Best of 2013
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List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
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- DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsBrie LarsonFrantz TurnerJohn Gallagher Jr.A 20-something supervising staff member of a residential treatment facility navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-worker and longtime boyfriend.Grounded by raw performances and confident direction.
- DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsSandra BullockGeorge ClooneyEd HarrisDr Ryan Stone, an engineer on her first time on a space mission, and Matt Kowalski, an astronaut on his final expedition, have to survive in space after they are hit by debris while spacewalking.One of the most primal film experiences of my life, Gravity is an emotional thrill ride with stunning visuals, sensitive performances, amazing sound design and a soundtrack that can change your heart rate on its own.
- DirectorAdam McKayStarsWill FerrellChristina ApplegatePaul RuddWith the 1970s behind him, Ron Burgundy, San Diego's former top-rated newsreader, returns to take New York City's first twenty-four-hour news channel by storm.Arguably funnier than the original, Anchorman 2 is at the very least a worthy follow-up for the comedy classic.
- DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Guy PearceGwyneth PaltrowWhen Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.Shane Black + The Marvel Cinematic Universe = Well, not as fun as The Avengers, but still a solid, all-around entertaining popcorn flick.
- DirectorAlan TaylorStarsChris HemsworthNatalie PortmanTom HiddlestonWhen the Dark Elves attempt to plunge the universe into darkness, Thor must embark on a perilous and personal journey that will reunite him with doctor Jane Foster.The MCU has yet to disappoint. As with the other films, Thor: The Dark World doesn't have a lot of say; the characters aren't complex; and it's hardly high art...but it's pretty and fun.
- DirectorNoah BaumbachStarsGreta GerwigMickey SumnerAdam DriverA New York woman apprentices for a dance company and throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as the possibility of realizing them dwindles.This is one that might disappear from the list if I find more great movies from this year, but from the smallish pool of winners, this is certainly one of them. Greta Gerwig's performance makes the film. It owes a lot to mumblecore and the Gen-Y Indie ilk (including Lena Dunham's oeuvre), so it's certainly not for everybody.
- DirectorEvan GoldbergSeth RogenStarsJames FrancoJonah HillSeth RogenSix Los Angeles celebrities are stuck in James Franco's house after a series of devastating events just destroyed the city. Inside, the group not only have to face the apocalypse, but themselves.Quite simply one of the funniest movies of the year.
- DirectorJoseph Gordon-LevittStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittScarlett JohanssonJulianne MooreA New Jersey guy dedicated to his family, friends, and church, develops unrealistic expectations from watching porn and works to find happiness and intimacy with his potential true love.A funny and unique look at sex from a certain type of male perspective, complete with character growth and a soupcon of the female side of things. Levitt's performance is quite good, right down to an attention to things such as body language.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsIan McKellenMartin FreemanRichard ArmitageThe dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain, their homeland, from the dragon Smaug.Aside from a few expected pacing problems, Jackson's take on The Hobbit continues to be more charming than the previous trilogy, with the excellent Martin Freeman still hitting the ball out of the park as the ever-endearing Bilbo Baggins.
- DirectorPaul FeigStarsSandra BullockMichael McDonaldMelissa McCarthyAn uptight FBI Special Agent is paired with a foul-mouthed Boston cop to take down a ruthless drug lord.What looked to be a wholly mediocre comedy, where I was expecting a chuckle or two ended up being one of the funniest movies I saw all year. The humor keeps coming, and is never overshadowed by ho-hum action scenes.