Of course, not every film I've seen this year has featured on the list, as they either missed out or weren't deemed as good enough for such an award. But nevertheless they deserve a mention.
Honourable Mentions
Dallas Buyers Club - Whilst there are strong performances by McConaughey and Jared Leto, the story isn't quite as engaging as hyped to be. It's a great character piece with good intentions, but they don't pull through as much as they should.- Inside Llewyn Davis - A good-looking feature with a great lead performance by Oscar Isaacs, my biggest criticism is that Davis is too unlikable as a main character. You don't care for his character as much as you'd expect to and you feel almost pleased when things don't work out for him. Good cat though.
- Life after Beth - A film that looks more made-for-TV than it hoped to be, it has good performances and a great final act revolving around a larger array of characters, but it's an overlong journey that leads to an ending that works fine but slightly rushed.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - As far as finales go, this is a great way to end The Hobbit trilogy. But as lovable as a handful of the characters are, it does still feel like an drawn-out ending with a rushed start and some unfinished visual effects - pitiful when considering that Weta are usually the kings of the trade. - The Wolf of Wall Street - At least one hour too long and with humour which doesn't appeal to me very much, there are some strong performances by DiCaprio, Hill and newcomer Margot Robbie. Scorcese's direction is as brilliant as ever, but it does drag immensely for at least a half hour of nude women and cocaine.
- Under the Skin - Aside from a great lead performance by Johansson - if she wasn't better in Her she'd be nominated there - it is a film of two parts; the first being the mysterious alien attracting victims, and the other her in hiding. The first act feels repetitive whereas there isn't enough sustenance to carry the second. It looks great and there are some horrific moments, but it does drag.
- Wish I Was Here - The passion project of Zach Braff, it is clear that he had all the control as it does feel like an unoriginal tale filled with constant pop numbers and montages. Performances are good, particularly by Braff, and it does look good, but a bit more control is needed.
Dishonourable Mentions
A Million Ways to Die in the West - Despite MacFarlane's success with Ted (at least, for the majority of audiences, myself excluded), this film feels like it's one of the million ways to die. Comedy is poor, performances are wooden, and it looks incredibly cheap and tacky. - Non-Stop - Despite a strong enough premise, this Taken copy isn't as tense or fascinating as it tries to come across as, with a finale taking a big step away from the realism of the rest of the film.
- RoboCop - With subpar action and some cheap special effects, this reboot plays rather too safe for its certification and loses some of the enjoyability many had for the original. Not necessarily a bad film, but far from a good one.
- Sex Tape - With a film with a stupid premise (who gets everyone an iPad?) and even stupider comedy, this film is stuck in the past as it died before it was even released. A pity that this is now the norm for Cameron Diaz.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Garish redesigns for the Turtles aside, this reboot lacks the amount of care needed for a franchise as beloved as this. Michael Bay's hands are all over it despite only having a producing credit, Megan Fox is a terrible lead, and the villain is just a Transformer. - The Monuments Men - Whilst it does have room for great content, this wartime drama instead is a cheap check for the likes of George Clooney and Matt Damon, as the screenplay is bland and tries too hard to pluck at the emotional heartstrings of audiences.
- The Other Woman - Hello again Diaz. Another unfunny comedy that teaches women that they can work against men by getting help by other men. With chemistry between Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton being forced and an 'antagonist' put through unfunny situations, it may pave the way towards more terrible 'down with men' comedies. I hope not.
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