20. Edge of Tomorrow (sci-fi)
The first film to blend some of the narrative notions of video games with the traditional 3 act narrative, the film works almost as a science fiction version of Groundhog Day.
19. X-Men:Days of Future Past (sci-fi/action)
The best X-men film since X2 and it manages to be entertaining yet cerebral and socially themed.
17. Neighbors (comedy)
It's like one of those short form cartoons you'd see from Tom and Jerry as a kid, except done as a series of adults versus frat teens in live action.
16. Mitt (documentary)
The best doc of an active political campaign since the War Room. While it sometimes seems to oversimplify the decision-making by Romney and cohorts, you have to wonder how much of the spin in the media is just spin.
15. The Babadook (horror)
A wonderful original entry into the horror/suspense genre without becoming something it's not. It fits right into the pantheon of domestic tales like Rosemary's Baby with an Aussie twist.
14. Gone Girl (drama)
Fincher's attempt to take a best-selling book and push it even further visually. While the film has some serious plot holes, the intensity of the main characters will have you wondering how well you really know your significant other.
13. Grand Budapest Hotel (comedy)
Wes Anderson films for me are always hit or miss. This is not one of those films that are so full of itself that it gets in the way of telling a good story and we're all rewarding with a light farce.
12. Blue Ruin (drama)
If No Country For Old Men were made for next to nothing, this is what it would look like. A tough, realistic film that pulls no punches.
11. Selma (drama)
A solidly told historical drama that is remarkable in it's telling and at the same time surprising in that it took this many years before it was portrayed. While somewhat overlooked, it is sure to be a film that will be a film of study in years to come.
10. Whiplash (drama)
While I have never been dedicated to a musical instrument, I can fully understand the extreme obsession of prioritizing one aspect of one's life/career above all else to the detriment of ones own person.
The first film to blend some of the narrative notions of video games with the traditional 3 act narrative, the film works almost as a science fiction version of Groundhog Day.
19. X-Men:Days of Future Past (sci-fi/action)
The best X-men film since X2 and it manages to be entertaining yet cerebral and socially themed.
18. Interstellar (sci-fi)
Probably higher up in my mind just for the classic Nolan mind puzzles and scale. It never becomes a vfx show off piece and keeps the characters close at hand.
It's like one of those short form cartoons you'd see from Tom and Jerry as a kid, except done as a series of adults versus frat teens in live action.
16. Mitt (documentary)
The best doc of an active political campaign since the War Room. While it sometimes seems to oversimplify the decision-making by Romney and cohorts, you have to wonder how much of the spin in the media is just spin.
15. The Babadook (horror)
A wonderful original entry into the horror/suspense genre without becoming something it's not. It fits right into the pantheon of domestic tales like Rosemary's Baby with an Aussie twist.
14. Gone Girl (drama)
Fincher's attempt to take a best-selling book and push it even further visually. While the film has some serious plot holes, the intensity of the main characters will have you wondering how well you really know your significant other.
13. Grand Budapest Hotel (comedy)
Wes Anderson films for me are always hit or miss. This is not one of those films that are so full of itself that it gets in the way of telling a good story and we're all rewarding with a light farce.
12. Blue Ruin (drama)
If No Country For Old Men were made for next to nothing, this is what it would look like. A tough, realistic film that pulls no punches.
11. Selma (drama)
A solidly told historical drama that is remarkable in it's telling and at the same time surprising in that it took this many years before it was portrayed. While somewhat overlooked, it is sure to be a film that will be a film of study in years to come.
10. Whiplash (drama)
While I have never been dedicated to a musical instrument, I can fully understand the extreme obsession of prioritizing one aspect of one's life/career above all else to the detriment of ones own person.
9. Fury (drama)
The intensity of Training day is brought to bear on a WW2 tank film. It has the same sort of claustrophobic tension as some of the great submarine films like Das Boot or Crimson Tide.
8. Foxcatcher (drama)
It's fascinating to see how some people of means can become so detached from society and still be revered for no other reason than their wealth allows them to allow patronage to those of lesser means. Steve Carrell breaks all perceptions of him as merely a comic actor.
7. Citizenfour (documentary)
No one in recent American history has challenged the powers of our government on a fundamental level as Edward Snowden. This is his story and it's told without flinching.
6. Big Hero 6 (animated)
It's one of those films that you're constantly surprised by with its maturity and heart. Not to mention Disney's ability to blend its distinctive style with that of Japanese anime.
5. Chef (comedy)
This is a film that's hard to decide where to put in on this list. Maybe it's not quite this good, maybe I'm tempering its greatness. What I do know is that it illicits one feeling unlike any other that I've ever placed on this list - hunger. Damn the food looks good.
The intensity of Training day is brought to bear on a WW2 tank film. It has the same sort of claustrophobic tension as some of the great submarine films like Das Boot or Crimson Tide.
8. Foxcatcher (drama)
It's fascinating to see how some people of means can become so detached from society and still be revered for no other reason than their wealth allows them to allow patronage to those of lesser means. Steve Carrell breaks all perceptions of him as merely a comic actor.
7. Citizenfour (documentary)
No one in recent American history has challenged the powers of our government on a fundamental level as Edward Snowden. This is his story and it's told without flinching.
6. Big Hero 6 (animated)
It's one of those films that you're constantly surprised by with its maturity and heart. Not to mention Disney's ability to blend its distinctive style with that of Japanese anime.
5. Chef (comedy)
This is a film that's hard to decide where to put in on this list. Maybe it's not quite this good, maybe I'm tempering its greatness. What I do know is that it illicits one feeling unlike any other that I've ever placed on this list - hunger. Damn the food looks good.
4. The Lego Movie (animated)
This is a film that late out ambushed me. In what could have easily been a pure commercial grab, the film jumps up with something to say about society and creativity while still keeping to it's commercial interests.
This is a film that late out ambushed me. In what could have easily been a pure commercial grab, the film jumps up with something to say about society and creativity while still keeping to it's commercial interests.
3. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (sci-fi)
This is what science fiction should be in the sequel world - taking the story to new heights and exploring new dimensions of what makes the original good.
This is what science fiction should be in the sequel world - taking the story to new heights and exploring new dimensions of what makes the original good.
2. Nightcrawler (drama)
How far will ambition take people desperate to live the American entrepreneurial dream? It's one part Taxi Driver, one part Network.
How far will ambition take people desperate to live the American entrepreneurial dream? It's one part Taxi Driver, one part Network.
1. Boyhood (drama)
What can I say? It's the best, most impactful film I've seen since Fight Club. Just see it. It's a life changing experience.
What can I say? It's the best, most impactful film I've seen since Fight Club. Just see it. It's a life changing experience.
