Top Ten Favorite Movies of 2013

Below is a list of my top ten favorite movies released in 2013:


TOP TEN FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2013



1. "Man of Steel" - Zack Synder directed this superb reboot of the Superman mythos, in which the Kryptonian superhero battles a nemesis from his father's past. Henry Cavill starred as Clark Kent aka Superman.





2. "Saving Mr. Banks" - John Lee Hancock directed this superb and emotional tale about author P.L. Travers and producer Walt Disney's tug-of-war over the development of the 1964 movie, "MARY POPPINS". Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks starred.





3. "The Great Gatsby" - Baz Luhrmann co-wrote and directed this splashy latest adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel about a mysterious millionaire during the early years of the Jazz Age. Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton starred.





4. "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" - Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson returned in this excellent sequel to 2012's "THE HUNGER GAMES" and adaptation of Suzanne Collins' 2009 novel. Francis Lawrence directed.





5. "Rush" - Ron Howard directed this exciting biopic about Formula One drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda . . . and their rivalry during the 1976 racing season. Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl starred as the two rivals.





6. "The Butler" - Lee Daniels directed this emotional tale about the life and career of a White House butler, who served under seven U.S. Presidents. Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey starred.





7. "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" - Peter Jackson upped the ante in this excellent second chapter in his film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's 1937 novel. Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage starred.





8. "The Wolf of Wall Street" - Martin Scorsese directed this wild, yet brutally frank adaptation of Jordan Belfort's memoirs as a fraudulous Wall Street broker during the 1980s and 1990s. Leonardo Di Caprio and Jonah Hill starred.





9. "Thor: The Dark World" - Chris Hemsworth returned as the God of Thunder in this exciting adventure about the Asgardians' attempt to defeat a new enemy from the universe. Co-starring Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston and Christopher Eccleston, the movie was directed by Alan Taylor.





10. "American Hustle" - David O. Russell directed this funny tale about the F.B.I. ABSCAM operation from the late 20th century. Christian Bale and Amy Adams starred.





Honorable Mention: "RED 2" - Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker and John Malkovich starred in this surprisingly funny tale and sequel to the 2010 movie about a group of former intelligence agents. Dean Parisot directed.