STACK NZ Dec #58

2014 The Best of

FEATURE

2014

BEST OF

It’s that time of year again, when agonising decisions need to be made. Namely selecting the 10 best releases of the year in FILM,TV and BLU-RAY. STACK accepted the challenge, sorting through numerous contenders to determine the cream of the crop.

ACTION: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire The second film truly ignited the Young Adult franchise, with a darker tone, a better insight into the dystopian future that J.Law’s Katniss Everdeen is fighting to change, and a cliffhanger ending that left you hungry for more. Second place: 300: Rise of an Empire was better than the original, and not just because of Eva Green. COMEDY: The Lego Movie Everything was awesome about this animated feature; the relentless barrage of jokes made a repeat viewing essential in order to catch ‘em all. Easily the best kids’ film for adults since Toy Story . Second place: WhatWe Do InThe Shadows saw Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement reuniting for a hilarious (and bloody) vampire mockumentary. DRAMA: Dallas Buyers Club The McConaughey movie that proved he’s not just a guy with no shirt, and a rare ‘triumph over adversity’ true story that eschewed the sentiment. Second place: The art of the con was brilliantly executed in David O. Russell’s American Hustle , with a stellar cast, ‘70s soundtrack, and bad hair complementing the serpentine plot. HORROR: The Babadook Australia trumped Hollywood’s plethora of remakes and found-footage films with a truly disturbing, downbeat and original horror movie featuring a terrifying new boogeyman. Second place: You’re Next gave us a twist-laden take on the home invasion scenario, and a gutsy new scream queen in Sharni Vinson. THRILLER: Prisoners Denis Villeneuve’s grim and gripping child abduction thriller delivered an exhausting 150 minutes of unrestrained violence and Hugh Jackman grimacing. Second place: Cold in July was one of this year’s most unpredictable thrill rides, proving there’s more to Michael C. Hall than Dexter and that author Joe R. Lansdale is an untapped commodity for filmmakers.

SCI-FI: Snowpiercer The survivors of a new ice age find themselves aboard a perpetual train circling a frozen planet in Bong Joon-Ho’s high concept combo of post- apocalypse adventure and class struggle. Second place: The sublime Gravity launched us into orbit with Clooney and Bullock. A cheaper alternative to a Virgin Galactic flight. ARTHOUSE: Nymphomaniac Vol. I & II Danish provocateur Lars von Trier’s epic double bill, exploring the life of self-confessed sex addict Charlotte Gainsbourg, was a truly unforgettable journey through sexual awakening and uncontrollable desire. Whoa! Second place: Under the Skin gave us another reason to love Scarlett Johansson and definitely got under the skin – and into the head. Gareth Evans’ sprawling and insane sequel was a technically dazzling masterclass in action filmmaking, and even managed to top the frenetic original. Second place: Explicit French lesbian epic Blue is theWarmest Colour actually scored higher with male critics than its target audience! Hmmm... TV: True Detective HBO gave us another winner when they sent Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson on a 17-year hunt for a ritualistic serial killer in the deepest and darkest corners of Louisiana. Second place: The haunting British whodunnit Broadchurch deservedly cleaned up at the BAFTAs – we can wait for the second series. BLU-RAY: Don’t Look Now Nicolas Roeg’s eerie and sensual 1973 masterpiece about a married couple haunted by visions of their recently-deceased young daughter was a much welcome addition to the High Def shelves. Second place: The Steven Spielberg Director’s Collection added early works Duel , The Sugarland Express , 1941 and Always to the HD ranks. FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: The Raid 2

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