Atonement (2007) - ★★★★★

Director: Joe Wright
Writers: Ian McEwan (novel), Christopher Hampton (screenplay)
Stars: James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai, Juno Temple, Benedict Cumberbatch

Atonement is one of the most exquisite films I've ever seen. Its style and beauty is reminiscent of classic cinematic masterpieces, such as Gone With the Wind (1939) and Days of Heaven (1978). Yet it has a unique modern element that puts it in a league of its own. Seamus McGarvey's masterful cinematography deserves to be hailed as one of the greatest in cinematic history, whilst the haunting score by Dario Marianelli takes us to an unforgettable time in history, and heightens all the emotion that comes with the story and surroundings. Technically, Atonement is truly perfect. As for the story, performances, and overall effect the movie had on me personally, I say that it was equally as perfect.

12 Years a Slave (2013) - ★★★★½

Director: Steve McQueen
Writers: Solomon Northup (novel), John Ridley (screenplay)
Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Sarah Paulson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti

12 Years a Slave is one of the most important films ever made. It has brought to life a terrible period of history that hasn’t been explored in such a way for a very long time. It’s a remarkably emotional film, that left me swamped with tears and feeling better for having seen it. It’s not quite the masterpiece I expected it to be, but it certainly deserves praise for being one of the best films of the past few years.

It is the true story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), an educated free man who lived in Washington with his family. He is kidnapped and sold into slavery, where he ends up working on the plantation run by a ruthless owner, Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender). 

August: Osage County (2013) - ★★★★½

Director: John Wells
Writer: Tracy Letts
Stars: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Julianne Nicholson, Margo Martindale, Chris Cooper, Juliette Lewis, Ewan McGregor, Abigail Breslin, Dermot Mulroney, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sam Shepard, Misty Upham

There have so far been only two movies from 2013 that have left me with a feeling of elation after watching them. The first was Frances Ha by Noah Baumbach. The second is August: Osage County. It really is one of the most riveting, unforgettable dramas I've ever had the pleasure of watching. It has such a beautiful, indie feel to it because of the humble cinematography and soothing score by two time Oscar winner Gustavo Santaolalla. What astounds me is the phenomenal cast that makes up the characters. There are truly dynamic and powerful moments in this firecracker of a film, but there are also soft touches of reflection and human feeling that really bring the character's to life. Though it has mixed reviews, I found August: Osage County to be one of the most impressive drama's in the history of cinema.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) - ★★★

Director: Peter Jackson
Writers: J.R.R. Tolkien (Novel), Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro (screenplay)
Stars: Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ian McKellen, Ken Stott, Lee Pace, Evangeline Lilly, Orlando Bloom, Benedict Cumberbatch, Stephen Fry, Aidan Turner, Luke Evans

The Desolation of Smaug was quite an entertaining, action-packed, epic adventure. It is a story that should have been adapted into a masterpiece, something as good (if not better) than the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The thing is, Peter Jackson added so much schmaltzy crap that it pretty much ruined any chance of it becoming a masterpiece. This film left out some of the greatest moments in the book, and replaced them with ridiculous sub-plots like a love-triangle and an old vendetta between orc and dwarf. Everything felt cheaper and less exciting in this chapter, save for two exquisite sequences. This movie just didn't have the heart and soul of the other films.

Cloud Atlas (2012) - ★★★★½

Directors: Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Writers: David Mitchell (Novel), The Directors (Screenplay)
Stars: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Doona Bae, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant, Ben Whishaw, Benedict Cumberbatch, Susan Sarandon, Jim Sturgess, Keith David, James D'Arcy

Cloud Atlas is without a doubt the most overlooked movie of the year. In my heart, I give this movie 5 Stars. It swept me away in a world of adventure, romance, sci-fi, horror, action and fantasy. I can't in all consciousness say this is a perfect movie, or rank it as high as films like Lawrence of Arabia. But trust me, it comes pretty darn close to achieving that level. It's an 'epic' in every sense of the word. It's so big, so beautiful, I get emotional just thinking about it. The acting is masterful, the music is among the greatest ever composed, the cinematography is stunning, the special effects astounding, the make-up is wild and amazing... this film 'enchanted me, body and soul.'