The Top Ten Films of 2014

"Surprise! Who knew about this one before it showed up on Oscar list? I think I saw a trailer ages ago but forgot all about it. I'm glad I got back around to it thanks to the Oscars. I just watched this and instantly wanted to turn around and see it again. This movie is stunning!! JK Simmons is mind blowing...probably one of the best performances I've ever seen. Music lovers or just drama lovers must see this. I literally watched this with my mouth gaping open. It was mesmerizing. A Huge 10. It probably won't win Best Picture but for me...it was the best movie I saw in 2014.

Clint Eastwood used to be an idol of mine. He's a Hollywood legend. His politics in recent years soured me a little on him but so did his film choices behind the camera. Jersey Boys, J Edgar and Hereafter were...well not good. I wasn't sure what to expect from his latest attempt. I am pleased to say...mind = blown. All controversy aside, because I don't review based on any of that...this film was incredibly well done. Its riveting and well shot and brilliantly acted by Bradley Cooper and just a really interesting story. For a bio-film, it feels like a mainstream action flick so I'm sort of judging it based on entertainment value but it was just an amazing watch. Ignore the backlash and go see it!! A solid 10!

Remember Looper? That was amazing Sci-Fi flick. Predestination is 2014's Looper only even more brilliant. I heard an interview with Hawke about this film and it intrigued me enough to watch it and it is brilliant. One of the smartest films I have ever seen. But PLEASE...don't read anything about this movie!! Its sci-fi/time travel...that's all you need to know. If you go in blind the twists and turns and big "reveal" is shocking...like The Sixth Sense for the first time shocking. Does that intrigue you? Predestination is beyond a hidden gem. I'm still thinking about it weeks later. 10!!

The Biblical epic is sort of a thing of the past. With modern day special effects and dreaded CGI its hard to truly impress people with sets and story and make things feel epic in nature. Noah came out of nowhere as a surprise for me. It is beyond epic. It is a stunning feat to behold. The ark and the flood and the animals and the story and the brilliant way Aronofsky took the story and made it fresh and unique but still paying homage and respect to the original biblical story was perfection. The cast was terrific but this is a biblical epic up there with any of the old classics. Once again this film garnered a lot of controversy but I don't know why. It was respectfully done and it was an incredible adventure on the big screen. 9.5

Kevin Costner is one of my all time favourites. I love the guy!! He had a great year in 2014 with three very good movies. At one point or another all three of his films were on the short list to be in my top ten (Jack Ryan and Three Days To Kill being the other two.) I am not a huge football fan, I don't play and I don't watch it. I'm not much of a sports guy so imagine my surprise when this film just blew me away. It has a brilliant script, amazing dialogue, terrific characters and a first rate performance from Costner. It is fast paced and fascinating and it is in your face and sports fans will adore but I loved it just as much!! 9

I always have at least one film on my top ten list of the year that everyone seemed to hate. I can just hear the hate filled rants building over this one and I don't blame you. An Adam Sandler movie in a top ten list anywhere?! But you know sometimes you have to review a film based on its genre. Blended is absolute perfection! No not as a critics pick or a drama or an action flick...it is a perfect romantic comedy. It is fun and simple and I laughed a lot!! It is ridiculous and over the top but cute and emotional at the same time. Sandler and Barrymore are amazing together as they always have been. The Wedding Singer is a stone cold classic and Blended is just as good!! I loved it!! 9

This one was a shock for me. I've never really spent any time watching Wes Anderson movies and I had seen a ton of trailers for this one and the cast was so good that I had to see it. The Grand Budapest Hotel is one of the most unique, beautiful, artistic, hilarious, bizarre and eccentric films I have ever laid eyes on. Its insanely fun and quirky doesn't even begin to define this one. It won't be for everyone but film lovers should and did flock to this. It is so frantically awesome and colorful and doesn't resort to shoddy 3D to be impressive. It instantly made me a Wes Anderson fan!! 9

Rise of The Planet of The Apes was amazing!! It was so much more than a reboot or a remake or any other similar expression. It is an action sci-fi film that brought tears to my eyes and gave us one of the most amazing CGI performances in history. Dawn brought all that back and only gave the world more depth and more character and if you don't shed a tear during a certain assassination scene...you're stone cold. This is easily the best mainstream blockbuster franchise out there. I can't wait to see what else they do with it. This is a franchise I will watch again and again!! 9

This was this year's Prisoners for me. Dark, gritty, disturbing and topped off with an absolutely startlingly amazing performances from Rosamund Pike. Pike gives the kind of performance that I won't ever forget. Edward Norton in Primal Fear, Robert Deniro in Cape Fear, Ryan Reynolds in Amityville Horror...Rosmund Pike in Gone Girl. It is a twisted thrill ride and a fascinating story. Ben Affleck is also very good and David Fincher brings his dark and strange style to a mystery that was just amazing to watch. 9

I actually thought there would be far more buzz around St. Vincent. It seems a lot of reviewers are all saying the same thing...its predictable and typical. Well...so what. Sometimes its nice to have a genre that is comfortable. This was hilarious and darkly comic but dramatic and moving. Bill Murray is amazing. This was his "As Good As It Gets" I thought and his relationship with his young neighbor is adorably humorous. Naomi Watts as a very pregnant Russian hooker and Melissa McCarthy playing a serious role as a struggling single mother and you've got one of the best movies of the year. All of them deserved Oscar nominations at the very least in my books. A funny, cute, dark and moving film for adults that you should definitely check out!! 9!