Favorite Films of 2014

2014 was a year that had movies in it.
Here are my favorite films of 2014.
I pushed back making my top ten list until today the very last day of 2014 movie hype.
I wrote everything this morning.
Here is a list of films I saw in 2014
See ya next year

10. Mommy

I understand the complaints there have been about the 1:1 aspect ratio as well as its conventional narrative but the heartfelt handling of the characters and their struggle all leading up to a scene using this piece of music  which I believe was one of the best of the year contribute to a really well made film about family, class, and personal obligations.

9. Force Majeure 

A father runs away from his family in a panic during a controlled avalanche that comes frighteningly close. I am not fully on board with others about it being a masterpiece but the way the camera just observes the family in moments that escalate, as well as its themes on family, masculinity, and nature make it stronger than most films.  

8. Wild

I am the most shocked that I really loved this one. Everything leading up to it including the director's previous film DALLAS BUYERS CLUB and this trailer (which uses a visual representation of the fork in the road) had me wait 3 months to go and watch it. In fact it is a story of a woman trying to find her place between self destruction and her clearer perception that her mother was an incredible person. Every person (mostly male) that the character meets along the way reflect onto her different ways women are objectified or taken advantage of.

7. A Most Violent Year

Call me a sucker for representations of old New York City, homages to older films, strong visual symbolism such as blood and oil, and Oscar Issac.

6. The Overnighters

I did want to represent a documentary this year and all year LIFE ITSELF was the contender but THE OVERNIGHTERS is one of the best films of the year. It doesn't get lost in its subject matter, instead focusing on what makes a strong documentary, which is adding character to an event or problem that you want to cover. Too many documentaries rely on talking heads or just a wikipedia page of information but the character of The Pastor is so complex that it allows the filmmakers to discuss American morals, the system we live in, and the Dakota oil boom through him.

5. Dear White People

Yes, it is a depiction of race in the age of Obama, Yes, it is a sharp critique of the hypocrisy in society. But it is also a clear well written voice filled with distinct characters.

4. The Duke of Burgundy

One of the most gorgeously shot films of the year covering a complex relationship. 

3. Under The Skin

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY gives us the birth of man and man versus the machine, but here we get woman versus the societal machine. Scarlett Johansson gives the best performance of the year.

2. The Grand Budapest Hotel

The name Wes Anderson has become a sort of dirty word because of a lot of the empty hype that surrounds him. It just so happens that he has made two of his superior films in his last two efforts. His aesthetic is used to elevate his narrative rather than compliment it.

1. Whiplash

"There are no two words in the English language more harmful than good job." 

Greatness can be achieved but at what cost? Every scene in the film is the scene, J.K. Simmons is at the top of his game. WHIPLASH was the best film, thriller, and sports film of the year.