2014 has been a very interesting year of film so far. The first couple months of the year were pretty rough, as with the exception of a few films, I was pretty unsatisfied with a lot of the movies I had seen in January, February, and March. But then comes April, and ever since 2014 has turned into quite a strong year for film. A lot of that has to do with the fact that we've had a really great year of summer movies, probably the best in a very long time, as there haven't really been very many movies I'd consider a disappointment. So with that being said, since we're half way through the year already, I thought I might as well show off my Top 10 favorite films of 2014 so far along with some honorable mentions. Now keep in mind, I am making this list without still having seen some critically acclaimed movies like The Raid 2, Enemy, and Under the Skin, extc, so this list could very well change even in the next few days (afterall Guardians of the Galaxy does come out on Friday), but here is the list as of now.
Honorable Mentions (in no exact order)
How to Train Your Dragon 2-A rare sequel that I think might even surpass the original. It's darker, it's funnier, it's got even more fabulous action sequences, the emotional core is deeper this time around, and the film even goes in dark places I didn't even expect. A terrific adventure all around.
Neighbors-Easily one of the funniest films I've seen in a long time. A laugh riot and a total blast from start to finish, while the simple story is surprisingly even relatable and strangely heartfelt. The entire cast is wonderful, the sexy Rose Byrne, Dave Franco, and yes Zac Efron (I'm not kidding when I tell you this) steal the show.
Godzilla-Okay yes yes this movie was definitely lacking a bit in the story and character department, more than I was hoping it would sadly, but I won't lie I still had a really good time with this movie. The cast is solid, it's beautifully shot, the build up works because there is a lot of good suspense, and the last 30 minutes couldn't have been more fulfilling.
#10-Chef
This is honestly one of those films where the more I think about it the more I like it. One perfect way to sum up this movie would be: charming. There is just so much charm to it, a lot of which is thanks to its really charming cast all of whom deliver great performances in this film (John Leguizamo in particular really surprised me, nearly stealing the show). It also features one of the most genuine father and son relationships I've seen in a movie in a long time. Jon Favreau really nailed it with this one, and I think also delivers probably his best performance to date as an actor.
#9-Edge of Tomorrow
What a pleasant surprise! When the first trailers for "Edge of Tomrrow" were released I was one of the many people who wrote it off as just another Oblivion (which also starred Tom Cruise), but to my surprise this is one of the most thrilling, entertaining, well constructed, and best sc-fi films in a long time. Cruise is fantastic, and Emily Blunt shows off some surprising great action chops in her sexy and bad-ass turn as his partner in crime. Together they make a terrific duo. Job well done, Doug Liman.
#8-The Grand Budapest Hotel
Hysterical, thrilling, extremely well written, and even a bit heartfelt, Wes Anderson hits another home run. This really has everything a Wes Anderson fan would want from his quirky characters, wonderful visual style, off-beat comedy, his fabulous frequent cast members, and clever dialogue. Ralph Fienees is absolutely brilliant and in my opinion oscar worthy as the memorable character M. Gustave.
#7-Begin Again
Much like Chef, charming would be the perfect word to describe Begin Again. There's just so much charm to it, it's impossible to resist. It's one of the most soulful, and genuine films I've seen in quite some time. It's also pretty relatable, features the best music I've seen from any 2014 movie so far (one song in particular, "Lost Stars" I listen to like every day), touching, and has such a likeable and charming cast. Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightly (not only is she beautiful, but she can actually sing quite well too, true talent there) are fantastic. Heck even Adam Levine and Cee Lo Green are pretty good here.
#6-22 Jump Street
Sequels are usually a hard thing to pull off, especially comedy sequels which usually tend to be a disaster (*cough*,The Hangover 2, Evan Almighty). Thankfully, not only is 22 Jump Street a respectable sequel, I'd argue it might be even better than the original. Retaining the same self-aware humor that made 21 so good and funny, this was just an absolute laugh riot from the star. Even bigger laughs, more action, more gags, more Ice Cube, and an equal amount of quotable lines, this is that extremely rare comedy sequel that isn't just good, but GREAT. Chris Miller and Phil Lord just continue to hit home runs, and might very well be the best comedic duo we have working today, while Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are giving Seth Rogen and James Franco a run for their money as the current best on-screen comedic pairing working today.
