Films of the Year 2015

 

2015 was a pretty eclectic year for film. Whilst the return of two long dormant massive franchises, in the form of Jurassic Park and Star Wars, broke box office records, there was still plenty of room for small idiosyncratic movies to delve into the many facets of the human condition. 2015's best films explored the nature of ambition, expectation, time, love, sadness, fatherhood and technology, but in fresh unexpected ways. Once again this was a year when unheralded films turned out much better than the hyped-up award-hunters.

This year I've aimed to write a shorter, punchier review of this year's films, so hopefully it'll act as a nice brief overview for you all.  
  
As usual this is a personal look back at this year's releases, so this is not necessarily a list of the greatest movies of the past twelve months, but a collection of my recommendations. As usual any feedback and discussion is welcome.

Disclaimer! - Many other films of the year lists will contain films yet to be released in the UK. I don't include these in mine, even if I've seen them at preview screenings. We usually get these films in January and February, so there's lots to look forward to early in the year. This year those films include "The Hateful Eight" (8th January), "The Revenant" (15th January), "Room" (15th January), "The Assassin" (22nd January), "The Big Short" (22nd January), "Spotlight" (29th January),  "Anomalisa" (11th March), "Son of Saul"(1st April), "Arabian Nights" (TBA)

This year's trends - father figures, a love of science, modern love and relationships

10. The Duke of Burgundy


A strange but beguiling film from Adam Strickland, director of 2012's also rather idiosyncratic Berberian Sound Studio. Shifting between genres as it details the routines and sex lives of two women living in a secluded woody mansion, its stylistic blend can often be confusing and disorienting, but is always thought-provoking. I think it's at its best when it leans towards black comedy, more fully rounding out the characters and their motivations than the dreamier sections, but the surreal, visually-arresting moth-based imagery also leaves a big impression. 

9. The Martian

After making his name with dark visions of the future, Ridley Scott directs a more optimistic take on the science fiction genre, finding the joy in scientific exploration to go alongside the fear in The Martian.  Matt Damon's ultra-capable astronaut Mark Watney becomes stranded on Mars when his team are forced to leave the planet without him, but he uses his ingenuity and scientific knowledge to eek out life on the martian surface whilst awaiting rescue. Watney's insane levels of optimism can lessen the emotional weight and dramatic tension of the film, as you never really feel he's fully pushed to the edge.  However as this film focuses more on the thrill of exploration and the power of a focused, intelligent mind, this is a pretty forgivable flaw. Despite Watney's isolation, the film's focus is broad, with a brilliant ensemble cast supporting him from afar as both his guilt ridden fellow astronauts and an expansive team back on Earth work to bring him home.  

8. Ant-Man

I never thought Ant-Man would feature on my list ahead of the latest Avengers effort, but after the disappointment of Age of Ultron, this made for a very pleasant surprise. It may not be the film it could have been under Edgar Wright, although his finger-prints remain obvious throughout, but his replacement, director, Peyton Reed, steers this film away from near pre-production disaster to create a charming, comedic action film.  While many of the tired superhero tropes are still in place, they are augmented with inventive use of Ant-Man's size-changing powers and an excellent ensemble cast of scene stealers. Chief among them is Michael Peña, who brings an optimistic exuberance to every scene.  
To be honest, it's worth watching just for the Thomas the Tank Engine cameo alone, which isn't something you get to say every day.

7. Inherent Vice

After my initial indifference, Inherent Vice benefited massively from a second viewing. As a huge fan of Paul Thomas Anderson, I was a little underwhelmed after the fantastic The Master blew me away a few years ago, but subsequent viewings have shown me the error of my ways. Packed full of interesting characters played by a spot on cast (my favourite being the coked-up dentist portrayed by Martin Short) and oddball set pieces, it works much better second time round, once you've removed any narrative expectations. If you're a fan of Thomas Pynchon's novel, on which the film is based, this may seem obvious, but coming to the film without having read it, I hadn't realised how meandering the story of Joaquin Phoenix's drug addled P.I would be as he haphazardly goes about solving the mysteries of the film. As usual for a Paul Thomas Anderson film, it's beautifully shot, has a great soundtrack and grows better with age.

