It's time once more for me to look back on the last twelve months of film, and see how did 2014 stack up overall. Last year I did my list of the top ten films I was most looking forward to seeing, so let's see how they all did. Just like the last time I did this, to save repeating myself I'm only going to talk about here the films that didn't make it onto my top ten of the year.
After a long wait and a name change, does this give the trilogy the end it deserves? Well, it's great, balls out nuts fantasy battle to remember, make no mistake. After having the rampage and death of Smaug be simply the pre-credits sequence, it's one hour build up to well over a solid hour of orcs, elves, men, dwarves and eagles beating the crap out of each other. As solid effects spectacle, Peter Jackson does it better than anyone. There're also good resolutions to several of the plot threads from this, good character beats, and the wonderful sight of Billy Connolly as a Dwarvish king riding a battle boar! One major scene I loved; Galadriel getting to show off how powerful she really is, given the hints from The Lord of the Rings. Now I'm still not sure about the sheer length of the Hobbit trilogy; hell, even the matter of it being a trilogy I'm iffy about, and I can't help but wonder how Guillermo Del Toro would have done his version. Still, what we got was a lot of fun, and it's nice to finally close the door on Middle Earth. Unless they seriously plan on doing The Silmarillion. Speaking of, here's the backstory to that summed up in four minutes!
9) The Dreamlands
As mentioned before, this was less about seeing the film come out this year, this was looking forward to seeing it all come together in it's crowdfunding. I'm happy to report that, after a second attempt and gaining some additional investment it has made it's target, and has gone on to be one of the most successful German crowdfunded film projects yet! So, looks like in a year or two, we may finally have a previously unattempted piece of Lovecraft lore on the big screen, and the design work looks fantastic for it! What's more, given that I donated, I'll be getting the Blu-Ray soon as it's done, so expect on here a special review when it's out and I receive it!
8) Big Game
While this one was actually finished this year, at the moment it's still looking for distribution, which is a bit surprising given there's some real star power to it. However, word is from it's showing at the Toronto International Film Festival that the audience and critics really liked it, and things do seem to be gearing up for a full release. One can tell from that clip above (Jim Broadbent with an American Accent!!!), that a lot of the style seen from Rare Exports is still in the film. It's definitely one to keep an eye out for, and probably one you may start hearing some more whispers about over the next few months. By the way, don't worry, all the other films on the list actually came out, I'll have more to talk about.
7) Muppets Most Wanted
Well, it's not quite up there with The Muppets, but then again they themselves admitted it probably wouldn't be in that opening number. The main thing that holds it back from being up there with the earlier one was that it didn't have quite as strong a message and meaning as the first. However, it still has a good storyline, that gets well into the reason why Kermit works so well as a character, especially as a leader to the Muppets. Of course it's also just plain funny as hell, delivering a whole lot of truly inspired belly-laughs, with probably my single favourite one having to be "Goodnight Danny Trejo"! Speaking of, great guest cast this time, with even miracle of miracles Ricky Gervais being tolerable and fitting in well. Best one has to be Ty Burrell, as him and Sam the American Eagle make for a truly memorable double-act, especially with their interrogation song. It's overall a lot of fun, and delivers just what you'd want from a Muppet movie.
5) Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Of all of these films that didn't make it to my top ten of the year list, this was the closest call, barely a fart skin away. Nothing at all against the film, it just had some seriously tough competition. This addition to the Marvel cinematic shows off so well why Marvel has been doing well; the versatility of the films, blending in aspects of other genres. Last Captain America was old school pulp adventure, this was a seventies style political thriller. With superheroes. This works so well because it actively asks what a character like him means in this day and age, pointing out that he works as a symbol for what America should be, rather than what it is. Of course, it's done with a lot of style, with the Russo brothers proving themselves incredible action directors, with amazing set pieces, especially any scenes involving Anthony Mackie as the Falcon. One of the best things about the whole thing though? The subsequent effect on Agents of SHIELD, suddenly bringing in a large amount of new drama and intrigue to it, and even turning the whole premise of the show upside down.
Of all of these films that didn't make it to my top ten of the year list, this was the closest call, barely a fart skin away. Nothing at all against the film, it just had some seriously tough competition. This addition to the Marvel cinematic shows off so well why Marvel has been doing well; the versatility of the films, blending in aspects of other genres. Last Captain America was old school pulp adventure, this was a seventies style political thriller. With superheroes. This works so well because it actively asks what a character like him means in this day and age, pointing out that he works as a symbol for what America should be, rather than what it is. Of course, it's done with a lot of style, with the Russo brothers proving themselves incredible action directors, with amazing set pieces, especially any scenes involving Anthony Mackie as the Falcon. One of the best things about the whole thing though? The subsequent effect on Agents of SHIELD, suddenly bringing in a large amount of new drama and intrigue to it, and even turning the whole premise of the show upside down.
