1. Mr Turner
Mike Leigh’s infinitely superior biopic starring a sublime, if grunty, Timothy Spall.
Harrowing – you’ll be harrowed to within an inch of your life – but it’s unflinching look at American slavery will stay powerfully with you unlike, for example, Django Unchained or The Butler
3. Boyhood
Richard Linklater’s epic, heart-warming observational chronicle explores the banality of everyday life without ever being boring; a rare achievement in cinema.
A host of extraordinary women and a sensational soundtrack take this documentary about backing singers to another level, and will take you with it.
5. Paddington
Funny, satirical, political, extremely British and also marmalade, so what’s not to like? Or, even, love?

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