Dallas Buyers Club

Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto shine in this film; Dallas Buyers Club is clearly an actor's movie -- although seemingly an 'Oscar bait' film -- these actors drive, elevate and ultimately sell this film to its outstanding level this year.

What this biopic does so right is that it doesn't feel the need to portray the protagonist, Ron Woodroof, as a saint - he's a homophobic, profit-minded Texan guy. You feel sympathy for him when he's diagnosed with HIV, but his loud-mouthed, foul and discriminatory actions make you see a flawed man... and you lose a bit of that pity. Although it is predictable that you would see a slow transformation of Woodroof, the film also maintains the same outlandish character that he induces from the commencement of the film. Woodroof is extremely flawed, but the screenplay ensures that he is still a likeable yet believable protagonist.

Matthew McConaughey continues his roll of utterly excellent roles, accompanied by Jared Leto - both losing an extreme amount of weight for their roles. However, their physical transformations are only the fundamental aspects of why they bring this film to its ultimate peak. McConaughey takes this film on his scrawny shoulders, making his character compelling, charming yet also heartbreakingly convincing, whereas Leto transforms into Ryon and gives one heart-rendering performance. I would have absolutely no problem seeing these two men grab Oscars... because they give some of the most top-notch performances I've seen this year.

Led by outstanding performances, a solid script which examines the characters well, and direction that pushes its emotional core -- Dallas Buyers Club is a compelling watch.