Tag Archives: andrew scott

My top 10 films of 2014

December 27, 2014 jennypriestleyfilms Leave a comment

It’s that time of year when everyone starts compiling their best of the year and I’m no exception! This is the list of MY top 10 films of 2014 – so it’s completely subjective and you probably don’t agree with me in any way. What is apparent is that I didn’t see as many films as usual this year (too much ‘proper’ work to do) and so I missed some of the film’s that I suspect are on other critics’ lists. Also, my list is for 2014 so it doesn’t include some of the films I’ve already seen that will be in UK cinemas in early 2015.

10. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

It’s tough for me to only place this at number 10 but I really don’t think it can go any higher. I do believe it’s the weakest of all six Middle-earth films and I was very underwhelmed the first time I saw it. However, on second viewing I enjoyed it much more. And both times I was brought to tears by the final 20 minutes. For that reason it squeaks in.

9. Get On Up

The James Brown biopic was released in the UK the same weekend as the new Hunger Games film and I think it therefore was missed by a lot of film fans. It shouldn’t have been. I hugely enjoyed the film which shows Brown warts and all – it doesn’t shy away from his darker side. Plus I thought Chadwick Boseman in the lead role was absolutely fantastic. It’s a shame he’s not getting more attention during awards season, he deserves it.

8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

Not much happens in the film, it’s busy setting everything up for what I imagine is going to be an all-guns-blazing finale, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Jennifer Lawrence once again carries the whole film, she’s really grown into the role of Katniss. And the scene when she sings ‘The Hanging Tree’ gave me goosebumps.

7. Guardians of the Galaxy

I went into Guardians with absolutely no expectations but I came out Hooked On A Feeling (sorry). I knew nothing about the story beforehand but I was completely carried away but the rollicking good story which was jam packed with humour. I’m really looking forward to the sequel. And I want a Baby Groot!

6. Chef

I bet you missed this at the cinema. Well go and find it on DVD! Jon Favreau directs and stars this tale of a man going through a major crisis. It’s a world away from the bombastic Iron Man films and that’s one of the things I loved about it. Plus the fantastic cast (including the cameos). Seriously, if you haven’t seen it please check it out!

5. 12 Years A Slave

It feels a bit strange including the Oscar-winning film but as I said at the start this is a review of films released in 2014. I saw it in October 2013 and it still haunts me now. Chiwetel Ejiofor is superb in the lead role and I thought his was a stronger performance than Best Actor winner Matthew McConaughey, plus Lupita N’yongo was a revelation as Patsy. I’ll be honest, it’s not a film I’ve watched a second time but it’s a film I feel is incredibly important and that’s why I rate it so highly.

4. The Imitation Game

Hands down the best Benedict Cumberbatch performance on film. While we all know the outcome of the main storyline (can they break the Enigma Code?) it’s still a thoroughly compelling story that draws you in. Cumberbatch is supported by an excellent cast, not least Keira Knightley who I think gives one of her best ever performances. It’s a fantastic British film and throughly deserves the recognition it’s been receiving.

3. Rise of the Planet of the Apes

I really wasn’t sure about this from the trailers. The apes are talking? Hmm. But after attending an early footage screening my interest was peaked. And the final film didn’t let me down. Once you get used to Caesar speaking it becomes quite normal and the relationships between the apes are really touching. Toby Kebbell gives Andy Serkis a run for his money in the mo-cap acting making Koba pretty terrifying in places. Is it better than the first film? I’d say yes. And I’d also say it’s time to five mo-cap actors the credit they’re due!

2. Pride

Oh what a joy of a film. I came to the Pride love-in a little late but now I’m thoroughly on board. It’s sweet, touching and laugh out loud funny. Who knew a story about a group of gay activists and Welsh miners could bring so much joy? The ensemble cast emits such a warmth that you just want to gather them all up in one great big hug. I loved it.

1. Paddington

Yes a film about a marmalade loving bear from Peru has topped my list of the best films of 2014. And I don’t care if you disagree because I told you this is MY choice. Paddington is a film that the whole family can enjoy. There’s plenty of slapstick for the little ones, laughs for the adults and a message for everyone. As Paddington says “I will never be like other people but that’s ok”. Well the 21st century Paddington is just like the bear we all grew up with. And you know what, I can’t wait for the sequel!

Awards, Films

Best of British at BIFA Awards

December 6, 2014 jennypriestleyfilms Leave a comment

The stars of British cinema will be out in London on Sunday night at the annual Moët British Independent Film Awards.

Emma Thompson and Benedict Cumberbatch are being honoured with special awards whilst drama 71 leads the nominations with nine followed by Pride with seven nods.

A whole who’s who of acting talent will be there including Alicia Vikander, Andrew Scott, Asa Butterfield, Anne Marie Duff, Bill Bailey, Charles Dance, Douglas Booth, George Mackay, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Helen Mirren, Jamie Sives, Jared Harris, Jodie Whittaker, Keira Knightley, Lesley Manville, Mark Strong, Max Irons, Maxine Peake, Mike Leigh, Olivia Colman, Rafe Spall, Sally Hawkins, Stanley Tucci, Timothy Spall and Tom Hollander.