6.While We're Young/Mistress America

 

This year's cheat entry, I've gone for both of Noah Baumbach's 2015 releases as their themes dovetail so well together. Following on from 2013's Frances Ha, Baumbach has worked his way through from people in their mid-twenties to early forties over the course of these three films. The films deal with the weight of expectation on each generation and the fear of failure that haunts them throughout, yet the films remain light, funny and entertaining. 
In Mistress America we find a confused young college student played by Lola Kirke finding solace in an (almost) half-sister (Greta Gerwig) who seems just as unsettled at reaching her early thirties with her grand plans unfulfilled as the callow student does about her new surroundings. 
In While We're Young, Ben Stiller and Naomi Watt's face their forties realising that the careers and family life they expected never materialised. In both films the older characters gain fresh, new perspectives from the younger protagonists, but end up betrayed by them, as the youthful figures work from a different moral playbook. This is especially the case with Adam Driver's entertaining über-hipster who becomes the bane of Ben Stiller's tortured documentarian's existence in While We're Young.

5. Force Majeure

A fascinating drama that examines the dynamics of the modern family and the expectations of fatherhood.  When a family is faced with a life-threatening situation whilst on a skiing holiday in the French alps, the instinctive reaction of the family's father causes ripples of distrust that run through the entire film, touching everyone they meet. This unease forces the protagonists to reevaluate all their relationships and how they are perceived by others. This may all sound quite intense, but the film isn't heavy or preachy, it's subtle, underplayed and often very funny. It has uniformly deft performances from it's mostly Scandinavian cast, although the presence of Kristofer Hivju, better known as the ginger bearded Wilding from Game of Thrones, threw me a little at first in a contemporary setting.

4.Inside Out

A return to form from Pixar, Inside Out finds them back creating an original tale with a lot of heart. Looking into the inner workings of a child's mind as represented by a group of anthropomorphized emotions, it takes us on a journey through the growing pains of a girl's teenage years. The way it explains emotional development and the importance of sadness is masterful, wonderfully exposing a truth we all have to embrace as we grow older. This assured storytelling is reinforced by it's casting, with Amy Poehler's Joy and Phyliss Smith's Sadness perfectly juxtaposed in their roles.
Managing to find the right balance between laughs and tears has been Pixar's calling-card right from its early days and this one thoroughly pulls at the heart strings to make it their best since Up. 

3.Ex-Machina

As a basic premise, the film's plot can seem rather generic and hackneyed. "Reclusive scientist creates artificial life" is a trope we've seen many times, but Alex Garland crafts a stylish and engaging picture that expands on these building blocks to make something rather more unnerving. Alicia Vikander is outstanding as the robotic women created by Oscar Isaac's tech billionaire to be tested by nervous employee Domhnall Gleeson. The film expertly builds tension as it plays with our expectations to create distrust and unease, as the strange interplay between the protagonists unravels what it is to be human. The motivations of the characters become murkier as the film progresses, especially in terms of gender politics, forming awkward scenarios that lead us to constantly question their actions.
This is all told with great visual flair and features perhaps my favourite scene of the year, a bizarre synchronized disco dance from Oscar Isaac and Sonoya Mizuno
 
2.The Lobster

A wonderful film that exudes a truly unique tone and atmosphere, director Yorgos Lanthimos has a style that finds an underplayed normality in fantastical situations. I first discovered his work in the strange and brilliant Dogtooth, a film which shares The Lobster's dark humour and flair for the uncomfortable.
The film follows a group of singletons who must find love within 45 days or face being turned into an animal of their own choice, in Colin Farrell's case, the titular lobster. In creating this scenario, Lanthimos uses subtle world building to posit a whole society running along bizarre yet believable lines, whilst shedding light on our real world attitude towards modern relationships and the need to conform.
It's a touching, funny and brutal mix that leaves a deep impression.  

