Top Ten Films of 2013

The year 2013 is almost over and it's about the time critics and cinephiles start to shell out their "top ten" lists. This year is different from the previous ones, because I have technically become a professional published film critic and made it my duty to see over 50 films that have been released. Some, like Riddick and Smurfs 2, were absolutely dreadful but there were many that were absolutely outstanding. So here are the following top ten. Reasons will be given in point form, individual reviews will be written at a later date. 
(Frances Ha made #11)

10. Target Practice (No Photo)

- Incredible story regarding growing pains

- Great Acting

- An obscure Canadian flick

9. Before Midnight
 - Well written and captivating

- Last installment of Richard Linklater's brilliant "before" trilogy

8. Like Father, Like Son 

- Another remarkable Kore-eda Hirokazu picture

-Avoids easy sentimentalism with rich relationships

7. Blue Jasmine 

-Woody Allen masterpiece

- Modern version of "A Streetcar Named Desire" with a pinch of comedy

6. Jeune et Jolie

-Perhaps Francois Ozon's greatest picture to date


 
5. Le Passe

- Asghar Farhadi's magnificent follow up to the Oscar Winning film The Separation, this deals with even more complex themes.

4. Blue is the Warmest Color
 -Stunning depiction of a woman discovering her sexual identity

-Only this year could Blue be at #4, it's a strong contender for best of the decade
 

 
3. The Dance of Reality

-Alejandro Jodorowsky's latest work, the last one he made was The Rainbow Thief in 1990!


 

2. 12 Years A Slave

-Latest Michael Fassbinder/Steve McQueen collaboration

-The "Passion of the Christ" of slavery movies

 
 1. The Great Beauty 

- The closest any film-maker will get to Federico Fellini in the 21st Century

- Surreal, magical and tragic