Here we are, at the end of the semester and nearing the end of the year. In a few weeks the internet will be bombarded with “The Best ___ of 2013” lists, so I figured I’d beat the rush, and get my list out of the way early. Naturally, because 2013 isn’t quite finished yet, and some of the best movies of the year come out around Christmas time, this list will be a bit incomplete, so we’ll call this “Eddie’s Best Movies of 2013. . . So far.”

Before we begin, let me clear up a few things about this list. First of all, the movies are ranked from 1-10, with number one being my favorite and so on. Next, the movies in this list are only the movies I’ve seen this year. I’m sure there are a few great ones out there I missed, in fact I guarantee it, but for logistical reasons I can only rate what I’ve seen. With that being said, let’s begin.

1. Enders Game

– Based on the super popular book of the same name, this movie was at the top of my “want to see list” at the start of 2013. Having read the book, my interest was peaked when they said that the movie would star the likes of Harrison Ford, Asa Butterfield, and Ben Kingsley. I absolutely loved this movie. The story telling stayed fairly true to the book. It’s always hard adapting a book perfectly, but the writers did a very nice job with this one. The acting is spot-on and the character development 16-year-old Asa Butterfield brings to the table represents the experience and mastery of someone far beyond his years. Perhaps the most stunning part of this movie is the visuals. The battle scene at the end really is great cinematic eye candy, as is the entire zero gravity environment. I couldn’t say enough good things about this movie!

2. Elysium

– When I found out that “District 9” director Neill Blomkamp was releasing a new sci-fi movie in the summer of 2013, I got excited. When I found out it was going to be dystopian themed movie with Matt Damon and Jodie Foster in a politically charged movie about social classes, I got ecstatic. As discussed in a previous article of mine despite only directing two movies, I love Neill Blomkamp. Right now I’d say he’s batting a thousand, and not to ruin this article with baseball references, but Blomkamp really hit this movie out of the park. As always the movie was visually stunning, but beyond that, I was surprised by the depth this movie had. I’ll admit, I figured out the ending after about 20 minutes in the theatre, but unlike most movies, the somewhat cliched ending was not a weakness for this film. Elysium, to me, is proof that with proper execution a known story can still be wildly entertaining.

3. World War Z

– I’m sure you weren’t expecting to see this movie so high up on my list, if on it at all, but I can’t help it. I absolutely loved this movie! Another movie based on a book I had read, I followed production of this movie very closely. All conventional movie knowledge said this movie should have been a wreck. After dozens of issues with the script, an entire re-shoot of the movie’s ending, and the multiple delays that repeatedly set the release back, this film for most of it’s life was in cinematic hell. When it finally came out and didn’t suck, many people (including myself) were not only surprised, but quite pleased with the movie. The zombies are fast and fun, and Brad Pitt did a pretty good job acting. Other than the title, it has absolutely nothing to do with the book, but I think that’s okay. There really was no way they could have made the book into a movie, so I on the whole was very happy with how the whole thing turned out.

4. Iron Man 3

-Iron Man 3 is quite possibly my favorite of the Iron Man series (pause for uproar). To start off, the movie is just downright hilarious (as most Marvel pics. are) but this one was something special. Not that it needs to be said, but Robert Downey Jr. is the embodiment of Tony Stark, and in my mind he can do no wrong. Personally, my favorite part of the movie was Ben Kingsley’s The Mandarin. This was perhaps the biggest problem most people had with this movie and I get why people would be mad, but come on. It was an unexpected twist, it was funny and it was well done. Plus it’s Ben Kingsley. That man can do no wrong.

5. Frozen

– Frozen was a movie that reaffirmed once again what I’ve been saying for the past few years. Pixar is not the be-all and end-all when it comes to animation. Disney Animations past three movies, Tangled, Wreck It Ralph, and now Frozen are far superior in story and quality to anything Pixar has made in the same span of time, and I love it. Frozen is another beautifully animated spectacle, which wows with its original and captivating story. This is one of those “children’s movie” I promise everyone will enjoy. Disney Animation has once again out done themselves and raised the bar.

6. The Great Gatsby

– 2013 must have been the year of making movies based on books I have read, but for this one especially, I had very high expectations. The Great Gatsby after all is one of my favorite book of all time. When the casting list came out with Leonardo DiCaprio playing the Great Jay Gatsby himself, I got excited. However, when I saw that Toby Maguire would be playing Nick Carraway, a good portion of my excitement was stifled. I notoriously dislike Maguire, but I give credit where credit is due, and I have to say that he was perfect for the role. Visually stunning, director Baz Lurnmann did a fantastic job bringing the glamorous 20’s style to life. In the end, my high expectations were met and maybe even surpassed.

7. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

– I won’t say too much about this one. If you really want to know how I feel, check out my previous “Out Of My Element” article where I reviewed it fully.

8. Red 2

– Another surprise on this list I’m sure, I chalk this placement up to personal bias. As discussed in my previous review of The Terminal (one day Catherine Zeta Jones and myself are to be married) and for that reason I am incapable of disliking anything she is a part of. Besides that however, I give this movie major props for doing something many movies can’t do, by presenting a sequel that surpasses its original. I wasn’t a fan of the first Red, but I’m glad I gave the second one a try. It’s definitely worth a watch, and blends all the comedic fun of geriatric super-spies with a fresh story.

9. The Purge

– The only horror movie on my list, The Purge was a pretty fantastic movie. I loved the concept, I loved the execution, I loved the scares and I loved just about everything except for that little boy. For me, he was the worst part of this movie. If he wasn’t in it, I probably would have put this movie up farther on the list. Regardless of the boy however, this horror movie is pure quality and is perfect for a good scare.

10. This Is The End

– If I’m honest, this spot came down to a tight race between two comedies. “This is the End”, obviously, and “The Heat”. Both movies made me laugh, both movies had actors and actresses I love, but when it came down to it there could be only one winner. I picked ”This is the End” for three reasons. Number one, it’s more original. A group of friends surviving the apocalypse, vs. a buddy cop movie? Friends wins. Number two, Jonah Hills “Bang, Bang” sequence, and number three, “The Exorcism of Jonah Hill”. Sorry “The Heat”, It was close, but considering everything Jonah won it for “This is the End.”

There you have it, my “Best Movies of 2013 So Far” list, as complete as I could make it up to this point. There is a problem with that though. You see, my list is very likely to change in the next three short weeks. The reason? The holiday movie season is usually one of the best, so to go with the above list, I’m also including a list of movies that are coming out in the next few weeks that I think will dethrone some movies on this list. It’s important to note that despite the fact that these are numbered as well, these are in no particular order. All I have to judge these by are the trailers, so I have a pretty open mind to whatever I’m about to see. Here they are, the “Movies To Look For, The Rest of 2013”

1. Anchorman 2

2. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

3. The Wolf of Wall Street

4. Saving Mr. Banks

5. 47 Ronin

What were your favorite movies of 2013?  Does your list match up? Let me know in the comments.