Better late than never. 2014 was a terrific year for film;
and a rather diverse year at that. If anything, I sort of with there were more
standout horror films. Nothing could beat last year’s triple punch of The
Purge, The Conjuring, and You’re Next. And where were all the really great
comedies? There were a few keepers like Neighbors, The Interview, and 22 Jump
Street, but there was no truly remarkable classic; there was no “Bridesmaids.”
Otherwise I have hardly anything to complain about with 2014. In fact it was so
hard coming up with just a Top 10 that I had enough movies to make a full Top
20. It must also be said that I had trouble actually deciding which movie
should be first. Any movie in my top 5 could have been my favorite, I actually see
them all pretty much equally. So, enjoy. (Click the movie's title to be taken to my original review)
1) Boyhood (dir. Richard Linklater)
I had no problem coming up with a list of my favorite films
from the year, but I had a difficult time coming up with my absolute favorite.
“Boyhood” is a remarkable achievement, besides the fact that it was a twelve
year project for its cast and crew, it says something great about life and can
mean something different for everyone. I was hesitant to see a nearly three
hour film which, from what I had heard, doesn’t have much of a plot. It
doesn’t; it’s very much full of strung together vignettes of ordinary life. But
it’s oh so fascinating anyways. As the parents Patricia Arquette and Ethan
Hawke are at the top of their game and even if the kids aren’t quite as
seasoned, they’re rather impressive in a naturalistic way. Richard Linklater
has never been a favorite director of mine (this might be the only film of his
I actually really like, crazy I know) though seeing at how great Boyhood makes
me want to check out some of his other films. It’s definitely a must-see, once
in a lifetime type of movie.
2) Gone Girl (dir. David Fincher)
Never underestimate David Fincher paired with a popular
pulpy best-selling novel. I didn’t know much about Gone Girl going in and boy
was I surprised. I can’t imagine would it would be like having read the book
before seeing the movie because it would have been horribly spoiled (That was
my anti-reading PSA for the day). “Gone Girl” is yet another masterpiece. It’s
stylish, exciting, and so twisted and fun I wish the film were even longer.
Fincher and his cast and crew never give us a wasted minute in a gripping story
about society’s general fascination with the media. Rosamund Pike is simply
outstanding as woman who goes missing. For a movie full of secrets and shocking
twists, the marketing department actually did an outstanding job selling this
movie. How this movie only got one Oscar nomination I’ve never know.
3) Whiplash (dir. Damien Chazelle)
I had keep hearing about how the drama “Whiplash,” about a
first year drumming student in a prestigious music conservatory, worked almost
like a thriller. I thought, “Well maybe he kills someone with his sticks or
something and has to cover up the crime?” No, there are do dead bodies or car
chases or murders to be had in “Whiplash” but it’s every bit as thrilling.
Heck, I’d even call it Hitchcockian. The way the film is shot and edited makes
it absolutely suspenseful. The film is basically a game of cat and mouse
between a first year drumming student (Miles Teller) and his ruthless
instructor (Oscar nominee J.K. Simmons). Simmons has a rather extreme teaching
style and Teller wants to be a great jazz musician. It’s an exciting,
stupendously enthralling film that shouldn’t be missed whether you’re into
music or not.
4) Nightcrawler (dir. Dan Gilroy)
“Nightcrawler” is sort of the darker, modern cousin to
“Network.” Both are about the prices people are willing to pay for TV ratings.
Jake Gyllenhaal gives a performance for the ages as Lou, a creepy guy who makes
a living by any means necessary. He eventually falls into “nightcrawling” a
term used to describe the camera guys who go around filming accident and crime
scenes for local news stations. He meets news producer Nina (Rene Russo), who
is willing to put anything on the air. Moral and ethical lines are crossed as
the viewer is constantly pulled into this dark, strange world. The film is a
tenacious work, helmed by a first time filmmaker who is in top form. The film
is thrilling from start to finish.
5) Unbroken (dir. Angelina Jolie)
I still think it’s sort of odd that Angelina Jolie directed
a World War II epic. I also think it’s odd that I find it to be one of the most
moving films of the year. It’s certainly the only film that has brought a tear
to my eye. For some reason, while watching “Unbroken” I became strangely
captivated by the true story of Louie Zamperini, an Italian-American Olympic
athlete and Army veteran who during WW2 had to survive over a month on the
ocean after his plane went down, only to end up as a prisoner of war in a
Japanese detention camp. It’s a story so ridiculous and unbelievable that it
could only happen in real life. Jack O’Connell is simply amazing in the role of
Louie and it’s gorgeously photographed by the one and only Roger Deakins. On
paper this is a film that feels like it was made to win awards (ironically, and
disappointingly it was only nominated in 3 technical categories at the Oscars)
but I found it to be an engrossing, beautiful, and altogether uplifting story
of survival. It’s not the easiest film to watch but I was transfixed by every
minute of it.
