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Best of 2013: Kenneth Turan picks ‘Captain Phillips,’ ‘Frances Ha’

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An unusually strong year with numerous candidates combined with a draconian ukase mandating that choices fit in Twitter format (O brave new world!) have led me to a number of extreme stratagems.

First, I am limiting my 10-best list to English-language films. Foreign-language standouts will be treated separately, and documentaries will be similarly served at a later date.

Second, my 10-best list will have 11 films on it. Everyone will just have to live with that. One personal tradition I am hewing to is that, with the exception of the No. 1 film, I will rank my choices alphabetically rather than by preference. This year my top choice is the Tom Hanks-starring “Captain Phillips,” directed by Paul Greengrass.

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[For the record: An article listing Kenneth Turan’s top film picks for 2013 misidentified “Inside Llewyn Davis” actor Oscar Isaac as Jason Isaacs.]


GRAPHIC: Best of 2013 | Entertainment and culture

“Captain Phillips.” Intricate cat-and-mouse doings on a pirate-captured freighter mixing action, character and social conscience.

“American Hustle.” David O. Russell and familiar faces Adams, Bale, Cooper & Lawrence take a scam story to the limit and beyond.

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“Frances Ha.” Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig present the joys and sorrows of youth, bringing a touch of the French New Wave to hipster New York.

“Fruitvale Station.” A real-life shooting in Oakland dramatized with assurance and emotional depth by debuting director Ryan Coogler.

“Gravity.” Imagine a camera in outer space and you are there. Knockout visuals show you the view from out there as you’ve never seen it before.

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“Her.” Romance in the technological future envisioned by the iconoclastic Spike Jonze and stars Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson.

WATCH: Award contenders discuss their films

“Inside Llewyn Davis.” Oscar Isaac soars as a folk singer spending a week in Coen brothers hell. The music, however, is sweetness itself.

“The Invisible Woman.” Star and director Ralph Fiennes, aided by Felicity Jones, brings Charles Dickens to life in a triumph of classic cinema.

“Nebraska.” Bruce Dern and Will Forte in a poignant and ruefully funny father-and-son reunion that showcases the gifts of Alexander Payne.

“Short Term 12.” Exceptional naturalness and empathy in a foster-care group-home drama with a breakout performance by Brie Larson.

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“12 Years a Slave.” Unblinking director Steve McQueen presents the horrors of slavery as Hollywood has not shown them before.

kenneth.turan@latimes.com

Twitter: @KennethTuran

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