14) “Chef” (15)
Jon Favreau writes, directs and stars in this low-key family comedy, with a delightfully retro soundtrack and a stellar cast, full of delightful cameos. Favreau himself stars as Carl Casper, an acclaimed chef, who after being fired by his boss (Dustin Hoffman) following arguments over artistic freedom and insulting critics, starts up a food truck, in a bid to reinvent his career, whilst reconnecting with his distant family.
Despite its partially clichéd material, the result of Favreau's return to independent filmmaking is a charming summer comedy, filled with a talented cast (John Leguizamo and Bobby Cannavale provide hilarious support), smartly written dialogue and proficient camerawork. Plus, the food looks absolutely gorgeous!
13) “Paddington" (U)
After its release in November, this delightful Python-esque comedy became an instant classic, finding its way into the hearts of cinemagoers everywhere. "Paddington" follows the story of our titular character, which charters the very beginnings of his life, beginning with his early years in the depths of deepest darkest Peru, in which he lives happily with his Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) and Uncle Pastuzo (Michael Gambon).
But after a freak earthquake destroys his family home, Paddington is sent out into the big wide world, in search of a new family who can take care of him properly. Upon arriving in London after a tumultuous voyage on a shipping boat, the sprightly and gentlemanly bear makes the acquaintance of the Brown family, headed by the safety-conscious Mr. Brown (Hugh Bonneville). But when a villainous taxidermist (Kidman) from the Natural History Museum discovers that Paddington is an endangered bear, she sets out to catch him at any cost, threatening to destroy the growing friendship of Paddington and the Brown family.
“Paddington” is one of Britain’s greatest cinematic achievements, successfully mixing charming family-friendly fun with witty comedy, aimed at the more discerning of viewers. It really is a great British delight.
12) “Gone Girl” (18)
The master of dark and dangerous cinema returns, with a shocking and unflinching rendition of marriage in its true form. Ben Affleck is Nick Dunne, the unwitting average Joe who lives in the heart of Carthage, Texas, with his beautiful and talented wife Amy (Pike), a writer of the "Amazing Amy" book series. Life is good for the Dunne's until one fateful day in which returns home to discover that Amy is nowhere to be found. With smashed objects lying around the living-room, Nick discerns that his wife may be missing. Upon notifying the police and his family, the media swarm upon Nick like a pack of wolves, aggravating him at every turn. Soon through Nick's albeit strange behaviour, the public perception of Nick’s intentions begin to change, with many people asking the same horrifying question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife?
From the offset, all is not what it seems, and Fincher keeps the tension at its peak shocking his audience with a stylish and darkly comic film, which features two of the most unanticipated performances in many years. “Gone Girl” is a thriller destined for ‘vintage’ status.
11) Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier (12)
The first of Marvel's 2014 selection was a thrilling 70's style political thriller, filled with wonderfully witty dialogue and some of the most engaging action sequences in a superhero film to date.
There are occasional plot holes, but the inclusion of gleeful pop culture references (Rogers is now a fan of Marvin Gaye, good man!), gritty action sequences and a wonderful Stan Lee cameo, it satisfies the need of Marvel's attempt at intelligent blockbusters, paving the way for "Civil War" rather nicely...
10) “The Raid 2: Berandal” (18)
Few films are as fun as Gareth Evan’s hyper-violent sequel to his cult hit “The Raid”, but the Welshman’s ambitious film has improved on its predecessor’s blunders, by refining his follow-up in more ways than one: the dialogue is sharper, the action is sleeker and the plot is wonderfully gritty. Set only a few short hours after the events of “The Raid”, this next chapter sees Rama (the unbelievably talented Iko Uwais) go undercover into the criminal underworld of Jakarta, in order to put an end to the corruption within his police force.
Despite being made on a relatively modest budget of $4.5 million, this independent gem completely trumps the various action blockbusters of last summer, delivering outrageously violent and almost cartoonish thrills (hammers, baseball bats, they’re all being used), but incorporating real heart into its wonderfully convoluted screenplay. The chase scene alone, is to die for.
9) Interstellar (12)
Ambitious, intelligent and ultimately thought-provoking, Christopher Nolan set out to reinvent the Sci-Fi blockbuster and succeeded. Mathew McConaughey is our new Dave Bowman, a skilled pilot who is asked by the secretive professor Brand (Michael Caine) to set out with a team of scientists (including Anne Hathaway and Wes Bentley), in search of worlds through a wormhole, which will lead to planets that may be able to sustain human life, after the subsequent demise of planet Earth.
