ANDY's Top 10 movies of the year: 10-8
10. The F Word (review by: Alex Florescu)
Sparks fly between medical school dropout Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), and Chantry (Zoe Kazan) amid the skyscrapers, botanical gardens and quirky corners of downtown Toronto. Cut from the same cloth, their witty banter and seamless conversation is every indication of their compatibility. Two people that are awkward together stay together. Unfortunately, Wallace is five years too late, as lawyer Ben has already beaten him to the punch and secured Chantry’s heart. This leaves Wallace with no choice but to prove the age-old fable that guys and girls really can “just be friends.” While, the movie is admittedly unable to escape the clutch of corniness that trademarks every “will they, won’t they” movie, even the most skeptical of romantics must secretly hope that the pair will end up together by the time the end credits roll. This is largely due in part to Daniel’s affable nervousness and Zoe’s doe-eyed charm, but even their chemistry may not be enough for those severely allergic to the word “cute”.
For those, I offer you an antidote: a true cinematographic tour of Toronto. You may have recognized the Harvard bar in Good Will Hunting for its true identity as a bar on Front Street, or New York skyscrapers as Torontonian ones in many Manhattan movies — Toronto has long played the stunt double for other cities in the world, so it is rewarding to see it get credit. As Chantry and Wallace fall in love strolling along Dundas Street, watchers will fall in love with the way the city glows in the rain (if they haven’t already).
9. The Imitation Game (review by: Rachel Harper)
There’s been talk of potential Oscar nominations surrounding The Imitation Game ever since its release date in late November. Benedict Cumberbatch, known primarily for his role in the BBC drama Sherlock, stars as brilliant English mathematician Alan Turing, who was responsible for solving the “Enigma” code during the Second World War.
The biopic is loosely based on the experiences of Turing in the 1940s. He was hired by the British government along with a few other code breakers to take part in a clandestine project of grave importance – finding a way to break the Enigma code. If the code was broken (it was said to be impossible) then the British would be able to decipher messages being sent amongst the Germans, thereby revealing planned attacks, co-ordinates, strategies, and other vital information that would aid the Allies in winning the war.
In terms of historical accuracy, this film isn’t quite on the mark. Many liberties were taken to presumably make the film more dramatic, or even exaggerate Turing’s character. Cumberbatch’s Turing has difficulty in social situations, doesn’t understand jokes and doesn’t usually play well with others. He’s a genius – mathematician, computer science pioneer, philosopher and code breaker. He’s also queer, which was illegal in Britain at that time.
Frivolous plot points aside, Cumberbatch portrays Turing brilliantly. He adopts several completely new mannerisms for the role, and the way in which he delivers them is stunning. Overlooking the historical inaccuracies, the film is a roller coaster of emotion that makes for a good watch.
8. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (review: Nicole Vasarevic)
Winner of the 2015 Golden Globe award for Best Animated Film, How To Train Your Dragon 2 once again does not fail to make its audience, no matter what age, feel the uncontrollable need to curl up into a ball and cry. Reuniting man with dragon, the long-awaited sequel explores the values of family, friendship and standing up for what is right.
The film explores the complicated relationship between humans and animals and the damage that can be done when this relationship is not understood. Canadian director Dean DeBlois is no stranger to directing children’s movies that often leave its older audience more stirred than its younger audience. Other than both How To Train Your Dragon 1 and 2, Deblois also co-directed 2002 Lilo and Stitch and Disney’s 1998 Mulan.
The 3-D animation in How To Train Your Dragon 2 is nearly perfect. Regardless of its compelling story, the beauty of watching Toothless soar through the clouds while his silhouette reflects in the crystal clear lake below will leave you wanting to sprout wings and fly off.
