10. Big Hero 6
In 2014, Disney Animation continued their incredible hot streak as of late with the great Big Hero 6. The animation in this film is beautiful and the story line is perhaps even better. The voice work done in this movie is top-notch from to to bottom, led by Ryan Potter and Scott Adsit, who excellently bring to life Hiro and Baymax respectively. Speaking of Baymax, he becomes an instant legendary Disney characters from the moment he graces the screen with his presence. With the immense success of Big Hero 6, Disney is officially in the midst of a third golden age for the company.
9. X-Men: Days of Future Past
When 2014's outing of the X-Men was originally announced, I was ecstatic to see this film. How could one call themselves an X-Men fan and not be excited to see the original cast team up with the rebooted cast for one incredible display of comic book hysteria? However, when you have a cast of this magnitude, you also anticipate it with slight hesitation because you don't want to be too disappointed if it doesn't live up to your lofty expectations. However, within the first twenty minutes of this film, all those hesitations were put to rest and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this installment in the X-Men franchise would go down as one of the best installments in not only X-Men history, but in superhero movie genre history. Director Bryan Singer is firing on all cylinders with this film, led by the impeccable Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, and Hugh Jackman follows suit.
8. Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Of all the movies that I saw in 2014, this one took me the most by surprise, and I mean that in the kindest way possible. I never envisioned that I would enjoy Birdman as much as I did! Michael Keaton turns in a powerhouse performance while his costars Emma Stone and Edward Norton turn in perhaps career-best performances. Director Alejandro G. Innaritu has truly crafted a masterpiece that could end up being one of the defining films of this generation. I was most shocked by how powerful the message is within this movie (summed up in my favorite scene of the film by Emma Stone and her AWESOME speech). Birdman is so unique and one-of-a-kind that it is really impossible to resist.
7. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Can Marvel continue to outdo itself? Upon watching Cap 2, I beginning to think that they can. What a game-changing movie this is! Chris Evans continues to excel as the First Avenger and Scarlett Johannson, as per usual, shines in her role as Black Widow once again. Newcomers to the franchise Robert Redford and Anthony Mackie add another layer to the Marvel formula as the studio just keeps on piling up hit after hit. The biggest shoutout for this film must go to the two directors though: Joe and Anthony Russo. To come into the Marvel universe and deliver a film as amazing as this one is no small task whatsoever. The battle sequences are some of the best action scenes in superhero movie history (i.e. the Hellicarrier crash into SHIELD Headquarters). To change the entire fate of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is not an easy thing to accomplish with The Winter Soldier does just that, and does so with flying colors.
6. Into the Woods
I do have an admitted bias in my love for this film as Into the Woods is one of my favorite Broadway musicals of all-time and I also portrayed Jack in my hometown's production of the musical in early 2015. I knew going into the movie that it would really have to mess up a lot of aspects from the stage show for me to walk away disappointed. I was thoroughly impressed and blown away by what transpired on screen upon watching this musical come to life like never before. The entire cast is superb, headlined by Emily Blunt as the Baker's Wife and Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince. Both Blunt and Pine steal the show every time they appear on screen. Of course, the immortal Meryl Streep turns in a predictably fantastic performance. Anna Kendrick and James Corden are also wonderful as Cinderella and the Baker respectively.. Director Rob Marshall just knows how to direct a musical, and his eye and passion for Broadway is clearly evident in this adaption.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
In my recent memory, I cannot remember a movie that completely took me off guard in the greatest way possible then the way Guardians of the Galaxy did. A lot has been made about this film and the way it revolutionizes the comic book genre, and the hype surrounding this movie is completely warranted. Chris Pratt establishes himself as one of the biggest movie stars in the world. His combination of humor with his physical prowess is something that is not easily comparable. Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista turn in great performances as well. Bradley Cooper's Rocket Raccoon and Vin Diesel's Groot steal every scene that are in, and they are in a lot of scenes. Director James Gunn deserves an immense amount of credit for the success of Guardians as he combines humor with action seamlessly. Once again, Marvel outshines itself.
4. Whiplash
Six months prior to this writing, I had never even heard of Whiplash, so if you would have told me then that it would occupy the number four spot on this list, I definitely would not have believed you. However, once the Oscar season got rolling and JK Simmons begin to win every award possible, I took notice, and when I finally caught this film, I was genuinely blown away. Simmons turns in one of the most terrifyingly great performances of the modern era. The praise geared specifically towards him is certainly deserved. Miles Teller continues to prove that he will be a dynamite star in Hollywood for years to come. Damien Chazelle is a prodigy, plain and simple. I can hardly wait to see what he does next! This movie also contains my vote for best quote of 2014: "The two most harmful words in the English language are 'good job.'" Do yourself a favor and seek out this film.
3. Gone Girl
When it was announced that David Fincher was going to be in the director's chair once again, immediately, I was excited. Then, however, I learned that his next film would be based on one of the most popular books of the last few years. Therefore, I began to read Gone Girl, and it quickly became one of my favorite books ever and picture perfect for Fincher to direct. His film adaption is simply stellar. Fincher combines the book's twisted humor with his patented eeriness and the final result is breathtaking. Ben Affleck continues to shine with his career resurgence and his costars Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry are true scene stealers. But the real superstar of Gone Girl is Rosamund Pike. As the titular character, Pike turns in one of the best performances by an actress of all-time. This is a performance that we will still be talking about and dissecting forty years from now. For that matter, this is a movie that we will still be talking about and dissecting forty years from now.
2. American Sniper
I always have had the utmost respect for our nation's sublime military, and Hollywood has always done a more than admirable job at paying tribute to those men and women who fight oversees and domestically to protect our nation's freedom. I'm not sure anyone anticipated the massive success that American Sniper enjoyed, but this movie is worthy of all the hype surrounding it and some. The story of Chris Kyle and his family is a powerful one, and everyone involved in the making of this film is clearly only interested in making sure they tell Kyle's story perfectly. Bradley Cooper gives the best performance of his career undoubtedly in my book. He is sensational from beginning to end, combining the physicality of the role with the emotion and tenderness needed when Kyle is being portrayed as a father and a family man. Director Clint Eastwood has crafted one of his finest films of his already illustrious career. This is one of those rare films that you leave the theater feeling privileged that you taken in such a powerhouse of a movie.
1. Interstellar
I have safely come to the conclusion that director Christopher Nolan can do no wrong. What he has crafted with Interstellar is without question a modern day masterpiece. The thought-provoking messages and ideas layered within the entirety of the film's run-time is something that provides this film with an immense amount of humanity. Matthew McConaughey delivers a career-best performance. His emotionally depth in this movie is beyond sensational. Every single moment that he is on the screen, I genuinely felt some sort of emotion which is something that doesn't happen often with me. Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain are predictably phenomenal as well. The real star of Interstellar is, however, Nolan himself and his materful stroytelling. This is one of those films that will not only define a generation; it can and will define an entire genre. Science-fictions of the future, you owe everything to Interstellar.
Honorable Mentions: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, The LEGO Movie, The Fault in Our Stars, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Unbroken, Edge of Tomorrow, Maleficient, Boyhood, The Imitation Game
