In the lead-up to the unveiling of our definitive Top 50 Movies of 2013 list, we’ve asked some friends of Paste to tell us their favorites of the year. Tune in for a different list each day. Today’s contributor is Adam Leon, the director of this year’s ‘Gimme the Loot’ (pictured) and winner of the Someone to Watch Award at this year’s Indie Spirits.
Gravity
Recently an eleven-year-old asked me what is my favorite movie ever. I replied, “Barry Lyndon.”
She said, “Hmm, yeah, that’s good although I always found the Captain Potzdorf plot too broad.”
“Well,” I asked, “What’s your favorite movie ever?”
“Gravity. Because for 90 minutes you get to hang out with movie stars and go to space.”
“Oh, I love Gravity too,” I said. “But you know, some people, not me, but some people complain about clunky dialogue, sappy spirituality, and scientific inaccuracies.”
She stared at me blankly as if I was the greatest fool that has ever lived. Finally she replied, simply and calmly:
“But you get to go to space with movie stars.”
And that’s how I lost an argument to an eleven-year-old and Gravity became my favorite movie ever. Or at least my favorite of 2013.
Inside Llywen Davis
A beautiful, brilliant film from a national treasure.
American Hustle
Oh yeah, this is the stuff right here. I’ll take my movies in the “ridiculously entertaining thrill ride” model every time out. Plus, true story, the first day my mom brought home a science oven I put metal in it. Just sharing that one.
Before Midnight
If you only knew this Before film existed you’d be amazed as to how the storytellers created such rich characters, with an incredibly formed backstory, told with such a relaxed confidence. But because of the history of the Delpy/Hawke/Linklater collaboration, we do know how they were able to harness all of those remarkable elements, and yet it’s no less of an accomplishment.
Frances Ha
This is about a white girl and her white friends and their white problems in gentrified New York. If only it wasn’t an absolutely spot on, thrilling, and joyous piece of art from top-to-bottom, I could really have enjoyed hating this. Damn you Gerwig and Baumbach for making me feel such love and happiness!