Honourable Mention: The First Omen

Filmmaker Arkasha Stevenson re-defined what horror cinema should be with The First Omen, a gnarly, skin-crawling piece of horror that delivered pure evil and deeply disturbing visuals as it explored the idea of satanic female body horror to its fullest! This clever and intense piece of horror cinema kept you on edge the entire time it played before your eyes, and Nell Tiger Free’s frenzied performance freaked us out!

10. Deadpool & Wolverine

2024’s most anticipated superhero release did not disappoint, and it was a Canadian/Aussie double team moment as Ryan Reynolds’s Merc with the Mouth and Hugh Jackman’s gruff berserker made for a unique odd-couple in the gigantic blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine. This was a completely wild ride through the MCU Multiverse with all kinds of pure fan service moments, plenty of R-rated slice and dice moments, some utterly outrageous comedic fourth wall comedy, and the perfect mix of N’SYNC and Madonna, 9and let’s not forget Channing Tatum’s long-awaited debut as ‘La Gambit’). Deadpool & Wolverine just had it all.

9. All of Us Strangers

It was a fantastic year to be a Paul Mescal fan, and he showcased the supreme level of his craft alongside a career-best performance from Andrew Scott in the moving and dream-like All of Us Strangers. This was a deeply emotive and beautiful picture to witness, and its ghost-like ambience and intriguing lucid dream narrative made its emotions hit all that much harder. The performances delivered were mirrored by the strong direction of a filmmaker, who made this a uniquely personal story and ethereal photography that pulled you deeper into this tragic yet touching romance.

8. Nosferatu

Every time Robert Eggers returns to cinemas, it’s a moment to revel in anticipation of the complete artistic experience that will wash over audiences, and his long-gestating passion project, his interpretation of the 1922 classic, Nosferatu, rose from the depths of the black abyss and cast a glorious gothic shadow across cinemas. This was a beautifully constructed and exceptionally delivered gothic fairy-tale horror of obsession, longing and madness, and you felt the cold shiver of Bill Skarsgard’s Count Orlock creeping about the cinema as he longed to quench his thirst and desire for Lily-Rose Depp’s Ellen Hutter.

7. Fly Me to the Moon

In what was one of the most surprising and enjoyable releases of the year, Greg Berlanti’s whimsical tale of love and space race was just what audiences needed, and it’s hijinks and heart-racing moments to make it to the Moon and back had audiences lounging out in enjoyment in their seats. Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum had undeniable chemistry together as a mismatched marketing maven and flight director who found sparks flying as they did everything they could to reach the Moon, while Woody Harrelson delivered a show-stealing performance as mysterious ‘Man in Black’ operative Moe Berkus, and this was a very enjoyable watch.

6. The Bikeriders

Jeff Nichols, a filmmaker who is making a name for himself as an auteur cinematic voice, delivered a film that was a uniquely American experience with The Bikeriders. This rough and tumble ride took audiences inside the macho, mano-o-mano, outlaw culture of a Chicago MC in the ‘easy rider’ days of the 1960s. It explored the sub-culture and ritual of this uniquely American experience. Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy delivered three profound performances, and Comer’s transformation into the film’s central character, Cathy, a tough, no-nonsense woman from the wrong side of the track, was incredible to witness. This was a film that completely surprised audiences, and it was a must-watch experience.

5. Gladiator II

Sir Ridley Scott unleashed the might and power of Ancient Rome on audiences once again as we returned to the Colosseum for the epic Gladiator II. Rising star Paul Mescal confirmed his status as a leading man as he entered the Arena as Lucius Verus and went toe to toe in the blood and sand of the Ancient World to claim his birthright and the title of Emperor. The scale and scope of this picture were enormous, and its action and intensity held your complete attention as Mescal was thrown into the Arena and the colossal grandeur that awaited!

4. Challengers

A sizzling erotic energy made Luca G’s Challengers crackle with intensity in this tale of tennis and ultimate co-dependence. A hot, sweaty watch from beginning to end, Challengers was a terrifically surprising watch. It was packed together with all kinds of twists and turns that kept audiences on edge, and you were holding your breath for dear life with this one. Zendaya once again completely shone in this one, and held centre court, while Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist had one hell of a complicated bromance and brought plenty of spark to this complicated and messy love story.

3. The Apprentice

Sebastian Stan turned in what was one of 2024’s most intriguing and transformative performances with The Apprentice as he slipped into the figure of the controversial yet fascinating Donald Trump in The Apprentice. Shot with minute detail and focus on resurrecting Trump’s rise to power in the late 1970s/early-1980s, The Apprentice was a thrilling and intense character study, and Stan’s performance was all-consuming as the Donald. Jeremy Strong and Maria Bakalova also offered incredible support, and The Apprentice was an utterly shocking yet hypnotic watch that you could not help but look up at in amazement.

