2014 Films
I'm going to try and rate and rank every 2014 film I see. The hardest would be ranking films with the same number - all 8's, etc. - especially without re-watching all of them.
There are a lot of films categorized as being 2013 that were only shown at festivals, but weren't shown theatrically or released on DVD until 2014. I am going to put these in 2014 according to theatrical date.
There are a lot of films categorized as being 2013 that were only shown at festivals, but weren't shown theatrically or released on DVD until 2014. I am going to put these in 2014 according to theatrical date.
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- DirectorJonathan GlazerStarsScarlett JohanssonJeremy McWilliamsLynsey Taylor MackayA mysterious young woman seduces lonely men in the evening hours in Scotland. However, events lead her to begin a process of self-discovery.9/10 - Redbox freebie. Unfortunately, I had to watch this by bits. It is an arthouse film. Lots of quiet, long scenes. The director is a well known music video director and is responsible for some of my favorites: Rabbit in Your Headlights and Karma Police. You can actually see bits of those in the film - vehicles/walking and fire.
This came out theatrically and on DVD in 2014. - DirectorChristopher NolanStarsMatthew McConaugheyAnne HathawayJessica ChastainWhen Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.9/10 - Saw it in the theater. Craft alone probably pushes it above my normal 8 rating, though I'm not sure I got everything it was pushing across. Some theater distraction during the beginning may have ruined some things.
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsMichael KeatonZach GalifianakisEdward NortonA washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.9/10 - Redbox freebie. The craft pushes it above the average film. I'm just not quite sure how I feel about it or interpret everything yet. Maybe more 8.5?
- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsEllar ColtranePatricia ArquetteEthan HawkeThe life of Mason, from early childhood to his arrival at college.9/10 - Redbox freebie. Cool idea. Well executed. This alone pushes it above an average/good film. On the other hand, it's probably not a film I will want to watch over and over. Yet, it could definitely be one where you understand the perspective of different characters as you age.
- DirectorPhil LordChristopher MillerStarsChris PrattWill FerrellElizabeth BanksAn ordinary LEGO construction worker, thought to be the prophesied as "special", is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the LEGO universe into eternal stasis.9/10 - Redbox freebie. Can't really think of anything wrong with it. Great ideas. I don't know that I would want to watch it as a personal favorite though. It isn't a movie I really want or need to see again. Even though I rated other films lower, I will probably want to re-watch those before needing to see The Lego Movie again.
- DirectorDoug LimanStarsTom CruiseEmily BluntBill PaxtonA soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies.8.5/10(?) - 8.5/10(?) - Carmike 10 Longview, Tx. $5.75 matinee.
Very enjoyable. Nothing to complain about except maybe the ending (if I completely understand it) and some of the shaky cam used. I can't quite push to 9 because of some things like borrowing large elements from lots of movies, though they made it fun. - DirectorDavid FincherStarsBen AffleckRosamund PikeNeil Patrick HarrisWith his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.8/10 - Redbox freebie. It is an 8 at least. I was thinking 9, but after reading the IMDB boards and some thought, there is quite a bit of absurdity. On the other hand, it goes some places a lot of other movies don't. Does that give it a higher rating because of that? Maybe more 8.5?
- DirectorKevin SmithStarsJustin LongMichael ParksHaley Joel OsmentA brash and arrogant podcaster gets more than he bargained for when he travels to Canada to interview a mysterious recluse... who has a rather disturbing fondness for walruses.8/10 - Redbox freebie. B-movie that is sorta like a full length movie version of the TV show, Monsters, with the ability to push a little further due to being a Rated R movie. Also kinda like Vincent Price movies where he makes or is some kind of hideous beast? Even though I rate it an 8, I probably enjoyed it more and would watch it again before some of the ones I rated higher.
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsJake GyllenhaalMélanie LaurentSarah GadonA man seeks out his exact look-alike after spotting him in a movie.8/10 - Redbox freebie. Saw the trailer before the Under the Skin DVD and it looked interesting. It does have great atmosphere. It might be trying or relying too much on symbolism. I kinda want to watch it again, but since it is a rental I must return it. Melanie L is gorgeous. It does have a scene unlike any other I have seen. Sssspiderssss.
Released theatrically and on DVD in 2014. - DirectorWes AndersonStarsRalph FiennesF. Murray AbrahamMathieu AmalricA writer encounters the owner of an aging high-class hotel, who tells him of his early years serving as a lobby boy in the hotel's glorious years under an exceptional concierge.8/10? - I don't know. I didn't seem to enjoy this. Crafted well like usual by Anderson, but I didn't really care. I feel this with everything post Life Aquatic (or do I enjoy Darjeeling?). Seemed odd for there to be so many F-bombs in a film set in the 30's. Also tired of Anderson killing little animals in his movies. Maybe I will like it more on a 2nd viewing. I'm probably rating it this high exclusively for the craft involved.
After 2nd viewing: It's definitely at least an 8, so I have changed it to an 8 from 7. - DirectorSteven KnightStarsTom HardyOlivia ColmanRuth WilsonIvan Locke, a dedicated family man and successful construction manager, receives a phone call that sets in motion a series of events that threaten his carefully cultivated existence.8/10 - Redbox freebie. 1 man in a car for the whole movie. I was interrupted many times while watching this, so that sucked. Too much language for my tastes. Thought it was well done/well made.
