I don't know how to make top 10 lists like normal people so I just made a top 30 list instead. I can't decide if I liked Nymphomaniac or not so I just left it off. I also have not seen Selma, American Sniper, Unbroken, Fury or Still Alice.
I didn't like Enemy as much as Prisoners, maybe the spider imagery was a bit much, and I wouldn't call it Jake Gyllenhaal's best work (see below) but I was certainly intrigued throughout, I liked how the story moved at a fast pace, and Jake gave 2 strong performances. Oh and I know it won't please everyone but I thought the ending was pretty awesome.
29. Palo Alto
Palo Alto is built out of familiar parts but it still manages to feel fresh somehow. Maybe it's due to Emma Roberts giving another excellent performance (same with Jack Kilmer and Nat Wolff), maybe it's Gia Coppola's assured direction, maybe I just related to it. But there's something about the movie that definitely hooked me in.
Palo Alto is built out of familiar parts but it still manages to feel fresh somehow. Maybe it's due to Emma Roberts giving another excellent performance (same with Jack Kilmer and Nat Wolff), maybe it's Gia Coppola's assured direction, maybe I just related to it. But there's something about the movie that definitely hooked me in.
28. 22 Jump Street
I thought it sometimes got a bit too meta actually, but still a really funny film that never tries to be anything more than a fun summer comedy which is absolutely fine.
I thought it sometimes got a bit too meta actually, but still a really funny film that never tries to be anything more than a fun summer comedy which is absolutely fine.
27. Snowpiercer
Snowpiercer's train car metaphors may be a bit too obvious but with its fluid and violent action scenes that don't rely on flashy effects, I didn't really care. It's an exciting movie and doesn't feel like it's holding anything back.
Snowpiercer's train car metaphors may be a bit too obvious but with its fluid and violent action scenes that don't rely on flashy effects, I didn't really care. It's an exciting movie and doesn't feel like it's holding anything back.
26. X-Men: Days of Future Past
The time travel logic might not make sense if you think about it, but I was having too much fun to think about it. Days of Future Past shows the X-men franchise at its finest. Still featuring great effects without resorting to the Man of Steel route of destroying EVERYTHING in sight, it also has the fantastic performances we've come to love but refreshingly has Hugh Jackman let some of the other actors take center stage this time.
25. Inherent Vice
I'm tempted to put this higher on the list. Inherent Vice is hard to rank because it's not really like anything else and thus is hard to properly compare to other movies. The plot is very, very confusing but the characters are well written and funny and Paul Thomas Anderson does a good job at immersing you into the film's universe. It does lack the emotional resonance of PTA's best work but it's still a really fun movie and features what could be Josh Brolin's best performance to date.
I'm tempted to put this higher on the list. Inherent Vice is hard to rank because it's not really like anything else and thus is hard to properly compare to other movies. The plot is very, very confusing but the characters are well written and funny and Paul Thomas Anderson does a good job at immersing you into the film's universe. It does lack the emotional resonance of PTA's best work but it's still a really fun movie and features what could be Josh Brolin's best performance to date.
24. Obvious Child
It's a film I would never recommend to anyone who's pro-life but I thought it was really well-written, entertaining, and refreshingly straightforward. Jenny Slate did an amazing job and I hope we can see her in more lead roles.
It's a film I would never recommend to anyone who's pro-life but I thought it was really well-written, entertaining, and refreshingly straightforward. Jenny Slate did an amazing job and I hope we can see her in more lead roles.
23. Guardians of the Galaxy
Maybe it would be higher on the list for some people. I guess I didn't think it completely redefined action movies or anything, but it did have a talking raccoon with a gun killing people with a giant tree and that's all that really matters.
22. Edge of Tomorrow
The ending still doesn't make sense to me, but Edge of Tomorrow was so much fun throughout that I almost feel like it should be higher on the list. Tom Cruise proves that he can still do awesome action movies, Emily Blunt proves that she's more badass than Tom Cruise, and Bill Paxton has an accent from Kentucky. It doesn't get more fun than that. I was also shocked by how funny the film was. I'm glad the movie didn't take itself too seriously.
