Im actually finding it very difficult selecting what would be considered my Top 10 Films of 2014, but I think this is pretty close based on what Ive had a chance to see. Ive really enjoyed heading out to the cinema this year! Personally, I dislike ranking or grading films on a number system as it feels too reductive. The list isnt in any order but Im sure people will read into it however they want to. Here they are! GONE GIRL I debated in my head whether to even write this one down first in my list of films in no particular order as most who know me will probably dismiss it as some sort of Fincher bias, but this was a visceral cinematic experience for me. Caught this at the cinema twice, the first time Ive done that in a long time, and felt just as chilled to bone the second time around. Masterful craftsmanship here from the entire team. WHIPLASH I had a knot in my stomach throughout the entire running time thanks to JK Simmons and his terrifying performance as a Jazz music instructor. Nurturing, inspirational teacher story this aint. An incredibly intense experience for me, near perfect execution from the filmmakers with VERY impressive performances from all the cast. See this film. PREDESTINATION It makes me sad that this wont appear on many Top Films of 2014 lists as its easily the most under-appreciated film of the year that flew right under everyones radar. Funded primarily by Australian institutes, its one of the best sci-fi films Ive seen of late and I walked out of the cinema with my mind thoroughly blown. Looper 2.0 starring Ethan Hawke and the absolutely incredible Sarah Snook. Get your hands on this film ASAP. THE ROVER David Michods sophomore film is a very different beast to Animal Kingdom but a film bubbling with subtext in every scene. Robert Pattinson turns in one the BEST performances of the year (Im not kidding, hes something else in this film) and everyone brings their A-game to this dark and brutal story of the importance of human connection. EDGE OF TOMORROW In my opinion, hands down the best blockbuster of the year. Tightly constructed script and executed to perfection. Rollicking good time at the cinema where I didnt leave thinking I would have to defend it as one of those shut your brain off spectacles. WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS I saw this in Wellington on my trip to NZ and was absolutely delighted to see it was filmed there too. Directed by Taika Waititi, who previously did the fantastic NZ film Boy, and Jermaine Clement of Flight of the Concords, I couldnt help but feel giddy when I left the theater. Takes a mockumentary format and runs with it to hilarious results. What are we? Werewolves, not Swearwolves BOYHOOD Im sure Im not the only one that immediately started reflecting on their own life and how much time theyve wasted after seeing 12 years zip by in a three hour running time. Definitely some sort of cinematic achievement here. THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Some people love him, some people hate him, but I found Wes Andersons Grand Budapest to be a pretty joyous experience at the cinema. Theres clearly so much love of the craft on display here and thats always something Im going to respond to in a big way. I cant wait to see this again. THE SKELETON TWINS A film that couldve easily fallen into cliche time and time again but nearly always felt authentic. Funny and heart breaking at the same time, the performances from Kristin Wiig and Bill Hader were incredibly on point. I loved how these characters walked the line between being lovable and totally unlikable. Id love to see more films take note of this and present deeply flawed characters to us, because most of us are. ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE The inclusion of this was a bit of a tough one for me. I thought that maybe Interstellar or Nightcrawler should be on the list but I found Nolans latest to be very problematic despite its beauty, while Nightcrawler left me a liiiittle empty despite all of its strengths. Then I remembered Jim Jarmuschs newest film Only Lovers Left Alive and how it approached a genre thats become rather stale. Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston are pretty amazing here as incredibly old souls. Slow but never dull. Other films I enjoyed: Interstellar, Nightcrawler, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men Days of Future Past, Captain America The Winter Soldier. Films I really need to see: Calvary, The Babadook, The Dark Horse, Foxcatcher, Birdman. Makes me so angry those last two havent been released here yet. Let me know how much my opinion is wrong and what films I should see if they werent mentioned here!
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 07:42:45 +0000
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