2014: A Year in Review

Another big year for film has come and gone, this year we saw 12 Years A Slave secure Oscar triumph, The Lego Movie remind us how 'Everything is Awesome' and the underwhelming effect of Godzilla returning on the big screen. We also lost two of the most loved figures in film in Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Williams, a void which will never truly be filled. Closer to the Edge also moved blog sites, but that is another story. 

So live and direct from Toronto, Ontario I give you my review of 2014!

Top 10 Films of 2014

1. Nightcrawler (USA Dir: Dan Gilroy):
   
   
   Dark, dense and utterly pulsating, debut director Dan Gilroy has created 2014 most original and enticing work. With a mesmerising central turn from Jake Gyllenhaal as Lou, a man drawn deeper into the underworld of freelance crime journalism, this proved to be a shocking yet awe inspiring tale. As each step takes him further across the lines of morality, our viewing takes another shocking turn. One of the dark horse contenders for the awards and rightfully my film of 2014! Read Review

2. Whiplash (USA Dir: Damien Chazelle) 
   
   
   After wowing Sundance and taking the Audience Award, the boundaries of the teacher pushed to the limit in Damien Chazelle's riveting drama. Featuring a star making turn from Miles Teller and a frightening career best from J K Simmons, this film was both heart stopping and psychologically testing for all. As Teller's Andrew strives to be one of the great jazz musicians, the prize will come at the ultimate cost. Read Review

3. Birdman (ESP Dir: Alejandro G Iñárritu)
   
   
   The return of Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu provided one of 2014's most off beat dark comedies. Former caped crusader, Michael Keaton proved a surprise success as a former action star Riggan Thompson, who is floundering his way to attempted stage glory. The knives of the Boardway world are fully sharpened throughout and Iñárritu ignites this fine satire piece. Keaton's half naked spirit through Time Square is laugh guaranteed. Read Review.
   
   
4. Foxcatcher (USA Dir: Bennett Miller)
   
   
   The true story of real life brother wrestlers Mark & Dave Schultz was brought to fruition by Bennett Miller in a slow burning but explosive fashion. Steve Carrell was the stand out in a career high role as their unpredictable and schizophrenic coach John Du Pont. With great support from Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo, the tension rises to unbearable levels. What starts as a beautiful opportunity gradually becomes a nightmare! Read Review.
   
   
5. Boyhood (USA Dir: Richard Linklater)
   
   
   Richard Linklater's 12 year project was well worth the long wait and served as the most naturalistic and most moving experience of this year. A revelatory turn from star Eller Coltrane gave the films its beating heart and we was ably supported by Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette. Linklater undertook a huge gamble, but the time invested has produced the most refined and seasoned movie of his career. Read Review.
6. Nymphomaniac Volume 1 & 2 (DEN/FRA/DEU/BEL Dir Lars Von Trier) 
    
   When Lars Von Trier is in town, expect things to get shocking, Nymphomaniac Vol 1 & 2 was yet another fine example of his polarizing style. With more flesh on display than you would see in a life time of European cinema, the story of sex addict Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) was stunning yet nauseating experience. With a bold turn from British actress Stacy Martin, Von Trier has again shown himself to be the master of awkward cinema. Read Review.
   
   
7. Miss Julie (NOR Dir: Liv Ullmann) 
   
   
   Liv Ullmann's first effort behind the camera in 15 years was a sexually charged battle of social classes as Midsummer Eve in 1890 Ireland begins to heat up. Boasting a fascinating central performance from Jessica Chastain as the aforementioned Miss Julie, Ullmann ensured that our hearts were put through the wringer. Big questions of love, desire, status and happiness were firmly asked, but this is one place where reassuring answers are a forgotten dream! Read Review.
   
   
8. Wild (USA/CAN Dir: Jean-Marc Vallée') 
   
   
   The story of Cheryl Strayed's 1100 mile trek of the Pacific Coast Trail was an enthralling tale of redemption by French/Canadian Jean-Marc Vallée'. Reese Witherspoon in a career best role superbly conveys Strayed sense of anguish through the premature loss of her mother (Laura Dern) and her fierce desire to get life back on the rails after falling off due drug addiction and divorce. This was one long walk that had a stiff yet uplifting feel that cannot be beaten. Read Review.
   
