Year-end rankings are a strange concept. How do you rank one movie next to another when they typically have different intentions, expectations and even audiences in mind? So, instead of thinking of these 10 titles and 10 honorable mentions as the absolute best films to hit theaters in 2014, consider them stories that left such a lingering impression on me that I want to share them with you fine readers.
As always, I’m curious about your thoughts on the year in film as well. E-mail me at joshsewell81@gmail.com to talk about my picks and share your own.
10. The Lego Movie
Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s smart, creative comedy grew on me. I really liked it at first, but didn’t appreciate its depth until later. A movie about Legos could’ve been a nightmare of corporate synergy and product placement, but Lord and Miller take real risks with the material – especially the jarring, yet ultimately touching, third act. Plus, their version of Batman (with a big assist from Will Arnett’s tremendous vocal work) is one of my new favorites. (Available on Blu-ray and DVD.)
Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s smart, creative comedy grew on me. I really liked it at first, but didn’t appreciate its depth until later. A movie about Legos could’ve been a nightmare of corporate synergy and product placement, but Lord and Miller take real risks with the material – especially the jarring, yet ultimately touching, third act. Plus, their version of Batman (with a big assist from Will Arnett’s tremendous vocal work) is one of my new favorites. (Available on Blu-ray and DVD.)
9. Snowpiercer
A sci-fi parable about the injustice of class systems sounds like a complete bore. But setting it onboard a never-ending, post-apocalyptic train ride and throwing in bloody fight sequences, constantly-changing environments and a gutsy ending make for an absolutely bonkers viewing experience. Chris Evans’ performance proves that he’s capable of heroics beyond the Captain America variety, and I loved the international flair of the production: director and co-writer Bong Joon-Ho is from South Korea, the source material is a French graphic novel, and the actors are from all over the globe. (Available on Blu-ray, DVD and Netflix Instant.)
A sci-fi parable about the injustice of class systems sounds like a complete bore. But setting it onboard a never-ending, post-apocalyptic train ride and throwing in bloody fight sequences, constantly-changing environments and a gutsy ending make for an absolutely bonkers viewing experience. Chris Evans’ performance proves that he’s capable of heroics beyond the Captain America variety, and I loved the international flair of the production: director and co-writer Bong Joon-Ho is from South Korea, the source material is a French graphic novel, and the actors are from all over the globe. (Available on Blu-ray, DVD and Netflix Instant.)
8. Wild
This drama, based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of the same name, seemed insufferable on paper. A girl puts her life on pause to go hiking for three months and find herself? Must be nice. But the actual story is a much more complicated chronicle of tragedy, addiction and a life spiraling out of control. Her journey in the wilderness is a trial by fire, and she hopes to emerge purified on the other side. Reese Witherspoon’s fearless lead performance, combined with Nick Hornby’s fractured timeline of a screenplay and Jean-Marc Vallee’s understated direction, makes for a thrilling, emotional cinematic experience. (In theaters.)
This drama, based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of the same name, seemed insufferable on paper. A girl puts her life on pause to go hiking for three months and find herself? Must be nice. But the actual story is a much more complicated chronicle of tragedy, addiction and a life spiraling out of control. Her journey in the wilderness is a trial by fire, and she hopes to emerge purified on the other side. Reese Witherspoon’s fearless lead performance, combined with Nick Hornby’s fractured timeline of a screenplay and Jean-Marc Vallee’s understated direction, makes for a thrilling, emotional cinematic experience. (In theaters.)
7. Beyond the Lights
Writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood takes old-fashioned melodrama and updates it for our obsessive social media age. Sadly, the movie didn’t get nearly the attention it deserved when it hit theaters in November. Gugu Mbatha-Raw delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as pop star Noni, who realizes that her hypersexualized image has destroyed any credibility she has as a vocalist. When she’s talked out of suicide by a cop played by Nate Parker, they begin a romance that’s adorable and downright chaste compared to the content of her songs. Prince-Bythewood also incorporates perceptive commentary about the entertainment industry’s objectification of its female stars, but the movie never preaches or distracts from the core love story. (In theaters.)
Writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood takes old-fashioned melodrama and updates it for our obsessive social media age. Sadly, the movie didn’t get nearly the attention it deserved when it hit theaters in November. Gugu Mbatha-Raw delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as pop star Noni, who realizes that her hypersexualized image has destroyed any credibility she has as a vocalist. When she’s talked out of suicide by a cop played by Nate Parker, they begin a romance that’s adorable and downright chaste compared to the content of her songs. Prince-Bythewood also incorporates perceptive commentary about the entertainment industry’s objectification of its female stars, but the movie never preaches or distracts from the core love story. (In theaters.)
6. Gone Girl
David Fincher’s latest didn’t get enough credit for how darkly funny it is. Many critics – and the film’s own marketing – considered it a mystery or a thriller; but it’s actually a pitch-black satire of marriage gone sour, combined with devastating commentary on our country’s ridiculous news media. Fincher’s direction remains assured, Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike make fine lovers and even better enemies, and Gillian Flynn’s screenplay – adapted from her own novel – overcomes the usual “the book was better” problem. Heck, even Tyler Perry is great in it. (Hits Blu-ray and DVD on Jan. 13.)
David Fincher’s latest didn’t get enough credit for how darkly funny it is. Many critics – and the film’s own marketing – considered it a mystery or a thriller; but it’s actually a pitch-black satire of marriage gone sour, combined with devastating commentary on our country’s ridiculous news media. Fincher’s direction remains assured, Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike make fine lovers and even better enemies, and Gillian Flynn’s screenplay – adapted from her own novel – overcomes the usual “the book was better” problem. Heck, even Tyler Perry is great in it. (Hits Blu-ray and DVD on Jan. 13.)
Lots of “important” films show up on year-end lists, but James Gunn’s contribution to the Marvel universe might be the most fun I had in a theater in 2014. From the Raiders of the Lost Ark homage to one of the most beloved endings of the year (Baby Groot!), the movie has a ton of laughs and quite a few emotional moments as well. The ensemble cast (Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel) exhibit terrific chemistry and killer comic timing. Bonus points for that amazing soundtrack. (Available on Blu-ray and DVD.)
This is the first live-action Wes Anderson movie that I truly, genuinely loved, with no reservations. The filmmaker’s twee sensibilities usually annoy me, but they actually work in service of this rich, complex tale that unfolds like a Russian nesting doll. It starts out as a cutesy, whimsical tale, full of fantastic comedic performances (with none better than Ralph Fiennes, who delivers career-best work), but it turns into a tragedy so gradually that you don’t notice until it suddenly feels like someone punched you in the stomach. (Available on Blu-ray and DVD.)
Eschewing the standard biopic route, director Ava DuVernay and screenwriter Paul Webb instead focus on a pivotal moment in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s (David Oyelowo) quest for equality: his 1965 effort to secure voting rights for black people in Selma, Ala. DuVernay’s film is not only one of the year’s best, it’s also one of the most vital considering the problems people were protesting about 50 years ago haven’t exactly disappeared. The movie is heartbreaking, infuriating and shrewd about the politics of getting stuff done, while crucially illustrating that the Civil Rights Movement wasn’t a one-man show. There’s a reason it’s called Selma and not King. (In theaters.)
Damien Chazelle crafted one of the year’s best horror movies, but there’s not a machete-wielding maniac to be found. Instead, the film is a battle of wills between a promising young jazz drummer (Miles Teller) and his sadistic instructor (J.K Simmons). Their epic face-off, which takes place on the legendary Carnegie Hall stage, might be the year’s most exhilarating final scene. I think I forgot to breathe for 15 minutes, which might explain why I was so dizzy when the movie was over. (In theaters.)
Richard Linklater’s 12-year mission to chronicle the adolescence of an everyday Texas kid had an unparalleled degree of difficulty. What if one of his actors (including Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke) backed out, got sick or worse? Instead, the collaboration resulted in an understated masterpiece. Linklater never beats viewers over the head with the passage of time. Instead, like in real life, it happens so gradually that when the actors pose for a family photo during a graduation party, it’s an emotional moment for the characters and the audience. You’ve spent almost three hours watching these people grow up – even those who were technically adults when the film began. (Hits Blu-ray and DVD on Jan. 6.)
Honorable
Mentions (in alphabetical order):
Begin Again
Birdman
Edge of Tomorrow
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Interstellar
Life Itself
Nightcrawler
Obvious
Child
Only Lovers Left Alive
Top Five
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