Tim’s Top Ten Films of 2013

This is my list of the Top Ten Films released in the year 2013. I have reviewed each one of them or a review is pending and consider them to be all worthy of their position. If you notice any films that you loved and that are not on the list then this could mean one of two things, either I disagree or I simply didn’t see it (there’s a lot of those). I will also be releasing my worst films of the year and what I thought were the best/worst sci-fi films of the year. Lastly I will post my most anticipated films of this current year 2014, ohhh exciting.

#1: Gravity

#1 on my list takes the number one spot for one reason; it’s the only film this year to get my 100% score. The film is very powerful and is visually beautiful with equally impressive character development. The 3D is used in a way that is extremely rare in most films, it’s actually used. Other than the visuals the other great aspect is the character development from Sandra Bullock, seeing her survive the ordeal this story portrays is a fascinating character study.

“How about you Ryan, you have anybody down there, looking up in the sky waiting for you to come home?”

Full Review

My Score: 100%

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#2: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

#2 on my list was a very pleasant surprise, I didn’t think too much about the first film but this really impresses me and its position is well deserved. 2013 is a great year for replacement directors. It’s a more thrilling story, it’s a well-paced and smartly presented film and if you are a fan apparently it’s more loyal to the book. It’s just winning on all fronts, or it’s as good as Caesars teeth are white.

“You fought very had in the Games, Miss Everdeen. But they were games. Would you like to be in a real war? Thousands of your people dead. Your loved ones….Gone.”

Full Review

My Score: 96%

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#3: The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

#3 is yet another improved sequel on last year DRAGONS!!! Smaug you scene stealing marvel. What more could you want? And in case you were wondering, yes the sequel is better than the first film. It had better flow, more action and you know stuff actually happened most of the time. It’s essential what you get when adapting the events of the book rather than the journey featured in the first film. Out of everything featured in this film I must say that the visuals effects are by far the most stand out improvement over the first film. Smaug was a sight to see and worth the price of submission.

“Dragonfire and ruin! That is what he will bring upon us! He cannot see beyond his own desire!”

Full Review

My Score: 94%

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#4: Pacific Rim

#4 on my list is a film I have took down a few points because the excitement around the film has dropped, still a great action film and blockbuster, best of the summer. Guillermo del Toro you glorious bastard! I walked into this film with high expectations and I mean really high expectations and yet somehow I still got more than I hoped for. This film wasn’t just giant monsters crashing against giant robots (which would have been enough for me) it had real characters and real emotions which make you care about them and that is incredibly important. The visuals go without saying but am saying it anyway, they were so EPIC in both scale and quality.

“Today at the edge of our hope, at the end of our time.  We have chosen to believe in each other!  Today we face the monsters that are at our door, today we are cancelling the apocalypse!”

Full Review

My Score: 92%

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#5: Man of Steel

#5 on my list wasn’t the most excellent film as the trailer promised but I still consider it to be a great film, little work needed on the dialogue but the action cannot be put down. Somehow the team behind this film have made superman both more down to earth than any superman film before whilst also making him far more powerful and raw as a superhero. The visuals are just unbelievable and I’ll devote a paragraph to discussing that, the acting is good and General Zod is just wow.

“My name is General Zod. I have journeyed across an ocean of stars to reach you. Your world has sheltered one of my citizens. He will look like you, but he is not one of you. To those of you who know his location, the fate of your planet rests in your hands. To Kal-El, I say this: Surrender within 24 hours, or watch this world suffer the consequences.”

Full Review

My Score: 91%

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#6: This is the End

#6 is a really fantastic surprise of 2013, didn’t expect much and by far this is my favourite comedy of the year. I couldn’t believe how funny this film was and how much I laughed. The cast were great, the visuals weren’t bad, the dialogue and humour is right on the money, and even the story moved along really well. I would recommend this film to anyone who liked Pineapple Express and Superbad.

Jay Baruchel:   “The power of Christ compels you!”

Jonah Hill:   “Is the power of Christ compelling me Jay?  Guess what?  It’s not that compelling.”

Full Review

My Score: 90%

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#7: Kings of Summer

#7 Review pending but here is a brief opinion. The Kings of Summer is a great and quirky coming-of-age indie movie full of charm and strong performances. Nick Robinson and Nick Offerman play a great father and son duo and hit big laughs and deep feels multiple times.

“Yes, I experienced a childhood on the planet Earth. I’ve heard the story of the boy who cried wolf.”

My Score: 90%

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#8: Frozen

#8 is another film with a review pending, but here are my general thoughts. Didn’t really anticipate this film all that much, story didn’t hook me or anything but the film surprised me. The story is fun and unique at parts for a Disney film and the music is brilliant. Disney have really impressed me with their recent animated features Wreck it Ralph and Tangled where very good films and this is a great continuation of that.

“Only one crazy enough to be out in this storm is you dear. You and this fellow.”

My Score: 90%

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#9: Star Trek Into Darkness

#9 is a film that would be slightly higher on the list but I have rewatched it and have taken a few points off. The story is very good and benefits from the always brilliant plot driver of revenge. The acting was great and had the same brilliant performances from the first film with the added bonus of Benedict Cumberbatch being full on badass! We also get some great dialogue going on in this film; you will quote this films villain. 

“Let me explain to you what’s going on here. You are a criminal! I watched you murder innocent men and women. I was authorized to end you! And the only reason you are still alive is because I am allowing it! So shut your mouth!”

Full Review

My Score: 90%

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#10: Thor: The Dark World

#10 was a really fun superhero film, out of all the hero films it made me laugh the most so it gets this position with a chuckle. This was a really well made film and I have very few to no complaints. The story takes you to so many more places than previous films and expands on the universe created. The visuals are a great improvement on the first Thor film with less plastic and more leather and metal, Thor’s universe seems real. The new Director (Alan Taylor) has done a wonderful job of creating a sequel, blending past events naturally with the current story and just making it so damn fun. 

“Some believe that before the universe, there was nothing. They’re wrong. There was darkness and it has survived.”

Full Review

My Score: 89%

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Honourable Mentions: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 & 2, Oblivion, Prisoners, Cloud Atlas, V/H/S/2 (Safe Haven).

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Ending this top ten film list a bit weird guys.

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Best Game with a Story

The Last of Us

This game was really excellent and I am just talking about it from a film stand point. Not a big gamer but this really impressed me with its story, acting, characters, music and visuals. If this was a film that came out this year it would top this list and probably a lot of other peoples, honestly this year the gaming industry has in some weird twist shown Hollywood up in the story department. If you are a gamer then please play this, if you don’t game then watch the “movie” cut which I have checked out and linked in the next line. If you can get past the games introduction section and not be connected to the main character/ have your heart broken you are a monster. Click here to watch the full Cut scene movie

My Score: 100%

Honourable mention: Bioshock Infinite, Lara Croft