Right, so that’s the worst of the worst out of the way – now it’s time to count down our absolute favourite films of the year! The positivity begins with…
15 – NIGHTCRAWLER
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Presenting itself as the modern-day mix of Taxi Driver and Network, writer-director Dan Gilroy’s debut feature is a harrowing mirror of our everyday obsession with media and the disturbing lengths some will go to get all the details on camera.
At the centre of it all is Jake Gyllenhaal’s extraordinary and transformative performance as Lou Bloom, the psychopathic skeleton of a man (seriously, the actor’s severe weight loss is insane) who just wants to live out the American dream in whatever manner he chooses to take. It’s down to his endlessly watchable portrayal as well as the disturbing and satirical take on the media industry that makes this a thriller that truly sticks in your mind long after you watch it.
With any luck, Nightcrawler is going to grow to cult film status like Taxi Driver and Drive before it, and we already have the feeling it’s going to be around for a while…
14 – PRIDE
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Coming almost out of nowhere in the midst of a quiet September, this delightful British comedy is a perfect example of the crowd-pleaser done right.
Taking on a topical part of 20th century history – the miner’s strike of the mid-80s – as well as looking at the prejudiced attitude towards homosexuality back then, it tells the miraculous story of two communities, shunned by society, coming together to show the world that friendship and loyalty can get you further than you can possibly imagine. The characters are written well enough to ensure repeat viewings, as well; they’re funny, likable and deviating as far from stereotype as they can go.
Guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face, it’s a comedy that deserves its place alongside Billy Elliott and The Full Monty as some of the best British films about the era, and rings as one of the year’s most cheerful…
13 – THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1
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