American Hustle
An all-star cast backstab anyone and everyone, including each other, to get ahead in this stylish 70s flick. Christian Bale stands out amongst royalty, earning the audience’s attention, sympathy and vote, all while being at the heart of a gripping, unique story that leaves us guessing till the very end. What makes this film stand out amongst Oscar competition is costume design. Brilliant sets that instantly transport us decades back give it a vintage feel rarely done well in Hollywood. A jam-packed con-story that fits comedy and several love stories into a feature film while sacrificing nothing. A modern masterpiece 9/10
Captain Phillips
Tom Hanks portrays yet another unique role in a story equally as original. Based on the true story that plagued news outlets for days in 2009, Captain Phillips portrays a remarkable story between pirate and Captain. Creating tension that hasn’t been seen since Apollo 13, Hanks perhaps gives the best performance of his life as he ranges from frightening anger to heart-wrenching terror. It’s impossible not to have your heart strings tugged and even the coldest of hearts will shed a tear as the story twists and turns like an insomniac. A beautiful, terrifying movie that deserves all its praise 8/10
Another Earth
A fairly lesser known film, Another Earth takes place in a parallel Universe where, you guessed it, there is another Earth mirroring our own world. A Science Fiction Drama film, it tells the story of Rhoda who, after killing his pregnant wife and son in a drink driving accident, falls in love with John. While not the most encapsulating story that often drags out events, it is the ending that is this film’s shining star. A twist that not even Shyamalan could have expected that turns the entire movie on its head and leaves our jaws lying on the floor 7/10
Saving Mr. Banks
Tom Hanks leads yet another 2013 smash-hit, this time adopting he role of dream-maker Walt Disney during the production stage of Mary Poppins. Emma Thompson brings all the attitude as P. L. Travers to a film that is as light-hearted as it is dark. The humour often comes in the form of the storyboarding sessions that include hearty renditions of songs that made it into the (eventually) animation/live action classic. A film that includes enough references to keep die hard Mary Poppins fans happy and enough drama and humour to keep the everyone else entertained. Tom Hanks shines once again! 8/10
Lucky Number Slevin
Josh Hartnett gives the performance of his career (shame it was 2006) in this crime thriller as the man in the wrong place at the wrong time. Surrounded by perhaps the most experienced cast ever assembled (Freeman, Willis, Kingsley, Tucci, Liu), Hartnett concocts his own plan to get even with the two guys who mistook him for someone else. As his and Liu’s relationship blossoms, so does his character as he becomes a lovable and charming lead man. Drowned in dark wit, plot twists and style, the film is set up for a brilliantly genius ending. And it certainly delivers 10/10