2. Anora

Mikey Madison delivered without a doubt one of 2024’s best performances with her turn as Anora “Ani” Mikheeva in Sean Baker’s Anora. The result was a highly strung and heavily dramatic watch that completely tore your heart to pieces. Baker’s whirlwind Brighton Beach Cinderalla tale was a strongly evocative and completely absorbing character study, centred by Madison’s empathetic and heart-wrenching performance. Anora was a whirlwind cinematic experience, and all of your emotions were left exposed in the final moments of this unflinchingly raw drama.

1. Dune: Part Two:

But when it comes to SpicyPulp’s best film of 2024, only one can reign supreme, and Denis Villeneuve’s awe-inspiring science-fiction epic, Dune: Part Two, took the spot as our number one feature of 2024! This was a colossal piece of cinema in every possible word, and its incredible texture and scale as a production pulled us deeper into the world of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Dune: Part Two was a magnificent example of the power of cinema when it comes to life and made for a pulse-pounding watch in IMAX thanks to its gripping visuals, heavy sounds and incredible performances from its cast. This was an EPIC cinematic experience.

The post SpicyPulp’s Top 10 Films of 2024 appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Check out our favourite films of 2022 below:

Honourable Mention: Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter

The horror genre had another great year in 2023, and one film that was uniquely frightening was the gothic horror of André Øvredal’s Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter. Øvredal explored the fresh territory of the vampire genre with this picture, and it delivered on the sheer shock and terror of its horror moments. This Dracula was a beast of the abyss, and the blood and dread that followed made for a terrifying experience. Audiences were sure to feel a ghoulish shiver run up their spines with this horrorfest, and Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter delivered on its promise to leave you with plenty of sleepless nights.

10. Napoleon

Sir Ridley Scott brought his immense talent for world creation to life on the big screen once again with his colossal epic Napoleon, and it was an awe-inspiring watch. With two fearless performances from Academy Award winner Joaquin Phoenix as ambitious general Napoleon Bonaparte and Vanessa Kirby as Josephine, the woman he would conquer the world for, Napoleon was a rousing and ambitious project that chronicled the age of the Napoleonic Wars and the man who re-shape the destiny of Europe. With its gigantic battle scenes, beautiful costumes and set pieces and intense emotional drama at the heart of its story, Napoleon made for an incredible sight on the big screen.

9. Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese is a living legend of cinema, and he brought an incredibly profound and deeply heart-wrenching tale of love and betrayal to life in Killers of the Flower Moon. With its scale and majesty, Killers of the Flower Moon could be considered to be the great director’s magnum opus, and in every frame, you felt the director’s pull to his characters and this American story that was so deeply personal to him to tell. Leonardo DiCaprio shocked audiences with a completely left-facing turn as the slow-witted and malignant Ernest Burkhart, while Lily Gladstone brought a dynamic bravery to the role of Burkhart’s wife Mollie, who served as the voice of the Osage people and the terrible troubles that this picture documented. Everything of Scorsese as a filmmaker was present in Killers of the Flower Moon, and it’s an utterly triumphant work.

8. Air

A true underdog story awaited audiences in Air, and this true-life story of ‘hustle and grind’ and the decisions that would help turn a floundering Oregon-based shoe company called Nike in the late 1980s into a gigantic powerhouse brand was on show for everyone to see in all its glory. Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris Tucker, and Triple Crown-winning actress Viola Davis only added to the star power of this picture, and Air was a fun, enjoyable and ultimately uplifting story of why sometimes you’ve got to ‘just do it’.

7. Barbie

Barbie went blockbuster in 2023, and this prancing, dancing and neon-pink whirlwind of cinema was an utter pop culture phenomenon that saw audiences lining up in their ‘think pink’ wardrobe, and this was fun for everyone to enjoy. Margot Robbie shines in this ‘fish out of water’ story, as Barbie finds her way into the real world, and things get real. Then there was Ken. Oh, Ken, and Ryan Gosling was completely addicting to watch in his performance, and man-o-man, could he hold a tune. Barbie was a pure party of delight, filled with every shade of pink imaginable, and it was the perfect film to groove out to with your girlfriends…and maybe a Ken or two.

6. What’s Love Got to Do with It?

My feeling is that 2023 is bringing back the rom-com, and one of the year’s best was the fabulous, fun and poignant watch of What’s Love Got to Do with It? Directed by celebrated British filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and written by socialite turned screenwriter Jemima Khan, this was a poignant and layered film that explored the very construct of love and how it grows between two people, and the result made for a film that was both sassy and serious. Lily James again shows that she’s a serious talent to keep an eye on, and the end result was a charming picture packed full of joy that audiences were sure to fall in love with.

