I was meant to post this on the last day of 2014 but here it is nevertheless! 2014 was a year of subtle cinematic enjoyments for me. I continued to watch non-mainstream movies and avoid (as much as I can) from the sacchariney Hollywood crapolas. Don’t get me wrong – there are a lot of silly arthouse and international movies too! They are the worst kinds as well: silly and pretentious. Similar to the previous year, unfortunately I skipped the Lavazza Italian Film Festival – I hope this year I can rejoin the crowd again!
So here they are – my personal Top5 for 2014. Some may have been released prior to 2014 but I only saw it this year, so they have made it to the list!
#5 Quai d’Orsay
Sharing an office with a colleague who likes politics and satyrs is like a match made in heaven as we get to discuss the ins-and-outs of what is happening domestically. Quai d’Orsay is a funny and witty political satire à la In the Loop with a French flavour. Among laughter and smirks, you will probably be frustrated as well in realising that the reality may not be too far off from the satire!
#4 Predestination
The only sci-fi movie that has made it into my Top5 among the crowd of dramas – Predestination is a quite a low-key Australian film starring Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, and Noah Taylor that manages to infuse a story of whodunnit time-travels with a heart and emotions. Although the plot may not be tightly wrapped from the onset of the movie, it still entertains and thrills.
#3 The Broken Circle Breakdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8ENsxs-YuY
The Broken Circle Breakdown is a powerful exploration of love, relationship and how relationship wades through heartaches and tragedies. Some succeed, some don’t. The movie presents some confronting issues through the relationship of of a bluegrass singer in Belgium (go figure!) and his wife. I used to dismiss bluegrass music before I saw this movie and now it has grown on me.
#2 Attila Marcel
Attila Marcel is very close to snatching the top post as I was really enchanted by this Sylvain Chomet’s movie and that it may not be statistically significant to separate the two. The movie is an imaginative and playful feast of colours, music and storytelling that will leave you smiling.
#1 Begin Again
After listening to the soundtrack over and over again, the charm of this movie has slowly faded and perhaps my perfect mark is generous, considering the movie’s imperfections. However, when I return to the reason why movies are made – some of which are to entertain, to provoke, to charm and to give some food for thought, I still think that Begin Again delivers. It may not be as emotionally disrobing as Once, but it is still one heck of a movie with great one liners and quotes.
Facebook
FourSquare
LinkedIn
RSS
Twitter