The Best Movies of 2014 (Reviews+Ratings)
by jonruff108 | created - 25 Apr 2014 | updated - 14 Jul 2016 | PublicMy personal favorite movies of 2014 complete with reviews and my rating for each film! I've been updating this list throughout the entire year and now is finally the time to sort it all out! This list is still periodically updated as I see more films from 2014.
2014 has been another spectacular year for films!
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1. Whiplash (2014)
R | 106 min | Drama, Music
A promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.
Director: Damien Chazelle | Stars: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser
Votes: 990,386 | Gross: $13.09M
Holy ****.
This film blew me away; as soon as it would start to slow down it'd slam me back up against the wall and my eyes would be glued to the screen. This is pure cinema. This is art. It's essentially flawless. The script and direction are so incredibly well done it made my head spin. Every scene has raw power behind it. Right from the start there is this immediate sense of tension. You're legs won't stop bouncing and you're not entirely sure why. This is a testament to the immaculate talent on display in front and behind the camera. Miles Teller and JK Simmons absolutely destroy their competition. They dedicated themselves to every scene, every line of incredibly written dialogue and the pay off is spectacular.
If I were to criticize one thing, just for the sake of nitpicking, I would say the overall story is slightly shallow (you basically know how the movie will end, what matters is the journey). The film is far from predictable and keeps you at the edge of your seat (quite literally) but some may be underwhelmed by the ending.
Oh, and the editing was fantastic; some of the best this year right up there with Birdman and the Raid 2.
9.0/10
2. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
R | 119 min | Comedy, Drama
A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu | Stars: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough
Votes: 666,738 | Gross: $42.34M
Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, and Emma Stone all give the best performances of their careers, which is especially notable for Norton given his past works. It never feels like they're are acting; they feel like real people. The performances are, once again, subtle and incredibly natural giving everything a more genuine feel. The rest of the cast is great as well but don't standout as much.
Birdman is a simple movie, or it appears that way. Underneath it's a complex beast full of ideology and philosophy about life, the people we spend life with, and, most importantly, who we ourselves are. It also spends a fair amount of time analyzing what the film industry has become as well as what impact critics have on both artists and audiences. It's a fascinating study of modern society.
If someone were to ask me what Birdman was about I'd tell them it's really just a simple metaphor of life itself. Its beautiful, sad, funny, and enormously rewarding. I couldn't recommend this movie enough. If you're looking for that sense of wonder you haven't felt in cinemas in quite some time, look no further; Birdman came to save you!
9.0/10
3. Interstellar (2014)
PG-13 | 169 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
When Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.
Director: Christopher Nolan | Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy
Votes: 2,102,164 | Gross: $188.02M
Interstellar is the most ambitious movie I've seen in years. The size, scope, story, philosophical themes about humanity and the way it ties in with the characters really set this aside from other movies released in 2014. I'd be hard pressed if there is another film this year that impresses me like Interstellar has. Interstellar is everything I could ever ask from a movie; it was exciting, funny, emotional, intense (that docking scene...), awe-inspiring, gorgeous, grand, and epic. And even with its nearly three hour run time the movie flew by within what felt like a standard two hour movie.
Is Interstellar Nolan's best film? Perhaps... and maybe not. That's up to the viewers to decide. It is, however, his most ambitious and epic. Interstellar is going to stay with me for days, weeks maybe. It leaves you with just enough thought provoking material that it leaves you completely satisfied and fulfilled.
9.0/10
4. Boyhood (I) (2014)
R | 165 min | Drama
The life of Mason, from early childhood to his arrival at college.
Director: Richard Linklater | Stars: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Elijah Smith
Votes: 367,253 | Gross: $25.38M
Don't miss out on this one. It's where cinema and art meet and create something that is only possible on film. It pleases me that films like this are still being made. This is what cinema is all about: losing yourself in a different world and forgetting the rest. This is truly something remarkable and rare, I can't enforce this enough. Listen to the reviews and the hype; it deserves all of it.
9.0/10.
5. The Raid 2 (2014)
R | 150 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
Only a short time after the first raid, Rama goes undercover with the thugs of Jakarta and plans to bring down the syndicate and uncover the corruption within his police force.
