2014. A so-so year for films but a great year for science-fiction. 'Interstellar', 'Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes', 'Edge Of Tomorrow', 'Under The Skin' and 'The Congress' would all be in contention for places in my top ten were I dull and predictable to do such a thing. 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' was cinematic fast food but I can see why people like it; just not for me. 'Robocop' was worse than the tv series of 'Robocop' and 'Godzilla' is a lumbering, stinking, bore of a movie.
'The Guest' is my "they don't make 'em like that anymore" b-movie of the year and 'The Raid 2' is the best action flick of the year. Both are terrific Friday night films.
'Sin City 2' showed that you can polish a turd and '300: Rise Of An Empire' showed that you can just serve one up.
'The Babadook' would be my horror movie of the year (in the absence of any competition) and 'Annabelle' just made me want to pluck my eyes out.
I learnt to avoid big screen comedy and more importantly discovered that I really, really don't get Wes Anderson. 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' is my "most overrated" film of the year. An honourable mention goes to 'Noah' which was bobbins - but ambitious and was also the most viewed post this year
I enjoyed 'The Lego Movie' but found it wanting when I watched it again. 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' proved that Marvel really know what they're doing. 'The Amazing Spider Man 2' proved that Sony really haven't a clue.
I liked 'The Wolf Of Wall Street' and 'Inside Llewelyn Davis' but they seem like they're from another era already. 'Gone Girl' I didn't expect much from but really enjoyed and I thought 'Maze Runner' was terrific fun and really exciting to watch.
Of the films I didn't see - only 'Leviathan', ''71', 'Nightcrawler', 'Pride' and 'Blue Ruin' are calling me. I'm sure I can quite happily live without ever seeing 'Frank', 'Her' or 'Boyhood'....but will we ever get to see 'Snowpiercer', 'Jodorowsky's Dune' or 'Enemy' in the UK?
Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Essie Davis and Rosamund Pike would be vying for my best actress award and Cumberbatch and McConaughey for best actor. Best director? Probably David Fincher, or Jennifer Kent for 'The Babadook'. Best picture? 'Interstellar' even though, strangely, I have no real desire to see it again any time soon.
2015 already looks promising with 'Whiplash', 'American Sniper' and 'Inherent Vice' all on the immediate horizon. Apparently they're making another 'Star Wars' movie too.
I slowed down my viewing towards the end of the year - mostly because it just seems to be a glut of family fare and indigestible franchise movies - "Mockingjay Part 1', 'The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies' that feel like a chore just to think about, let alone go and see. I'm sure I'll motivate myself to catch up with them in the coming days.
Strangely, despite my commitment to updating the blog, I've probably actually seen less films than in previous years. I don't subscribe to any movie channels or services and basically just go and see whatever takes my fancy. I love movies but I'm less engaged with them than I used to be. This blog exists as my way of working out what I think about them. Thanks for dropping by and I hope you've found something on the blog this year to grab your attention. If you like what you see remember to like my facebook page and maybe follow me on twitter.
I'll see you on the other side of the New Year - maybe not as often and maybe in a slightly different format - I'm not sure myself yet. Have a good one!
