Every year there are hundreds of movies released either in the cinema, straight to video or on demand that for one reason or another just don't get the marketing they need to get a sizeable audience. A lot of the times they don't have big names attached to it and many time debutants are involved. Call them 'indie' films or just small budget, sometimes real gems quite simply go under the average movie-goer's radar.
Read on to find out such movies that were released in 2013 that I can personally vouch for - movies that you've probably never heard of but should definitely watch.
- All is Lost - Trailer Link
The premise is simple; "after a collision with a shipping container at sea, a resourceful sailor finds himself, despite all efforts to the contrary, staring his mortality in the face" (IMDb)
There is absolutely nothing else to get in the way of this story. We don't know who our man is, where he comes from, no back story at all; and that's not a bad thing! We need absolutely nothing more than what is given to us by the situation that our man finds himself in. Hell, our man doesn't even have a name; he is simply 'Our Man'.
Despite all this, All Is Lost is an absolutely gripping piece of storytelling that had me hooked from the get go. Robert Redford is simply amazing.
8/10 for me.
- Disconnect - Trailer Link
This is ridiculous. How can a movie with names such as Jason Bateman, Frank Grillo, Andrea Riseborough and Alexander Skarsgard not be on anyone's radar? Hell, this movie doesn't even have a release date for the UK. The best we can really hope for is an imported DVD or streaming services such as Netflix or iTunes.
This movie essentially explores how people experience the extreme negative sides of communication technology by following 3 distinct stories with some overlapping aspects.
Check our the trailer and you will see how the stories depicted in this movie are potentially a few small steps away from where most of us are with technology as a significant part of our lives.
8/10 for me.
- Mud - Trailer Link
Mud is a story about "Two young boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the bounty hunters on this trail and to reunite him with this true love." (IMDb)
This movie is directed by Jeff Nichols who you might know for another outstanding piece of work in Take Shelter (2011). Great talent behind the camera, but there is even better talent in front of the camera in Matthew McConaughey. This man just keeps getting better! His performance streak that started with The Lincoln Lawyer in 2011 is something to be marveled. I can't wait to watch his performance in Dallas Buyers Club.
Mud is an intense movie which is without doubt helped along by exceptional performances, including those of the two young actors.
7.5/10 for me.
- Short Term 12 - Trailer Link
This movie moved me deep within in ways I did not anticipate - and I'm not ashamed to admit that!
Short Term 12 is absolutely fantastic! It is about "A 20-something supervising staff member of a residential treatment facility (who) navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-workers and longtime boyfriend." (IMDb)
Every single performance is very real and touching, including all the kids. This is one of my favourites of the year. I have nothing but praise for this movie and I implore you to seek it out and watch it. Now.
9/10 for me.
- The Spectacular Now - Trailer Link
Staring Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley, The Spectacular Now is a movie about "A hard-partying high school senior's philosophy on life changing when he meets the not-so-typical 'nice girl'." (IMDb)
On the face of it, this may seem like your run of the mill high school romantic dramedy; but you couldn't be any further from the truth. It is much, much more than that.
Miles Teller is very charming in his 'in the moment' attitude to life while Shailene Woodley is beautiful in her simplicity.
At its core, this movie is a coming of age story of two completely opposite individual together finding a path in life.
8/10 for me.
I have to say right off the bat; this was my top movie of 2013. This may well be the most 'heard about' movie relative to the rest on this list. I may have seen a couple of poster and some bus ads. And yet, this movie was hardly being shown in the cinemas for more than 2-3 weeks; simply due to the lack of awareness. And this is an absolute travesty!
The Way Way Back is heart-warming, charming, funny, moving and many other superlatives all at the same time. Steve Carell is a perfect asshole; Liam James is a perfect socially awkward teenager and Sam Rockwell is a perfect laid back and charming 'dude'. Rockwell just oozes a sense of fun that is infectious.
The whole story just flows so well that you don't realise where the 103 minutes of running time go. The music is brilliant too. It is the feel good movie of the year!
9.5/10 for me.
- Honourable Mentions
The East - 7/10 - Trailer
Europa Report - 7/10 - Trailer
Fruitvale Station - 7/10 - Trailer
The Kings of Summer - 7.5/10 - Trailer
Don't get me wrong, this is by no means a comprehensive list. These are just the movies I've come across that I think everyone should be made aware of.
Whether you agree or disagree with any of these or if there are any you'd like to have seen on the list. Or maybe you have already seen these movies and want to discuss them, get in touch using the following methods:
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Tweet at me - @thepratikmehta
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