It’s that time of the year when everyone puts out their annual Top 10 lists, whether it be films, television shows, or video games. Naturally, I am no different.
2014 turned out to be a milestone year for me. While I haven’t counted any specifics, this year has been my busiest in the eight years I’ve been writing for Shakefire. From the numerous interviews I’ve had to painstakingly transcribe to the dozens of times I’ve had to sit through the same Regal Cinemas rollercoaster intro, it’s been a crazy 365 days. Outside of screenings and press days I had to opportunity to die in The Purge: Breakout experience and cover an exhaustive three days at Walker Stalker Con. The dedication and hard work has paid off as this year was also my first year as a member of both the Southeastern Film Critics Association and the Georgia Film Critics Association.
As I say goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015, here are my top movies from the past year:
10. The Book of Life
Sure, The LEGO Movie is most likely to win the Academy Award for “Best Animated Feature,” but for me The Book of Life lands in the number 10 spot. I instantly fell in love with the animation style that brought wooden dolls to life, and the film’s Mexican-themed Día de Muertos storyline had me hooked. It’s an underrated film that I feel was quietly pushed aside when Big Hero 6 came out a few weeks later.
9. Edge of Tomorrow
Edge of Tomorrow is about as close to a how a live action video game would appear in real life as you can get. The whole “Live. Die. Repeat.” premise sounds like it might get tiresome after a few iterations but the film does a fantastic job at building these characters piece by piece while still moving the story forward. Plus, it shows Emily Blunt kicking all kinds of ass, something I hope we’ll get to see more of in next year’s Sicario.
8. Locke
You would think that spending 84 minutes watching Tom Hardy drive the 120 miles from Birmingham to London would be boring, but Locke ends up being everything but that. Tom Hardy puts on an engaging performance as his life unfolds one phone call at a time with you in the passenger seat. It’s one of his best roles, and even though it came out towards the beginning of the year, it shouldn’t be forgotten.
7. Snowpiercer
I bought Snowpiercer on VOD because I couldn’t wait for it to arrive in theaters. It’s one of those films where the product truly mirrors the hype. Chris Evans leads a revolution in a post-apocalyptic world where all of humanity lives together on a perpetually moving train. The poorest live in the back of the train while the wealthy live comfortably towards the front. Each train car has its own function and the entire social class structure is unravelled as Evans moves his way forward. From the in-your-face social commentary to its brilliant cinematography, there’s no other film like Snowpiercer on my list.
6. The Imitation Game
Between The Imitation Game and The Theory of Everything, math and science has never been as alluring in film this year than they have in the past. The Imitation Game is a war film that manages to escape the violence and bloodshed typically associated with the genre. Benedict Cumberbatch gives an amazing performance as Alan Turing and shows that math can be exciting. Two hours of discussing formulas, theories, and puzzles might sound monotonous, but he makes it interesting.
5. Nightcrawler
Jake Gyllenhaal has done some weird roles, but none of them are as disturbing as Lou Bloom in Nightcrawler. He’s a charming yet unnerving sociopath with an energetic drive to capture the bleakness of late night crime. His presence throughout the film only intensifies as he becomes better and better as showcasing the horrors of the city, ultimately leading to him becoming the subject in his own lens.
4. Foxcatcher
It’s about time we take Channing Tatum seriously as an actor and not just someone who’s entertaining in comedies or action films. Foxcatcher features some of the best performances out of him, Steve Carell, and Mark Ruffalo. Whereas many sports film revolve around the rise and success of athletes, Foxcatcher chronicles the costs of that success and the darkness that can arise from striving to be the best.
3. Gone Girl
David Fincher is my favorite director. He’s perfected the thriller genre, and Gone Girl is no exception. The film will keep you guessing as it explores the tortuous relationship between Ben Affleck’s and Rosamund Pike’s characters. They’re pretty convincing, too, and it’s easy to get lost in the lies, especially if you haven’t read the book the film’s based on. Gone Girl marks another amazing addition to Fincher’s already spectacular filmography, and it’s his consistency in filmmaking that has me eagerly awaiting his next project.
2. Whiplash
I’ve heard some of my fellow critics call Whiplash the best horror film of the year, and it’s easy to see why. J.K. Simmons is a terrifying dude. We’ve all experienced people who demand perfection, but Simmons takes it to a dangerous new level in Whiplash. He’s a famed jazz band conductor at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory who pushes a competitive drummer, played by Miles Teller, to his absolute limits. It’s an impressive feature for the relatively new director Damien Chazelle and one that should be applauded.
1. Boyhood
It’s probably no surprise that Boyhood takes the top spot. It’s been on the majority of other people’s lists I’ve seen and rightly so. Boyhood connects with me on a personal level, chronicling many of the same life experiences we’ve all gone through growing up. The fact that it was filmed over the course of 12 years using the same actors will probably get you into a seat, but it’s the film’s intimate story and phenomenal cast that will keep you there. Suffice to say, it’s been well worth the wait.
So there you have it, my top films for 2014. There were plenty of other amazing films that unfortunately didn’t make the list. Birdman, The LEGO Movie, The Theory of Everything, American Sniper, and The Grand Budapest Hotel were just a few of the many more movies I enjoyed throughout the year.
Here’s hoping to an even better 2015!