Mike's Musings: The Top 10 of 2014
It seemed that last year had more bad movies than good ones, but looking back I found that it's not the case. There were 13 possible entries on both lists, but keep in mind that in order to qualify for the Top 10, the film had to be at least a 3.5/4, whereas to qualify for the Bottom 10 the film had to be a 1.5/4. That's 2 possibilities versus 3.
There were also a number of pleasant surprises. Three movies that I was not excited to see turned out to be much better than anticipated, and while "The Purge: Anarchy" and "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" didn't make the cut, "The Guest" did.
What really sets these movies apart is that they all took chances. None of these films are conventional, or they knew what the audience would expect and took it in a different direction. "The Purge: Anarchy" took a home invasion story with a great premise and set it loose in a whole city, "Interstellar" took a gritty and realistic look at space travel, and "The Guest" was just whacked out in general. All of these movies could have been disasters, but because they took the risk and went the extra mile, they became some of the year's most interesting and exhilarating films.
So here goes...
10. The Lego Movie. Unless it's a love story, it's usually a bad sign if a film is released in February. So imagine my surprise when not only was "The Lego Movie" (which, let's face it, was made just to cash in on the brand) good, it was excellent. Then again, so was "This Means War," but never mind. "The Lego Movie" is one of those movies that you wish every movie could be. It's so filled with crazy ideas, visual trickery and general insanity that every time the story moves somewhere else, you're wondering where it will go. It's exhilarating!
9. Chef. "Chef" is a rarity: a movie made for adults. It's R-rated (albeit undeservedly), but not raunchy or crude. In fact, it's a rather subtle dramedy that places more emphasis on character interaction than sex gags and sophomoric humor. Director Jon Favreau wants to keep us smiling and warm our hearts. It's not a perfect movie, but it's a very good one.
8. Big Hero 6. As you all know, I've long since grown tired of superhero movies. I don't oppose them as an option, but there are so many and they've become so similar that if you've seen one, you've seen them all. It's gotten so bad that if one fails, Hollywood just reboots it (admittedly, there are some movies that could benefit from a remake, "Hollow Man" and "Turbulence" being two examples). But "Big Hero 6" is a superhero movie for everyone who is sick of superhero movies. It has the same formula, but the details and the perspective are different. The film's conflict is primarily internal: Hiro's journey is to overcome his grief; saving the city is almost beside the point. This is handled with such sensitivity and honesty that it turns a formula movie into something that soars.
7. Fury. War movies are in a bit of a funk lately. With adults avoiding the theaters in increasing numbers and a PG-13 war movie becoming a thing of the past, they're not that common anymore. But "Fury" works because writer/director David Ayer pays attention to the little details. He's going for realism and verisimilitude, and it works. "Fury" is tough, bloody and brutal. Not since "The Game" have I seen a movie that so convinced me that anything could happen at any time.
6. Nightcrawler. "Nightcrawler," the directorial debut of Dan Gilroy, used our fascination of the lurid and the violent as a character study of a truly twisted individual. Louis Bloom, played with chilling effectiveness by the always reliable Jake Gyllenhaal, is a creep of the first order, but he is a fascinating individual. Gilroy could have explored his personality more, but even as is, "Nightcrawler" remains compelling viewing.
5. The Imitation Game. Benedict Cumberbatch first came to my attention when he played Paul Marshall, the sleazy friend in the criminally underrated "Atonement." The role was too small in too good of a movie for him to gain much notice, but he then went on to fame with his terrific performance as the modern day Sherlock Holmes. Then of course, he played Khan in last year's brilliant "Star Trek Into Darkness." Now, he's finally given a chance to carry his own movie, and he nails it. His performance as Alan Turing, the socially awkward (and gay) but brilliant mathematician that cracked the Enigma code machine, is stupendous. Co-star Keira Knightly is just as good, but this is his show. His Oscar is in the bag, although it's not the best performance of the year.
4. The Guest. The best performance of the year is given by Cumberbatch's real-life close friend, Dan Stevens. As "David," Stevens is absolutely riveting. Just looking at a picture of him in character is enough to give someone goosebumps. The movie is a mix and mash of tones that makes it definitely out there but still accessible. Still, the movie wouldn't be nearly as good as it is without Steven's coldly evil performance. Sadly the film pretty much disappeared without a trace, which makes chances of Dan Stevens getting a deserved Oscar close to nil.
3. Interstellar. Christopher Nolan has always been a cynical director. None of his movies were anything but dark, dark, dark. From his festival debut "Following" to "The Dark Knight Rises" (even taking the horrible tragedy that will forever tarnish its image), his movies have never been happy experiences. That hasn't changed with "Interstellar," although it is sort of a love story. While the science fiction may be the film's selling point and the biggest portion of the $165 million budget went to, the true heart of the film was the love between a father and his daughter. Matthew McConaughey gives his best performance as Cooper, and an Oscar nomination for this role is a certainty.
2. The Wind Rises. Hayao Miyazaki's (supposedly) farewell to filmmaking. He has planned retirement for nearly three decades, so there's hope that he will reverse his decision to hang up the camera. Then again he is turning 74 in three days, so he probably will only be able to make one or two more in his lifetime. Anyone who sees "The Wind Rises," "Spirited Away," or any of his other wonderful films will gladly accept that. Even if it is an atypical Miyazaki film, as "The Wind Rises" is, it's still going to be magical.
1. Boyhood. There has never been anything like "Boyhood" ever attempted. Chronologically following a group of characters for 13 years was a huge risk for everyone involved, not the least of which was turning it into a gimmick. But Richard Linklater, a hugely talented filmmaker who chooses his projects carefully and only makes movies that he has invested his heart and soul in, has not taken the easy road. The film takes the form of a documentary like "Hoop Dreams" and retained all the power of the best narrative films. It is a truly one of a kind film experience.