1.Whiplash

Whiplash takes first place this year based on the strength of repeat viewings. I first saw the film at a Picturehouse preview back in 2014, then twice again on general release in 2015 and there's just something incredibly compelling about Whiplash that keeps bringing me back for more. J.K Simmons is of course superb in his Oscar winning performance as the imperious and intimidating band leader Fletcher, but the film has more to it than just his dynamic charisma. Miles Teller oozes desperate ambition as his student and Melissa Benoist manages to create a relatable character as Teller's girlfriend despite very little screen time.
The themes of obsession and sacrifice in pursuit of excellence are also incredibly compelling as it drives the story forward.
However I think the real star of the film is the propulsive jazz music at it's core and the way Damien Chazelle's direction creates energy whilst maintaining narrative cohesion. The visual flair used in representing the music allows us to better understand the strive for perfection that drives the characters and the decisions they make. It may have some slightly unbelievable plot twists toward the end, but a bravura finale smooths these over to leave you satisfied by the end, even if you may still feel unease at the ethics that went towards creating musical perfection.
 

Worthy Mentions

Not quite on the main list...

Listen Up Phillip - I loved most of this film, but felt it fizzled out a little towards the end, mainly due to the brilliance of Elizabeth Moss. Despite the presence of Jason Schwartzman and Jonathan Pryce, the film never feels as alive as when she's on screen and suffers when she's gone too long.
Funny but unsentimental, this is the closest film to making my top ten and I still highly recommend it (it may also make you laugh every time you have to staple something).
Brooklyn - A lovely film fueled by Saoirse Ronan's star power. A simple premise that you'd expect to be laden with cliché avoids those pitfalls to create a charming movie with real emotional investment.
Mad Max: Fury Road - A great action film, but I viewed it in a sub-par Odeon which lessened the movie's frenetic energy. I should have gone to see it at a better, louder cinema, then it may have made my top ten.
Carol - A beautiful film, with great performances from Rooney Mara and the always excellent Kate Blanchett. Unfortunately I saw this film on a Sunday evening when I was extremely tired, which wasn't the best match for this film's classy, but slow, pacing.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Almost made it onto my top ten list for not screwing up one of the most eagerly awaited films of all time. I absolutely loved the first half of the film, but the second half was somewhat formulaic and lost me a bit towards the end. I still thoroughly enjoyed it though.
Selma - The pacing seemed a tad off to me and the clackety-clack of the typewriter over each scene was a little distracting, but it's a powerful movie that made me cry more than once.

Still Alice - Another tearjerker, it features an incredibly moving performance by Julian Moore who deserved the Oscar win for best actress.

White God - It's probably best to go into this one not knowing too much, but beware that this tale of a girl and her dog gets pretty dark and twisted by the end.

Tangerine - Impressively shot on an iPhone, it offers a lively alternative Christmas narrative.

Paddington - The trailer made it look absolutely terrible so it took me a while to get round to seeing it, but it turned out to be a lovely family film with a positive message about immigration, which is all too rare in the media today.

The Tale of Princess Kaguya - A stunningly beautiful animated film from Studio Ghibli.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night - An odd but touching vampire romance that is wonderfully atmospheric. 

Worth a Watch

Films worth a look -

"Foxcatcher", "Timbuktu", "Straight Outta Compton", "A Most Violent Year", "Dope", "Slow West", "Me, Earl and the Dying girl", "Birdman", "A Bridge of Spies"

