My Top 10 TV Shows Of 2014

Usually I do a review of the year near the end of December, that has my top 10 films and top 5 TV shows. This year I have decided to do it differently because there has been a lot of good TV I wanted to talk about! So my top 10 films will come later this month, as there are still a few films left to come out. Here are my top 10 shows of 2014:

10. Boardwalk Empire Season 5

Boardwalk Empire has been one of the best shows on TV for the last 5 years. I started watching it from day one and have not been disappointed since. It's had ups and downs every season but thankfully the final season was overall very good. I do feel the finale lacked slightly and cast a shadow over the season but it will still go down as one of the best crime shows ever to be made. 

9. Arrow Season 3

There have been a lot of comic book TV shows this year but Arrow still tops the lot of them. After a stellar second season, the show proved that it was more than just good looks and decent action. Although I don't believe the third season has started as strong as the second it is still pulling its punches and keeping me entertained week after week. I've grown to love all the characters and I can't wait to see what's in store for the rest of the season, especially after it's insane mid-season finale!

8. The Strain Season 1

For me The Strain was the biggest surprise of this list. I never intended on watching this show but one night I sat down and started it. I was not disappointed. The cast is great and the story is gripping. These vampires are real ones and proper scary! It has been a great first season and I cannot wait to see what the show has got in store for it's second.

7. True Detective Season 1

I was really looking forward to True Detective and although it was an incredible piece of drama, it did take a few episodes for me to get into. I may not have loved it as much as some critics claimed too but overall it was an amazing philosophical story. That tracking shot at the end of episode 4 (I think) was also one of the greatest pieces of camera work I have ever seen! It will be interesting to see what the writer does for a follow up.

6. The Leftovers Season 1

The Leftovers has seemed to become one of those shows that you either love of hate. I binge watched it over a weekend and I loved it! I wasn't one hundred percent sure what the show was about but was really surprised and happy to see them jump ahead after such a big supernatural event and look at how the world was affected by it. It was a brilliantly made and a very good looking TV show, I cannot wait to see the story evolve.

5. Homeland Season 4

I've been watching Homeland since day one but never loved it as much as other audience members have, in fact I have almost quit watching it a few times. This season however has really surprised me because I have absolutely loved it! They have done a complete revamp of the show and it now moves at faster pace with big exciting things happening every episode. It feels to me more like a TV version of the Bourne films. Carrie still isn't a very likable character but there has not been a TV show this year that has had me quite as gripped. 

4. Orange Is The New Black Season 2

I loved the first season of Orange Is The New Black and was really looking forward to the second one. Thankfully it did not disappoint and in fact I would say it improved on the first one! I actually like Piper now and there were characters from season one that disliked and now like and characters I liked and now hate. There has been some great writing on the show and some great moments which have been very powerful. Netflix is proving to be one of the best providers of original television, who would have guessed? Bring on season three!

3. House Of Cards Season 2

Yet again another Netflix TV show that improved on it's first season and provided some of the best television this year. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are incredible in their roles and every season the dynamics have changed and I can't wait knowing that season three is going to be even bigger and better than the last. The final moment of the season had me cheering at the TV for more. Such an awesome show!

2. Fargo Season 1

I made sure to watch the film just before starting the show, after doing so I loved how much the series captured the spirit of the original. I think in the end that the show may have even been better than the brilliant film. Martin Freeman showed that he was a very capable actor and the show even put Billy Bob Thornton back on the radar. Such a great and gripping show which had me obsessed from episode one.

1. Game Of Thrones Season 4

After the departure of Breaking Bad last year it was only obvious that Game Of Thrones was going to take it's place as the best show on TV. The world and the characters are so diverse and complex that every episode delivered with a big bang or an important piece of information that changed the dynamic of the war for the Iron Throne. I think the show has really found its legs now and is carrying on with some of the best writing, acting and cinematography not only in the world of TV but in the world of film as well. TV doesn't get better than this! Expect to see this show in the top spot of my list next year as well (I hope!).

Well that concludes my top ten shows of this year. I want to add that shows such as Halt And Catch Fire and The Newsroom were also very close into making it on the list. 

See you soon for my top ten films of the year.

What were your favourite shows of 2014? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!

Broken Hearts Poster!

Here you go readers, the exclusive poster for my short film 'Broken Hearts' which should be online next week (hopefully)! You may have read about this before in previous blog posts but if not the plot goes like this: An anti-romance film, based on a couple whose relationship ends in tragedy. Take a look at the poster below!

Feel free to let me know what you think!

In other news; The other day I watched the film 'Take Shelter'. Here is my short review of the film:

Take Shelter has had great review from critics and mainly positive feedback from audiences online. After doing well in Sundance last year and containing the brilliant Michael Shannon, this was a film I have been eager to watch for a long time. The plot goes like this; Plagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, a young husband and father questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm, or from himself. The film is surprisingly scary in places and (Boardwalk Empire) Michael Shannon's performance is brilliant in the film as the husband. The visual effects are very good and Jessica Chastain's performance is one that is rather heart warming. The only flaws are the great yet underused sub plot of the couple's daughter being deaf. Although it is handled well it would have been better if it had more purpose in the movie. Also the ending leaves you wanting more, but not as in 'this needs a sequel' but as in 'give me 10 more minutes of footage please!' But overall a very good film and another great performance that was snubbed at this years Oscars!