21. Interstellar
I feel like Interstellar was sometimes a bit too ambitious for its own good, but I still gotta appreciate it for being so ambitious. It's not Christopher Nolan's best film but the emotional resonance reminds me why he's such a good filmmaker.
20. The Drop
The plot might have a few too many questions left unanswered but it's actually kind of nice that the film doesn't spell everything out to the audience. The Drop also reminded me why Tom Hardy is such an amazing actor and also features a wonderful sendoff for the late great James Gandolfini, playing a character very different from Tony Soprano. It also deserves points for having one of the cutest dogs in film history.
I feel like Interstellar was sometimes a bit too ambitious for its own good, but I still gotta appreciate it for being so ambitious. It's not Christopher Nolan's best film but the emotional resonance reminds me why he's such a good filmmaker.
The plot might have a few too many questions left unanswered but it's actually kind of nice that the film doesn't spell everything out to the audience. The Drop also reminded me why Tom Hardy is such an amazing actor and also features a wonderful sendoff for the late great James Gandolfini, playing a character very different from Tony Soprano. It also deserves points for having one of the cutest dogs in film history.
19. A Most Wanted Man
It was a bit uncomfortable watching this film as its Phillip Seymour Hoffman's final leading role, but I'm glad that he went out on a high note. I don't mind a fast paced spy action blockbuster, but it's nice to see an old fashioned slow burn spy thriller with lots of moral ambiguities. The ending definitely sticks with you.
18. We Are the Best
Telling the story of three Swedish girls who form a Punk Rock band, We Are The Best manages to be nostalgic, sweet, and funny with an excellent soundtrack and great acting.
Telling the story of three Swedish girls who form a Punk Rock band, We Are The Best manages to be nostalgic, sweet, and funny with an excellent soundtrack and great acting.
17. The Theory of Everything
It follows a pretty standard biopic format and probably doesn't focus enough on Stephen Hawking's work, but the film features two excellent performances from Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones who fully embody their characters and make you care for them.
16. The Lego Movie
There's nothing to say that hasn't been said. It's simply refreshing to see a film so consistently funny from beginning to end, even if I have mixed feelings about how the plot develops in the final 10 minutes. Definitely snubbed by the Oscars.
15. Calvary
Calvary reminds me once again that Brendan Gleeson is one of the best actors working today. Directed by John Michael McDonagh, this film is much darker than his previous film, The Guard, but just as compelling. It tackles a lot of weighty themes and features one of the most powerful endings of the year.
Calvary reminds me once again that Brendan Gleeson is one of the best actors working today. Directed by John Michael McDonagh, this film is much darker than his previous film, The Guard, but just as compelling. It tackles a lot of weighty themes and features one of the most powerful endings of the year.
14. The Raid 2
The Raid 2 quickly separates itself from the first film due to its lack of...raids. But I appreciated that the movie wasn't just a rehash of the first film and manages to stand on its own 2 feet. In fact, I think it's better than the first one. It's not a groundbreaking story, but it's interesting enough to hold my attention for its 150 minute running time and features some of the most suspenseful and exciting action scenes I've ever seen.
The Raid 2 quickly separates itself from the first film due to its lack of...raids. But I appreciated that the movie wasn't just a rehash of the first film and manages to stand on its own 2 feet. In fact, I think it's better than the first one. It's not a groundbreaking story, but it's interesting enough to hold my attention for its 150 minute running time and features some of the most suspenseful and exciting action scenes I've ever seen.
13. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Everyone likes talking about Guardians of the Galaxy but it's Captain America: The Winter Soldier that's really stuck with me. It's filled with amazing action setpieces, doesn't overwhelm the audience with CGI, and features a lot of thought provoking political commentary without hammering the audience over the head with it. A perfect blockbuster in my opinion.
