Award Choices 2015 Part 1: Best Actor/Actress, Best Makeup/Visual Effects

I'm not particularly good at commenting at the technical aspects of films so I'll leave those blank for now...

Best Actor

Winner:

Sir Ian McKellen in Mr Holmes (I've probably repeated myself too many times over on this point, but this is a performance that has stuck with me for quite a while now as my win. A wonderfully calibrated performance of equal poignancy and humour, the perfectly peels off layers of the enigma that is an aged, haunted Sherlock Holmes)

Nominees: (clockwise from top left)

Tom Hardy in Legend (Hardy gives a magnificent depiction of two fascinating characters in themselves, but in scenes where he plays against himself also generating such a fascinating dynamic, that is positively electrifying. He makes a dual performance feel not merely gimmicky but also cool)

Jason Segel in The End of the Tour (wonderfully nuanced work as David Foster Wallace, as Segel carefully implements Wallace's mannered intellectualism as part of the essence of the man, anc delivers a funny, moving and haunting perfomance as an intelligent but troubled man)

Matt Damon in The Martian (simple, straightforward yet terrific leading man work as Damon gives a realistic portrayal of a man being worn down by the odds and elements against him, as well as an inspiring depiction of his intellect, resilience and humour)

Michael Fassbender in Macbeth (not normally a massive fan of Fassbender but this is a glorious performance. The Bard's language flows beautifully from his mouth, and the release of pent up energy is so skilfully handled, truly a great performance)

Honourable Mentions:
6. Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant
7. Michael B. Jordan in Creed
8. Ben Mendelsohn in Missisipi Break

9. Abraham Attah in Beasts of No Nation

10. Johnny Depp in Black Mass

11. John Boyega in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

12. Jesse Eisenberg in The End of the Tour
(this year is so strong I could've constructed a second set of Best Actor nominees, and still missed out on two other incredibly deserving performances:

Redmayne: A good performance mostly with some excellent moments, let down slightly by some of his mannerisms that seem awakrd and out of character.



Best Actress

Winner:

Rooney Mara in Carol (sublime Celia Johnson-esque work as Mara so beautifully sets up the shy and retiring nature of Therese, and by slowly transitioning her out of a shell, gives a magnificently subtle, and also just plain magnificent, piece of work. With just her gazes alone she'd be wprthy pf the Oscar)

Nominees: (clockwise from top left)

Saoirse Ronan in Brooklyn (entrancing work as Ronan makes the arc of her homesick Irish lass so moving and yet so rich in colour. There is not a wasted moment in her performance and she carries the film and its beautiful tone so well.)

Cate Blanchett in Carol (flawless depiction of a New York socialite as the mannerisms are just so well done, she is effectively stylized but also nails her emotional scenes, also has brilliant chemistry with Mara)

Emily Blunt in Sicario (extremely underrated work as Blunt makes so much of her blunt, no-nonsense badass character by firstly being such a convincing action hero, and also tenderly revealing the character's fears and insecurities in a heartbreaking way)

Carey Mulligan in Far From the Madding Crowd (equally underrated work as the perfect Bathsheba. She generates a fascinating chemistry with two of her co-stars, and the fact she makes something out of Tom Sturridge's trainwreck of a performance is an achievement in itself worthy of awards attention)

Honourable Mentions:

Charlize Theron in Mad Max

Carey Mulligan in Suffragette

Daisy Ridley in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Charlotte Rampling in 45 Years

Alicia Vikander in Testament of Youth

Best Makeup/Hairstyling

 Winner:

Mad Max Fury Road

Nominees:

Star Wars The Force Awakens

Black Mass

Ex Machina

Crimson Peak

Visual Effects:

Winner:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Nominees:

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

Ex Machina

Jurassic World