One of the more recent ones I had to miss was the Bill Murray comedy 'St Vincent' which has had good reviews, albeit with its sentimentally mushy ending - a film which some of my followers recommended but, regretfully, was not to be seen by me. There were maybe another 10 or 12 others through the year which I similarly wanted to see.
Anyway, that notwithstanding, 2014 was an exceptional year for high standard, 'quality' films and it was by no means easy to whittle them down to just ten. There are omissions in the list e.g. '12 Years a Slave' which was outstanding in every respect except that its subject matter was so heavily serious I could not honestly say that I enjoyed it. Other regretful omissions which I thought were going to make the final cut included 'Lilting' and 'Blue Ruin', but in the last lap they just had to make way for others I considered even more noteworthy.
So, in reverse order of enjoyment:-
10) 'The Imitation Game'
http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/film-imitation-game.html
9) 'Mr Turner'
http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/film-mr-turner.html
8) 'Nightcrawler'
http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/film-nightcrawler.html
7) 'Gone Girl'
http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/film-gone-girl.html
6) 'Calvary'
http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/film-calvary.html
5) 'American Hustle'
http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/film-american-hustle.html
4) 'Locke'
http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/film-locke.html
A taut, virtually single-actor film (Tom Hardy) in the claustrophobic world of his own car, juggling with responsibilities and loyalties on his (hands-free) phone while on the move. Very effective drama which keeps one guessing as to which direction it's going to develop.
3) 'Under the Skin'
http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/film-under-skin.html
A film that came out of nowhere (if you'll pardon the expression), about a predatory alien being who arrives on earth, in Glasgow, in the unlikely form of Scarlett Johannson. Could have been a calamitous, or even an unintentionally comic, disaster but I don't think any film this year has haunted my memory more than this one. And it's all achieved within the confines of a modest budget. It's so darned creepy!
2) 'Deux Jours, Une Nuit'
http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/two-new-films-deux-jours-une-nuit.html
Intensely human drama concerning worker in a small firm on the verge of being discharged from her job (in Belgium) trying to gather support for her being kept on. The subject matter may not set the world alight but it's a small scale, very sincere, minor miracle of a film. Despite repetition in that the lead character (Marion Cotillard) has to garner sympathy by seeing her co-workers individually it doesn't flag at all and I found myself rooting for her throughout. I'm also pleased that a non-English language film has turned out to be, for a change, my number two film of the year.
1) 'Boyhood'
http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/film-boyhood.html
Much of my decision to give this my accolade must stem from the fact that it was precisely the kind of film that I'd have expected not to have liked. In the event this extra-long film turned out to be mesmeric - though it's not easy to identify exactly why as there are no really 'major' events in this chronicle of a boy growing into a man, shot over a number of years in real time, and with no sign of more advanced film techniques being evident for the latter part of the film as compared to the start. I left the cinema quite stunned - and, to use the title of another film in my list, this one really got under my skin. Superb.
And, finally, my least enjoyed film of the year, which I'm apprehensive in naming because a number of my esteemed blog-pals really liked it, and liked it a lot. In fact I'm the only one I know who disliked it so much, to the extent of being irritated by it for its entire length. Soppy (just my own reaction) teenage romance which, death(s) apart, I'm glad and grateful to say that I've never experienced. I give you:-
'The Fault in our Stars' (Take and keep it - please!)
http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/film-fault-in-our-stars.html
I wouldn't advise anyone not to see this, as the chances are that they will 'get' it despite the 'it' having evaded me completely. It could well turn out to be your own Number One film of the year.
______________________________
And finally, on this Christmas Eve, as I sit here surrounded by five pussycats, I'd like to take the opportunity to wish each and every one of my much-valued followers a Very Happy Xmas, and if I don't 'see' you again during the next week, a prosperous, contented and (most of all) a healthy 2015! My heartiest best wishes to all.
Merry Christmas Ray!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sol - and at least the very same to you. (Hope your head's behaving itself).
DeleteHappy Happy Christmas Raybeard!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for your list; there are a couple I haven't seen and I'll be on the lookout for them!
Thanks so much, Bob. I wish all and only the very best to you and yours for the coming days and all through 2015 and beyond.
DeleteAnd don't ever think about stopping your blogs. I find them so entertaining and often have to hold myself back from making a comment, especially when related to American politics, as it could appear so arrogant coming from a Brit. But they and your sardonic sense of humour can be guaranteed to keep me entertained.
feliz navidad, joyeux noel, boas festas to you and the pussies, dearest raybeard! much love from across the pond!
