Ray's Top 10 of 2014
Here are my favorite* movies of the year.* - Ray Subers, Box Office Mojo
*not "best"... "favorite"
*2014 movies that could make the list that I haven't had a chance to see yet: The Theory of Everything, Wild, Top Five, Inherent Vice, Unbroken, Selma
*not "best"... "favorite"
*2014 movies that could make the list that I haven't had a chance to see yet: The Theory of Everything, Wild, Top Five, Inherent Vice, Unbroken, Selma
1.
Whiplash
(2014)
A promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential. (107 mins.)
Director: Damien Chazelle
“ This had me from the first moment, and never let up for a second. This is the only movie this year that I would describe as “perfect” – and it’s entertaining as hell, too. ” - raysubers
2.
Gone Girl
(2014)
With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent. (149 mins.)
Director: David Fincher
“ I got a chance to revisit this recently, and was surprised at how well the whole thing works. Great performances, brilliant script (adapted by Gillian Flynn from her own book), and tight direction from David Fincher. ” - raysubers
3.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
(2014)
The adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous hotel from the fictional Republic of Zubrowka between the first and second World Wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. (99 mins.)
Director: Wes Anderson
“ An early-year favorite, The Grand Budapest Hotel is arguably the best Wes Anderson movie yet. It’s an odd one, for sure, but I loved every second. ” - raysubers
4.
The Lego Movie
(2014)
An ordinary Lego construction worker, thought to be the prophesied 'Special', is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the Lego universe into eternal stasis. (100 mins.)
Director: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
“ Who knew a movie designed to sell toys could be so good? Since this hit HBO, I’ve been re-watching in bits and pieces – I can’t get “Everything is Awesome” out of my head, and I don’t know if I want to, either. ” - raysubers
5.
Guardians of the Galaxy
(2014)
A group of intergalactic criminals are forced to work together to stop a fanatical warrior from taking control of the universe. (121 mins.)
Director: James Gunn
“ I was hesitant to include this – should I really put a comic book movie on a Top 10 list? In this case, yes: Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the most entertaining movies of the year, and I’m confident I’ll revisit it many times in the future. ” - raysubers
6.
Locke
(2013)
Ivan Locke, a dedicated family man and successful construction manager, receives a phone call on the eve of the biggest challenge of his career that sets in motion a series of events that threaten his carefully cultivated existence. (85 mins.)
Director: Steven Knight
“ Tom Hardy delivers one of the best performances of the year in this wholly unique single-setting drama. ” - raysubers
7.
Boyhood
(2014)
The life of Mason, from early childhood to his arrival at college. (165 mins.)
Director: Richard Linklater
“ I’m probably not as hot on this as everyone else, but it’s undeniable that this is a singular achievement that demands to be seen. ” - raysubers
8.
Blue Ruin
(2013)
A mysterious outsider's quiet life is turned upside down when he returns to his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. Proving himself an amateur assassin, he winds up in a brutal fight to protect his estranged family. (90 mins.)
Director: Jeremy Saulnier
“ This very low budget thriller plays in to revenge movie tropes, while also consistently subverting them. One of the biggest surprises for me this year. ” - raysubers
9.
Nightcrawler
(2014)
When Lou Bloom, a driven man desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran. (117 mins.)
Director: Dan Gilroy
“ Jake Gyllenhaal brings Dan Gilroy’s brilliant script to life in this unnerving thriller, which had me on the edge of my seat for the last hour. ” - raysubers
10.
Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
(2014)
A washed-up actor, who once played an iconic superhero, battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career and himself in the days leading up to the opening of his Broadway play. (119 mins.)
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
“ Birdman doesn’t quite stick the landing for me, but the first two acts are remarkable. At the very least, this features some of the most impressive camerawork ever committed to film, which is enough to get it a spot on this list. ” - raysubers