***Favorite Films of 2013***

It's that time of the year again.
The time where lots of critics and cinephiles post their Top 10 (or Top 13 because of 2013).
Most of them post their picks throughout this last month.
I always wait until the very last day to post.
Like always, it's a difficult task choosing my favorites. 
I saw 80 movies this year that are considered 2013 according to
the Internet Movie Database (IMDb). 
I narrowed it down to 15 (Top 10 and 5 Honorable Mentions).
These films are either films that entertained me the most, that touched
me in either appropriate or inappropriate ways, and either surprised me or inspired me.

My personal Top 10 Favorite Films of 2013:

 1. Big Bad Wolves
 2. The Wolf of Wall Street
 3. Why Don't You Play In Hell?
 4. Pacific Rim
 5. The Dirties
 6. The Conjuring
 7. Monsters University
 8. R100
 9. The Way Way Back
10. The Last Stand

Honorable Mentions: Gravity, The Kings of Summer, Side Effects, Mood Indigo, and Trance.

This year I had Samurai Monday, Vampire Thursday, Cult Classic Friday, and Oscar Sunday as
monthly specials.
Here's my most favorite to least favorite for each category:

Samurai Monday
 1. Zatoichi
 2. Swords of Vengeance
 3. Shogun's Samurai
 4. When The Last Sword is Drawn
 5. Harakiri
 6. Samurai I
 7. Samurai II
 8. Hanzo the Razor
 9. Samurai III
10. Shogun's Shadow
11. Hana: The Tale of a Reluctant Samurai
12. The Twilight Samurai

Vampire Thursday
 1. Blacula
 2. Near Dark
 3. Fright Night
 4. Innocent Blood
 5. Blade Trinity
 6. Byzantium
 7. Dracula (original)
 8. Kiss of the Damned
 9. Day Watch
10. The Hunger
11. Fearless Vampire Killers
12. Vampyr

Cult Classic Friday
 1. Harold and Maude
 2. Eating Raoul
 3. Flash Gordon
 4. Pink Flamingos
 5. This is Spinal Tap
 6. The Room
 7. Mommie Dearest
 8. The Warriors
 9. Naked Lunch
10. Crumb
11. Plan 9 From Outer Space
12. The Man Who Fell to Earth

Oscar Sunday
 1. In the Heat of the Night
 2. Kramer Vs. Kramer
 3. My Fair Lady
 4. The Sting
 5. Rain Man
 6. Rebecca
 7. The French Connection
 8. Hamlet
 9. The Greatest Show on Earth
10. It Happened In One Night
11. Grand Hotel
12. Amadeus

The Croods (2013)

The Croods IMDb
Cute and awesome at the same time.  My son and I enjoyed this caveman adventure story.  A story about family, about adapting to changes, and becoming adventurous for survival. Each character was pretty cool.  You got the protective father and the rebellious teenage daughter story.  Lots of wild and colorful animals including cute red birds that get together and eat big living animals.  Nice.  I'm not a cat person but that colorful tiger was pretty awesome.  I want one of those now.  Overall, nice Animation.  I think this is my 2nd favorite animation this year.  My favorite is still Monsters University.

American Hustle (2013)

American Hustle IMDb
My last movie to see in the theatre this year was this movie.  It was okay for me.  The highlights here are the performances, the wardrobe, and that awesome soundtrack.  That's it.  The story was nothing special.  The first half reminded me of old school Martin Scorsese films.  Too bad Scorsese didn't direct this himself, might of been badass.  I didn't really care for the main characters.  The characters I loved was Jennifer Lawrence's character and Jeremy Renner's character.  My favorite moment has to be when Jennifer Lawrence goes all out singing "Live and Let Die."  Awesome.  I wanted more substance out of this movie.  This won't make it in my top favorite films this year but good to see once for those wonderful performances.  In the Academy Awards political world, this might be the movie they would choose to win.  In my world, it's a bit overrated. 

We're the Millers (2013)

We're The Millers IMDb
Pretty much what I expected: a silly no brainer comedy with a few laughs.  I like the premise of the movie.  In fact, that is what attracted me in the first place.  I like movies about pot and road trips.  Why not?  I think the only character I didn't like here is the American drug boss played by Ed Helms.  Sorry, I don't think he's funny at all.  This is the type of movie I usually wait for on DVD (preferably Redbox, I wouldn't dare pick this at Vulcan when they have other rarities I rather watch).  Okay story, a few funny scenes, lots of cheesy moments, and a typical mainstream ending.  Favorite comedic moment:  Our main guy goes to get a haircut to blend in as a family man.  He tells the stylist to make his hair like the same style as a miserable married guy who hates his boring life and routines and wants to kill himself.  A bored married guy sitting in the waiting area interrupts and tells the stylist pointing at his hair, "right here, just like this one."  This movie would of been hilarious if there were stoner scenes.  Not recommended.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

The Wolf of Wall Street IMDb
Martin Scorsese's latest film made 2013 a whole lot better.  I am pleased to write that this movie was freaking awesome.  Another title that could describe this movie better would be: Goodfellas of Wall Street.  Yes my friends, this is that good.  I had a feeling this movie wasn't going to let me down.  I kind of hyped it up for myself and it still delivered.  So many great scenes.  So many great performances.  Man, this was funny as hell.  I lost count of all the times I laughed throughout this movie.  There are also lots of sex and drugs in this movie.  Non-stop.  Money buys everything.  One of my favorite scenes: a very messed up Leonard DiCaprio crawls for a while under the influence of some rare pills.  His performance was excellent in this movie.  Even Jonah Hill was good in his role.  Great narration! Great soundtrack.  This movie is 3 hours long but they went by quick for me.  I seriously felt like I was high on cocaine throughout the movie and even after it was over.  Scorsese has never failed me.  Must see movie of the year.  One of my top favorites.  Can't decide if this is number one or number two.   Great to have seen this on Christmas!

Cloudy Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)

Cloudy Chance of Meatballs 2 IMDb
I'm a big fan of the first movie. It surprised me and it was a fun ride all the way.  This one also had its charms.  Of course, not as good and fun as the first one, but still entertaining.  Love the characters.  How about that big "Hamburger Spider"?  Creepy but yet looks delicious.  Our main scientist guy is back again.  This time he is ordered by his scientist idol to go on a mission to save the island that is overrun by living food.  He takes his friends along.  Great adventures.  He is being used by his idol.  He learns that these so called evil food isn't evil at all.  Now, he must make things right. The little baby strawberry was cute.  Steve the monkey was funny as usual.  I think this is my second favorite Animation this year.  Enjoyed this with my son.

Oscar Sunday: Rain Man

Rain Man IMDb
Dustin Hoffman can play a good autistic guy.  I liked the movie.  I didn't know what to expect.  A solid award winning drama.  Tom Cruise plays a heartless sales man who's only after money.  When his rich father dies and leaves 3 million dollars to his brother he didn't know existed, he goes out of his way to get to know his brother only to get half of the money.  Like most Hollywood dramas, the character learns and becomes mature towards the end.  I really like Hoffman's performance here.  Love the way he repeats stuff and how smart his character is.  Hell, I would also take him to Vegas and count cards if he was my brother.  Hahaha!  Overall, pretty good drama from the 80's.  That concludes Oscar Sunday this year.  I'll list my most favorite to least favorite at the end of the year.