Friends, we've reached that time. I have officially begun discussions and received text message from friends asking what the best thing I watched in 2015 was. Yes, that's right, because this is what cool kids text each other about ;)
But before I can get started on 2015 I have some unfinished business to take care of... that is, my top 10 films of 2014!
I'm sure none of you will remember, but I spent the bulk of February 2015 sick as a dog (where does that saying come from anyway?) Nothing serious, just seriously annoying. I have memories (delusions?) of typing up Oscar predictions the night before, apologizing to cyberspace how I have my top 10 films jotted down but never properly wrote up a blog.
Then things got so comically delayed that I joked I was going to randomly post them in July, and now here we are at December... embarking on 2015 lists. So, let's dust off the cobwebs and see how many of these films I even remember...
Films that qualify for Ada's Top 10 Films of 2014:
- any film from a film festival that I attended in 2014
- any film with a Canadian theatrical release dated in 2014
- is listed on www.imdb.com
as released in 2014
This was the "long list" I had jotted down:
Boyhood
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Mommy
The Imitation Game
The Theory of Everything
The Lego Movie
That Awkward Moment
Eden
Interstellar
What We Do in the Shadows
Life Itself
Pride
Whiplash
Nightcrawler
Fasten Your Seatbelts
Note the space... in my scribbles that often means everything above the space is a shoo-in, everything below needs deliberation to see what makes the cut. But now... 12 months later, this is how I would (approximately) rank them:
1. Boyhood
2. The Grand Budapest Hotel (I think, I need to watch it again)
3. The Imitation Game
4.What We Do In the Shadows
5. Eden
6. Mommy
7. The Theory of Everything
8. Pride
9. The Lego Movie
10. Interstellar (I think, again I need to re-watch)
Interstellar edges out Whiplash, and That Awkward Moment/Nightcrawler/Life Itself came off the top 10 without hesitation.
Which moves them all to...
Honourable mentions:
Whiplash
Fasten Your Seatbelts
That Awkward Moment
Nightcrawler
Life Itself
American Sniper
Note 2014 was the first year there were no Hong Kong films in my top 10!
During this year I have re-watched #'s 1, 3, 4, and That Awkward Moment. This may or may not have played a role in my final decision and cuts.
It's pretty hard to dispute Boyhood was the greatest cinematic triumph of 2014, regardless of all that Birdman nonsense at the Oscars. Yeah I said it. (I said it previously too right? If not I guarantee you I shot off my mouth alllll over Twitter) Birdman was a technically flawless execution, Boyhood had its audiences by the heart as well as being groundbreaking cinema. In terms of groundbreaking, I rank it right up there with Pulp Fiction, and for those who know me, you'll know that's one of the highest compliments I can pay you.
I remember really liking The Grand Budapest Hotel, but it has been 21 months since I saw it. I *think* it was the only other film of 2014 that even came close in entertainment value to Boyhood for me. So based on that I'll let it keep the #2 spot.
I saw the Imitation Game twice in 2014 and went and bought the blu-ray so I could watch it again in 2015 (I haven't done that yet, but I will...)
What We Do in the Shadows was the best laugh I had in 2014, and possibly 2015 as well. Honestly, if I re-watch Budapest and it's not as good as I remember, I'm giving What We Do in the Shadows the #2 spot.
Eden was one of those films I couldn't stop talking about after I saw it. Then I got the chance to talk about it some more in 2015 for Toronto Film Scene, and listen to some podcasts from the Hansen-Love siblings on the making of the film. Not that it needed to grow on me some more, but it did.
I have some vivid memories associated with Mommy. It was a turning point with me and Xavier Dolan. No, I'm not on the wagon per se, but I have had a great deal more respect for him since seeing this film. I will not forget how emotionally gripping this film was, and how close I came to never seeing it (thanks Jerry N, I don't how know you can rescue or save a person in the sphere of film-watching, but you definitely did me a solid by taking me with you that night)
The Theory of Everything, Pride, The Lego Movie... that's moving stuff. Got me right in the heart, just the right mix of good performances (great in the case of The Theory of Everything), story, and feel good.
And finally Interstellar (over Whiplash), a film that got mixed reviews but Christopher Nolan never ceases to win me over. I recall being all about Interstellar, whereas my appreciation of Whiplash is just that... appreciation. Not that J.K. Simmons didn't nearly make me fall out of my chair, but let's face it, Whiplash is memorable, but it's not going to be part of any of my movie marathons anytime soon (with the possible exception of 30 Films... but more on that later)
Onto the thick of the honourable mentions... Fasten Your Seatbelts was an Italian film I reviewed as part of the European Union Film Fest of 2014. I knew nothing about it, and I'm not sure that it received any critical attention internationally (hell, I'm not even sure how it did at home really) but it struck a chord with me. Between the narrative, the story, and the main character... I found myself thinking about the movie in the months following (less now... instead I think about how to get my hands on a copy to re-watch it)
I sorta felt the same way about That Awkward Moment as I did for Fasten Your Seatbelts the first time I saw it. In addition it's also a great bromance pic. It's still a very good movie, best North American romcom since The F Word probably, but not as refreshing on the second viewing.
Nightcrawler and Life Itself, different as night and day, both good, but both not as memorable as I initially thought. And American Sniper... my original "honourable mention"... great film. Worth watching. Not the kinda stuff that's gonna make my top 10 (Sorry Bradley Cooper, this is no way means I want to sleep with you any less)
*stops to take a breath*
And there you have it folks, my top 10 films of 2014. Now I can get started on 2015 guilt-free. Hope to get you that list before December 2016! ;)
