Films of 2014

It's that time of the year again, when I go through all the films I saw during 2014 and give each one of them my star rating. This list below includes most of the films I saw last year, including films that came out before 2014. The rating doesn't just show how good I thought a film was, it also takes into account how much effort I think someone should make to watch it and where it is best suited to be watched.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

5 * - One to watch at the cinema (or would be if it was still in cinemas)

The Wolf of Wall Street
Lego Movie
22 Jump Street
The Inbetweeners 2
Gone Girl
Interstellar

4 * - One to buy on DVD

Dallas Buyers Club
Non-stop
The Grand Budapest hotel
Bad Neighbours
X-Men days of Future Past
Boyhood
Guardians of the Galaxy
Seven Psychopaths
The Imitation Game

3* - One to stream or borrow from a friend

About Time
Locke
A Million Ways To Die In The West
Filth
The Hunger Games - Mockingjay Part 1
The Theory of Everything

2* - One to watch on TV

Movie 43

1* - Don't bother

I didn't see as many films in 2014 as in 2013, but most of the ones I did see were very good. Out of the films I was looking forward to, The Wolf of Wall Street and 22 Jump Street didn't disappoint but I still haven't got round to seeing The Amazing Spiderman 2.

For 2015, I can't wait to see Kingsman: The Secret Service, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Minions, Inherent Vice and Spectre.

Films of 2013

The other day I was chatting with a friend about the good films we had seen last year. We were struggling to remember what our highlights were, so this gave me an idea. I found a list of every film released in the UK last year and have given each one I saw my star rating.

5 * - One to watch at the cinema (or would be if it was still in cinemas)
Django Unchained
Trance
This is the end
Now you see me
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
Rush
Prisoners
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
American Hustle

4 * - One to buy on DVD
The Impossible
Side Effects
Despicable Me 2
Kick Ass 2
We're the Millers
Captain Phillips

3* - One to stream or borrow from a friend
I give it a year
Wreck-it Ralph
Star Trek Into Darkness
The Hangover Part III
Monster's University
The World's End
The Heat
2 Guns
The Way, Way Back
Turbo
One Chance
Thor: The Dark World
Gravity
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

2* - One to watch on tv
Cloud Atlas
Man of Steel
The Internship

1* - Don't bother
Oblivion

So, not a bad year at all.

And looking ahead to films coming out this year, I'm particularly looking forward to The Wolf of Wall Street, The Amazing Spider-man 2 and 22 Jump Street.

My year according to Twitter - September to October

Continuing my look back at the last five months of 2012, here are the highlights from September and October:

My week according to Twitter - Week 30

This week the third and final Dark Knight film was out and the Olympics started! I've been lucky enough to get a couple of tickets and the BBC are going to be showing every minute of every sport. Can't wait!

My week according to Twitter - Week 28

This week I have trying to find things to keep me busy, but unfortunately that has meant I'm continuing to spend money. Ah well, just over a month until I start work now so my overdraft will just have to suffer for a little bit longer.

My week according to Twitter - Week 19

Getting close to the end of my degree now, but not too close that I have to spend all my time revising yet. So this week a profitable pub quiz, a trip to the cinema and a Judo competition.

My week according to Twitter- Week 18

Now labs have finished but exams haven't started yet I've had lots more time to do things during the day on weekdays.

Monday:

Back to our winning ways in The Notty House pub quiz after the small blip last week. Five wins out of six now :)

— Matt Fazakerley (@mfaz) April 30, 2012

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen - easy going and entertaining

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011):

A fisheries expert is approached by a consultant to help realize a sheik's vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert and embarks on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible possible.(IMDb)

I had heard of Salmon Fishing when the film was released a few weeks ago, but as I hadn't read the book and didn't know much about it, I had no intentions to make any effort to see it. That was until a friend went to see it and only had good thinks to say about it. I was meant to be going to see American Pie: Reunion with a few mates today, but due to a last minute change of plans I was the only one still free to go to the cinema. I decided to take the opportunity to see Salmon Fishing instead, and I'm glad I did.

My week according to Twitter - Week 16

My last week off before being back at uni was mainly spent writing my dissertation, watching films and playing random online games. Clearly an exciting week...

Best out of context tweet ever! "@Mattjamesrafc: @lukefazak also, my wand is 12.25 inches, unicorn core, maple wood. Surprisingly swishy!"

