Top Ten films of 2013
Films released in 2013 managed to produce a few surprises and had a lot to live up to, considering 2012 saw a number amazing films released in a single year.
JOHANNESBURG – This year’s top ten films had to mostly have strong story lines and maintain that within the boundaries of different genres, and the following ten films managed to do so.
The biggest surprises of the year were Fast & Furious 6, Man of Steel and Iron Man 3. All three films delivered beautifully crafted storylines while delivering what their genres demanded.
Fast & Furious 6 did not only deliver a pulsating action from beginning to end, but, all of that carried a well crafted storyline with a couple of unexpected twists in between; a similar comment could also apply to Iron Man 3.
Late comers Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Frozen crept into the top 10 because of the storylines; this is despite the makers of Mandela failing on capturing a different angle to the legend’s life.
Starting with number one, top ten films of 2013 are as follows:
Fast & Furious 6
Hobbs has Dom and Brian reassemble their crew in order to take down a mastermind who commands an organization of mercenary drivers across 12 countries. Payment would be full pardons for everyone!
Director: Justin Lin
Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez
Man of Steel
A young itinerant worker is forced to confront his secret extrastellar origin when Earth is invaded by members of his own race.
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane
Iron Man 3
When Tony Stark’s world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.
Director: Shane Black
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle
Despicable Me 2
Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal.
Director: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
Stars: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove
The biggest surprises of the year were Fast & Furious 6, Man of Steel and Iron Man 3. All three films delivered beautifully crafted storylines while delivering what their genres demanded.
Pacific Rim
As a war between humankind and monstrous sea creatures wages on, a former pilot and a trainee are paired up to drive a seemingly obsolete special weapon in a desperate effort to save the world from the apocalypse.
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Stars: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day
Oblivion
A veteran assigned to extract Earth’s remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself.
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Stars: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Andrea Riseborough, Olga Kurylenko
The Great Gatsby
A Midwestern war veteran finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbor. (143 mins.)
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Tobey Maguire
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.
Director: Francis Lawrence
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Late comers Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Frozen crept into the top 10 because of the storylines; this is despite the makers of Mandela failing on capturing a different angle to the legend’s life.
Gravity
A medical engineer and an astronaut work together to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space.
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Stars: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris, Orto Ignatiussen
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
A chronicle of Nelson Mandela’s life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.
Director: Justin Chadwick
Writers: William Nicholson (screenplay), Nelson Mandela (autobiography)
Frozen
Fearless optimist Anna teams up with Kristoff in an epic journey, encountering Everest-like conditions, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf in a race to find Anna’s sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter.
Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Stars: Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff
Looking ahead to 2014, it seems the best place to spend over weekends will be at the movies, especially with the anticipated Fast & Furious 7.