Also saw this trailer on the Under the Skin and Enemy DVDs. All 3 put out by the same studio. Same deal, theatrically and on DVD in 2014. - DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsJoaquin PhoenixJosh BrolinOwen WilsonIn 1970, drug-fueled Los Angeles private investigator Larry "Doc" Sportello investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend.8/10 - Redbox freebie. Finally! 1st PTA not seen in theater since Magnolia. May be one that gets better on subsequent viewings. Whether or not it's a movie that I would want to watch again & again is hard to say.
- DirectorDan BeersStarsJohn KarnaCaroline TraywickKate KneelandA high school senior has to re-live losing his virginity over and over again until he gets it right, with the right girl.8/10 - Surprisingly good, raunchy teen comedy. Groundhog Day meets American Pie is a good description for it. Wouldn't be surprised if it gained a cult following. There is really nothing 'arthouse' about it to make it a really great movie though.
- DirectorMichael SpierigPeter SpierigStarsEthan HawkeSarah SnookNoah TaylorAs his last assignment, a temporal agent is tasked to travel back in time and prevent a bomb attack in New York in 1975. The hunt, however, turns out to be beyond the bounds of possibility.8/10 - Redbox freebie. Well made film, just not sure I get everything it is going for. Will need to do some follow up research. Depending how it clarifies, I could like it more.
- DirectorBobby FarrellyPeter FarrellyStarsJim CarreyJeff DanielsRob Riggle20 years since their first adventure, Lloyd and Harry go on a road trip to find Harry's newly discovered daughter, who was given up for adoption.8/10(?) - This one is hard to judge. I went to see it opening weekend. I loved the first D&D so much as a teenager. The theater experience wasn't great - I had 2 young women show up 15 minutes after start time and talk a lot through the movie. There was also a lot of sound bleed from the next door theater. It was so loud, it seemed to be part of the movie. I will have to see it again. I also forgot to write down any thoughts soon after I watched it, so I have already probably forgotten how I felt.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.8/10 - Redbox freebie. Pretty enjoyable, but probably won't become a favorite of mine. Who knows? Better than most current superhero/comic films, but like with the others, action scenes seemed edited too fast for you to really understand what is going on. CGI was pretty good for the most part.
- DirectorChad StahelskiStarsKeanu ReevesMichael NyqvistAlfie AllenAn ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters who killed his dog and stole his car.8/10 - Redbox freebie. Well executed action film. Not much else to say about it.
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansSamuel L. JacksonScarlett JohanssonAs Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.8/10 - Another enjoyable action film. Unfortunately appeared to be in Full Screen.
- DirectorDan GilroyStarsJake GyllenhaalRene RussoBill PaxtonWhen Louis Bloom, a con man desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story.8/10 - Redbox freebie. Tense atmosphere, especially the call in to 911 for the murder suspects. I just didn't love the movie. I don't know that it's something I want to watch again.
- DirectorPhil LordChristopher MillerStarsChanning TatumJonah HillIce CubeAfter making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt and Jenko when they go deep undercover at a local college.8/10 - Didn't expect much, but ended up enjoying it. Not perfect by any means, but I did laugh a lot. Been too long since I saw 21. I think I thought it was just ok.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsColin FirthEmma StoneMarcia Gay HardenA romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue.8/10 - I thought this was an enjoyable Woody Allen film. Then again, I think I also liked Scoop, so something must be wrong with me. Ha. The ending scene is a nice touch/callback. It was shot beautifully and well acted. The 30's suit Emma Stone well. I would have liked a longer scene of her doing fun 30's dances.
- DirectorGareth EdwardsStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonElizabeth OlsenBryan CranstonThe world is beset by the appearance of monstrous creatures, but one of them may be the only one who can save humanity.8/10 - Saw this at Morris Twin Cinema. $1.50. Enjoyed this more than expected. Thought it was pretty well done for this type of movie. 1st time to go to this theater. It shows first run movies for $1.50. It's about 30 miles away. If it was 15 miles away or less, I would see tons of movies here. Right before the movie started two 12 yr old boys shifted down one seat over in front and talked throughout the whole movie - even during big action sequences!
- DirectorJosé PadilhaStarsJoel KinnamanGary OldmanMichael KeatonIn 2028 Detroit, when Alex Murphy, a loving husband, father and good cop, is critically injured in the line of duty, the multinational conglomerate OmniCorp sees their chance for a part-man, part-robot police officer.8/10 - Redbox free rental. Abbie Cornish looked amazing. I thought the film was pretty good. There were some nice directorial flourishes like the scene where he comes out of a memory and wakes up for the first time. Very nicely done, but not an amazing film by any means. I watched the original RoboCop uncut for probably the first time in the last year or two, but I have already forgotten a lot that happens in the film.
- DirectorMarc WebbStarsAndrew GarfieldEmma StoneJamie FoxxWhen New York is put under siege by Oscorp, it is up to Spider-Man to save the city he swore to protect as well as his loved ones.8/10 - DVR'd back in January. This was an enjoyable movie. Not usually big on the current crop of superhero movies, but this was ok.
- DirectorJim MickleStarsMichael C. HallSam ShepardDon JohnsonWhen a protective father meets a murderous ex-con, both need to deviate from the path they are on as they soon find themselves entangled in a downwards spiral of lies and violence while having to confront their own inner psyche.7/10 - I liked almost everything about this movie, BUT I just cannot get why Hall's character would help the man who terrorized his family. I don't care how many conspiracies there are. There needed to be another scene of some kind to give this transformation a basis in reality.