2014 Films From Best To Worst
In my own opinion of course, and featuring all films released in 2014 I've currently seen. As such, this is an ever-evolving list. Check out my other lists if interested (full selection accessible on the right):
1960s: 1964
1980s: 1987
1990s: 1993
2000s: 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2009
2010s: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015
1960s: 1964
1980s: 1987
1990s: 1993
2000s: 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2009
2010s: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015
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- DirectorHiromasa YonebayashiStarsSara TakatsukiKasumi ArimuraNanako MatsushimaAnna, a shy 12-year-old girl, is sent to spend time with her aunt and uncle who live in the countryside, where she meets Marnie. The two become best friends. But Anna gradually discovers that Marnie is not quite who she appears to be.Hopefully with more people seeing this film, the claptrap about the celebrated Studio Ghibli animation studio not being able to go on without founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata can cease. When Marnie Was There is an incredible, powerful film, maybe the best the studio has produced in over ten years, since the incredible Spirited Away. A film that slowly eats at your heart and makes you care deeply for its lead character, When Marnie Was There sits proudly not only amongst the best of the company's offer, but also amongst the best of animation and just film in general. After the perfectly good Arrietty, Hiromasa Yonebayashi reaches a whole other level here and proves that with him on board, Ghibli is in very good hands indeed.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsGong LiDaoming ChenHuiwen ZhangLu and Feng are a devoted couple forced to separate when Lu is arrested and sent to a labor camp as a political prisoner during the Cultural Revolution. He finally returns home only to find that his beloved wife no longer recognizes him.Zhang Yimou once again proves he's not just one of China's very best filmmakers, but one of the world's with this engrossing, heartfelt drama that grips you from its opening shot. Beautifully filmed and superbly acted, be it from veterans or the impressive newcomer Zhang Huiwen, Coming Home is simply put, an essential piece of cinema.
- DirectorDoug LimanStarsTom CruiseEmily BluntBill PaxtonA soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies.Fantastic film. The story is fantastic, the action is fantastic, the ending is fantastic, Tom Cruise is fantastic, Emily Blunt is fantastic,... There's not much to complain about this film, one of the best big action blockbusters of the year, hell of the past few years.
- DirectorDavid AyerStarsBrad PittShia LaBeoufLogan LermanA grizzled tank commander makes tough decisions as he and his crew fight their way across Germany in April, 1945.The majority of audiences of critics seem to be completely split on this film, finding it either fantastic or terrible, all hinging on their reaction to a key scene in a village about midway through the film. Well I for one am of the camp who found this scene incredible and instrumental to make Fury not just one of the very best films of the year, not just one of the very best films about World War 2, but one of the best war films period, at least in my eyes. It's a film that is formidably acted, remains very stark, grounded and realistic for the majority of its runtime, has incredible, enjoyable action scenes yet never glamorizes them, making sure you don't forget that war is an ugly, horribly violent, terrible thing.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.Marvel's big gamble paid off in a big way with Guardians of the Galaxy easily earning its place among the five best films in the company's canon. There is very little to complain about here, as James Gunn delivers just about everything a fun action space opera should be. The actors are fantastic, the characters they portray are endearing and charismatic, scenes alternate between being filled with spectacular action, truly laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly emotional and the entire package is just nearly perfect.
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsJohn Lloyd YoungErich BergenMichael LomendaThe story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons.Three years after a fine but mostly unsurprising biopic of FBI legend J. Edgar Hoover, Clint Eastwood completely reinvigorates the genre with Jersey Boys, a fascinating, powerful, engaging and fun piece of cinema which proces that at 84, Mr. Eastwood can still surprise, innovate and school hotshots a quarter of his age.
