Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, stated that “experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you.” This quote lingered within my thoughts for the majority of the 2013 movie year because there is a remarkable number of films that confirm Huxley’s statement with shocking clarity. During 2013 the majority of characters in cinema experienced a relentless assault of either irrepressible physical violence or emotional turmoil, resulting in each character clinging to their lives, praying that they won’t become defeated. Characters had to either sink or swim. No film provided for them a middle ground that would grant them an easy way out or provide a buoy for them. Characters had to act, and act fast.

In Gravity, becoming disconnected from her partner in the infinite void of space, Dr. Stone had to gain composure quickly or endure an onslaught of debris and isolation. In The Place Beyond the Pines, a cop had to rely on his survival instincts and the ramifications of his decision reverberated throughout generations. In Blue is the Warmest Color, a confused teenage woman, utterly love-sick, discovers the throes and pangs of first love and is left even more confused after the indelible experience. In Dallas Buyers Club, an AIDs victim with a guaranteed death-sentence uses his situation to give hope to thousands of other AIDs victims. And in The Counselor, a man’s experience overwhelms him and he is soon exposed to the most unsavory circumstances that are beyond his control and the most heinous individuals.

Without further hesitance, the best 2013 had to offer.

People who use an iPhone have become accustomed to hearing the voice of Siri whenever they need help or have a good joke. Spike Jonze‘s Her centers on a man (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in love with a Siri-like AI. Of course when that AI is voiced by Scarlett Johansson, it’s not too hard to fall madly in love with a piece of software.

The trailer feels very simple telling the story of the main character, who has anti-social issues after going through a huge break up. After purchasing a new computer and answering a few personality questions, he “meets” Samantha. This isn’t the kind of relationship we would normally see between a human and a computer. There is a real sense of pain these characters go through as they develop a close and tender relationship but suffer because they are unable to have any sort of physical contact with each other.

The first trailer for Her has been released, and you can watch it below.

Paramount Pictures is doing a bit of shuffling of their upcoming release slate. Instead of releasing Paranormal Activity 5 on October 25, 2013—which would have made five in the same amount of years—the studio has instead decided to push the next installment in the found footage horror franchise back to January 3, 2014.

To fill the vacated October 25th spot, Paramount has announced that they will release Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa on that date. The title may not sound familiar at first, but anyone who’s watched the Jackass movies will be familiar with the Bad Grandpa sketches in which Johnny Knoxville is completely transformed into a convincingly realistic old man named Irving, who would set out and cause mischief.

With her star distinctly on the rise, if it hasn’t already gone through the roof, actress Carey Mulligan has now become one of the biggest names in the acting game.

Variety is reporting that both The Coen Brothers and Spike Jonze have tapped the actress to star as the female lead in their respective next pictures. For the pair of brothers, she’ll star opposite Oscar Isaac in Inside Llewyn Davis, and opposite Joaquin Phoenix in Jonze’s next project.

The first trailer for Jackass 3D has been released and it is something to see. The trailer proves that the movie is absolutely selling the product on their use of 3D, and that they’re set to push the limits even further than they ever have before.

The whole crew — including Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, and Wee-Man — are all back to inflict massive amounts of pain on themselves and each other. Also returning are director Jeff Tremaine and producer Spike Jonze (Where the Wild Things Are). The movie is set to be released everywhere and in almost full 3D on October 15, 2010.

Make sure that all safety precautions including helmets, knee pads, and Pepto-Bismol are at the ready before clicking over to check out the first trailer for Jackass 3D!