My favourite films of 2013.

OK, 2013 has been and gone and it was a pretty good year for film-goers of all persuasions. Here's my favourite ten movies, in no particular order.

You're Next - Adam Wingard, USA, 95 minutes, horror

Bullhead - Michael R. Roskam, BEL, 128 minutes, drama  

After Lucia - Michel Franco, MEX, 103 minutes, drama

Sleep Tight - Juame Balaguero, SPA, 108 minutes, horror

The Selfish Giant - Clio Barnard, UK, 91 minutes, social realism

The Great Beauty - Paolo Sorrentino, ITA, 150 minutes, drama

Gravity - Alfonso Cuaron, USA, 91 minutes, science fiction

Simon Killer - Antonio Campos, USA/FRA, 101 minutes, drama

Beyond the Hills - Cristian Mungiu, ROM/FRA/BEL, 150 minutes, drama

Neighbouring Sounds -  Kleber Mendonca Filho, BRA, 131 minutes, thriller

Also worthy of mention are - 

Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Post Tenebras Lux, The Act of Killing, The Conjuring, Robot & Frank, Gimme the Loot, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire  and What Richard Did.

Last but not least, Gareth Evans' 'Safe Haven' section of V/H/S 2 is an absolutely astonishing slice of film-making.

Oh yes, the films that underwhelmed or annoyed - 

The Spirit of '45

After Earth

Only God Forgives

Olympus Has Fallen

2013: The Halfway Point - part the first

As we're halfway through the movie-going year I thought I'd take stock and post my top ten UK theatrical releases so far. It's maybe not as fully rounded as I'd like but there's still a fair few movies I've yet to catch up with.

1. Beyond the Hills (Christian Mungiu, ROM)

2. What Richard Did (Lenny Abrahamson, IRE)

3. Mud (Jeff Nichols, USA)

4. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (David Gelb, USA)

5. Sleep Tight (Jaume Balguero, SPA)