4) How to Train Your Dragon 2
Definitely following in the first's footsteps well, this sequel broadened out the story fairly naturally, complete with more characters, more of the lands beyond Berk, and more DRAGONS!!! So many DRAGONS!!! Makes me happy!!! Ahem, sorry. The film does a great job at its focus on characterisation the first bought in well, with Hiccup becoming a true hero by this installment, and pretty much all the characters getting their interesting little arcs. Of particular note is Cate Blanchett, in a role that would have been far better if the trailers hadn't given it away Dreamwork- sorry, staying focused. The point is that the series continues playing to its strengths; a solid story of acceptance, taking more risks with the characters than most other animated films would, and lots of lovely flying scenes with DRAGONS!!! Oh, and this earned bonus points for having the moral minority get sand in their cracks over one character hinting that he might be gay; not only a subtle use of that card, but anything that annoys them is good by me!
2) The BoxTrolls
This one definitely had a lot of the same charm and style that made Laika's other films, with some marvellous animation. There's great voice acting, with the show being being stolen effortlessly by Richard Ayoade and Nick Frost. It also takes the same risky approach that put Laika on the map, not least for having a final fate for one villain that's almost straight out of Roald Dahl. However, on reflection, I have to say this is the only one on this list that I'd describe as a bit of a disappointment. The story and style are fairly shallow compared to Laika's other work, there are some really weird pacing issues, and there's one major subplot that's based on some pretty dated humour, and acts against the otherall message of the acceptance the film offers. Also, the Boxtrolls themselves don't get nearly enough to do, which is a shame; they're side characters in their own movie. So while it's not a terrible film, it's a very flawed one. Shame.
1) Godzilla
Well it absolutely passed the first test; it was far better than the Matthew Broderick starring GINO (Godzilla in Name Only). It's great to see the kaiju movie making a full blown comeback, after the minor blip on the radar that was Cloverfield, and the King of the Monsters received a great reception. He has never looked better, with some of the best monster combat scenes I've ever seen. The whole film though does bring a great sense of wonder, with Gareth Edwards' direction emphasising more than any monster movie before the sheer scale and wonder of these events. Now many have criticised the film for not having that much Godzilla, but firstly, that does make his actual screentime that much more special, and second, you could say that about more than a few of the classic Japanese ones too, it's nothing new. That's what this one really feels like; a Showa era Godzilla as directed by Spielberg. It's not perfect though; even I was losing my patience with the teasing around the kaiju towards the end, and the characters weren't up to much (not least for a fridging in the first act). But all the potential Gareth Edwards showed in Monsters shows in this one. It's already having a good legacy; not only is a sequel planned featuring Rodan, Mothra and Ghidorah too, but Toho are planning a new Japanese made Godzilla too, the first in other a decade. Plus Legendary Pictures are planning a new King Kong movie too. Hmm, they own the rights to Pacific Rim, Godzilla, and Kong, and the first film has alternate realities in it's very premise. You don't think they're planning... now there's a thought.
So, you'll notice a couple of gaps; only two movies made into the top ten this year. Which ones? Check back tomorrow and find out!
Well it absolutely passed the first test; it was far better than the Matthew Broderick starring GINO (Godzilla in Name Only). It's great to see the kaiju movie making a full blown comeback, after the minor blip on the radar that was Cloverfield, and the King of the Monsters received a great reception. He has never looked better, with some of the best monster combat scenes I've ever seen. The whole film though does bring a great sense of wonder, with Gareth Edwards' direction emphasising more than any monster movie before the sheer scale and wonder of these events. Now many have criticised the film for not having that much Godzilla, but firstly, that does make his actual screentime that much more special, and second, you could say that about more than a few of the classic Japanese ones too, it's nothing new. That's what this one really feels like; a Showa era Godzilla as directed by Spielberg. It's not perfect though; even I was losing my patience with the teasing around the kaiju towards the end, and the characters weren't up to much (not least for a fridging in the first act). But all the potential Gareth Edwards showed in Monsters shows in this one. It's already having a good legacy; not only is a sequel planned featuring Rodan, Mothra and Ghidorah too, but Toho are planning a new Japanese made Godzilla too, the first in other a decade. Plus Legendary Pictures are planning a new King Kong movie too. Hmm, they own the rights to Pacific Rim, Godzilla, and Kong, and the first film has alternate realities in it's very premise. You don't think they're planning... now there's a thought.
So, you'll notice a couple of gaps; only two movies made into the top ten this year. Which ones? Check back tomorrow and find out!
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