5. John Wick: Chapter 4

Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski have forever changed the landscape of action cinema with their work on the John Wick franchise, and it got gnarly in the fourth chapter as the legendary assassin John Wick (Reeves), the ‘Baba Yaga’ himself, declared war on the High Table itself, and the result was utterly explosive. Big action met big drama in John Wick: Chapter 4, and the result was an utter rush that had your adrenal gland working overtime in one of the year’s best action pictures.

4. The Equalizer 3

As the culminating chapter to one of the decade’s greatest action franchises, much expectation was levelled on Antoine Fuqua’s The Equalizer 3 and the return of Denzel Washington as Robert McCall. And the two-time Academy Award winner didn’t disappoint in this dramatic, edgy and visceral action film. Operatic in its construction and delivery, Fuqua and Washington delivered this final chapter for this modern-day ronin who had to deliver justice at all costs. Violent and instinctive, The Equalizer 3 made for an intense and bold watch, and it was undoubtedly one of this year’s best cinematic events.

3. Saltburn

Emerald Fennel shocked audiences with her debut feature, Promising Young Women, and its follow-up, the fantastical gothic thriller Saltburn, which was a film of shocking INSANITY! Fennell invited audiences into a lavish experience of debauchery and excess with this psychodrama, and its twisting, edgy and shocking narrative made for one of the most intense cinematic experiences of the year. Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi cemented their position as two stars worthy of the A-list, and the Saltburn made for an experience of pure, unadulterated hedonism with the volume turned all the way up. Saltburn was a cinematic experience that set your senses on fire, with its narrative left to spin around your mind for days.

2. Living

Bill Nighy is an absolute treasure of an actor, and he gave the performance of a lifetime as Mr Rodney Williams in the tranquil and deeply moving Living. An emotional rollercoaster exploring the very necessity of life and what makes it meaningful, Living was an emotionally rousing, beautifully filmed piece of cinema, and by its end frame, you were sure to be wiping away the tears. Powerful in its construction and delivery, Living was an incredibly special watch, and its story was sure to find its way into the hearts of all audiences who basked in its beauty.

1. Oppenheimer

Christopher Nolan is a giant of the cinematic craft, and he turned his attention to one of the most significant moments of the 20th century in the discovery of the Atomic Age and its long-lasting consequences in Oppenheimer. Large and operatic in its spectacle, Oppenheimer was a film of cause and effect, action and consequence, and how innovation can lead to both discovery and destruction in the same moment. Nolan’s narrative was a masterwork of story, and his assembled cast, including Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr and Kenneth Branagh, led an incredible group of players and built an atmosphere of total immersion. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer was an utter cinematic masterpiece and is likely to be one of the most important narrative events of the 21st century.

The post SpicyPulp’s Top 10 Films of 2023 appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Check out our favourite films of 2021 below:

10. The Suicide Squad

James Gunn made his return to the big screen with the wild and crazy supervillain rollercoaster of a movie with The Suicide Squad. And this was pure comic book pulp at its best. R-rated and totally over-the-top, Gunn was like a kid in a candy store as he took his favourite most despicable, and sometimes useless DC supervillains, and threw them into a do or die mission to save the world. The Suicide Squad was loud and in-your-face cinematic fun and audiences were sure to get a kick out of it.

9. Jungle Cruise

Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt took a trip into the Amazon jungle and this was one wild ride down the river! With terrific swashbuckling flair and moments of spot-on humour, Jungle Cruise was an enjoyable watch through and through. Johnson and Blunt had perfect chemistry together and you couldn’t help but fall in love with these two fantastic characters. Frank and Lilly were a terrific match on-screen and they certainly got involved in one hell of rush that was blockbuster fun at its best.

8. West Side Story

When you want that special feeling of the movies you only need to turn to movie legend Steven Spielberg and he delivered a stunning cinematic event to the big screen with West Side Story. Big, bold, colourful and bright, West Side Story was an incredible piece of cinema that was brought to life with the power of the famed stage show and translated onto the canvas of the movie screen like never before. This was a story to escape into and it truly got you in your groove thanks to a wonderful combination of performance, choreography and music, and made the movie theatre a very magical place once more.

7. Land

Filmmaker and performer Robin Wright took audiences out into the grand wilds of a still uncharted America in Land, and this film presented an intimate and meditative picture of life, love and loss. And it was sure to touch your soul. Using images and performance over dialogue and words, Wright showcased the feral beauty of a still untamed landscape and the consequences that happen when one encroaches on it. As her character Edee Holzer learn to live with the landscape she soon became one with it and a beautiful story of rebirth and renewal unfolded before the audience. Land was an absolute beauty of a picture and for those who witnessed it, it was certain to stay with them.

