STACK #135 Jan 2016

visit stack.net.au 2015

BEST of

1 MAD MAX: FURY ROAD The Road Warrior's belated return under the direction of George Miller was not only worth the wait, it was even better than expected. A masterclass in filmmaking.

6 GONE GIRL David Fincher's take on Gillian Flynn's best-seller is a blackly humorous look at a toxic marriage, a commentary on media manipulation, and a gripping and unpredictable ride.

7 THE GIFT

Joel Edgerton writes and directs one of the year's best thrillers – a clever subversion of the 'mysterious stranger makes life hell for nice married couple' sub-genre.

2 FOXCATCHER This true-crime story set in the world of Olympic wrestling is an intense and disturbing character drama, anchored by a genuinely creepy performance from Steve Carell.

8 BIRDMAN Oscar-winner is both a backstage satire and an amazing technical triumph. It's also a great comeback vehicle for Michael Keaton. Art imitates life. 2015's Best Picture

DVD & BD

3 IT FOLLOWS Like an arthouse version of A Nightmare on Elm Street , David Robert Mitchell's superbly spooky indie horror turns everyday adolescent fears into a new kind of boogeyman.

Films

4 NIGHTCRAWLER Jake Gyllenhaal is in career-best form in this grimy descent into the nocturnal world of amateur cameramen, who lurk at accident and crime scenes to get 'money shots' for news networks.

9 BOYHOOD

Richard Linklater's coming-of-age drama is the same old story, but shooting it over a 12-year period allows us to watch star Ellar Coltrane grow up for real. Enthralling and bold.

5 EX MACHINA

10 WHIPLASH

Alex Garland's cautionary

The 'inspirational teacher film' is given a Full Metal Jacket -like makeover in this exhilarating look at an ambitious jazz drummer (Miles Teller) and his volatile instructor (Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons).

tale about the rise of Artificial Intelligence is chillingly plausible. A philosophical and thought-provoking look at what it means to be human.

JANUARY 2016

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