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To kick off the second half of our review for 2014, we’ve picked the spectacular Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Released in July and only recently released on DVD and Blu-Ray, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the second instalment of the Planet of the Apes franchise.
Both films have pushed the limits of what can be done with CGI, as the apes on the screen look like they’ve come fresh from the zoo.
People are pushing for Serkis to be nominated for an Oscar and it’s time for CGI to get the recognition it deserves.
Serkis and Kebbell carry the film from beginning to end (literally for Kebbell’s character) and bring an emotion to the apes we didn’t quite get to see in the 1968 version.
As ape movies – and movies in general go – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes one a step closer to pure genius.
Now for a completely different kind of film altogether, it’s probably worth mentioning Inbetweeners 2 because well, let’s face it, we have a huge soft spot for the lads from Rudge Park Comprehensive.
Some love it, some hate it, but the majority of people would agree that Inbetweeners 2 gives us all the laughs we’d hoped for; maybe not as many as first time round, but enough to keep us happy.
Moving on to bigger and better things, we’ve got the best four months for film this year.
A mixture of films were released in September, including Pride, The Boxtrolls and Lucy.
All three deserve a watch; Pride especially, because it’s joyous, touching, and most of all it is important.
What film wouldn’t be a complete hit when it stars Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton?
As for The Boxtrolls, this super clever stop motion animation is certainly one for the kids’ stocking this Christmas, and it is secretly a present for you too.
Now, October brings us Gone Girl.
Ben Affleck has really shown us how talented he is in the past couple of years, with Oscar winning Argo and now this spine-tingling thriller.
In terms of the film itself, if you’ve not managed to read the book before you see it, you’d probably think the film was a complete cinematic wonder, with an exhilarating twist.
For those who have read the book, it’s a bit of a drag and it doesn’t excite as much as we’d hope.
Now come the big three: Interstellar, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 and The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies.
As for Interstellar, the concern for some people was that there was another space picture being released straight after Gravity soared to critical and cultural acclaim this time last year.
There was no need to worry. McConaughey, Hathaway and Chastain excel in this thought provoking, exhilarating and truly spectacular sci-fi (soon to be) classic.
For those of you who couldn’t physically wait for the third instalment of The Hunger Games series, then I’m sure you weren’t disappointed when you saw Mockingjay, Part 1.
It is intensely emotional and dramatic, but surprisingly funny too (cue the ginger cat).
The pleasant surprise of Jennifer Lawrence singing added to what was already a perfect piece of cinema.
Although July and August have already been covered, I thought I’d save the best ‘til last.
OOGA CHAKKA OOGA OOGA OOGA CHAKKA.
As films go, Guardians of the Galaxy has it all. Emotion, action, and laugh out loud comedy.
Following The Lego Movie, Chris Pratt plays the uncompromising Star Lord, who carries the film from beginning to end with the most genius comic flair.
Pratt starring with Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana (not forgetting the lovely Groot – Vin Diesel), Guardians of the Galaxy covers ground that no-one has ever before feared to tread.
It’s not just an action movie, it’s so much more than that, and you’d be crazy to miss it.
As for December, we’re only just half way through, so if you’ve seen The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies, head to our review from earlier this month.
What are your favourites from July to December? Comment below with your best and worst films of 2014.