6) Birdman (dir. Alejandro González Iñárritu)
The fantastic “Birdman” is really something to behold. First
off, it’s a film that only genius cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki could have
shot because it’s presented as if it were shot in one take. It’s sort of like the
black comedy version of Alfred Hitchcock’s experimental “Rope.” Of course, the
film wasn’t shot in a single take and it’s the genius of the film’s editor
which holds that distinction. The movie tells the story of a washed up actor
known for a trio of hit superhero films (a wonderful Michael Keaton in a role
tailor-made for him) who decides to reinvent himself by writing, directing,
producing, and staring in a Broadway play. On the brink of opening night he’s
also in the midst of having a complete mental breakdown. The film features a
solid ensemble with great turns by Edward Norton, Emma Stone, and Naomi Watts
among others. A truly amusing cinematic experience that demands to be seen more
than once.
7) Guardians of the Galaxy (dir. James Gunn)
Who can complain about superhero movie fatigue when we’re
giving such great films as “Guardians of the Galaxy?” The film is superb on
every level. The film is less concerned with fitting in with the Marvel
Cinematic Universe and more about entertaining the heck out of its audience. It
has all the fun of Indiana Jones and Star Wars all in one. The film wisely
makes the main character instantly relatable
as Star Lord is a human being (played terrifically by Chris Pratt) who’s
love of the songs of the 60s and 70s makes him one of the more memorable comic
book characters of recent memory. He joins up with a ragtag group of
intergalactic beings to help save the galaxy. It’s sheer fun from beginning to
end with an intelligent and witty script, solid action scenes, outstanding
effects, and one of the most memorable soundtracks in quite some time. This
movie is fun with a capital F.
8) Interstellar (dir. Christopher Nolan)
One of the most divisive films of the year is also one of
the most memorable and all-out cinematic. The lengths Christopher Nolan takes
to show us stuff we’ve never seen before is truly amazing. The story isn’t
something we haven’t seen before but he really takes things to the next level.
In the not too distant future, the Earth is dying and the only way to save
humanity is to explore the farthest reaches of the galaxy for a new home. The
film is truly remarkable and it’s on a scale that defies classification. Hans
Zimmer’s organ-infused score is mind-boggling amazing and it’s matched with
dazzling visuals that only someone like Christopher Nolan can give us. And he
doesn’t take the easy way out either: the film’s oft contended ending is
something you either go with or you don’t; it’s certainly nothing you’re
expecting. It’s a truly remarkable cinematic journey that literally meant to be
seen on large IMAX screens.
9) Snowpiercer (dir. Joon-ho Bong)
If you had asked me earlier this year if a movie from a Korean
director would be one of my favorites of the year I’d say you were crazy. Of
course, it’s a (mostly) English-spoken film with a strong foreign film
weirdness to it that somehow works. It’s the story that’s truly fascinating: in
the future, the survivors of Earth’s global warming crisis are forced to live
aboard a non-stop train that circles a snow-covered Earth. A class system has
developed aboard the train with the poor tail people eventually leading a
revolution. This stylish sci-fi thriller features cool effects and outstanding
production design. Also, a standout is the ever weird Tilda Swinton playing one
of her strangest characters; she could be Effie Trinket’s crazy cat lady aunt. Familiar
faces show up including Chris Evans, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, Jamie Bell,
and Ed Harris in one the year’s most flat out entertaining and bizarre films.
10) Under the Skin (dir. Jonathan Glazer)
Speaking of bizarre films, is there anything more downright
weird made this year (or any year) than “Under the Skin?” I didn’t know what to
even make of the film on first viewing. The film stars Scarlett Johansson as an
alien who is sent to Earth to seduce and kill men. I think. That’s the easiest way
to describe it. The film is of note in that there is nary an instance of
exposition. You have to glean from the film what it gives you. You have to
piece together the characters and story. Sure, it’s a lot of work but it’s
worth it. The film’s ultrarealistic approach (even utilizing the hidden filming
of unaware passerbys) is juxtaposed with some of the strangest images ever put
to film. Johannson is revelatory in this truly original fish-out-of-water tale.
It’s like some strange mashup of David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, and David
Cronenberg. It
was a movie I couldn’t stop thinking about… and then days went by, and I still
couldn’t stop. Oh, and that score. Geez that score.
And because ten just aren’t enough, here are ten more amazing
films from this year:
11) Chef
Don’t watch Chef when you’re hungry. This simply delightful
concoction from writer/director Jon Favreau is sort of like a live-action Ratatouille.
Favreau is a restaurant chef who, after a bizarre confrontation with a food
critic, goes out and starts up his own food truck company. Perfectly shot
sequences of food being prepared and eaten follow in one of the most charming
and fun movies of the year.