   
9. Snowpiercer (KR Dir: Bong Joon-ho) 
   
   
   Boon Jong-ho may have experienced a Harvey Weinstein style nightmare getting his arctic apocalypse drama to the screen, but it was worth the waiting. One of the more unique movies of the year, Joon-ho combines stunning visuals mixed with brutal yet ravishing violence. The gradually building animosity between classes on the big train soon reaches boiling point. When the battle begins, our eyes go wild with shock. Read Review.
   
   
10. Dallas Buyers Club (USA/CAN Dir Jean-Marc Vallée') 
    
    
    The second part of our Vallée' double bill gave us only the resurrection of Matthew McConaughey but one of 2014 most memorable characters. The exploits of AIDS patient Ron Woodroof gave us a real anti-hero who refuses to quit after his life changing diagnosis. His efforts to help people prolong life are ones that bring tears to our eyes. Ron may not be the most pleasant of men, but his heart is in the right place. Read Review.

Best of the Rest

11. The Grand Budapest Hotel 
    
    
    Through some excellent set design and memorable turn from Ralph Fiennes as concierge Gustave M, Wes Anderson brought us one of the most well designed and easy humored pieces of the year. His trademark quirk present as usual, there were also signs of a more mature and refined Anderson breaking through in future. Read Review.
    
    
12. Starred Up (UK Dir: David MacKenzie)
    
    
    Jack O'Connell's hypnotically savage Eric lit up this grim prison drama from director David MacKenzie. One of the best pieces of British cinema this year, MacKenzie succeeds in bringing forth the horrors of British prison life. Watching Eric's hysterically laughter at hurting his first victim is assured to make you squirm. Read Review.
    
    
13. Guardians of the Galaxy (USA Dir: James Gunn) 
    
    
    By far one of Marvel's most fun and original efforts of years gone by, James Gunn helped put the smiles back on fans faces with a fast paced yet hilarious ride. Armed with the best soundtrack of the year and a winning performance by Chris Pratt, the next installment already has us waiting in anticipation. Read Review.
    
    
14. The Wolf of Wall Street (USA Dir: Martin Scorsese) 
    
    
    Few would have predicted that Martin Scorsese could do funny, well his look at the drug fueled life of Wall Street Jordan Belfort proved doubters wrong. It have alienated Academy voters with its overly time and over use of drugs and sex, but with a magnificent performance from old faithful, Leonardo DiCaprio, this ranks as Marty's best 21 century effort!  Read Review.
    
    
15. Blue Ruin (USA: Dir Jeremy Saulnier)
    
    
    Jeremy Saulnier's indie effort may have flown under the radar, but his tale of revenge is an effort destined for cult status. With an impassioned turn from little known actor Macon Blair, Saulnier gave us the perfect everyman to convey his tale. A director to watch in future, this man ensured that anxiety was cranked up the max and the unexpected was forever there. Read Review.

Male Star of the Year: Matthew McConaughey 

Few people would have predicted that Matthew McConaughey would be the main man of 2014! Many have frowned his past romantic comedy efforts and considered him a lost cause. Well an Oscar win later, McConaughey was the one laughing and along with starring in this years best TV in True Detective, he would end the year anchoring Christopher Nolan's heavyweight effort, Interstellar. We are now in the presence of a man who is becoming one of the actors of his generation! Just keep him away from Kate Hudson please.

Female Star of the Year: Julianne Moore 

Through her devastatingly brilliant turns in Maps to the Stars (which won her Best Actress at Cannes) and Still Alice, Julianne Moore has shown how she is one of the most underrated talents today. One more a contender for prizes, Moore has had one of the finest years of her career and still provides an alluring presence on screen (look how she lit up Mockingjay in limited screen time). Fast becoming one of this blogs favourite girl, Julianne is the deserved winner of this category.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée' Wild/ Dallas Buyers Club) 

Montreal native Vallée' has had his star being on the rise for years since 2005's CRAZY. This year would see his impact on the industry imprinted as he gave us the one/two punch of Wild and Dallas Buyers Club. Sporting a real eye for human emotion, his ability to highlight real people's strives makes for absorbing viewing and we should hopefully see this name on prize lists for years to come. 

