Project 365 here 365Pieces
September
Kill List
A chilling and gory tale of two hit men, this unique horror movie shocks and terrifies until the very end. It’s superbly acted and its singular direction and sound make it possibly the strangest, most interesting film of the year.
4/5
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Jane Eyre
I haven’t seen any other versions of this much-adapted story but this version felt definitive. It was visually bland but well acted and emotive in all the right ways. Mia Wasikowska shines as Jane and Carey Fukunaga’s straight-forward direction make this a thoroughly enjoyable film.
4/5
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Drive
Stylish and singularly cinematic. Great music and an entirely unique atmosphere.
4/5
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The Inbetweeners
Offenisive (it was really bad) yet I laughed anyway.
1.5/5
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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Didn’t have a fucking clue what was going on, I am sorry. Sill don’t. Stlysh and well acted though.
3/5
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Warrior
Engrossing but forgettable. Needs a stronger punch h3h3h3h3
2/5
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October
Melancholia
INCREDIBLE. MUST-SEE CINEMA. Such a smart take on such an uncinematic topic (depression). A masterpiece in every sense of the word - technically and emotionally. Best opeing sequence I have ever seen. An iconic future classic that I consider myself lucky to have seen on the big screen (there is no other way to see this film). Film of the year.
5/5
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Tyrannosaur
Gritty and gut wrenching stuff. A devastating ad promising debut from Paddy Considine. Possibly the performance of the year from Olivia Colman. Ending jarred, however.
4.5/5
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Crazy Stupid Love
Entertaining enough. Exactly what you get on the tin I guess.
2/5
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Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
Doesn’t even count as a cinema trip seen as I left the theatre early. Not scary and shockingly boring
0/5
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Parked
Another piece of shit giving Irish cinema an average name.
1.5/5
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We Need To Talk About Kevin
Definitive take on the famous novel with some amazing cinematography and use of sound. Pretty much a technical masterpiece actually. Outstanding performances from Miller and Swinton also but the film wasn’t as haunting or disturning as it so so easily could have been. Could be a case of having set my expectations too high. Alas, still an outstanding film.
4/5
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Contagion
Brilliant entertainment with a star-studded cast and a smart script. Perfectly scary as well.
4/5
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Midnight In Paris
Another wonderful piece of entertainment. Hilarious, pretty and very charming.
3.5/5
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The Ides Of March
Well acted and entertaining political drama. Not very perceptive or aware but a decent trip to the cinema at any rate.
3/5
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November
Miss Bala
Muddled but insightful Mexican thriller
2/5
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Sensation
Quirky (kill me for using that word) Irish movie about a man and a prostitute and a court case. Funny.
3/5
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Wuthering Heights
Singular and visually stunning take on the famous story by Andrea Arndold. Under-rated and essentially ignored by the public, it’s probably the best and most cinematic adaptation of that novel ever.
4/5
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Snowtown
Overlong but still interesting enough to merit a high rating. Pretty chilling film about the Snowtown murders in Australia. It makes great use of gore and slow motion but loses focus about halfway through and never quite regains it.
3/5
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Weekend
One of the most touching, cinematic, affecting and honest love stories I have ever seen. It’s difficult to articulate the honesty with which this film depicts a relationship. A must-see film. Devastating.
5/5
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Moneyball
Glossy and sharp tongues baseball movie. My interest was minimal but it was still very entertaining.
3/5
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Take Shelter
Fantastic take on the end-of-the-world/mental break down idea that’s fairly ubiquitous nowadays in movie. Michael Shannon gives one of the best performances of the year, possibly the best. Terrifying and smart and engrossing and entertaining to boot. Even the ending has grown on me. One of the best of the year.
4/5
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December
Hugo
Pretty and involving ode to cinema. Not as important as it thinks itself though.
3.5/5
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The Deep Blue Sea
Devastatingly simple adaptation of the Rattigan play by Terence Davies. Rachel Weisz gives a memorable performance in the lead role. Stunning, sometimes stagnant but always cinematic.
4/5
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Another Earth
Disappointing take on a very interesting idea. Great opening sequence and slow motion but it’s poorly acted and lacks any kind of focus. Still, it is an intersting idea.
2/5
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Amelie
The definitive modern French movie, and one of my all time favourites, got re-released in the IFI and it was an amazing experience seeing it on the big screen. The most charming and enjoyable film ever probably.
5/5
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Romantics Anonymous
The common denominator of French comedy. Dreadfully dull.
1/5
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The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Stylish and mostly thrilling take on the uber-famous novel. Mara’s performance and some unforgettable scenes make this movie stand out, but other than those, it lacks the Fincher quality that made Fight Club and The Social Network the masterpieces that they are.
3.5/5
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Puss In Boots
Good entertainment for all ages. Antonio Banderas gives yet another iconic voice performance to Puss but this film lacks anything other than the entertainment factor.
2.5/5
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Mysteries of Lisbon
4 and half hour long SOAP OPERA ABOUT NOTHING. AT. ALL. Well that’s what I gathered from watching enduring 2 hours of it. Then I left. It wasn’t even well-shot. Disappointing.
1/5