The effects are astonishing, and yet again, Zimmer’s score is suitably bold and breathless, but despite the intellectual script, it can often prove to be a tad confusing. Nevertheless, this is daring stuff.
8) The Guest (15)
A hidden gem we must admit, Adam Wingard’s (“You’re Next”) latest love-letter to the action/horror genre is a hilarious piece of retro filmmaking. Britain’s very own Dan Stevens ditches the calm gentlemanly persona he’s grown accustomed to in “Downton Abbey”, for an aptly comic and down-right grim role as David, a soft-spoken soldier who arrives at the Peterson family’s home, claiming to have known their son, who died in action. Taken by his calm and friendly manner, the family invite him into their home, with their children Anna (Maika Monroe) and Luke (Brendan Meyer) taking quite a shine to their new friend. But when a series of “accidental deaths” rock the town to their core, Anna can’t help but wonder if David is connected to these acts of brutal violence...
Unfortunately, this terrific little film just didn’t find its audience upon its UK release last September, turning over a poor box office return. But, perhaps it’s destined for cult DVD status? And with its gloriously synth-heavy, nostalgic soundtrack, it’s impossible not to fall for Wingard and Simon Barrett’s ludicrously entertaining piece.
7) “12 Years a Slave” (15)
One of the finest contenders for last year’s awards season, Steve McQueen’s outstanding third feature film, is perhaps one of the finest modern classics ever to grace a silver screen, due to the filmmaker’s unique style and a phenomenal cast.
This often disturbing film reveals the disconsolate tale of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free man from the year 1841 who was deceived, kidnapped and sold into slavery. Ejiofor commands the entire piece and provides a deep and dedicated performance throughout, whilst the supporting cast (Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch and Lupita Nyongo'o) are on fine form. Meanwhile, John Ridley (writer) and McQueen’s teaming is a masterstroke, producing a piece with such verve, it’s particularly hard to fault it at all.
8) Inside Lleywn Davis (15)
The Coen Brothers do what they do best in this emotional comedy drama, led by a confident Oscar Isaac, wonderfully catchy music (“Please Mr. Kennedy” is just hilarious) and striking visuals.
It may not carry the typical Coen Brothers narrative that we’ve become accustomed to, but there’s enough humour and well-written drama to gain appreciation from new fans.
7) What We Do In The Shadows (15)
In this preposterously silly spoof of the horror genre, Jemaine Clement (of “Flight of the Conchords” fame), has teamed up with Taika Waititi (“Eagle Vs Shark”), for perhaps the funniest film to come out of New Zealand since “Braindead”.
Having taken up residence in a flat within Wellington, New Zealand, a foolish group of vampires named Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), Viago (Waititi), Vladislav (Clement) and the humble yet violent Petyr (Ben Fransham) live comfortably together, until the day that Petyr decides to leave the confines of his cellar and bite into the neck of their dinner guest, Nick (Cori Gonzalez-Macuer). After having his entire blood supply drained from his body, Nick is turned into a new-age vampire, who threatens to upset the status quo, when he begins to show the group inventions such as the computer (cue hilarious results) and advertises his newfound powers a little too much…
Despite being just a series of extended sketches, with no particular narrative strand to follow, the cast keep the film pulsating at an alarming rate. With their whip-smart script boasting some of the most quotable dialogue since “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy”, this group of witty comic performers turn the vampire story upon its head, with bloodthirsty results.
6) Guardians of the Galaxy (12)
This was Marvel taking a gamble. With a relatively unknown cast of characters and Andy Dwyer from “Parks and Recreation” in a lead role, this could have been an expensive misfire. But, it wasn’t. In fact, “Guardians of the Galaxy” quickly found its way into the hearts of cinemagoers with its charming characters, retro soundtrack (we've had it on repeat for absolutely ages), and its exceptional use of special effects.
Chris Pratt plays Peter Quill, a pompous interstellar adventurer who travels the galaxies in search of precious artefacts which can be sold on the black market. On one dangerous mission however, our hero comes across an orb, which happens to be coveted by one of the galaxy’s most terrorising villains, Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace, wasted criminally here). Soon, Quill is forced to team up with four other intergalactic criminals, including a racoon, a walking and talking tree, a deadly female assassin and a manic brute, set on vengeance.
The result is an engaging and thrilling piece of Sc-Fi which creates an exciting new place in the ever-expanding Marvel universe, filled with James Gunn’s passionate brand of comedy, plenty of cracking action sequences and perhaps the best comic duo in many a year.
5) “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (15)
Full of heart and hilarious dialogue, Wes Anderson’s latest comic delight is a devilishly violent and stylish piece, fulfilled by Ralph Fiennes’ awards-worthy performance.
