Welcome to my 10th annual Top 10 movie list. This year, instead of a Powerpoint, I have created the list in this blog. I hope it makes it easier to access and view. We will see how it works out. I have also begun transferring the old lists to the archive so if you want to check out past years, you can.
Part of the fun of making a Top 10 List is solely personal. I just like to do it. And part of the fun is sharing it with others. I hope you will be able to find a movie or two you end up enjoying. It is always fun for me to hear someone tell me they saw a movie I recommended so please let me know if you do (just email me at bpeterson@chapman.edu).
2013
This has been a tremendous year for movies. I can't remember a year when I have seen so many great ones. Making a Top 10 List is going to prove difficult, so I will cheat and throw in some extra "awards" to recognize many of the excellent movies that were made this year outside of the Top 10 - and also to steer you away from some that aren't worth seeing.
The Coming of Age Awards
The Way Way Back PG-13
This was one of the many coming of age movies this year. There are some great characters here, and you really feel for the plight of the young protagonist. However, it was Sam Rockwell's funny and off-beat performance as a water park employee that really made me love this movie. I know many people who would put this as their favorite movie of the year so I don't think you can go wrong here.
The Kings of Summer R
The Kings of Summer was that rare film about teens that was smartly written for adults. Three boys who are tired of their parents decide to run away and build their own house in the forest. The relationship among the boys is compelling - as is the exploration of the fantasy that a teen living in isolation away from his family will solve his problems. Moises Arias was completely enjoyable as the eccentric Biaggio. And Nick Offerman's cynical Dad was one of the best characters I have seen on screen in a long time. The original premise, plus the sharp writing, make this a must see.
Frozen PG
This was a wonderful holiday surprise and it may not be a stretch to say that this is an instant Disney classic. The songs are imaginative, the story is original, and the voice talents are pretty amazing. Everyone knew Idina Menzel (Wicked, Rent) would be great, so the real surprise here is Kristen Bell as Anna. Her character really drives the movie - and her voice sounds perfect! I am pretty sure this will be a huge Broadway hit in 5 years. It was also my daughter Makenzie's first movie in theaters, so I have a soft spot for it.
The Croods PG
While Frozen got all a lot of attention - and rightly so - The Croods was not as celebrated - and sadly so. This was a gem of a movie - and I would dare say, I liked it better than Frozen in many ways. This is probably because I am a dad and the movie is about an overprotective father who has a tough time with change (mmmm, perhaps what's going here is overidentification!). I could go on and on about the movie - it is smart from beginning to end - and it has one of the most touching scenes I saw all year. If you are looking for a great movie for the whole family, watch this tonight.
Despicable Me 2 PG
All I can really say about this movie is that it is hilarious from beginning to end. The little minions just make me laugh.
The Take Your Teen Award
The Book Thief PG-13I liked this movie because it explore some very complicated themes - the loss of innocence, the cruelty of war, and the realities of death - and it does so in such a way that young teens can gain an introductory exposure to them. See it with your teenager and it will provide you an opportunity to have an in-depth discussion. For adults, there are more powerful explorations of the Nazi influence on World War II (Schindler's List and The Pianist), but it was new for me to see the perspective of the war from inside Germany - and especially through the eyes of the young characters.
The Make Sure To See It AwardEnder's Game PG-13
This is a movie that was sadly overlooked by many filmgoers. I saw it only because my son wanted to go - and my expectations were not very high. However, I came out raving about it so much he finally told me "you should just put it on your list, you have been going on and on about it all day!" So here it is. I loved it because it examined big ideas including the ethics of using children to lead an army, the morality of war itself, and the paradoxical concept of using empathy to defeat your enemy. I found the acting and direction first rate - especially considering that teens have to carry the movie much of the time. The set pieces and visuals were outstanding. If you didn't see this movie, I would highly recommend that you do. This was one of the most intellectually and emotionally satisfying movies I saw all year.
The Return of Tom Hanks Award
Captain Phillips PG-13
Building suspense through technical realism is what director Paul Greengrass does best (The Bourne moives, United 93). This movie tells the true story of a cargo liner hijacked by Somali pirates. Most people saw the movie so it is not news to anyone that Tom Hanks really shines playing Captain Phillips. His understated nature throughout the movie sets the stage for some of his greatest acting in the final 15 minutes of the movie. This is the classic "you'll be on the edge of your seat" thriller.