Director: Gareth Evans | Stars: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara
Votes: 131,313 | Gross: $2.63M
Without a doubt, the best action movie I have ever seen. Absolutely incredible. Everything from the acting to the directing and the cinematography to the action scenes is masterful. Its a shame more people won't see this because of subtitles. The story was engaging, characters interesting, action scenes were *unbelievable*, and (again) cinematography and direction were mind blowing. I can't say enough about this movie.
9.0/10.
6. Comet (2014)
R | 91 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Set in a parallel universe, Comet bounces back and forth over the course of an unlikely but perfectly paired couple's six-year relationship.
Director: Sam Esmail | Stars: Justin Long, Emmy Rossum, Kayla Servi, Eric Winter
Votes: 19,660
It is difficult for me to form words after seeing this movie. I'm sitting here at my desk trying to gather my thoughts to string together logical sentences but I have become overwhelmed with emotion.
For now let's talk technicalities. The acting, directing, cinematography and lighting, editing, and soundtrack are gorgeous. The film is aesthetically beautiful to look at, so much so that it almost hurts.
But the real star is Sam Esmail's (USA's Mr. Robot) writing. This is where I'm having difficulty expressing my general thoughts. This IS NOT a film for everyone; and that's what makes it so unbelievably special. The characters are painted beautifully and feel fresh and new, which is something I can't say often. The screenplay is so incredibly touching that it often felt like a transcending experience; something more than just a film.
If you are a fan of deeply challenging films (i.e. Mr Nobody) then this is an absolute must see. If your a film student, this is a must see. If you are a lover of cinema in general, this is a must see.
The film is on Netflix and it's only an hour and a half in length making for an extremely easy watch. Please support this film. It's such a rarity that we see such beauty in a film released in 2014.
9.0/10
7. Enemy (2013)
R | 91 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
A man seeks out his exact look-alike after spotting him in a movie.
Director: Denis Villeneuve | Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mélanie Laurent, Sarah Gadon, Isabella Rossellini
Votes: 215,346 | Gross: $1.01M
A psychological masterpiece. Jack Gyllenhaal turns in a riveting performance and Denis Villeneuve paints a picture that spins and turns seemingly endlessly. This is art; symbolism and "subtle-ness" are off the charts here. It demands deep and intense thinking; it's not a movie for everyone. You'll leave the movie with either one of two things spinning around your head: "What the **** just happened?" or you'll be reevaluating what you think of yourself.
8.5/10
8. Before I Disappear (2014)
Unrated | 93 min | Adventure, Drama
At the lowest point of his life, Richie gets a call from his estranged sister, asking him to look after his 11-year old niece Sophia for a few hours.
Director: Shawn Christensen | Stars: Shawn Christensen, Fatima Ptacek, Emmy Rossum, Paul Wesley
Votes: 10,076 | Gross: $0.01M
When you have a movie about a man trying to find redemption it's either going to be really bad or really good; there isn't really an in-between. Thankfully, this is a great one and avoids most cliches and feel good moments that plague lesser redemption stories. The acting is heartfelt and real without being overdone and the direction and cinematography are just excellent, bringing out the devastating path towards self redemption.
8.5/10
9. Locke (2013)
R | 85 min | Drama
Ivan Locke, a dedicated family man and successful construction manager, receives a phone call on the eve of the biggest challenge of his career that sets in motion a series of events that threaten his carefully cultivated existence.
Director: Steven Knight | Stars: Tom Hardy, Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott
Votes: 159,633 | Gross: $1.36M
Tom Hardy's Tour de France performance; absolutely phenomenal. It's without a doubt one of the best performances this year. The screenplah and direction from Steven Knight are just as impressive. Cinematography is gorgeous and keeps you engaged with what's happening on screen even though the entire movie takes place in a car. The story, even though it advances slowly, has excellent pacing and never gets bored.
Tom Hardy's performance alone is worth seeing this movie.
8.5/10.
10. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
PG-13 | 132 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.
Director: Bryan Singer | Stars: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy
Votes: 745,486 | Gross: $233.92M
One of the best movies of the year so far, in my opinion, and the best X-Men movie yet! Brian Singer has outdone himself with this one. Not only is the action dazzling, the soundtrack exciting and emotional, the special effects top notch, the cinematography great, the direction amazing, and the acting phenomenal, but the story and the character development is what really sets this movie apart. You genuinely care about these people and what happens.
