TEN BEST FILMS OF 2014

(AS SEEN IN THE CINEMA)

1.) Blue Jasmine directed by Woody Allen

Cate Blanchett gives an Oscar winning performance as an ailing socialite who arrives in San Francisco and quite down on her luck in Woody Allen’s charming social commentary on contemporary American society. Blue Jasmine features a great supporting cast including Sally Hawkins and Bobby Cannavale. Review of Blue Jasmine

2.) The Wolf of Wall Street directed by Martin Scorsese

Leonardo diCaprio gives another brilliant performance as the manic Wall Street Trader Jordan Belfort in Scorsese’s brilliant diatribe of American capitalism at its most brutal. The Wolf of Wall Street had the most swear words ever in a Scorsese film. Review of Wolf of Wall Street

3.) 12 Years a Slave directed by Steve McQueen

Heartwrenching tale about slavery in the deep South superbly directed by British director Steve McQueen featuring  stunning performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupito Nyongo’o and Michael Fassbender. Review of 12 Years a Slave

4.) American Hustle directed by David O. Russell

The cast of American Hustle excel as a group of con artists and hustlers in 1970’s New York in David O. Russell’s stylish and amusing film featuring brilliant performances by all the main actors especially Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence. Review of American Hustle

5.) Dallas Buyers Club directed by Jean-Marc Vallee

Matthew McConnaughey and Jared Leto both won Oscars for their gruelling portrayal of Texan AIDS sufferers in director Jean-Marc Vallee stunning film about the misconceptions surrounding a pandemic and how those affected by it, respond to it with bravery. Review of Dallas Buyers Club

6.) The Grandmaster directed by Wong Kai Wai

The Grandmaster made the list for the stunning cinematography and for the spectacular fight sequences. This is a truly riveting Martial arts film with style and sure to remain a classic. Review of The Grandmaster

7.) Philomena directed by Stephen Frears

Dangerous Liaisons director Stephen Frears delivers a poignant and beautiful film about an elderly lady searching for her lost son. Naturally Dame Judi Dench is phenomenal in the role of Philomena. Review of Philomena

8.) The Grand Budapest Hotel directed by Wes Anderson

Featuring a star studded international cast including Ralph Fiennes as the Manager of The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wed Anderson’s cinematically rich film, beautifully designed and absolutely hilarious is also a tribute to the best of cinema. Won Oscars for Production Design, Costume Design and Best Original Score. Review of The Grand Budapest Hotel

9.) Kill Your Darlings directed by John Krokidas

Mystery thriller surrounding the Beat Generation artists including Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs and Jack Kerouac. Kill Your Darlings shows off the acting talents of Daniel Radcliffe, Ben Foster and the irrepressible Dane DeHaan. Review of Kill Your Darlings

10.) Gone Girl directed by David Fincher

Rosamund Pike gives a career best performance as the missing wife Amy in Canadian director David Fincher’s gripping thriller which will keep audiences guessing right until the end. Ben Affleck stars as the cheating husband alongside Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry. Review of Gone Girl