…………………………………………………

Top Ten Films of 2014

2014 remains one of the best movie years not just of this century, but pretty much of all time. This was the year of absolutely stupendous blockbusters that were both intelligent and superbly made. It was also the year of better than average biopics, a couple of timeless dramas and excellent independent movies as well. This is also the year of animation with more than a couple of fabulous films done in that medium. It’s also the year of truly incredible international cinema as will be evidenced by my list that includes three foreign films and even more in honorable mentions. So yes, 2014 is the last time when I felt that choosing the top ten list is extremely difficult as at least thirty different movies were vying for their spot on it. 2014 truly was an extraordinary time to be a cinephile and these are the movies that defined it the most.

10. Interstellar

Coming in at number ten is this hugely underrated science fiction gem of a film. In a year with many great films within the genre such as ‘Predestination’ and ‘Snowpiercer’, Interstellar stands out as the best. Well, the second best, but more on that later. Nolan crafted such an epic, hugely ambitious and visually stunning film that it can be forgiven for its minor flaws, mainly the ending, which was disappointing for so many people. All those flaws prevented it from reaching a higher place on this list, but this is still a phenomenal piece of sci-fi entertainment that unfortunately did not receive the praise it deserved whereas in my opinion it remains Nolan’s magnum opus. I usually do not love his output, but this was the rare time when I fell in love with one of his films, so it had to be on this list.

9. Winter Sleep

With amazing subject matter and themes beautifully explored, superb approach with a lot of clever discussions, all around terrific performances and excellent character development, Winter Sleep is a bit too long and it can be too difficult and bitter to bear, but it is mostly a very strong drama that deftly explores the troublesome relationships between poor and rich people, bringing the necessary emotional intensity, superb acting as well as fantastic dialogue. It also has a a couple of truly powerful sequences that stick with you long after you’ve seen the movie. Nuri Bilge Ceylan is one of the best international directors working today and this remains his finest effort to date.

8. Gone Girl

There is rarely a year when a film from one of my favorite directors does not make it on the list and this is no such year. Yes, Gone Girl is a masterpiece when thrillers are concerned. David Fincher did a wonderful job with this source material, evidently paying homage to Hitchcock in the process. It is a beautiful film to look at, but above all incredibly intense and thrilling, which is everything you would expect from the genre. But what takes it to the next level is a sophisticated approach with a lot of smart themes and of course one of the finest female villains ever in a movie. Gone Girl was such a pleasant surprise and it is in one of the best modern thrillers out there. It again cements Fincher as one of the best directors working today.

7. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

This spot goes to by far the most underseen film on this list, but everyone would undoubtedly love it if they would give it chance. Yes, this is more of a visual treat instead of anything else and the story is naturally highly simplistic, but it is visually stunning with absolutely breathtaking cinematography and some really memorable imagery. But what makes it so good is its horrific atmosphere and a couple of genuinely creepy moments. It makes excellent use of its unique setting and black-and-white photography. This is one of the more unique spins on the vampire genre and one of the best foreign films of 2014.

6. Wild Tales

Now we come to the most exhilarating and authentic movie on the list, which is the Argentine anthology Wild Tales. This was a movie that took me by surprise entirely as rarely have I experienced such joy and utter disbelief at display here. Its title is entirely apt in this instance as it is a collection of stories that are all relatable, but also unbelievable in nature. But what makes it brilliant is its incredible black humor with many hilarious sequences and jaw-dropping situations making you laugh and sit at the edge of your seat through most of the running time. 2014 is probably one of the best years ever for foreign films, but Wild Tales makes it on the list for being in tone the complete opposite of most international arthouse movies in both tone and content.

5. Nightcrawler

Nightcrawler is the kind of movie that seems like it’s coming from another decade. Everything about it screams seventies – from the desperate mood to a dark premise and execution. This is probably the most important film on this list thematically speaking as it is so relevant and realistic in its portrayal of media in the 21st century. I would go so far to say it constitutes urgent viewing as it is so powerful. It also has a refreshing and quite perfect ending and a main character that is one of the most horrific in a long time. Intense, dark and very memorable throughout, Nightcrawler benefits from a stellar script, strong dialogue and a powerhouse Jake Gyllenhaal performance that is his career-best work.