Scene of the Year: Jordan Belfort Paralysed on Quaalude's 

Scorsese's ability to do comedy was never better demonstrated than when Jordan Belfort finds out the exact effect of the ancient Quaalude's he has ingested. What starts as a simple phone call quickly descends into something far more shocking and hysterical. Prepare the stitching kit, it will come in handy after seeing this. 

Finally I want to extend a massive thanks to all my readers in over 98 Countries who yearly listen to my rambling about film. Without you guys I am nothing, like Roger Ebert once said "I'll see you at the Movies!" 

After The Fox: Review of Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher

Director: Bennett Miller

By Alex Watson

After winning the Best Director award at Cannes this year, director Bennett Miller returns to our screen with his critically acclaimed movie Foxcatcher. Based on the true of former wrestlers Mark and Dave Schultz and their charismatic yet mentally unstable coach John DuPont, this could make for one of 2014's most riveting drama's!

John DuPont (Steve Carrell) is a millionaire wrestling enthusiast who is desperate to bring glory to his team 'Foxcatcher'. To get closer to his aim of winning a gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, he recruits wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) who despite past glory lives in shadow of his brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo). Although he is giving both men a chance of a life time, soon it appears that DuPont may not be the man he seems. Fatal consequence will soon follow on the grounds of Foxcatcher Farm!

Foxcatcher is a superb return to the screen for Miller and from an early stage the slowly cooking tension grabs us and refuses to let go. At the heart of the story is a tale of two brothers living under the constant uncertain gaze of their rich benefactor. From the get go, Mark is a man who is continually depressed at being second fiddle to successful brother Dave. Despite also being an Olympic Gold Medalist in the 1984 Los Angeles games, no one around seems to care and only seems to tolerate him to please Dave. His older brother is always affectionate and loving towards Mark, but the pent up tension is always hovering and is best demonstrated when an early warm up session between siblings turns into a minor battle!

When DuPont seemingly seeks out Mark to be the new face of his mission, the guy cannot believe his good fortune and their somewhat bizarre father/son relationship gives him a new found belief. Throughout Miller's movie, John's intentions for Mark remain ambiguous and the most electric part is the parts that are left unseen. Although there is a seemingly sexual undercurrent to their relationship, it soon appears that like before, John might just be using him to get Dave on board! The moment that Mark realizes that his benefactor prefers older brother, his world begins to fall apart. One sequences seems him easily lose an Olympic trial then gorge himself in frustration, only an extreme work out from Dave will save him here.

But it's the mysterious millionaire himself who provides Foxcatcher's real fuse. John DuPont's is an difficult and aristocratic figure who is a unique mix of charm yet an isolated figure among the big grounds of his Pennsylvania home. His persona is almost identical to a spoiled man-child because whenever he doesn't get his way, his top tends to blow. At first he seems to sympathize with Mark's feelings as he himself is forever under the disappointed stare of his mother Jean (an excellent Vanessa Redgrave) who chides him for participating in a 'low sport'. His level of control and money invested allows him to manipulate and control Mark as he pleases, Dave is also forced to play nice and indulge his boss despite his concerns.

In this absorbing and pulsating film, we are given a triumvirate of brilliant performances, which is led by a career best turn from Steve Carrell. Almost unrecognizable under prosthetic's, Carrell excellently captures DuPont sense of agony with himself and his edgy and almost vague personality. Throughout this film his actions become increasingly erratic and his presence immediately strikes up an unbalanced feel. Carrell here emerges as a strong contender for the big prizes come awards time and for anyone who doubts his ability, this role will provide a strong case for him.

Channing Tatum is equally strong as the frustrated Mark and through minimal use of words, he brings to light the disappointment and anguish he feels within. But it is his ability to bring forward the sad and exposed feel of his character that makes this performance so memorable. Mark is firmly the one our sympathy lies with but we know we cannot stop his slide. Mark Ruffalo once more proves to be a reliable supporting man and as loving brother Dave he gives the movie a more warm and emotional feel. But his love for his younger sibling is not firmly reciprocated, his attempts to break through this draw us to us to Dave for the duration of Miller's film.

