2013: Year in Review

In honor of the academy awards being today here at long last is my personal review of last year in film. It was a very interesting year and I could even go as far as saying it was a very good year. This year it was not the blockbusters that wowed but instead the smaller films. these pleasant surprises are what took this year from being a typical year to being a good year. So, with that out of the way, let's get down to this year's big winners in my book.

Best Film: 12 Years A Slave, A truly excruciating experience 12 Years takes the top spot because of its ability to make history come alive in a horrifying way. The acting and directing were top notch as well and helped to make this one of the best epics in recent memory.

Honorable Mentions: Gravity, American Hustle, Nebraska, and Her

Best ensemble Cast: 12 Years a Slave, the casting is one of the most important aspects of an epic. 12 Years shines with its choices of actors both familiar to audiences and new. It was truly a group effort.

Most surprisingly Good Movie: Mud, This movie has been all but forgotten because it technically premiered at Cannes in 2012  but honestly it was one of the best films to be released in the US this year. It walked the line between crowd pleaser and art film very well and was a truly pleasant surprise.
Honorable Mentions: Nebraska

Most Disappointing Movie: Iron Man 3, I loved the first Iron Man and after some early buzz it looked like the third was going to be a return to form, alas, it was instead just as problematic as the second one and it really left me feeling underwhelmed and disappointed.

Best Utterly Stupid Movie: Anchorman 2, I'll admit that I laughed more at this than I should have but that's what this category is for.

Best action Sequence: The opening of Star Trek Into Darkness was reminiscent of blockbusters of old and was a great introduction to a really good sequel.
Honorable Mention: Superman Vs. Zod Man of Steel

Hitchcock Award (Best Action Movie or Thriller): Captain Phillips an example of a great Hollywood thriller using a real story and a great cast that includes and incredible performance by Tom Hanks.

So their you have it, 2013 was a really good year and there were plenty of films that deserve awards but which weren't even mentioned here but there is only so much room. I look forward to the Oscars tonight and another great year of movies this year!