The Unbelievable Story Award
Philomenia PG-13
This movie is smartly written, wry, and often times humorous. However, it has a darker center as it is based on a heartbreakingly true story of a pregnant teen abandoned by her parents and is "taken in" by Irish nuns. However, the nuns shame her for her sin, only allow her to see her child for one hour a day, and then let her child be adopted by another couple without her consent. Fifty years later, the woman and a former BBC journalist team up to try and locate her son. There is a nice interplay between the two main characters - one is uneducated, simple, and continually believing in the goodness of others. The other is an Oxford educated, sometimes cynical journalist, who asks direct questions and does not back down in the face of religious authority. Both are necessary for the story to unfold as it does. At it's core, Philomenia is a tragic story that examines the interplay between the abuses of religious authority, and the power of forgiveness in such situations.The Save Your Time and Money Award
Inside Llewyn Davis R
Time for some grades:
Music A+
Story D
Writing F
I realize I am in a small minority of people perpetually disappointed by the Coen brother's movies. However, I have consistently disliked their movies. I thought this one might be different . . . it wasn't. It could have been pretty fantastic given the talent of the lead actor and the beauty of the music, but it quickly goes off-line. What I have a hard time is the Coen's bleak world view. Things typically go from bad to worse for their characters and they just seem resigned to their fate. I also thought it was poorly written. I would recommend you save your money and use it to buy the music on i-Tunes.
The Don't Drink the Kool Aid Award III
All is Lost PG-13
Every year there is one movie that is praised by critics and lost on audiences (Amour 2012, Tree of Life 2011). All is Lost is this year's movie. I can sum up this movie in a few sentences. See Robert Redord get a hole in his boat, see Robert Redford bail water out of his boat, see Robert Redford put on his slickers, see Robert Redford weather a storm, see Robert Redford take off his slickers, see Robert Redford get in a life raft, see Robert Redford never talk - to anyone, or anything, for 90 minutes. See critics praise this as groundbreaking. See audiences walk out of the theater bewildered.
2013's Top 10
#10 Gravity PG-13
This movie is groundbreaking in the visually spectacular department - something tough to do in today's filmmaking environment. Director Alfonso Curon has always been a favorite of mine - his movie Children of Men is one of the best out there. His amazing direction is the key to the movie. Gravity is suspenseful for all the right reasons, and it includes an strong lead performance by Sandra Bullock. At its core, this is a powerful movie about survival and hope.
#9 Stories We Tell PG-13
Sarah Polley created a "must-see documentary" (if that's possible) with her insightful re-telling of the story of her family. The compelling truth of her life history is equaled by the inventive storytelling mechanisms used by Polley to convey the message. This is a great movie - perfect for anyone interested in family history, the power of memories, and the techniques of documentary filmmaking. It will leave you thinking about the accuracy of our memories and the importance of the stories we tell about our lives. Just brilliant.
#8 Nebraska R
I admired this movie when I first saw it, and the more distance I got from it, the more I liked it. It is a gutsy move in today film making environment to make a black and white character study about a partially senile father trying to walk from Montana to Nebraska to claim his million dollar winnings from Publishers Clearinghouse. But it works tremendously well. Will Forte (SNL alum) goes against type as the straight man here and is the heart of the film. The two Nebraksa cousins were classic - if you have ever had a conversation with guys like this you will instantly relate. The supporting cast really carries the movie. Stacy Keach was especially good as an old work colleague looking to cash in on his friends winnings. It won't be for everyone, but if you like this kind of movie, you'll enjoy what you get.
#7 - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty PGBen Stiller directs a visually creative and beautiful movie that tells a story about living your dreams and finding meaning and joy in your life. This is one of the few movies I have seen where the use of CGI is used to enhance the story. The movie felt like art - there are so many visually stunning and imaginative scenes. For that reason alone, it makes the Top 10. I think that the movie will appeal to many demographics - those older that 50 will appreciate the references to Life magazine and the loss of the printed page as a consequence of the "progress" of the digital age. Those in their early 40s will find the childhoods referenced throughout the movie - something I loved as I am 42 - the exact age of Walter. And younger audiences will be drawn to the many adventures Walter finds himself in. There are many moving scenes - two worth mentioning are Kristen Wiig's courage-producing rendition of "Major Tom", and Walter's skateboarding descent down a winding Icelandic road. It is a visually magical movie - go see it!
