Joe's Top Ten Films of 2014

by Joe Moss

First, let me begin with a sincere apology to those who frequent this site expecting to see reviews for many more movies than we posted this year. I was not able to uphold my responsibility to website this past fall due to many other obligations that appeared on my plate from beyond my control. I promise that I will be more visible this year (2015) and that Trevor will not be the only person submitting reviews for half of the year.

The films that ended this year made it really difficult to develop a top ten. I believe both Trevor and I easily compiled our TOP FIVE list, but the bottom five have been tossed about, edited and argued over for at least a month -- probably longer.  I feel that the Hollywood studios need to stand up and take notice of the smaller independent filmmakers...this needs to the be the FUTURE of Hollywood. STOP THE REBOOTS!!  Please. Much of the fodder out of Hollywood this last year was not worth mentioning in reviews of any substance. However, the box office redeemed itself by October. My picks are all based around movies that struck a personal chord in my life. So without further adieu, here are my Top Ten favorite movies of the year in descending order.


10. The LEGO Movie

Emmet, Unikitty and Wyldstyle discuss plans to save the world.

This movie was all about absurd fun. Original, yes. This was an adult humor filled film masquerading as a children's movie! The amount of potty humor was outstanding, yet tempered just enough that it went over the heads of many. I truly enjoyed the ability of directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord to make a positive lesson out of what seemed to begin much like a pothead dream. Overall, the message was simple -- enjoy the simple everyday things out of life: play a little, and don't take every act so seriously. If you do this, then "EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!!!!!"


9. Ida

Ida and Wanda learn what really happened to Ida's family.

Pawel Pawlikowski made an absolutely stunning movie that reminded me of Hollywood films of era gone-by. The long camera stills, the perfect shading, the old style black and white. Gorgeous. The story was just as intriguing: a young, orphaned postulate nun about to take her vows, is suddenly thrust onto an aunt (her only surviving relative) to learn about her family, her past and her parents.The only problem is, as we find in the course of the movie, her aunt needs her more than the other way around. This is a dynamic coming-of-age film set in rural Poland. Awkward at times, yet stunningly beautiful in it's real-world storyline about the tribulations of Polish Jews. Sure to be a front-runner for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.


8. Wish I Was Here

Adam, Grace and Tucker finally get to the pool to learn to swim.

As I stated earlier in the year, Sundance did not disappoint when it announced how the audience so favorably responded to this film. I am still over the moon about Zach Braff's sophomore release that I cannot express enough how quickly everyone should go to see it. If you are in the mood for a heart wrenching, true-to-life drama that transcends to address many of the social issues of today, look no further. In what feels like a short while (only 106 minutes) you will be hit head-first with the stark clarity in dealing with family-ties, religion, death and simple pains of growing up 'a little bit different' than the norm of society.


7. Starred-Up

Eric Is taken to his cell and watched by all as fresh-meat.

Raw. Powerful. Emotional. This movie reminded me about why the TV series "Oz" on HBO was such a success during its first two seasons. David Mackenzie's film follows a young man as he enters into the English prison system. We never truly find out what he did -- left to speculation from conversation and flashbacks -- but it begs us to ask ourselves are prisons there to help people find salvation, or to perpetuate all of the problems in certain segments of society. Eric (Jack O'Connell) is plagued by the few memories of his father -- also a prisoner (Ben Mendelsohn) -- and how his life may have turned out. But, as it happens, many people do not like his attitude toward other prisoners and the guards. He acts as though he's already in charged, or starred-up. Even more problematic is that the resident social worker Oliver (Rupert Friend) thinks that he is a salvageable young man with potential in society. If you can stomach the emotional turmoil of a harsh look into prison systems, look no further.

6. Wild

Cheryl sets camp for the evening and ponders a suddenly fresh future.

Reese Witherspoon is at her best in this film about Cheryl Strayed, a young women who 'strayed.' She strayed from the plans of childhood dreams to become an author. She strayed from her husband. She strayed from taking care of her brother. And most of all, she strayed from who she really was. Why? What caused such a catastrophic meltdown into sex, drugs, and debauchery? The death of someone she held on a pedestal. The film picks up as Cheryl attempts to get her life back on track by hiking through the wilderness (a beautiful metaphor for her life) until she is able to reach nirvana. In the process, she rediscovers a strength she didn't realized she had left. Cliche? Not hardly. This film was beautifully adapted from Strayed's memoirs about her hike to salvation along the Pacific Coast Trail. As well, this movie truly showcases why Witherspoon has a phenomenal screen presence and why she truly deserves another Academy Award for this poignant portrayal of a young woman on the edge, who finds redemption in the most unlikely place -- within herself.


5. Boyhood

Mason and his father discuss the loss of the muscle car he was promised.

