Here are my picks for the best and worst films of 2013.
Other staff 2013 picks: Managing Editor Ryan Turek / Contributing Writer Ryan Larson / Contributing Writer Paul Doro / Contributing Writer Spencer Perry / Contributing Writer Christopher Jimenez / Contributing Writer Jeff Allard
The Best
- All The Boys Love Mandy Lane: This film came as a pleasant surprise to me. I didn’t actually see it for the first time this year, but it finally received U.S. distribution in 2013, thus why it is included. Mandy Lane really revitalized the slasher genre for me. It made some tweaks to the typical slasher film formula, but didn’t stray too far from what has proven successful in the past. It boasts better performances than a lot of slasher films. It had a somewhat unique ending. And, it proved that one need not reinvent the wheel to put together a great film.
- The Conjuring: James Wan has proved, yet again, that he is one of the modern masters of horror. The Conjuring is not terribly violent. It takes the route of films like Rosemary’s Baby by relying more on atmosphere than it does ultra violence and that worked to the film’s advantage. Wan’s skill as a director is highly evident in the finished product.
- You’re Next: This indie film has a much more polished look than 95% of the films made without the benefit of big studio financing, which explains why Lionsgate snatched it up after seeing it at a festival screening. You’re Next is similar to home invasion fare that we’ve seen previously, but the plot takes a unique twist that separates the film from the flood of home invasion pictures to hit the market in recent years. Sharni Vinson was phenomenal as she hacked and chopped her way through the film with vigor and enthusiasm.
- John Dies at the End: This film is like a 90-minute acid trip. I kept asking myself if I was really seeing what was happening. Don Coscarelli has put out yet another film that shouldn’t be missed. He had great source material to work with – the book on which it was based – but Coscarelli put his own unique imprint on the film and it’s the kind of movie that I cannot imagine anyone else having had such great success with.
- Maniac: Maniac really took me by surprise. It separates itself from the original while still telling Frank’s story and not committing blasphemy against the original William Lustig classic. The remake has a much cleaner feel than the original. The filmmakers abandoned the gritty aesthetic of the 1981 original for a cleaner look and feel that is more representative of what the world is like 30+ years later. The POV camerawork was a unique spin and effectively let the viewer see through the eyes of the killer.
Honorable mention: Evil Dead and Antiviral
The Worst
- Crush: This Swimfan clone fails to hit the mark. It is a story that’s been told a million times and Crush doesn’t do it any better. It’s a poorly put together film with a silly and predictable twist. I was ready for it to be over when it hit the 30-minute mark. Skip this one.
- Girls Against Boys: I was so frustrated with this attempt at feminist perspective from Austin Chick. It seemed like his intentions were in the right place – wanting to make a film about female empowerment – but the execution failed miserably. The characters are contemptible, the storyline is half-cooked, the film just comes off as mean spirited and ultimately unnecessary.
- Abandoned Mine: Waste of time. Read my review here.
- Do Not Disturb: This film is an insult to the intelligence of horror fans. Read my review here.
- I Am ZoZo: Terrible film. Waste of time. Read my review here.
