2013: Movies that Mattered

Gravity

And yet another year passes by too fast. With it, another set of films have been produced, directed and released to leave the audience fixated on the screens or have them walking out of theatres during intermission. The global film industry has had its ups and downs this year, with a few of the most anticipated blockbusters hitting the screens. The best movies were released in the later part of 2013, leaving everyone satisfied with another year of good films. Here's a list of movies that managed to move me, demonstrated innovation or just simply provided excellent entertainment.
“I don't want to survive. I want to live.”
Based on Solomon Northup's true story, 12 Years a Slave emerged as one of the best films of the year. Set in the pre-Civil War United States, a free upstate African American New Yorker, Solomon Northup is kidnapped and sold into slavery. We see a vivid image of heart wrenching cruelty of slavery during the 1840s and the contrast between then and modern America. Northup's struggle and his will to free himself and regain his dignity should get a round of applause by itself.
“It's going to be one hell of a ride!”
And it was. The 3D thriller Gravity is really a movie to watch at the theatres. Both Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are commendable in the film but the special effects are what make the film. The audience is taken into space, and it is so plausible that the movie stands out. Two astronauts get lost in space after their space shuttle gets destroyed and are racing against time to get back to Earth on their own. The movie will leave the audience with gritted teeth from beginning to end.
“Did you ever have to find a way to survive and you knew your choices were bad, but you had to survive?”
In American Hustle we catch a glimpse of the dangerous yet enchanting world of the 1970s New Jersey mafia and powerbrokers. The movie is reckless in its own sense and absolutely entertaining. The cast -- consisting of Bradley Cooper, Jenifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Christian Bale and Jeremey Renner -- suits the story perfectly. They have all done an outstanding job as a whole.
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
Based on Scott Fitzgerald's “Great Gatsby” this movie was anticipated for quite a while. After a few tries, director Baz Luhrmann did the book some justice. We see extravagance and glitter and parties and drinks in a whole new light as the movie brings the Jazz Age back to life in Great Gatsby. Leonardo Di Caprio and Tobey Maguire are marvellous as Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway, while Carey Mulligan portrays the beautiful Daisy Buchanan perfectly. This movie gives us glimpses of the American Dream; of past desires and longings; and money and lust.
“Remember who the real enemy is.”
Catching Fire, based on Suzanne Collins' science fiction novel, the second book to the Hunger Games series finally comes out. For almost every fan this wait was too long. But after the release in November, the audience is absolutely thrilled with how the movie has turned out. Katniss Everdeen's fight for her life and the ones she loves begins again as the Quarter Quell brings her back to the arena to fight the 23 other tributes. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson give “The Hunger Games” fans everything they are looking for -- the romance, the sacrifices and the responsibilities. [See page 5 for the review.]
“… and most of all thank you for the fast cars!”
Furious 6, everyone. For all the collisions of planes, trains and cars from Tenerife to Moscow to London. The stunts and the effects they leave behind are really the best parts of this movie. In the reunion of Vin Diesel and the late Paul Walker, Fast and Furious' heroes take on heists and assembles the team once again.
“The cold never bothered me anyway.”
This year's best animated film has to be Frozen. A spell traps a kingdom in eternal winter, like Narnia, so Anna joins forces with Kristoff, a daring mountain man, on the grandest of journeys to find the Snow Queen and put an end to the curse. It's all about magic and mystical creatures and cute colourful clothing on bluish white snow. Disney brings to life a story that was born years ago again. The kids will love it, or should, at least.