ReplyDelete"the imitation game" arrives this week around here; spouse has indicated he wants to see it.
Oh thank you mucho, A.M. You must know that I want only the very best for you and RTG and the three little 'uns over coming days and through into the New Year.
DeleteAnd Blackso, Noodles and all the 'visitors' have insisted that their own whiskery wishes be conveyed to your household also.
And you can put me down as a liar if both you and your other half don't like 'Imitation'.
And I'm wishing it right back at you!
ReplyDeleteSean
www.idleeyesandadormy.com
Thanks S/b. and here's a personal 'mwah mwah' back to you on this Christmas morn. The day would have been incomplete without a specific greeting from you so now I can rest back and relax. And Xmas purrs from my four-footers to yours too! Have a fab day.
DeleteYour No. 1 choice is a masterfully directed, impeccable film. I had a problem deciding between "Boyhood" or "Birdman" (Keaton and the photography are amazing) I ultimately chose "Boyhood". I have it stored now "in the cloud" and will watch it again over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I was disappointed that "The Imitation Game" came in as No. 10, but "American Hustle" (I know, Bradley Cooper whom I will be seeing in "The Elephant Man" in Jan, is a big factor) and "Deux Jours, Une Nuit" scored a higher rating. I love French cinema, but could not get myself to see this.
As I am typing, Alexander is stretched out at my left and purring all the sentiments of this holiday to you and your five. Amber is in her bed on the sofa having quite the dream, but undoubtedly will send her good wishes. I am sending my warm wishes to you for today and all the rest of the coming year.
i.
Hi there, Paul. Glad you've made a comment., and one of generous length. It wouldn't have been the same without your contribution.
DeleteYour liking 'Birdman' so much has got me concerned because it's already just opened here but, once again, its times of screening are very awkward for me. There have been very positive reviews of it and it looks promising from the trailer. But it's showing at one of the art-house cinemas where there seems to be a new policy (and I do so much hope that it's not the case) of putting on attractive new releases only in the evenings. That was the reason why I had to miss 'St Vincent'.
Frankly, the biggest reason for not going to late screenings is my fear for Blackso who, silly thing, goes out by the back window but has never cottoned on to the notion that he can get back inside the same way any time he wants. He'll sit out there at the front on the pavement of the main road waiting for me to return which, should I go to an evening showing, would mean my returning in the dark hours. I'd be thinking of him the whole time, waiting for me, alone and vulnerable in his old age. If anything were to happen to him in my absence I'd never forgive myself.
I do hope I manage to get to see 'Birdman' - and desperately so, now that I know your own opinion.
You're by no means the first to say that the 'The Imitation Game' didn't quite live up to expectations. It was a tough choice for me to choose this or 'Lilting' as the one scraping into my final list, and first thing this morning I felt I'd made the wrong choice. But I'll leave it as it is - generally reviews for 'Game' were slightly more positive than for the other - not that that itself means too much.
I've seen the healthy buzz about Cooper's 'Elephant Man', though wish I hadn't seen the photos. Seeing him without a beard was bad enough, but with face contorted too, I can hardly believe it's the same person. I see that he plays the part without prosthetics or make-up, as David Bowie famously also did on his Broadway run. I'm not sure I'd like to see him (Cooper) myself in this (though if given the chance I bet I would!) as I don't like having my fantasy disturbed. But you've got one hot ticket there and I can hardly think that you're going to feel it was wasted. Enjoy it - and I know you will.
When you say you "could not get myself to see this" ('Deux Jours') I'm not sure if you meant that it wasn't playing at a convenient location or you couldn't bring yourself to going at all. It got good reviews generally but not quite as stratospheric as my own. One of those depending on a personal reaction, I suppose. Or maybe on one's mood at the time of viewing? But if so I still think it was remarkable.
Thanks to you and to Alexander and Amber for all the Xmas wishes which are gratefully received, especially as they get fewer by the year as people will insist on dying off. I send more of the same back to the three of you - plus any others you feel appropriate for receipt.