Disappointments

It Follows - A promising premise, but the film breaks its own rules too many times to fully satisfy. Once the monster starts becoming more erratic, it loses some of its menace.
Me, Earl and the Dying Girl - A victim of hype, it's an enjoyable enough film, but nothing remarkable.
Birdman - Technically great and with some fun performances, but the preachy tone and stereotypical character types didn't endear the film to me.
Macbeth - A bold and exciting start gives way to a surprisingly tame and muted rendition of the Scottish play. 
Spectre - An overlong soulless greatest hits. Once again it's a Bond film reaching for the soul-searching reboot button when a fun spy romp would have sufficed.
Map to the Stars - A bit over theatrical for my tastes, it didn't really engage with me.
Avengers: Age of Ultron - After loving its predecessor I had great expectations, but this film was an uneven mess with a nonsensical plot. It gets kudos for being the anti-"Man of Steel" with a focus on preservation of life, however.
Sisters - It starts appallingly, but it does find its feet halfway through. Start forty minutes in if you give it a watch. 
The Forbidden Room - A visually interesting experiment that tries your patience once strung out to feature length. 
Jurassic World - A fairly good return from the franchise, but weirdly lacking in tension.

Probably Not Worth a Watch

Possibly The Forbidden Room, it is a very frustrating watch...

The ones that got away...
In an ideal world, I would have seen these too -
Love & Mercy, Furious 7, Clouds of Sils Maria, Welcome to Me, A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence, Song of the Sea, The Wonders, Hard to be a God, 45 Years, The Walk, Amy, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Sicario, Spy, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, The Wolfpack, Trainwreck, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Wild Tales, The End of the Tour, Beasts of No Nation, Wild, The Theory of Everything, Dear White People

Hope you enjoyed reading my breakdown, Happy New Year!

2014 Update
The ones I caught up with that I missed last year...

"Lucy" and "The Muppets: Most Wanted", "What We do in the Shadows"

The ones I didn't...

"Night Moves", "The Rover", "John Wick", "The Skeleton Twins", "Get on Up", "The Wind Rises", "Cold in July", "The Raid 2: Berandal", "A Most Wanted Man", "Leviathan", "Two Days, One Night"

Last Years Top Ten 
10. Nymphomaniac Volumes 1 and 2 
09. Under the Skin 
08. Calvary 
07. Guardian of the Galaxy/Captain America: The Winter Soldier 
06. Her
05. Frank 
04. '71 
03. Inside Llewyn Davis 
02. The LEGO Movie 
01. Ida

Films of the Year 2014

Every year I forget what a struggle writing this list is, but I've finally finished it. 

As I don't write regular reviews on this blog, I have very little to go on other than my rather flawed memory, which causes a fair amount of problems when looking back to the earlier months of the year.  This can lead to my list weighing heavily in favour of films released in the second half of the year, but I think that I've managed to keep it fairly balanced this year. Hopefully 2015 will be the year that I get back to writing regular posts. 

These are the films that have had the greatest impact on me personally over the past year, so they're not necessarily the greatest movies of the past twelve months, but a collection of recommendations.  Over the years my review of the year has become unintentionally verbose, so I've aimed for brevity this time, which I hope should make this a more concise and helpful read. As usual any feedback and discussion is welcome. 

Disclaimer! - Many other films of the year lists will contain films yet to be released in the UK. I don't include these in mine, even if I've seen them at preview screenings. We usually get these films in January and February, so there's lots to look forward to early in the year. This year those films include "Enemy" (2nd January), "Foxcatcher" (9th January), "Whiplash" (16th January, which I saw at a preview and loved), "A Most Violent Year" (23rd January), PT Anderson's latest "Inherent Vice"(30th January), "Big Hero 6" (30th January) and a little bit later in the year "Force Majeure" (10th April).  A number of notable films are still awaiting a UK release date; "Snowpiercer", "Listen Up Phillip", "Dear White People" and "The Tale of Princess Kaguya".

This years Trends - subtle sci-fi, great soundtracks, sexual encounters

10. Nymphomaniac Volumes 1 and 2
(I saw the two films in one showing so I'm counting them as one)

Lars Von Trier's latest offering goes from the sublime to the ridiculous to the just plain awful. Over two hundred and forty minutes it's not surprising that the quality control is often a bit all over the place, but overall the film has enough style and gusto in it's best scenes to drag you through the terrible ones. The sex obviously caused a lot of controversy and grabbed all the headlines, but I didn't find it too gratuitous, always serving the story. At it's best it is well acted, memorable and thought provoking in a way films are. However on the downside, this film features Shia LeBeouf using the worst accent I've ever heard. Even now I'm not sure what country he was meant to be from.   


