A look back at the 2013 winners. No idea why.

For me, Paul Thomas Anderson is ahead of his probable peers, David Fincher/Christopher Nolan etc. The most consistent, the most artistic and the most challenging. His take on religious cults is not even his best work, yet still unforgettable and including magnificent turns from Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams.

Ang Lee's memorable take on Yann Martel's novel dazzled on first view (as I certainly note here) but falls apart badly on subsequent viewings (as I would say now). Visually amazing though and with a subtly revolutionary view on religion.

Naomi Watts won an Oscar and Ewan McGregor was subtley effective, in this eventually shattering take on the Asian tsunami destroying a holiday zone. Based on the real life experience of Spainard, Maria Belon.

I've had plenty negative to say about Steven Spielberg over the years, especially when dealing potentially noble historical projects. The film shines through it's quiet opening two thirds, spent with a magnificent Daniel Day-Lewis but falls to pieces in it's courtroom drama finale.