My 'five' yesterday were, of course, Blackso and Noodles, as well as three 'drop in' visitors at the time. Here on this Xmas day morning (7.15 a.m.) I have at the moment only the first two plus little Tortie from, I think, two doors away who;s sprawled herself over the top of the warm radiator beside me. This morning she got me worried in drinking so much water, something I've never seen her do before and which has, in the past with other known cats, signalled kidney problems. I only hope she was just unusually thirsty. The other 'visitors' are out on the prowl this cold morning (frost forecast tonight - brrrrrrr!)
Wishing you, Paul + the rest, a lovely day today, and a more than satisfying and very healthy New Year ahead. 'See' you later..
Thanks to you and your reviews, I got to 'see them' all!
ReplyDelete:-)
Really? I'm astonished! I only hope that you didn't consider too many on the list to have been a waste of time for you. Would love to have known your opinion on them all. However, thanks for putting such value on my own personal tastes and preferences..
Deletehohoho
DeleteI didn't make myself clear here. I didn't actually see any of them, but thanks to you I enjoyed hearing about them. A virtual trip to the cinema., as it were.
Hmmmm - I might have guessed! And I'd been preening myself and pondering on whether to class the revelation as a Christmas 'gift' (which would have been my only one received) - but now that bubble's been burst.
DeleteSo, you've left me wondering if, when you say you've (figuratively) 'seen' them all through my reviews, it means that I'm revealing too much about their content.
However, I'll not be daunted in the face of your best efforts to create havoc, and will soldier on - humming "You'll never walk alone"! ;-)
BTW - we both love the play Into the Woods, and we both went to the movie with reservations; we both ended up enjoying it immensely. Don't let others dissuade you from seeing it.
Delete'Into the Woods' was always going to be a 'must-see- for me, Dr Spo. Even if it had got the direst reviews (still awaited here) I'd be going out of mere curiosity. In the same way I just had to see 'Sweeney Todd', though I'd not be keen to see it a second time - though on stage again, yes, absolutely
DeleteI rather enjoyed the film version of Into The Woods. I reccomend it. I will actually rent it on iTunes for a second watch, but the theatre is a must for a first viewing.
DeleteMost people seem to be giving 'Woods' the thumbs-up, FB. I already know that however good it is it can only be second-best to the stage show, so that at least should draw the sting from any possible disappointment. But you are right - in very nearly all cases the theatre production is the one to be preferred. In fact, off the top of my head I can only think of one case where I preferred the film version - namely 'The King and !' which I saw more than 30 years ago at the London Palladium with Yul Brynner reprising his film role and with Virginia McKenna as Anna. The Deborah Kerr film was far superior in just about all respects.
DeleteWishing you all the same!
ReplyDeleteMuchisimas gracias, Mitch - y el mismo a te y a S.G. - y Dudo & Moose (por supuesto!)
DeleteAs you know I did like Fault in our Stars as was posted on my blog, but all of us are different and I got a message I needed from it.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on completely Boyhood, I would rate it number 1. Amazing movie and the lack "major" events so resonated with me, growing up is just that ... nothing out of the ordinary. I highly recommend Boyhood but it will not be for everyone.
Of these that you choose, that I have seen, I also totally agree on American Hustle, well done pure entertainment.
I love reading your take on movies, while I don't always agree most of the time I do. Your insight wether I agree or disagree is of value to me.
I just finished watching Gone a Girl. Good flick although thriller/suspense is not my favorite genre. I can see why you've listed it as a favorite as it is well done. I'm pretty creeped out though. I'll make sure my baseball bat is in reach tonight as I go to bed with my husband.
DeleteGone Girl, damn spell check....
DeleteYou were just one of many who liked, even LOVED, 'Fault/Stars', FB. Even among the few who didn't like it much I don't know anyone who is as negative about it as me. Perhaps it just illustrates how very different reactions to the same finished product can be.
DeleteA number of critics here, maybe even a majority, are citing 'Boyhood' as their 'Film of the Year'. They, you and I agree that it was a major achievement. I wonder if it will be considered as a 'significant' film in coming years? (He asks, leaving the question suspended in the air).
Thanks for what you say about my reviews. Of course there is always the feeling of satisfaction in knowing that another person agrees with one, but I do tend to learn more from those who disagree. Reading between their lines, they usually justify their viewpoint from a different angle from which I'd perceived the film, or they point out something that I hadn't noticed. I would never like to be considered opinion-fixed - and sometimes, through what they say, there's no shame in owning up to having progressed through learning. One might call it 'Shining light on ignorance'.
