Drum roll, please! At long last, we have arrived at the award you've all been waiting for... my favorite movie of the year! I should have you know that this was a tough choice that required weeks of intense, mental, war-waging brainwave debate. With all of these great films, it was difficult to pick just one singular favorite. Though I have, and I stand behind my final decision. Now, at long last, I present to you my top five favorite films of 2014, and the one film that stands above as my overall favorite of the year!
Favorite Movie of the Year Nominees:
Gone Girl
 | David Fincher's intense, mystery thriller transforms Gillian Flynn's novel into a cinematic masterpiece that ranks among the great director's finest work. It's a jaw-dropping affair that is brilliantly diabolical and unexpectedly insane. It left me in a state of shock and amazement that I wanted to share with everyone. With it's superb cast and perfect twists, Gone Girl is a film that must not be missed! |
Edge of Tomorrow
 | This action-packed, alien invasion on rapid-repeat is a blast of fresh air. It's a fast, fun, and exciting adventure that's also at the same time remarkably funny. Tom Cruise kills it as Cage, evoking lots of great humor throughout his recurring failures, before finally rising to the task to kick some serious alien ass. It's strong supporting cast, great special effects, and excellent editing make this film a blast! |
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
 | Being my first encounter with the Planet of the Apes series, I approached Dawn of the Planet of the Apes with more skepticism than excitement. As it turns out, however, my doubts were completely unfounded. This blockbuster is phenomenal. It's an epic, unforgettable, action-packed adventure with a deeply compelling battle between the apes and humans, and unbelievably realistic visuals. |
Birdman
 | Simply put, Birdman is an absolute riot. It's a hysterical, unique, and dizzying journey through the mind of actor Riggan Thomson, who finds himself facing a midlife crisis as he tries to escape the shadow of his movie superhero past. This leads him to take his talents to Broadway, where the stress of theater and fear of failure leave him teetering on the edge of sanity as he tries to direct his own play. |
The Fault in Our Stars
 | The ill-fated lovers of The Fault in Our Stars totally melted my heart. And to think I was expecting to giggle all the way to the end of this teen romance tearjerker. Instead, TFIOS ended up being one of my favorite movies of the year, and easily placed itself among my all-time favorite romances. The story of Hazel Grade and Augustus Waters is a sweet and honest tale of love and loss that should not be missed. |
And the Winner is...
Birdman
Favorite Movie of 2014
Birdman is a film that I consider to be unmistakably brilliant. It seamlessly leads us through the backrooms and back alleys of a Broadway theater production for a play that's being put together by the former movie superhero star Riggan Thomson. It's an adventure that leads us on a spellbinding journey through the final days leading up to the show's theatrical debut. Thomson's ambitious undertaking is an attempt to break free from the Birdman character he is best known for in order to spread wings of his own. His desire to elevate to something beyond is earnest and endearing, but the world is fickle and he has to do everything he possibly can to keep himself afloat.
Director Alejandro González Iñárritu has created a fresh and fascinating film that is simultaneously hysterical and completely nuts. It's all edited together to make the entire film appear to be one long, continuous tracking shot, which heightens the level of chaos and absurdity. The dialogue is fresh, over-the-top, and laugh-out-loud funny, and the performances are wonderful across the board. Michael Keaton and Edward Norton both bring their A-game as the play's lead actors, and it's a joy to watch their characters awkwardly bicker and fight over their differences. Meanwhile, Zach Galifianakis and Emma Stone contribute excellent supporting performances. Additionally, Birdman is accompanied with a memorable jazz score that accentuates the offbeat tone of the film. The whole package comes together to create a film that is truly extraordinary. Birdman is a whirlwind of fun. It's bizarre, it's ambitious, it's intelligent, and that's exactly what makes it my pick for 2014's Movie of the Year!
Director Alejandro González Iñárritu has created a fresh and fascinating film that is simultaneously hysterical and completely nuts. It's all edited together to make the entire film appear to be one long, continuous tracking shot, which heightens the level of chaos and absurdity. The dialogue is fresh, over-the-top, and laugh-out-loud funny, and the performances are wonderful across the board. Michael Keaton and Edward Norton both bring their A-game as the play's lead actors, and it's a joy to watch their characters awkwardly bicker and fight over their differences. Meanwhile, Zach Galifianakis and Emma Stone contribute excellent supporting performances. Additionally, Birdman is accompanied with a memorable jazz score that accentuates the offbeat tone of the film. The whole package comes together to create a film that is truly extraordinary. Birdman is a whirlwind of fun. It's bizarre, it's ambitious, it's intelligent, and that's exactly what makes it my pick for 2014's Movie of the Year!
| Tell me what you think! Do you agree or disagree? Vote for which nominee is your Favorite Movie of the Year! Share your own choices in the comments below! | |
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