Top 15 Films of 2014

I got to see 66 releases of 2014 (not counting those who only hit wide release this year, such as Begin Again). It’s a small pool compared to others, but I’d like to think I had a good cinematic year. I had my share of fantastic films, some mediocre ones and those horrible ones that I wouldn’t give a second glance into. I initially wanted to do a top 10 post instead, but I really like the ranking of my top 15, so here are my top 15 movies of the year: Current ranking may not be reflective of the initial score I gave in the review.

Starting off with a blockbuster hit, The Winter Soldier made waves as the sequel to The First Avenger. I wasn’t a big fan of the first movie, and this revived my hopes for the Captain American franchise. The pacing was much faster, and there were more explosions involved, but the movie also touches on Captain’s past, and actually has a lot of content involved. This might be the franchise that’s most connected with each other. (Read my review here)

The second installment of the X-Men franchise brings the past and current characters together when the existence of mutants are in danger. This might not be a popular opinion, but I actually liked this more than its predecessor. I thought this wouldn’t work considering the amount of actors involved in the project, but it was good. My favorite scene was the scene with Quicksilver, hopefully he makes an appearance in the third movie. 

This was one of the non-franchise Tom Cruise movies I have enjoyed. I liked his character’s uncertainty, even when he stands beside the amazing Rita Vrataski, played by the underrated Emily Blunt. I honestly blame coinciding release dates with The Fault in Our Stars (at least over here) that the movie didn’t pick much momentum, or that outside the M:I franchise, Cruise hasn’t been delivering great thrillers as of recent.

The first animated movie to grace the list, Big Hero 6 was a lot of fun. Baymax is such an adorable character, and if it existed in real life, he would help a lot of people. Technology advances, please work on a real life working Baymax prototype! Superhero animated movies strike again, and with this being a hit, I bet a sequel is going to be in works.

The movie that plagued the cinemas, The Fault in Our Stars can be considered one of the most awaited in the YA-world. It was impossible not to fall in love with Gus, and be taken away with their relationship, even if you already know how everything turns out. I still don’t know if I’m enamored with the movie because I really like the book, or Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort were amazing in their roles. But nonetheless, lovely movie. (Read my review here)

One of the riskiest movies of the year, it was uncertain on how this was going to be received since it’s not as popular as the other Marvel material, not to mention it’s helmed by an actor who’s not entirely famous. However, this turned to be the most fun superhero movie there is, and it is thanks to the people involved. So casting directors and James Gunn, thank you for putting Chris Pratt on the map! 

The movie that makes anyone who see it salivate, Chef can be considered as Jon Favreau’s passion project that really translated well. This still makes me hungry whenever I watch it. (Read my review here)

This was a divisive/controversial movie, but finally planted Rosamund Pike as the actress to look out for. David Fincher does well with the material, though I was expecting him to take a much darker turn with it. I do recommend reading the novel, as it divulges deeper to the characters psyche. 

Another sequel on the list, How to Train Your Dragon 2 follows the adventures of Hiccup as he faces a much bigger monster, and gets to know where a part of him came from. The themes of this installment is more mature than its predecessor, yet this is amazing in its own way. (Read my review here)

I did not expect to like it this much, but I do. It was mind-blowing, and the way the movie progressed, it never occurred to me that it was a two-man movie because it was that captivating. (Read my review here)

Nolan’s latest, though the third act was so confusing, makes it to my top 5. Despite its flaws (and eerily similar element to Cuaron’s Gravity), it hits the space exploration part of the movie, but fails to deliver in the emotional impact that it was also going for. Still, good effort from everyone involved. (Read my review here)

I liked it. It was fun, it was charming, and such amazing work from Jenny Slate. (Read my review here)

Gunning to my top 3, I initially thought that The LEGO Movie was silly. Yes, it was silly...silly fun! Another risk, this just proves that Phil Lord and Chris Miller can turn a concept into gold. Sequels, please don’t be horrible! (Read my review here)

The movie that had been difficult to dethrone from my top spot, The Grand Budapest Hotel was the most Wes Anderson of all his Wes Anderson movies. While sitting on my top 3 movies from the director, his style was splattered all over the movie, making this a fully aesthetic piece. Ralph Fiennes was also great; he should really be doing more dark comedies, he has the knack for them. (Read my review here)

Boyhood may not be an accurate representation of an every day person, but there were parts that would remind you of the times, or your own past. It’s revolutionary because of the filming style, and is one of Richard Linklater’s best works. (Read my review here)

Here are the rest of the movies I've seen, in alphabetical order: 

3 Days to Kill | 22 Jump Street | A Long Way Down | A Merry Friggin’ Christmas | A Million Ways to Die in the West | About Alex | Beauty and the Beast | Better Living Through Chemistry | Blended | Cuban Fury | Divergent | Frank | Godzilla | Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit | Let’s Be Cops | Life After Beth | Life of Crime | Lucy | Magic in the Moonlight | Maleficent | Moms’ Night Out | Maps to the Stars | Mr. Peabody & Sherman | Muppets Most Wanted | Neighbors | Noah | Non-Stop | Pompeii | Rio 2 | Robocop | Sex Tape | St. Vincent | Still Alice | Tammy | That Awkward Moment | The Angriest Man in Brooklyn | The Book of Life | The Boxtrolls | The Equalizer | The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies |  The Interview | The Maze Runner | The Nut Job | The Other Woman | They Came Together | This is Where I Leave You | Two Days, One Night | Two Night Stand | Veronica Mars | Walk of Shame | What We Do in the Shadows