A most excellent year
From a 350ft Godzilla to wormholes in space and time, via robots, aliens, superheroes, apes, vampires, cannibals, Welsh miners and a weapon-wielding racoon; 2014 had it all. Looking at the high standard of this year𒐪s crop, its clear that were enjoying a new golden age with a glut of distinguished titles. So here we turn our misty eyes to the past 12 months. Enjoy its one for the archives.
50. Maleficent
The TF Verdict: Sleeping Beautys wicked witch gets a big-screen fantasy update in a fairy-tale of feminist revenge. Star charisma roaring, Angelina Jolie upends Disney clichs (mother♏hood, 𒈔morality) with sly, wry humour.
49. We Are What We Are
The TF Verdict: Composed and classy, Jim Mickles US horror remake improves on the Mexican original. WAWWA sees a 𒆙family of cannibals struggle to survive in a bleak Southern backwater. Its unnerving and moving in equal measures.
48. Noah
The TF Verdict: Let there be rock monsters, sayeth Darren Aronofsky, reimagining The Bible. R꧙ussell Crowe rediscovers his mojo as the ark knight aided by 🥀Aronofsky playing God with a $125m budget.
47. Cold In July
The TF Verdict: Michael C. Halls family man turns true detective in Jim Nicꦦkles 80s-set neo-noir. Also on board arไe Texas locales and Don Johnson as a pig-farming PI with a brick-sized portable phone. Whats not to like?
46. Fury
The TF Verdict: Brad Pitt tanks into Second World War-fare. Pitts weathered lead and Logan Lermans green rookie ground the experience. Loud, intense, violent, relentless, Fury doesnt stop unt🎃il the credits roll, thanks to David Ayers ♛cracking direction and a committed cast.
45. Nymphomaniac
The TF Verdict: Charlotte Gainsbourg shares her sex-capades in an art-grot two-parter that requires close attention༒ and an open mind. Mixing filth and philosophy, Lars von Trier delivers maximum provocation in his friskiest picture for years.
43. Godzilla
The TF Verdict: Brit director Gareth Edwards breathes new life into Japans galumphing gecko. The original Godzilla design is lovingly recreated with CGI, while Bryan Cranston and Aaron Taylor-Johnsonꦇ are central to set-pieces that bring the awe.
42. Stranger By The Lake
The TF Verdict: Sun, sex, psychosis, skinny-dipping: it sounds like genre tat, but Guiraudies dark, droll study of a risky attraction upends expectations. Love and death feature in the great outdoors, as a gay hangout b🉐ecomes a murder scene.
41. 22 Jump Street
The TF Verdict: Undercover idiots Schmidt and Jenko go to college in a raucous sequel that deconstructs sequels. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill once again pump up the bromance as the cops sent to investigate a drug pusher at a local college. Roll on 23!