8.5/10
11. The Lego Movie (2014)
PG | 100 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
An ordinary LEGO construction worker, thought to be the prophesied as "special", is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the LEGO universe into eternal stasis.
Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller | Stars: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett
Votes: 388,500 | Gross: $257.76M
Best animated movie since Toy Story 3! By far the most fun I've had in theaters all year and had a truly genuine story with a fantastic message and awesome characters!
8.5/10
12. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
PG-13 | 130 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The fragile peace between apes and humans is threatened as mistrust and betrayal threaten to plunge both tribes into a war for dominance over the Earth.
Director: Matt Reeves | Stars: Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Votes: 469,704 | Gross: $208.55M
While perhaps it wasn't as good as Rise, it definitely told a very emotional and powerful story with some absolutely mind blowing CGI and some impressive action sequences.
8.5/10.
13. Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
R | 114 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.
Director: Peter Chelsom | Stars: Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Jean Reno
Votes: 50,510 | Gross: $1.12M
8.5/10
14. 4 Minute Mile (2014)
PG-13 | 96 min | Drama, Sport
A former track coach decides to train a student with natural athletic talent. Tragedy strikes, forcing the student to confront everything that has been holding him back.
Director: Charles-Olivier Michaud | Stars: Kelly Blatz, Richard Jenkins, Kim Basinger, Cam Gigandet
Votes: 3,147
4 Minute Mile is a film that seems like it'll be full of cliches and sports moments we've seen dozens of times before but it's not. Instead, we get fantastic characters and a story that is emotionally involving. 4 Minute Mile isn't a story about winning and loosing or reaching your goals; it's about life. It's about facing your fears. It's about letting go and moving forward.
Combine that with fantastic performances from the entire cast and *beautiful* cinematography and you've got one of the year's best films.
8.5/10
15. John Wick (2014)
R | 101 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters who killed his dog and stole his car.
Director: Chad Stahelski | Stars: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Willem Dafoe
Votes: 739,537 | Gross: $43.04M
John Wick is a surprising movie. Not only is it one of the best movies of the year but it's probably the best Hollywood action movie of the past several years. The stunt-work and choreography are brilliant; it helps having Keanu Reeves doing nearly all his own stunts and it pays off magnificently. Fight scenes haven't looked this great from a Hollywood movie in quite some time.
But that's not all there is to praise; the story works. It works very well. It seems cliche (and maybe it is) but it doesn't matter. The world is deeply written and keeps your interest the entire time. The direction is fantastic, as is the cinematography.
This movie shouldn't really have been that good but it is.
8.0/10
16. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
PG | 102 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
When Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.
Director: Dean DeBlois | Stars: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson
Votes: 364,227 | Gross: $177.00M
The animation is by far the best I've seen in an animated movie (The Lego Movie is the only one comparable). Voice acting was great. Cinematography was gorgeous. The story was interesting. The soundtrack was good. And the art direction was wonderful!
8.0/10.
17. The Skeleton Twins (2014)
R | 93 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Having both coincidentally cheated death on the same day, estranged twins reunite with the possibility of mending their relationship.
Director: Craig Johnson | Stars: Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell
Votes: 44,873 | Gross: $5.28M
A simple story told with very realistic portrayals of depression and amazing performances by the entire cast make for an emotional film that will stay with you.
8.0/10
18. Laggies (2014)
R | 99 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
In the throes of a quarter-life crisis, Megan panics when her boyfriend proposes. She takes an opportunity to escape for a week, hiding out in the house of her new 16-year-old friend Annika and her world-weary single dad.
Director: Lynn Shelton | Stars: Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell, Mark Webber
Votes: 45,815 | Gross: $0.44M
Kiera Knightley once again proves how great an actor she is in this funny and easily relatable film about an adult who is having a difficult time fitting in with the world around her.
8.0/10
19. Men, Women & Children (2014)
R | 119 min | Comedy, Drama
A group of high school teenagers and their parents attempt to navigate the many ways the Internet has changed their relationships, their communications, their self-images, and their love lives.
