Another year over, and again I haven't written many film reviews. That's something I fully intend to rectify in 2015, but in the meantime here are some brief thoughts on many of 2014's standout films. All of the following are films that I saw by 31st December 2014 that had a UK cinema release date during 2014.
Rather than rate them as a countdown list, I though I'd try something a bit different and deal with them in groups.
My Top 4 films of 2014
In no particular order, here are my four favourite films of the year.
How To Train Your Dragon 2
The only animated franchise that truly rivals Pixar for maturity and emotional depth, this lived up to the promise of its predecessor, providing the wished-for thrills and belly-laughs, as well as a plot that moved the story along, instead of retreading old ground.
Nightcrawler
A truly transformative performance from Jake Gyllenhaal (and also from Riz Ahmed) in a no-holds-barred satire on media, capitalism and the acceptable face of sociopathy. Graphic and riveting.
Gone Girl
The bleak twist-filled misanthropic (and frequently hilarious) thriller didn't disappoint. Just when you think you know where it's going it throws another curve ball. Then another. And another...
Edge of Tomorrow (Live Die Repeat)
The Tom Cruise blockbuster that wasn't, but those few of us who saw it, loved it. Non-stop action and humour complete with a genuinely interesting time-bending narrative made for one of the year's cinematic highlights.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Comic Book
In a very strong year for satisfying blockbusters, these big-budget extravaganzas were the most impressive.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past
A time-twisting return to form for the ailing franchise, combining characters old and new, as well as old and young. Features some of the most memorable scenes of the year (I'm looking at YOU, QuickSilver!)
Captain America: The Winter Solider
Less an action blockbuster (not that it's lacking in that department), and more of a political thriller as old foe Hydra rears its (many) head(s). It may lack the old-school charm of the first film, but more than makes up for it with action and intrigue. Chris Evans continues to give a flawless performance in a role that is actually very difficult to pull off.
Guardians of the Galaxy
One of the year's biggest gambles pays off as it mixes action, laughs, visual effects and pathos to stunning effect. And then there's the soundtrack...
Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes
The sequel-to-the-prequel ups the ante on the special effects and returns the saga to its man-vs-ape roots, drawing political parallels that underline how the franchise is as relevant now as it has ever been, if not more so.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Receiving a mauling from both critics and audiences alike, I don’t know what the hell they’re complaining about. I much prefer Andrew Garfield’s charismatic Peter Parker to that of Toby Maguire’s utterly bland incarnation, not to mention Emma Stone’s feisty Gwen Stacey over Kirsten Dunst’s dull-as-dishwater MJ. This film has the biggest emotional kick of the entire series, and multiple jaw-dropping set pieces.
Stranger than fiction
Based on a true story, biographies, documentaries... Always one of the worthier categories, but these films will keep you on the edge of your seat and, in many cases, reaching for the hankies.
12 Years a Slave
Despite appearing on many 2013 lists, its UK release was actually in 2014. This unflinching, powerful and resonant film requires patience, but pays off in dividends.
Lone Survivor
As someone who can't stand war movies, I was shocked as to how much I was absorbed by this film. Nowhere near the jingoistic, flag-waving, right-wing propaganda piece I was expecting, I actually cared about a Mark Wahlberg character, proving there's a first time for everything.
Life Itself
A superb documentary about film critic Roger Ebert, who died while the film was being edited. Fascinating, informative and very emotional, it's a brilliant insight into the man, his life and cinema itself.
The Imitation Game
The fascinating account of one of Britain's true national heroes, Alan Turing's world-changing efforts had been kept secret for decades. It does shy away from the more technical aspects of what he actually did, but its importance, and injustice of what followed, are the crux of the story.
The Railway Man
A tough watch, but an emotionally rewarding tale of trauma, revenge and forgiveness. It's not often I'll applaud Colin Firth or Nicole Kidman, but this time they both nailed it.
The Wolf of Wall Street
Hilarious, lively and utterly repulsive as the Greed Is Good ethos of the 1980s is brought to life in all its hedonistic hideousness.
Unbroken
A seriously harrowing but inspirational tale of one man's journey (both figuratively and literally) from the bullied child of an immigrant family to Olympic hero, war hero, cast away and tortured POW camp prisoner.
Pride
"Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners" of a Welsh village during the 1980s miners' strike. You had me at hello. Loads of fun, with a few valid points to make about the true meaning of solidarity.
Young Adult
This hugely popular category of literature has now become a hugely popular film genre in its own right, as tortured teens battle against allegorical dystopian futures, deadly diseases and mysterious afflictions. Here are some of this year's highlights.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Part 1)
The dystopian franchise reaches the first half of its conclusion and as The Hunger Games themselves are no more, we move away from the action in favour of more political shenanigans. But this political back story has always been the point of the franchise anyway. By the nature of the split into two films, this doesn't have as much of a cliffhanger ending as it doesn't have one at all, but even though I've read the book, I'm excited for the finale.
The Fault in Our Stars
Girl with cancer befriends boy with cancer. Cue defiant cutesiness and tears. It's actually a far more worthwhile and original story than it sounds, even if it does get a little bit caught up in its own self-indulgence.
Horns
Accused of murdering his girlfriend, Daniel Radcliffe grows a pair of horns that forces people to be brutally honest to him. It falls apart towards the end, but for the most part, it's an original and genuinely interesting idea that is executed successfully.
The Maze Runner
A bunch of amnesiac teens are thrown into a glade, surrounded by a monster-inhabited maze. A cheesy, but enjoyable franchise setup.
Divergent
In yet another dystopian future, teens are effectively sorted into houses, depending on their personality (sound familiar?). Categories appear to be hard working, intelligent or irresponsible a***hole. Obviously, the lead pursues the latter. But anyone divergent, i.e. more than one, is dangerous, apparently. It’s completely ludicrous, and at times infuriating, but I can't deny it had won me over by the end.
Comedy
It hasn’t been a vintage year for comedy, but these were the films that most felt worthy of my time.
Last Vegas
An all-star cast of pensioners go to Vegas for a stag do. Cue inappropriate behaviour, dragged out skeletons, romance, pathos and genuine hilarity.
The Skeleton Twins
A blacker-then-black dark comedy about estranged suicidal siblings. It won't be for everyone, but certainly struck a chord with me, and features my favourite scene of the year (involving a certain Starship song).
A superior sequel to the over-rated reboot of the barely-remembered TV series. I went in reluctantly, but came out a convert.
That Awkward Moment
Reviled by critics and audiences alike, but I found it honest, smart, observant and, most importantly, very funny.
The Lego Movie
Loved by critics and audiences alike, this has to be the most pleasant surprise of the year. Inventive, creative, irreverent, surreal, clever and touching.
Indie
And finally, a quick look at some of the less-heralded films you may have missed or never even heard of.
'71
A behind-enemy-lines tale of a British soldier stranded in Ireland during "The Troubles". 2014's breakout star Jack O'Connell (also the lead in Unbroken, see above) is phenomenal in this edge-of-your-seat thriller that had me holding my breath.
Locke
Tom Hardy in a car, on his phone (hands-free Bluetooth, of course). And that's it. Yet it's utterly gripping from start to finish.
Calvary
An innocent priest is told he will be killed in a week's time, for the abusive crimes of other, not-so-innocent priests. Surprisingly funny, unsurprisingly tense.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Given its unexpected box office success, this is one you may well have seen. The whimsical tale of a hotel manager and his lobby boy, it is impeccably directed and a genuine pleasure. I was expecting to be irritated by this, as I usually am by director Wes Anderson (not to mention Ralph Feinnes) but all involved here excel.
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