Monsieur Gustave (Fiennes) is a sleazy concierge at the Grand Budapest hotel, and due to a penchant for elderly ladies, is placed in mortal peril, when one of his recent spinsters (Tilda Swinton) is murdered. Having decided in her will to leave a famous painting to the concierge, instead of her own family, Gustave is forced to become a fugitive, alongside his lobby boy, Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori).
Fiennes delivers a career best performance alongside this star-studded cast, in a highly impressive and ambitious film, delightfully scripted and directed by one of Hollywood’s most poignant directors. It isn’t one to be missed.
4) “Her” (15)
A supremely smart and intelligent satire of love in the digital age, Spike Jonze directs and writes with such talent, that it’s difficult not to love this melancholic, and passionate tale.
Joaquin Phoenix (“Walk The Line") delivers a stunning performance as Theodore Twombly, a socially detached writer of cards, who falls for his charming and alluring computer operating system, named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson).
Boasting a unique mix of unsettling drama and hilarious comedy, Jonze’s “Her” features exceptional performances from its cast, a wonderful soundtrack from Arcade Fire, and genuinely challenging ideals.
3) “Nightcrawler” (15)
Having reportedly lost 20 pounds for his role, Gyllenhaal continues to show his dedication to film as he produces a dark and attention-grabbing performance, in Dan Gilroy’s thought-provoking directorial/writing debut.
Originally a petty thief, Lou Bloom (Gyllenhaal) is an opportunist. Whilst searching for a new and potentially legal way to make money, he is inspired by an amateur film crew who he sees shooting footage of a car crash, eventually intended to be sold to a local news station, for their morning news broadcast. Seeing dollar signs, Lou trades in a stolen bike for a camcorder and a radio scanner, eventually discovering that business is booming. But as he drives from crime scene to car crash with his protégé Rick (Riz Ahmed), his morals are tested when unethical decisions begin to plague his life.
Gilroy’s debut is both thrilling and frightening, highlighting just how far individuals would go to chase their American dream. Plus, Gyllenhaal’s outstanding portrayal of a sadistic and creepy individual is delightfully reminiscent of Travis Bickle, and along with the more than capable cast (Bill Paxton, Rene Russo), we’re entertainingly challenged and pulled into Lou’s dark depths of depravity. Creepy is the word that comes to mind...
2) “Whiplash” (15)
Having premiered in the UK at last year’s London Film Festival, and already on general release in the US, we felt compelled to include this triumphant drama from director Damien Chazelle (“Grand Piano”). It's technically out on general release already, so why not include it? It definitely deserves a mention.
The young and talented Miles Teller (“Divergent”) takes the lead role of this intense piece, as Andrew Neyman, a young and ambitious Jazz drummer who is determined to become one of the greats. However, at his elite school of music, there’s just one obstacle standing in the way: his arrogant yet wildly talented instructor, Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). After discovering his potential talent, Terence introduces Andrew into his class, where competition is infectious. But as Andrew endeavours to succeed, his social life begins to crumble, with the relationship with his family and girlfriend Nicole (Melissa Benoist) suffering under his inextinguishable thirst for success. Eventually, something’s got to give.
The story is unique, and writer/director Chazelle pushes Teller and Simmons to the very pinnacle of their acting abilities, producing electrifying performances that deserve award nominations. With a film’s script as smart as this, and wonderful compositions from Justin Hurwitz, it’s tense, gripping and full-of-heart entertainment such as this, which makes cinema-going such a pleasant and thought provoking experience. Be sure to see it in UK cinemas from the 16th of January, 2015, it's outstanding.
1) “Boyhood” (15)
Richard Linklater’s latest cinematic endeavour doesn’t require an introduction of sorts, but after twelve years in production, and a cast of undeniable talent, it’s a modern masterpiece that can't be ignored.
This ambitious and touching film follows the life of Mason (Ellar Coltrane), as he grows up in society from the age of five to eighteen, along with his sister Samantha (Lorelei Linklater), Mum (Patricia Arquette) and Dad (Ethan Hawke). As well as studying the human condition, Linklater’s film highlights the discovery of popular culture (video games, music), attending family events such as dinners, birthdays and graduations, all the while providing a nostalgic look into our world for the past twelve years.
Technically ambitious and legendary in scope, this is a film for the ages, and Coltrane’s first performance is one to match even the greatest of actors and actresses. Whatever's up next for Linklater, he’ll be hard pressed to create a finer piece of work than this.
Enjoy part one and two? Agree or disagree with any of our choices? Well we'd love to know your thoughts, so don't forget to share in the comment's section below!
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