Movie Review Special: The Top Ten Best Movies of 2014

Yeah, so you know how in the last review I said I have two more movies to watch before I do my final top ten best films list? Well, turns out one of them is playing at a theatre almost two hours out of my way, and the other one is playing at a theatre that I can easily reach, I just have no time to do so. But I’ve been looking it over, and I’m pretty confident in my list as is, so I’ve decided to go ahead and post it now.

I think I can honestly say that I choose kind of a bad year to start reviewing movies. Sure this wasn’t the worst year we ever had for movies but man was it subpar. I can’t quite place a finger on what exactly went wrong, but if I had to make a rough guess, I’d say it was just a year of epic films not being epic, more sequels than we knew what to do with, and a general sense around the tail end of the year that we just kind of want to get this over with so we can see what awesomeness will be coming next year. This was also the year were we broke the record for the slowest box office weekend twice (which was previously held by the weekend of the September 11^th attacks.)So when it came down to what films went on the list, honestly I ended up looking for films that either did what I hoped they would do well, or that would shock the crap out of me, and there were quite a few movies that still managed to do that this year. That being said, I’m sure this list might be kind of divisive amongst some of you, and that I also might make myself look like a bit of an idiot based on my choices, but I’ve thought long and hard about it, and this is the list that I’m going to stand by. So without further ado, here are....

The Top Ten BEST Films of 2014

10. St. Vincent

A film that came completely out of nowhere, I ended up taking a gamble on this one with admittedly pretty low expectations. I was expected some Bill Murray Oscar baiting feel good cliché type thing, but it was actually a pretty heartfelt and well told story, even if there were a few predictable moments thrown into the mix, and the great performances by everyone involved helps out a lot. I usually don’t go for these kinds of movies usually, but I guess this one can be considered kind of my guilty pleasure of the year.

Final Score 9/10

9. The Raid 2

You know, 2014 did have some pretty good action films this year if nothing else, and this was honestly one of the best this year. The follow up to The Raid: Redemption from 2011, this sequel literally starts minutes after the last one, so if you haven’t seen in a while or ever, you might be kind of confused as to who is who and what their motivation is, but honestly the sheer amount of brutal ass kicking that goes in this film more than makes up it. The final storm the tower scene in this film might be one of the best I’ve seen in a long time, and the unique and very different cast of characters in this film helps it out a lot too.

Final Score 9/10

8. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Another sequel to another 2011 film, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes finds the human race near death and the colony of apes led by Caesar thriving. Part social commentary, and (at a bit of a stretch) a Greek tragedy  (I mean he’s named Caesar for a reason) it does suffer from a few off moments, but a great lead performance from the wonderful Andy Serkis (who deserves at least an Oscar nomination) and quite a few awesome action and fight sequences make up for them.

Final Score 9/10

7. The Grand Budapest Hotel

I find myself liking Wes Anderson more and more the further I keep digging into his filmography, and while I agree all of his films including this one are stylistically very similar, the fact that they are still great films despite that are just more proof of how good they are. If you’ve never seen one of his films, expect a very energetic and charming film that never reaches the point of being overbearing and should be considered another great one for his career.

Final Score 9/10

6. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Possibly the smartest of the Marvel films, it basically takes an astute political thriller and gives it to us disguised as just another comic book film. Marvel is basically going above their usual fun movie formula and is actually challenging its audience to think about the modern era while also throwing a massive curveball into its own universe with the introduction of HYDRA.

Final Score 9/10

5. John Wick

I know I said St. Vincent was my guilty pleasure, but this one is a close second for that title, mostly because while it does come across as kind of a dumb action movie, I actually think it has enough tweaks to the standard formula, while also having interesting characters, and an admittedly very interesting, if a little undercooked, world going on in the film that is raises this one above just a dumb action movie. Great action scenes and Keanu Reeves best role in years hold this one up to the gold standard of awesome action movies.

