworthKatniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.A cracking sequel and as with the last one, when the games start it becomes very brutal. More so than the first I thought. Some of the 'hazards' in the games in this one were brilliantly done, especially the fog bank. The only thing that let it down for me is that (and I know there are two more films to come) it just seemed to stop as it was really starting to get going. Looking forward to Mockingjay though.
- DirectorSam RaimiStarsJames FrancoMichelle WilliamsRachel WeiszA small-time magician is swept away to an enchanted land and is forced into a power struggle between three witches.Saw this film in both cinema and at home on blu ray. Without a doubt the IMAX and 3D made this film for me in theatres. Another film with mixed reviews but I watched it again on blu ray at home and it didnt feel the same. Its definitely one of those films that is MEANT to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Mila Kunis stole the show for me though and her transformation to the Wicked Witch was brilliantly done even though she got some poor comments for her performance. I think it has done well enough to get a sequel and I hope it does.
- DirectorGavin HoodStarsHarrison FordAsa ButterfieldHailee SteinfeldYoung Ender Wiggin is recruited by the International Military to lead the fight against the Formics, an insectoid alien race who had previously tried to invade Earth and had inflicted heavy losses on humankind.Why this film didnt get released in 3D is beyond me as it would have been even more impressive. Was pleasantly surprised by this film and Harrison Ford was just superb in it. To top it off, it has one the most shocking twists at the end of a film I have ever seen which really made it for me. Again, because of poor reviews and box office it will more than likely NOT get a sequel, which is a shame.
- DirectorScott StewartStarsKeri RussellJake BrennanJosh HamiltonAs the Barrett family's peaceful suburban life is rocked by an escalating series of disturbing events, they come to learn that a terrifying and deadly force is after them, one which may have arrived from beyond the stars.Another film I saw recently on blu ray and you can tell its from the makers of Paranormal Activity and Insidious. Basically taking those two franchises and adding alien abduction into the mix. Again, not amazing but it had some real scary moments (the alien standing next to the bed talking to the son scared the hell out of me) and its left open for a sequel which Ive not heard if they are doing?? We'll see??
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsHugh JackmanJake GyllenhaalViola DavisWhen Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts.A great cast really makes this film. Jake Gyllenaal stealing the show in this one though. Unfortunately, like with all films like these (murder mysteries) you can only really watch it the once to get the full effect. Brilliantly acted though.
- DirectorNeil JordanStarsSaoirse RonanGemma ArtertonSam RileyResidents of a coastal town learn, with deathly consequences, the secret shared by the two mysterious women who have sought shelter at a rundown hotel.Without a doubt the best Vampire film I have seen since Let The Right One In. Like with that film, Byzantium kind of 'reinvents' the genre again by changing how people become Vampires, but at the same time, becomes its own film. The British seaside setting may not appeal to everyone but I loved it. It also has a bit of a nail biting ending and it didnt help the fact that I fancy the pants off Gemma Arterton :) :) :)
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsChris PineZachary QuintoZoe SaldanaAfter the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.A good sequel but not an amazing one. SPOILERS!!!! Cant help thinking this film would have been SO much better if the villain had NOT been Khan?? The film rips off The Wrath Of Khan far too many times and it doesnt feel original at all. Plus's in the film for me though were Peter Weller playing a rather nasty villain and the chase through a futuristic San Francisco at the end was gripping stuff. Roll on Star Trek 3 in 2016 for the shows 50th Anniversary.
- DirectorPierre CoffinChris RenaudStarsSteve CarellKristen WiigBenjamin BrattWhen Gru, the world's most super-bad turned super-dad has been recruited by a team of officials to stop lethal muscle and a host of Gru's own, he has to fight back with new gadgetry, cars, and more minion madness.Well the box office speaks for itself, and although it was still a good film, I didnt think it was as good as the original and thats the feeling I got as soon as the film started. The Minions steal the show yet again and they also have their own movie coming soon. Although Im not sure why this isnt being called Despicable Me 3 as I think Steve Carell is in it, unless hes taking a back seat in The Minion Movie?? On top of this, considering this film has nearly taken $1 billion you can bet Gru WILL be back in Despicable Me 3.
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsHenry CavillAmy AdamsMichael ShannonAn alien child is evacuated from his dying world and sent to Earth to live among humans. His peace is threatened when other survivors of his home planet invade Earth.More mixed reviews again with this. Visually stunning at times but the whole 'destruction' thing at the end becomes very repetitive. Henry Cavill not getting chance to 'shine' as Superman and only becomes Clark Kent in the last 30 seconds of the film. But you can tell he will get better as time goes on and seems better than Brandon Routh was as Superman. Plus the fact that I am a HUGE fan of the Christopher Reeve films made me think that this film didnt 'feel' like Superman to me. Like someone else wrote about this film recently, "Yes Superman saved the world, but he probably caused more destruction of property (and lives??) than what Zod would have caused on his own". Not looking forward to the sequel now either as it seems to becoming a Justice League prequel instead of a Man Of Steel sequel. Only time will tell with that one.
- DirectorDeclan LowneyStarsSteve CooganColm MeaneyTim KeyWhen famous DJ Alan Partridge's radio station is taken over by a new media conglomerate, it sets in motion a chain of events which see Alan having to work with the police to defuse a potentially violent siege.I have only ever seen the different Alan Partridge series Steve Coogan did on and off so I wasn't really a fan as such. However, like Anchorman 2, the film had myself and the audience in laughter pretty much all the way through the film. Great soundtrack too.