6. I Care A Lot

Rosamund Pike brought a cold, calculating and truely psychopathic quality to shady legal guardian Marla Grayson in the sharply original dramatic thriller I Care A Lot….and this one certainly cut deep. Frame by frame, minute by minute you had no idea where this crazy thriller was going to turn to next and as it moved quicker and quicker the tension only ramped up and the shocking final moment hit with the force of a 367 Magnum! This was cinematic originality as I’ve never seen before and I was hooked from the very first moment.

5. Spider-Man: No Way Home

The Multiverse has arrived and Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man jumped headfirst into the web-spinning fun of it all with Spider-Man: No Way Home. And there were plenty of ‘Oh My God’ moments in this superhero extravaganza! Packing together action and narrative all in one, long time Marvel fans were treated to some very cool treats thanks to director Jon Watts unique narrative and this was a cinematic experience that truly fed the fanboy or fangirl in all of us. Audiences of all ages were sure to love what was delivered in Spider-Man: No Way Home and the result was pure fun at the movies.

4. Cruella

Fashionistas beware because Emma Stone was about to smash the catwalk with the high energy, rock edge of Cruella. Stepping into the devilishly decadent couture stylings of the infamous Cruella de Vil, Stone showcased the origins behind the madness and mania of one of Walt Disney Pictures greatest ever villains and Cruella was one wild time out at the movies. Feeding off the rebel, rock n’roll energy of the 1970s, Cruella was a hell of a lot of fiendish fun and there were plenty of bold moments to make you sit up and say WOW! Gorgeous to look at, and entertaining through and through you certainly weren’t going to forget the rush of Cruella and the devil was certainly given her due.

3. Wrath of Man

Tough guy director Guy Ritchie returned to the big screen with a vengeance with an action film of pure Old Testament vengeance with Wrath of Man. And this one hit with the strength of an M4 on full auto! Jason Statham was in pure beast mode as the mysterious ‘H’, a security cash truck driver who was not all he claimed to be and who had one hell of a grudge to settle. And the result was pure chaos. Wrath of Man was packed full of testosterone and kept you guessing the whole way through and it was a great pleasure to see Ritchie and Statham back together and the result was a piece of classic action cinema. Wrath of Man was not for the faint of heart, but damn did it hit hard.

2. The Last Duel

Maestro filmmaker Sir Ridley Scott took audiences back to the steel and fire of the Middle Ages with The Last Duel, an extraordinary historical story of truth and justice and this was a cinematic event for the ages. Telling the true story of the quest of the Lady Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer) for divine justice and the battle that her husband Sir Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) would fight with his sworn enemy Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), this was a once in a lifetime cinematic event. Damon, Driver and Ben Affleck were all truly exceptional in their parts, but the success of this movie belongs to Jodie Comer who gave a fiery and passionate performance and would not quit until she saw justice done. Bold and mighty, The Last Duel was an impressive and powerful watch and is far and away one of the best films I can claim to have ever seen.

1. No Time To Die

After a long wait, we finally saw the swan song from Daniel Craig as he once again donned a tuxedo and stepped into an Aston Martin for his final performance as secret agent 007 James Bond in No Time To Die. And this blockbuster cinematic event was nothing short of extraordinary. Operatic and dashing, No Time To Die was a film of pure energy and character and had the flavour of the ultimate Bond film as Bond raced against the clock to save the world from a dangerous and unhinged new villain. Craig was in his element as Bond and brought a complete full circle to his performance as the debonair spy in this energetic and pulse-pounding action thriller and damn was it a fine watch. No Time To Die was a fantastic experience in the cinema and audiences sure got their adrenaline fix with this one. It was just magnificent on every single level and a very worthy choice for the best film of the year.

The post SpicyPulp’s Top 10 Films of 2021 appeared first on SpicyPulp.

However, we kept going and even in this year’s darkest moments we still could look forward to an incredible array of releases. And 2020 certainly had a range of terrific cinematic moments to celebrate.

Below is the list of our favourite films of the year and they’ve certainly helped us get through this difficult time, and given plenty of joy in the process.

10. Unhinged

Russell Crowe delivered an incredibly scary and full frontal attack of a performance as an unnamed man who suddenly flips and takes out all of his aggression and anger on an innocent woman in Unhinged. This was popcorn cinema at its most thrilling. Unhinged didn’t let up for a moment, and Crowe’s scary performance had us on edge the whole time. It was a simple premise that was executed with perfect delivery by its filmmaking team and as an audience member you were holding your breath right up until the very end frame. This was a pulse-pounding piece of thriller cinema at its best and Crowe’s performance as this nameless and violent thrill killer was sure to give you nightmares.

