2013 IN REVIEW: TOP 20 BEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR

[BRIEFLY]: 2013 is yet another hectic year in the film industry. Like every year on the record books, there are a handful of award-winning features and there are also those which are served to entertain, nothing more. But there also a bunch of stink-movies which are unfortunately, been made to be trashed. I have compiled several movie lists that will be featured over several blog posts. Unlike the previous years, I have postponed this top list until the end of January simply to accommodate year-end movies that are not yet released in Malaysia. This is part three out of three that you are reading here.

TOP 20 BEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR

In this second part of my review on movies of 2013, I will discuss how these 20 films are regarded as the best of the year. While i tried to limit myself into naming only ten each year, I find it difficult to do so since there are plenty of genre and subject films to be covered. Besides of conventional award-winning and loud blockbuster showing in mainstream cinemas, I tried to include more independent films and documentaries into the list. The list below is somewhat still comfortable and 20 is good enough to highlight the stick-yard of quality films for 2013. Without further ado, I am happy to present to you the 5th Annual Green Tea Movie Top 20 Best Reviewed Movie of the Year.

MECHANICS OF RANKING:
  1. Unlike other top lists, I used "Quantification" method to rank the movies.
  2. The final ranking of a particular movie in the list is partially based on the signature score of Green-Tea-O-Meter which is usually given at the end of every movie review that I have done. The determination of Green-Tea-O-Meter is based on four criteria - Story (Screenplay & Direction); Casts (Acting); Cinematography (Camera work & Scores); Effects (Visual & Sound). Check out this page to learn more.
  3. Other score that is also included in determining the ranking is Preferential points (tie-breaker in events of having same score). Points are awarded from 0.01 to 10.00; which are based on the award-worthy, e-values and so on.
  4. Both scores are summed and converted into percentage values which will be used to determine the final ranking
  5. Please note that the ranking is purely based on my opinions.
  6. Only movies that I watched from 1 January 2013 till 31 December 2013 are included into the list.

THE LIST:

20. AMERICAN HUSTLE (OVERALL SCORE: 85.91%)


Some say this is overrated. I am here to tell you there are other which are more overrated. But the fact that I find those characters been self-aware, amazingly brought to life on-screen and been serviceable; couple with the fact the script is been great enough to go with, I think this is something from David O. Russell that I enjoyed most since The Fighter.
Review: Not reviewed

19. THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (OVERALL SCORE: 86.76%)


The sequel to The Hunger Games is practically one of the best blockbuster of the year. It marks a major improvement over the tepid predecessor as it continues venture deep into the franchise darker and more thought-provoking themes. Considering Simon Beaufroy and Michael Arndt are responsible behind the script, the movie is pretty much well-made, well-written and well-acted.
Review: Review at Green Tea Movie!!

18. LONE SURVIVOR (OVERALL SCORE: 86.91%)


Peter Berg may have made stinkers called Battleship but his latest effort; while unable to grab much of the Academy's attention, is still a throughout competent and effective war movie that is extensively-researched, accurately portrayed, gripping and intensely made. The stars Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch and Joe Foster practically have the performance of their life.
Review: Review at Green Tea Movie!!

17. ENOUGH SAID (OVERALL SCORE: 87.98%)


If you checked Rotten Tomatoes, director/writer Nicole Holofcener maintains a 100% "Fresh" on all of her movies she involved. "Enough Said" is just another one of those in that category which is effectively driven by its own charms and impeccable around the bittersweet. The last performance by James Gandolfini lands itself in the top 20 of the year.
Review: Not reviewed

16. PACIFIC RIM (OVERALL SCORE: 88.07%)


The typical summer blockbuster that is actually larger than life. It is an excellent, well-made and beautiful sci-fi action flick that pays homage to the genre with its solid plot that transcends above the norm themes and philosophy with ample development of the characters that we will eventually care for.
Review: Review at Green Tea Movie!!

15. PRISONERS (OVERALL SCORE: 88.17%)


Villeneuve basically strokes art with high-concept mystery drama that fuels everything with psychological terror, the theological dilemma, cultism, and vague morality on all points. The diligently-detailed and slowly-built plot story by Aaron Guzikowski makes way through brilliant executions, smartly unpredictable and fantastic angry-and-sober performances by Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Review: Review at Green Tea Movie!!

14. STORIES WE TELL (OVERALL SCORE: 88.27%)


Sarah Polley is not exactly someone you may have under your radar. Couple years ago, she received some awkward and devastating news about her family and she decided to capture those in this honest and elaborated documentary. "Stories We Tell" is an up-close and personal affair that juxtaposes excellent narration with provocative interrogation with her family members.
Review: Not reviewed

13. BEFORE MIDNIGHT (OVERALL SCORE: 88.81%)


The ingenious screenplay made up with lots of improvisation and pretty much spends the time touching on subjective, provocative and real-life issues on the background of marriage, love and long-term commitment. Richard Linklater and his dynamic-duo of Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke are simply genius in making a movie that talks, talks and it never gets tired.
Review: Not reviewed

12. FROZEN (OVERALL SCORE: 89.48%)


Frozen is obviously, the leading choice for the year’s top animation awards by default, marked by brilliant storyline and plot that are beautifully marinated along with the strong lineup of lovable characters and solid musical numbers.
Review: Review at Green Tea Movie!!

