MARY CONWAY revels in a powerful reminder that human lives are not defined by physical perfection
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ROUND-UP 2015
Star critics and columnists run through what’s impressed them this year
PAUL DONOVAN recommends the fine performances in this account of the pre-war meeting between the US president and the British king
TECLYN AROD relishes an intimate celebration of jazz improvisation that mixes local and national musicians
The missing sister, the vengeful WAG, cruise ship claustrophobia, and reanimated Avengers
Three great releases of lost concerts by Duke Ellington Orchestra, John Taylor & Stan Sulzman, and Joe Henderson
To rescue Kahlo from the clutches of the corporate art market, we need to acknowledge the overt and covert political dimensions of the work, demands GAVIN O’TOOLE
CINEMA ALAN FRANK
WHEN I was younger, I’d never have believed in a job entitling you to free food, free drinks and free films too.
Well, there is, and I have spent some 500 hours this year watching the Good, the Bad and fiascoes so Ugly they end up on ITV.
So what follows is my list of 10 films I’d have been happy to pay to see and 10 I’d have felt robbed if I’d had to cough up for a ticket, given the hideous cost of film-going these days.
PS I won’t comment on the new Star Wars film, even though after the never-ending avalanche of PR plugs in the media I feel I’ve seen it many times already.
10 Best
45 Years Superbly acted by Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling, this impeccable tale of love and betrayal was a winner and, unusually, was worth the lottery and BBC licence fee money spent on it.
Birdman Director Alejandro G Inarritu’s beautifully handled fable blends acid humour and fantasy, proving that one-time Batman Michael Keaton can act — and fly, too.
Brooklyn Saoirse Ronan touchingly comes of dramatic age, thanks to a well-constructed screenplay and understated direction in the compelling tale of a young Irish girl immigrant in the US of the 1950s.
Carol Todd Haynes boldly went where Douglas Sirk had gone before in the 1950s with his stylish tale of a lesbian love affair between married Kate Blanchett (pictured) and New York shopgirl Rooney Mara.
Cinderella Director Kenneth Branagh retold the favourite fairy tale with warmth, wit and wisdom, creating a truly charming family film.
The Danish Girl Hollywood will probably deliver hyper-acting Leonardo DiCaprio an Oscar. But Eddie Redmayne’s magnificent portrait of one of the first people to undergo gender reassignment truly deserves it.
Mad Max: Fury Road Rousing reboot action explodes when Briton Tom Hardy and South African Charlize Theron save imprisoned women in brutal post-apocalyptic Australia (played by South Africa).
The Walk Vivid dramatisation of French wirewalker Philippe Petit’s famous 1974 walk between the World Trade Centre twin towers is as thrilling and suspenseful as the real thing.
What We Do in the Shadows Writers and directors Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement draw tasty comic blood from their wild, witty comedy about the lives of four house-sharing vampires in darkest New Zealand.
Whiplash A pungent screenplay and vivid direction follows drummer Mike Teller’s seeking success under the terrifying tutelage of Oscar-winner JK Simmons, whipping up a magnificent drama.
10 Turkeys
Accidental Love This witless political satire by American Hustle director David O Russell, aka Stephen Greene, is unfunnier than a nail through the skull.
Entourage I wish I had missed this TV-inspired bore, whose satirical view of Hollywood is flat, flaccid and unfunny.
Fantastic Four Totally unfantastic, this launch of four more Marvel superheroes crashed. Move along, nothing to see here.
Far From the Madding Crowd Purposeless remake of John Schlesinger’s 1967 classic by director Thomas Winterberg proves there’s nothing like a Dane.
Hitman: Agent 47 Redundant reboot of a video-game-based spy thriller. Perfect for someone you hate.
Irrational Man Woody Allen’s annual offering. “Anal” might be more accurate, considering this poop posing as picture.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Guy Ritchie murders the classic television series. If this was shown inflight, passengers would jump.
Mortdecai Fancy a thriller without thrills? This one’s less fun than a proctological examination.
Pan Director Joe Wright’s overwrought, over-long prequel to Barrie’s fairytale about the ever youthful lad simply shrivels and dies horribly on screen.
Victor Frankenstein Even the Bad Baron at his worst never cobbled together something as monstrously awful as this.
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