DISCLAIMER: I am just a regular, broke 25 year old, not a professional member of the press or anything. My access to the numerous films of 2014 was limited to what my Netflix account and/or a local movie theater was showing at matinee price. There are several films out there that given the time and the money, I'm sure I would have enjoyed. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get to them all.
My Top 15 Films of 2014:
Under the Skin is one of those movies that audiences will either love or hate. For some, it will bore them to death (just check out the film's numerous scathing reviews on Amazon). A majority of the film has no dialogue and much of the plot is pretty ambiguous. For others, it will stick out as one of the most memorable films they've ever seen. Under the Skin is a strange and intriguing story of seduction, alienation and sympathy. It's a subliminal exploration of what it means to be human. Scarlett Johansson mesmerizes as a beautiful extraterrestrial being set out to ensnare young, lonely men in Scotland, like a spider to her web. Under the Skin really lives up to its name; I still can't get a couple of the film's darker and more disturbing images (specifically the baby on the beach and the last scene in the woods) out of my head.
Watch the trailer here.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime and to rent on VUDU and Google Play.
Gone Girl proved that good, old fashioned adult thrillers could still be a big box office hit. The film isn't especially moving or poignant but my god, is it entertaining. Tightly filmed, paced and acted (especially by Rosamund Pike), Gone Girl is a movie clearly made by professionals. It's a great companion piece to Gillian Flynn's riveting novel of the same name.
Watch the trailer here.
In theaters now, available on dvd 1/13/15.
This under the radar drama/dark comedy about two seriously messed up siblings really stood out thanks to the beautiful chemistry between Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig. The film wouldn't have worked without them and a lesser team of actors would have drowned in the never-ending depressing secrets. The film does have some light hearted moments though, the clear winner being the hilarious "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"lip sync scene. The best part of the film is realizing that Hader and Wiig have had "serious" acting chops all along, we just never noticed.
Watch the trailer here.
Available to rent and buy on dvd.
The premise will put some people off (the entire film takes place inside a car) but if you're willing to give it a chance, Locke is one of the most thrilling human dramas of the year. The story line isn't anything you haven't seen before (marital issues, deceptions, etc) but its packaged in a way that makes it feel exciting, all thanks to Tom Hardy's performance. There are few actors his age that can match his incredible range and gravitas, and even fewer that could carry a film like this on their shoulders with such grace.
Watch the trailer here.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime, available to rent and own on dvd.
Just when you thought its all been done before, The One I Love manages to add a new sci-fi twist to the classic "marital issues"storyline. The twist is so unique and enchanting, you can't help but love this film. Mark Duplass is marvelous as the cynical and stubborn Ethan, but its Elisabeth Moss that steals the limelight in this one. Her ability to express an impressive range of emotions with just the simplest furrow of her brow is incredible to watch.
Watch the trailer here.
Available to stream on Netflix, own and rent on dvd.
John Wick is the best revenge flick you've probably never heard of. Produced and directed by a team of ex-stuntmen (one of which was Keanu Reeves' double in The Matrix), the film moves and breaths like a well choreographed dance. Reeves is perfectly cast as the stoic, introverted ex hit man. It's no secret that Reeves has always been a stronger physical performer than speaker, and John Wick plays perfectly to his strengths. The film's success lies mostly in the fact that it knows exactly what it is and never tries to be something its not. The filmmakers create a universe for John Wick that has its own rules and laws without ever making it feel unrealistic. They also add in little bits of humor and wit that nicely balance out all the film's violence.
(See my full length review of the film here)
Watch the trailer here.
Coming to dvd soon.
As one of the most talked about films of the year, Boyhood is a real testament to the talent and patience of its director, Richard Linklater. Boyhood isn't a perfect film; some of the acting by a few of the supporting cast is patchy and the film would have benefitted from a little more focus on Mason's younger years. But overall, the beauty of Boyhood is in its simplicity; its the story of a little boy growing up and experiencing all the bumps and bruises that come with life. The fact that we literally get to see Mason and all his family and friends age before our eyes only adds to the magic of the film.
Watch the trailer here.
Currently playing at the IFC Center in NYC, available on dvd 1/6/15.
Based on the true story and novel by Cheryl Strayed, Wild is a tale of redemption, self discovery and forgiveness. Reese Witherspoon impresses as Cheryl, a woman pushed to the edge of her sanity after drug use, a failed marriage and the tragic death of her mother (played with heartbreaking warmth by Laura Dern) send her life into a dangerous, destructive spiral. Wild carefully straddles the fine line between realistic and optimistic, never becoming the cheesy mess it so easily could have been (I was moved to tears at one point). The only thing the film doesn't get quite right is its confusing and sporadic series of flash backs.
Watch the trailer here.
Currently in theaters.
