It’s easy to pick a movie to watch if it’s a big budget blockbuster like The Hobbit or Catching Fire. But when you want to find something a little different – that can be a challenge. Thus, we at the Pursuitist have put together a list of some exceptional films from 2013 – films you may not have heard or made it to your nearby theater.
Philomena – Director Stephen Frears’ film about a political journalist who picks up the story of a woman’s search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent. Steve Coogan (who co-authored the screenplay) and Judi Dench star
All is Lost – The great Robert Redford has no more than a few lines in this film, but he is fabulous as a sailor lost at sea in a crippled boat.
Enough Said – Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the late James Gandolfini shine in this honest and funny look at middle age romance.
Dallas Buyers Club – Matthew McConaughey stars as an electrician and hustler who works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is himself diagnosed with the disease. Jared Leto absolutely devestates as a transgendered woman battling AIDS and drug addiction. Expect a supporting actor award for Leto.
The Way, Way Back – A charming film about an awkward 14-year old boy (nicely played by Liam James) who learns to be comfortable in his own skin with the help of the manager of a water park. Steve Carell and Toni Collette provide quality support, but it’s the great Sam Rockwell who steals the show.
The World’s End – Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright (creators of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) return with this crazy tale of old friends who return to their home town to complete an epic pub crawl. Unfortunately, the robots that have taken over the town have other ideas. If it sounds weird, you’re right. It is. But it’s pretty damned funny too.
Fruitvale Station – Gutwrenching film about the last hours of a young man in Oakland. Great performance by Michael B. Jordan in the lead. Based on a true story.
Much Ado About Nothing – Joss Wheadon (Avengers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) takes on the Bard. It’s sexy and funny and adorable.
Mud – Writer and Director Jeff Nichols’ coming-of-age tale about two boys who find a mysterious man named Mud (Matthew McConaughey) hiding out on a deserted island.
Warm Bodies – A sweet zombie movie? That’s what you have with this film. It’s like John Hughes made a zombie movie.
Nebraska – Bruce Dern gives one of the finest performances of his career in Alexander Payne’s film about an aging, alcoholic father who makes a trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son.
In a World… – Lake Bell stars, writes and directs this quirky and often hilarious take on the competitive world of voice over competition.
Kings of Summer – A sweet, funny, honest film about growing up. Three teenage boys decide to spend their summer building a house in the woods in an act of independence.
Chasing Ice – We’re cheating a bit since this actually came out in December of 2012. This stunning film follows National Geographic photographer James Balog as he deploys time-lapse cameras around the arctic to capture the world’s changing glaciers.