I come to praise 2014, not to bury it. I'm reading a lot of critics and other commentators review to this past year in films as disappointing or depressing, and I can't agree. Certainly the summer of 2014 was a substantial improvement over 2013 (Is there anyone out there who really doesn't think that, for example, Guardians of the Galaxy, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and X-Men: Days of Future Past weren't better than Man of Steel and Iron Man 3?). While Oscar season didn't produce one film as extraordinary as 12 Years a Slave, I wasn't expecting one (I consider that arguably the best film since Schindler's List and don't expect to see its equal for quite some time), and the overall output of serious dramatic films was a strong as last year. And even without a Pixar release we had a strong year for animated and family films, such as The Lego Movie, Muppets Most Wanted, Big Hero 6 and Mr. Peabody and Sherman.
So, as is the custom, I now present my picks for the 10 best films of 2014. As always, this list is entirely subjective to my own personal tastes and prejudices. There are far more films I wasn't able to see than I would like, including critics darlings like Boyhood, Selma and Birdman, and if there's a film you loved that didn't make the cut, there are 3 possible explanations: 1, I didn't see 2. I didn't like it 3. I saw and liked but there were 10 films I liked better. So don't take it personally if my list is different from what yours would be. The worst case scenario is just that it means you have atrocious taste.
1 .THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
Hilarious, visually gorgeous and utterly unique, for me this ranks behind only Fantastic Mr. Fox in the pantheon of Wes Anderson films. Ralph Fiennes M. Gustave ranks among the best performances of the brillaint actor's career, and shows that he's every bit as good a comic as he is a villain. Bizarre, profane, and sublime.
2. DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APESAs complex and multi-layered a film as we've seen come out of Hollywood this century, it's the kind of sequel that instantly justifies every the whole idea of sequels. Amazing performances from Andy Serkis and Toby Kebell, and a rich, compelling story make this an absolute triumph on every level.
3. GONE GIRL
Director David Fincher makes up for the misfire of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo with a smart, sophisticated, twisted and superbly acted thriller. Career best work from almost the entire cast, from Ben Affleck to Rosamund Pike to (gasp) Tyler Perry.
4. A MOST VIOLENT YEAR
Despite the title (which brings Tarrantino imagery to mind), J.C. Chandor's crime drama is remarkably low key and realistic, channeling the late Sidney Lumet to create one of the most disciplined, compelling and unpretentious indie films I've seen in years. Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain are outstanding.
5. X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST
Director Bryan Singer redeems the mistakes of the X-Men sequels he didn't make and restores the franchise to the glory days of X2 with a smart, funny and exciting blockbuster which ranks among the best superhero movies I've ever seen.
6. INTERSTELLAR
Christopher Nolan's sci-fi epic may not have entirely lived up to its ambitions, but only because it aimed so much higher than any other film this year. Visually stunning, thoughtful and intelligent, with great central performances from Matthew McConaughey, Mackenzie Foy and Jessica Chastain.
7. THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones shine in this sensitive and compelling look at the marriage of Jane and Stephen Hawking, a film that has the courage not to whitewash or villify either of its subjects and to tell a love story about a couple that didn't stay together.
8. . UNBROKEN
Angelina Jolie's 2nd film as a director as an accomplished and stirring old fashioned epic which heralds her arrival as a major talent behind the camera, and Jack O'Connell's an up and coming star to be reckoned with.
9. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
Funny, exciting, spectacular, everything a summer blockbuster should be.
10. BIG HERO 6
Inventive, exciting, funny and surprisingly touching, Disney continues its recent winning streak with this delightful surprise.
Runners up: Edge of Tomorrow, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, Muppets Most Wanted, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Noah, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Equalizer, The Homesman
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