Director: Jason Reitman | Stars: Kaitlyn Dever, Rosemarie DeWitt, Ansel Elgort, Jennifer Garner
Votes: 33,743 | Gross: $0.46M
Despite nearly universal negative opinions towards this film, I loved it. I didn't feel that it was anti-technology at all but rather showed both sides of the argument equally and realistically. The acting from everyone is exceptional as well. Even Adam Sandler, who takes on a much more serious role, is fantastic and believable as a depressed father. My only complaint is the film ends abruptly and the narration was kind of annoying.
Overall, the film is definitely worth checking out, especially if you like Jason Reitman.
8.0/10
20. The Road Within (2014)
R | 100 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
A young man with Tourette's Syndrome embarks on a road trip with his recently-deceased mother's ashes.
Director: Gren Wells | Stars: Robert Sheehan, Dev Patel, Zoë Kravitz, Robert Patrick
Votes: 16,281
This is one of the few movies that's made me laugh to tears. It's genuinely hilarious and features great and likable characters that have actors that are on the top of their game.
8.0/10
21. The Imitation Game (2014)
PG-13 | 114 min | Biography, Drama, Thriller
During World War II, the English mathematical genius Alan Turing tries to crack the German Enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians while attempting to come to terms with his troubled private life.
Director: Morten Tyldum | Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Allen Leech
Votes: 825,385 | Gross: $91.13M
Benedict Cumberbatch gives an absolutely incredible performance as the genius homosexual mathematician with such extreme emotion yet subtle undertones that solidify him for one of the best performances of the year. The movie is directed carefully and the cinematography is simplistic but beautiful as it slowly pans and zooms on objects as it slowly adjusts focus.
The plot is pretty straight forward (especially if you know the true life story already) but that doesn't detract from the film at all. It isn't only an emotional and heartbreaking experience but also a humorous and "eye opening" story. The film is extremely cautious when dealing with politically sensitive issues such as women's rights and gay rights so it doesn't feel obnoxious and thrown in.
I really enjoyed the Imitation Game and it's Cumberbatch's best performance yet, if you can even imagine that...
8.0/10
22. The One I Love (2014)
R | 91 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A troubled couple vacate to a beautiful getaway, but bizarre circumstances further complicate their situation.
Director: Charlie McDowell | Stars: Mark Duplass, Elisabeth Moss, Ted Danson, Kiana Cason
Votes: 43,536 | Gross: $0.51M
DO NOT watch any trailers or read anything other than the description on Netflix. The less you know, the better.
This is a great film that takes a simple idea but infuses interesting character drama and mystery along with it. I won't say anything else.
8/10
23. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
PG-13 | 136 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
As Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo | Stars: Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Redford
Votes: 899,540 | Gross: $259.77M
Best Marvel Studios movie since Iron Man 1. Perhaps a little overrated... but still a great movie with good action scenes.
8/10
24. Ask Me Anything (2014)
Not Rated | 100 min | Drama
A confused teenager writes a blog revealing her daily activities and secrets, advised to do so by her high school guidance counselor in lieu of moving on to her first year in college.
Director: Allison Burnett | Stars: Britt Robertson, Molly Hagan, Andy Buckley, Robert Patrick
Votes: 12,982
A brilliantly acted and touching script make for a brutally honest and emotional journey of a young girl who's lost in the world of growing up.
8.0/10
25. Lone Survivor (2013)
R | 121 min | Action, Biography, Drama
Marcus Luttrell and his team set out on a mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah, in late June 2005. Marcus and his team are left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare.
Director: Peter Berg | Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster
Votes: 306,808 | Gross: $125.10M
Technically a 2013 release but most will see it in 2014.
I really liked the realistic feel to everything down to uniforms and all the way to the action scenes. At first it felt like a "go America" movie but in the third act that completely turns around. Probably the best war movie in quite some time.
8/10
26. The Babadook (2014)
Not Rated | 94 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
A single mother and her child fall into a deep well of paranoia when an eerie children's book titled "Mister Babadook" manifests in their home.
