Also note that films nominated for the 2014 OSCARS do not count, this includes:
- 12 Years a Slave
- The Wolf of Wall Street
- American Hustle
- The Dallas Buyer's Club
10. Frank
The British/Irish film loosely based upon Frank Sidebottom, a comedic musician that wore a large papier-mache head. Michael Fassbender stars as the lonely and mysterious musician with Domhnall Gleeson playing Jon Burroughs, a man that finally gets his break into music after a new, weird techno-pop band perform invite him to play with them. The film is funny, yet also dark and moving at the same time and throughout the film we discover the many oddities of Frank and why he wears his mask...
Not your typical musical comedy, but it's originality, the characters and the bizarreness makes it a must-see.
9. Nightcrawler
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a driven, yet desperate man whom finds an opening in recording footage of disasters and accidents. The film is gripping and tense and Gyllenhaal's performance is creepy and haunting, perhaps his best to date yet.
8. Gone Girl
David Fincher is back on form with this adaptation of Gillian Flynn's novel. Rosamund Pike plays Amy Dunne, the wife of Ben Affleck's character. One day she goes missing with the press and police finger-pointing at the husband for murder.
The story has many twist and turns and are executed very well in this film with Rosamund Pike providing a star performance.
7. Fury
Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman) joins Brad Pitt's platoon in search of victory against the Nazis in war-time Europe. The Nazis know defeat is only around the corner, with the Allied forces continuing to push forward. Norman is a rookie and must learn the ropes quickly including participating in cold-blooded action in the heart of battle with very few tanks left. Its kill or be killed. Although the message is perhaps not as clear as it is within Full Metal Jacket, it is still a heart-wrenching film with some terrific performances and amazing cinematography.
6. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Andy Serkis reprises his CGI role as Caesar, the leader of the ape rebellion.
Although some may consider these Ape prequels to be nothing more than a cash-cow, they are actually really good films, with well-written stories. The film is gripping and leaves me wanting more from the next instalment.
5. Interstellar
It's no secret that Christopher Nolan is a huge Stanley Kubrick fan, and this film is a massive smack in the homage to the legendary director. Nolan has always taken his audiences to extreme and interesting places and this time, outer space. Although this film does have plots larger than black holes, the dialogue is clunky, and the story reaching the levels of absurd, it is still an extremely well-made film. The cinematography is exquisite, and the father-daughter relationship is what holds this film together, almost literally.
4. The Imitation Game
Benedict Cumberbatch portrays mathematician, Alan Turing, as helps to break the Enigma code during the second world war. Based upon a true story, the film is about a group of code-breakers on a mission to decipher the toughest code known imaginable; the prize, a huge advantage over the Germans in winning the war.
3. The Grand Budapest Hotel
The latest Wes Anderson film, set in 1930's Europe and with an huge array of acting talent including, Ralph Fiennes and Williem Dafoe. The narrative is non-linear and the aspect ratio differs throughout the various time periods. I also love the nod to Hitchcock's Torn Curtain, although the ending is slightly more gruesome. Wacky and extremely witty, it is definitely worth the watch.
The latest Wes Anderson film, set in 1930's Europe and with an huge array of acting talent including, Ralph Fiennes and Williem Dafoe. The narrative is non-linear and the aspect ratio differs throughout the various time periods. I also love the nod to Hitchcock's Torn Curtain, although the ending is slightly more gruesome. Wacky and extremely witty, it is definitely worth the watch.
2. The Raid 2
An Indonesian film directed by Welsh director, Gareth Evans. This sequel is action-packed, it is gory, the cinematography and choreography is breath-taking and gut-wrenching. This is by the far best the best action film I have watched. If the first film drew comparisons to Dredd, the second is more akin to The Departed, mixed with a Bruce Lee film. If you love action films, including the array of super-hero films, then you won't be disappointed.
An Indonesian film directed by Welsh director, Gareth Evans. This sequel is action-packed, it is gory, the cinematography and choreography is breath-taking and gut-wrenching. This is by the far best the best action film I have watched. If the first film drew comparisons to Dredd, the second is more akin to The Departed, mixed with a Bruce Lee film. If you love action films, including the array of super-hero films, then you won't be disappointed.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy
At the beginning of the year I was expecting to enjoy to this film, especially with other more favourable comic book films being released this year including, X-Men DOFP, Captain America: The Winter Solider and TA Spider-Man 2; and with the trailers leaving very little for my consideration I can truly admit that this is the biggest surprise of 2014. This film has action, amazing cinematography, special-effects and humour that makes a perfect cocktail of a film.
All the main protagonists are likeable, although the the main antagonist is somewhat lame and unoriginal, but stay tuned for the end of credits special feature; you'd be quackers not to.
At the beginning of the year I was expecting to enjoy to this film, especially with other more favourable comic book films being released this year including, X-Men DOFP, Captain America: The Winter Solider and TA Spider-Man 2; and with the trailers leaving very little for my consideration I can truly admit that this is the biggest surprise of 2014. This film has action, amazing cinematography, special-effects and humour that makes a perfect cocktail of a film.
All the main protagonists are likeable, although the the main antagonist is somewhat lame and unoriginal, but stay tuned for the end of credits special feature; you'd be quackers not to.
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