"Fruitvale Station" Photos provided

With a new year upon us, it is time to reflect on what I consider to be 2013’s best movies of the year. It is always fun to generate the “Best of” list and realize what a good year 2013 was for movies that would have to be summarized by two key words: struggle and survival.
Top Five Best Movies of 2013
5) “Fruitvale Station” – The true story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who was shot by a BART police officer on Dec. 31, 2008. “Fruitvale” is a compelling drama by first time director Ryan Coogler and, while it may have been too close to home for many Bay Area residents, it is the “Little Gem of 2013.”

4) “All Is Lost” – A gripping survival film starring Hollywood legend Robert Redford about a man’s struggle to stay alive when his boat starts to sink. It is hard to fathom that Redford has only received a Best Actor Oscar nomination once in his astonishing career. “All Is Lost” will be his second.

3) “Dallas Buyers Club” – A gripping film starring Matthew McConaughey as an HIV positive straight man who becomes the most unlikely protagonist for AIDS patients. Look for Oscar nominations for McConaughey and Jared Leto for their roles in the film. Leto will win Best Supporting Actor.

2) “12 Years a Slave” – Director Steve McQueen brings to the big screen the horrors of slavery as they have not been seen before. This is a powerful piece of work with an astounding performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor that should get him the Best Actor Oscar on March 2. A difficult movie to watch but a must see!

1) “American Hustle” – Local con artists find themselves caught up in a big time FBI mafia bust. “American Hustle” has one of the best movie scripts in years and director David O. Russell evokes incredible performances from the stellar cast, including Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. It looks like another Oscar for Jennifer Lawrence for Best Supporting Actress. Anyone who is contemplating an acting career should analyze this film. Acting at its best!
Five 2013 Movies you may have not seen, but are not to be overlooked:
1) “The Spectacular Now”
2) “Nebraska”
3) “Inside Llewyn Davis”
4) “20 Feet from Stardom”
5) “Philomena”
4 Slates of 2013! See you at the concession stand in 2014!

Happy New Year!

Derek Zemrak is a film critic, film producer and founder of the California Independent Film Festival. You can follow Derek on Twitter @zemrak for the latest Hollywood news. Derek can be heard every Friday on KAHI 950AM on the Poppoff Show.

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