9. Downhill

Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus brought out plenty of long-simmering tensions in Downhill and this was one dark-comedy that kept its audiences on their toes the entire time. Examining the nature of loyalty, cowardice and a clash of opposites, Downhill kept you guessing from the start and made for a very intelligent piece of cinema. Director’s Nat Faxon and Jim Rash teased out the long-held resentments between Ferrell’s Pete and Louis-Dreyfus’s Billie, and all throughout the film’s proceeding events you are constantly wondering whether or not their marriage is actually going to survive their so-called ‘dream holiday’. Downhill was something completely different and proved to be a very intellectually stimulating watch for audiences,

8. Words On Bathroom Walls

While you might think you understand and know the teen genre, you really needed to think again with the likes of Words On Bathroom Walls. Showcasing incredible sincerity with its subject matter and mind-bending creativity with its production, Words On Bathroom Walls was a piece of cinema that tugged at your heartstrings. The main character Adam Petrazelli is a complicated young man, made even more so by his underlying schizophrenia that he is battling with on a daily basis. Add to this teenage angst, young love and the hardships of not quite being normal and you have a recipe for an incredibly compelling piece of cinema that pulled audiences inwards towards its narrative.

7. Onward

It’s been a strong year for Disney- Pixar and director Dan Scanlon’s fantastical fantasy tale of brotherly adventure in Onward was a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Scanlen and his team turned the fantasy genre on its head with this one and there was a great inventiveness and creativity presented through this epic, heavy-metal, fantasy road trip. Actors Christ Pratt and Tom Holland made a perfect combination as the delightful Lightfoot brothers, and Onward told a story of rediscovering the magic and what it means to ultimately find your father. The geniuses at Disney-Pixar made 2020 that little bit brighter with Onward and this was a delightful film on every single level.

6. Nomadland

Two-time Academy Award winner Frances McDormand bore her soul with an introspective performance that was utterly beautiful to watch in Nomadland. Directed by rising talent Chloé Zhao, Nomadland was a powerful film of second lives, the open road and being forced to rediscover yourself while travelling down a new path. Both its striking imagery and the magnificence of McDormand’s performance seared themselves into your very soul, and this film was truly unforgettable. Nomadland was a film filled with depth, discovery and humanity and is a piece of cinema that audiences should cherish, especially after the events of this year.

5. The Gentlemen

Guy Ritchie returned to his native England and wound up his sleeves to jump back inside the gangster genre with The Gentlemen, which made for one of 2020’s coolest cinema experiences. Led by Matthew McConaughey as the impressive and stylish drug kingpin Mickey Pearson, and featuring a stellar supporting cast including Charlie Hunnam, Henry Goulding, Michelle Dockery, Colin Farrell and Hugh Grant, this was a film that went from A to Z in a flash and everywhere else in between and was certain to put a certain strut into the step of the audience. Ritchie radiated his own unique brand of ‘alpha male’ cool with The Gentlemen, and for audiences who were looking for a stand-up good time, well, they were sure to find it with this slick piece of gangster cinema.

4. Savage

Raw and unflinching in equal measures, Sam Kelly’s Savage hit with the force of a ball-peen hammer and took audiences inside the brutal world of New Zealand’s gang culture. Kelly didn’t hold anything back in exploring the scary reality that gripped so many and took audiences inside the traumatic world of the state boarding schools that shaped innocents into monsters and then sent them out into a world filled with nothing but seething pain and relentless rage. Savage was a shocking watch, but this was all a part of the extreme honesty that Kelly used to showcase the reality of this world and the handling of his subject matter certainly struck a nerve with audiences. Praise also needs to be lauded on the performance of Jake Ryan as Danny aka Damage, a brutal, Frankenstein’s monster of a man who knows only violence, but who is in reality is just searching for a way back home. Savage was a film that hit us hard in 2020 and it was without-a-doubt one of the year’s best.

3. Mank

Director David Fincher returned to cinema in a long-held obscene since 2014’s Gone Girl and the master filmmaker did not disappoint in presenting a marvellous project in Mank. Chronicling the production behind what many claim is the greatest film of all time, Citizen Kane, Mank was a detailed exploration of one man’s creativity and ethics in a town which normally does away with such things. In terms of the narrative experience, everything came together in Mank. Production design, cinematography, location, costume design, hair and make-up and musical score all served to tell an incredible story and long-time film aficionados were sure to bask in the glow of this radiant portrait of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Mank was a deeply held passion project for Fincher and he delivered an incredible radiant piece of cinema that was well worth the watch.

