One of my New Year's Day rituals is to go through all the films I saw in cinema the previous year and compiling a list of top 10 titles.
Yes, I realise I'm a bit late posting this, but here are my favourite films from 2013:
1. Blue Is The Warmest Colour
The hype was huge, my expectations were high and fortunately the movie lived up to both. It blew me away and I'd give any and every award to both the actresses right now.
2. A Hijacking
Forget Captain Phillips. Want to see a really gritty and tense thriller about a ship hijacked by the Somali pirates? Watch this production from Denmark. It will leave you short of breath and with a racing heart.
3. Broken Circle Breakdown
This absolute gem from Belgium has just been nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Film category. It also happens to have one of the best soundtracks you'll hear for a long while. Forget Blue Valentine - this is a true portrayal of love and a breakdown of a relationship.
4. Nebraska
This was my last watch of 2013 and made it right into the top 5. Funny and heart-warming with brilliant performances from Bruce Dern and June Squibb.
5. Amour
Michael Haneke just gets better and better. If your heart is not bleeding by the time the final credits roll, then you probably don't have one.
6. Gravity
The visuals, the soundtrack, the tension - this blockbuster has it all. And even better in 3D - never thought those words would actually come out of my mouth. Has to be seen in cinema really!
7. Tru Love
My favourite film at last year's Raindance Film Fest, this love story from Canada just swept me off my feet. I fell in love with the three ladies at the heart of it and hope it receives the general release it deserves as soon as possible.
8. Bullhead
Another Belgian entry. A tough and gritty story of revenge and redemption. They don't make them like this in Hollywood.
9. The Girl from the Wardrobe
Another entry from my Raindance watch list. This Polish production has been scooping up awards across Europe. Hopefully we'll soon see it on a few more big screens here in the UK.
10. Zero Dark Thirty
So much has been said about this movie. Forget the politics, it's simply a great watch!