4. Whiplash

Whiplash is this rare indie that made such a huge splash that even casual moviegoers have at least watched it. And there are a number of reasons for that. It is incredibly clever, making you think with its thought-provoking ideas and subject matter. It is also undoubtedly one of the best acted films of the year with J. K. Simmons giving a truly powerhouse performance, creating such a memorable character that is one for the ages. It manages to be smart, but also very fast paced, immensely entertaining and oh so tense. Whiplash put Damien Chazelle on the map. It’s one of the finest Best Picture nominees of the year and one of the best indies of all time.

3. How To Train Your Dragon 2

As the only animated movie on this list, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is the perfect example of what American animation needs to strive for – a more mature tone, bigger consequences and fantastic world building. Yes, the film is immensely dark in some scenes and I was on the verge of crying at times. The character development is absolutely terrific, the animation is beautiful, and the story is deep and multilayered. It ended on such a powerful note and it remains one of the most majestic animated movies out there. DreamWorks Animation finally shows us what they are capable of after a string of so-so entries. This is a film that cemented this series as not only one of the best animated franchises, but also one of the finest movie trilogies of all time.

2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Yes, a blockbuster film gets this very high placement on this list, but for a multitude of good reasons. This is a textbook example of what these giant movies ought to have – excellent characters, a wonderfully imagined world, stellar script, evident emotional investment, but still retaining the big action sequences and spectacle for the masses. Caesar remains one of the best protagonists of this decade with a superb story arc and thrilling rivalry with his ape nemesis Koba. It manages to show both sides of the equation and the relationship between apes and humans is so complex. It is a dark and difficult viewing, but that’s what makes it special as it perfectly sets the tone for the finale with desperation and impending doom felt in the air. And the ending is so powerful that I was on the edge of my seat. It’s one of my favorite franchises and this is the series’ greatest entry without a doubt.

1. Boyhood

And the number one spot goes to this masterpiece of a film that also ranks among the greatest achievements in 2010s cinema overall. Boyhood is a brilliant, truly groundbreaking movie in its 12-year filming period which resulted in the protagonist literally growing up before our very eyes. However, it’s not just a gimmick movie, but a timeless masterpiece, being the only film in the history of cinema that truthfully depicts how time and the passing of it works for humans. It deals with regrets, life expectations and disappointments as well as how smaller events help shape a person just as much as the bigger ones. The script and dialogue are simply impeccable and so are the performances and the technical aspects. It’s a deeply impactful, sophisticated story that will always stick with me, especially through its numerous poignant and universally relatable lines of dialogue. Consequently, it is not just Richard Linklater’s magnum opus and the best movie of this year and its decade, but it is also one of the greatest films of all time.

Honorable Mentions:

Force Majeure – An amazing Swedish movie with a highly unpleasant tone, but very original idea and a thought-provoking premise, Force Majeure worked in its minimalist dialogue that still managed to explore its ideas so deftly. 2014 was such an impeccable year for cinema that this incredible drama just barely missed the top ten spot on my list.

When Marnie Was There – This was a true return to form for Studio Ghibli with a touching but quite dark story, beautiful animation and mature tone. It’s a very unique genre-bender that is particularly effective in its twist that made sense and enriched the story effortlessly. It’s one of the studio’s best and most underrated efforts.

Song of the Sea – What is there to say about Song of the Sea that hasn’t already been said? This is one of the most artistic and universally appealing animated films released in this decade as this gorgeous Irish fairy tale of sorts that features some striking imagery, strong storytelling and a perfectly evoked folk and mythological feel to it.

Wild – A tour de force performance from Reese Witherspoon and a highly engaging and restrained script elevate this movie above other road trip flicks. Wild is so well written in both dialogue and scenarios while also benefitting from a very strong use of its setting to convey its themes and some moving flashbacks as well.

PK – Consistently highly engaging despite its long runtime, very moving in its third act, endearing in its wonderful characters and quite funny as well, PK thoroughly succeeds as a terrific sci-fi comedy which isn’t just fun and funny, but also has a lot to say. This is one of the best movies for both its director Rajkumar Hirani and its star Aamir Khan.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Yes, a Marvel movie got in my honorable mentions for this year, which very rarely happens, but Guardians of the Galaxy clearly remains one of the best and most effective films that the MCU has released so far. It is populated by lovable characters, a terrific sense of humor, a fun world that is well explored and palpable energy, making it a true crowd-pleaser.