Another year, another plethora of cinematic content for The Reel Word staff to agree with and to argue about. It’s been a great year for cinema, for fans of comic book adaptations, sci-fi, drama and experimental filmmaking. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve managed to rifle through the many reviews we have written up in the last year to compile the ten films we think have been true standouts. A variety of 9 and 10-rated reviews, placed into an order by votes from The Reel Word staff, here are the TOP TEN MOVIES OF 2014.
10. X-Men: Days of Future Past
What we said:
Like Marvel Studio’s The Avengers, X-Men: Days of Future Past is a culmination of everything that’s come before ““ as well as an exciting new beginning. The nature of the timeline-altering story means the series is freed from its accumulated baggage and can really go wherever it wants from here. This is the X-Men movie we’ve all been waiting for.
Click here for the full review–
9. The Lego Movie
What we said:
More than a toast to Lego, Lord and Miller have used what could easily have been one long toy commercial as a celebration of creativity, the imagination of children, and just about every pop-culture icon they could get their hands on.
Click here for the full review–
8. Whiplash
What we said:
With little to no exposition polluting the script and a genuine need to see Fletcher taken down a peg, Whiplash straps you into the unsteady perspective of a confused and ego-driven protagonist, despite how quickly his likability expires.
Click here for the full review–
7. The Raid 2
What we said:
There aren’t many films that have the audience enthralled to the point of applause, over and over again. There’s a deranged type of excitement that arises as you watch some of these inspired action sequences. The car chase, complete with an elongated fight with Rama and four thugs in the small space of a car, is a doozy to behold.
Click here for the full review–
6. The Grand Budapest Hotel
What we said:
Watching The Grand Budapest Hotel is like watching a work of art. Director Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom) has created a visual masterpiece that will excite your imagination and transport you to another world.
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5. Gone Girl
What we said:Â
Gone Girl is Fincher through and through, but unlike many other directors with such defined cinematic personalities, he never comes across as the star of his own show. Gone Girl doesn’t feel like it’s defined as “the next film from David Fincher,” but rather a film with one of the best directors around using all the tools at his disposal to honour the story he’s telling.
Click here for the full review–
4. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
What we said:
The story is the emphasis in this picture; the technical wizardry on display is the icing on the layered cake. The world here is potently and realistically brought to life, it’s all lived in, and we have no problem jumping into the proceedings.
Click here for the full review–
3. Guardians of the Galaxy
What we said:
The James Gunn-directed space-opera is bursting with a personality and swagger that will charm the pants off you as it instantly elevates Star-Lord and his fellow outlaws as some of the most captivating characters in Marvel’s already excellent roster.
Click here for the full review–
2. Interstellar
What we said:
What Interstellar achieves is downright impressive. This is Nolan achingly close to perfection, confidently crafting a sci-fi opus unafraid to tackle grand ideas and a sprawling, somewhat complicated narrative design. This is sci-fi the likes of which is not seen often. This is cinema.
Click here for the full review–
1. Boyhood
What we said:
Sweet, moving, insightful and soulful, Linklater and his cast have created something special here. Boyhood captures the essence of what it is to grow up and the moments that help form who it is we become.
