The best films I've seen this year...
(...that were released in the UK this year)
1. 12 Years a Slave - It's extremely close between this top three, I was almost tempted to call it a tie. This was released in January, and after re-watching it just a few days ago I was reminded of how powerful and harrowing it truly is. There is little to no solace to be found. A film of true hardship and desperation, and is all the harder to watch because of it. Credit to all those involved in the making of it, it was more than deserving of it's Academy Award blitz earlier this year. Even Brad Pitt appearing for 15 minutes and "saving the day" goes no way toward diminishing any effect, so yeah it must be special. Special mentions to Michael Fassbender for playing the most hated character I've ever witnessed, Chiwetel Ejiofor for displaying more emotion than many manage through facial expressions alone, and director Steve McQueen for making yet another film that's impeccably difficult to watch, but grounded in harsh reality all the same.
2. Nightcrawler - This one gets the awards for best original screenplay and by far, best lead actor. Incredibly fresh in this day and age to see a unique film such as this with no source material, besides what was in the orchestrator's mind(s). Visually sleek, undoubtedly grounded in the category of neo-noir (I don't think there's a scene that takes place in the daytime) and an honest look at the more grim, more realistic and brutal side of Los Angeles. Stealing the show, by far, is Jake Gyllenhaal, who turns a simple character on the search for some cash into a measured and calculative, yet deranged, psychopath. Also honorable mention to his character's hapless and fish-out-of-water sidekick, played brilliantly by Four Lion's Riz Ahmed.
3. Gone Girl - I honestly didn't know what to expect of this. I knew it was based on a book, and I saw it based primarily on the fact I'd heard good things. It certainly delivered. As dark as it is intelligent, and fits straight into the David Finchner back catalogue. Rosamund Pike excels, and great to see Ben Affleck/Bruce Wayne donning his drama face before putting the cape on next year. Most shocking death scene of the year goes to Neil Patrick Harris's character!
4. Fury - If you'd have asked me to create this list upon just leaving the cinema after watching this, it would've been number one. War films tend to have that shock-and-awe effect, and this one is a prime example. I was left open mouthed at points. Not a great deal "happens" (not in the grand scale of WWII anyway), the film only spans a few days, and Brad Pitt kills a Nazi by throwing his gun at him after he runs out of bullets, but for it's visceral-ness this is up there with the likes of Saving Private Ryan and the like.
5. The Wolf of Wall Street - Literally just makes the list after being released in this country on the first of January. I almost forgot about it. A three-hour, Scorsese and DiCaprio collaboration (always a winning partnership), full of anything and everything that must fall under the '18' censorship banner...maybe don't watch it with your Gran. If you've gone the year since this films release having not seen it or not knowing much about it, what're you playing at man!
6. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - I was never going to not love this film. It could be outright awful and still make this list. I am a downright sucker for all the #onelasttime marketing and generally, if it has Middle Earth in it, I am sold on it. If I were a cynic, I could see why the film is ridiculously daft; everything is dialled up to eleven, the characters still have a video game-like ability to stay alive (fucking Legolas...although it was refreshing to see some get the chop!), tangents are left unresolved, the CGI leaves you feeling more and more disconnected, etc, etc, etc. But as I state, it simply matters not. As a set piece and a film about a universe I love, it goes down a treat, and is a fitting concluding chapter.
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel - Take everything we know and love about Wes Anderson's films. The tag-along cast, the deadpan humour, the outright quirkiness, times it by ten, and you're left with this film. If you know nothing of Anderson, you'll either hate it or be left thinking "...what?".
8. 22 Jump Street - Everything a comedy sequel should be, grander and stupider than it's predecessor. The partnership between Hill and Tatum is one for the ages, most of the quality and humour in the film comes from their differences and bromance. And most importantly, not shying away from referencing itself as a sequel with essentially the same plot as the first film goes down a treat. Funniest scene of the year is when Channing Tatum clicks on that Jonah Hill is sleeping with Ice Cube's daughter, and his following reaction.
9. Guardians of the Galaxy - I'll admit I was a sceptic when this first appeared in trailers. Not that I didn't think it would work, just that the Marvel Universe expands evermore, more characters to add to the crossovers and teases and "will they ever meet"'s. But like The Avengers before it this was everything a comic-book film should be, epic in scale, witty at times, stupid at times, and stupidly over-the-top at all times. "We are Groot" probably gets tearjerker of the year too.
10. Locke - If you've not heard of this one (it's probably the 'smallest' film on this list, there's no better way to describe it than quite literally, Tom Hardy driving to London and making some phone calls. One actor, one confined location, the very definition of a one-man movie. And it works....for me anyway. Credit to Hardy, a compelling performance was certainly required, and received.
Close runners-up:
Edge of Tomorrow - If you dislike Tom Cruise, watch this and you get to see him die multiple times. A fantastic premise, and a clever blockbuster.
Dawn Of the Planet Of the Apes - Because ape riding a horse firing two machine guns, and Gary Oldman being crazy Gary Oldman.
Interstellar
Black Sea
Calvary - A weighty issue tackled with downright black comedy. Brendan Gleeson is gold. Father Ted meets In Bruges.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The Double - Richard Ayoade is equally talented behind the camera as he is hilarious on screen.
Bad Neighbours - The Robert De Niro costume party.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past - That Quiksilver scene...
American Hustle
Her - A sweet yet alarming allegory of modern day romance, with a twinge of sci-fi.
Snowpiercer - Film quote of the year goes to "You know what I hate about myself? I know what people taste like. I know babies taste the best".
Starred Up - As hard hitting as it is gritty.
The Lego Movie
Godzilla
Nothing special: The Monuments Men, Under the Skin, Lone Survivor, Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom, The November Man, A Walk Among the Tombstones,The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I.
Mostly awful: Into the Storm, Pompeii, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, 300 - Rise Of An Empire, Non-Stop, Last Vegas, Grudge Match, Sin City 2: A Dame to Kill For,The Expendables 3.
Not caught but would like to see: Boyhood, Dumb & Dumber To, Exodus: Gods & Kings, Unbroken, '71, Pride, The Equalizer.
Merry Christmas everybody!
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