Movie Critics: The Best (And Worst) Movies Of 2013

This was another record-breaking year at the box office for the film industry and on Friday's Central Standard, the movie critics gather 'round to share what they felt were the best (and worst) movies of 2013.

The Top Five Films of the Year:  

John Tibbetts:

1. 12 Years A Slave
2. Gravity
3. Philomena
4. Inside Llewyn Davis
5. The Act of Killing 

 
Eric Melin:

1. Gravity 
2. The Act of Killing 
3. Her 
4. 12 Years A Slave
5. Mud 

Tom Poe:

1. 12 Years a Slave
2. Her
3. American Hustle
4. Blue is the Warmest Color 
5. (tie) Gravity, Blue Jasmine, Philomena, Nebraska, Mud, Dallas Buyers Club

Marie Asner:

1. All Is Lost 
2. Gravity
3. Nebraska
4. American Hustle
5. Captain Phillips

Loey Lockerby: (in alphabetical order)

• 12 Years a Slave
• The Act of Killing
• All Is Lost
• Her
• Inside Llewyn Davis

Russ Simmons:

1. 12 Years a Slave
2. Gravity 
3. Blue is the Warmest Color
4. Stories We Tell
5. The Hunt -

The Worst Films of the Year:

• Man of Steel 
• Gangster Squad 
• The To-Do List
• The Hangover Part III
• The Big Wedding
• Grown Ups 2
• Spring Breakers
• The Host
• Austenland
• Closed Circuit

 Reviews of films currently in the theaters (out of 5 stars):

• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - 3 Stars
• The Armstrong Lie - 3 Stars
• Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues - 2.5 Stars
• Walking With Dinosaurs - 2.5 Stars
• Saving Mr. Banks - 2.5 Stars
• Inside Llewyn Davis - 4 Stars
• American Hustle - 4 Stars
• The Wolf of Wall Street - 4 Stars
• Grudge Match - 3 Stars
• The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - 3 Stars
• Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom - 3 Stars

 
Noteworthy film events:

• Ninotchka, Saturday, Jan. . at 1:30 p.m., Central Library
• Bachelor Mother, Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1:30 p.m., Central Library
• Idiot's Delight, Saturday, Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m., Central Library
• Only Angels Have Wings, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 1:30 p.m., Central Library

Film critics regard 1939 as the greatest year in Hollywood history, when more memorable movies were released than at any other time. Throughout 2014, the Kansas City Public Library recreates the movie going experience enjoyed by audiences 75 years earlier. 

• Summer in February, Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m., Glenwood Arts

Summer In February is based on the true story of painter sir Alfred Munnings (Dominic Cooper) and his blue-blood best friend Gilbert (Dan Stevens). Born into a working-class family, Munnings rises to become one of the premiere British artists of his time, winning the affection of aristocratic beauty Florence Carter-Wood (Emily Browning). But when Gilbert falls for Florence as well, a love triangle emerges with tragic consequences. All proceeds benefit the Kansas International Film Festival.

• Stargazing, Now through Friday, Jan. 31, Central Library

For nearly three decades, journalist and educator John Tibbetts — one of Central Standard's fabulous movie critics — has enlivened his interviews with Hollywood stars and filmmakers by creating watercolor portraits of his subjects. Invariably, his interviewees sign the paintings, leaving Tibbetts with a unique collection of personal art and famous autographs.