10) John Wick
This one really surprised me. I went to the theater to see something else, however the theater's website had posted the incorrect time, so I went to see John Wick instead. I was not disappointed.An old-school action flick with a little revenge mixed into a well-crafted and well-cast movie. Death Wish meets Payback. Just a whole lot of unexpected goodness and bad-assery.
I had been invited to see this movie a few weeks earlier by a friend who told me he "had heard good things." He was absolutely correct. Much like the first Taken, a couple
of hours of fun. Put your Keanu Reeves doubts aside. You will dig this.
9) Gone Girl
Despite people telling me how good it is, I had not read the book of the same name. When I learned David Fincher signed on to direct, I became very interested. His movies rarely disappoint. I purposely avoided reading anything about the film as I heard there was a large twist. My goal was to go into the movie knowing nothing. I was glad I did. Deliberate cinematography and fine acting kept me interested throughout the entire film. Rosamund Pike (who seems to now be in everything that I watch) plays her role to perfection. During the film, I had inklings about what was really happening and was proved right when the movie took a different direction about halfway through. A well-crafted twist.
A great movie to see with an engaged audience - there were more than a few very loud group gasps as the story continued to unfold. What I really liked best is that as a viewer, you are forced to take the side of one of two very twisted individuals. Made for a very satisfying theater experience. If you don't already know, go into this one blind. You'll be glad you did.
8) Still Alice
Alzheimer's frightens the hell out of me. I can't imagine what it is like to watch someone slip away while they remain physically present. Even more, I can't imagine how horrific it must be to be trapped in your own body while your mind slowly fades to darkness.Julianne Moore plays a 50-year-old woman with a successful career and family. She suddenly begins to forget words and how she ends up in places. Diagnosed with a rare early-onset of Alzheimer's (one that is also genetic - there is a harrowing scene where she has to tell her children they are also likely to suffer the same fate), Moore's Alice does what she can to hold onto her memory and her family as she accepts her disease with dignity. It is powerful acting and Moore will win Best Actress.
With a strong supporting cast and good writing, the film avoids wandering into over-sentimentality and cliche.
7) American Sniper
To be completely honest, I was really worried that this movie would tread into too much faux patriotism and self congratulation. This couldn't be farther from the truth.
Bradley Cooper is almost unrecognizable in his transformation of becoming Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. His body, his mannerisms, his speech - it comes across natural and seems to be done out of a place of great esteem and admiration.
Bouncing back and forth, the film shows how difficult it was for Kyle and his family in both war and peace. I had forgotten how the story truly ended, so the final moments came as a slight surprise. I cannot remember another film that was completely silent when it rolled the credits. Thought provoking and sad, it was an effective way to end the movie. Over the next few decades, we will see movies of other stories of the men and women who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Eastwood has set the bar high in both craftsmanship and respect for these histories.
6) The Theory of EverythingThere are times when actors become those who they are portraying. Eddie Redmanyne embodies Stephen Hawking. His mannerisms, his disease, his intelligence, his humor. It is truly incredible and he will win Best Actor for it.
The Theory of Everything also presents an important story. Where did we come from? How do we learn more about our origins? Is it even possible? How did one man change the way we view science while battling his own demons and crippling disease?
The cinematography is well done and we see reoccurring patterns - much like nature itself.
It is an unflinching look at a complicated man - he isn't always kind to those he loves. His work, however, is important and altering. It is also inspiring - to his family, his colleagues and those who carry on his work today.
5) The Imitation Game
I knew some of the story of Alan Turing because of an amazing article in the New York Times some years ago. At the risk of not ruining an important part of the story, I will say that Turing was an incredible hero who likely saved millions of lives. He also changed the way we use technology to this very day.
It is a sad and disturbing story and one that needs to be known and added to the important annuals of history. The movie is well directed and written. An amazing true story and one you will not soon forget.
4) Foxcatcher
A friend of mine explained this movie perfectly to me in an email the other day: he was creeped out the entire movie (it was also his favorite movie of 2014). The acting is fantastic - Steve Carell broods and plots, Channing Tatum is dumb and plays the pawn, Mark Ruffalo is nearly unrecognizable as the begrudging brother and wrestling partner. The directing and screenplay are nearly perfect. For a more in-depth review, please click here.
Another film that lived up to the expectations that were set for it. It is a movie that will be remembered for a long time.3) A Most Wanted Man
Sadly, this was Phillip Seymour Hoffman's last film. Oddly, when watching it, you can almost see the future. Frumpy, disheveled and sad, Hoffman mirrors the character he plays. It is a shame he is not nominated for Best Actor for this role. He will surely be missed.
When we think of spy movies, we think of James Bond. Action and adventure. I would assume A Most Wanted Man's portrayal of intelligence work is more factual. Slow, methodical, murky and without credit. We see agents who are brunt-out and exhausted. Win this battle, there are thousands more to follow.
Set in Europe, agents begin to trace money to terrorist organizations. What they discover leads them to dangerous and complicated places. A very fine film - one that I really liked the moment it ended.
2) CalvaryA film with one of the most surprising opening scenes I've ever seen. Just its words, mind you. I was just not expecting it
A dark-comedy about a priest who is given one week to shore up all of his business before he is to be murdered. Brendan Gleeson plays the priest who must confront the dark characters in his town in an attempt to discover who is culprit. Gleeson once again proves that he is one of the best actors today.
Funny in all of the wrong ways, Calvary's screenplay is top notch. The movie isn't nearly as heavy as it sounds and provides just the right amount of humanity to add depth and sincerity. As the townspeople come to life and show their true colors, so does the movie.
Watch this with as little information about it as you can. It is easily one of the top films of 2014.
1) Whiplash
I needed to re-watch this movie last week to see if it was how I remembered it. It was.This is a great movie. One without an ounce of fat on its bones. Every scene is important. And the last 10 minutes, hold on.
I cannot remember being a theater where the audience stood and applauded once it ended. There were cheers and whistling. So much fun.
J.K. Simmons, who will win Best Supporting Actor, plays a motivator - think the Gunnery Sergeant from Full Metal Jacket - who demands nothing but absolute perfection. Miles Teller, his student, has the skills, but can he live up to the high demands of his teacher?
Unfortunately, this movie is being overshadowed by Birdman and Boyhood, neither of which are nearly as good at Whiplash. It really is a shame, Damien Chazelle has directed an American masterpiece. I doubt this will be his last great film.
This one is still in theaters and it comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray next week. Take the time to catch this - you will not be disappointed.
The Best of the Rest
Chef, Get On Up, Kill the Messenger, Love is Strange, Obvious Child, Starred Up, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Overnighters, The Skeleton Twins, Top Five, What We Did On Our Holiday
