Here it is, my list of favorite movies from 2014. Why did it take me so long to put this list together? (it is March after all)
Because a lot of the “best” movies (at least the ones that get awards attention) come out the last week of December and in such a limited release, it takes a couple of months before you can get access to watch them. Most only play in San Francisco, LA, and New York and then it is weeks or months before they get a wide release or not at all and you have to wait for Blu-Ray’s.
Long story short (too late), I’ve finally seen the films I had on my list for 2014 and here’s the breakdown of my favorites:
15) Borgman
This film came out of nowhere this year. A Dutch film about a group of scheming demons (at least that’s my interpretation) that attempt to take over an unsuspecting family’s home. But it also works as an allegory relating to the rich and the poor. Such a creative and twisted premise. Like nothing else I saw this year.
14) Guardians of the Galaxy
This had to be one of the funnest times I had at the movies this year. As soon as Star Lord puts the headphones on and starts dancing, I was sold. There were some problems in the third act with over-action but it was totally forgivable because this was so darn fun.
13) American Sniper
Eastwood does it again. He actually had two pretty great films in one year: Jersey Boys and American Sniper, but Sniper was the one that really stuck with me. I thought this was such an interesting take on the war movie and that ending, thought-provoking. Don’t remember the last time I left a theater with not a single person speaking.
12) The Raid 2
Best action movie in 2014. I thought nothing could top the Raid film but this one-up’s it on every level from car chases, to a mass prison riot, to the most epic showdown between martial artists possibly ever committed to film.
11) Birdman
When I go to the movies, one of the things I’m looking for nearly above all else, is show me something new, bring something new to the table. You’ll notice on this list, there’s a lot of weight put on things that are particularly creative and innovative and Birdman is a great example of this. Keaton rules. Wish he would have won Best Actor. So many things impressed me about Birdman.
10) Starred Up
Jack O’Connell did two performances in the same year that knocked my socks off. His role in Unbroken was very memorable but Starred Up is where I saw him absolutely dominate every scene he was in. This film is brutal, sometimes melancholy, grim, and all-around gripping start to finish.
9) The Lego Movie
When I went to this with my kids, I was not very excited about it. The trailers made it look like just another pop-culture reference comedy in the vein of so many DreamWorks animated films. Boy, was I wrong. This was so much fun, an absolute pleasure to watch. And that ending, so clever. Great theme as well. Couldn’t have been more pleasantly surprised.
8) Blue Ruin
This was another one that I was shocked at how good it was. Best revenge film I’ve seen in a long time. Loved how it showed what revenge reaps when it is sowed. A breakout performance by Macon Blair anchors the whole film. Super intense. One of the best indie films I saw this year.
7) Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
This could make the list just for the amazing CG & motion-capture that looks seamless in many scenes. But what’s even better is the storyline. Conflict throughout, high stakes, smart social dynamics, social commentary, an absolute triumph and even better than Rise. It does the Planet of the Apes series proud.
6) The Babadook
Best horror movie I saw this year. They don’t make them like they used to except, they did this year. The Babadook has all of the great suspense of a Hitchcock film combined with the dread of The Shining, and the twists of an early Polanski film.
5) Locke
An entire movie filmed from inside of the same car with a single driver, making calls on his speaker phone and driving around at night. How can this work? But it’s amazing. Tom Hardy is a force, commanding the camera for the full runtime and it’s totally gripping. Also, great camera work keeping things interesting inside the car. So innovative.
4) The Homesman
Tommy Lee Jones directs the greatest Western film of 2014. It’s got shades of Cormac McCarthy, a huge twist in the end of the 2nd act, the most haunting scene committed to film this year, and incredible performances from the entire cast. Hugely gutsy ending also.
3) Nightcrawler
It’s such a crime that Gyllenhaal didn’t get a Best Actor nomination for this. It’s his best work. I saw this a couple of times and it got better each viewing. I was glued to my seat throughout. What’s makes this film truly one of the greats of 2014 though is it’s social commentary, a cunning indictment of media and local news. Brilliant.
2) Interstellar
This almost made number one. A stunning achievement of film making. Nolan is on such a roll. The special effects deserved the Oscar win. The performances are captivating. That docking scene is one of the most intense of the year. Rewards multiple viewings with its complex storyline and science. Should have been nominated for Best Picture. This one will still be talked about years to come.
1) Whiplash
How could a film about a Jazz drummer and his overbearing conductor turn out to be the best, most intense, most compelling film of the year? It seems impossible and yet, this is my favorite of the year. I nearly had to shower after the first time I saw it because it’s so intense. I sweated the whole way through. Simmons earned every ounce of his Oscar trophy. The filming of the Jazz band instruments sync’d with the music is amazing as well. This beat out every other high-budget blockbuster to be my favorite film of the year.
Honorable Mentions:
The Grand Budapest Hotel – Not my favorite Wes Anderson film but still great. Had a lot of fun with this one. I went back and forth on whether this should make the list.
Joe – Nick Cage did something of value in film this year and it was this. Great performance. The scene with the homeless man and the bottle of alcohol, holy cow.
Chef – I can’t remember a film that better shot food than this. Also, it was a lot of fun.
Edge of Tomorrow – Such a great role for Tom Cruise, playing against type. One of the better sci-fi films this year.
Kill the Messenger – An important film to expose the beginnings of the disaster that today, media has become. When government and media are in agreement, bad things happen as this film shows.
The One I Love – A fun little long form Twilight Zone-like episode with a great twist ending.
The Congress – Hugely innovative. Robin Wright is brilliant in this. It’s not for everyone, actually not for most but I really appreciated what this film attempted.
The Guest – Dan Stevens leaves Downton Abbey and does this and it’s awesome. A total throwback to classic 1980’s action / suspense films with elements of horror. Super fun.
Tracks – There were two films that came out in 2014 about women going on long walking journeys, Wild (which I didn’t love) and Tracks (which I did love).
John Wick – Great action film. Awesome gun play. Kinetic fight sequences. Good update to the action formula.
The Imitation Game – I love this true story so it was fun to see it depicted in a film and done so well. The 3rd act suffers from a lack of purpose but still great.
Two Days, One Night – A great little story about humanity and doing the right thing in spite of the consequences. French film that shows how good of an actress Marion Cotillard is.
The Salvation – The second greatest Western film I saw this year. Good “old style” revenge Western.
2014 was a good year for movies, some great ideas, and awesome emotions captured on film.