Popcorn@Movies best of 2013...

Well, we are coming to Popcorn@Movies first Christmas, and i was a little excited to celebrate the occasion with a best of 2013 list, on this list i am only including films released this year in their native country, and only films released theatrically, so here goes!

10. Catching Fire

The second installment of the Hunger Games Saga is deceptively thoughtful cinema, visually stunning and superbly acted, featuring some fantastically choreographed action sequences, Catching Fire improves upon its predecessor in both tone and pace, and with a stunning performance by Jennifer Lawrence, she truly is the girl on fire.

9. Blackfish 

Blackfish uses a surprisingly conventional structure, it is a chilling thriller about a tragic incident from which it seems, we have learned nothing, the film raises some pointed questions about the keeping of orcas in captivity, particularly for entertainment. Blackfish is documentary filmmaking at its best; it’s a provoking often shocking watch, which encourages us to think about the way we keep creatures in captivity.

8. The Great Gatsby

Baz Luhrmann’s stylish adaptation is an instant classic, and updates the tone and themes of the novel whilst retaining the period opulence of the era. A stunning soundtrack produced by Jay Z and opulent dazzling costumes by Catherine Martin make this adaptation a sumptuous delight.

7. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

After a slight stumble at the first hurdle, Peter Jackson picks up the pace with this second installment, featuring a stunningly animated dragon, beautiful sweeping vistas and some awe inspiring middle earth architecture, middle earth has got it’s groove back and it looks better than ever, in addition to the visuals and finely choreographed action, the film features strong performances from McKellen, Freeman and Cumberbatch. Jackson delivers with this exciting second installment stuffed full of pure spectacle.

 6. Inside Llewyn Davis

The Coen Brothers at their best, Inside Llewyn Davis provides audiences with a fluid yet non-linear structure, great music produced by T Bone Burnett, and fantastic performances from Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan and F. Murray Abraham. Inside Llewyn Davis is stylish and cinematographically distinct, and offers an honest and personal story, about the hardships of the folk music scene in the 1960’s Greenwich Village.

5. Blue Jasmine

The latest from auteur Woody Allen is some of his best work in recent memory, an intense character study featuring an unexpected non-linear structure and a tour-de-force performance by Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine features enough humor and quirk to satisfy traditionalist Woody Allen fans, whilst showing the director expanding his art to more dramatic territory focusing on largely contemporary issues.

4. Stoker

Chilling and dark, Park Chan-Wook’s english language debut represents an auspicious start for the Korean director, suspenseful and stylized, Stoker features a fantastic cast and an inspired story penned by Wentworth Miller in his screenwriting debut. Stoker is undoubtedly the most stylish horror film in recent memory, and the best thriller released this year.

3. Blue is the Warmest Color

This French adaptation of graphic novel Blue Angel is intense, passionate and incredibly lifelike. The lead actresses give fascinating complex performances, and the direction is well handled. Blue is the Warmest Color is by far the strongest LGBT film released this year.

2. Frozen

Epic in scope, scale and ambition, this instant animated classic rivals Disney classics from the renaissance period with its dazzling 3D animation, sumptuous music and fantastic quirky characters. Frozen is a film to be enjoyed for years to come, and despite being a classic Disney princess film, stands out from the canon with some inspired story deviation and character development.

1. Gravity

Gravity is a rare thing in today’s world, a surprise. This picture from auteur Alfonso Cuaron is pure theater, featuring a standout performance from Sandra Bullock and stunning space cinematography by Emanuel Lubezki, all enhanced with 3D. This is the only film released this year that justifies paying the inflated ticket price. Gravity is thrilling, beautiful and terrifying, and is the sort of instant classic that will be cherished for years to come, and is a testament to the talents of Bullock, Cuaron and Lubezki.