Top 10 Films of 2013 (according to me)

Top 10 Films of 2013 (In no particular order)

Contracted-

             Directed by 25 year old Eric England, starring Najarra Townsend, Contracted is a story about a young girl who gets drugged and raped at a party by an unknown man (literally unknown. We the audience only get a few short glimpses of him, and when we do, his face is blurred.) Samantha (Najarra) soon finds out that her horrible incident is just the commencement of something beyond her worst nightmare.

             This movie was a late entry into my top 10 list this year. I had heard a few good things about it on some podcasts and finally decided to give it a watch. Boy am I glad that I did. Townsend is amazing as our beautiful and very unfortunate lead. Everything from the acting to the beautiful direction and camera work lands Contracted on my list as one of this year's best releases.

Dallas Buyers Club-

               Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee starring Matthew McConaughey and Jered Leto, Dallas Buyers Club is set in 1985 and follows the real life story of Ron Woodroof (McConaughey), a bull riding, whiskey drinking, heavy smoking straight mans-man who contracts the HIV virus in a time when most believed that only gay men were susceptible. Woodroof finds that drugs unapproved by the FDA are his best chances for a prolonged life, a way to help others in his situation, and a way to make some money.
               Let me start by saying that the acting in this movie by McConaughey and Leto are the two strongest performances by any two actors in any film this year. 68 pounds combined were shed by both actors to portray their ill characters. The story is beyond touching and the direction by Vallee is superb. My guess is you will hear a lot about this film come awards season. My genuine love for this film, it's story, and its characters portrayed lands Dallas Buyers Club on my top 10 this year.

Evil Dead-

               Fede Alvarez directs a surprisingly great cast lead by the beautiful Jane Levy (Suburgatory) in this "remake" or as I like to call it "re-imagining" of the classic 1981 film of the same name. As a huge horror fan, I was leary when I first heard that this movie was being made. Too many near perfect films have been unnecessarily remade lately. I give all the credit in the world to Alvarez for giving us a hell of a horror movie in his fresh new take on the classic. Whereas the 1981 film is successful in its campy, over the top comedy/horror, this version succeeds using a much darker angle with plenty of legit scares and gross-outs.

                The overall surprise on how well this film was made mixed with the amazing acting by a cast of mostly unknowns, lands this film in my top 10 of the year.

Stoker-

                  Directed by Chan-wook Park, starring Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman,and Matthew Goode, Stoker may be the most beautifully shot film in my list this year. Park (known for his popular Korean film Oldboy) delivers a gem in his first English-language film. We follow the life of India (Wasikowska) from the day of her fathers funeral. We can start to tell from our first introduction that something is different about India, and as we delve deeper into the film, we are clued in on what makes her unique. with it's slow burning story, extended camera stills, and and prolonged dialogue, Stoker may not be for everyone. I found that what some perceive as its downfalls, are actually its unique strengths. Pair those strengths with awe-inspiring performances by Wasikowska and Goode, as well as stunning cinematography, Stoker nestles itself among the other top 10 this year.

The Way Way Back-

                      Although I didn't rank any of my top 10 in any particular order, The Way Way Back would have to be my favorite movie of the year. Liam James plays 14 year old Duncan, a quiet kid on vacation with his mom and her new jerk-off boyfriend (played by Steve Carell). This movie has so many surprises as far as the acting goes, but all of them are overshadowed by that of Sam Rockwell. Rockwell plays the hilarious yet mysteriously affectionate owner of the local water park who takes Duncan under his wing. If you haven't seen this yet and you are looking for one good recommendation from this list, go watch this, you won't be let down.

You're Next-

                       From director Adam Wingard comes this home invasion film starring Sharni Vinson as the Erin, the girl with many secrets. There's not a lot I can say about this movie without giving a lot away so I'm going to keep it brief. You're Next has been circulating film festivals since 2011 and had a lot of buzz coming from the people lucky enough to see it. Finally released nationwide in 2013 I got to see it in theatres and the buzz was real. Beautiful cinematography, unique plot twists, and one incredible acting performance lands this movie on my top ten this year... easily.

Mud- 

                          Jeff Nichols (director of Take Shelter) brings us a film about friendship, mystery, crime, and love. Matthew McConaughey gives yet another amazing performance as Mud, the charming man on a mission who is living in a boat in a tree, searching for his true love. The real treat in this film is the performance by young Tye Sheridan as Ellis. Overall, everything about this movie works and should be viewed by anyone looking for something to watch with the family (grown up family).

Prince Avalanche-

                        This film was so much fun for me to watch. I am a huge Paul Rudd fan (shameless plug that he graduated from my high school- Shawnee Mission West). Rudd plays Alvin, one of his most interesting characters yet to date. Set in 1988, Rudd and Emile Hirsch play two road workers working in the middle of nowhere battling each other and ultimately themselves. The two characters have completely different personalities that somehow end up causing incredible chemistry. This surprising journey through friendships and inner demons lands a spot on my list.

The Conjuring-

                         I feel like this movie is on many people's top 10 this year, and chances are you've probably already seen it and have a strong opinion one way or another. I obviously loved this film by James Wan. With great performances by two of my favorite actors right now (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) and beautiful cinematography mixed with genuine scares, The Conjuring is not only one of my favorite movies of the year, but a film that will be talked about and shown at sleep-over's for decades.

All The Boys Love Mandy Lane-

                           I had been waiting to see this movie FOREVER. Finally releasing nationwide after years and years of circulating the film fests, 'Mandy Lane, I have to say was well worth the wait. Beautiful lead Amber Heard plays Mandy, the girl are the boys want. A group of sexually promiscuous, heavy drinking, drug abusing teens escape to a house in the middle of nowhere for some good ole' fashioned fun, when things start to go wrong. I know what you're thinking.. "I've seen this movie a million times." Thats what I thought... With throwbacks galore to the classic slashers and a few twists and turns, Mandy Lane successfully caused me to join all the other boys, and fall in love.

Honorable Mentions- The Lords Of Salem, Spring Breakers, The Wolf Of Wall Street, Gravity, Grabbers, American Hustle, This Is The End.