7 Underrated Films of 2014
They weren't bad at all, people!
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- DirectorPeter HyamsStarsTom Everett ScottJean-Claude Van DammeOrlando JonesDeep within a forest on the U.S.-Canadian border, two sworn enemies must work together to escape a ruthless drug cartel hell-bent on retrieving a drug shipment which went missing there.Here's a fun little surprise - this low budget action thriller from director/cinematographer Peter Hyams ("Timecop", "Outland") is pretty darn entertaining - this would've been his comeback to the mainstream had this film been marketed better, as this is his most solid work since "The Relic", in fact. Despite a very cornball and unoriginal script, Hyams and the main actors make the movie work, but the real show-stealer here is a delightfully madcap and over-the-top villainous Jean-Claude Van Damme as a psychotic French-Canadian vegan-eco-mercenary with bones to pick about guns. This aspect pushes the film away from its B-movie tendencies and into surreal Twilight-Zone territory. Also, the way the bad guy goes out in this movie gets a perfect 5/5 from me.
- DirectorPatrick HughesStarsSylvester StalloneJason StathamJet LiBarney augments his team with new blood for a personal battle: to take down Conrad Stonebanks, the Expendables co-founder and notorious arms trader who is hell bent on wiping out Barney and every single one of his associates.I'll be honest. I walked into this movie expecting to be disappointed, what with all the PG-13 hullabaloo and the negative flak that this is getting. Walking out with a big grin on my face, not only was I very pleased with what I saw, but I think this just may be the best film of the franchise, a slick, well-balanced blend of old-school and modern-day action. There are flaws, such as the usual extended cameos, a lagging middle act and some dreadful CG effects, and the fact that no one will ever successfully censor R-rated tendencies with PG-13 editing. But newbie director Patrick Hughes keeps the pace steady, even when the plot takes itself very seriously, and builds up the film to a rousing, insane, preposterously entertaining final 20 minutes of vintage "Expendables" action. It's bloodless video-game carnage, but it's ragdoll bloodless video-game carnage.
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsJohn Lloyd YoungErich BergenMichael LomendaThe story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons.Director and Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood has not been at his best lately, but damned if he doesn't try to make something different from his norm with gusto - this adaptation of the hit Broadway musical hits the right notes, in my opinion - making for one exuberant and lively biopic about the good ol' rise-and-fall tale of The Four Seasons - despite some awkward editorial decisions. Feet tapping will occur.
- DirectorJason ReitmanStarsKaitlyn DeverRosemarie DeWittAnsel ElgortA 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.More often than not, Jason Reitman's latest film has lofty ambitions and grasps for greatness at certain scenes, but it catches empty air occasionally. No matter; it is still a strong drama that is ripe for discussion about the most screwed up group of suburbia America this side "American Beauty", whilst offering a scathing social commentary of how technology and social media have completely dominated our lifestyles and eradicated some shred of humanity left in us. While it's no "Up in the Air", it's certainly better than "Labor Day", and it's pleasant to see Adam Sandler actually acting again.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsRussell CroweJennifer ConnellyAnthony HopkinsNoah is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.Darren Aronofsky's loose (and I use that term heavily) adaptation of Noah's Ark is an utterly bizarre movie - an insane combination of Biblical parable, cliched Hollywood fantasy blockbuster and a gifted filmmaker's fervent passion project, amalgamated with some truly dazzling cinematography, editing and visual effects with sumptuous music, production design and quality performances by Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly and (surprisingly) Emma Watson. And yet - I won't lie - for these very same reasons, I personally enjoyed the hell out of this film, it's not everyday you see a filmmaker do whatever he wants with over $100 million in his hands. I shall now await the flaming arrows aimed at my head.
- DirectorDavid AyerStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerSam WorthingtonTerrence HowardMembers of an elite DEA task force find themselves being taken down one by one after they rob a drug cartel safe house.This Agatha Christie-inspired crime thriller introduces a dramatic edge and a true return to form for action icon Arnold Schwarzenegger in perhaps his most violent film yet, coupled by a strong ensemble cast, intriguing plot twists and very skillful and intense direction by writer/director David Ayer ("End of Watch") - fast becoming a household name in tough, no-nonsense action. I say violent because some of the nasty deaths in this film are downright brutal and gruesome - perhaps "Saw"-like in detail, but then again, that's what you get for messing with drug cartels.
- DirectorKevin SmithStarsJustin LongMichael ParksHaley Joel OsmentA brash and arrogant podcaster gets more than he bargained for when he travels to Canada to interview a mysterious recluse... who has a rather disturbing fondness for walruses.Probably the most insane film of the year so far; a theater-of-the-absurd, disguising itself as a comedy/horror film. I do not mean it as a flaw, it's a compliment to writer-director Kevin Smith for having the audacity to poke fun at disturbing horror films like "The Human Centipede" and early Cronenberg works, while still being its own terrifying, morbidly hilarious beast. The film could be more effective had it been a tad bit shorter though, but the ironic laughs shine through. Never let anything spoil this movie for you though, not even imdB reviews. Not knowing's part of the fun.