And 'Gone Girl'. I do especially like films that are a mental rollercoaster ride and keep you guessing (and often from falling asleep). The need for the audience to be active in mind rather than passive, and maybe bored, makes it a much richer experience - and one comes out of the cinema glowing and thinking "Wow! That was good - and fun as well!" 'Gone Girl' did that for me.
Like for you and your baseball bat, I sleep with a vacuum cleaner extension beside my bed. But that's because I have to leave the kitchen window open all night (except when it's really frigid) to allow the pussycats to come and go according to their whim - so it's literally an open invitation to any would-be burglars. However, although I know that your not entirely serious (are you?) I think that your bedside bat is a just-in-case insurance policy against discovering that a particular trusted person has deceived you. I jest, of course - but do be careful that you don't do something drastic with it after a particularly unsettling dream. ;-)
The baseball bat comment referencing my husband was in jest. I do have one under the bed for the unlikely event of an intruder. Movie subject matters affect each of us so differently. This suspense involving a marriage hit close to home due to a past relationship that ended more than 25 years ago. So this film, while I did enjoy it, disturbed me. I've been had to get restraining orders, listen to threats on my life on answering machines, watch from a neighbors as he breaks in through windows, witness him convincingly lie to a friend about beating me as blood ran down my face, use me for an alibi after he set fire to an employers home...living with a sociopath is living in a horror film in itself. I survived and grew from the experience later, but having been in it gave me an empathy for Ben's character. I understand why the movie ends with him still married. I was lucky to get out of my situation, many involved with such personalities do not. Sociopath personalities are so charismatic it astounds me. As I write this I realize that watching that movie gives me the chance to sort through some emotions that I can heal from at this point in my life journey. So I will do some writing today. I lived in fear, even though I moved almost 3,000 miles away, for about five years after until I learned that Mark had successfully committed suicide. Ben's character would never be free until she, or he, is dead.
DeleteSorry to lay that on you, but if we are going to discuss we might as well understand the others reference point.
OMG, FB. To say that "I had no idea" doesn't cover the half of it, as well as being obvious. I now have one hell of a context for the viewpoint which you speak from. Of course I hope that you don't think that I was trying to belittle your comment nor the subsequent revelation of your horrific experience, and for that I can only voice my immense sympathy for what you've been through. It will have clouded every aspect of your life while you were going through it and it must have left deep emotional scars despite it being so long ago - rather in the way that child abuse does, I assume.
DeleteWhen I first started to have physical experiences I well remember how I'd want to cling to particular relationships when it was clear that the other one wasn't interested in prolonging it. While obviously I didn't experience the scale of your drama I did know just a little bit about how hard it is to accept that the other person has every right to determine his own path and that it's completely arrogant and unrealistic to expect him to live the way that you yourself want him to. It's easy enough to say that now but not so easy to get a teenager or someone in his 20s (or, often, later still) to accept it. In my younger years I just could not and would not take 'no' for an answer, and you were unlucky enough to have had contact with someone who was determined to take that selfish attitude to an extreme level. It's good that you came out in one piece physically, though mentally shaken up to a frightening degree.
So yes, one's past is the prism through which one views all life's later experiences, including film viewing. If we had all had similar stories to tell we'd pretty much agree on a viewpoint but thank heavens that not many have been through what you have. I certainly have nothing to compare with yours.
So I guess I've been taught that it's dangerous to make assumptions about comments that may seem, on first sight, to be off-the-cuff or humorous. But it's more than likely that I'll make the same error again.
Anyway, thanks for the enlightenment regarding your own history - and I do now realise, with considerable relief, that the baseball bat was NOT intended for use on your hubby!
Cheers.
You made no blunders. It was a comment in humor that comes from the tragic. I had no intention of laying that all out but after a nights sleep on that film, it just came out of me. I almost deleted it but thought no...I trust Raybeard and if I could leave such a comment anywhere to get that out it was here. That is a compliment to you. For that movie to bring the experience back up in me and for me to have a safe place to relate the movie and personal experience only further helps the healing of past wounds.
DeleteBen's character has no way out, that he can see...once he walked back into that house with her. I was screaming inside "No do not go back in that house with her, you know your only way out is to walk away in front of the TV cameras" and that may be where I felt the horror of what he was walking back into. And as we all witnessed, once back in that house with her, she had won and he was trapped even deeper. Happy new year to you and the furry ones!