There were also a number of pleasant surprises. Three movies that I was not excited to see turned out to be much better than anticipated, and while "The Purge: Anarchy" and "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" didn't make the cut, "The Guest" did.
What really sets these movies apart is that they all took chances. None of these films are conventional, or they knew what the audience would expect and took it in a different direction. "The Purge: Anarchy" took a home invasion story with a great premise and set it loose in a whole city, "Interstellar" took a gritty and realistic look at space travel, and "The Guest" was just whacked out in general. All of these movies could have been disasters, but because they took the risk and went the extra mile, they became some of the year's most interesting and exhilarating films.
So here goes...
10. The Lego Movie. Unless it's a love story, it's usually a bad sign if a film is released in February. So imagine my surprise when not only was "The Lego Movie" (which, let's face it, was made just to cash in on the brand) good, it was excellent. Then again, so was "This Means War," but never mind. "The Lego Movie" is one of those movies that you wish every movie could be. It's so filled with crazy ideas, visual trickery and general insanity that every time the story moves somewhere else, you're wondering where it will go. It's exhilarating!
9. Chef. "Chef" is a rarity: a movie made for adults. It's R-rated (albeit undeservedly), but not raunchy or crude. In fact, it's a rather subtle dramedy that places more emphasis on character interaction than sex gags and sophomoric humor. Director Jon Favreau wants to keep us smiling and warm our hearts. It's not a perfect movie, but it's a very good one.
8. Big Hero 6. As you all know, I've long since grown tired of superhero movies. I don't oppose them as an option, but there are so many and they've become so similar that if you've seen one, you've seen them all. It's gotten so bad that if one fails, Hollywood just reboots it (admittedly, there are some movies that could benefit from a remake, "Hollow Man" and "Turbulence" being two examples). But "Big Hero 6" is a superhero movie for everyone who is sick of superhero movies. It has the same formula, but the details and the perspective are different. The film's conflict is primarily internal: Hiro's journey is to overcome his grief; saving the city is almost beside the point. This is handled with such sensitivity and honesty that it turns a formula movie into something that soars.
7. Fury. War movies are in a bit of a funk lately. With adults avoiding the theaters in increasing numbers and a PG-13 war movie becoming a thing of the past, they're not that common anymore. But "Fury" works because writer/director David Ayer pays attention to the little details. He's going for realism and verisimilitude, and it works. "Fury" is tough, bloody and brutal. Not since "The Game" have I seen a movie that so convinced me that anything could happen at any time.
6. Nightcrawler. "Nightcrawler," the directorial debut of Dan Gilroy, used our fascination of the lurid and the violent as a character study of a truly twisted individual. Louis Bloom, played with chilling effectiveness by the always reliable Jake Gyllenhaal, is a creep of the first order, but he is a fascinating individual. Gilroy could have explored his personality more, but even as is, "Nightcrawler" remains compelling viewing.
5. The Imitation Game. Benedict Cumberbatch first came to my attention when he played Paul Marshall, the sleazy friend in the criminally underrated "Atonement." The role was too small in too good of a movie for him to gain much notice, but he then went on to fame with his terrific performance as the modern day Sherlock Holmes. Then of course, he played Khan in last year's brilliant "Star Trek Into Darkness." Now, he's finally given a chance to carry his own movie, and he nails it. His performance as Alan Turing, the socially awkward (and gay) but brilliant mathematician that cracked the Enigma code machine, is stupendous. Co-star Keira Knightly is just as good, but this is his show. His Oscar is in the bag, although it's not the best performance of the year.
4. The Guest. The best performance of the year is given by Cumberbatch's real-life close friend, Dan Stevens. As "David," Stevens is absolutely riveting. Just looking at a picture of him in character is enough to give someone goosebumps. The movie is a mix and mash of tones that makes it definitely out there but still accessible. Still, the movie wouldn't be nearly as good as it is without Steven's coldly evil performance. Sadly the film pretty much disappeared without a trace, which makes chances of Dan Stevens getting a deserved Oscar close to nil.
3. Interstellar. Christopher Nolan has always been a cynical director. None of his movies were anything but dark, dark, dark. From his festival debut "Following" to "The Dark Knight Rises" (even taking the horrible tragedy that will forever tarnish its image), his movies have never been happy experiences. That hasn't changed with "Interstellar," although it is sort of a love story. While the science fiction may be the film's selling point and the biggest portion of the $165 million budget went to, the true heart of the film was the love between a father and his daughter. Matthew McConaughey gives his best performance as Cooper, and an Oscar nomination for this role is a certainty.
2. The Wind Rises. Hayao Miyazaki's (supposedly) farewell to filmmaking. He has planned retirement for nearly three decades, so there's hope that he will reverse his decision to hang up the camera. Then again he is turning 74 in three days, so he probably will only be able to make one or two more in his lifetime. Anyone who sees "The Wind Rises," "Spirited Away," or any of his other wonderful films will gladly accept that. Even if it is an atypical Miyazaki film, as "The Wind Rises" is, it's still going to be magical.
1. Boyhood. There has never been anything like "Boyhood" ever attempted. Chronologically following a group of characters for 13 years was a huge risk for everyone involved, not the least of which was turning it into a gimmick. But Richard Linklater, a hugely talented filmmaker who chooses his projects carefully and only makes movies that he has invested his heart and soul in, has not taken the easy road. The film takes the form of a documentary like "Hoop Dreams" and retained all the power of the best narrative films. It is a truly one of a kind film experience.
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