#72 Collateral Beauty (2016)
Intriguing drama about a bereaved father who can’t move on from his daughter's death. His business partners try to remove him from the company so that they can make a crucial deal that will secure their business’ future, and employ three struggling actors to help them out. With a great cast and layered storyline, Collateral Beauty is a compelling and moving experience.
(8.5/10)
#73 The Polar Express (2004)
A boy who's losing his belief in Santa is invited aboard the magical 'Polar Express' to visit him at the North Pole. It seems like kidnapping and overly friendly old men are OK when it's Christmas time - the rest of the year it's a criminal offence. Anyway, back to the Polar Express. An interesting premise, but the ancient CGI (yup almost 14 years old) is distracting and some of the plot points feel clunky.
(5/10)
#74 Justice League (2017)
DCs most famous characters come together for this comic-book ensemble piece that, in my humble opinion, hits more than it misses. Following events from the much-maligned Batman vs Superman, Justice League balances story with its various heroes and villains well - although Steppenwulf the bad guy is a bit, well, vanillla. Still, good old-fashioned popcorn entertainment.
(7/10)
#75 Café Society (2016)
Woody Allen writes and directs this 30s drama about a young New Yorker who moves to LA in search of employment and excitement. He falls in love with a secretary who works at his uncle’s agency but this relationship proves complicated when she reveals she’s having an affair with an older, married man. With great writing, set design and costumes it’s only let down is its fairly muted ending that doesn’t really satisfy.
(7/10)
#76 John Wick (2014)
Keanu Reeves is a badass hitman who comes out of retirement after a Russian gangster pushes his buttons. Violent, slick and dark, John Wick shows no restraint as he goes on the rampage, but Interestingly he’s not portrayed as invincible - in amongst the mayhem there are moments of vulnerability and weakness which at least humanises him a bit. A solid thriller, but not for the faint hearted.
(8/10)
#77 Friends with Money (2006)
The ups and downs of life, love and money for four friends in their forties. Some good characterisation and an interesting story - it just ends without much of a satisfactory conclusion.
(6.5/10)
#78 In Bruges (2008)
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are two hit men, sent to Bruges In Belgium after completing a job. It soon transpires that they are not there just to lie low, but for something more heinous. A dark comedy with great acting (esp Farrell as a tortured, dim-witted soul), In Bruges is so much more than your typical hit man action flick.
(9/10)
#79 Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
A solid return to the franchise with events continuing immediately after The Force Awakens. The Resistance are seriously depleted in numbers and are on the run from the First Order. It's up to Finn, Rey, Poe and friends to save the day - but can they do it against such odds? There are some odd directorial choices and plot holes (as always), but overall a worthy addition to the never-ending saga.
(8/10)
#80 The Star (2017)
Kiddie-friendly re-telling of the Nativity story from the perspective of Mary's donkey and various other animals. Does a reasonably good job of keeping the little ones entertained and conveys just about enough of the Christmas story to be true to it – but keeps it as 'safe' as possible.
(6/10)
#81 Die Hard (1988)
A seminal action movie that inspired countless copycats, this 80s thriller is nothing but flawless. Some may dismiss it as dated but I prefer to see it as aged and matured like a fine wine. Great fun.
(10/10)
#82 The Grinch (2000)
Jim Carrey hams it up as the green-skinned recluse who hates everything to do with Christmas, looking down upon the residents of Whoville with hatred and contempt. While similar efforts haven’t been quite so successful, this is a decent stab at Dr Seuss material.
(6.5/10)
#83 Bright (2017)
Lord of the Rings meets Training Day in this fantasy buddy cop mashup that, surprisingly, works. I can't understand the negative reviews. It's well-paced, gritty – and doesn't lecture the viewer with tons of backstory about how humans, elves and orcs are all somehow living together in LA. Will Smith is his usual good self, and Joel Edgerton is great as his orc partner. Looking forward to the sequel.
(8/10)
#84 Hidden Figures (2016)
Based on the true story of the black women working behind the scenes at NASA during the space race in the 60s. In spite of institutional racism and sexism, they soon become indispensible to America's journey to space. An inspiring and moving story, it serves as a reminder (as if we needed it) that intelligence and ability are not the preserve of white men.
