Top Movies 2014

As is customary, it is the time of year when I share my annual list of movies with you. This year was full of some amazing movies in a lot of different genres. One thing is for sure, this is the beginning of years of comic book movies as studios have been spending (and earning) big on some known and some not so known comic book characters. Marvel has already been doing it and DC is just getting started, it remains to be seen how far this goes. Anyway - I can spend a long time writing about Marvel vs DC so I'll stop. Here are my top 5 movies of 2014 followed by my Oscar picks and the rest of the movie ratings for this year. 

5. Nightcrawler

Jake Gyllenhaal has shown once again what a great actor he truly is. He was well and truly creepy in his role. There were several times when I kept shaking my head on how crazy this character was. It slowly builds up but once it gets going it’s a non stop sprint to the finish. Although he stole the show and gave a performance of a lifetime, the story is great and shows the ugly side of media these days. Loved it!

4. Whiplash

What a ride - this movie came out of nowhere. I had little to no expectations when I first watched it and it just blew me away. Both the main actors have given amazing performances and I was engaged right to the very end. There was tension throughout the movie and even though this wasnt a thriller or an action movie, I felt like I was at the edge of my seat from start to finish. Definitely one of the best of the year. 

3. The Lego Movie

I absolutely loved this movie. Even though I went to the movies with my son, I ended up enjoying it much more than him. From the start, this movie was full of laughs. The voice actors Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson and Will Ferrell etc. have done a great job - although, the awesome dialogue may have something to do with that. All of us left the movie smiling and singing 'Everything is awesome!' It's a shock to me that this did not get an Oscar nod as I thought this was a shoe in for the big prize this year. 

2. Interstellar

This is another director who's movies I just love. Like many of Chris Nolan's movies, this one kept me thinking for a while after watching it. It's a science fiction action movie but also has an intelligent and thought provoking story at the same time. This one definitely had mixed reviews from people and I think this is one of those you either love or hate. I personally enjoyed it a lot, especially the blend of fiction and real science, which made this a much more believable story.

1. Gone Girl

I was anxiously waiting for this movie from the first time I heard about it. I love David Fincher movies and this did not disappoint one bit. It was dark, intelligent and kept me at the edge of my seat throughout. Of course, a fantastic score by Trent Reznor just adds to the whole atmosphere. The performances of both Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike are fantastic. Best of the year 2014!

Oscar Picks: 

Best Movie: Want to win: Whiplash, Will win: Boyhood

Best Actor: Want to win: Benedict Cumberbatch (Imitation Game), Will win: Michael Keaton (Birdman)

Best Actress: Want to win: Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl), Will win: Julianne Moore (Still Alice)

Best Supporting Actor: Want to win and Will win: J.K.Simmons (Whiplash)

Best Supporting Actress: Want to win and Will win: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)

★★★★★

Gone Girl

Interstellar 

The Lego Movie  

Whiplash 

★★★★

Nightcrawler

Babadook

The Imitation Game

Citizenfour

Unbroken

★★★

American Sniper
John Wick
The Drop
Birdman
Boyhood
Foxcatcher
Selma
Hunger Games: Mockingjay
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Maleficent
X men: Days of Future Past
Rio 2
Captain America: Winter Soldier
Guardians of the Galaxy
Ninja Turtles
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Gambler
Equalizer

The Judge

★★

Penguins of Madagascar
Divergent

★

Snowpiercer
Lucy
Transcendence
Godzilla
I Origins
Exodus
Noah