- DirectorMatt ReevesStarsGary OldmanKeri RussellAndy SerkisThe fragile peace between apes and humans is threatened as mistrust and betrayal threaten to plunge both tribes into a war for dominance over the Earth.Rise of the Planet of the Apes was one of the big surprise hits of 2011, so the bar was set high for this follow-up. The issue was uncertain with a new director at the helm and a largely revamped cast, but the ancient franchise knocks it out of the park again with an engrossing story, engaging characters, some magnificent scenes, be they of action or character interaction, and incredible motion capture, visual effects and 3D use.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsBen AffleckRosamund PikeNeil Patrick HarrisWith his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.Watching this film in the cinema, you could feel the entire audience completely captivated by the on-screen proceedings. A very powerful feeling indeed. Gillian Flynn did a terrific job adapting her novel for the screen in what is for me director David Fincher's best film in seven years, knowing exactly what to pick, what could be omitted, what to change and how to change it for maximum effect. The expert screenplay, combined with Fincher's directing and the excellent cast make Gone Girl as thrilling on screen as it is on paper, and should be just as satisfying for those having read the novel and those coming in fresh.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsIan McKellenMartin FreemanRichard ArmitageBilbo Baggins and company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of a rising darkness.At this stage people know where they stand on The Hobbit movies. They like them or they don't. They decry the fact that the story should have been told in a single film or are just happy to get swept up in this world alongside these characters once more. I belong to the latter camp. The experience is as visually stunning as ever, the numerous fight scenes are quite simply a treat and the actors, Martin Freeman in particular, continue to show the very fine work we've seen in the prior two chapters.
- DirectorDean DeBloisStarsJay BaruchelCate BlanchettGerard ButlerWhen Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.A lesson on how to properly do a sequel, How to Train Your Dragon 2 lets its characters and their relationships grow and expands its horizons, remaining true to its predecessor but nothing letting itself get trapped by it.
- DirectorScott FrankStarsLiam NeesonDan StevensDavid HarbourPrivate investigator Matthew Scudder is hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife.It is tough to find fault with this movie from the awesome opening scene to the actors, the direction, the tension, the editing, the bursts of action, the cinematography, the old-school feel,...this was just a terrific thriller through and through. Weeelll, maybe all those random Y2K bug mentions, what was up with that?
- DirectorPaul KingStarsHugh BonnevilleSally HawkinsJulie WaltersA young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven.An incredibly charming film that perfectly captures the essence of its character, Paddington is very funny, very touching and at times very suspenseful. The basic plot isn't groundbreaking in any way and actually quite familiar, but the film just works thanks to a stellar cast, strong and frequently inventive direction, terrific visual effects and a smart script. Sparse moments of gross-out humor never feel forced or shoehorned in but are actually surprisingly tasteful and actually funny. This is one that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike and has the makings of a classic.
- DirectorJean-Marc ValléeStarsReese WitherspoonLaura DernGaby HoffmannA chronicle of one woman's 1,100-mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent personal tragedy.Just one year after the great Dallas Buyers Club, Jean-Marc Vallée impresses again with this other true life tale, beautifully shot, perfectly edited, surprisingly funny, deeply touching and entirely captivating with Reese Witherspoon giving one of the best performances of her career, surrounded by a highly capable and enjoyable supporting cast.
- DirectorDavid Robert MitchellStarsMaika MonroeKeir GilchristOlivia LuccardiA young woman is followed by an unknown supernatural force after a sexual encounter.While it isn't really groundbreaking or the "scariest film ever" as the hype would have you believe, David Robert Mitchell's second feature is easily one of the best horror films in recent years, intelligently paying homage to and reengineering tropes from time-honored classics such as Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street or The Ring. Gorgeously shot, with an incredible soundtrack, It Follows oozes atmosphere and fascinates with its incredibly well-written, layered story, filled with tension and depth. Staying with you long after it's over, making your appreciation grow stronger as the time passes, It Follows shouldn't be described as simply a great horror film. It's just a great film.
- DirectorMike LeighStarsTimothy SpallPaul JessonDorothy AtkinsonAn exploration of the last quarter century of the great, if eccentric, British painter J.M.W. Turner's life.While quite a long film and a rather languid one too, Mr. Turner is incredibly never boring, remaining an engrossing biopic throughout, in no small part thanks to the gorgeous filmmaking and the wonderful cast, most importantly Timothy Spall who easily gives one of the best performances of the year and is a central, fascinating figure in almost every frame.
- DirectorRégis WargnierStarsRaphaël PersonnazPhoeung KompheakOlivier GourmetTwo decades after forging an unlikely alliance in Pol Pot's Cambodia, a French ethnologist and a former Khmer Rouge official meet again after the latter is arrested for crimes against humanity.A fascinating and important true story wonderfully transferred to the silver screen by all involved, Le Temps des Aveux draws you in and never lets go.
