My Top Five Films of the Year (So Far)

So, Dr. Mark Kermode has done his list of his top five films of 2013 so far, his midterm report so to speak.  It's a good collection, and I'm a bit embarrassed to write this, but I haven't actually seen any of them.  I'll correct this later...

Well, I might as well give my tuppence worth.  Not counting a few films where I'm not sure if they count as a 2013 or 2012 film or not (I'll figure it out later, for now, sorry Cloud Atlas and Wreck-It Ralph), here're my favourite five films I've seen at cinemas between January and June this year...

5. Bernie

Richard Linklater's telling of a stranger than fiction southern gothic story features a fascinating mix of documentary footage and dramatisation.  Jack Black delivers what might be a career best performance in the title role, and the film's biggest strength is being surprisingly neutral towards Bernie himself and his crime, showing the facts, and leaving judgement for the viewers to decide.  Plus it's always nice seeing Shirley MacLaine turn up in films, she's still got it!

4. Byzantium

From the director of Interview with the Vampire, Neil Jordan, comes a beautiful new take on the vampire myth, with some incredible original imagery added to the mix.  The film encompasses most of the dramatic range of the vampire, from old school gothic, to modern cool, to them as predators to them as tragic soles, all in one compelling story.  Full points to lead Saoirse Ronan too, an ever growing talent to look out for.

3. Much Ado About Nothing

It's Joss Whedon and all his bestest friends doing Shakespeare.  All arguments against it are invalid.

2. Iron Man 3

By far the second most fun blockbuster film this year (the most fun was just outside the time limit), Shane Black delivered perhaps the best Iron Man movie of the three, breaking the Superhero Threequel curse!  Creative action, sharp dialogue, cool villains and one of the most clever plot twists in years; what's more to like!  Oh yeah, RDJ... :swoons:

1. Behind the Candelabra

Steve Sonderbergh has outdone himself with this frank, elegant and emotional take on a truly legendary performer, with Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in the roles of their lifetimes.  Interestingly, and rather sadly, this has been described as the movie that was "Too gay for Hollywood", as it hasn't got a theatrical release in the US, only being on HBO (the only group who'd fund the project).  That's a crying shame, as if it doesn't get shown there, it won't get the Oscar attention this it justly deserves (if the Oscars have any credibility left).  The rest of this year is really going to have to pull out all the stops if this isn't going to make number one again on my top ten come December...