9. Under the Skin

Early buzz had raised my expectations to unreasonable levels when I first saw "Under the Skin", so it is included only after a second viewing.  I now appreciate this slow and subtle sci-fi film a lot more, especially the visual links between the themes in the first and second acts of the story. Filmed in a unique way in and around Glasgow, making full use of hidden cameras in the early parts of the film, and with many disturbing but beautiful scenes (especially the beachside incident), director Jonathan Glazer explores humanity from the view point of the aliens, creating a distant unflinching tone. I think it's best to go into this film knowing as little as possible, so I won't say too much except to say that Scarlett Johansson is excellent in the main role as we see her character develop through her experiences on Earth. The film also features my favourite opening sequence of the year, with it's abstract sounds and shapes setting the tone to follow.

8. Calvary

A fascinating look at morality and religion, carried off in emotional yet darkly comedic fashion. A harder watch than McDonagh's previous film "The Guard", which also starred the fantastic Brendan Gleeson, the movie winds its way through a rogues' gallery of potential murderers (all played by wonderful character actors, such as Dylan Moran), one of whom has threatened to kill a good priest in revenge for the actions of a bad one. This priest must look to his past and to his future to decide what his life has meant and what his (and all priests') purpose in modern society is, as the clock counts down on his life. 


7. Guardians of the Galaxy/Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Choosing two films here is, of course, a complete cheat. However I'm a big fan of both movies and find it interesting how they complement each other in Marvel's ever expanding universe. Whilst "The Winter Soldier" is Marvel's best attempt at combining long-form multi-movie storytelling with a satisfying singular film, "Guardian's of the Galaxy" finds them expanding their stories into interstellar sci-fi. Both films hope to widen their appeal past the norms of the superhero genre, as Marvel must do to survive as people tire of their tried and tested formula. "The Winter Soldier" is superhero film as paranoid spy thriller with the interplay between Captain America, Black Widow and Falcon creating the feel of a buddy cop movie. The film also really moves the overall story arc on by destroying the status quo of previous Marvel universe films. "Guardians of the Galaxy" meanwhile is a fun space romp littered with oddities that make it a joy to watch. Chris Pratt leads a fresh comedic cast who flesh out a diverse team of misfits that includes an angry talking Raccoon and anthropomorphic tree. This is all aided by an excellent retro soundtrack that tonally binds the disparate elements together.


6. Her

Handled perfectly by Spike Jonze, who takes a somewhat goofy subject and creates a subtle and heartfelt film. As Joaquin Phoenix falls for his operating system (voiced by Scarlet Johansson) it feels more like a genuine love story than a gimmick and offers a thoughtful reflection on our contemporary relationship with technology and how this might progress in the future. The story also does well to avoid saccharine cliches and builds to a believable and satisfying finale. I was also impressed with the holistic approach that Jonze takes in building his futuristic world, with gradual and believable progress not only shown in the use of technology, but extended into possible architecture and fashion (this future features high waisted trousers and ubiquitous moustaches).


5. Frank

Loosely based on Jon Ronson's time in a band with Frank Sidebottom, director Lenny Abrahamson creates a powerful look at mental illness yet retains a light comedic touch throughout. This tonal balance is an impressive feat, which is aided greatly by top performances from it's cast. Michael Fassbender is, of course, brilliant as the titular Frank, despite having his face covered behind a mask for pretty much the entirety of the film, but my favourite performance comes from Scoot McNairy who enhances any film he graces. Like many other films this year, it also has a great soundtrack with the finale song cutting to the emotional core of the movie.

4. '71

The most consistently intense film of the year, "'71" harnesses the burgeoning star power of Jack O'Connel in a frightening look back at the violent conflict in Northern Ireland. O'Connel's soldier must survive in an inhospitable area of Belfast after his unit leaves him behind during a riot, unsure of where to run or who to trust. This distrust between the two sides leads to horrific acts that haunt both O'Connel's lost soldier and, more deeply, the community that lives in this area of Dublin. This compelling film on a recent dark time in the nation's history is enlightening to those who know little about these times and serves to remind us all of the past mistakes that lead to such violence.

