The Wonderful Films Of 2013

I'm a huge film buff. I adore award season and treat it as a sport by staying up all night with it live streaming, a list of predictions and so on. I will quite happily lay under a duvet all day and watch film after film and I love nothing more than going to the cinema with a chilled Starbucks in my hand to watch someones latest creative venture. I thought I'd show you four films I loved at the end of 2013/beginning of 2014 that are up for awards this season and tell you why I think you should see them too.

Frozen

This is a family film made by the people behind Tangled so if you liked that, you'll like this. The animation is the best I have ever seen - the ice really comes alive and is simply gorgeous and I love that this isn't your typical love story. The songs have been on repeat in our house since we've seen the film as the girls are in love and Idina Menzel, Broadway legend and one of my personal heroes really makes the character of Elsa for me, even if I am coveting Kristen Bell's voiced Anna's beautiful golden red hair. Boyfriend didn't enjoy it as much as Tangled but for me it's a winner and should win for Best Animation and Best Song because, well, Let It Go is lovely and you can see the film sequence and listen to the song here.

Trailer: here

12 Years A Slave

I'm always a little baffled when children learn for years about World War I and II and yet slavery happened for over 400 years without too much emphasis in a history class. Films about slavery are few and far between in comparison to other subjects and this film is not just the best film of the year but one of the best films ever made, hands down. It is heartbreaking, harrowing, gut-wrenching, tear-jerking, emotional, full of anger and truths that many people can't even swallow today but it is a genuine masterpiece and is something that not only should be seen at least once in every person's life but also made compulsory reading for schools as the book this is based on is phenomenal and a true story. If this doesn't win for both Best Picture and Best Actor I'll eat my hat. Boyfriend turned around and said he wants it to win all the Oscars because it was that good. That's the first time he has ever said that. Ever.

Trailer: here

Captain Phillips

When boyfriend and I first went to the cinema to see this we didn't have much of a clue as it had not been publicised much to our knowledge. I knew the story it was based on of the pirate attack not too long ago but until it was released didn't even realise there was a film. So we went and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Tom Hanks' performance might well be the best of his career and his main co-star Barkhad Abdi was just incredible. The story took a few dramatic and creative liberties but all in all if you like dramas with fantastic acting this is one to watch. Boyfriend was bored but agreed the performances were on point.

Trailer: here

American Hustle

Ah, American Hustle. The film in which Amy Adams' wardrobe is phenomenal and held by a lot of tape without a bra and in which everything is sublime even if it is slightly overacted because everyone just wants that Oscar. It's a typical David O Russel film and it's very very good. The soundtrack is spot on, the costumes are amazing and Jennifer Lawrence's mimed version of Live & Let Die is an unforgettable moment. It's one of the films that I noticed was long but the payoff was well worth it. Boyfriend was bored an hour in but thinks Amy Adams is hot. I still prefer Isla Fisher.

Trailer: here

I'm no critic, I'm just a through and through film lover and I didn't want to post spoilers or detailed plot synopses but they're all online should you wish to look them up and I believe all but Captain Phillips are still in the cinema should you wish to take a trip.

What are your standout nominated films?