September 9, 2014

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies (2014) ***

The weakest of the six Tolkien adaptations. Uneven, with a superb opening scene and many exciting moments afterwards, but many dull stretches as well.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I (2014) ***

Dark and depressing, but quite good.

Super Duper Alice Cooper (2014) ***

Excellent documentary about the famous musician.

Glen Campbell I'll Be Me (2014) ***


Very touching documentary about the country music legend Glen Campbell and his fight against Alzheimer. A superb Oscar-nominated song, "I'M Not Gonna Miss You".

The Lego Movie (2014) ***

Terrifically entertaining animated romp in Legoland, clearly inspired by ''The Matrix''.

CitizenFour (2014) ***

A behind-the-scenes look at the Edward Snowden saga.

Les Maitres du suspense (2014) ***









Ingenious mix of comedy and horror movie elements. Suffering from a writer's block, a bestselling author hires a ghost writer. But then the ghost also suffers from a lack of inspiration and hires another ghost writer for himself. Well-acted, very original film full of unexpected plot twists. The funniest scenes involve kindergarten children who help the second ghost writer in his literary endeavors.

D'où je viens (2014) ***

Touching documentary about a boy.

Whiplash (2014) ***

Terrific drama about a complex relationship between an ambitious music student and his tyrannical teacher.

Winter Sleep (2014) ***

Turkish drama, set in Cappadocia. Winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Festival.

Begin Again (2014) ***

A sort-of-sequel to "Once", with different characters, and set in a different city, but with a similar story.

Annie (2014) ***

Excellent remake of the 1982 musical, updated for the Obama era.

Magic In The Moonlight (2014) ***

Light comedy directed by Woody Allen.

L'Ange gardien (2014) ***

A Canadian "Sixth Sense".

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014) ***

The film can be interpreted as an allegory about Stalinism (the villain is named Koba, Stalin's nickname).

Elle l'adore (2014) ***

Interesting French film about a manslaughter, a popular singer and his greatest fan.

Deux jours une nuit (2014) ***

A young woman has to convince her coworkers to refuse their bonuses in order to keep her job.

A Most Violent Year (2014) ***

Impressive drama about a fine line between business and crime.

La Famille Belier (2014) ***

Charming, unpretentious little drama about an aspiring singer whose father, mother and brother are all deaf.