Final Score 10/10

4. Snowpiercer

I know, I originally tagged this one 2013. However, it was released in North America in 2014, and has been nominated for awards for this year. So, I’ve decided to include this onto this year’s list based on that, and it’s a rule I’ll stick to for other years (Year of Wide Release in North America unless made more than one year early.) Anyways, I think the thing that I like about Snowpiercer the most is the fact it’s a blockbuster that’s not trying to be a blockbuster. Its social commentary, an action film, environmental message film, with an interesting premise, cinematography, and great cast of characters with great acting chops (man 2014 was just awesome for Chris Evans.) If you want something vastly different that still packs a punch, this is the film for you.

Final Score 10/10

3. Gone Girl

Honestly, I think the one thing I can say about this film that would tell just how amazing this film is that Tyler Perry is in it and he is fucking awesome. I know, Tyler Perry, and awesome, are in the same sentence, without the phrase ‘is the furthest thing from’ being in between. That and the amazing performances and a shocking narrative twist raise this look at modern day culture to grand heights.

Final Score 10/10

2. Nightcrawler

The one thing I hate the most is how absolutely nobody went to go see this film. A great intense central performance from Jake Gyllenhaal tops off a great atmospheric film that comments on the state of the modern day media and how the news operates as well as great social commentary (man that’s happening a lot on this list.)

Final Score 10/10

And now, before the big reveal, a look at some honourable mentions

1.      Under the Skin 8/10 Once again, just like Snowpiercer, it was released here this year. It’s an arthouse film that everyone will understand or like, but damn if it isn’t another well shot film and another great Scarlett Johansson role.

2.      Whiplash 8/10 It suffers from a clichéd story and it feels a bit rushed, but excellent acting and awesome music bring it all together

3.      The Lego Movie 8/10 It may be the best animated film of the year, but for some reason I can’t put my finger on it doesn’t have a high rate of re-watch ability with me.

4.      Birdman 8/10 The editing makes it a bit hard to watch sometimes and I’m quite sure whose side of the artist debate the movie flies it’s flag for, but honestly other than that it’s actually a really great film.

5.      Foxcatcher 8/10 Great performances and a fantastic atmosphere are the key points in this true life story, it only avoids making the list because it’s still a slow drama, although I do like it more than others.

Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for...

THE BEST FILM OF 2014 IS.......

1. Guardians of the Galaxy

Honestly, I think at the end of the day, the best film of the year has to be the one that has the biggest mass appeal while still being the most fun. Honestly, it’s Marvel’s biggest gamble by far, but this surprisingly action packed yet heartfelt and humorous movie that’s topped off with an awesome soundtrack, by far made not only the biggest impact on audiences, but proves that Marvel can move on to other lesser known heroes. It’s also the only Marvel film in the top 250 best films of all time on IMDB, its soundtrack topped the billboard 200, and honestly, this was the film that I had to watch after seeing TMNT to cleanse my palette. Other people might be getting sick of the comic movie onslaught, but honestly, in such a shitty year for movies, they were more like a welcome breath of fresh, if somewhat familiar air, and Guardians of the Galaxy was not only Marvel’s best, but also the best film of the year.

Well, there we have it. In a few days I leave for a week, so I’m not sure if and when I’ll do my next review, but until then, I’ll see you guys, at the movies.

Review Special: The Top Ten Worst Films of 2014

Hello folks, at the time of writing it is still December 25^th, I’m full of Christmas cheer, and I wanna use it to absolutely throttle the shit out of the absolute worst, bottom of the barrel, let’s just take out back and give it the lassie treatment, movies of 2014. Now, even though this was one of the worst years ever for movies (especially when we broke the record for the slowest box office weekend twice!) I have to admit, it was still a bit of a struggle to put together this list, mostly because since I’m a completely self financed reviewer, I tend to choose my movies more carefully than most, but these are the films I gambled on and lost, and for that, they go on the list. Now without further delay, let’s get this list started.

10. Dracula Untold

 

Truth be told, I actually liked this one better than I thought I would, but mostly in the sense of it went up from awful to just average. The few cool ideas and scenes it had a re weighed down by cliché, and truth be told if this is really how Universal wants to start their knock off Marvel Universe with their movie monsters, then I’m not getting my hopes up for the rest of them being any more interesting.