3. Inside Llewyn Davis

A kind of comedic, slow-burn, existential horror movie, this is the Coens in "Barton Fink" mode with the added bonus of a beautiful soundtrack. The film follows the hapless Llewyn Davis as his poor decisions lead him to deeper and deeper failure. Whilst funny (especially the "Please Mr Kennedy" song) it has the creeping fear of failure woven throughout. The Coens are great at exploring artistic failure and the fine line between that and success and this film painfully follows Llewyn's attempts to thrive artistically and not just exist. It's also a film that really rewards repeat viewings as its ambiguity allows for multiple readings of its meaning (it's worth googling some fan theories). 

2. The LEGO Movie

A film so full of exuberant fun and energy that it's like pure, bottled childhood enthusiasm. Creating such a great movie when the base concept called for just one long advert is another great achievement for directors Lord and Miller, who excel at turning improbable concepts into winning films. This visually inventive film manages to capture the battle between structure and freedom that is key to LEGO's popularity and place it at the centre of its fun filled story. Astounding animation brings this all to life and whilst I'm not so crazy about the live action sections (as they break the momentum that has thrilled throughout), they do bring an emotional heft to the movie that perhaps it need to avoid being too light and frothy.


1. Ida

At the opposite end of the movie scale to the exuberant "LEGO Movie" is "Ida", a small, quiet, black and white film about Wanda, a trainee nun exploring her past in nineteen-sixties Poland. Director Pawel Pawlikowski uses Wanda's journey to explore the broken communities left behind by Nazi occupation, exposing dark secrets and fractured families. Agata Kulesza's contemplative Wanda is perfectly juxtaposed with her expressive and explosive aunt Anna (Agata Trzebuchowska) and the interplay between the two forms the backbone of the film.  Beautifully shot, heartbreaking scenes intermingle with touching scenes of love and humour.  A personal story brimming with wider issues, this is brilliant movie storytelling.

Worthy Mentions

Not quite on the main list...

Nightcrawler - Incredibly close to making the main list, this is a gripping movie that exposes the dark heart of capitalism. Jake Gyllenhlall is fantastic in the lead role.

Only Lovers Left Alive - Another outstanding soundtrack. Jim Jarmusch's cooler than cool modern vampire tale is brimming with interesting takes on Nosferatu cliches. Very close to being in my top ten, you'll never cast better vampires than Tom Hiddleston and the imperious Tilda Swinton.
Grand Budapest Hotel - Another lovely Wes Anderson film, with added historical heft. This would make my top ten most years, but my love of his previous movie, "Moonrise Kingdom", probably diminished this film's achievements for me.

22 Jump Street - A triumphant follow up to an improbable hit, this very funny self aware sequel only lost out on being in my top ten due to the presence of another Miller and Lord film, "The LEGO Movie".

Jodorowsky's Dune - A great documentary about one of my favourite film makers, but it was on my 2013 list.
Whiplash - I loved this film and it would have featured near the top of my 2014 list, but as I saw it at a preview and it doesn't go on general release in the UK until 2014, it'll have to wait until next year.

The Double - Another impressive film from Richard Ayoade, but its visuals skewed a little too much towards copying "Brazil" when it would have been more interesting if it had its own unique look.

Blue Ruin - Jeremy Saulnier's revenge drama does a great job of examining the ramifications of revenge. When perpetrated by an average joe, violent retribution doesn't work out like it does in your average action movie. 

American Hustle - A really fun long-con film with a fantastic cast.

Boyhood - A fantastic achievement and brilliantly acted. However, I found the teenage years dragged on a bit and I was a little distracted as the lead actor grew into someone who looked exactly like one of my old school friends.

Starred Up - Another showcase for Jack O'Connel's macho acting talents. An intense prison drama with great support from the menacing Ben Mendelsohn.

