But what were some of the best films of the year? Which ones did I think truly stood out among everyone else. Well, here they are: These are the top 10 films that I managed to see in 2014.
I would also like to mention that this is simply just my list and that these are my opinions. Film is subjective, everyone has an opinion. I welcome your own thoughts on best movies of 2014, but I also please ask that you respect mine.
Before we begin, there are some honorable mentions that JUST missed the cut for the top 10. These are fantastic films, but I thought there were 10 films better than these.
THE HONORABLE MENTIONS
Gone Girl
Big Hero 6
Foxcatcher
X-Men: Days of Future Past
22 Jump Street
How To Train Your Dragon 2
Edge of Tomorrow
Godzilla
And now, onto the list!
#10. Snowpiercer
#9. The Babadook
It's been a pretty bad year for horror movies. From As Above, So Below to Ouija, horror movies this year became rather stale and uninteresting. So it came as a pleasant treat to find this truly terrifying film hidden among the garbage we got this year. What's so great about The Babadook is that rather than relying on showing the creature immediately, it just builds tension throughout the course of the picture, to the point that when the monster IS revealed, you're absolutely terrified as to what will happen. It's exactly what a horror movie SHOULD do, rather than rely on crappy jump scares. The film also benefits from fantastic performances from leads Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman.
#8. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Marvel Studios had a pretty fantastic 2014, and man did they kick things off with a giant bang. Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a film that didn't just improve on The film effortlessly combines usual Marvel and superhero tropes with a whipsmart, edge of your seat political thriller that alters the course of the Marvel Cinematic Universe forever. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo combine wonderful action with great humor and the cast, particularly Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, and Robert Reford, give some excellent performances.
#7. Nightcrawler
I dare you to find a performance more unsettling and downright creepy this year than Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler. As Leo Bloom, Gyllenhaal gives the strongest performance of his career. You can tell underneath the charm and charisma that something almost...evil lies within this character. In addition to a tour de force by Gyllenhaal, the film is a rather impressive directorial debut for screenwriter Dan Gilroy. He makes the nighttime escapades of Leo Bloom feel almost delirious, as we're caught up in the thrill of finding the next big scoop. Part of that also goes to cinematographer Robert Elswit, as he makes the city of Los Angeles look drop dead beautiful and almost haunting at night. But this is mainly Gyllenhaal's show, and he commands every second of it.
#6. Guardians of the Galaxy
If Captain America: The Winter Soldier helped continue Marvel Studios' successful run, then Guardians of the Galaxy solidified them as the most successful makers of comic book films working today. There are so many ways that James Gunn's sci-fi action comedy could have failed miserably. After all, this is a movie featuring a talking raccoon and a tree that says only one sentence. Yet Marvel and Gunn prevailed, delivering a genuinely fun and entertaining summer blockbuster. Gunn makes the movie feel almost as if it's a late 80s, early 90s sci-fi movie (bolstered by the wonderful soundtrack), as I felt the same excitement watching this movie as I did when I watched those types of films as a little kid. Chris Pratt proved he's now a bona fide box office star and the chemistry among him and Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper is incredibly fun to watch. Guardians of the Galaxy is one of Marvel's most obscure comic book heroes, but now they're finally welcomed into the spotlight.
#5. The LEGO Movie
This is not a deep, engaging, drama that makes you question the meaning of life and everything around it. This is a movie involving LEGO Construction Toys and it is easily the best animated movie I have seen this year. When I first heard the phrase, "a movie based on LEGO construction toys," I rolled my eyes, as did most others. But what directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who are two of the best comedy directors/screenwriters working today, do with this movie is not make a 113 minute toy commercial. Rather the film is a celebration about the legacy of LEGO itself and what it means to play with LEGOs: to be your own person. March to the beat of your own drum, and create your own world, not follow the instructions of what others tell you to create. The final 20 minutes of this film is perhaps some of the most surprising and touching scenes I've seen on film this year.