#5-Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Just when I thought the Marvel Cinematic Universe might be running a little bit out of steam, they deliver us what I think is their most exhilarating, suspenseful, and complex MCU solo film to date as well as among the best comic book movies we've had since 2008's The Dark Knight. To say this film is better than the first Captain America is a ridiculous understatement. The story is perhaps the most complex we've had from a Marvel film to date and surprisingly emotionally investing, the action sequences are mind blowing, Winter Soldier is one of MCU's best villains, and it's just an all around impressively well crafted film. Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson have never been better in their respective roles. Among the most fun I've had at the movies in recent years.
#4-The LEGO Movie
If you'd told me before I saw any trailers, that a movie about just a whole bunch of Legos would not only turn out to be actually good, but also have a great chance in making my Top 10 by the end of the year, I might've thought you had mental problems. Well somehow Chris Miller and Phil Lord, being the geniuses that they are manage to do just that because with The Lego Movie they've crafted one of the smartest. quotable, hysterical, charming, and entertaining animated films I've seen in years. This movie had me grinning during its entire running time, and I'd be amazed if there's a better animated film released this year. Heck, I don't think we've had an animated movie this good since Toy Story 3 (and of course that movie is still the better movie).
#3-Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
My most anticipated movie of probably not only of the summer, but of the entire year did not disappoint in any shape or form. I loved the 2011 reboot Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and Dawn manage to surpass it in pretty much every way possible. Dawn is epic, thrilling, extremely well crafted, unpredictable, emotional, and strangely heart warming as well as touching. Andy Serkis the motion capture legend just continues to give one incredible performance after another, and in Dawn he gives perhaps his most humanize and best performance to date. Matt Reeves nailed it with this one!
#2-X-Men: Days of Future Past
Yet another movie I had such high expectations for, and it not only managed to meet them, but somehow surpass them. So many things could've easily gone wrong with X-Men: DOFP, but thankfully Bryan Singer and co-team manage to create one heck of a really satisfying superhero flick. Both the time travel and future aspects were constructed and balanced beautifully, while the story makes for the most complex, exhilarating and emotionally involving X-Men film to date. And unlike some of the previous X-Men movies, this actually feels like a true X-Men team up movie, rather than another Wolverine center focus film. The entire cast is brilliant.
#1-Boyhood
I saw this movie just two days ago, and yet I'm still just constantly thinking about it. This movie is truly unlike any other film I've seen before, and is just breathtaking filmmaking. Richard Linklater just does such a incredible job at creating characters and dialogue that feel so relatable, realistic and so authentic which is something that not many directors (or screenwriters) can pull off. Not only was I able to really connect with this main character, at times I really felt like I was watching my own childhood come to life on the big screen. It's a nearly 3 hour long movie, and I honestly did not want it to end, I could've watch these characters for hours. Just such a brilliant film, far and away the best film I've seen this year so far, and I won't be surprised at all if this is still my #1 by the time the end of the year comes. Do yourself a favor, and see Boyhood like right now.
The Worst Movies of 2014 so far (in no exact order)
Transformers: Age of Extinction-nearly 3 hours (which actually felt more like 6) of explosions, horrible dialogue, horrible acting, juvenile humor, and a 49 year old pervert director placing his camera practically on the butt of a young girl who was only 18 during filming of this (sure it was a nice shot from a male's perspective, but I am 17 not 49 so I have an excuse). Yawn, yawn yawn. At this point, Michael Bay is clearly not even trying.
The Legend of Hercules-Was this even a film? If so where was the story? Why was the acting and line delivery so bad that I've seen more convincing performances in a elementary school play? What an embarrassing project for everyone involved.
I Frankenstein-My friend who I saw this with fell asleep a bit during this. I really wanted to do the same thing, what a horrible waste of talent this movie was.
The Monuments Men-George Clooney, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Jean Dujardin, and DIRECTED by George Clooney (who also directed the very underrated Ides of March) all in the same movie? What could possibly wrong? Well everything I guess considering this is one of the most boring, most dull, and lifeless historical films I've seen in recent memory. As many people have already pointed out, it's like a boring history lesson that half of the students will end up falling asleep in. What a disappointment considering all of that talent involved.
Well there you have it basically my half-time report for the 2014 movie year so far. Still have lots of great looking movies to look forward to, including the Guardians of the Galaxy this weekend, then Interstellar, Gone Girl, Inherent Vice, and many more in the fall. Hopefully the second half will be just as good if not better.
