The year 2014 saw nearly two-hundred movies release into theaters around the country. Of those, I saw more than 60, a large majority of those in theaters (those are 42 tickets from 2014 movies I saw…some of the time, I didn’t get to keep the ticket). Of the 60 movies I had seen, these are the 10 that I found the most enjoyable. Not all are award-worthy, but I sure had fun watching them!
10. The Imitation Game
Benedict Cumberbatch gives a career-best performance in the thrilling true story of mathematician and war hero Alan Turing. You’d think only Hollywood could come up with a story so incredible.
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9. Nightcrawler
Jake Gyllenhaal is a super-creep in 2014’s seediest and darkest (and smartest) urban thriller.
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8. Fury
This WWII epic doesn’t have much in the way of characterization, but once you get wrapped up in the story (of a tank crew in the fight of their lives) you won’t even care. Shia LeBeouf is a master of subtlety, and Brad Pitt reminds us of a more reserved Aldo Raine (his character in Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds”).
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7. Interstellar
Christopher Nolan has never directed a movie quite as epic and timeless as this. Maybe that’s because he never had Matthew McConaughey before now.
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6. Neighbors
The comedy of the year isn’t “22 Jump Street” or “The Interview,” but Seth Rogen’s “Neighbors,” the perfect college comedy. Get ready to hold your side from laughing so hard.
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5. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
A blockbuster action epic with Shakespearean undertones? Yes, please. All hail Caesar!
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4. Birdman
One of the year’s most enjoyable is also one of its best. Michael Keaton gives an inspired performance.
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3. Wild
“Wild” proves that Witherspoon’s Reese-aissance is real. She turns what could have easily been a boring memoir adaptation into a raw and compelling drama.
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2. Into the Woods
Musicals are great – don’t you agree? And “Into the Woods” is a fantastically entertaining one. Chris Pine is charming, Meryl Streep is bewitching, and Sondheim’s music is catchy and emotionally moving.
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1. Whiplash
J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller play verbal karate in my favorite movie of the year. It’s incredible. You won’t soon forget it.
Great list! I loved Birdman, Whiplash and Nightcrawler. I also agree Neighbors was definitely a better comedy than 22 Jump Street and The Interview. I’m holding off on making my top 10 until I see The Imitation Game, but I’ve heard nothing but good things.
The Imitation Game is terrific! It would have easily made a “Top 10” list, but I just wanted to list the movies that I loved personally! I’ll weigh in on the Oscar nominees when that time comes, but for now these were just fun to see! For the record, my Top 5 in terms of quality would probably be…
1. Birdman
2. Wild
3. The Imitation Game
4. Whiplash
5. Into the Woods or Interstellar