12) Foxcatcher
At this point Bennett Miller is a forced to be reckoned with.
He’s only directed three films and they have all either been nominated for best
picture (Capote, Moneyball) or he’s been nominated for Best Director (Capote,
Foxcatcher). He also apparently likes one word titles. Foxcatcher is a fascinating
docudrama about eccentric billionaire John Du Pont and his bizarre relationship
with wrestler Mark Schultz and his brother David which eventually leads to
tragedy. Steve Carrell gives an explicably disturbing performance, but the real
standout is Channing Tatum as the introverted wrestling star. A slow-building,
cold psychological thriller.
13) Edge of Tomorrow
There was no bigger surprise this year than Edge of
Tomorrow. When the trailers hit, this seemed to look like any other Tom Cruise
sci-fi action thriller. It looked like Aliens meets Groundhog Day. But then everyone
saw the movie and was blown away by it. Emily Blunt and Cruise make an amazing
team, the design of the aliens is fantastic, and the film is the epitome of
fun. See it.
14) Life Itself
This moving documentary about late critic Roger Ebert failed
to gain an Oscar nomination but that doesn’t take away from its delightful
brilliance. Documentarian Steven James (Hoop Dreams, which was one of Ebert’s
favorite films) followed Ebert around for the past few years during the days of
his deteriorating health following emergency surgery from throat cancer. We see
Ebert, who lost his ability to speak after most of his jaw was removed, as he
prepares for recovery. This is juxtaposed with his entire career as a film
critic, film lover, and even screenwriter – we get to see the ups and down (and
even fights with his late co-star and frenemy Gene Siskel). It’s a terrific
documentation of a beautiful, admirable person’s life and a must-see for anyone
who’s obsessed with movies like Ebert was.
The first of many comic book films that were released this
year and it surprised many, myself included. What made the first Captain
America so great was its World War II setting and style. To me, the film
resembled The Avengers without the Avengers. Boy was I wrong. Captain America: The
Winter Soldier is a stylish and taut action thriller. It’s arguably one of the
best Marvel films and certainly one of the best comic book films of recent
memory. Can’t wait for the next one.
16) The LEGO Movie
Notice how you can’t describe The LEGO Movie without
mentioning that it’s awesome? Because it is. This funny, clever animated hit,
which quickly permeated everyone’s pop culture subconscious with its witty
humor and disturbingly catchy tune “Everything is Awesome” is the Toy Story for
today’s audience. There’s no description that can do this sometimes bizarre,
sometimes frenetic, always fun, piece of pop art justice.
17) Enemy
If “Under the Skin” is the weirdest movie I’ve ever seen,
then “Enemy” is the second weirdest. This strange thriller, from the director
last year’s “Prisoners,” is an Alfred Hitchcock/David Lynch hybrid of strange
but fascinating proportions. Jake Gyllenhaal is a regular joe with a boring
life, but he likes movies. After renting a movie he’s never seen before he
notices an actor in it who is his spitting image. He decides to track the guy
down and confront what seems to be his long lost twin. This is a weird, trippy
movie that is surely not for everyone (and it makes for a great double feature
with equally bizarro “Under the Skin”) and it features probably the most
shocking, random, and downright scary ending to a movie I’ve ever seen.
18) The Babadook
I wouldn’t say 2014 was a banner year for the horror genre
but there were a few shining moments here and there. One of which was the
little seen Australian thriller “The Babadook.” The story concerns a single
mother dealing with the recent death of her husband and trying to raise her
trouble young son alone. The Babadook is a creepy character from what appears to be the most disturbing children’s
book ever written and how he begins to sort of become part of this woman and
her son’s lives. It sort of reminded me of “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare” in a
way and it definitely worth checking out for horror fans everywhere.
An underrated superhero film unjustly ripped to shreds for
some reason, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is even better than the first one (but “Spider-Man
2” remains the ultimate Spidey flick) as it features terrific performances
(with such good chemistry between Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield that it’s
literally electric), outstanding special effects, and a pulse-poundingly
awesome Hans Zimmer score. Many thought the film was overstuffed with villains,
but I thought everything was perfectly balanced; this is definitely no Spider-Man
3.
20) Wild
Reese Witherspoon hasn’t been this charming since winning an
Oscar for 2005’s “Walk the Line;” so it therefore makes sense why she’s
nominated again. “Wild” is another terrific true life story from the director
of last year’s “Dallas Buyers Club.” The film is full of great performances,
though Reese is alone throughout most of it, and the movie’s fragmented
narrative is a delightful journey of redemption.
And just for the heck of it, these movies were great as well:
Big Hero 6
Godzilla
The Interview
Into the Woods
NeighborsAnd here's a fun tribute to the year that was 2014:
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