I refused to see this movie for several months as I never enjoyed the previews. I finally gave in and decided not to judge a book by its cover. I am glad I did. This was an extremely well made coming of age story that works on many levels. It is well acted and written. Matthew McConaughey gives a great performance as Mud - a drifter whose intentions and motivations are not completely clear for much of the movie. Tye Sheridan is also noteworthy - he delivers a very mature performance of a 14 year old boy trying to learn what it means to love and be a man. This is the kind of movie that sneaks up on you and before you know it you get much more that you thought you would.
#5 Mandela PG-13
This movie tries to take on an impossible task - to try and tell the incredible life story of Nelson Mandela in two and one half hours. There are few men whose lives have been so influential in the past 50 years as his. I believe this is an important movie to see to give people a broad exposure to the lives of one of the most important figures of our day. It works as a historical account about the oppression and evils of apartheid, and it also works as a personal movie about the power of one man's efforts to free his country from minority rule. The movie also does not shy away from showing Mandela's shortcomings in his family life - something I think was a bold move by the filmmakers. Idris Elba is exceptional in the lead performance and Naomie Harris gives an outstanding performnance as Winnie Mandela - her incredible story is also given a significant time. It is stunning to know that this man was imprisoned for 27 years - 18 of which were in terrible conditions. The movie cannot begin to cover every element of his life, but you can read about it here in this brilliantly written obituary. It looks like this movie may not be a huge success at the box-office - which would be too bad considering it is such a well made movie and such an important story. I highly recommend it and hope you seek it out.
#4 The Spectucular Now RThis movie left quite an impression on me - when I left the theater, my first thought was, that really should be called "The Spectacular Wow." The tone was true to life - something that is so hard to do when making a coming of age movie about the transition from high school to adulthood. The main character may have seen his best days as a popular, life of the party high school senior. After his girlfriend breaks up with him, he wonders what to do. While trying to back with her, he starts to show interest in a less popular girl. The examination of this relationship is the key to the movie. There are also important sub-plots about the boy's idealization of his absent dad and the risks of teen alcohol use. This movie left me feeling like I had seen something I hadn't seen before - something that is hard to do given the number of movies that have tried to tell a similar story.
#3 Fruitvale Station R
This is the perfect example of a movie that tells a complex story through clean direction, a tight script, and solid acting. The movie puts Michael B. Jordan on the map as an actor you will probably see in movies for a long time. But it is the story that is so moving. It is based on a true account of one man's efforts to put his life back together and what happens to him on a fateful New Year's Eve night at the Bay Area Fruitvale Station. This movie left me thinking about it for days afterwards. 
#2 Short Term 12 R
This unflinching look at the depravity and horror of slavery is the clear choice for the best movie of the year. The movie is directed by Steve McQueen who does not shy away from showing you the terrible and unspeakable circumstances of slavery. If you are not familiar with the background of this particular movie, it tells the story of Solomon Northup - a free American citizen living in New York in 1841. He is married and has two beautiful children and works as a musician playing the violin at White social gatherings. Through deception and cunning, he is tricked into traveling to Washington D.C. where he is poisoned and sold into slavery. His 12-year experience as a slave in various plantations in Louisiana is the subject of the movie. This movie shows the most ugly elements of slavery - an act which robbed men, women, and children of their humanity and replaced it with the grossest mistreatment one can imagine. At times, I had to look away from the cruelty on the screen. It is difficult to put into words how this movie made me feel. On one hand, I felt a deep sense of anger that American laws and society once condoned slavery - one of the vilest acts in human history. I also felt a sense of wondering - how was it that slave owners were so convinced of their correctness of their positions - believing that human beings were no better than animals because of the color of their skin. And what if I were born in that day, would I have learned to hate as these men and women did? McQueen's brilliant direction is the key to the movie, and the script by John Ridley is amazing at the complexities that it captures. The haunting music by Hans Zimmer matches the mood and tragedy of what you watch. And the acting by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and Lupita Nyong'o is superb. I hope the movie sweeps the Oscars - it deserves it. It is sobering, poignant, and unforgettable.
