It’s the time of the year when you get inundated by critics’ top ten movies of 2014. While I don’t think this year stands up very well compared to the great movies of 2013, there were some standouts so here’s my list:
1 > The Trip to Italy
Directed by: Michael Winterbottom
This movie really made me smile and I instantly proclaimed it the movie of the summer. Comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon take a culinary tour of some of the most breathtaking spots in Italy. The ongoing comedic banter between the two of them will have you laughing out loud.
2 > Live Die Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow
Directed by: Doug Liman
This year’s mega-blockbuster was truly clever rather than full of mindless action. Cruise and Blunt make a great team as they plan, train and fight battles over and over again. Gamers out there who are accustomed to re-spawning after being killed will feel right at home.
3 > Interstellar
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan pushes the envelope in bringing the many theories of space, time, gravity and physics to life on the big screen. Whether you liked it or not, no movie was talked about and debated more in social media than this one which means it did something right. In the end, this was a movie about the strength of love between a father and a daughter.
4 > Gone Girl
Directed by: David Fincher
When Ben Affleck reports that his wife, Rosamund Pike, has gone missing, the audience descends into a world where uncomfortable marriage secrets come to light. Did he kill his wife or didn’t he? This is one of the best plots with some of the best plot twists I’ve ever seen on the big screen.
5 > Nightcrawler
Directed by: Dan Gilroy
Jake Gyllenhaal’s morally depraved character takes us on a ride into the dark world of filming the aftermath of car crashes, murders and other crimes for money. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so creeped out by a character portayal before.
6 > Whiplash
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
This riveting movie about a young jazz drummer at a top music conservatory grabs a hold of you in the first few seconds and doesn’t let go until the closing credits start rolling. Taught by a music instructor that’s more like a drill sergeant, you come to learn what obsession and perfection are truly all about.
7 > Chef
Directed by: Jon Favreau
Jon Favreau is a Chef at a high-end Los Angeles restaurant who quits his job in order find the person he once was. This movie makes you feel good all over as Favreau launches a food truck to get back to what he loves about the kitchen and builds a bond with his son by working together.
8 > Guardians of the Galaxy
Directed by: James Gunn
Chris Pratt is a “junker” bounty hunter named Star-Lord who takes you on a Star Wars-like romp through the galaxy. This entertaining movie packs in plenty of laughs and lots of adventure as he tries to protect a mysterious orb that is coveted by the forces of evil.
9 > The Grand Budapest Hotel
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Ralph Fiennes takes us on a quirky adventure as the concierge of a famous hotel in pre-war Europe. If you’re a fan of Wes Anderson’s off-beat humor, this movie won’t disappoint because it’s his best work yet.
10 > Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Directed by: Joe Russo and Anthony Russo
“How do we know the good guys from the bad guys? If they’re shooting at you they’re bad.” In this latest Marvel movie, Captain America is still adjusting to living in the modern world when he finds himself the target of assassins who want to shut him up before a reveals an evil conspiracy. If you love super hero movie, you’ll love this one.
-Rob
Sharing my knowledge and helping others never stops, so connect with me on my blog at https://robtiffany.com , follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RobTiffany and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/robtiffany