GH's top films: our pick of this season's Baftas, Golden Globes and Oscar nominees
Blue Jasmine
Synopsis: When her life falls apart, including her marriage to her wealthy husband, New York socialite Jasmine (Cate Blanchett, pictured), moves into her sister's modest apartment in San Francisco in a bid to piece herself back together.
2014 awards and nominations: Cate Blanchett has been duly noted for her performance in the film, taking home Best Actress at the Golden Globes (pictured above), Leading Actress at the BAFTAs and the 86th Academy Awards!
Winner of a GH Film Award because: Many critics say this is one of director Woody Allen's best films for decades, and you can see why Cate's won many awards - she's just fantastic.
Saving Mr. Banks
Synopsis: Directed by John Lee Hancock, this is the story of how the Mary Poppins book made it to the big screen. Author PL Travers (Emma Thompson) has a two-week briefing with Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) where he tries to obtain the rights to her novels.
2014 awards and nominations: The film had one nomination at the Golden Globes (Emma Thompson for Best Actress), and was up for 5 nominations at the BAFTAs, including Outstanding British Film and Leading Actress for Emma again.
Winner of a GH Film Award because: Here at GH we’re massive fans of the original film, so we were thrilled to hear that the back story to the legendary book-turned-movie would be hitting our cinema screens. Long live Mary P!
Watch the trailer for Saving Mr. Banks
Image credit: c.W.Disney/Everett/REX
Inside Llewyn Davis
Synopsis: A week in the life of a struggling young singer (Oscar Isaac, pictured with co-star Carey Mulligan) as he tries to launch his music career.
2014 awards and nominations: The Coen Brothers' film was up for 3 nominations at this year's BAFTAs (Original Screenplay, Cinematography and Sound). It was also up for 3 Golden Globes, but in both cases came home empty-handed.
Winner of a GH Film Award because: For those who tend to veer away from big, shiny blockbusters, this new release could be the film for you. It's an opportunity to revisit the 1960s and reminisce about what was a fantastic era for music. Also the soundtrack is, as you'd expect, great too.
12 Years a Slave
Synopsis: Directed by Steve McQueen, the film is set in the United States in the 1890s and centres on the real-life story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York who is kidnapped and sold to the owner of a Louisiana plantation.
2014 awards and nominations: It's been hailed as one of the best films ever made and weighed down with five-star reviews, so we might have expected the film to take home more than just one Golden Globe award – Best Film (Drama) – from its 7 nominations. However, the film then went on to see great success at the 2014 BAFTAs, scooping the Leading Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) award and Best Film award. The film was also awarded Best Film at the Oscars, where the film won 3 awards in total. Lupita Nyong'o took home Actress In A Supporting Role, and John Ridley picked up a gong for Adapted Screen Play.
Winner of a GH Film Award because: It's a refreshingly different film, with a rare portrayal of America’s slave-trade past. Tipped to be one of the biggest films of 2014, this is top of our must-see list.
Philomena
Synopsis: Director Stephen Frears’ film is based on a true story. A political journalist (Steve Coogan) investigates the story of a woman’s (Dame Judi Dench) search for her son who was taken away from her years before when she was forced to live in a convent.
2014 awards and nominations: Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope picked up the Adapted Screenplay award for Philomena at the 2014 BAFTA awards. The film had 3 Oscar nominations, with Dame Judi Dench up for the Actress in a Leading Role award and with 2 Golden Globe nominations, but it came away empty handed at both events.
Winner of a GH Film Award because: It’s heart-warming to see the companionship form between the two main characters as journalist Martin Sixsmith learns more about Philomena Lee’s tragic story.
Gravity
Synopsis: A medical engineer (Sandra Bullock, pictured second left) and astronaut (George Clooney) strive to survive after disaster hits their work station, leaving them stranded in space.
2014 awards and nominations: It's been a spectacular gong season for the film. Gravity swept the award's board at the BAFTAs this year, with 11 nominations and taking home 6 awards, including Outstanding British Film and Director, plus and awards in (not surprisingly) techie categories; Sound and Special Visual Effects. The film led the Oscar nominations, (along with American Hustle), with 10 nominations, winning 6 of them. Gravity recently won an award (Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón) at the Golden Globes and was a nominee in 3 other categories.
Winner of a GH Film Award because: Aside from a chance to watch George floating across the big screen in 3D (even if it is only for a small amount of time), this is by far one of the most jaw-dropping films we’ve ever seen in terms of special effects.
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