Surprisingly, the majority of my favorites arrived over the summer. Films like Chef, Snowpiercer, Boyhood, Begin Again, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Life Itself all opened in quick succession and actually made braving the cineplex in July a memorable experience.
Below are my picks for the Top Five Film of 2014.
1.Life Itself: I'm really not one for theatrical documentaries, but this one from Steve James (Hoop Dreams) on the late film critic Roger Ebert may get me to seek out more of them. This superbly crafted tale is about much more than a love of film. It's really about the love of life, specifically the one shared between Ebert and his wife Chaz. Easily the most engaging and moving film of the year.
2. Boyhood : Richard Linklater's 12-years-in-the-making odyssey of family and self-discovery is just as good as everyone has been telling you. Simply an incredibly relatable and poignant film about breaking free and finding your way in this world. So see it, already!
3:The Grand Budapest Hotel: I'm a sucker for anything from Wes Anderson and this picaresque tale of a smarmy concierge and the legendary resort at which he plies his trade continues the uber-talented auteur's impressive run of wildly original cinema. Just an absolute visual joy from start to finish. Keep 'em coming, Wes.
4:Chef: Jon Favreau's return to indie cinema as a disgraced gourmet chef who finds a new life as a food-truck operator was easily the most surprising and hunger-inducing film of the year. Everything - the performances, the music, the locales - was just as warm and full of flavor as the Cubanos on the plate. Nice to have you back, Favreau.
5.The Theory of Everything: James Marsh's real-life account of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking's battle with motor neuron disease is an exceptionally crafted tale of love and adversity, not to mention a career triumph for actor Eddie Redmayne. If this guy isn't the Best Actor Oscar winner, there's something seriously wrong with the system.
If I Could Pick Five More: 6. Begin Again 7. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 8. Captain America: The Winter Soldier 9.St. Vincent 10. Snowpiercer
Happy New Year!
