Top films of 2013

10 movies to help you get through the rest of winter

Photo by Colin Swan

The Great Beauty

Paolo Sorrentino’s surreal masterpiece is as close to a Federico Fellini flick as any modern filmmaker can get; for that he should be commended.

The Wolf of Wall Street

A tale of depravity, decadence, and debauchery; Martin Scorsese’s newest picture is his greatest, and most controversial, since his gangster epic Goodfellas.

12 Years a Slave

Steve McQueen’s latest project takes its subject matter extremely seriously, which is a refreshing discourse from nonsensical fantasies like Django Unchained.

The Dance of Reality

At 84, Alejandro Jodorowsky proves that he can still shock and entertain us. This beautiful autobiography of the old man’s life is filled with so much surreal imagery that it should come with its own instruction manual.

Blue is the Warmest Color

Despite its NC-17 rating, Blue is an odyssey of self-discovery, sexual identity, and the nature of love.

Le Passé

Asghar Farhadi’s newest flick Le Passe, a fantastic domestic drama, proves that he is not a one-hit wonder and will surely continue to produce Academy-Award-caliber films.

Blue Jasmine

Woody Allen has a masterpiece on his hands. Blue Jasmine is a modern A Streetcar Named Desire, but not even Marlon Brando, who played Stanley in Elia Kazan’s 1951 version, would be able to handle 2013’s Blanche.

Jeune et Jolie

Very few North Americans have heard of the great François Ozon. If you haven’t, Jeune et Jolie is definitely a great place to start. It is sexy and seductive, with a hint of suspense.

Like Father, Like Son

Hirokazu Koreeda has made a great family flick that is not full of the usual cliché sentimentality. Honest and thought-provoking, it will truly encourage you to reflect on your own family life.

Target Practice

A purely Canadian film, Target Practice will touch your heart and stir your soul. It plays like a childhood memory and although there are very dramatic moments, you can’t help but experience intense feelings of nostalgia.