Gone Girl - A surprisingly funny thriller (albeit in dark fashion) from David Fincher. 

Pride - Full of cliches, but great performances from a fantastic cast lift this heartwarming tale to another level.

The Guest - Retro horror with a stand out performance from Dan Stevens, shaking off his "Downton" baggage as a psychotic young man bringing trouble to a small town.

We Are the Best! - Lukas Moodyson's warm storytelling finds a great subject in this coming-of-age tale about a group of young punks growing up in 80's Stockholm. 

Neighbors - One of the best comedies of the year. Zach Efron's muscle bound jock battles young parents Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne. 

Dallas Buyers Club - A touching and brilliantly acted film.
Wolf of Wall Street - Very entertaining, but it fell a little flat for me in the final half hour.

Worth a Watch

Films worth a look -

"12 Years a Slave", "The Babadook", "20,000 Days on Earth", "The Unknown Known: The Life and Times of Donald Rumsfeld", "X-Men: Days of Future Past", "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)", "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes", "Mr. Turner", "Life Itself", "How to Train Your Dragon 2", "Chef", "Noah", "A Field in England", "The Trip To Italy", "The Imitation Game"

Disappointments

Interstellar - It seems your enjoyment of this film is dependent on the size of the screen and sound system. I saw the film on a modest screen where the deficiencies in script could not be overcome by bombast. As a massive fan of all Nolan's films up until the messy "The Dark Knight Rises", I'm still hoping for a return to form.
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) - While I generally enjoyed the film and it was technically brilliant, the story was cliched and talked down to it's audience.
Godzilla - Like "Interstellar", my enjoyment seems to have been hampered by a quiet screening where the audio couldn't sweep me off my feet. While beautifully filmed, the convoluted plot line and bland characters didn't appeal to me.
Locke - This film opened to almost universally positive reviews, but I didn't find it engaging at all. I'd rather re-watch Rob Brydon's similar, yet brilliant, "Marion and Geoff".
X-Men: Days of Future Past - Entertaining, but for a film designed to free the franchise of its numerous missteps, it seemed to leave plenty of its own problems behind. The Quicksilver scene was one of the best of the year however.
The Babadook - I really enjoyed the film, but the central monster looked so much like the Hitcher from "The Mighty Boosh" that it was hard to be scared of it. 
12 Years a Slave - Whilst I admired the film greatly, I felt it lacked the feeling of time passing, which diminished the effect of his long years of trauma. 
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - This franchise is such a mess, not even Emma Stone could save it.

Probably Not Worth a Watch

"Dom Hemingway"

The ones that got away...
In an ideal world, I would have seen these too -

"Night Moves", "The Rover", "John Wick", "The Skeleton Twins", "Get on Up", "Lucy", "The Wind Rises", "Cold in July", "The Muppets: Most Wanted", "The Raid 2: Berandal", "A Most Wanted Man", "Leviathan", "Two Days, One Night"

Hope you enjoyed reading my breakdown, Happy New Year!

2013 Update
The ones I caught up with that I missed last year...

"Monsters University", "G.I Joe Retaliation", "Mud", "The Bling Ring", "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug", "The Great Gatsby" 

The ones I didn't...

"Evil Dead", "Fast and Furious 6", "The Purge", "Europa Report", "Pain and Gain", "No", "Beyond the Hills", "Good Vibrations", "Spring Breakers", "A Touch of Sin", "The Selfish Giant", "Norte, The End of History", "Stranger by the Lake", "The Hunt", "Rush, Filth", "What Richard Did", "We Steal Secrets: The Story Of Wikileaks", "The Impossible", "Caesar Must Die", "Wrong", "All is Lost"

Last Years Top Ten

10. Cloud Atlas

09. Upstream Color

08. Jodorowsky's Dune

07. Zero Dark Thirty

06. Frances Ha

05. Short Term 12

04. The Act of Killing

03. Much Ado About Nothing

02. In a World...

01. Gravity