The Top Ten Films of 2014 by Corben Carpenter

 

The Top Ten Films of 2014

by Corben Carpenter

 

 

 

 Happy New Year and welcome to another countdown of 2014's best films. I believe I saw more new films last year than ever before so it was difficult to narrow them down to a list of ten. As we are ushered into a new era where shared universes and Chinese box office are influencing the biggest pictures, it's comforting to see there are still a number of unique and profound films gracing our movie theaters. I urge all of you to visit your local theater year-round and discover films you may have never heard of before, even in different languages and aspect ratios. I'm proud to be a ciniphile and hopefully this list of films will encourage you to see more films and experience them in different way. Here we go!

 



 

10. Foxcatcher

Directed by Bennett Miller
Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman 

 

   Foxcatcher is not an inspirational sports saga. Based on the true story, Bennett Miller’s account of the Olympic wresting Schultz brothers and millionaire Jean Du Pont is a cold, haunting thriller that manages to say more about the American dream and self sacrifice than just simply retelling the events of the infamous murder.  All three leading performances are transcendent, with Channing Tatum as the younger brother Mark Schultz being the most surprising and impressive. Steve Carrel, donning a prosthetic nose and pale complexion, is subtlety terrifying as Du Pont, able to convey his obsession and frustration through a paralyzing stare.  Along with Mark Ruffalo, these actors devote themselves completely to their roles which makes the film’s events even more afflictive. The stark bleak atmosphere of the Foxcatcher estate only amplifies the tension and impending doom of its wrestlers.  One of the best examples of character interpretation through visual representation.

 

09. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Directed by Matt Reeves
Written by Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver

 The smartest blockbuster in years also has one of the most nonsensical titles. Besides that, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the shining beacon in a sea of bloated, CGI heavy summer films in 2014. Surpassing its predecessor in almost every facet, it’s one of the few sequels that takes a solid foundation and expands with more ambitious ideas and grander set-pieces. Andy Serkis continues to break boundaries with his now iconic role as Caesar, out-performing all of the non-ape actors combined. That just signifies how incredible Caesar and the other apes are illustrated through stunning visual effects and motion capture technology. The stakes are heightened with almost every scene and leads up to a gripping showdown, yet unavoidable cliff hanger.  If you are not entertained by apes riding on horses while firing machine guns, then something is clearly wrong with you.

08. Birdman

Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu
Written by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., and Armando Bo

 Audacious, ludicrous, and alluring, Birdman is one those films that is so strange it’s near impossible to dislike. Coming out of creative retirement, Michael Keaton returns in a project that could only exist and succeed centered on his past and current standing in show-business. His career defining role as Batman in the late 80s to early 90s is perfect source material for Alejandro González Iñárritu to build his story around a forgotten actor’s last attempt at redemption with his craft and his family.  Filmed to look like one continuous shot along with a clashing, jazzy percussion score, the narrative resembles one man’s crazy hangover dream that continuously delivers outrageous and touching moments. Keaton and his supporting cast featuring Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Zach Galfinakis, and Naomi Watts are not afraid to get loose and make their hysterical characters explode on the screen.

 

07. Two Days, One Night

 

 

Written and Directed by Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne

 A small-scale adventures with the cards stacked against it, Two Days, One Night is a working class hero chronicle that depicts personal human struggle and the calamity of the economic situation. Marion Cottilard gives the best performance of her career as she sulks with low hanging shoulders and conveys constant doubt through an increasingly hopeless quest to save her job and her sanity. Each coworker she visits is a beautiful vignette that brings out more of her character, changes the odds of her success, and opens up questions for debate that stuck with me long after the credits rolled. 

06. The Imitation Game

 

 

Directed by Morten Tyldum
Written by Graham Moore

 What begins as a standard biopic and World War II period drama gradually evolves into a more layered and compelling thriller. Brilliant mathematician and cryptologist Alan Turning takes on a mission to crack the Nazi naval code “Enigma” while battling his own insecurities and relationships. Turning is played by Benedict Cumberbatch who completely embodies the man and graces the screen with a triumphant performance. A winning script, stirring score, and a superb supporting cast make The Imitation Game an exceptional film. It’s unbelievable how we have gone so long without Turning’s extraordinary tale being told on the big screen.

