2014 Oscar Predictions

Since I didn't do it at the start of the year, I think it's about time for me to give my predictions for the 2014 Oscars. As per usual, at this point I will not include the short film awards. With that said, let's get started:

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Review

Here it is, the next part of Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy. As I stated last year, I really enjoyed An Unexpected Journey and was really looking forward to this film to see which parts of the book would be included and how the new additions to the film would work. Whilst I found the film to be entertaining as a whole, I don't think it works as well as An Unexpected Journey on a story level.

Nebraska Review

Sometimes, whenever there's a massive influx of big budget blockbusters all at once, you need something a lot smaller and more personal as a bit of a breather. In this current season of blockbusters that film is Alexander Payne's Nebraska. Honestly, when I heard the premise and saw the early trailers I wasn't really that interested, it just looked a bit boring to me but I decided to check it out based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews and I'm glad I did. Nebraska is a very funny, touching film with incredible acting, especially from Bruce Dern.

CineKatz Not-So-Secret Santa Review Swap: Dredd Review

Very pleased to once again be taking part in the Cinematic Katzenjammer Not-So-Secret Santa Review Swap. When I took part in the one in July, I was given quite possibly one of the most pretentious films I've ever seen with Wrong. It seems fitting then that for this one, after the initial film I was given being unavailable in the UK, I've been given the complete opposite, an extremely violent action film with Dredd. Now two things before I start, firstly I will not make an comparisons between this and either the Stallone Judge Dredd film or The Raid, seems pointless doing that, and secondly, I am not familiar with the character of Judge Dredd so I won't be able to say if this film does justice to the character seen in the comics, although hearing from fans of the comics, this film does do justice to the character. All that out of the way, let's dive in.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Review

I have gone on the record numerous times saying that I thought the first Hunger Games was the worst film I saw last year. There were so many problems with that film ranging from incompetent direction to poorly written characters to really heavy handed symbolism. So when I say that virtually all my problems with the first film have been fixed and Catching Fire is a really good film you know that it has nothing to do with the other film. A big reason for the success, well replacing Gary Ross with Francis Lawrence and getting Simon Beaufoy to write the script is a pretty big indicator.

Trailer Thoughts: Muppets Most Wanted

It's been a while since I've done a look at a trailer and so many great trailers have come out recently that I feel like I should talk about one of them and today 2 such trailers were released: the new trailers for Muppets Most Wanted.

Gravity Review

Ever since I started watching films I have always known how all the stuff behind the scenes was done. Be it miniatures or CGI, I've always known. There has not been a single film in which I genuinely do not know how it was made ... until now. Gravity is the first film I've seen where I am at a complete loss to explain how it was made. This brilliance in the visuals extends to the whole film making it one of the best films of the year.

Thor: The Dark World Review

Aside from The Avengers, the biggest risk for Marvel in their cinematic endeavours was Thor. Basing a big budget action film around a character people aren't familiar with and hiring Shakespearean director Kenneth Branagh to direct was a huge risk. That risk paid off and created a great universe for the Marvel films to explore. Thor: The Dark World takes full advantage of this universe and as such creates a much more satisfying film than the first.

Captain Phillips Review

This is a film that could have gone wrong incredibly easily. In the wrong hands, the story of Captain Richard Phillips being taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2009 could have been made into just another run of the mill, cathartic action film, hero-worshiping Phillips and demonising the pirates. Thankfully, this film is in the hands of Paul Greengrass, who turns the film into one of the most intense thrillers to be released this year.

Filth Review

There are very few films that come out now where the title is the perfect description of the film. Filth is one of those films. It's completely foul, repugnant, messed up and is basically taking the 18 rating as far as it can possibly go, and I really enjoyed it. This is a film where all the fucked up insanity helps add to the experience rather than taking the audience out of it and is a film that must be seen to be believed.