I know what you watched last summer

[dropcap style= boxed]A[/dropcap]s September looms menacingly upon us and summer comes to an end, some of our contributors have a pick of their personal film and television highlights of the summer...Fargo – Eoghan ScottAs you can imagine I was full of trepidation when gearing up to watch the recent ten-part TV adaptation of the Coen Brothers’ blackly comic, 1996 masterpiece, Fargo. The fact that the Coen Brothers themselves had agreed to sign on as Executive Producers lent some credibility to the project, but the cast alone was reason enough to tune in... Featuring excellent performances from Billy Bob Thornton, newcomer Alison Tolman, Colin Hanks, Keith Carradine and a career-best Martin Freeman (sorry Sherlock fans!), Fargo surprised me by being one of the richest, most involving, and intricately crafted series I’ve seen in years. Retaining the juxtaposition of pitch-black humour with small-town sweetness found in the original film, the TV series went down its own distinct path storyline-wise (with a few winks here and there to the original film) and had me on the edge of my seat throughout. So is it worth checking out? You betcha!Jimmy’s Hall – Rachel GogginWhether it was the grainy sounds of the 1930’s ‘new’ jazz or the almost love story which intrigued me, Jimmy’s Hall was certainly my film highlight of summer 2014. Set in post-independence Leitrim, it is a tale full of drama, music, activism and, of course, the Catholic Church. Although there are moments of seriously amateur acting, it simply adds to the frank and truly Irish storyline. 1930s Ireland was not a place of self-expression; it was a hard-line, conservative time where terror reigned through religious intimidation. Political buzz words such as ‘fascist’ and ‘socialist’ are thrown around the script quite a lot. However, the sense of community and the passion for the arts is the focus of Jimmy’s Hall rather than political ties and consequences (as in director Ken Loach’s previous film, The Wind That Shakes the Barley). If you’re looking for an inspirational movie with an Irish twist then Jimmy’s Hall is for you.Boyhood – Daniel William SheehanWhile the immense quality of shows like Orange is the New Black, as well as films like The Lego Movie and Under the Skin, have made my decision difficult, in the end there was only one choice for my highlight in film and TV. Boyhood, directed by Richard Linklater, tells the story of Mason as he goes through his child and teen years, focusing on his relationships with his family along with the regular trials we all face growing up. Filmed over the last 12 years, Boyhood tells a story that is epic in its scale, yet incredibly real and intimate at the same time. For anyone born in the early to mid-90s, this is a film that needs to be seen. It’s like travelling through time in a way no other movie can offer – a truly unique experience. Boyhood proves that there is still originality in filmmaking and is undoubtedly my highlight for the year so far.The Fault in Our Stars – Louise ClancyThe film I was looking forward to the most this year was the adaptation of John Greene’s brilliant best-selling novel, The Fault in Our Stars. The film tells the story of thyroid cancer sufferer Hazel (Shailene Woodley) who is forced to attend a cancer support group by her parents. At the group, she meets and falls for Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), a boy who lost his leg to cancer. Hazel and Augustus grow close, bonding over similar illness experiences. As they attempt to find out what happened to Hazel’s favourite author, Peter van Houten, they eventually develop an undying love for each other. I found it to be a unique film with the right mix of humour and heartbreak. It is perfectly cast and well-acted, especially from the two leads. The film possesses an unforgettable soundtrack featuring Kodaline and M83. The ending made me an emotional mess, which I have not experienced since The Prince of Egypt.Game of Thrones – Conor ShearmanIf an Irish summer is characterised by heavy bursts of rain, then my own summer has been one defined by heavy doses of Game of Thrones. Yes, I am fully aware that it’s been 4,000 years since you first saw it but, being a true hipster, I can only adopt a trend once it has passed. The sheer scale of GoT was the first thing that sucked me in, both in terms of its cinematography and the array of storylines it develops. It really offers the case for TV no longer being the baby brother to cinema. While not exactly ideal summer viewing (picture expansive shots of frozen landscapes punctuated by harsh cries of “winter is coming”), it remained compulsive viewing all the same. Now all I need to do is finish it off before someone spoils it for me (easier said than done!).Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – Cathal DennehyI’m pleased to say that I had to have a good long think when picking my favourite films of 2014. This year in particular was largely dominated by thoroughly entertaining, well-made and, most importantly, intelligent films. It’s a tough choice to make, but I think my top pick of the year would be Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Having built upon the strong foundations laid by 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn improves almost every element, from the characterisation to the action set-pieces. The film’s unique selling point comes in the form of absolutely astounding visual effects by Weta Digital. In what is probably one of the most impressive marriages of real life and CGI to date, this allows Andy Serkis’ Caesar to once again dominate the screen during every scene he’s in. Definitely worth a watch if you’re looking for a summer blockbuster with smarts as well as stunning visuals!