I love Richard Linklater. He appears on my movie lists time and time again. He is such a ground-breaking, no nonsense, innovative film maker. How could he not be? Last year, with "Before Midnight," he wowed us with the third installment of a series following two strangers who fell in love and married. Now, with "Boyhood," Linklater follows a family through 12 years of life. That is correct: a movie shot over 12 years in real time! The audience literally watches as the actors grow up on film. To tell the truth, I am not even sure how he was able to edit the film footage down to a 165 minute run time. Mason (Ellar Coltrane) and his family are your typical dysfunctional modern family. He lives with his mother (Patricia Arquette) and sees his father (Ethan Hawke) sporadically over the years when he drifts into town as needed. The film is not for everyone as it is truly a voyeuristic look at the growing pains of a young man's life. His relationships with family, love, self-discovery, peer pressure and finally understanding who he, himself, really truly is. I must admit when leaving the theater, I was not as enamored by the film as Trevor and Sara, but after months of contemplation, and watching the film again, I understand why.  I related too much to the film's narrative story and I felt as though my own personal life was invaded for privacy and placed raw onto film. A true tearjerker for any mother to see, and a must see for everyone.


4. Nightcrawler

Lou and Rick film a triple wreck.

Have you ever wondered how the news agencies get the random snippets of blood and guts footage for the late night prime time slot? You know, the 'if it bleeds, it leads' type of footage? Well, you can look no further because this film will give you a raw, take-no-prisoners look into the behind-the-scenes arena of freelance videography. Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a down on his luck, goofball looking for the next quick score on getting rich quickly. He has already made the rounds as a petty thief from construction sites salvaging metals; as well, the local pawn shops are shutting down his racket of pedaling small goods, when he blindly stumbles onto a small two-man crew filming a wreck. Bulbs flash and he decides he too can do this. I know this sounds horribly kitschy, but the movie is absolutely fantastic, dramatic, thrilling and is highly entertaining.


3. Birdman (or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Riggan and Mike in one of numerous heated arguments about acting virtue.

What does an old action-movie hero do when he retires from playing the part that made him world-famous? He decides to adapt his favorite author into a stage play and takes on the leading role of the adaptation. This is precisely the premise of Alejandro Iñárritu's hilarious comedy of errors, "Birdman." Riggan Thompson (Michael Keaton) was Birdman, the superhero who saved the world in countess worldwide box-office successes. But at his age, he's tired of being the superhero. He feels it's time to play something of substance. He's already lost his wife, and is in the process of trying to salvage a relationship with his estranged daughter, Sam (Emma Stone).  Why not tackle an off-Broadway production as well? What ensues on screen is a complete farce showing what probably occurs more often than not behind the scenes of major theatrical productions. Melodrama at every turn as each actor attempts to out maneuver the other. Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) plays the perfect antagonist against Riggan. In fact, the over-the-top interactions between them make the movie perfection. It is because of this interchange that Michael Keaton will most likely earn his Academy Award this year. Number three is a low placing for this movie, and I truly struggled with my top three. But here is it's final resting place in my Top Ten.


2. Whiplash

The final scene where Andrew OWNS the stage and Fletcher.

Perhaps the most heavily anticipated movie of the year for me -- AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! I had wanted to see this film since the early buzz at Sundance in January 2013 when it was simply a short film by a new director, Damien Chazelle. His feature length film released this year is a showstopper that had one helluva beat! Andrew (Miles Teller) is a young man trying to become the next 'great' jazz drummer of our time. He is pushed into unimaginable acts of self torture by an instructor (J.K. Simmons) who is considered to be the best teacher at the elite music school in which Andrew is enrolled. Bullying never looked so refined, and never had such a poignant lesson to be learned about the depths of depravity the human soul can endure if they are chasing what they consider to be their ultimate dream. I loved this film from the first beat in the prelude, to the grand finale at the end. It was truly a struggle to not make this my number one film, and it sat there for a few weeks. Wes Anderson's masterpiece won out in the end.


1. The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Entire Cast of "The Grand Budapest Hotel."

I used to say that "The Royal Tenenbaums" was Wes Anderson's best movie ever, but that was surpassed this year. The eclectic mix of characters and the constantly twisting story line about the goings-on at an old rundown hotel far from it's heyday made for the most unforgettable and utterly entertaining movie of the year. Ralph Fiennes (and the entire cast) were superb.  Of course it doesn't hurt that Edward Norton makes another appearance in my Top Ten List (even with his small two-part cameo, he is unforgettable). The oft tongue-in-cheek humor that is commonplace with all Wes Anderson movies was at its finest in this screenplay. Each of the three times that I have seen this movie, I notice a little trinket of information missed the previous time. Slow paced, yet quick witted, this movie is great fun for an audience of all ages. All I really need to say is, "Bravo, Sir!! Bravo!"


____________________________________________________________________________

My Individual Awards are as follows: (not Academy Award Predictions, but my personal choices)

Best Picture of the Year - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Director - Alejandro Iñárritu (Birdman)
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Reese Witherspoon (Wild)
Best Actor in a Leading Role - Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)
Best Original Screenplay - The Grand Budapest Hotel (Wes Anderson)
Best Adapted Screenplay - Whiplash (Damien Chazelle)

Honorable Mention: (the film that I struggled to include on my list that "almost" made it):

11. The Guardians of the Galaxy
Hey, what can I say. I loved this movie and have watched it as many times as "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and "The LEGO Movie." But was it Top Ten material? For a movie snob like myself, I don't think so. but I am human! If you haven't seen this movie, get it now!

