So, I've decided to do a "favorites" list, rather than a "best" list. These films are wonderful films and would certainly be at home on any critic's top ten list for the year. In fact, many of them have repeatedly appeared on these lists. However, none of them will win the best picture Oscar. These are not the movies that will be heralded in film art text books thirty years from now, but they are the movies that will be embraced by generations thirty years from now. They are the films that will be remembered in the hearts of millions long after the more "legitimate" films have faded from memory. Not because the "legitimate" films are unworthy, but because these films are aware that movies can be layered, passionate, excellent, AND fun and inspiring. I'll probably do a "best" list after I've had a chance to see some titles that I'm itching to see, like The Theory of Everything, Selma, The Imitation Game, and Big Eyes, but for now, I present the list of the movies that I know I'll be watching over and over for years to come. To be difficult, I'm doing a top 12 list. My apologies to those of you with the compulsive need for round numbers.
12. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - Andy Serkis continues to show that the most important part of a motion capture performance is the performance. Inhabiting Caesar, the leader of the intelligent apes, as a full-blooded character, Serkis manages to rise above the digital make-up to deliver one of the most mesmerizing feats of acting in any movie this year. Plus, the script provides some of the most thrilling and shocking moments in the franchise history.
11. The Hundred-Food Journey - This is not a challenging movie, however it is a smart one. Filled with warmth and nuanced performances, this movie is the equivalent of a big smile-inducing hug. Just don't watch it when you're hungry. The soft-filtered images of French and Indian cuisine guarantee an increase in appetite.
10. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - The Hobbit movies are simply not as good as the Lord of the Rings films. They suffer from over-stuffed plotting and glacial pacing, problems that are bound to happen when you decide to turn a single children's book (and, compared to LOTR, that's what The Hobbit is) into a 9 hour epic. However, they are not the cinematic missteps that some have made them out to be. Yes, they're poor adaptations, but they're pretty darn thrilling films and the finale does everything that it should have. Wrapping plot points together in a massive battle and manages to recall elements of the Pelennor Fields battle in Return of the King, while still distinguishing itself with far different characters and motivations.
9. Edge of Tomorrow - I so did not see this movie coming. Even the commercials did little to raise my expectations. However, this is a gem of sci-fi tale. The easy explanation is "It's Groundhog Day with aliens", but that doesn't convey how rich, engaging, and simultaneously dark and funny this epic is. A confusing title and a dwindling fan base for Tom Cruise may have kept you from seeing it in the theaters, but there's no real excuse. It's one of the finest sci-fi films of the decade.
8. Interstellar - Yes, it's flawed. However, it's beautiful, it's ambitious in a way that few other films dare, and it serves as an allegory to convey wonderful truths.
7. X-Men: Days of Future Past - As close to an "Avengers" film as the X-Men franchise is likely to get, DoFP hits all the heights that you would want from a great X-Men film, plus is has one of the best scenes of any movie of the year. If you've seen it, you know exactly which scene I'm talking about. If you haven't, well, let's just say you won't hear Jim Croce sing "Time in a Bottle" again without thinking of a certain kitchen in the Pentagon.
6. Big Hero 6 - Sure, Big Hero 6 gives the world one of the most instantly lovable characters of the year in Baymax, the health care providing robot, but even an infinitely lovable character can't completely save a weak movie (Scrat from the Ice Age movies proves that). Therefore, how delightful is it that Big Hero 6 is bright, smart, and enthralling even when Baymax isn't on screen. Further proof that the Disney animation slump is officially over.
5. The LEGO Movie - When I first heard about this movie, I let out a very disgruntled groan. Seriously? How could this possibly be a good idea. Wow, was I wrong. Not only is The LEGO Movie one of the flat-out funniest movies of the year, but it's nothing short of an all-out tribute to the joy of imagination and creation. Many pundits see this as the front runner for the Best Animated Film Oscar, and while I don't think it's the best animated film of the year, it's certainly a more than worthy contender.
4. Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Since the summer of 2011, I have maintained that the brilliance of the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn't just in it's intertwining story lines, but the fact that none of these films are "just" superhero movies. Each movie takes on different genres, not only distinguishing it from films featuring other characters, but distinguishing it from other films in its own franchise. No film better illustrates this than Winter Soldier. With the first Captain America firmly in WWII action mode, The Winter Soldier veers masterfully into the territory of a modern spy thriller. That alone would be a nifty gimmick, but what raises the film above gimmick is its sharp writing, sincere performances, and truly fantastic direction. So great was the direction from the Russo Brothers (previously best known for being creative forces on "Community" and "Arrested Development") that Marvel has handed them the keys to Avengers: Infinity War, the film that the MCU has been building towards ever since Thor first entered the Asgard vault.
3. Into the Woods - For the life of me, I can't see why this movie isn't getting more Oscar talk. Sure, Meryl Streep will get her 1,243-ish nomination, and it'll be well represented in costumes, sound mixing, and production design, but this is such a deeply profound film. The magic of Into the Woods, both the stage play and the film is it's ability to not only layer character upon character, but genre upon genre, and theme upon theme. It's the type of movie that you think you have a full handle on when you see it the first time, but discover more and more upon each subsequent viewing. Plus, Steven Sondheim is one of the great living artists of any art form and he was in top form with this, both when he wrote the stage version in the 80's and when he adapted it for film. Yes, it's divisive, but it's also rich and inspiring.
2. How to Train Your Dragon 2 - I stand by my original assertion that this is the best animated film since Toy Story 3. Discontent to simply churn out a run of the mill sequel, the filmmakers have taken the elements of the first movie and expanded them in such a fluid and surprisingly emotional way that it feels less like a sequel and more like the second act in an epic story, a feat that it manages with far more success than The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug did.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy - Simply the most surprising movie of the year. Yes, in hindsight its success seems to simply be part of the MCU juggernaut, but don't forget what a risk this movie was and how delightful it was to see it unfold on the big screen. I can't remember feeling that level of discovery and wonder since, I don't know, maybe Jurassic Park. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this disparate group of heroes.
3 Biggest Disappointments of the Year:
3. Annie - If you've ever thought, "Annie would be a good story if it had more swearing and traded out the memorable music for bland pop songs and if Miss Hannigan wasn't funny, but just whiny and annoying," I have a movie for you.
2. Heaven is for Real - I didn't see this sleeper hit until it was released on video. I was looking forward to it because I would love to see a movie represent matters of faith in a realistic and inspiring way. However, instead of that, we get a movie that tries to create tension by portraying most people of faith with the same level of anger and lack of love that one would expect from an anti-religious film. The characters are trite and the performances are shallow, with the exception of young Connor Corum, who manages to be the sole bright spot in a film that should have been nothing but bright spots.
1. Noah - Ugh. Just ugh. Is there a filmmaker in Hollywood with a more over-inflated ego than Darren Aronofsky? The word "pretentious" doesn't begin to cover it. Yes, he's very talented, but so is George Lucas and they both need to demonstrate a little restraint. As a fantasy film, it's barely watchable, but as a telling of the biblical story, it's a ludicrous mess. Jennifer Connolly and Emma Watson are beyond fantastic in it though, but they really are the only people that remain unscathed from this monstrosity.
Finally, the ten movies I'm most looking forward to in 2015. I'm going to attempt to contain my explanations as to why I'm excited for them to one or two words. We'll see how that works....
10. Minions - Cute/Funny!
9. Spectre - Bond!
8. The Good Dinosaur - Pixar!
7. Ant-Man - Marvel+Rudd!
6. Untitled Steven Spielberg cold war thriller - Steven Spielberg!
5. Tomorrowland - Brad Bird!
4. Jurassic World - Trained Velociraptors!
3. Inside Out - Conceptual Pixar!
2. Avengers: Age of Ultron - Duh, Avengers!
1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Abrams! Practical Effects! Beach-Ball Droid! Star Wars! STAR WARS!
OK, there are my thoughts. There are many like them, but these are mine. Have a wonderful 2015!
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