#4. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
How does one improve on a surprisingly enjoyable reboot that surpassed many audiences' expectations? Simple: by expanding upon the groundwork that the first film laid and provide a story that not only delivers great action, but provides thought provoking ideas involving politics, leadership, equality, and the tough choices one must make in order to keep everyone happy. Also, having an ape wield dual frigging machine guns while riding on horseback kind of helps. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was the rare summer film that was not only for the average movie-going audience, but for the thinking man's moviegoer as well. It made you leave the theater actually thinking on what you just saw while also trying to control your heart from racing any further. The idea to set the movie 10 years later was a brilliant move by the screenwriters. In addition, Dawn proved once again why Andy Serkis is the motion capture king, giving one of the best performances of his career returning as Casear. He makes Caesar more world weary, as he is trying to keep the peace between humans and apes. Also equally fantastic? Toby Kebbell as Koba. This character is terrifying to watch, as he wants what Caesar is trying to prevent: all out war against the humans he despises. (Please Academy....take these two into consideration for a nomination at the Oscars this year). Dawn is essentially what Empire Strikes Back was: a film that surpasses its predecessor on every level.
#3. The Grand Budapest Hotel
Wes Anderson is one of the most unique filmmakers working in the industry today. His style, from the characters to the setting to the camera shots themselves give his film their own sense of quirkiness. The Grand Budapest Hotel is the latest in a string of great films that Anderson has made as of late. The film, which focuses on Grand Budapest Hotel owner Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) and his most trusted friend Zero (Tony Revolori) as they recover a priceless painting, is so delightfully charming in its presentation. On a visual aesthetic, the film looks gorgeous, with vibrant colors bouncing off of the screen. The sets themselves look particularly beautiful, with Anderson's minute attention to detail showing in every single frame. The film also boasts some fantastic performances from everyone in the cast, particularly Ralph Fiennes as Gustave. Fiennes turns the charm up to 100%, as he is an absolute delight to watch in every scene he's in. His chemistry with young Zero is also enjoyable, as both react almost nonchalantly to what is going on around them. This is due to the wonderful script by Anderson, which has some of the funniest dialogue I've heard on screen this year. If Anderson keeps making great films at this rate, with now Moonrise Kingdom and this film under his belt, I eagerly await his next project.
#2. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
When Academy Awards season begins later this month, one name should (hopefully) dominate a lot of conversations: Michael Keaton. In Birdman, Keaton gives the best performance of his career. Due to Riggan Thomson's career after starring in the Birdman movies mirroring Keaton's own life, Keaton is able to pull off a lot of the bitterness and longing that Riggan feels. He has everything riding on this Raymond Carver play. If it fails, then he can no longer be considered a serious actor. Keaton manages to showcase this expertly and I can see an Oscar potentially in his future. In addition, the rest of the cast is exceptionally strong. There is not one weak link in the cast everyone comes in and brings their A-game. This is also one of the most biting and brutally honest films about fame and success I have ever seen. Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu creates an honest and very self aware story about fame and being in show business, a story that has no problem in satirizing numerous truths about being famous as well as the acting process (Edward Norton's character is a fine example of satirizing method actors who go DEEP into the role). The film also brilliantly manipulates the whole film into looking as if it is being shot in one take, which is quite a feat as I could barely tell where the cuts were. Birdman is one of the most unique takes on fame shown on screen in a long time, due to its excellent story and brilliant cast.
And the #1 film of 2014 is....
#1. Boyhood
There was no way I was not going to make this #1. Since seeing the film back in August, Boyhood has been the film that has stuck with me the most out of every film I saw this past year. The fact that Richard Linklater was able to shoot this film over 12 years without any kind of hitch is nothing short of incredible, but what really got myself thinking while walking out of the theater is what the film's message is. It's that you aren't defined throughout life by the big moments; the graduations, the birthdays, getting a job etc. Instead, it's the small moments, whether they last an instant or a couple of minutes, that define who you truly are as an individual and what kind of person they'll shape you to be. Every moment that we see of young Mason's (Ellar Coltrane) life is a moment that someone can relate to on a personal level. Coltrane is also backed by a great supporting cast, with Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette delivering career-making performances as Mason's parents, with Ethan Hawke's character Mason Sr. going through his own personal journey over the span of 12 years. Linklater also, rather subtly, lets the audience know what year it is through the use of music or small events, an idea I thought was very well executed. When I see a movie, I want to be entertained, I want to be able to relate and feel for the characters, and I want to be able to walk out of the theater with a lasting impression. Boyhood managed to surpass my highest expectations and still sticks with me to this day. It is for this reason that it is my favorite film of 2014.
So what were YOUR favorite films of 2014? Sound off in the comments below or follow me on Twitter @filmfan108!
Get ready for a couple more of these lists coming out in the next couple of days, as I count down the 10 worst movies I saw in 2014. as well as my 15 most anticipated films for 2015.
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