Thanks for reading!

Follow me on twitter @SuperAlexMan

Review of 2011

So 2012 (the ultimate year) is here and 2011 has passed away into the past. But was it a good year for films? Ask me this time last year I would have said yes but ask me now and I would say it wasn't as good as predicted but still pretty awesome. Here is my review of the year for all media types not just film but TV and music also. So since this is film blog we will start with my top 10 films of the year first!

10. Thor
The god of thunder strikes in at number 10! The first of two Marvel movies last year and personally the least favourite of the two. Don't get me wrong it was a good film but lacked some of the brilliance of Captain America. But still got me super excited for The Avengers! And Chris Hemsworth is an awesome Thor! I must say it was hard decision between this and Rise of the Planet of the Apes which was also awesome!

9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Personally not my favourite of the franchise but a pretty action packed finale. The whole world is now suffering from post Potter stress and for me I think it will kick in more this year when we don't get another one.

8. Captain America - The First Avenger
The star spangled man is number 8! Great film that works better then I thought it would, yes it's a bit cheesy but it's called Captain America! Though the the second half of the film feels a bit rushed it's still a great film!

7. Hugo
Yes it was a bit slow! And yes it probably wasn't a film that kids would rush to see but film buffs like myself loved Martin Scorsese's latest film! After all it revolves around the creation of film! And my god was the 3D incredible! Personally for me it was better then Avatar's 3D.

6. Source Code
Duncan Jones has done it again, the who made Moon has made another brilliant film! When I first heard of the film I didn't rush out to see it but when I finally saw it, it blew me away. Probably my most recommended film of the year! Everyone must see it!

5. Submarine
A film  I really wanted to see as soon as I heard about it. Funny man Richard Ayoadem directorial debut and what a cracker it was! Craig Roberts is a brilliant actor and the films wierdness and originality really makes it one of the best of the year! And the soundtrack is the best of the year also!

4. Crazy Stupid Love
One of the suprise hits of the year! Crazy Stupid Love is one of the funniest and heart felt movies of the year. Brilliant film with great acting from babe Ryan Gosling and funnyman Steve Carell.

3. 50/50
Who knew a comedy about cancer could be so heartfelt and emotional. A tough film to sell but there was no way it couldn't make it on this list! I'm still backing Joseph Gordon-Levitt for an Oscar!

2. X-Men First Class
I love superheroes and this is one of the best superhero films I have seen! The best of the series and Micheal Fassbender is one of the best actors around at the moment! So many 'YES!' moments it's unbelieveable!

1. Super 8

What can I say about this film? Truly an incredible experience that brought back to life the classic hits of E.T and Close Encounters and mashed them up into a new original movie! J.J Abrhams is making his name as one of Hollywoods greatest even more clear. What a Director! What a film! And the child acting was some of the best I have seen!

So that concludes my film list of 2011! But What about TV I hear you ask? Well actually thats my next list!

5. Bored to Death
This show is a smart comedy about the life of private detective Jonathon Ames. It is very funny and suprisingly emotional in places. Unfortuantly the show has recently been cancelled which make me very sad indeed.

4. Phsychoville
Not everyone will get this comedy as it is very wierd but for me it is extremely funny! Again it is one of those comedys that can be very on the edge but also quite emotional in places.

3. Boardwalk Empire

What a show. I love period gangstar movies and this is a show that mixes the best of them into one. It is very smart and very powerfull. Now nearing the end of its second season it truly is an epic!

2. Being Human
Another mixture of comedy and drama. One of the best shows on telly. Though I must add I am talking about the original UK version rather then the remake US one. Really is am ust see show that doesnt get enough attention. Not all vampires are vegieterians and glow in the sun! The show is returning this year for its 4th series though I ma optomistic as most of the main cast are leaving. I hope it still is great!

1. The Walking Dead
I didn't think I would be a fan of this show as I am not a big fan of the genre. But now after getting to the mid season finale of the second season it truly is one of the best shows ever made. Not so much about the zombies but more about the people and their journey in this harsh new reality. Very very powerful. The latest episode almost had me in tears!


So thats TV over and now for my faviroute music albums of 2011!

3. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
 A good album from one of the biggest bands around. Better then their last which I did not enjoy that much. Great album!

2. JAY Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne
The collaberation album from heaven. Truly awesome as the rappers produce some of their best music yet. Not as good as Kanye's last album My Dark Twisted Fantasy but still very cool!

1. The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
A great first album for the band which has some great songs with some quite funny lyrics at times. My fav of the year! Check it out!

And that concludes my review of 2011. A good year for film! A great year for TV! An ok year for music! And as you know I already think 2012 will be the most awesome year yet and I hope I am not wrong! Keep following my blog as hopefully this year it will just get bigger and better! And remember With Great Powers Comes Great Responsibility!
Follow me on twitter! @SuperAlexMan