Before you say it, I already know what you are thinking: isn’t a bit too late to do a top 10 best film list of 2014 when that year finished 2 months ago? While that is definitely true and I would’ve had this list out much earlier, but there were still a lot of films released in 2014 I didn’t get a chance to see yet. So, I decided spent most of January and February catching up with all of them in preparation for this list. Plus I also wanted to rewatch a bunch films that I loved from last year to see if they were worthy enough to be on it. I have to say that overall, I thought that 2014 was a pretty damn great year for films. Unlike 2013 (which I was underwhelmed by the first 7 months of that year), 2014 was a lot more consisted when it came to good quality films through out the whole year. I must admit that it was actually quite hard to narrow it down to just 10 films, but I was able to. Now before I go into my final official top 10 of list, here’s another list of films that sadly didn’t make my list but were my honourable mentions for the year. Enjoy!
NOTE: I’ve only included films that were officially released in cinemas in either Australia, the U.K. or the U.S. in 2014 (however some films that I saw at film festivals this year won’t be included if they hadn’t had a theatrical release in either of those three countries yet).
HONOURABLE MENTIONS (In No Particular Order):
22 Jump Street
All This Mayhem
The Babadook
Birdman (Or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Charlie’s Country
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story Of Cannon Films
The Expendables 3
Force Majeure
Housebound
Ida
The Infinite Man
Interstellar
Joe
Love Is Strange
Maps To The Stars
The Mule
Noah
Paddington
Pride
The Skeleton Twins
Why Don’t You Play In Hell?
X-Men: Days Of Future Past
…And now onto my official top 10 films of 2014…
10. DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
(Dir: Matt Reeves)
“This follow-up to the surprisingly great 2011 film RISE OF THE PLANET OF APES does the impossible and blows that film out of the water in every single way. It’s an intelligent, engaging, thrilling and superbly made film that’s definitely up there as one of the best sequels ever made.”
9. PREDESTINATION
(Dir: Michael Spierig & Peter Spierig)
“A truly fantastic, smart and complex Aussie sci-fi film that’s riveting from beginning to end. Ethan Hawke was great, but it’s his co-star Sarah Snook who stands out the most with her truly amazing performance. She’s going to have a great career ahead of her.”
8. SELMA
(Dir: Ava DuVernay)
“David Oyelowo gives a truly captivating performance as Marin Luther King, Jr. in this incredibly powerful and beautifully made drama. It’s an important and inspiring film whose story is still just as relevant today as it was back then.”
7. THE RAID 2
(Dir: Gareth Evans)
“This sequel to the original 2012 film is without a doubt one of the best straight-up action films I’ve seen in over a decade. It was absolutely amazing from start to finish and it has some the best fight/action sequences that have ever been put on film. “
6. WHIPLASH
(Dir: Damien Chazelle)
“This was a truly fantastic, exhilarating and astonishingly made drama that has excellent performances from both Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons. The film’s writer/director Damien Chazelle has certified himself a major talent to watch that’s for sure.”
5. THE IMMIGRANT
(Dir: James Gray)
“Marion Colltiard & Joaquin Phoenix both gave amazing performances in this powerful, exquisite and beautifully made period drama. This is definitely co-writer/director James Gray’s best film that he has made so far. It’s a masterpiece.”
4. NIGHTCRAWLER
(Dir: Dan Gilroy)
“An absolutely fantastic and completely riveting film that’s brilliantly made on so many levels. It’s film that successfully works as a thriller, character-study and satire. Plus it has a truly memorable, creepy and intense performance from Jake Gyllenhaal.”
3. UNDER THE SKIN
(Dir: Jonathan Glazer)
“Scarlett Johansson gives a terrific performance in the brilliantly made, mesmerizing, chilling, bold and visually stunning sci-fi film that tackles some really compelling themes/ideas. It won’t be for everyone, but will stay with you long after you have seen it.”
2. FOXCATCHER
(Dir: Bennett Miller)
“While it might be a little bit too slow-moving for some, but I thought this was absolutely incredible and superbly made fact-based film that I found to be haunting from beginning to end. Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo were all terrific in their roles.”
1. BOYHOOD
(Dir: Richard Linklater)
“There is a shred of doubt in my mind that this is writer/director Richard Linklater’s masterpiece. It’s an excellent and beautifuly crafted coming-of-age film that perfectly captures what it is like growing up from a child to an adult in both a truthful and honest way. It’s a truly amazing achievement that I think everyone will relate to on some level. I know I did. There’s no question that this film deserves it’s spot as my number 1 best film of 2014.”
Well, there you have it. Those are my official top 10 films of 2014. Agree or disagree? Let your voices be heard in the comments below or on the official SuperMarcey.com Facebook page! Also keep a look out next week when I will unveil my highly anticipated top 10 worst films of 2014 list. That’s one you will definitely do not want to miss, it’s going to be terribly good!
– Bede Jermyn
The Super Network 