— Matt Fazakerley (@mfaz) April 16, 2012

My week according to Twitter - Week 14

I was home from uni for Easter this week so it has involved sorting my room out a bit, watching lots of TV and films and eating lots of chocolate.

Monday:

Sorting through my old folders and it appears I have printed off a complete copy of the internet from the early 2000s.

— Matt Fazakerley (@mfaz) April 2, 2012

My week according to Twitter - Week 9

Highlights this week include a trip to Bristol, a night out in Sheffield and a very close pub quiz.

My week according to Twitter - Week 8

It has been quite a quiet week this week, mainly involving lab work, pancakes and films. However, there was also the exciting announcement that the World Cup of Crisps will be kicking off next week!

Drive - a true action thriller

Drive (2011):

A mysterious Hollywood stuntman, mechanic and getaway driver lands himself in trouble when he helps out his neighbour. IMDB.com

Last night I went to see Drive at the student union, which was being shown by the student film unit. I'm not sure how I missed this when it was first out in the cinema, or how I haven't bought it on DVD already. My tweet sums up what I think of this film:

Drive: Wow. #whoneeds140charactersforafilmreviewwhenyoucanusethree #longesthashtagever

— Matt Fazakerley (@mfaz) February 24, 2012

Carnage - a slow burner that eventually delivers

Last night I went to the Shrowroom cinema. This time it was to see Carnage, the latest comedy drama from Polish director Roman Polanski starring Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C Reilley.

 Carnage (2011):

Two pairs of parents hold a cordial meeting after their sons are involved in a fight, though as their time together progresses, increasingly childish behavior throws the evening into chaos. IMDB.com

My week according to Twitter - Week 7

Had a call from @Eggheads13 this afternoon asking us to go for another audition. Will have to try and get the team back together!

— Matt Fazakerley (@mfaz) February 15, 2012

A couple of years ago I auditioned for Eggheads along with a team of some friends from uni. We were regularly going to pub quizzes and avidly watching Eggheads so we decided to send off an application form. We then had a trip up to Leeds for an audition. A couple of weeks after the audition we found out we had made the shortlist and were given a list of dates for the recordings. Unfortunately they were during our exams so there weren't many dates we could do and we weren't asked to go to a recording.

My week according to twitter - Week 4

Plug. Yes! Been far too long!

— Matt Fazakerley (@mfaz) January 27, 2012

Finished my exams on Thursday so had a long over due night out at Plug. Jump Around at Plug on a Thursday night was one of our regular nights out in first year. We occasionally went in second year. I went once in third year and hadn't been at all this year. Even in fourth year I can confirm that it is still one of my favorite nights out in Sheffield.

The Artist - a feel good look at 1930s cinema

The Artist (2011):

Hollywood, 1927: As silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young dancer set for a big break.(IMDb)

I was a bit unsure what I would think of The Artist. It is by a relatively unknown French director (Michel Hazanavicius), the trailer didn't give much away and it is very different to the types of films I usually watch. But I had only heard positive things about it, so I made sure I went in with an open mind. And I'm glad I did.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - one to watch at the cinema

The second thing I want to write about while it is still fresh in my mind is Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol.

I went to see Mi4 at 10.30am today meaning me and my brother were the only 2 people in the cinema! I think this was only my second ever 'private' viewing. 

Lets start with my '140 Character Film Review' that I posted on Twitter straight after leaving the cinema:

"Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol: fun filled, action packed adventure across the world, with a brilliant Simon Pegg"

For me, Simon Pegg was definitely the star of the film. Even though he wasn't involved in as much action as the other characters he made it humorous throughout.

It was a fast paced film with lots of action and some great tension sequences, enhanced successfully with the choice of music. Every time I heard the well know Mission Impossible tune I started to tingle all over.

I thought the four main characters went well together and were all had something to give, helping the story line move along well. (I couldn't stop wondering where I had recently seen the actor who was playing the analyst William Brandt. Turns out Jeremy Renner was in The Hurt Locker- should have just got on IMDB while I was there!)


Once again lots of amazing gadgets were used, particularity an 'invisibility screen' that came out near the start of the film.

Overall I thought this was a great film that kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat for the full 133 minutes. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, especially if you liked the previous Mission Impossible films, the Bourne series or the recent James Bond films. 

My star rating: ***** (explanation below)