Director: Jennifer Kent | Stars: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall, Hayley McElhinney
Votes: 247,418 | Gross: $0.92M
Expertly directed and edited. Amazing sound design. Great performances. There really isn't anything negative to say about the Babadook. The film was at times downright terrifying and that's exactly what I wanted. I understand how some could find the ending silly or unrewarding but I thought it was fine.
8.0/10
27. Noah (2014)
PG-13 | 138 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Noah is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.
Director: Darren Aronofsky | Stars: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson
Votes: 267,132 | Gross: $101.20M
Although it has almost nothing to do with the original Bible story, Noah still manages to tell an interesting story with a very human core at the center. Cinematography was genius at times and the visuals were a sight to behold. Acting was excellent all around especially from Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Emma Watson.
8.0/10.
28. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
R | 99 min | Adventure, Comedy, Crime
A writer encounters the owner of an aging high-class hotel, who tells him of his early years serving as a lobby boy in the hotel's glorious years under an exceptional concierge.
Director: Wes Anderson | Stars: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody
Votes: 887,282 | Gross: $59.10M
Fantastic performances and brilliant directing make for a fun and ultra unique film that can be enjoyed by many! It's also quite funny, providing multiple occasions of genuine laugh-out-loud content!
8.0/10
29. Gone Girl (2014)
R | 149 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.
Director: David Fincher | Stars: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry
Votes: 1,067,975 | Gross: $167.77M
Truly horrifying and disturbing yet so riveting and suspenseful that you can't help but keep your eyes glued to the screen. David Fincher directs with such care and accuracy and keeps his actors focused and attentive that every detail is obsessed over and nears perfection. Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike both turn in excellent performances that are both intense yet natural at the same time giving their characters subtle and conflicting inner emotions that aren't always clearly shown. Considering the very lengthy runtime of 149 minutes the movie rarely gets boring. Gilliam Flynn's (also the author of the book) script is filled with rich character development and is full of references of the human condition and a person's capacity for violence.
Overall, Gone Girl is an extremely well made movie but only lacks in the actual story and the ending which can (understandably) leave many feeling unsatisfied.
8/10.
30. Transcendence (I) (2014)
PG-13 | 119 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
A scientist's drive for artificial intelligence takes on dangerous implications when his own consciousness is uploaded into one such program.
Director: Wally Pfister | Stars: Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy
Votes: 238,919 | Gross: $23.02M
I actually enjoyed this, but I understand all the hate it gets. It kept me thinking about it for a few days after. I found it very provocative, even if there were a little too many plot holes...
8/10
31. In Your Eyes (2014)
Not Rated | 106 min | Fantasy, Romance
Two seemingly unconnected souls from different corners of the United States make a telepathic bond that allows them to see, hear and feel the other's experiences, creating a bond that apparently can't be broken.
Director: Brin Hill | Stars: Michael Stahl-David, Zoe Kazan, Mark Feuerstein, David Gallagher
Votes: 32,040
A wonderfully shot film that kept me entertained the entire time. The idea is original (Netflix's masterful Sense8 has the same basic concept, however) and the characters are fun to watch. The writing is a bit cliched at times and the ending thoroughly predictable but that didn't stop me from loving this small film!
8.0/10
32. The Theory of Everything (2014)
PG-13 | 123 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
Stephen Hawking gets unprecedented success in the field of physics despite being diagnosed with motor neuron disease at the age of 21. He defeats awful odds as his first wife Jane aids him loyally.
Director: James Marsh | Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior, Sophie Perry
Votes: 482,282 | Gross: $35.89M
Very overrated at the Oscars but still a very good film. The acting is top notch all around and the soundtrack is absolutely gorgeous, nearly on par with Interstellar's magnificent score. The direction is good, if not a little conventional and the script is decent as well but it isn't anything you haven't seen before. The characters are written with incredible depth, however, and it's very easy to draw emotional connections with them. 7.5/10
33. Non-Stop (2014)
PG-13 | 106 min | Action, Mystery, Thriller
An air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages demanding $150 million into an off-shore account, or someone will die every 20 minutes.
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra | Stars: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy, Michelle Dockery
Votes: 276,595 | Gross: $92.17M
Surprisingly exciting and really keeps you guessing. The human element is more than a little cliché but in the end of doesn't matter because its all about the mystery and its handled very well. 7.5/10.