Thanks for trusting me, FB. I think you must be wary of any and everyone with whom you come into contact, and with good reason. One certainly can never be sure. If you prefer and if it makes you feel more comfortable I can now delete all the above comments you and I made on this subject except for your first response to my original blog. Otherwise I'll leave them there as what you say could help others reading it who happen to be in or have experienced a parallel situation.
DeleteIn the light of all this I'm now even keener to see 'Gone Girl' again, though the next time the thrill of the twists and turns will be absent. Must say, though, that 'American Hustle' would be a notch higher up on the priorities for a re-see as that was pure entertainment in the sense of 'fun'.
It's now 2015 here/ I didn't stay up to see the NY in but hope that you enjoyed whatever you were doing. Here with a 'visitor' pussycat sitting on my right, who won't budge to give me space to operate the mouse, I wish you and your nearest and dearest, furry and fur-less, the happiest of New Years and a year ahead of peace, contentment and, most of all, good health.
I say leave the comments as they are. One never knows how sharing helps others and one never really needs to know. Who knows I may need to come back one day to revisit myself.
DeleteI agree that American Hustle is a good revisit for the pure fun (and well done) entertainment.
Fine, FB. There our comments will stay until and if you wish otherwise.
DeleteWell said that man
ReplyDeleteIf I don't get the chance
Happy new year to you
Jxxxx
Thank you, J.G. - and exactly the same to you and to all your little ones - plus, of course, your own special big one.
Deletehappy new year Ray and Fur babies. Hope you are warm and the fire works dont wake you up!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sol - and NY greetings to you too, and to all those to whom you likewise wish it.
DeleteI did retire at 9 p.m. and was occasionally woken up by the pyrotechnics but managed to drop off again pretty much every time. I still haven't purposely stayed up to see in a new year since the millenium! No reason to, really.
Pleased that mild weather (relatively) is back and that according to the 10 day forecast it should be around for quite a few days still. Want to see the mornings lighten up now.
Pussies are fine - and hope that you are warmly cuddled up with who- or whatever. Till later, then. Byeeeee!
This morning, I'm crossing over the pond to wish you and your loved ones good health, happiness and lots of cuddle time.
ReplyDeleteI didn't watch 'the ball' drop last night, but elected to end the year watching one of my favorite movies, "Pride" and also my favorite ballet, "Swan Lake" danced by Roberto Bolle. What better way to end the year.
Again, the best of everything in the New Year.
Thanks, Paul. The very same to you, plus any more you wish, for you and your most close.
DeleteIt's hard to think why 'Swan Lake' was such a dismal failure on its premiere So many lavish 'tunes' to die for! Maybe its fate was exacerbated by poor dancing? I just don't know. Thank goodness that, although it must have hurt Piotr like hell, he didn't give up on that art-form and wrote two further ballets, though ought to have been more. If I had to choose between the three of them I think it would have to be for the swans.
Btw: Did you know that Tchai is the one regular repertoire composer of whom conductor/composer Pierre Boulez absolutely refuses to ever conduct a single work? "Abominable music!" he cries. (Hmmmm. Interesting choice of word!) Well, when it comes to choosing between the music of the Russian and the Frenchman I'm pretty sure who would win - by a huge majority too.
I'm seeing films come and go which I definitely wanted to have seen, but, because of absurd screening times, I've had to forego. I've already mentioned 'St Vincent'. Currently playing is 'Unbroken' (which I wasn't so very keen on anyway) - but, most unfortunately, especially because of what you've said - also 'Birdman', which is annoying me no end. Desperately hoping it will come back for a one-off matinee. If I'm going to miss it completely it will upset me no end.
Coming over the horizon are 'Theory of Everything' and 'Into the Woods', the latter getting quite a few nods of approval from a number of my blog-pals.
Couple of days ago had to miss the re-release in a new print of '2001', which, you'll know by now, is my all-time favourite film. It was showing at a matinee, but the silly two-screen cinema put it on in the smaller auditorium and it quickly sold out. That and 'Gone with the Wind' are the two films I've seen more times on the cinema screen than any others. GWTW was showing on a main channel here on Xmas day morning, in the original, properly proportioned and untinted version. So that's what I spent doing for close on four hours then. (Mah-vellous, Miss Scowlett!)