12. Frank
On the surface, Frank seems like a silly comedy but with Michael Fassbender as the title character, it shouldn't surprise anyone that it's so much more than just that. Fassbender continues to prove his versatility as an actor and the film manages to deal with some darker themes without resorting to off putting tonal shifts. And you gotta love the music.
On the surface, Frank seems like a silly comedy but with Michael Fassbender as the title character, it shouldn't surprise anyone that it's so much more than just that. Fassbender continues to prove his versatility as an actor and the film manages to deal with some darker themes without resorting to off putting tonal shifts. And you gotta love the music.
11. Wild
Wild features what is easily Reese Witherspoon's best performance since she won an Oscar 9 years ago for Walk the Line. Unlike Walk The Line, this film 100% belongs to Witherspoon and nobody else. She dominates every frame and allows us to root for Cheryl Strayed while not ignoring her flaws.
Wild features what is easily Reese Witherspoon's best performance since she won an Oscar 9 years ago for Walk the Line. Unlike Walk The Line, this film 100% belongs to Witherspoon and nobody else. She dominates every frame and allows us to root for Cheryl Strayed while not ignoring her flaws.
10. The Imitation Game
It was a bit hard to know what to think about The Imitation Game going into it. There's a very powerful (and angering) story to be told, but do we really need to see Benedict Cumberbatch play another eccentric and anti-social genius? But the film makes the most out of its emotional story, balancing Alan Turing's achievements and personal life quite well and allows Alan Turing to be wonderfully multi-faceted and not just Sherlock in WWII. Cumberbatch gave what could be his best performance to date, but I'm sure there will be plenty more strong work to come.
9. Blue Ruin
In spite of being funded on a Kickstarter, Blue Ruin's low budget never really showed. A non-flashy, straight to the point (deconstruction of) revenge film(s), Blue Ruin also features a wonderful and quiet performance from its lead actor Macon Blair and some of the most intense and suspenseful set pieces of the year, all grounded in a sense of reality.
8. Locke
Locke is a film about Tom Hardy in a car for 84 minutes talking to various people on the phone and it didn't bore me for a second. Tom Hardy continues to prove himself as one of the finest actors today with what could be his best performance to date. More than just that, it's a film with complex moral dilemmas that will stress out the viewer as much as the title character.
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel
I'm a big Wes Anderson fan and I think The Grand Budapest Hotel is his best film to date and it's a pleasant surprise to see the film get the love it's gotten from the Academy, especially when you consider how non Oscar baity it is. I had no idea Ralph Fiennes could be so funny. I always knew he was a great actor but I didn't think he had THAT much range. The directorial style and art direction make it obvious that it's a Wes Anderson film and there's nothing wrong with that in my opinion. Like his past work, it's a beauty to look it, very funny, and filled with wonderful ideas.
6. Nightcrawler
SNUBBED! I've said it before and I'll say it again. Jake Gyllenhaal was snubbed by the Oscars. In my mind, the competition for Best Actor should be between Michael Keaton and Jake Gyllenhaal. Instead it's between Michael Keaton and Eddie Redmayne and Gyllenhaal wasn't even nominated. A scene involving Gyllenhaal's character screaming at a mirror is highlighted in the trailers but his performance really shines due to the subtle moments, the scenes where his character Lou just doesn't seem to "get" basic morality. Besides Jake's great performance, there's the strong work from Rene Russo and Riz Ahmed and the film's brilliant commentary on both the media and the economy. A promising directorial debut from Dan Gilroy.
5. Boyhood
You might just know Boyhood as that movie that was filmed over 12 years with that whiny teenager, but it felt like so much more than that. I guess I loved it because it drew me in so easily. I cared about Mason, I cared about his mother and father (played wonderfully by Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke), and I loved revisiting the early years of the 21st century. I loved the way it was straightforward and simple though I understand why that wouldn't appeal to some people. But I loved seeing this honest portrayal of growing up with no big moral messages or judgments to make. I guess I have a soft spot for something that feels so relatable and real.
4. Birdman
You might just know Birdman as that movie where Michael Keaton plays a character with similarities to himself or as that movie that appears to all be done in a single take, but like Boyhood, it felt like so much more than just the gimmicks on the surface. First off, Keaton's performance is absolutely terrific but so is everyone: Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Amy Ryan, Zack Galifinakis. It deftly switches between comedy and drama, has an amazing score, beautiful cinematography and tons of 3-dimensional characters. What's not to like?
3. Whiplash
In my review I described Whiplash as one of the most stressful films I've ever seen. It effortlessly puts you into the shoes of its protagonist and you feel like you're experiencing everything he is. Featuring two outstanding performances from Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, Whiplash asks a lot of tough questions but trusts the audience enough to let them come to their own conclusions. Everyone involved with this film should have a bright future ahead of them.
2. Foxcatcher
Foxcatcher was supposed to came out last year before being unexpectedly delayed a day after the first teaser came out. As a fan of Bennett Miller and being fascinated by the film's true story, it soon became my most hyped film of 2014. While I've heard other people share their complaints, it's been called slow, pointless, silly etc., I just can't say I feel the same way. I thought Foxcatcher was brilliant in every way. Not a second felt wasted. Carell was wonderfully creepy, Channing Tatum deserved far more Oscar buzz, and Mark Ruffalo shows the beauty of subtle acting. From it's quiet opening to heated finale, Foxcatcher had my eyes glued to the screen and I'd rewatch it in an instant.
1. Gone Girl
David Fincher is my favorite contemporary director and Fight Club is my #1 favorite movie of all time so I hope I'm not too biased when I call Gone Girl my favorite movie of the year, but it's my favorite movie of the year. Ben Affleck gives his best performance to date and it's a crime that he didn't get any Oscar buzz. But the film belongs to Rosamund Pike. Her performance as Amy is one of the greatest performances in film history. This is by far one of the most fascinating films I've ever seen. More than just a dark stylish thriller, it's the story of a marriage. It deals with assumptions, deceit, the media, and gender roles and at 149 minutes, the film never drags. Like all of Fincher's films, it's beautifully shot and has an amazing score that gets your blood pumping. It's also a crime that Gillian Flynn (who also wrote the novel) didn't get a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination at the Oscars, because if there was any justice in the world, she would win. Destined to be controversial, Gone Girl is a film with so much more than on the surface and after nearly 4 months, I still haven't stopped thinking about it.
So yeah, that's my list. tl;dr
30. Enemy
29. Palo Alto
28. 22 Jump Street
27. Snowpiercer
26. X-men: Days of Future Past
25. Inherent Vice
24. Obvious Child
23. Guardians of the Galaxy
22. Edge of Tomorrow
21. Interstellar
20. The Drop
19. A Most Wanted Man
18. We Are the Best
17. The Theory of Everything
16. The Lego Movie
15. Calvary
14. The Raid 2
13. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
12. Frank
11. Wild
10. The Imitation Game
9. Blue Ruin
8. Locke
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel
6. Nightcrawler
5. Boyhood
4. Birdman
3. Whiplash
2. Foxcatcher
1. Gone Girl
So yeah, that's my list. tl;dr
30. Enemy
29. Palo Alto
28. 22 Jump Street
27. Snowpiercer
26. X-men: Days of Future Past
25. Inherent Vice
24. Obvious Child
23. Guardians of the Galaxy
22. Edge of Tomorrow
21. Interstellar
20. The Drop
19. A Most Wanted Man
18. We Are the Best
17. The Theory of Everything
16. The Lego Movie
15. Calvary
14. The Raid 2
13. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
12. Frank
11. Wild
10. The Imitation Game
9. Blue Ruin
8. Locke
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel
6. Nightcrawler
5. Boyhood
4. Birdman
3. Whiplash
2. Foxcatcher
1. Gone Girl
No comments:
Post a Comment