34. Fury (2014)
R | 134 min | Action, Drama, War
A grizzled tank commander makes tough decisions as he and his crew fight their way across Germany in April, 1945.
Director: David Ayer | Stars: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña
Votes: 547,553 | Gross: $85.82M
From a technical standpoint, this movie is a masterpiece. The acting (Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Bernthal) directing (David Ayer), soundtrack (Gravity's Steven Price), sound design, editing, cinematography, and visual and special effects are all some of (if not the) best you'll see all year. Where this movie falls short is in its pacing, storytelling, and characters. This is a war movie, and with that comes the same cliches and characters we've seen in all of them. That isn't to say the story is bad, it's just more of the same. The pacing however, especially in the second act, is mixed.
Overall, it's worth seeing. Maybe not in theaters (especially if you have a home theater at home for the incredible sound design) but it is entertaining enough and it gives you it's fare share of the brutalities of war.
7.5/10
35. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
PG-13 | 121 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.
Director: James Gunn | Stars: Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana
Votes: 1,273,890 | Gross: $333.18M
Hilarious all the way through. Cool action scenes and (mostly) great CGI made for a very entertaining movie. Definitely top three from Marvel Studios.
7.5/10.
36. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
PG-13 | 144 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Bilbo and company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of a rising darkness.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett
Votes: 572,078 | Gross: $255.12M
Well, the Middle-earth saga is complete. Does it compare to the original films? Nope. Not even close. It is still a decent film with some great performances and cinematography. The CGI is a huge issue in this film (yeah, that phrase is a broken record by now) and it felt like Peter Jackson simply didn't have enough material to fill the run time. Overall I enjoyed the film more than An Unexpected Journey but not as much as the Desolation of Smaug or, of course, the Lord of the Rings.
7.5/10.
37. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
PG-13 | 113 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies.
Director: Doug Liman | Stars: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson
Votes: 737,389 | Gross: $100.21M
With some smartly designed action sequences and cinematography along with nice acting and a cool plot idea, Edge of Tomorrow is very entertaining but not always as smart as it thinks it is. 7.5/10
38. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
PG-13 | 126 min | Drama, Romance
Hazel and Gus are teenagers who meet at a cancer support group and fall in love. They both share the same acerbic wit and a love of books, especially "An Imperial Affliction", so they embark on a journey to visit an author in Amsterdam.
Director: Josh Boone | Stars: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern
Votes: 401,279 | Gross: $124.87M
This is a prime example of a movie with great potential but is bogged down by trying to cater too much to a specific audience, in this case young teenage girls. The story behind this film is actually pretty touching and at times insightful however the script and direction really dumb it down at times, unfortunately. The performances are very strong though, with Shailene Woodley impressing me yet again.
7.5/10
39. Snowpiercer (2013)
R | 126 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
In a future where a failed climate change experiment has killed all life except for the survivors who boarded the Snowpiercer (a train that travels around the globe), a new class system emerges.
Director: Bong Joon Ho | Stars: Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris
Votes: 389,185 | Gross: $4.56M
Snowpiercer is probably one of the stranger movies I've seen. The entire plot really doesn't make sense in a logical but that isn't really the point. Audiences should rather pay attention to the symbolism and themes the director was trying to depict. Everything is wrapped up in the end and it's left open for interpretation. The film is very stylistic and can be pretty bizarre but overall it was enjoyable.
7.5/10
40. Wild (I) (2014)
R | 115 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
A chronicle of one woman's 1,100-mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent personal tragedy.
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée | Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Gaby Hoffmann, Michiel Huisman
Votes: 138,923 | Gross: $37.88M
7.5/10
41. Nightcrawler (2014)
R | 117 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
When Louis Bloom, a con man desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story.
Director: Dan Gilroy | Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, Riz Ahmed
Votes: 604,904 | Gross: $32.38M
Nightcrawler is a very well made movie. The acting was top notch; Gyllenhaal gave an extremely subtle and very creepy performance. Dan Gilroy's directing shines throughout the dark visual aesthetics of the excellent cinematography. The movie does a lot of things right but where it ultimately fails is in its storytelling. The movie is, at many instances, very tense or creepy but in the end the audience doesn't really care about what's happening. The plot is interesting enough and I appreciate that it's trying to do something a little different but with out giving me anything to care about, there's not too much more to say...
