Paul's Picks: The Ten Best Films of 2013

Incredibly, for once my years really wasn't focused primarily on film. I was married on June 26, 2013, and that took my focus away both from making and seeing films. As such, there are a lot more films I didn't see this year than most. Also, a few big awards contenders (such as Spike Jonze's Her ) still haven't screened for press here in Utah, so I haven't seen them.  But here are my persoal. highly subjective (i.e. I don't to hear your crap) picks for the 10 films that had the most impact on me in one way or another in 2013 (the list of runners up came quite close and it was tough to make cuts in some cases, although for picking number 1 couldn't have been easier.



1. 12 Years A Slave
I can't remember a time since the release of Schindler's List 20 years ago that it was so easy to pick my number 1 film for the year. Steve McQueen's masterpiece is heartbreaking, devestating, and at times inspiring, finally giving us as close as we can get to a definitive film about slavery. Lead actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and the entire supporting cast are superb, and McQueen's direction is utterly flawless. One of the best films I have ever seen.








2. Gravity
Director Alfonso Cuaron uses 3D IMAX to create a completely immersive, visually innovative and dazzling experience that actually feels like it takes the medium to new places instead of merely being a gimmick to jack up the price.














3. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
It plays fast and loose with the midsection of Tolkien's classic, but Peter Jackson's fantasy extravanganza is one of the most thrilling blockbusters to come along in quite a while. The barrel riding sequence alone is worth multiple trips to the theater.









4. Captain Phillips
Director Paul Greengrass creates palpable tension in this utterly absorbing recount of Richard Phillips' capture by Somali pirates, aided immeasurably by Tom Hanks in peak form, giving a performance that ranks with his best.













5. Saving Mr. Banks
Tom Hanks again, utterly delightful as Walt Disney himself during the making of the classic Mary Poppins, opposite ad Oscar-worth Emma Thompson as author P.L. Travers. John Lee Hancock's film is funny, touching, and enchanting.











6. Frozen
At one invoking and breaking the mold of classic Disney fairytales, Frozen continues the string of surprising triumphs for non-Pixar Disney animation.














7. Rush
Director Ron Howard gives up one of his best films, taking a story (a rivalry between two Forumla 1 racing drivers) that held no interests for me and making it engrossing from start to finish with dazzling visuals (helped immensely by Howard's long-time editors Mike Hill and Dan Hanley) and top notch performances from Chris Hemsworth and especially Daniel Bruhl.










8. Star Trek Into Darkness
It may not be Trek at its deepest or most original, but J.J. Abram's sequel was by far the most satisfying of the summer blockbusters, the dynamic between Kirk and Spock is even stronger than last time, Benedict Cumberbatch is an exceptional villain, and the "War on Terror" subtext recalls the socio-political commentaries of some of the best episodes of the various series. A winner even if it is highly divisive among Trekkies.

9. Inside Llewyn Davis
Hilarious, melancholy and atmospheric, this is pure Coen brothers, and not likely to appeal much to those who aren't fans. But even if it leaves you feeling a little depressed, there is much to savor for those of us who love their work, and few American films are ever quite this intospective.










10. Mud
Jeff Nichols' indie drama features an extremely engaging story, great performances from Tye Sheridan, Matthew McConughey and Sam Shepard, and a surprisingly brisk pace. A real treaure.









Runners-Up: Monster University,
American Hustle, 42, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Ender's Game