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Go shopping2014 was an excellent year at the cinema, with a wide variety of remarkable independent film releases that seemed determined to outshine each other as each month passed. Litro reflects on its favourite films of the year.
Honourable Mention
12 Years A Slave
Quite frankly, Steve McQueen’s film would have appeared several times on this list had we included it. It rightly towers above nearly all releases this year; but since the Oscars and BAFTAs have already shown it love, we’ll set it aside in its own special place. If you haven’t seen it already, see it now.
Read Litro’s review here.
Documentary
Wilde Salomé
There were many more important and enlightening efforts out there – Return To Homs, in particular, should not be missed – but for sheer entertainment value, it’s hard to argue with Al Pacino’s chaotic and hilarious behind-the-scenes study of his hero, Oscar Wilde. Released as part of a double bill with Salomé, highlights include Pacino realising his vicarious dreams of Wilde with a bad wig.
Read Litro’s review here.
![Yes, this really is a still from Wilde Salomé. [Source: Creative Commons]](https://www.litromagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/al-pacino-wilde-salome-in-the-desert-large-picture.jpg)
Drama
The Imitation Game
More conventional yet less manipulative than The Theory Of Everything, this British film is the perfect period biopic. Its treatment of Alan Turing’s sexuality should be heralded as the blueprint for all such portraits. Benedict Cumberbatch leads a great cast with an incredible performance: here’s hoping the Academy Awards pay attention.
Read Litro’s review here.
Thriller
’71
Yann Demange’s feature film debut promises an exciting career to come: let’s hope his next directorial effort capitalises on the success of this blistering Troubles-set action thriller. He’s helped hugely by This Is England star Jack O’Connell, whose rise to stardom has been a slow progression. But ’71 put us in no doubt of his charisma and ability – Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken should secure his position as a leading talent.
Read Litro’s review here.
Comedy
The Grand Budapest Hotel
To label Wes Anderson’s latest masterpiece as merely a comedy does it a disservice; but we suspect that Ralph Fiennes’ Mr. Gustave would appreciate such a pithy dismissal of its genius. A grand adventure in Anderson’s inimitable style, this superlatively odd film boasts a revelatory performance from Fiennes and a stellar cast.
Read Litro’s review here.
Horror
Under The Skin
Few films this year were as disturbing or beguiling as Under The Skin. Jonathan Glazer’s first film since 2004’s Birth is another triumphant redefinition of a leading Hollywood actress’s talents. Scarlett Johansson has rarely been more compelling than as the alien manhunter at the centre of Glazer’s haunting sci-fi.
Read Litro’s review here.
Dishonourable Mention
Grace of Monaco
There are not enough words to describe Grace of Monaco‘s underachievements, but Nicola Hodges tried.
About Robin McConnell
Robin is an obsessive film fanatic and occasional person. When he is not watching films or editing Litro Film & Media he can be found writing and producing the Alltime channels on Youtube. He is often distracted by the need to write scripts and short stories.
