Best Films of 2014

Best Films of 2014

As I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, the average film viewer sees only 6 films a year.  And, one of the reasons for my blog is to let film viewers, whether frequent or infrequent, know where to spend their money.  

Note, however, in my estimation, 2014, though not as good as last year for big-budget films, was a very good year for independent films.  Many more than 6 are worth seeing.  Therefore, this year I’m doing a Top 10. 

And, in addition to the list of Absolutely-Must-See Films, I’ve, also, listed several “categories” from which you might pick more films based on your particular taste.  Full reviews of all the films are available in past postings.

So, here are the 10 Absolutely-Must-See Films and 12 Additional Categories in hopes you will be inspired to become more than an average viewer and go to the movies more often.  Note that I have, also, mentioned the Bottom of the Barrel, i.e., the films you should avoid at all cost.  Finally, I have included my award picks for best actors and key crew.   (Note duplications exist in some Additional Categories with Must-Sees, as well as "ties" in some film and actor/crew categories where I just couldn’t narrow the choice to one.) 

If you can’t find these films in theaters, go to Netflix or buy/rent the DVDs.  Those listed are all worth your while. 

The 10 Absolutely-Must-See Films of 2014

(in order)

Birdman

Amazing…The very best of the year

Begin Again

 Pure charm…My personal favorite film

with best song, as well

Words and Pictures

 The most intelligent film

The Grand Budapest Hotel

A wonderful comic romp

The Hundred-Foot Journey

Sweetest Story!

The Theory of Everything

Touching and Noble

The Imitation Game

Provocative

Selma

Powerful

Ida

Poignant

The Guardians of the Galaxy

Big, bold, all-family fun

Select Categories

Most Poignant Film (a tie)

The Theory of Everything

Ida

Most Charming Film

 The Fault in Our Stars

Most Interesting Film Story (a tie)

Lucy

In Your Eyes

 Most Thought-Provoking Film

 I Origins

Most Courageous Film Production - a (tie)

Boyhood

Interstellar

Best Foreign Film (a tie)

Ida

Venus in Fur

 

Best Acting Ensemble

Begin Again

 Best Action Film (a tie)

X-Men: Days of Future Past

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Best Animated Film

The LEGO Movie

Best Comedy

Top Five

Best Documentary (a tie)

Citizenfour

Virunga

 Most Underrated Film – (a tie)

Winter’s Tale

Venus in Fur

The Bottom of  the Heap

Most Overrated Film  

Love Is Strange

Strictly Lifetime/LMN TV fare

 Worst Film – (tie)

As Above, So Below

Reprehensible  

Third Person

A supreme waste of talent

Here Are My Award Picks for Actors & Crew

Best Actor – (a tie)

 Michael Keaton – Birdman

Eddie Redmayne – The Theory of Everything

Best Actress – (a tie)

 Jessica Chastain – The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

Felicity Jones – The Theory of Everything

Best Supporting Actor– (a tie)

 James Corden – Begin Again

Mark Ruffalo - Foxcatcher

Best Supporting Actress – (a tie)

Naomi Watts – St. Vincent

Emma Stone - Birdman

Best Breakout Performances - Boy/Girl

Boy: Jaeden Lieberher – St. Vincent

Girl: Giulia Salerno – Misunderstood (Incompresa)  

Best Director

Alejandro González Iñárritu – Birdman

Best Adapted Screenplay  

Anthony McCarten – The Theory of Everything

Best Original Screenplay

 Alejandro González Iñárritu - Birdman

Best Cinematography

Emmanuel Lubezki – Birdman

 Best Editing

Joel Cox/Gary Roach - American Sniper

Best Casting Director (a tie)

Douglas Aibel/Antionette Boulat/Simone Bär/Jina Jay - 

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Laray Mayfield - Gone Girl

Best Production Design

Dylan Cole/Gary Freeman - Maleficent

Best Costume Design

Anushia Nieradzik– Belle

Best Soundtrack

Antonio Sanchez – Birdman

Let’s hope for more great viewing in 2015.

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