2. Let Him Go

How far would you go to protect your family? That was the simple premise behind director Thomas Bezucha’s adaptation of Let Him Go, a revenge tale burning with the fury of Old Testament frontier justice and this was a thriller that stripped its audience back to the bone. Featuring career-best performances from the likes of Diane Lane and Kevin Costner, Let Him Go was a simple and to-the-point thriller which was delivered with maximum intensity and hit the audience like the force of a Winchester rifle. It’s burning Western-setting brought to life in the style of Cormac McCarthy, and Bezucha certainly knew how to get the most out of the impressive pairing of Lane and Costner. Let Him Go was that rare kind of film that harkened-back to the True Grit days of John Wayne and delivered audiences a searing drama of family loyalty and justice that was certain to take them to the edge.

1. The Way Back

But if there had to be one movie that we crown as our favourite film of 2020 it is without-a-doubt Gavin O’Conner’s portrait of sports and addiction in powerhouse drama The Way Back. Starring Ben Affleck as washed-up alcoholic, and former high school basketball star Jack Cunningham who finds a second chance gifted to him, The Way Back was a searing drama that gripped your soul and wrestled your emotions as you saw a flawed man trying for a second chance. Borrowing from Affleck’s own personal life and battle with addiction, The Way Back is an extremely heavy film that examines themes of loss and triumph, addiction and love, heartbreak and hope and O’Conner and Affleck truly gave their all to this project. This film moved me to an incredible degree and as an audience member, I could not look away from the events that were unfolding on screen. The Way Back was powerful in its presentation and it’s third act twist hit you like a stone wall and made the film that much more powerful because of it. Film’s like The Way Back don’t come along that often and when they do they need to be celebrated.

The post SpicyPulp’s Top 10 Films of 2020 appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Check them out below:

10. John Wick 2

It’s never a wise move to stab the devil in the back, and that’s exactly what happens to Keanu Reeves legendary assassin John Wick. And that leads to plenty of PAYBACK! Director Chad Stahelski and star Keanu Reeves cranked the adrenaline up again, and the results were amazing. Reeves again showed off his skilled gun-fu moves as he spun, bullets, blades and even a pencil or two to eliminate his targets. And let’s not forget the film’s intense museum shootout or it’s shocking climatic scene! Yep, John Wick 2 was one phenomenal piece of action cinema and made for a wicked time out at the movies.

9. Professor Marston and the Wonder Women

She’s one of the 20th Century’s most defining pop culture symbols and director Angela Robinson made a bold attempt to tell the untold story of Wonder Woman’s creation which really paid off. Stars Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall and Bella Heathcote were all in top form and crafted an incredible multi-dimensional relationship between the three of them. And did we mention that Professor Marston and the Wonder Women was one hot watch? Robinson and her performers embraced the underlying sensuality and sexuality of Wonder Woman’s kinky past, and there was plenty of hot tie and tease action up on screen. Love and creation were firmly at the core of this magnificent picture and it really made an impression on us.

8. The Lost City of Z

What does it mean to step out into the unknown and walk into legend? Lauded director James Grey and star Charlie Hunnam set out to answer this question in The Lost City of Z, a bold throwback to the giant epics of the past which examines one man’s obsessive pursuit for glory and accomplishment. Charlie Hunnam was completely committed as Col. Percy Fawcett, and his performance is nothing short of masterful. Hunnam balances Fawcett’s fanatical dream of uncovering Z with a clear and strict devotion to his beloved wife Nina who suffers greatly from his prolonged absences. Grey’s direction is astonishing and his daring use of cinematography and score evokes an unexplored, dangerous and mythical landscape. The Lost City of Z sears its mighty vision into your mind and was fearless filmmaking at its best.

7. Baby Driver

Cult film icon Edgar Wright cranked the volume and revved up his engine for the zany and off-beat Baby Driver which was fun, fun, fun. Telling the story of a love-struck and musically powered getaway driver caught at a crossroads in his life, Baby Driver spun its audience at every turn. The narrative was slick, the casting was spot on and the action was in-your-face. Stars Ansel Elgort and Lily James made a very cute couple as Baby and Debora and evoked the pairing of James Dean and Natalie Wood in Rebel Without a Cause. But if you wanted a scene stealer then it most definitely came in the form of Jamie Foxx’s crazed gangster Bats who had a talent for compromising everything. Baby Driver was a rush from beginning to end and Wright really took the filmmaking medium and brought it to a whole new edge.

