2014 was an uneven year in film. One side featured fine independent productions making good use of limited budgets. The other had the usual swathe of Hollywood blockbusters, sequels and remakes. Creatively, Tinseltown often resembled a wasteland of ideas – something that will likely to continue with the ongoing quest for dollars. With the threat of downloading and internet based media looming large it will be interesting seeing where films go next. Hopefully this will result in some higher quality movies with more risks being taken.
In the meantime here is my annual Top Ten list for the year. Find out which films made me happy to see them and others that made me wish I hadn’t……..
THE BEST
10. Jersey Boys
9. Edge of Tomorrow
8. The Grand Budapest Hotel
7. Snowpiercer
6. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
5. X-Men: Days of Future Past
4. Nightcrawler
3. The Wolf of Wall Street
2. Guardians of the Galaxy
1. Gone Girl
What I said then: “One of his best films out of a great career, ‘Gone Girl’ is one of Fincher’s most daring projects. Consistently insightful and engaging, it’s a cinematic oasis amidst a barren sea of recent celluloid mediocrity.”
What I say now: An unapologetic examination of marital hell and media manipulation, ‘Gone Girl’ was one of the bravest Hollywood films of the year. Setting itself apart from the usual formulaic movies, it was consistently surprising and compelling.
Honourable mentions: Inside Llewyn Davis, 12 Years A Slave, The Two Faces of January, The Hundred-Foot Journey, A Most Wanted Man, Captain America: Winter Soldier, Kill the Messenger, The Drop, Into the Woods.
THE WORST
10. Grudge Match
9. Noah
8. 22 Jump Street
7. Paranormal Activity 5
6. Hercules
5. Pompeii
4. Endless Love
3. The Fault In Our Stars
2. Tammy
1. Mrs. Browns Boys D’Movie
What I said then: “Mrs Browns Boys D’Movie’ is a deceptive and cruel beast. Behind its masque of hilarity lies a seething cesspit of crudity and malice. It’s a celluloid abomination richly deserving of its place in cinema’s Hall of Shame.”
What I say now: A cinematic shocker in every sense, ‘Mrs. Browns Boys D’Movie was simply appalling. It established its own creative nadir with no sacred cows spared in its desperate quest in plumbing new comedic depths.
Dishonourable mentions: The Equalizer, Before I Go To Sleep.
That’s it for another movie-going year. Everyone enjoy a safe and happy Christmas and may 2015 be even luckier than the year about to go. Until next time – thanks for reading!
Movie Reviews by Patrick Moore
Agree with Patrick's Movie Review? Then please use the comment box.
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.
No comments:
Post a Comment