Top Ten Films of 2014

I hope everyone enjoyed my Worst Films of 2014 list. Since today is the last day of 2014, I figured it's a good time to reveal my ten favorite films of 2014. As I pointed out, this year was a great mixture of blockbusters and independent films and it was really hard to choose ten. But ultimately, these ten stood out to me the most and I am happy to reveal my Top Ten Films of 2014.


10. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Director: Matt Reeves

2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes was one of the biggest surprises that year. It was a blockbuster that combined wonderful visual effects, heart, and a great story. I honestly wasn't sure how they going to top such a great blockbuster with its sequel, but as soon as this film finished I realized they managed to do that without any issue. This is a smart blockbuster with great characters, a compelling peace vs. riot story that takes a lot of risks, and visual effects even better than the first movie. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a fantastic sequel that is not only better the first, but it also gives me hope to this Apes prequel franchise. It was that great.


9. Top Five
Director: Chris Rock

This is the movie Chris Rock has waited his entire career to make. A very honest, powerful, and funny look at how career decisions can make people view a celebrity a certain way, even though that celebrity wants to change. Topped with a great hip-hop soundtrack, funny cameos, and a surprisingly sweet romance, Top Five is not to be missed especially if you are a fan of Rock's stand-up.


8. Snowpiercer
Director: Bong Joon-ho

This is what more American sci-fi films need to be like. Snowpiercer is a compelling film with fantastic performances, dark humor, brilliant production design, and an Orwell-like story dealing with overthrowing an unfair government. This film is so full of imagination and ideas and I highly recommend it. It's on Netflix now.


7. Edge of Tomorrow
Director: Doug Liman

If you were to tell me a few months before release that Edge of Tomorrow will end up on my Top Ten of the year, I would've laughed at you. This film looked like another Tom Cruise throwaway action film similar to Oblivion or Jack Reacher. But to my surprise, Edge ends up being such a clever, fun, and humorous sci-fi film. This is Tom Cruise's comeback as an action star and Emily Blunt proves herself here too (I hope she's considered to play Captain Marvel). It's a shame that this bombed because of its terrible marketing. However, it's not too late to see this. Go see it on DVD or Blu-ray right away, you will not regret it.


6. Guardians of the Galaxy
Director: James Gunn

2014 was a great release year for Marvel Studios. Although I loved Captain America: The Winter Solider, this one made more of an impact on me. This is the best summer blockbuster in a while. Filled with wonderful characters, heart, a great 70's and 80's soundtrack and a beautiful combination of CGI and practical effects, Guardians of the Galaxy exceeds expectations and ends up being one of the most fun experiences I've had at the movies. I can't wait for the sequel.


5. The Grand Budapest Hotel
Director: Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson never disappoints me and The Grand Budapest Hotel is a wonderful addition to his work. A brilliantly-layered story with great characters, beautiful production design, and clever dialogue. It's a shame that the Best Actor race is crowded this year because I feel Ralph Fiennes should be considered for a nomination. It's one of the best performances of his career. This film is one of the most original and wildly captivating films this year. I hope Anderson never stops what he does.


4. Boyhood
Director: Richard Linklater

I saw Boyhood back in April at the Boston Independent Film Festival and it moved me. It still moves me today. This easily could have been a pretentious gimmick film since it was a project that was filmed over 12 years. But with Linklater's dialogue and direction, it becomes a powerful, funny, and heartbreaking experience. You really feel like a parent watching a child grow up by the end of this film. It's not to be missed.


3. Gone Girl
Director: David Fincher

David Fincher's last film, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, was almost my #1 film of 2011. However, the last 20 minutes really killed it for me and it ended up being just an honorable mention. Fincher does not make that same mistake with Gone Girl. This film ends up being a disturbing, suspenseful, funny, and shocking thriller that refuses to let you go even after the film ends. It's also a fascinating look at how the media views crime stories like this and also an interesting look at a crumbling marriage. The actors give it their all, and Fincher gives it his all showing that he learned his lesson from his last film.


2. Interstellar
Director: Christopher Nolan

I still don't understand why this film gets a lot of negative reviews. Interstellar is a beautiful sci-fi film, both visually and emotionally. This is Nolan's most dramatic work to date and he hits all of the right emotional notes. The science is fascinating here too and the visual effects exceed even Gravity's space shots. Interstellar is one of the best cinematic experiences of the year and it truly shows the magic of movies.


1. Whiplash
Director: Damien Chazelle

My #1 film of the year is a film I have a feeling not a lot of you saw. Whiplash tells the story of a jazz drumming student who wants to be great and the instructor who abuses him physically and verbally which pushes him to practice and become great. This is Damien Chazelle's directorial debut and also a film that speaks more than what a veteran filmmaker would make with the same story. J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller both give career-best performances here and I really hope Simmons wins Best Supporting Actor this year. It's a performance that makes you cower with fear based on any action he does. I related to this film because I strived to be great in my field at school even though I had doubters. Closing the film with a jaw-dropping and intense musical finale, this film rights all of the right notes. Even if you are not into jazz music, Whiplash is a film both inspiring and intense. A film so fantastic that it makes me want to work harder so I can make something like this.

Honorable Mentions: Birdman, The LEGO Movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Interview, 22 Jump Street, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

I hope you all enjoyed reading my list! There are plenty of movies I missed this year and unfortunately were not included because of that. Feel free to comment with your top films of 2014 and let me know if I missed any. See you all in 2015!