6. The Greatest Showman

Hugh Jackman lets his voice be heard in this magical and imaginative musical that stirs plenty of feelings and emotions in its audience. Powered by a collection of impressive songs from musical geniuses Pasek and Paul, The Greatest Showman makes its audience feel alive and magnificently brings to life the stunning ambience and larger than life deeds of P.T. Barnum. Everything here is in top form and star Hugh Jackman is joined by an amazing supporting cast including Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya. For end of the year movie magic there was no better film than The Greatest Showman and Jackman indeed did audiences proud.

5. American Made

Sometimes you’ve just gotta be a rebel and that’s exactly what megastar Tom Cruise does with the larger than life true story of drug smuggling pilot Barry Seal in American Made. Cruise was in his element and took to the skies in audacious style as the maverick pilot who finds himself running drugs, guns and money for both the Columbian cartels and the CIA, playing both off against the other and growing mega rich in the process. Decked out in a very cool pair of aviators Cruise’s Seal made for one very smooth rogue and his quest to make it big in ‘the greatest country in the world’ made for one crazy adventure of a life lived on the edge. American Made proved that it’s better to fly high and shoot for the skies.

4. Thor: Ragnarok

New Zealand directing sensation Taika Waititi again proved why he is a genius as he stepped into the big time with the loud and colourful Thor: Ragnarok! Waititi took Asgard’s mightiest hero to a whole other place with plenty of wicked throwback 80s flair and injected a healthy dose of outlandish comedy. Bright, dashing and energetic, Thor: Ragnarok was a joy to watch and it was awesome to see the mighty Thor come into his full power and rise up to become King! Stars Chris Hemsworth and Cate Blanchett had an intense showdown and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk did indeed SMASH! Where Thor goes next we can only imagine, but we hope Taika will be along for the ride because he did one incredible job here.

3. Atomic Blonde

Stepping into a world of clandestine secrets and neon light Charlize Theron proved that girls can indeed fight as she shook up the screen with in-your-face spy thriller Atomic Blonde. This completely unapologetic piece of action cinema kicked you straight in the face from its very first frame and threw in plenty of shady twists and turns. Theron’s MI6 operative Lorraine Broughton was scintillating in her sexuality and downright lethal in her combat and paired next to James McAvoy’s scheevy shitbag handler David Percival the fireworks flew. Packed out with brazen sexuality, bone-crunching action and possibly the coolest scene of this entire year, the ambitious ‘hallway fight’, Atomic Blonde was totally lit and proved that action cinema is better when it’s moving at full kinetic speed!

2. Dunkirk

The word masterpiece gets thrown around a lot these days but lauded filmmaker Christopher Nolan made them come true with his stunning vision of hope’s last breath in Dunkirk. Shot with glorious IMAX cameras Dunkirk was as big as blockbusters come and it’s unique structure and point-of-view of land, sea and air told a harrowing and heroic story of the fight to survive and of the Allies greatest hour. A stunning cast including Sir Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hardy, Sir Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy, James D’Arcy and Harry Styles helped bring this great vision to life and all of them were spot on in their acting. Then there was Hans Zimmer’s thumping orchestral score that was guaranteed to set you on edge as the action unfolded before you. Dunkirk was indeed an utter masterpiece.

1. Logan

Everything comes to an end, and director James Mangold and star Hugh Jackman gave audiences an utterly compelling one with the fierce Logan. The final chapter of the X-Men’s greatest hero, Logan took audiences to a bleak and brutal future with the famed clawed mutant had failed and now found himself with one last chance for redemption. The action was brutal, and the violence was bloody, as claws cut through flesh and bone. No one was spared, and nothing could stop the carnage. But next to the excellent action was the heartfelt journey of Jackman’s Logan and sensational newcomer Dafne Keen as Laura. Their’s was a tale of long lost father and daughter who had now found each other and now faced the most arduous journey to freedom. By the time the credits began to roll the tears were indeed flowing and we knew we had witnessed something extraordinary. They don’t get more raw or emotional than Logan, and it was a privilege to see Jackman and Logan’s final ride.

Images: Roadshow Films, 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Sony Pictures, Studio Canal, Paramount Pictures

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10. The Legend of Tarzan

The sheer epic-ness of the world’s original pulp hero was brought back to the big screen with immense scope and scale thanks to the grand vision of director David Yates. The Legend of Tarzan was fierce and uncompromising, and took audiences back to a long forgotten time and a mythical jungle landscape. Alexander Skarsgard was in full hero mode as the legendary Tarzan, and carried a physique of god-like proportions, while Margot Robbie was no damsel as his beloved wife Jane. The chemistry between these two was sizzling and not for one moment did my adrenaline stop pumping in this all-action adventure.

