This last week on the InSession Film Podcast, we finished off the show talking about the best movies so far in 2013. Well if you listen to it, we went over some pretty great movies this year, discussed some not so great films and left out several that we should have. I clearly didn’t do my homework very well for that segment as I missed several movies that should of been talked about.
Well after some thought and discussion, here are what I think are the five best movies we’ve seen so far in 2013. I want to point out too that I haven’t seen every movie this year. I’ve heard really good things about Frances Ha, Stories We Tell, Much Ado About Nothing and a few others as well but haven’t got the chance to see those yet. We make it a point to see the bigger releases for our podcast and sometimes the small films don’t make it to Lexington, Kentucky. So, unfortunately I haven’t seen them all. However, we have seen a lot of movies this year and here are the one’s, again that I’ve seen, that make the top 5 for 2013 so far.
5) Stoker
Stoker is an amazing film with strong performances and a strong script. It’s a hard story to see but the characters are strong and incredibly interesting. Mia Wasikowska brings it here and it’s incredible to see how she deals with the heartbreak after her father dies, how that effects her, and where it forces her to become something else altogether. Nicole Kidman and Matthew Goode are also fantastic and it’s an amazing film that I’d recommend to anyone. The soundtrack is pretty great also.
4) Mud
Jeff Nichols’ Mud has some incredible cinematography that puts you right into the Arkansas backwoods on the Mississippi River aesthetic. This is perhaps Matthew McConaughey’s best performance that is followed up by amazing performances by Ty Sheridan and Jacob Lofland. The story is amazing and intense, while predictable in some ways, but it all comes together extremely well. The dialouge is realistic and it’s a great story of learning your identity. Click here to read our full review.
3) Spring Breakers
Talk about the most surprising film of the year so far. Spring Breakers takes you into a land of satire on spring break and what can come with that environment. This is my favorite James Franco performance I’ve ever seen and it’s quite different for him but incredibly fun. The beautiful cinematography and repetition Harmony Korine uses is brilliant and adds an element that is a lot of fun to watch. The girl’s performances may not blow you away, but this film overall will. Click here to read our full review.
2) Before Midnight
While Before Midnight isn’t the best of the trilogy, it has it’s own certain flair that makes it stand out from the first two. There are other characters that we get to see and have fun with while at the same time Linklater still gives us our intimacy with Jessie and Celine. This film takes a different approach to relationships but the realism is incredible and depending on who you are, you find your self on one side of the fence or the other. It’s an amazing ride. Click here to read our full review.
1) The Place Beyond the Pines
The Place Beyond the Pines is an incredible story and has some of the best performances of the year so far. Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper’s performances are not only the best but also my favorite of the year so far too. While they have almost zero interaction, you’re intrigued by everything they are doing and it’s a crazy ride. Gosling is amazing and the first act of this film could be the best movie of the year so far all by itself. It’s incredible and the story goes into some amazing places that I’d highly recommend. Click here to ready our full review.
Great list. Out of all of them, the only one I missed was Mud. Yes James Franco is amazing in Spring Breakers and I really enjoyed Before Midnight for the change those characters go through.
Thanks for the comment! Yeah definitely see Mud, it’s terrific!