The Interview reivew

Oh, come on, you know what this is now. After the whole scandal, The Interview is more well-known than it ever would've been otherwise. It's just a shame that the film itself is such a slipshod, hit-or-miss affair.

The Imitation Game review

Benedict Cumberbatch has gotten a lot of praise for The Imitation Game, and it's well deserved. It's just a shame that the movie around him is so superficial and rote.

The Babadook review

BEST NEW FEATURE

The last horror movie I watched was last year's The Conjuring, but even that can't compete with the spine-tingling horrors of The Babadook, an Australian film which has received heavy acclaim everywhere it screened. So, does it deserve all those accolades? Oh yes. 

Catching Up: Locke

An intriguing experiment with a minimalist premise, I first heard of Locke early in the year. While it's got its flaws, the film is very successful, anchored by a brilliant lead performance.

Nightcrawler review

BEST NEW FEATURE

Released at the very end of October, Dan Gilroy's Nightcrawler is a film that I waited far too long to catch, being among the best-received wide releases of the year. I am glad to have finally managed to watch it, as Nightcrawler is excellent, from its sleek cinematography to the brilliant performance at its centre.

Whiplash review

BEST NEW FEATURE

At long last, I catch Whiplash, a film that I've been anticipating for a long time. It's garnered some Oscar buzz, and it's warranted: Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Whiplash is going to make frequent appearances on the nominee list. Between its riveting direction, and strong performances from its stars, Whiplash is one of the year's best movies.

Catching up: Calvary

I first heard of Calvary back when it was in cinemas across the pond in Ireland. From the start of the year it was one of the films that I was most excited to see, and while it didn't quite match my lofty expectations, it's still a potent drama in its own right, possessed by a dark melancholy and boasting one of the best performances of the year from star Brendan Gleeson.

Birdman, or (The Unexpected Value of Ignorance) review

BEST NEW FEATURE

Director Alejandro González Iñárritu's Birdman has gotten a lot of attention lately, and for good reason. The film is an exciting piece of work, exploding with style and boasting a surplus of ideas woven together into a layered narrative. It's by far one of the greatest films of the year.

Sorry for the delay, by the way. 

Catching up: Life Itself

One film that intrigued me even before it was released this year was Steve James' documentary on Roger Ebert. After the acclaim that followed it, I really ought to have seen this much earlier. In any case, I've seen it now, and it's fantastic.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 review

Once again, Francis Lawrence brilliantly adapts Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy to the big screen. Unfortunately, he's adapting the weakest part of the trilogy, and Lionsgate is feeling greedy. Considering that, it's impressive that Mockingjay Part 1 is as good as it is.