There is no film maker working today that can match Wes Anderson's impeccable aesthetic, originality and attention to detail. Watching his films is like watching a montage of an art museum set to the most incredible soundtrack. Grand Budapest Hotel is probably Wes Anderson's tightest film to date. The story mixes sadness, humor, heartbreak and adventure into one beautiful package. The ensemble cast is a non stop parade of actors bringing their A game. This one is a real joy to watch.
Watch the trailer here.
Currently available on dvd.
Sadly, Love is Strange seemed to go unnoticed by most film goers this year. The film tells a beautiful story about the realities of love, family and personal space in New York City. At the center of it all is a heartwarming love story between an older gay couple (portrayed with incredible tenderness and grace by Alfred Molina and John Lithgow). Love is Strange proves that "young love" isn't the only kind of love story worth telling.
Watch the trailer here.
Available on dvd 1/13/15
Honestly, I probably wouldn't have seen this film had it not been for Chris Pratt (Andy!!) and Lee Pace (Ned!!). But boy am I glad I did. No movie had me cheering, laughing and tapping my toes louder than Guradians of the Galaxy. James Gunn managed to revive the whole over done "Marvel super hero genre"for me, adding appropriate touches of humor and heart throughout. The film owes most of its success to the hilarious chemistry between its core actors (special shout outs to Pratt, Bautista and Cooper). And at the end of the day, Guardians of the Galaxy gave us the greatest gift of all: GROOT.
Watch the trailer here.
Available to rent and own on dvd.
Whiplash is the most heart pounding movie you will see all year. The performances are out of this world and all the Oscar buzz J.K. Simmons is receiving is well deserved. As the omnipotent, sinewy Fletcher, he terrifies and nurtures his students, often times all in the same breath. Miles Teller anchors the film with his complex portrayal of the musical genius in training, Andrew. With a climactic ending that will leave you breathless, Whiplash demands us to ask ourselves: what price would we be willing to pay for perfection?
Watch the trailer here.
Currently in theaters.
Stylish, sexy and rich in culture, Only Lovers Left Alive is a film that lingers in your mind long after its over. Its slower pace will weed out impatient viewers but the ones that stay will be rewarded with a dreamy, moonlit trip through Detroit and Morocco. The film makes cheeky, whispered references to literary and historical figures. It tackles major life issues like love, death and legacy. At its core, its a story about not succumbing to cynicism, about enjoying life even when you know about all the bad stuff. Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston play two painfully cool vampires, madly in love but living separate lives on separate continents. Swinton inhabits her character Eve like a well tailored suit. There's no better word to describe her performance other than magnetic. Hiddleston sulks and broods as Adam, his usual upbeat enthusiasm nowhere to be seen. Mia Wasikowska also stars as the enchanting and destructive younger sister, Ava. The dark, shadowy cinematography only adds to the film's timeless feel. To top it all off, Only Lovers Left Alive has one of the year's most incredible soundtracks.
Watch the trailer here.
Available to rent and own on dvd.
Ida is one of the most stunning movies I've ever seen, not just in 2014. The film feels like a photographer's melancholy dream that occasionally flirts with becoming a nightmare. We experience this incredible journey thanks in part to Agata Trzebuchowska's quiet, powerful performance and Pawel Pawlikowski's achingly beautiful vision. Every frame is perfect, fit for the pages of a gorgeous coffee table book. The story and its eventual conclusion lingers in your subconscious long after you leave the theater. As a person of Polish heritage and a speaker of the language, it was incredibly gratifying to have a film of this caliber made by a fellow Pole.
Watch the trailer here.
Currently available to stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime, available to rent and own on dvd.
Birdman is easily the most unique film of 2014 . Everything about it, the camera work, score, acting, dialogue and premise are all unbelievably entertaining. Anchored by some stellar performances from Michael Keaton, Emma Stone and Edward Norton, Birdman tells a darkly humorous tale of vanity, courage and legacy. Visually, its a work of technical expertise. Many of the scenes were done without cuts, making the entire film look like one long take. It's obvious that Iñárritu and his crew took a risk with this bizarre little comedy about the crazy world of theater. Luckily for us, that risk produced the most entertaining reward of the year.
Watch the trailer here.
In theaters now.
Honorable mentions:
-Chef: a fun, heart warming story about family, food and passion for your job. I've never wanted to eat a Cuban sandwich more in my life.
-The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: a haunting picture of what indescribable pain does to a marriage. The film suffered from some botched editing choices on the part of the distributors but the heart breaking performances from Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy make up for it in spades.
-The Fault in Our Stars: a tearjerker with spirit. Thanks to the realistic dialogue based on John Green's novel and the heart warming performances by leads Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, The Fault in Our Stars never feels sappy or forced.
-Snowpiercer: in a world filled with endless post apocalyptic tales, Snowpiercer stands out in both premise and execution. Chris Evans, Octavia Spencer and the cast do excellent jobs carrying the story forwards but the real star here is Tilda Swinton. She's a scene stealer in every sense of the word.
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