11. SAVING MR. BANK (OVERALL SCORE: 89.58%)


It is a jolly good and extremely likeable movie feature that honours the creative ownership and interrogates the compromise in bringing the iconic alive. It is packed in a brilliantly written, heart-warming and poignant screenplay that fit along with soul-stirring performances from Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson.
Review: Review at Green Tea Movie!!

10. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (OVERALL SCORE: 89.81%)


This is not entirely a groundbreaking movie but given to the circumstances, this adaptation to one of the most controversial stories of this recent is entirely thrilling, intense, well-acted and well-made to highlight the main themes of economic and authority fears. Paul Greengrass proves himself as an incredible story-teller with Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi are stunning in their roles
Review: Review at Green Tea Movie!!

9. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (OVERALL SCORE: 89.96%)


The movie is controversial and it is basically divisive in the centre. Some enjoyed it, some finds it being ridiculous. But from the screenplay point of view, The Wolf of Wall Street has a better screenplay adaptation from let's say (12 Years a Slave) due to its amazing narrative story. This movie is closer to the kind of stuffs Martin Scorsese did in the 80s and 90s - and this is basically one that goes around with plenty of brilliant punchlines and memorable moments in between them.
Review: Not reviewed

8. THE ACT OF KILLING (OVERALL SCORE: 90.44%)


The Act of Killing, a revolutionary documentary from Joshua Oppenheimer is infinitely the best one this year around - and the most uncomfortable one. Depicting the event of in Indonesia somewhere around the mid 60s where the government utilizes the political turmoil to eliminate the communists, the documentary adds in an effective twist with freedom in narration and scenes reenactment.
Review: Not reviewed

7. THE HUNT (JAGTEN) (OVERALL SCORE: 92.35%)


Technically released in late 2012 but it gained so much momentum since its major release in its native country in early of 2013. The Hunt is a worthy foreign movie to watch. Plus, you will definitely left with humongous emotional ride and gripped by the tense that will puts you in the sympathetic mood for the main character, who was played so well by Mads Mikkelsen. This is a fine movie to be used to paint the idea of social injustice.
Review: Not reviewed

6. GRAVITY (OVERALL SCORE: 92.41%)


In my initial review in October, I mentioned how the reception of Gravity is being overrated. But my second viewing in premium format changes my perspective in more favour of this movie. Much like Cuaron’s Children of Men which stars Clive Owen; Gravity infuses a reliably engaging and warming story at the same time to top with the amazing spectra of cinematography and special effects unlike other.
Review: Review at Green Tea Movie!!

5. DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (OVERALL SCORE: 93.19%)


The movie may have typical autobiography script that somehow deals with the accounts about people living with HIV; but the way the actors and (actresses) hustles the screenplay along is just amazing. Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto are two main reasons why this movie works. Other reasons - amazing cinematography and great thematic discussions.
Review: Not reviewed

4. MUD (OVERALL SCORE: 93.31%)


Matthew McConaughey in another winner. It is easily one of the best movies of the year with engaging plots and towering actings to boost the Southern-Twainy drama recipes. "Mud" disbands all conceptual stereotyping by presenting the reality of love that no one will ever apprehend without bias, as well as the true hardship in preserving the ways of life.
Review: Review at Green Tea Movie!!

3. SHORT TERM 12 (OVERALL SCORE: 94.05%)


It is an indie darling that is so well-received by those who have watched it. But going against more established movies that have been shoved by their respective PRs in the Oscar race means this underdog is hardly heard. Nevertheless, this is a powerful movie that depict the real social issues that are plaguing most teenagers and young adults. With brilliant performances from the big pool of talents including Brie Larson, a vividly strong and raw emotional story, as well as carrying empathy messages onboard ma
Review: Not reviewed

2. HER (OVERALL SCORE: 94.25%)


“Her” is one of the best movies from 2013 and it serves as a reminder of how technology is affecting human relationship – a theme this movie so gracefully connecting high and low. Spike Jonze’s high visionary is channeled through an excellent piece of screenplay with amazing talents all across the cast and reinvigorating the idea that runs so close to our life.
Review: Review at Green Tea Movie!!

1. RUSH (OVERALL SCORE: 94.50%)


“Rush” is a truly invigorating, most genuinely-made and engaging sport drama that captures both the rivalry and the hazardous natures of Formula 1 with stunning screenplay by Peter Morgan, amazing direction by Ron Howard and a hauntingly stunning performance by the two protagonists.
Review: Review at Green Tea Movie!!

On top of the 20 movies mentioned in this list, I would like to name few movies that either narrowly missed the top 20 list or worthy mentioned too. Those movies are, 8 in total and not in any particular order:

  1. 12 YEARS A SLAVE
  2. THE SPRING BREAKER
  3. INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS
  4. THE WAY, WAY BACK
  5. FRUITVALE STATION
  6. BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR
  7. WORLD WAR Z
  8. THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

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