- DirectorFrancis LawrenceStarsJennifer LawrenceJosh HutchersonLiam HemsworthKatniss Everdeen is in District 13 after she shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.While the decision to split this finale into two parts was entirely unnecessary, motivated solely by money and served no artistic purpose, the characters and world imagined by Suzanne Collins are compelling enough and the talent in front and behind of the camera is competent enough to withstand the scission relatively unscathed. Unlike Twilight's Breaking Dawn which had boring, laughable first part following by a mid-bogglingly awesome second part, the first half of Mockingjay keeps things moving, never loses the viewer's interest and offers up a handful of incredible scenes. Had it been presented as a single package, this saga's filmic finale had the potential to be amazing. As it is, Part 1 is still quite excellent.
- DirectorPhillip NoyceStarsBrenton ThwaitesJeff BridgesMeryl StreepIn a seemingly perfect community without war, pain, suffering, differences or choices, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man, the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world.One of the very best "young adult" adaptations of the past few years, The Giver tells an intelligent, involving story, is beautifully shot and features characters you care for played by a group of talented actors, both novice and seasoned.
- DirectorBryan SingerStarsPatrick StewartIan McKellenHugh JackmanThe X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.For some reason people seemed to be very wary of this film before it came out. They needn't have been. This film is a success on all levels, with an interesting story, a sprawling cast and incredible action scenes.
- DirectorLasse HallströmStarsHelen MirrenOm PuriManish DayalThe Kadam family leaves India for France where they open a restaurant directly across the road from Madame Mallory's Michelin-starred eatery.An all throughout heartwarming and subtly hilarious comedy, served by a talented cast, lush cinematography and an appropriate score from maestro A.R. Rahman mixing his Indian sensibilities with French influences, The Hundred-Foot Journey is just more proof that Steven Knight is one of the best and most versatile screenwriters working today.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsRalph FiennesF. Murray AbrahamMathieu AmalricA writer encounters the owner of an aging high-class hotel, who tells him of his early years serving as a lobby boy in the hotel's glorious years under an exceptional concierge.Not quite as lovely and touching as Wes Anderson's prior masterpiece, Moonrise Kingdom, this is nevertheless a fantastic film in its own right. Funny, well-acted, beautiful to look at, technically accomplished and superbly constructed.
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansSamuel L. JacksonScarlett JohanssonAs Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.I don't think it's necessarily quite the masterpiece people have been touting it to be, but it's a very fine addition to the series, with lots of great moments, good humor, good action, good actors, good special effects. A very fine action blockbuster altogether. My two main issues would be the ridiculous French Canadian accent the supposed "French" characters (it's 2014 guys, you can't hire the real thing?) are sporting and the completely unmysterious "mystery".
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsChris PineKevin CostnerKeira KnightleyJack Ryan, as a young covert C.I.A. analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.The decision not to adapt one of Tom Clancy's numerous unadapted books remains questionable, and the reasons why 2002's terrific The Sum of All Fears never got a proper sequel are undeniably stupid and sad, but director Kenneth Branagh delivered a very solid, underrated film here, with fine actors and plenty of tense and exciting moments.
- DirectorJosh BooneStarsShailene WoodleyAnsel ElgortNat WolffHazel and Gus are teenagers who meet at a cancer support group and fall in love. They both share the same acerbic wit and a love of books, especially "An Imperial Affliction", so they embark on a journey to visit an author in Amsterdam.A very touching, heartfelt film, with a great cast, The Fault in Our Stars is often funny, sometimes sad, always charming and never bad.
- DirectorPhilippe de ChauveronStarsChristian ClavierChantal LaubyAry AbittanA French Catholic couple sees their life get turned upside-down when their four daughters get married to men of different nationalities and religions.It's always tough for a film to become a phenomenon, as more often than not, one may be more or less disappointed upon finally watching it. And to this French mega-hit's credit, it sidesteps this issue deftly and proudly earns its place as a consistently laugh-out-loud funny and appealing comedy, more reminescent of the director's screenplay for the surprisingly funny "Neuilly sa mère!" in 2009 than the two Ducobu films he directed in the past three years. Just about every joke hits thanks to his intelligently written screenplay and the extremely likeable cast he's assembled, from young relative unknowns who should go far to a Christian Clavier in top form.