The Guardians break out of prison in style!!

Review: Boyhood

by Trevor Kirkendall

★★★★

It’s been well established that Richard Linklater had planned on telling the story of a young boy growing up through his childhood, through adolescence, and into adulthood. He had spoke before of doing a project filming over the course of 12 years. I never realized he was actually doing it, at least not until the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year where “Boyhood” made its highly anticipated premier. Yes, after 12 years of on-again/off-again filming, Richard Linklater has finally delivered his magnum opus and there’s never been anything quite like it.

Watching “Boyhood” is like watching a time capsule being opened before your very eyes. It’s rich with soul and emotion from beginning to end. It’s indescribable watching this film unfold in front of you, knowing that all the principle players involved dedicated so much time of their lives to making this film happen and watching each of them age naturally on screen.

The story revolves around Mason, Jr. (Ellar Coltrane) who we first meet when he’s only about six years old. He lives in rural Texas with his single mother (Patricia Arquette) and his older sister Sam (Lorelei Linklater). They’re just barely making it in their current living situation. Mom decides to move to Houston where she can go to school and her mother (Libby Vallari) can help out with watching the kids.

In Houston, Mason and Sam’s dad (Ethan Hawke) reenters their lives. He wants to be the fun dad, but is still just irresponsible enough to drive mom crazy. Mom also falls in love with her professor, Dr. Welbrock (Marco Perella), and the two ultimately marry, joining their two families. But all isn’t so Brady Bunch for Mason and his mom and sister.

The film continues on following a total of 12 years in the life of Mason. We see plenty of his mother, his father, and his sister, but Mason is always the focal point of film. Think of it as 12 short films – one for each year – all strung together. That’s essentially what this is. Richard Linklater has picked out one episode from each year in the life of Mason to show us.

There are so many different elements of Mason’s life that we – as an audience – can either relate to from personal experience or from knowing someone in a similar situation. We see his mother’s marriages and divorces, relocation from one city to another, the abusive alcoholic stepfather, the fun loving but never around biological father, troubles in school, newfound hobbies, and first loves. It’s nearly impossible to watch this film and not find a familiar event from your own childhood.

It’s also utterly impossible to watch “Boyhood” and not be moved by seeing everyone naturally age throughout the film. The kids are the most noteworthy, but then there’s Hawke and Arquette. Since they’re the most recognizable names and faces, it’s easy to see how the years wear on them. It puts things into perspective just how quickly time moves when you can see a familiar actor like Hawke at the beginning of this movie realizing that he was only one year removed from filming “Training Day” when this began or that Arquette completed her entire run on “Medium” during the filming of this movie.

“Boyhood” also acts as a time portal to you own life as well, not because of the plotline, but based on the time period where action occurs. Richard Linklater never tells you what year we’re in. You can only judge the time based on the music in the soundtrack, the technology on the screen, the current events in the background, and most importantly the age of the actors. When each scene begins, you immediately try to discern where you were when this event was taking place. Some events are easy to pick out. Hawke sitting there talking about the war in Iraq or Mason and Sam placing Obama/Biden campaign signs in people’s yards. Others are trickier. Hawke at an Astros game with his kids with Roger Clemmens on the mound (a quick Google search lets you know that – based on the events mentioned in the game – it took place on April 18, 2006) or Mason listing off the biggest movies of one particular summer (2008). Or even funnier, Hawke and Coletrain discussing the feasibility of what a new “Star Wars” trilogy might look like if they ever make it (the conversation takes place in 2008, about 4 years before the new trilogy was announced).

The acting is tremendous across the board. We expect that from Arquette and Hawke (well, at least when he’s working with Richard Linklater, I mean). We are also treated to great supporting performances as well, such as Marco Perellea as an alcoholic college professor. Lorelei Linklater (Richard’s daughter) also puts on a stellar performance. The movie revolves around Mason, but as his sister she’s very much apart of his entire childhood, from tormenting him to becoming one of his best friends. But the movie belongs to Ellar Coletrain who never seems overwhelmed by the massive task at hand, especially when asked to play into some deeper emotions. And you can see him mature as an actor as the film progresses. It’s easy to tell he’s been spoon fed direction as a child, but later draws upon his own life experiences as both he and Mason grow up.

This is a film that makes you think in a much more profound way than anything I’ve ever seen before. I’m not saying it’s hard to follow, and I’m not saying it’s difficult to process. Quite the opposite. “Boyhood” is unique and certainly one-of-a-kind. I’ve never seen any movie like this before. It’s a masterpiece. I’ve referred to other films with that word before, but none of them were this exceptional and rare. I doubt very much that another film like this will ever come along again. Enjoy the uniqueness of this film. There are so many different elements to latch onto. But unlike your childhood, which is  - I’m sorry to say – gone forever, Richard Linklater leaves us Mason’s in the form of “Boyhood” to be relived forever.