Best of 2013 Awards

Well, the end of 2013 is nigh, and that means film awards season is just around the corner. Obviously I have
no real say, but I would like to compile my own list of awards and winners for 2013. In addition, I put a note under the movies saying whether or not I'm buying or have bought the film on Blu-Ray. Keep in mind that I didn't see every film that was released this year.

Best Action Movie: Man of Steel - Technically, this is primarily a comic book film, but you have to admit, there was plenty of action (in fact, probably too much). My problems with this movie include the last act of destruction, as well as the overall tone of it. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed it, and am excited for the Batman/Superman team-up - although, it's starting to become a Justice League film...but that's a subject for another day.

Blu-Ray? Yes

Best Fantasy Movie: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - I don't think there's any debate here. This movie was pretty dang cool, and there weren't many other fantasy movies that hit theaters in 2013.

Blu-Ray? Yes

Best Sci-Fi Movie: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - This movie was great. Great acting, a stronger script than the original, and more focus on the political and social aspects of Suzanne Collins' novels made this sequel a big improvement over the first. NOTE: Technically, Gravity is not a science fiction film, which I just recently learned. Otherwise, it would have won.

Blu-Ray? Yes

Best Drama: Captain Phillips - This film was special. Tom Hanks' fantastic performance, Paul Greengrass' frenetic but sure-handed direction, and a gripping real-life story all made it awesome. I can't wait for the Blu-Ray release.

Blu-Ray? Yes

Best Animated Movie: Monsters University - This brought me back, way back. The sequel to my favorite Pixar film of all-time was not quite as special, but still entertained me throughout.

Blu-Ray? No

Best Comic Book Movie: Iron Man 3 - I've heard a lot of criticism for this film, but I personally enjoyed the heck out of it. It was almost as good as the first Iron Man, which is one of my favorite superhero movies ever. This was a great year for comic book films, but in the end, I think Tony Stark wins out.

Blu-Ray? Yes

Best Actor: Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips - This was one of my favorite performances of his career. That's saying a lot when you're talking about Tom Hanks, but I stand by that.

Best Actress: Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks - Her performance was truly spectacular. She was just so captivating. I'll be surprised if she doesn't at least get nominated for an Oscar.

Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity - It took a really special director to make this movie. The shots and cinematography were so well done, that I thought I was up in space too.

Best Film Score: Steven Price, Gravity - If you haven't seen this film, at least look up the music on YouTube right now. It's intense, it's thrilling, it's scary....it's just awesome.

Best Movie: Captain Phillips - Nothing affected me this year the way Paul Greengrass' docudrama about Captain Richard Phillips did. I loved every second of it. This was one of those films that only comes around every once in awhile.


Well, that's it. This was truly a great year for movies. Below, I have put films that are supposed to be really good, but I missed in theaters. I will be renting them when they are released on DVD, and will try to post as many reviews for the films I missed as I can. Thanks for reading!

Films I Missed: 12 Years a Slave, Frozen, Elysium, All is Lost, Dallas Buyers Club, Blue Jasmine