9. The Magnificent Seven

The west sure got wild thanks to this high-octane gunslinging adventure from director Antoine Fuqua that took one of cinema’s greatest ever films and re-imagined it for a whole new generation. Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and Chris Pratt were all quick on the draw and steadfast in their actions, while Haley Bennett proved that she could wrangle the bad guys just as much as the boys, and was a crack shot with a long rifle. The Magnificent Seven was a thumping ride from beginning to end and was a terrific ode to the grand old westerns of the past.

8. Allied

Heart-wrenching love and terrible secrets kept me guessing every second in this ticking time bomb of a movie that delivered big bangs and even bigger shocks. The tension never eased for a moment in Allied, and director Robert Zemeckis sure knows how to keep his audience on edge. Stars Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard had undeniable chemistry together and brought incredible focus to this tightly wound thriller. Allied’s production design and costuming also brought back memories of Hollywood’s golden era, and I certainly did not anticipate that shocking ending.

7. The Light Between Oceans

Love is the most powerful force of all, and director Derek Cianfrance explored its ecstatic highs and heartbreaking lows in this emotionally evocative piece of drama. Michael Fassbender was at the top of his game, but it was Alicia Vikander who stole every scene as a woman and a mother who could not bear to let her child go. The tears certainly flowed while watching The Light Between Oceans, and Cianfrance also gifted us with the beautiful cinematography of Adam Arkapew, which made this film even more emotionally heartfelt.

6. Doctor Strange

The Marvel Universe’s greatest ever magician finally found his way to the big screen this year thanks to Benedict Cumberbatch, and man-o-man was Doctor Strange a mind trip! Director Scott Derrickson brought the hallucinogenic images of Steve Ditko’s art to life in all their vivid detail, and threw his audience head first into the astral plain. And as for Cumberbatch, the British thespian was all we could have wanted and more as the snarky, pretentious know-it-all who falls to historic lows before finally rising up and becoming the Master of the Mystic Arts. Wild, entertaining and very, very cool, Doctor Strange proved that Marvel certainly has plenty more surprises in store for its legions of fans.

5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

The force was indeed strong with Gareth Edwards’ standalone galactic adventure Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which told the hard-won battle of the Rebel Alliance’s fight to steal the Death Star plans, and turn the tide of the war against The Empire. A stunning ensemble cast lead by Felicity Jones provided plenty of terrific new characters, along with lots of heroic actions. But the real power of Rogue One came from Edwards’ ability to put his audience deep into the heart of the film’s climatic battle scenes, as the Rebel Alliance stormed the beaches of Scariff to put an end to The Empire’s super weapon in a desperate do-or-die mission.

4. Hunt for the Wilderpeople

This instant Kiwi classic was sheer laugh-out-loud hilarity thanks to the combined talents of Hollywood veteran Sam Neill and the charm of hell raising teenager and ‘bad egg’ Ricky Baker, who was played to perfection by newcomer Julian Dennison. This good’ol tramping movie struck out deep into the untamed bush of New Zealand, and followed the misadventures of these totally unique characters as they rebelled against a society that had given up on them, before eventually finding strength and a sense of family with one another. Once again director Taika Waititi’s comedic timing was incredible, and his surprise cameo appearance had me in stitches. You simply couldn’t find a better comedy this year.

3. The Nice Guys

There was no better team up this year than Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling as mismatched hoodlum Jackson Healy and inept private investigator Holland March, who find themselves way over their heads in this laugh-out-loud black comedy from Shane Black. Packed with cracking dialogue, and tough guy swagger, The Nice Guys was a classic noir tale that sucked you into Hollywood’s seedy underbelly of the 1970s as these two ‘amateurs’ did everything they could to right a terrible wrong, along with turning a tidy profit in the process. The Nice Guys was a thoroughly entertaining watch and one of the best films I saw all year.

2. La La Land

The cinematic experience didn’t get more magnificent than Damien Chazelle’s lavish musical sensation La La Land. This throwback to the grand musicals of Hollywood’s golden era was packed with a terrific jazz-infused score and was bursting at the edges with pop energy. While Ryan Gosling channelled Fred Astaire’s dance moves and Frank Sinatra’s laid back cool, Emma Stone brought a great deal of heart and soul to this thumping movie. If ever there was a film to champion the magic of those who dream then it most definitely was La La Land. 

1. Deadpool

But it all it comes down to this. My favourite film of the year was undoubtedly the ultra-violent and incredibly crazy superhero action adventure love tale that was Deadpool. Ryan Reynolds knocked it out of the park as the Merc with a Mouth and proved that his snazzy one-liners were just as lethal as his sword skills. Reynolds, along with director Tim Miller held nothing back in this love letter to the cult comic book character, and it really showed on screen. Deadpool was pure, crazy, cinematic fun at its best.

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