7/10 (for the production quality and Gyllenhaal)
42. Horns (2013)
R | 120 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
In the aftermath of his girlfriend's mysterious death, a young man awakens to find strange horns sprouting from his forehead.
Director: Alexandre Aja | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Juno Temple, Max Minghella, Joe Anderson
Votes: 88,031 | Gross: $0.16M
This movie was, surprisingly, actually pretty good. First off, the cinematography is beautiful and creates a wonderful environment full of vibrant images and gorgeous gliding shots. The acting is good, nothing particularly special. What really makes this movie standout though is its originality. I must say I had no clue how the movie would end. I couldn't even guess. That doesn't necessarily make the movie good but it sure made a difference here.
7.5/10
43. Chef (2014)
R | 114 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
A head chef quits his restaurant job and buys a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.
Director: Jon Favreau | Stars: Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman
Votes: 231,866 | Gross: $31.42M
A strong character study that's a bit cliched and lacks the kind of kitchen detail you'd expect from a movie about a cook but ultimately it's a feel good film that'll leave you with a smile.
7.5/10
44. Still Alice (2014)
PG-13 | 101 min | Drama
A linguistics professor and her family find their bonds tested when she is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
Directors: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland | Stars: Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth
Votes: 143,531 | Gross: $18.75M
A touching story told with brilliant performances but unfortunately you know exactly what's going to happen the entire time.
7.0/10
45. The Interview (II) (2014)
R | 112 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Dave Skylark and his producer Aaron Rapaport run the celebrity tabloid show "Skylark Tonight". When they land an interview with a surprise fan, North Korean dictator Jong-Un Kim, they are recruited by the CIA to assassinate him.
Directors: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen | Stars: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Randall Park, Lizzy Caplan
Votes: 354,840 | Gross: $6.11M
James Franco and Seth Rogen once again prove impeccable chemistry in another comedy that manages plenty of laugh-out-loud material along with incredibly awkward situations that make you cringe at the screen! I enjoyed this movie for what it was. The only aspect I didn't care about was Lizzy Caplan, who is usually a good actress, but she was annoying and over the top here. But it didn't detract from the film in anyway, seeing how her screen time is limited.
7.0/10
46. Frank (II) (2014)
R | 95 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
Jon, a young wanna-be musician, discovers he's bitten off more than he can chew when he joins an eccentric pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank.
Director: Lenny Abrahamson | Stars: Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Moira Brooker
Votes: 82,385 | Gross: $0.64M
What a strange movie...highly original and very unique. In fact, I don't think I've really seen anything like it before, which in itself is quite an accomplishment. However, the film drags and some of the characters are extremely annoying. The first act is really great but about half way through I started to loose interest, unfortunately. The film is essentially about the lives of the band members and how they fight both with themselves and others to achieve what they want to create, which in this case is something unique.
7.0/10 (for originality and some great laugh out loud moments)
47. Godzilla (2014)
PG-13 | 123 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The world is beset by the appearance of monstrous creatures, but one of them may be the only one who can save humanity.
Director: Gareth Edwards | Stars: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe
Votes: 441,113 | Gross: $200.68M
Best Godzilla movie. Could've used a little more Godzilla in it and maybe some better written characters but overall I enjoyed this one.
7/10
48. The Double (2013)
R | 93 min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
The unenviable life of a government-agency clerk takes a horrific turn with the arrival of a new co-worker who is both his exact physical double and his opposite otherwise--he's a confident, charismatic ladies' man.
Director: Richard Ayoade | Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska, Wallace Shawn, Noah Taylor
Votes: 53,043 | Gross: $0.20M
6.5
49. Unbroken (I) (2014)
PG-13 | 137 min | Action, Biography, Drama
After a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, Olympian Louis Zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before he's caught by the Japanese navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.
Director: Angelina Jolie | Stars: Jack O'Connell, Miyavi, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund
Votes: 182,798 | Gross: $115.64M
A fantastic story tragically suffers from choppy direction and editing along with forced dialogue that tries way to hard to be inspirational. The cinematography from Roger Deakins was very well done, no surprise there.
