10) The Love Punch
I saw this film with my family and really enjoyed it. It was so endearing and full of charm. It relied on a sense of humour that was self deprecating and very British. It was good to see realistic action with older characters and exotic locations. It was a really fun ride.
9) The Maze Runner
I really enjoy dystopian fiction. I saw The Giver this year and enjoyed it. Maze Runner was really good and fans of The Hunger Games should enjoy this Dylan O'Brien adrenaline frenzy. Those who have not read the books will be kept on the edge of their seat. I can't wait for the next one...
8) The Book Thief
I became familiar with the book in university and read it whilst on jury duty. It's a really beautifully written book and I felt that the movies really did it justice. It so subtly showed how German towns fell under the Nazi regime and how people tried to remain true to themselves. It was heartfelt and true.
I became familiar with the book in university and read it whilst on jury duty. It's a really beautifully written book and I felt that the movies really did it justice. It so subtly showed how German towns fell under the Nazi regime and how people tried to remain true to themselves. It was heartfelt and true.
7) The Grand Budapest Hotel
Oh, Wes Anderson, you glorious bastard. I loved this film: it was such a fun and visually stunning piece, a real work of art from start to finish. It boasted such a star-studded cast, all of whom pulled their weight. Who knew Ralph Fiennes had the makings of a great comedic actor in him? This is the film equivalent of a decadent chocolate box: fancy snacking for artsy folks who need comfort food for the eyes and the soul.
6) The Wolf of Wall Street
This film explores money and gradual commodification so well. It's known for being extreme: it's long and it's full of sex, drugs and, well... more sex and drugs. It was really interesting as a true-story-biopic and I loved Jordan Belfort and his cheeky cameo.
This film explores money and gradual commodification so well. It's known for being extreme: it's long and it's full of sex, drugs and, well... more sex and drugs. It was really interesting as a true-story-biopic and I loved Jordan Belfort and his cheeky cameo.
5) Gone Girl
This is one of my absolute favourites. I went in having not read the book and it had me scratching my head and on the edge of my seat. It has a lot to say about marriage and how we interact with the news and how information is presented to us. It offers much food for thought. It's so stylishly done. I loved Trent Reznor and his work on the soundtrack: so subtle yet so unsettling. This was a real game changer. More films like this, please?
4) Belle
I crave films written by, directed by and starring women. I long for films that pass The Bechdel Test. I want intriguing films and strong female characters. This was one of my absolute favourite films of the year. It has everything you would want: politics, social commentary, romance, real life events, intersectionality between race and gender issues, GORGEOUS dresses... I loved the underlying theme of depictions of race and servitude in paintings. Gugu Mbatha Raw gave a dazzling performance and as such a new face on our screens I hope to see her career blossom from this point forward. I also eagerly anticipate more from director Amma Asante. This film was a real labour of love and is a dazzling narrative.
I crave films written by, directed by and starring women. I long for films that pass The Bechdel Test. I want intriguing films and strong female characters. This was one of my absolute favourite films of the year. It has everything you would want: politics, social commentary, romance, real life events, intersectionality between race and gender issues, GORGEOUS dresses... I loved the underlying theme of depictions of race and servitude in paintings. Gugu Mbatha Raw gave a dazzling performance and as such a new face on our screens I hope to see her career blossom from this point forward. I also eagerly anticipate more from director Amma Asante. This film was a real labour of love and is a dazzling narrative.
3) Guardians of the Galaxy
This needs to be in my top five for the soundtrack alone. After seeing the film I went out and bought the soundtrack which I've not done since, I believe, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. It was so fun and really engaged those of us who were feeling a real feeling of superhero fatigue. I appreciate Marvel but post-Avengers with Gotham and The Flash and Arrow and superheroes everywhere I needed a break. The Guardians of the Galaxy was fun and really felt like new territory and had a fun, stylistic edge. I'm really excited to see them expand on the Infinity Gauntlet story arc and hope to see Marvel Universe cross overs in the near future. Guardians of the Galaxy brought me back to Marvel movies this year.
This needs to be in my top five for the soundtrack alone. After seeing the film I went out and bought the soundtrack which I've not done since, I believe, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. It was so fun and really engaged those of us who were feeling a real feeling of superhero fatigue. I appreciate Marvel but post-Avengers with Gotham and The Flash and Arrow and superheroes everywhere I needed a break. The Guardians of the Galaxy was fun and really felt like new territory and had a fun, stylistic edge. I'm really excited to see them expand on the Infinity Gauntlet story arc and hope to see Marvel Universe cross overs in the near future. Guardians of the Galaxy brought me back to Marvel movies this year.
2) Snowpiercer
This is the kind of film that defies reviews. You cannot simply jot a quick write up of this film and that's why I feel the advertising for this film has failed. The less said about this film the better; you really have to go into it with a fresh mind and no expectations and it is awesome. It's metaphorical and darkly comic whilst also being quite thought provoking. Tilda Swinton gives a wonderful Thatcher-esque performance that I quite enjoyed. I cannot tell you anything about this film. All I will say is DO NOT READ ANYTHING ABOUT IT. Just watch it. Let it happen. Move along the train.
1) Nightcrawler
Jake Gylenhaal gave one of the best performances of the year in this movie. Fans of American Psycho will love this nerve-shredding film about Lou Bloom, a down-on-his-luck lad who just wants a job. It serves as a really interesting character piece. Jake Gylenhaal is this sociopath who blurs the idea of the American dream as he manipulates people and situations around him to make things happen for him whilst also managing to be almost endearing at times. Rene Russo presents a wonderful performance as a woman in a male-soaked career pool trying to hold her own and struggling. She becomes so wrapped up in Lou's schemes almost unknowingly. I cannot believe that this was the first movie for the director Dan Gilroy. For your first film to be this good, your career ahead should be a tremendous one. This film allows you to follow a real predator lurking on his fellow human beings with no remorse for what happens: horror becomes the thing that pays his bills. This was an enigmatically performed, fresh film and I enjoyed it. It stayed churning away in the back of my mind for weeks after.
Jake Gylenhaal gave one of the best performances of the year in this movie. Fans of American Psycho will love this nerve-shredding film about Lou Bloom, a down-on-his-luck lad who just wants a job. It serves as a really interesting character piece. Jake Gylenhaal is this sociopath who blurs the idea of the American dream as he manipulates people and situations around him to make things happen for him whilst also managing to be almost endearing at times. Rene Russo presents a wonderful performance as a woman in a male-soaked career pool trying to hold her own and struggling. She becomes so wrapped up in Lou's schemes almost unknowingly. I cannot believe that this was the first movie for the director Dan Gilroy. For your first film to be this good, your career ahead should be a tremendous one. This film allows you to follow a real predator lurking on his fellow human beings with no remorse for what happens: horror becomes the thing that pays his bills. This was an enigmatically performed, fresh film and I enjoyed it. It stayed churning away in the back of my mind for weeks after.
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