Final Score: 5/10

9. The Boxtrolls

In a year full of mostly average to surprisingly good animated movies, Laika should’ve been one of the stand outs of this year. Unfortunately the films main joke got old quick and it soured the rest of the film for me. It only saves being higher on the list because the animation is still just as spectacular. Truth be told, if you haven’t seen it, skip it and wait for Laika’s next film, I think they just announced what it was.

Final Score: 5/10

8. The Amazing Spiderman 2

I hate this film more than I’d like too, and while I didn’t do a review on it, you should know that on the bus ride home I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: Genuine Heartbreak. While bad ass Harry Osbourne, awesome looking Electro, and the Peter and Gwen relationship stuff was awesome, Green Goblin was barely in his own film (and honestly it should’ve been Norman not Harry), Max Dillon (in my mind) was just a bizarre attempt to make fun of overzealous Spiderman fans (Gee Sony, and you wonder why we hate you for what you did to him) and the Peter trying to find out what happened to his parents stuff was just bizarre (apparently there was a deleted scene where he met his dad.....who died.....Why?!) To me the smartest person in that film was Shailene Woodley for bailing for Divergent, and while Divergent was pretty bad from what I heard, at least it’s getting a sequel.

Final Score: 5/10

7. Swearnet

Ah yes, the other Trailer Park Boys film from this year, truthfully, it’s neither good enough to be more than subpar, but not bad enough to be considered worse, it’s basically an already forgotten movie that I think was more just a misfire one off from the TPB crew. If you’re a fan you’ll like it, everyone else should just skip it...like they already did.

Final Score: 4/10

6. The Maze Runner

I chose a really bad year to gamble on the struggling YA genres, as while the visuals to the film were decent; ultimately it failed to capture my interest in the series. To me there was just not much working for it and that ending for anyone who didn’t read the books was nothing more than just complete and utter befuddlement. I’m honestly okay with skipping the rest of them.

Final Score: 4/10

5. Interstellar

I know, I know, boo me all you want, but honestly like Maze Runner, it’s visually interesting, but Interstellar feels like a bloated mess. I think the reason why I don’t like it is because I feel like it’s trying too hard to be important. It seems like Christopher Nolan is trying really hard to just beat some important lesson into our heads while screaming ‘get it?’ over and over again. The only thing I got out of this film was boredom and confusion (Why did Matt Damon try and kill Matthew McConaughey again?)

Final Score: 4/10

4. Horrible Bosses 2

Man, when it came to comedy sequels that nobody really wanted, between this and Dumb and Dumber to, I still can’t figure out if I was better seeing this one and skipping the other or if it would have been better to do it the other way around. I mean aside from an insanely fun turn from Chris Pine and a few good gags, the rest of this film feels like a forced mess which actively ruins how good the first film was, not to mention it also ruins the whole point of the first film.

Final Score: 3/10

3. The Equalizer

Man, between this and A Walk Among The Tombstones, most of the big action hero movies were not all that great this year, I mean not even Denzel Washington being awesome can save this absurdly thin film and its full cast of characters who I’ve completely forgotten all about. Honestly I don’t know if they wanna turn this into a series of films or a TV show, but both of them sound like bad ideas.

Final Score: 2/10

2. Exodus: Gods and Kings

Well, what else is there to say about the most boring film of the year? Maybe the fact that the only thing this film does is show proof that maybe Ridley Scott should just....stop. I mean seriously dude, what the hell?

Final Score: 1/10

Before I reveal my number one, I want to introduce to a segment that I’m doing this, and maybe only this year depending on how next year goes:

Five Films I’m glad I skipped.

Explanation: Since I’m an independent reviewer, I don’t get to see advanced screenings and I have to pay out of pocket for these movies, so I tend to steer clear of stuff I know I’m probably going to hate anyways, I barely had enough movies to make a top ten list (Thank you Exodus), so instead of a dishonourable list, I’d thought that I’d go with more of a dodged the bullet type thing for this year (and maybe next year if the same scenario arises.) So basically these are the films I’m definitely glad I skipped.

