So here’s my list of my favourite films of this year, I have not seen as many as I would have liked and am especially disappointed I did not get to see The Master at the cinema.
The Raid: Redemption
Out of knowhere and with some of the best fight sequences I have ever seen this was something a bit different and makes me so excited to see what the director Gareth Edwards will do next.
Avengers Assemble
Popcorn blockbuster at it’s best, I am a massive Marvel/Avengers/Joss Whedon fan anyway and this lived up to my hopes. The Hulk was a revelation in effects and comedy value and all the main stars put in great performances.
Looper
Again, I had high hopes for this and Rian Johnson directs another sophisticated and interesting film. Joseph Gordan Levitt is getting better and better and does a spot on version of Bruce Willis without making it look like an impression.
Lawless
Gritty, violent and brutal all at the same time, really enjoyable film with a great (true) Robin Hood-ish story, not giving to the poor but standing up to a corrupt government, Tom Hardy is immense and Shia Lebouf is charming. Guy pearce is sometimes a littel pantomimy but this does not take away from a great film.
Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson, one of my favourite directors works wonders with child actors and makes another sweet, stylish and beautiful film.
Cabin In The Woods
Was sure about this at the time as it thinks it’s a little cleverer than it actually is, but I think it will definitely gain a big cult following and again Joss Whedon adding some of his magic to it. Some great gory horror sequences and some hilarious banter between Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins makes this Scream for the new Millennium.
Chronicle
Making a found footage film new and origianl is getting harder and harder, but Chronicle is great. Taking the moral dilemma ‘What would you do if you got super powers?’ and running with it. the CG struggles a little at the end as the directors vision outgrows the relatively small budget but nice to see something a bit different.
LCD Soundsystem – Shut Up & Play The Hits
Not for everyone but a great looking documentary and live piece about the last few days of LCD Soundsystem. Probably helps that All My Friends is one of my favourite songs ever.
Compliance
Based on a true story this is a creepy study of how far humans will go when faced with an authorative voice on the other end of a telephone line. Doesn’t try too hard and with some decent and subtle performances, I couldn’t believe this really happens.
21 Jump Street
A good comedy buddy movie with some unexpected funny moments and clever jokes based on adults as high schoolers, better than any other comedy this year.
Dark Knight Rises
I suppose I should but this on here as it is a great film, just nowhere near as good as The Dark Knight. I’ve only seen it once and was massively disappointed but thinking back there were plenty of great sequences and Tom Hardy was great even though the sound design on his voice was atrocious. Great film let down by a few too many niggles.
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