If you're like me you'll be hoping that 2015 will be an improvement on the one just disappearing, which was a real stinker to this person. Even if it wasn't so bad for you I do hope that this new year will be an improvement.
See you in a few days time.
I haven't seen any films this year. Maybe I should get out more (or maybe they should make more tempting films).
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your cats.
Thanks very much for your wishes, Andrew. I accordingly also send similar hopes to you and your nearest and dearest.
DeleteYou didn't seen ANY films in 2014? That in itself is quite remarkable - but also a bit of a shame in that in a lot of people's views last year was, on the whole, a high mark for 'quality' films. Still, I hope that if you ever get round to seeing some of them on whatever medium you use my choices may be a rough guide as to what to where to look to find a high standard..(Of course others may well disagree......)
Deux Jours, Une Nuit, peut etre...
Delete....mais aussi pourquoi pas, Andrew?
DeleteIf I've rated this film higher than anyone else I'm aware of (though it was generally well received) it was because I did especially like it - and strongly recommend.
We just saw "The Imitation Game" we both enjoyed it a great deal. I wondered how 'accurate' it was but it was a great story and - finally - i saw one of your movies!
ReplyDeleteA combination of congratulations and gratitude to you, Dr Spo!
DeleteAuthoritative sources say that 'Imitation' was pretty close to actual history. From what I know about the saga there was nothing really in the film that jarred with my previous conception. But there's little doubt that it is an arresting story in a film that does it justice. I hope that come awards time there'll be enough mention of it to get some who may not have known about Turing to give the film a view.
So, for you - one down, nine to go? No, I don't truthfully expect you to be ticking them off, though I am quite chuffed that I may have played at least some tiny part in having you see something you to which you otherwise may not have given second thought.
Indeed you do/are and will do more in 2015.
DeleteI'm delighted to take on that responsibility, Dr Spo - and will attempt to continue 'feeding' you further suggestions for at least the foreseeable future.
DeleteRay,
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of these films but I definitely want to see "Boyhood" and perhaps some of the others. I hope you have a fabulous new year and someone from Rupert Murdoch's empire realizes what a treasure they have right under their noses and hires you as a film reviewer. So much talent right here in the blogosphere that goes unnoticed but not by us, your devoted fans. Thank you so much Ray for your reviews and all the good will you generate all during the year and for taking care of your feline friends.
Ron
I'm blushing, Ron! But, not for the first time, thanks mucho!
DeleteI'm already thinking of winding down on film reviews. I've simply come quite a bit too late to this game.
And though you send wishes to my pussies I have to 'thank' them, especially Blackso, whom, because of my concern, causes me to miss a number of films I do/did so much want to see - for example, currently 'Birdman' which, as we speak. is flying out of my reach.
You too have a suoer-special 2015, Ron. I'll try to keep you up to date on the film you may well not see - while you will, I'm sure, keep us what's going on in and around your own Delaware backyard.
I just "Boyhood." Nine to go!
ReplyDeleteYou don't give any indication what you thought of it, Mitch, so I'm assuming that your comment means that my top choice hasn't put you off exploring the other nine. I do hope you don't tell me otherwise.
DeleteMy impression of Boyhood was pretty much like yours. You just say it so much better. It was slow-going at first, and maybe a bit long. Although I kept waiting for SOMETHING to happen, I still found it mesmerizing (admittedly, my immediate reaction when it ended was to mutter, "What the...!") Still, I would rate it highly.
DeleteThat's a very honest appraisal, Mitch. Offhand I can't think of another film which has been so absorbing yet leaving me unable to pinpoint why it was so. It seemed to work some kind of a subliminal spell. Extraordinary.
DeleteGreat list. I find myself in the same position as other readers in that I have only seen one of your top ten (The Imitation Game). Mr Turner made the top 10 of many critics in the States.
ReplyDeleteI have some kind of (no doubt deeply psychological) block about Boyhood. It has been universally praised and yet whenever I've thought of seeing it I steered in another direction. I had the same experience about seeing (or not) 12 Years a Slave. I should see both at some point.
Fair enough, H.K. I'm pretty certain that if you, or anyone else for that matter, were to sit through all ten of these films you'd be thinking that at least one of them, quite possibly more, was a complete waste of time.
Delete'Boyhood' was, for me, a totally unexpected delight, though '12 Years' was, at several points, painful. I know which I'd recommend as a good, enjoyable watch, though I'm not so sure which is the 'greater' film.