The Longlists of 2013!

Clearly, I'm the kind of guy who functions best when he's making lists of film stuff. Yesterday, the Top 24 of the year; today, the Longlists for the Hollmann Awards!

The idea for the longlists began with BAFTA, which did this for years, the last time being 2011. It was a fun way of winnowing the field, not just in Best Picture, but in every category -- in my case, 18. It helps you get your thoughts in order, gives you a smaller pool to think over, allows you to annoy others prematurely as they see their favorites already discounted.

So, following are the semi-finalists -- 15 in each category, unless otherwise specified. You of course know the Best Picture lineup, but let's give you a reminder, with the remainder after the jump:

BEST PICTURE
(10 semi-finalists)

12 Years a Slave

Ain't Them Bodies Saints
All is Lost
American Hustle
Blue Jasmine
Her
The Lords of Salem
Prisoners
Spring Breakers
Wadjda

Top 24 of 2013

Most people do a Top 10. Many others stretch it to a Top 25. I do both, usually ranking 25 - 11 and teasing the semi-finalists for my own Best Picture award. 

But not this year. This year, The Silver Screening Room is stopping at 24. Why? The answer is simple: no film was worthy of taking that 25th slot. I know that sounds snotty, but it's true. I went through a number of titles in my head for the final slot, switching it out again and again not because of the quality of the other films, but because of the qualms I had with whatever fell into 25. And why make a list of what I consider to be the best if everything is asterisked with misgivings? No, in this case, less truly is more.

So, after the jump are my Top 24 of 2013. And if you're saying to yourself, "Oh, did he not see [whatever]?" you can see the full list of 91 films (plus the Top Ten of 1993!) right here. Meanwhile: