My Personal Top 15 Favorite Films of 2014
A list of my 15 favorite films I saw in 2014 with arbitrary ratings alongside them.
Honorable Mentions:
22 Jump Street
Big Hero 6
Chef
The Guest
How to Train Your Dragon 2
John Wick
The Raid 2
The Theory of Everything
Honorable Mentions:
22 Jump Street
Big Hero 6
Chef
The Guest
How to Train Your Dragon 2
John Wick
The Raid 2
The Theory of Everything
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- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsMiles TellerJ.K. SimmonsMelissa BenoistA promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.Full Metal Jacket at Juilliard. Director Damien Chazelle's directorial feature film debut is electrifyingly brilliant. Miles Teller, in the role of aspiring drummer Andrew Neiman, proves that he is indeed a dramatic actor who is a force to be reckoned with. However, J.K. Simmons, as jazz instructor Terrence Fletcher... Is an absolute revelation. His critical monologues are very reminiscent of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman from Full Metal Jacket, and his performance happens to be my absolute favorite of 2014. The score is fantastic, the cinematography is beautiful, the direction brings the intensity of a war film, even though it's about one man's passion for music, the film is edited extremely well, and the writing is absolutely incredible, exploring whether your passion is worth going through hell to achieve, or if all of the fighting just isn't worth the effort to make your dreams become a reality. The ending however... One of the best endings to a film ever written... People just don't make films like this anymore. Whiplash was an unforgettable experience to behold in the theatre, and is without a doubt the best film that I saw in 2014.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsRalph FiennesF. Murray AbrahamMathieu AmalricA writer encounters the owner of an aging high-class hotel, who tells him of his early years serving as a lobby boy in the hotel's glorious years under an exceptional concierge.This is among Wes Anderson's best work he's made to date. The world that he crafts is so incredibly original and charming, and the direction and screenwriting he puts into this film is nearly perfect. Ralph Fiennes in my opinion isn't getting enough praise for his fantastic performance as Gustave H, the concierge at the hotel. The rest of the ensemble cast, including Jeff Goldblum, Willem Dafoe, Bill Murray, and newcomer Tony Revolori, are equally as brilliant. However, the film truly excels at creating nail-biting suspense in outrageous situations. This is one of Wes Anderson's best, walking the line between folly and genius with ease.
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsMichael KeatonZach GalifianakisEdward NortonA washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.Alejandro G. Iñàrritu's drama/comedy about redemption is the most original film released this year. The film, masterfully filmed by cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (Oscar-winning cinematographer for Gravity), is made to look like one continuous shot. Michael Keaton gives the performance of his career, and is likely to win the Oscar come February 22nd. Edward Norton, Emma Stone, and the rest of the ensemble cast are fantastic in this film as well. This film has the best screenplay of the year, exploring topics from film criticism, to giant, green screen, CGI blockbusters, to doing what you want to do or doing what other people want you to do. This film is Génial. It's as simple as that.
- DirectorDan GilroyStarsJake GyllenhaalRene RussoBill PaxtonWhen Louis Bloom, a con man desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story.One of the greatest character studies I've ever seen. Jake Gyllenhaal is by far my favorite performance of 2014 as Lou Bloom. He disappears into his character on screen as he collects footage of crimes as they occur to make a profit from local news channels along with his "business partner" he found on the street, played incredibly well by Riz Ahmed. The screenplay by Dan Gilroy offers features some of the best dialogue of the year, particularly in Gyllenhaal's longer monologues to Rene Russo, who is also fantastic in this film, while examining the how far the media stretches the truth in the stories they show on the evening news just to make a profit.
- DirectorDoug LimanStarsTom CruiseEmily BluntBill PaxtonA soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies.The most underrated film of the summer movie season, this Groundhog Day with guns, aliens, and Bill Paxton scenario is endlessly watchable. Doug Liman directs the action in this film with deft skill. Tom Cruise played against character type and proves that he is still a viable action star, and Emily Blunt is kicks a ton of butt as Tom Cruise's trainer/love interest. The film also has bursts of dark humor that help elevate the movie above a standard action film. Good job, Doug Liman. Well done, sir.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsBen AffleckRosamund PikeNeil Patrick HarrisWith his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.David Fincher once again proves he is one of the best directors working today. His direction in Gone Girl is practically perfect from shot to shot. Gillian Flynn's adaptation of her own novel of the same name brings a dark, witty, and original mystery movie to the big screen. While Ben Affleck and Tyler Perry shine in their respective roles, it's Rosamund Pike, who plays "Amazing Amy," that gives what I consider to be the best performance by an actress in 2014. The score by Nine Inch Nail's Trent Reznor and the cinematography are perfect compliments to the dark tone set in the film's themes regarding marriage and the media.
- DirectorPhil LordChristopher MillerStarsChris PrattWill FerrellElizabeth BanksAn ordinary LEGO construction worker, thought to be the prophesied as "special", is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the LEGO universe into eternal stasis.Phil Lord and Chris Miller's incredibly self-aware, and at often times hilarious, animated film is quite possibly the biggest surprise of 2014. The comedy in the film was always spot on and never missed a beat leaving not a single dull moment throughout the film's 101 minute runtime. The voice cast all do fantastic work here, particularly Will Arnett as Batman and Liam Neeson as Good Cop/Bad Cop. And the film also has a surprising amount of heart, and this all is even more impressive coming from a film that's basically a glorified commercial for the LEGO brand.
- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsEllar ColtranePatricia ArquetteEthan HawkeThe life of Mason, from early childhood to his arrival at college.Richard Linklater's Boyhood is a remarkable cinematic achievement in the history of cinema. Over the course of 12 years, Linklater met with his cast and crew to shoot a "short film" for about 5 days each year. The result is nothing short of a masterpiece. Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke give incredible, heartfelt performances as the boy's Mother and estranged Father respectively. Ellar Coltrane also gives one of the best performances by a young actor I've seen in the last couple of years. However, it's Linklater's directing and writing, which allows him to convey his understanding of growing up and coming of age, that puts this film among cinema's greatest milestones.
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansSamuel L. JacksonScarlett JohanssonAs Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.This film proves that Captain America can be really awesome! Marvel also made Black Widow even cooler than she ready was, introduced an amazing villain in the form of the Winter Soldier, and was a superbly made spy/action/thriller made by the Russo brothers who up to the date of the film's release were primarily known for directing comedy. I can't wait to see what this team does in 2016 with Civil War!
- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.Marvel's Avengers Lite. Director James Gunn has turned one of Marvel's most unknown properties into the highest grossing film of the year domestically. Chris Pratt is fantastic as Peter Quill, and is officially a bankable action star. Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista are awesome as Gamora and Drax respectively. But Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper as Groot and Rocket Raccoon steal the show as "The Giving Tree" and a talking raccoon. "THE GIVING TREE" AND A TALKING RACCOON! James Gunn and Nicole Perlman also wrote a fantastic adapted screenplay filled with a perfect balance of drama and laugh out loud moments. I can't wait to see the Guardians return in 2017, and am excited to see where they go from here.
- DirectorBong Joon HoStarsChris EvansJamie BellTilda SwintonIn a future where a failed climate change experiment has killed all life except for the survivors who boarded the Snowpiercer (a train that travels around the globe), a new class system emerges.Joon-ho Bong's sci-fi/action film is a movie that understands exactly how to be dark and gritty while still being an incredibly exciting and enthralling experience. The action scenes are white-knuckle intense and the social commentary about economic classes and gaps between the rich and the poor are fascinating within the context of the dystopian future the film takes place in. The film also has incredible performances from its ensemble cast, particularly from Tilda Swinton and Chris Evans.
- DirectorMatt ReevesStarsGary OldmanKeri RussellAndy SerkisThe fragile peace between apes and humans is threatened as mistrust and betrayal threaten to plunge both tribes into a war for dominance over the Earth.Matt Reeves' sequel to the 2011 reboot of the Apes franchise 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' builds upon everything that made 'Rise' the surprisingly good popcorn film it was and makes a slow-burning, introspective drama that examines the desperation of humanity in trying in times, as well as themes of family, trust, and unity among Ceasar's tribe. Andy Serkis gives a very emotional and moving performance as Ceasar, and the visual effects work in the movie, particularly with the motion capture of the apes, is nothing short of revolutionary.
- DirectorMorten TyldumStarsBenedict CumberbatchKeira KnightleyMatthew GoodeDuring World War II, the English mathematical genius Alan Turing tries to crack the German Enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians while attempting to come to terms with his troubled private life.Morten Tyldum's biopic about Alan Turing is purely sensational. Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley are excellent in their roles as Alan Turing and Joan Clarke respectively, and the screenplay by Graham Moore is extremely well written. This film's focus on not just Turing's work in enigma, but also his also his homosexuality that he keeps hidden throughout most of his life, is what puts this film among the best biopics made in recent memory.
- DirectorBryan SingerStarsPatrick StewartIan McKellenHugh JackmanThe X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.Days of Future Past has Bryan Singer returning to the director's chair in the X-Men franchise for the first time since X2: X-Men United, and what a triumphant return it was. The casts of First Class as well as the original X-Men trilogy converge in this film, and results are nothing short of riveting. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender once again deliver excellent performances as Professor X and Magneto respectively, and Evan Peters as Quicksilver gave us the action sequence of the entire summer.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsMatthew McConaugheyAnne HathawayJessica ChastainWhen Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.While this didn't quite live up to my personal expectations, Interstellar is still a really well-made and well-acted film in Christopher Nolan's filmography with many more aspects to praise than ridicule. The visual effects and sound design are among the best of the entire year, the score by Hans Zimmer is fantastic, the majority of the cast give fantastic performances, particularly Matthew McConaughey, and the sequences in space truly show off Nolan's talents as a visionary director. I could still do without those last 12 minutes in the film though...