As the London Film Festival comes to a close this weekend, we've taken a look back at the astounding array of films that have been presented at this year's showcase.
The vast selection of films being debuted - from small, charming independent numbers to potential box office toppers span seemingly every possible genre, but our focus here are the movies that both represent and feature key MurdockMan qualities. From slick and dapper leading men to intelligent themes and stylish settings, let us present you with our nominated highlights and favourite picks:
Saving Mr Banks:
As one of the most publicised and featured films on the Festival's calendar, John Lee Hancock provides his account of the true story behind Mary Poppins' journey to the big screen. Packed with emotion, humour and depth in storytelling, a fantastic cast is lead by Emma Thompson as PL Travers, joined by Tom Hanks looking the classic, dapper, gentlemanly part as he portrays Walt Disney.
Captain Phillips:
Tom Hanks has naturally become a figurehead for this year's festival, playing his part in two of the biggest films on the bill. As Captain Richard Phillips, we see the same man that fits so gracefully in Walt Disney's sharp suit with a slick haircut provide audiences with a much rawer shade of masculinity. Rugged, earnest and in a desperate situation, this intensified side of Hanks is sure to steal the show in Paul Greengrass' dramatisation of the 2009 hijacking of a US container ship.
The Double:
Richard Ayoade's directorial talent brings us Jesse Eisenberg's beat down and directionless character who sees his confident, more successful doppelganger join the same company as him and effortlessly work his way up the ladder. Ayoade's brilliance in dark humour, bold irony and emotive impact collide with Fyodor Dostoevsky’s celebrated novel to provide a distinctly contemporary update of a literary classic.
La Belle et la Bête:
Jean Cocteau’s Gothic fantasy has been digitally restored to mark the 50th anniversary of the director's death. Having access to the diary kept by Cocteau during filming, this updated version has taken accurate notes from the director to complete the originally intended look and sound of his film. Pivotal Gothic elements within this classic convey a truly deep and dark tale from a director affected by attention to style throughout all of his work.
Parkland:
Approaching the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's assassination, Journalist Peter Landesman’s debut feature re-creates the events of the day and the period that followed from the perspectives of the working people directly involved. Not just sharp suits and slick haircuts, but immense character performances and truly broad detail complete this dynamic portrayal.
As I Lay Dying:
This year James Franco has appeared to have been creatively busier than ever - if such a thought is possible. Intelligence, filmmaking craft and attention to detail provide an accurate cinematic take on William Faulkner's 30s novel that is set to provide some immense visual inspiration for men worldwide.
Inside Llewyn Davis:
The Coen Brothers look to provide as true and honest a portrayal of the early 1960s folk era as possible, and it appears they have achieved just that. A splendid cast meet fantastic music production and the end result is an intimately attractive account of a young musician trying to make it as a solo artist.
Kill Your Darlings:
Daniel Radcliffe plays a young Allen Ginsberg in John Krokidas' feature, as we see him desperate to escape from his academic prison and figure out the man he wants to be. Appearing stylised to a tee, this looks like a film fit for wardrobe inspiration as much as pure cinematic pleasure.
The Last Impresario:
Labelled as 'the most famous person you've never heard of', Gracie Otto's bio-documentary of Michael White puts the spotlight on the man who produced over 300 shows (Rocky Horror..) and movies (Monty Python's Holy Grail..) over the last 50 years. Interviews with close friends spanning Anna Wintour and Kate Moss, as well as speaking to White himself provide the most open insight into the life and career of the man who irrevocably shaped the cultural scene of 1970s London.
Hello Carter:
Making his directorial debut, Anthony Wilcox presents an alternative take on the rom-com format. Lead character Carter has had a bad year to say the least, and upon attempting to turn things around, events take a wild, spiralling turn and spread across the capital.
Locke:
Formerly publicised MurdockMan Tom Hardy makes his screen return in Steven Knight's tale of a structural engineer's car journey to London from Wales. The footage was entirely shot over 8 days and focuses on the evening before a seminal step in Ivan Locke's (Hardy) career. As one mistake leads to a complete breakdown in control of his life, the atmosphere of the film is tightly concealed within the interior of the car, providing an undeniable level of cinematic intensity.
All Images © BFI