In the spirit of the Golden Globes, I’m going to spare you the small talk and jump right to the Top 15 Movies of 2013:
1) Her
Directed by Spike Jonze
One of the most original and enjoyable movies I’ve ever seen. Joaquin Phoenix is a lonely guy that enters into a romantic relationship with an Operating System he purchased. Instead of getting Siri, he gets the voice and flirtatious personality of Scarlett Johansson. This movie is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Her for Best Picture and Spike Jonze for both Best Screenplay and Best Director!
2) The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Directed by Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller takes this well-known movie about a day-dreamer to the next level. The transformation he makes from fantasy to reality is truly uplifting and inspirational. This movie is a visual feast that will leave you wanting to break away from your own day-to-day life.
3) About Time
Directed by Richard Curtis
Let me start out by saying I went to see this movie because I love Richard Curtis’ other work like Four Weddings and a Funeral and Love Actually. Domhnall Gleeson (Bill Weasley from Harry Potter) finds out he can travel back in time and falls in love with Rachel McAdams. As it turns out, the movie is about much more than that. The poignant moments between him and his father Bill Nighy will likely have you in tears. This movie is truly memorable.
4) Much Ado About Nothing
Directed by Joss Whedon
Yes, Joss Whedon really filmed this hilarious Shakespeare play at his home in black and white and it blew me away. Some of the best dialog and physical comedy you’ll ever see. Amy Acker for Best Actress!
5) The Wolf of Wall Street
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Everything you love about Gordon Gekko in Wall Street, the hard-driving salesmen of Glengarry Glen Ross, the non-stop drug consumption of Scarface, and the ruthless get-rich-at-all-cost nature of Boiler Room. Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor!
6) The Way Way Back
Directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
Being a young teenager on a summer trip can be a bummer when your mom’s boyfriend Steve Carell turns out to be jerk. Luckily, befriending Sam Rockwell at a water park turns things around. This coming of age film really put a smile on my face. Sam Rockwell for Best Supporting Actor!
7) Gravity
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
Nothing can stop Sandra Bullock’s determination and will to live in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. George Clooney gives her just what she needs to keep going.
8) American Hustle
Directed by David O. Russell
Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jeremy Renner take us back to the 70s to tell us the story of ABSCAM in a world of con-artists, politicians, and federal agents. I truly thought I’d been transported back in time in this well-written film. Amy Adams for Best Supporting Actress!
9) Captain Phillips
Directed by Paul Greengrass
Container ship Captain Tom Hanks goes head-to-head with a Somali pirate when he’s taken hostage in this true story. Those Navy SEALs sure are good shooters!
10) World War Z
Directed by Marc Forster
In a world full of slow-moving zombie movies, Brad Pitt shifts this one into overdrive to save the uninfected!
11) Star Trek Into Darkness
Directed by J.J. Abrams
Kirk, Spock and the rest of the gang experience a flashback to the Wrath of Khan. Sometimes the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
12) Oblivion
Directed by Joseph Kosinski
Tom Cruise does what he does best and brings the action in this dystopian science fiction thriller with a twist
13) Elysium
Directed by Neill Blomkamp
Matt Damon and the rest of the 99% on Earth are willing to do whatever it takes to join Jodie Foster and the 1% on a space station
14) The Internship
Directed by Shawn Levy
This funny advertisement for Google has everyone wanting to move to Mountain View to join Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson
15) Frances Ha
Directed by Noah Baumbach
I’m a big fan of Greta Gerwig and happily followed her through this schizophrenic romp to nowhere.
Bonus: Top song of 2013
Get Lucky
Daft Punk, Nile Rodgers, and Pharrell Williams
This song made my summer!
Bonus: Top music video of 2013
Scream and Shout
Will.i.am and Britney Spears
The DJ had the Sotavento Beach Club in Barcelona pulsating to this song during Mobile World Congress
Have a happy 2014!
– Rob