Top Films: 2014

2014 had a lot to live up to in terms of its film output. Last year was one of my favorite years at the movies. We had "Her", "12 Years A Slave", "Blue is the Warmest Color"... the list goes on. So to say the bar was high is no understatement. Did this past year live up to the expectations? It's hard to say, though not for a lack of effort. There were tons of projects with limitless potential, but to say they stuck the landing is a different story entirely.

I will, however, look back on the past year and be able to remember it fondly if for nothing else, all the wonderful places I was transported to. Christopher Nolan and the "Interstellar" gang took us back in space for round 2 after last year's "Gravity", while the creepy Lou Bloom documented crime chases in the seedy streets of L.A. in "Nightcrawler" and watching Anna Kendrick's Cinderella sing her little heart out and run away from Chris Pine's Prince through the woods was a spectacle in its own right.

So yeah, it's been a rather fun year at the movies, and another painstaking endeavor to try and rank the rather excellent work of some very talented and committed storytellers. But alas, here I am anyway.


So let's see how your favorites stacked up in my humble opinion. Or better question, are they even on here at all?

My top 10 films of 2014.

Looking Back at 2008: Top 10 List

When I think back on 2008, all I can think about is Heath Ledger's Joker riding through the streets of Gotham City, basking in all of the chaos he caused/was causing. Much like Miley Cyrus will be remembered for her antics in 2013, 2008 was arguably the year of Ledger. Unfortunately, he left us too soon to continue delivering the awe-inspiring performances like the one he gave us in Christopher Nolan's masterpiece "The Dark Knight", but what a note to go out on, an achievement capped with an incredibly rare posthumous Academy Award win.

Though there were many other incredible achievements in film that year, despite the fact Oscar gave us one of the weakest years in nominee/winner history; Robert Downey Jr. gave us a comeback for the history books in "Iron Man", while Anne Hathaway finally shed her "Princess Diaries" image for good, and became a true star.

At the request of some of my readers I've decided to post my top 10 from 2008. So let's take a trip back in time, shall we?

Top 10 Films of 2013: My Take

It's been quite the year for movies, and when I say that, I truly mean that. This year, we saw Jennifer Lawrence's "science oven" explode, Sandra Bullock survive against all odds in deep space, the story of Mary Poppins come to life, graphic 15 minute lesbian sex scenes, Melissa McCarthy take down plenty of bad guys, Jonah Hill's penis and Amy Adams' cleavage, and that doesn't even begin to to scratch the surface of what we saw this year.

But aside from all of that, 2013 managed to be one of the most amazing years for film in recent history. It seems like everyone, from the actors, to their directors, to the screenwriters brought their A-game in telling some of the most interesting stories. Steve's McQueen managed to finally craft the first real authentic portrait of the horrors of slavery, while Alfonso Cuaron took us into space, reminding us of its dangerous beauty. There was also Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens flirting with danger in Harmony Corrine's (flawed) examination of youth in revolt with Spring Breakers; the kids are NOT alright.

But I digress, the stories are plentiful and the talent even more so; it was extremely difficult in crafting this list. We're almost 2 weeks into 2014 and I just now finished this (partly due to the fact that movies have finally expanded to theaters in my area). I hate whittling it down to 10 but unlike the past few years, this year was the hardest. I could make a case for almost every movie not included on this list; even films I didn't like had things to admire about them, from the editing to the sound design.

I'll say it again, it's been a hell of year for movies; this one will always stick out in my mind as one of the best.

So here we go! My top 10 films of the year