 

 

05. Gone Girl

 

 

Directed by David Fincher
Written by Gillian Flynn

 David Fincher has solidified himself as the modern-day Hitchcock with another exceptionally crafted mystery. With the addition of the eerily tranquil score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, no trio is better at creating an atmosphere of impending danger and suburban dread. The story of the disappearance of housewife Amy (Rosemund Pike) and the accusation of murder for her husband Nick (Ben Affleck) takes a plethora of twists that constantly keeps you guessing who is actually innocent and the legitimacy of marital devotion. Affleck and his weak acting skills are a perfect fit here as an untrustworthy culprit. The crown jewel of the film is Rosemund Pike, a star-making turn so bold and demented that it will be remembered for years to come.

 

 

04. The LEGO Movie

 

 

Written and Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

 On a paper, this movie should not have been a success but Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have built the most awe-inspiring, hilarious, and heart-warming animated film in years. A movie about LEGOs instead of a movie featuring LEGOs, it validates the ingenious and originality of the iconic toys like no other toy-to-film adaptation has been able to do. The LEGO Movie goes from gut-busting randomness to a existential closure that is brimming with touching nostalgia. The computer animation is cleverly composed and so intricate that it takes multiple viewing s to fully experience everything that goes on in the world. Unfortunately the sequel does not come out for another 3 years, so hopefully “Everything Is Awesome” will be out of my head by then.

 

 

03. Boyhood

Written and Directed by Richard Linklater

 A remarkable achievement twelve years in the making, Boyhood is a one of a kind experience that we way never see again. The gimmick does not hold back an emotionally resonate journey, literally watching a 6 year old grow up over the course of a decade right before our eyes. A number of scenes were analogous to moments in my own life; I was almost brought to tears multiple times. Seeing Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, and newcomer Ellar Coltrane age over the course of 3 hours is simply magical, a rare characteristic in cinema these days. So much had to be planned and carefully orchestrated over the years, Boyhood could have been a failed experiment but has defied the odds. Richard Linklater, with a near flawless filmography, has directed his masterpiece.

02. Ida

  

 

Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski
Written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz and Pawel Pawlikowski

 There are very few films that can be deemed “perfect”, but this Polish road movie comes really close. A culmination of nearly a century of cinematic evolution and influences, Ida is a brilliant and wrenching tale of two very different relatives with opposing philosophies who come together to uncover a tragic family secret. Shot in gorgeous 4:3, black and white cinematography, every frame is worthy of being hung in a museum. Methodically pace with every second serving a purpose and every word of dialogue speaks volumes. The title character does not need to say much as her eyes pierce through the screen with ferocity and innocence. Her aunt is comparably forceful and dominating. An expertly directed film that would be equally effective as a silent film.

 

01. Whiplash

Written and Directed by Damien Chazelle

 The last fifteen minutes of Damien Chazelle’s debut film is a defining moment that transcends a great movie into an instant classic. A final statement that immediately solidified Whiplash as the best picture of the year. it’s a visceral climax that combines everything the movie has build up to and leaves you breathless when the screen cuts to black. As I was catching my breath leaving the theater, I knew I have just witnessed something special. Whiplash is a product of untapped ambition that thrives without compromises or restraint. Miles Tellar is on a role after last year’s The Spectacular Now with another fantastic performance as a jazz drummer prodigy who is pushed to the limit by a renowned conductor played by J.K. Simmons. The teacher-pupil relationship is a thriller in itself with Simmon’s savagery taking an emotional and physical toll on Tellar and the band. Simmons has always been a reliable supporting actor and can now fully demonstrate his talents with a career defining role. Whiplash is even melodiously edited, using rhythmic montage to showcase the trials and sacrifices of Tellar’s character.  Far and away the year’s most inspirational and entertaining film that reassured myself to not give up on pursuing my own passion.