Top 10 Movies of 2013

A snapshot of movies I've seen recently from my virtual ticket stub book. Tis the season to go to the theater!

Happy week after Christmas, y'all! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I had lots of fun with friends and family and got some great gifts, so no complaints here. :) I wanted to do a few year-in-review style posts for the blog, but time got away from me, so I cut a few down to one: my favorite movies of 2013.

We go to the movies a lot – I saw 48 just at AMC theaters this year (this post is in no way sponsored by AMC, but I'm in their Stubs club so it keeps track online. And the AMC by my house has reserved, recliner seating, so it's the best theater ever and we go there all the time). So I have a pretty large pool to choose from. That being said, my choices are completely subjective (obviously) and based totally on my feelings about the film. Without further ado, I present my top 10 movies of 2013:

10. Promised Land - As I tweeted before watching this, "only Matt Damon could get me to watch a movie about fracking." But I'm glad he did, because it was really interesting – Damon's character, who worked for the oil company but earnestly wanted to help the landowners, presents an argument I hadn't really thought about before. And even though I'm sure it was fictionalized (and therefore maybe not that accurate), I actually learned a few things about fracking that helped me form my own opinion.

9. About Time - This movie really surprised me. I went to see it out of convenience (we wanted to go to the movies and it was playing at the right time) and was shocked by how much I liked it. I guess I should've known, as it was directed by Richard Curtis, who made one of my favorite movies of all time, but I didn't see it coming. It was just so dang charming. And even though it had a fantasy element, I found it more grounded than a lot of romantic comedies.

8. The Impossible - This was one of those movies that isn't really enjoyable to watch, but it's so powerful that it sticks with you. It follows a family vacationing in Thailand when the 2004 tsunami hits. It was based on a true story, which really added to the emotional punch for me.

7. Saving Mr. Banks - Mary Poppins was one of my favorite movies growing up, but I had no idea what the story behind it was. The blend of P.L. Travers' backstory and unwillingness to loosen her grip on her beloved characters and Walt Disney's magical worldview was really fascinating. Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks were perfection, as per usual. And Paul Giamatti was great as Travers' driver (and first American friend!).

6. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - I really enjoyed the Hunger Games novels, and while movies generally don't live up to the books they're based on, I thought this one was pretty great nonetheless. I think they adapted the story as well as they could have, and the movie was riveting: great performances, great costumes, and great special effects. I would never have guessed it was more than two hours long, because it went by in a flash. I'm ready for the next installment!

5. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - I've been dying to see this movie since the trailer came out months ago, and it did not disappoint. A great story about what it means to live life and be adventurous. I thought Kristen Wiig showed some range in a more dramatic role, and Ben Stiller (who also directed) has come a long way since Zoolander. I haven't seen the older movie version nor read the book, but I'm curious about them now.

4. Before Midnight - the third "Before" film (after Before Sunrise and Before Sunset), it picks up nine years after the second film, with the central couple now married parents of twins. I enjoyed the movie's discussion of long-term love, commitment, and how relationships ebb and flow. Also, the movie was filmed in Greece and everything looks Mediterranean and lovely.

3. Liberal Arts - the only movie on the list I didn't see in the theater, but I loved it so much I had to include it anyway (it came out in 2012, but since I watched it in 2013, it makes the list). The movie was written and directed by its star, Josh Radnor (of How I Met Your Mother fame). In a way, it's a coming-of-age story, even though the main character is 35. And it features a relationship that blossoms via letter, which I think is really romantic and adorable. Lastly, Zac Efron has a small part and totally kills it, destroying my idea that he was just a pretty face.

2. The Way, Way Back - I'm a little obsessed with bildungsroman/coming-of-age stories, and this is a great one. A 14-year-old boy spends the summer on the shore with his mom, her boyfriend, and several colorful neighbors. Steve Carell plays against type as the mom's douchey boyfriend, and Sam Rockwell is outstanding as a slacker water park employee. It was heartwarming without being predictable or trite.

1. Don Jon - Far and away, my favorite movie of the year. I love Joseph Gordon-Levitt (or JGL, as I like to call him), and he wrote, directed, and stars in this film. I thought it offered a new perspective on love and sex and the way our expectations around each are formed. It was really refreshing, while still coming off as funny and sweet. Also, JGL might be the most charming man alive.

And there you have it. Now that I'm done, I've realized how hard it is to put into words why I like something. Good thing my dream job of movie critic hasn't panned out. What are some of your favorite movies from this year?