The Best Films of 2013

This year, I upheld my goal of writing about every new film I saw (with the exception of a recent handful – those will have to wait until next month). Instead of my usual mini-reviews of each title in my top ten, some decidedly more abstract thoughts (click on the titles for links to my original reviews).

1. FRANCES HA
I initially called this Noah Baumbach’s best film since THE SQUID AND THE WHALE; after some time and a second viewing, I’ll call it my favorite film in years. Although a singular heroine, Frances/Greta Gerwig embodies someone whom we can relate to, or at least someone I once was, at an age when I was equally exhilarated and terrified, trying to figure it all out.

2. THE ACT OF KILLING
Proves that truth always carries the potential to trump fiction in all-out absurdity.

3. STORIES WE TELL
Proves that the difference between what we remember and what actually happened is always in flux.

4. THE PAST
We emphatically try to move on in presence and spirit, but our memories remain and often dictate how we go on living.

5. BEFORE MIDNIGHT
However, as time passes, we can’t help but change; what once was a reason for living we now all too easily take for granted.

6. NEBRASKA
As we age, we want to believe in the impossible and the absurd, if only for the good it may bring to those we care about most.

7. INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS
We soldier on even if we don’t seem to get anywhere, for the journey carries far more weight than the destination.

8. HER
The possibility of love is never out of reach, no matter the immense difficulty in finding it on occasion.

9. GRAVITY
We seek adventure, but in moderation: too much of it could literally kill you, but a complete lack thereof could be detrimental in other ways.

10. LAURENCE ANYWAYS
We strive to change (or accept change in others) but always remember to seek beauty and wisdom. Also fabulousness.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

(a.k.a. great movies I could not fit into the top ten)

20 FEET FROM STARDOM
AMERICAN HUSTLE
ENOUGH SAID
THE HUNT
SHORT TERM 12
SIGHTSEERS
THIS IS MARTIN BONNER
WHAT MAISIE KNEW

ALSO RECOMMENDED:

12 YEARS A SLAVE
56 UP
ALL IS LOST
C.O.G.
COMPUTER CHESS
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB
GINGER AND ROSA
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
I’M SO EXCITED!
IN THE HOUSE
THE JEFFREY DAHMER FILES
THE LAND OF EB
LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
MUSEUM HOURS
NO
THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES
PLIMPTON! STARRING GEORGE PLIMPTON AS HIMSELF
PRINCE AVALANCHE
REALITY
THE SPECTACULAR NOW
THE SQUARE
STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS
STOKER
UPSTREAM COLOR
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET