My Top 10 Films of 2013

In the year of 2013, there was an immense amount of high quality movies released, more so than I can recall over the past several years. I've seen all the major box office hits and some of the small projects so I thought I'd share my top 10 Films of 2013 with 10 honorable mentions. Warning: There may be some slight spoilers.

 #1  The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

 My favorite movie of 2013 hands down. A film in which many people can relate to in some way or another. This movie brought me on an adventure. A man in a difficult situation in his mundane life finds out some more bad news. Looking for an escape into a life with more excitement, Walter day dreams to add flare to otherwise boring situations.

What I took away from this movie was that everyone has a choice to be happy, to choose how their life goes and how the other way around. Discovering the courage to take action and maybe you'd be surprised at the adventure that life can be.



#2   Gravity

Speechless. As I watched the film from the beginning until the end, that is the only word I can describe the experience. Taking place just outside the safety of Earths atmosphere we find Astronauts fighting for their lives - trying to find a way to return back home on Earth. The Visual Effects in this movie has set a new standard for all future films. Perhaps the script was limited by the fact that the story was so very simple, but the way Alfonso Cuaron told this story, you have to see it to experience it.

#3  Star Trek: Into Darkness

My Name Is KHAN.... Ok perhaps not the most well-kept secret but it was still quite the moment when Benedict Cumberbatch delivered his lines. This movie is action packed with a good amount of comedy in it to make it a fun and very enjoyable experience. This movie was on top of my list for most of the year until the other two above were released.


 #4  Rush

 The tale of two different stories to success crossing paths with each other. We have the formula one rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda's story told in such a way where you felt the tension in their relationship, the thirst to win and best each other while holding both to the highest regard without actually saying it out loud. This story was touching and one that shows what being an athlete is all about. The performance of Daniel Bruhl in this movie as Niki Lauda was phenomenal.


#5  Her

We live in a world where computers are a big part of our life. In Her we have a futuristic story about a man who develops a relationship with an Artificial Intelligent Operating System. This story does not sound so farfetched and it felt real to an extent of how some people have become more isolated from human interaction as they use and rely more and more on technology. This movie offers a different look on how relationships work, it was surprising enjoyable and very interesting. I went into the cinema with no expectations and came out very impressed.



#6  12 Years a Slave

In a time period in human history that undoubtedly was a low point, 12 Years a Slave shares a story of slavery. A touching story of how one mans free life turns upside down in pursue for a better life for himself and his family. A truly touching story with a bittersweet end. This movie is based on a book based on a true story.



#7   Dallas Buyers Club

Based on a true story, we have a man who gets diagnosed with AIDS and aims to get the medicine that he and other AIDS patient needs. An inspirational and history story beautifully told lead with the (academic award winning) performances of Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto.


#8  Ender's Game

Based on sci-fi book by Orson Scott Card, this movie takes some liberties with the original story but tells a story of how a young boy is placed with the burden of saving the human race against an alien invasion. The movie follows Ender Wiggins as he progresses through military school, meeting friends along the way and earning the respect of his peers and ultimately leading them into the imminent war.


#9 Saving Mr. Banks

The story of Mary Poppins, and how the author P.L. Travers came up with the very idea of such a character. A story worth knowing for Mary Poppins fans and ultimately a touching story. In a movie with Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, no one would have known that the gem of a performance would come from Colin Farrell.


#10 Iron Man 3

When a movie makes over 1 billion dollars USD worldwide, you've done something right. As a Marvel fan this movie was more than I expected as the audience got to see Tony Stark as Tony Stark and not so much as Iron Man for much of the movie. This movie answers the question: Is Tony Stark Iron Man? or is Iron Man Tony Stark.


10 Honourable Mention (in no particular order)

• About Time 
• Philomena
• Thor: The Dark World
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
• We're the Millers
• World War Z
• The Wolverine
• 42
• American Hustle 
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The beautiful thing about movies is that the messages it conveys to the audience can be different and very subjective. I hope you enjoyed this list and I am definitely up for any comments!

- Michael Chow (DexVitalitY)
Sources: IMDB