1.      Divergent – The bad movie that may have caused the Spiderman fiasco, it also doesn’t help that it’s yet another YA novel adaptation and I pretty much hate them all by now.

2.       Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 – Yes I’m aware this is currently the good one of the YA’s, but the first one was garbage (and if I was doing reviews at the time it would have been my worst of the year) but while I hear the second one is better, I can’t bring myself to watch it and I definitely won’t watch the third one until I watch the second. Also according to a friend of mine this movie was responsible for the death of Phillip Seymour Hoffman so that doesn’t help it much either.

3.      The Theory of Everything – A biopic about a scientist and his branch of science I don’t understand and have no interest in, that’s a hardcore pass.

4.      Need for Speed – Yeah the original Need for Speed most wanted is one of my favorite games of all time, so watching the guy from a TV show I fucking hate (Yes I hate Breaking Bad come at me bro) shit all over the franchise is a big no from me. I bet you forgot this came out this year didn’t you?

5.      Men Women & Children/Labor Day – I really like Jason Reitman, but man this was not a good year for him. Both attempts to stray from his comfort zone were just massive misfires.

And now, the moment you have all been waiting for......

THE ABSOLUTE WORST FILM OF 2014 IS.......

1.      Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Yeah, in case I didn’t make my case clear on how I feel about this movie the first, all I need to say, is that if I could, I’d bludgeon Michael Bay to death with the hard copy of this film before burying them both and lighting the grave on fire. This fucking un co-ordinated and very broken film completely and utterly fails as being anything even remotely close to being a film and it’s only purpose is to serve as a reminder that Michael Bay sleeps on a pile of money made by pissing all over your childhood.

Fuck this thing and everything about it and everyone involved in it. In fact, I’m creating a new gold standard in bad films based on this piece of shit. From now one, the worst film of every year shall receive...

The TMNT award for failure at being anything remotely close to a good film

And that’s a promise.

Now, there’s a couple of more films still to watch before I finalize the good film list, but look for it at the latest early next year.

Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Netflix Christmas Eve Special: Arthur Christmas (2011)

Hello all, let me start this off by saying Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Feliz Navidad, or whatever it is you celebrate, and let me continue this by saying welcome to my first annual Christmas Eve Christmas movie review. Now I debated for weeks as to which movie I wanted to review, but I settled on one that I personally find not many people mention in their list of favorite Christmas movies. One that I think is my favorite Christmas film (aside from maybe Die Hard) Arthur Christmas. So without further ado, let’s do the review.

Plot Summary - Released in 2011 by Sony animation, it starts out on Christmas Eve, as we see Santa the twentieth (Jim Broadbent) and his team of elves as they’re being led by Santa’s son Steve Claus (Hugh Laurie) co-ordinating them all on the current Santa’s last run. Meanwhile, Arthur (James McAvoy) answers letters to Santa in the mail room. During the delivery process, a kid nearly seeing Santa causes a present to be missed. After the current Santa announces his intention to stay on as Santa, it causes a rift in the family which only worsens when they discovered the undelivered present. It is then that Arthur, Grand Santa (Bill Nighy), and elf Bryony (Ashley Jensen) decide to deliver the present themselves.

Pros – Truthfully, I love everything about this film. The inventive way it shows how Santa’s delivery system works, the animation, the voice acting, and the writing is spot on, especially during the conversations between the generations of Santa about who did it best and how.

Cons – Honestly, I can’t think of anything really wrong with the film, as it’s one of the few that I’ll openly admit brings tears to my eye every time. I suppose it reminds me of my grandfather and his love of Christmas, and any film that can do that earns a special place in my heart.

Final Score – 10/10

Truthfully, I’ll admit that personal bias might be warping my opinion a bit, but I honestly think of it as one of the best Christmas films I’ve ever seen and it deserves a lot more attention. It’s available on Netflix, and I highly recommend it.

Before I go, I’d like to announce that I have a present for all my lovely readers. On Christmas day, I shall be posting the first of my two year end top ten lists, as I bring you...

THE TOP TEN WORST FILMS OF 2014

So make sure you come back for that one!

Until then, Happy Holidays, and I’ll see you guys at the movies.