(8.5/10)
Intriguing drama about a bereaved father who can’t move on from his daughter's death. His business partners try to remove him from the company so that they can make a crucial deal that will secure their business’ future, and employ three struggling actors to help them out. With a great cast and layered storyline, Collateral Beauty is a compelling and moving experience.
(8.5/10)
#73 The Polar Express (2004)
A boy who's losing his belief in Santa is invited aboard the magical 'Polar Express' to visit him at the North Pole. It seems like kidnapping and overly friendly old men are OK when it's Christmas time - the rest of the year it's a criminal offence. Anyway, back to the Polar Express. An interesting premise, but the ancient CGI (yup almost 14 years old) is distracting and some of the plot points feel clunky.
(5/10)
#74 Justice League (2017)
DCs most famous characters come together for this comic-book ensemble piece that, in my humble opinion, hits more than it misses. Following events from the much-maligned Batman vs Superman, Justice League balances story with its various heroes and villains well - although Steppenwulf the bad guy is a bit, well, vanillla. Still, good old-fashioned popcorn entertainment.
(7/10)
#75 Café Society (2016)
Woody Allen writes and directs this 30s drama about a young New Yorker who moves to LA in search of employment and excitement. He falls in love with a secretary who works at his uncle’s agency but this relationship proves complicated when she reveals she’s having an affair with an older, married man. With great writing, set design and costumes it’s only let down is its fairly muted ending that doesn’t really satisfy.
(7/10)
#76 John Wick (2014)
Keanu Reeves is a badass hitman who comes out of retirement after a Russian gangster pushes his buttons. Violent, slick and dark, John Wick shows no restraint as he goes on the rampage, but Interestingly he’s not portrayed as invincible - in amongst the mayhem there are moments of vulnerability and weakness which at least humanises him a bit. A solid thriller, but not for the faint hearted.
(8/10)
#77 Friends with Money (2006)
The ups and downs of life, love and money for four friends in their forties. Some good characterisation and an interesting story - it just ends without much of a satisfactory conclusion.
(6.5/10)
#78 In Bruges (2008)
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are two hit men, sent to Bruges In Belgium after completing a job. It soon transpires that they are not there just to lie low, but for something more heinous. A dark comedy with great acting (esp Farrell as a tortured, dim-witted soul), In Bruges is so much more than your typical hit man action flick.
(9/10)
#79 Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
A solid return to the franchise with events continuing immediately after The Force Awakens. The Resistance are seriously depleted in numbers and are on the run from the First Order. It's up to Finn, Rey, Poe and friends to save the day - but can they do it against such odds? There are some odd directorial choices and plot holes (as always), but overall a worthy addition to the never-ending saga.
(8/10)
#80 The Star (2017)
Kiddie-friendly re-telling of the Nativity story from the perspective of Mary's donkey and various other animals. Does a reasonably good job of keeping the little ones entertained and conveys just about enough of the Christmas story to be true to it – but keeps it as 'safe' as possible.
(6/10)
#81 Die Hard (1988)
A seminal action movie that inspired countless copycats, this 80s thriller is nothing but flawless. Some may dismiss it as dated but I prefer to see it as aged and matured like a fine wine. Great fun.
(10/10)
#82 The Grinch (2000)
Jim Carrey hams it up as the green-skinned recluse who hates everything to do with Christmas, looking down upon the residents of Whoville with hatred and contempt. While similar efforts haven’t been quite so successful, this is a decent stab at Dr Seuss material.
(6.5/10)
#83 Bright (2017)
Lord of the Rings meets Training Day in this fantasy buddy cop mashup that, surprisingly, works. I can't understand the negative reviews. It's well-paced, gritty – and doesn't lecture the viewer with tons of backstory about how humans, elves and orcs are all somehow living together in LA. Will Smith is his usual good self, and Joel Edgerton is great as his orc partner. Looking forward to the sequel.
(8/10)
#84 Hidden Figures (2016)
Based on the true story of the black women working behind the scenes at NASA during the space race in the 60s. In spite of institutional racism and sexism, they soon become indispensible to America's journey to space. An inspiring and moving story, it serves as a reminder (as if we needed it) that intelligence and ability are not the preserve of white men.
(8.5/10)
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