Foxcatcher is a movie that deserves the fine praise heaped upon it so far during release. Boasting some Oscar worth direction, it is a movie that proves to be gripping mixed with an immense feeling of sadness mixed with loneliness. Highly recommended!

Three Movie Picks for November

Interstellar (Director Christopher Nolan) 

Chris Nolan's long awaited return to the screen post Dark Knight Rises has been one of great speculation throughout 2014 and through a series of cleverly planned trailers, we have only glimpses of a plot. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, we have learned that the story concerns an environmentally destroyed earth and a group astronauts having to navigate a worm hole in space to save it from total destruction. Nolan has yet to put a foot wrong and this looks likely to continue his fine run of form.

Release Date: November 7

Foxcatcher (Director: Bennett Miller) 

After grabbing serious attention at the Cannes Film Festival this year, Moneyball director Bennett Miller returns with a movie that has some serious awards contention. Based on the tragic story of Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his notorious relationship with his paranoid coach John Du Pont (Steve Carrell), this movie has proved to be an intense and captivating ride for critics. Featuring possible career best turns by Carrell and Tatum, this could well start making an appearance on award lists soon.

Release Date: November 14

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One (Director Francis Lawrence)

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is back on screen Hunger Games fans and she is aiming to make folks in the capital Panem sweat after the events of Catching Fire! So far this franchise has proven to be one of the most exciting and well made of years gone by and has found admirers in both teen and adult markets! Although some may be annoyed that the final story is split over two parts, no one can deny that watching Katniss and her band of followers slowly breaking down walls will be electric to watch!

Release Date: November 21

Five TIFF Movies to Get Excited About

From September 4th -14th, the Toronto Film Festival will be upon us in the province of Ontario and I am looking forward to my time volunteering at this prestigious festival no matter capacity that may be! With stars such as Denzel Washington, Julianne Moore, Tom Hardy, Mark Ruffalo and Benedict Cumberbatch paying us a visit it is hard not to get excited. Here are five movies that I will definitely seeking tickets to,

Foxcatcher (Dir: Bennett Miller)

Winner of the Best Director award at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Moneyball director Bennett returns with what could prove to be one of this years most absorbing movies. Based on the real story of Olympic wrestlers John Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his Gold Medalist brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo) and their troubled relationship with schizophrenic coach John Du Pont (Steve Carrell). With an excellent cast (including a break out turn from Carrell) and a superb director this promises big things come awards time!

Maps to the Stars (Dir: David Cronenberg)

One of Toronto's most loved names returns with a movie that is currently making waves and has been selected to be one of the festivals closing night films. With a star turn from Julianne Moore as an egocentric actress living on the edge of insanity,  along with Mia Wasikowska and John Cusack protraying a father and daughter with a troubling past- from the rave reviews it received at Cannes, this could well be another feather in Cronenberg's already established modern day cap!

Men, Women and Children (Dir: Jason Reitman)

One of the more low key arrivals the festival, but after its trailer has finally arrived it has firmly grasped our attention. The story is surrounded in mystery, but from its impressive ensemble cast including Emma Thompson, Jennifer Garner, Dennis Haysbert, Ansel Elgort and errm... Adam Sandler! Jason Reitman's movie could be an engaging look at the dark secrets that people we know hold inside and the potential dangers of using the internet! Reitman's track record has been spotless so far and this movie seems certain to continue that tradition!

Wild (Dir: Jean-Marc Vallee)

Dallas Buyers Club director, Jean-Marc Vallee, makes a welcome return to the festival circuit with another hard hitting drama that focuses on addiction and the 1100 Pacific Crest Trail hike of Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon). Montreal native, Vallee has proven able to find heroes the most unlikely of places and with its redemptive theme and what appears to be a career best turn from Witherspoon, this could be one of the underdog bets come awards time!

Mr Turner (Dir: Mike Leigh)

Mike Leigh always to come up trumps when it comes to awards season and he has now succeeded in grabbing the publics attention once more with Mr Turner. Based on the life of celebrated British painter JMW Turner (Timothy Spall), whose eccentric methods helped change the way we view art forever, Leigh seems to have found a story in which construct a compelling and emotionally charged story. With a Best Actor winning turn at Cannes from Timothy Spall, this piece has rightfully earned it's Special Presentation Gala slot at TIFF!