#77 Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017)
A behind-the-scenes look at the making of 'Man on the Moon', focusing on Jim Carrey's method acting that resulted in a stressful shoot for all involved as he sought to 'become' the persona of Andy Kaufman (and his alter ego Tony Clifton). Fascinating stuff.
(8/10)
#78 Doom (2005)
Vacuous actioner, this movie of the revolutionary video game falls flat in many ways. Not only does it fail to understand the core premise of the legendary first-person-shooter, but when it does try to follow the source material it doesn't go far enough. Karl Urban and Rosamund Pike are the only good thing about it.
(5/10)
#79 The Prestige (2006)
Two rival illusionists seek to undermine each other in nineteeth century London. Christopher Nolan directs a story of love, revenge and magic that is a little hard to follow in places but still succeeds thanks to the amazing performances from all of its leads.
(8/10)
#80 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
A very different approach to the 1971 version, this adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl children's story opts for weirdness, bright colours and modern CGI to tell the story of Charlie's adventures in the mythical chocolate factory. Johnny Depp goes for a Michael Jackson-esque portrayal of the enigmatic chocolatier which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Personally, I prefer Gene Wilder's version. Still, a solid Tim Burton movie that does well to try something new.
(7/10)
#81 They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
Archive footage from the First World War is is restored by Peter Jackson’s Wingnut SFX company to dazzling effect, bringing the reality of the front line a century ago to life. Combined with first-hand recollections by former soldiers, this is a moving and powerful thing to watch.
(9/10)
#82 The Hateful Eight (2015)
Tarantino’s second Western still has plenty of his trademark blood, violence and swearing but is probably one of his more subtle films as it slowly builds to a deadly confrontation in a lone outpost on a snowed-out Wyoming mountain. A masterful tale of suspense and mystery – combined with the horror of how cheap life could be in the Old West.
(8/10)
#83 The Grinch (2018)
The latest retelling of the Dr Seuss story giving its titular character a softer edge and a subtle backstory explaining his attitude towards the festive season. He's still determined to steal Christmas, but inevitably gets thwarted by the season of goodwill and Whoville's endlessly positive inhabitants. Also, probably one of the few 'secular' Christmas films I've seen that actually mentions Jesus as the reason for the holiday (admittedly it's briefly said in a Christmas carol, but that's good enough for me!). And for that, I will give The Grinch an extra point!
(9/10)
#84 Split (2016)
James McAvoy plays a man with multiple personalities in this excellent thriller from M Night Shyamalan. Although on the surface it’s just a standard ‘escape-from-the-psycho’ plot, it’s clever in its execution. Saying all that, it does feel like just a precursor to the follow up ‘Glass’ in the Unbreakable trilogy.
(8/10)
#85 Widows (2018)
Four members of a Chicago criminal gang are killed when a job goes wrong – and their widowed wives are left to pay off a two million dollar debt owed to a local crime-boss-turned-politician. Overflowing with moral ambiguity, it paints a depressing picture of politics, power, race relations and gender equality. A gritty drama with great powerful female roles.
(8/10)
A behind-the-scenes look at the making of 'Man on the Moon', focusing on Jim Carrey's method acting that resulted in a stressful shoot for all involved as he sought to 'become' the persona of Andy Kaufman (and his alter ego Tony Clifton). Fascinating stuff.
(8/10)
#78 Doom (2005)
Vacuous actioner, this movie of the revolutionary video game falls flat in many ways. Not only does it fail to understand the core premise of the legendary first-person-shooter, but when it does try to follow the source material it doesn't go far enough. Karl Urban and Rosamund Pike are the only good thing about it.
(5/10)
#79 The Prestige (2006)
Two rival illusionists seek to undermine each other in nineteeth century London. Christopher Nolan directs a story of love, revenge and magic that is a little hard to follow in places but still succeeds thanks to the amazing performances from all of its leads.
(8/10)
#80 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
A very different approach to the 1971 version, this adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl children's story opts for weirdness, bright colours and modern CGI to tell the story of Charlie's adventures in the mythical chocolate factory. Johnny Depp goes for a Michael Jackson-esque portrayal of the enigmatic chocolatier which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Personally, I prefer Gene Wilder's version. Still, a solid Tim Burton movie that does well to try something new.
(7/10)
#81 They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
Archive footage from the First World War is is restored by Peter Jackson’s Wingnut SFX company to dazzling effect, bringing the reality of the front line a century ago to life. Combined with first-hand recollections by former soldiers, this is a moving and powerful thing to watch.
(9/10)
#82 The Hateful Eight (2015)
Tarantino’s second Western still has plenty of his trademark blood, violence and swearing but is probably one of his more subtle films as it slowly builds to a deadly confrontation in a lone outpost on a snowed-out Wyoming mountain. A masterful tale of suspense and mystery – combined with the horror of how cheap life could be in the Old West.
(8/10)
#83 The Grinch (2018)
The latest retelling of the Dr Seuss story giving its titular character a softer edge and a subtle backstory explaining his attitude towards the festive season. He's still determined to steal Christmas, but inevitably gets thwarted by the season of goodwill and Whoville's endlessly positive inhabitants. Also, probably one of the few 'secular' Christmas films I've seen that actually mentions Jesus as the reason for the holiday (admittedly it's briefly said in a Christmas carol, but that's good enough for me!). And for that, I will give The Grinch an extra point!
(9/10)
#84 Split (2016)
James McAvoy plays a man with multiple personalities in this excellent thriller from M Night Shyamalan. Although on the surface it’s just a standard ‘escape-from-the-psycho’ plot, it’s clever in its execution. Saying all that, it does feel like just a precursor to the follow up ‘Glass’ in the Unbreakable trilogy.
(8/10)
#85 Widows (2018)
Four members of a Chicago criminal gang are killed when a job goes wrong – and their widowed wives are left to pay off a two million dollar debt owed to a local crime-boss-turned-politician. Overflowing with moral ambiguity, it paints a depressing picture of politics, power, race relations and gender equality. A gritty drama with great powerful female roles.
(8/10)
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