6.5/10
50. Need for Speed (2014)
PG-13 | 132 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
Fresh from prison, a street racer who was framed by a wealthy business associate joins a cross-country race with revenge in mind. His ex-partner, learning of the plan, places a massive bounty on his head as the race begins.
Director: Scott Waugh | Stars: Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots, Kid Cudi
Votes: 178,567 | Gross: $43.58M
Genuinely cool racing scenes and awesome practical effects make this a fun popcorn flick, but nothing more than that.
6.5/10
51. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
PG-13 | 105 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
Jack Ryan, as a young covert C.I.A. analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.
Director: Kenneth Branagh | Stars: Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley, Kenneth Branagh
Votes: 138,264 | Gross: $50.58M
Overall an entertaining film with some good performances. The story is nothing new but overall I enjoyed it. Just turn your brain off... 6.5/10.
52. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
PG-13 | 142 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
When New York is put under siege by Oscorp, it is up to Spider-Man to save the city he swore to protect as well as his loved ones.
Director: Marc Webb | Stars: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Paul Giamatti
Votes: 538,265 | Gross: $202.85M
The best parts about this film were the scenes with both Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield. Their on screen chemistry is just so perfect that it almost, just almost, covers up the terrible dialogue and directing. Ultimately, TASM2 collapses in on itself while trying to juggle too many story lines and villains all at once. Speaking of villains, they're all really terrible and have no logical motivation or sense. Oh well, the CGI ranged from amazing to downright terrible. Overall, turn your brain off and it'll be quite enjoyable as some the action sequences are actually pretty well done.
6.5/10.
53. Maleficent (2014)
PG | 97 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child could be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land.
Director: Robert Stromberg | Stars: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Lesley Manville
Votes: 400,404 | Gross: $241.41M
Void of any emotion, a predictable plot, lack luster CGI, but features one of Jolie's better performances, which isn't saying much, Maleficent was enjoyable to watch but on the whole disappointing.
6.0/10
54. The Longest Week (2014)
PG-13 | 86 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Conrad (Jason Bateman) is helped by his old friend Dylan (Billy Crudup) and returns the favor by falling for Dylan's girlfriend Beatrice (Olivia Wilde).
Director: Peter Glanz | Stars: Jason Bateman, Olivia Wilde, Billy Crudup, Tony Roberts
Votes: 13,444
5.5/10
Starts off pretty strong but quickly plunges into a cliched romance story that, in the end, doesn't even make sense.
55. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)
PG-13 | 123 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Katniss Everdeen is in District 13 after she shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.
Director: Francis Lawrence | Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson
Votes: 503,199 | Gross: $337.14M
It saddens me that this movie was made. It's uninteresting in every aspect. It felt like the director tried to make the best of the script but it didn't work. The movie is basically a loop of the same scenes just with actors sitting in different places and saying the same things. I wasn't expecting it to be this bad, seeing how I really, really enjoyed the second one.
5.5/10
56. RoboCop (2014)
PG-13 | 117 min | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi
In 2028 Detroit, when Alex Murphy, a loving husband, father and good cop, is critically injured in the line of duty, the multinational conglomerate OmniCorp sees their chance for a part-man, part-robot police officer.
Director: José Padilha | Stars: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish
Votes: 239,702 | Gross: $58.61M
This wasn't a good movie. Only way I can put it. Decent special effects and mediocre acting doesn't make up for horrendous writing and boring characters and plot. Please don't waste your time with this.
5/10
57. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
PG-13 | 165 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
When humanity allies with a bounty hunter in pursuit of Optimus Prime, the Autobots turn to a mechanic and his family for help.
Director: Michael Bay | Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz Beckham, Jack Reynor, Stanley Tucci
Votes: 331,729 | Gross: $245.44M
Yes...Transformers....well, maybe not......
Oh boy....where to start....actually, just don't see this. Save $10 and 2 hour and 40 minutes of your time. The soundtrack was good and the cinematography was cool but this is one of the most boring movies I've ever seen. Bad CGI and acting aside, the plot holes and dullness in the story was pathetic.
4.5/10.
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