Monday 29 December 2014

Top 5 of 2014

Here it is. Another year down and its time for my top 5. This year I have to say while there's usually the odd little indie film that I absolutely love, I've either not had a chance to see it (a la Mr Turner which I really want to see) or they just generally weren't up there. Instead its been a heavy hitter for the big tent pole tiles of the year which to be fair, given the line of work I'm in, can't be a bad thing!
Could this mean the quality of the blockbuster is improving. Probably not but lets have a look shall we...



5. X-Men: Days of Future Past
- OK, so maybe a bias opinion on this but I love me some X-Men and to have Brian Singer back in the fold on this was great to see. Bring on Apocalypse!!

4. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
- this was a surprise hit for me. I took a shot on seeing it based on the trailer. 'Rise' was really quite boring in comparison or just acted as a 2 hour intro movie to this much more explosive and interesting film.

3. The Wolf of Wall Street
- waaayyy back in January so its still within 2014 for the UK! Scorsese brings the excess to banking of all things. Some (including Scorsese) would argue this is similar ground he has covered before but as a fan, it's what we like to see from him and he came out swinging in deplorable style thanks to DiCaprio's antics.

2. Edge of Tomorrow
- a film that from the get go, looked like great fun. Such a shame it missed its target thanks to VERY poor marketing plan. Most people thought the film was called Live, Die, Repeat! Either way, great action, really well placed humour, Tom Cruise probably in his best roll since War of the Worlds. All round fun for sci-fi fans!

1. Interstellar
- and so the Matthew McConaughey revival (see last years Mud) comes full speed into the station!
What am I supposed to say about this film. Honestly, I'm sure whatever I have to say will either seem too glowing or pretentious but what ever right?!So here goes; this film reminds me of why I love film (in a slightly less sentimental way than Hugo does). The whole time I was taken in by everything on screen.
When I first saw 2001:ASO I realised what people meant about film being an experience. 2001 wasn't just a film. It was an experience.
So watching Interstellar, I was taken on such a journey that I came out emotionally drained. The McConaugh-ssance is in full swing, what with True Detective on TV.
Interstellar wasn't just a film. It was an experience...

For my honourable mention, I'll put a tie in for Godzilla and How to Train Your Dragon 2.

The bottom of the barrel this year comes from the following which need no comment:
Transformers 4 too many, Sharknado 2, Blended, Robocop and Man of Tai Chi.

See you next year!!

Thursday 18 December 2014

Tuesday 16 December 2014

Compare piece

20min painting to free my brain up from work. same image but tonal tweeks and content adjusted. Think I like the left one more