The awards are being hosted by Simon Bird of The Inbetweeners and this year you can watch them live on YouTube – or below!

An Afternoon with Mark Gatiss And Friends

November 16, 2014 jennypriestleyfilms 1 Comment

I’ve just got home from spending an afternoon with Mark Gatiss and Friends.

The Sherlock star hosted the event in aid of the London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard, of which he is patron.

And what friends! The Doctor (Peter Capaldi), Moriarty (Andrew Scott), Mary Morston (Amanda Abbington), Queenie (Miranda Richardson), Sue Perkins and Derren Brown.

It was an afternoon full of laughter and some interesting anecdotes. The event included questions from Gatiss, some previously submitted online and some from the audience this afternoon. So here are some of the highlights:

Andrew Scott was asked if there was any point in him continuing to deny Moriarty will be in Sherlock season 4 as it’s on IMDb. He replied ” well if it’s on IMDb then absolutely not!”.

Amanda Abbington revealed her character in Mr Selfridge, Miss Mardle, was originally going to be a lesbian but the ‘powers that be’ wouldn’t allow it.

Miranda Richardson talked about being cut from Maleficent (she and Peter Capaldi played the King and Queen of the Fairies but ended up on the cutting room floor). “They tell you they want you so much” she revealed. “And the they cut you. Who makes that decision? I haven’t seen it actually – but not out of spite!”

Obviously one of the big draws of the afternoon was the presence of Capaldi and, as always, he was charming and sweet. He says his life hasn’t changed that much since playing the Doctor – he still does the shopping and has to get his car MOTed! He said the thing he’s noticed he most is that he’s met with so many smiles, people are so pleased to see him.

Capaldi said he didn’t get too caught up in the overarching themes of the last series “I operate on a need-to-know basis” he said. “I concentrate on scenes rather than an overview of the whole thing. I have ideas of my own about the internal life of the Doctor, but I keep those to myself”.

Away from Sherlock and the Doctor, the panel were asked if they had a favourite musical. Andrew Scott revealed he’d love to be in a musical but he can’t really sing! Capaldi said he likes Blood Brothers as it’s very British. Gatiss announced his favourite is Carousel – which then became a theme throughout the event.

Another question was “do you have anything left on your bucket list?”. Capaldi said “my ambition at the moment is to not regenerate for a while”.

One of the most interesting questions was what figure from history would Capaldi like the Doctor to meet? He’d obviously thought about this before as he immediately answered “Martin Luther King. I don’t see why the Doctor shouldn’t be involved in the civil rights movement”.

Gatiss said he’d certainly be interested in writing a script for that but “you have to be careful about the tone of the story. It would be a big challenge”.

One of the final questions was if any of the panel had any funny stories from set. Capaldi revealed he was once punched in the head by Brian Blesssed! It was when they were filming Tom Jones and the Doctor Who star needed nine stitches! “I came round” said Capaldi. “And I wasn’t wearing a wig, and I remember hearing one ambulance guys saying ‘get his wig off’ and I kept saying ‘no, it’s my own hair!'”.

Finally, one of the highlights of the afternoon was when Sue Perkins was talking about putting on a production of The Hobbit whilst at school. She advised the audience member to always know your limitations and not to be too over ambitious. Gatiss then retorted about how The Hobbit goes on to ages these days. That got a hard stare from Amanda Abbingdon! And a big laugh from the audience!

So that was my afternoon and it was a very enjoyable one! The LLGS filmed the event and it should be on their site soon. And the charity will be hosting a special online auction later this week and Andrew Scott has donated his suit from Sherlock!

academy awards, Films, oscars

The Governors’ Awards – major celebs due

November 7, 2014 jennypriestleyfilms Leave a comment

Tomorrow night in LA the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences hosts its annual Governors’ Awards dinner.

The event has become more and more significant as a place for potential Ocsar nominees to schmooze Academy members as the race to February 22 kicks up a gear.

The list of expected guests this year features plenty of talent that will be hitting the campaign trail hard over the next few months including Jennifer Aniston, Emily Blunt, Chadwick Boseman, Steve Carell, Jessica Chastain, Ellar Coltrane, James Corden, Kevin Costner, Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Clint Eastwood, Jake Gyllenhaal, Felicity Jones, Michael Keaton, Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Liam Neeson, Edward Norton, Jack O’Connell, Eddie Redmayne, Chris Rock, Mark Ruffalo, Andy Serkis, JK Simmons, Timothy Spall, Octavia Spencer, Hilary Swank, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum, Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon. Phew!

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Moët BIFA Film Award nominees announced

November 3, 2014 jennypriestleyfilms Leave a comment

The nominations for this year’s Moët BIFA film awards have just been announced.
Drama ‘71 leads the nominations with nine nods including he highest number of nominations this year goes to ‘71 with nine nominations including Best British Independent Film; Best Director and Best Actor for star Jack O’Connell.
The brilliant Pride also received seven nominations. It’s definitely one of my favourite films of the year.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley are both nominated for The Imitation Game which is also up for Best Independent Film.
Other acting nominees include Alicia Vikander, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Timothy Spall, Imelda Staunton, Andrew Scott, Michael Fassbender and Maggie Gyllanhaal.
The winners will be revealed on December 7.