The Films I Saw in 2014
Ranking from worst to best.
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- DirectorHarold CronkStarsShane HarperKevin SorboDavid A.R. WhiteCollege philosophy professor Mr. Radisson's curriculum is challenged by his new student, Josh, who believes God exists.There were several (surely unintentional) stereotypes presented in this film that kept me from enjoying it. Pity.
- DirectorAndrew ErwinJon ErwinStarsSarah DrewSean AstinPatricia HeatonHardworking mom Allyson has a crazy night out with her friends, while their husbands watch their children.I understand that it wants to portray chaos to externalize a working mom's inner feelings. But there's a fine line between chaotic and incomprehensible.
- DirectorHilla MedaliaShosh ShlamStarsRan TaoThis uniquely telling film takes an entertaining and unsettling look into Chinese rehabilitation centers treating internet addiction, which the Chinese government has classified as a serious clinical disorder.An interesting concept, but I didn't feel compelled to a lot of emotional investment.
- DirectorRandall WallaceStarsGreg KinnearKelly ReillyThomas Haden ChurchA small-town father must find the courage and conviction to share his son's extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world.You'd think that a fascinating concept like a kid going to see Heaven would make for a fascinating feature film. It doesn't. Frankly, I got bored.
- DirectorRichard Ray PerezLorena ParleeStarsCesar ChavezChris HartmireArturo RodriguezIn 1988, Cesar Chavez embarked on what would be his last act of protest in his remarkable life. Driven in part to pay penance for feeling he had not done enough, Chavez began his "Fast for Life," a 36-day water-only hunger strike, to draw attention to the horrific effects of unfettered pesticide use on farm workers, their families, and their communities. Using never-before-seen footage of Chavez during his fast and testimony from those closest to him, directors Richard Ray Perez and Lorena Parlee weave together the larger story of Chavez's life, vision, and legacy. A deeply religious man, Chavez's moral clarity in organizing and standing with farmworkers at risk of his own life humbled his family, friends, and the world.A documentary more on the politics of Chavez's time rather than on Chavez himself, which was a bit of a let-down.
- DirectorDavid LeoStarsMichael KochDavid LeoMel FairA musical prodigy rises to Christian music fame and fortune only to walk away and live on a Navajo reservation.Although Michael Koch's performance is definitely worth seeing, the film overall suffers from the same problem a lot of other biopics have: it's just too darn generic. Too much for a 2-hour film.
- DirectorJeremy WhiteKendra WhiteStarsRachel EgglestonDavid ChisumCameron GoodmanHallie Benson is a small girl with a big heart. Unfortunately, her creative ways of helping often create a mess. Dan Benson doesn't cook, do hair, or know how to help his three children without his beautiful wife and her unshakable faith.Extremely heartfelt, but in terms of weaving several subplots together within this family, it was a little unfocused.
- DirectorAaron KatzMartha StephensStarsEarl Lynn NelsonPaul EenhoornDaníel GylfasonA pair of former brothers-in-law embark on a road trip through Iceland.Funny and heartfelt, but it seemed slightly aimless in my opinion.
- DirectorTheo LoveStarsDavid MahfoodPeggy MahfoodBill ParrIn the buckle of the Bible Belt, 10 churches burn to the ground in just over a month igniting the largest criminal investigation in East Texas history.A very simple documentary with honesty about faith.
- DirectorChristopher SpencerStarsDiogo MorgadoAmber Rose RevahGreg HicksThe life story of Jesus is told from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection.Not perfect (what Jesus movie is?), but it raises some very interesting questions regarding Christ's Jewish upbringing, which was refreshing in my opinion.
- DirectorKat CandlerStarsAaron PaulJuliette LewisJosh WigginsWhen motocross and heavy metal obsessed thirteen-year-old Jacob's increasing delinquent behavior forces CPS to place his little brother, Wes, with his aunt, Jacob and his emotionally absent father, Hollis, must finally take responsibility for their actions and for each other in order to bring Wes home.No matter how hard Aaron Paul and Josh Wiggins try (and believe me, they do), even their strong performances can't make "Hellion" much more than a standard, even clichéd "festival" piece.
- DirectorGeorge ClooneyStarsGeorge ClooneyMatt DamonBill MurrayAn unlikely World War II platoon is tasked to rescue art masterpieces from German thieves and return them to their owners.It has its moments, but to me it feels overly sentimental with thin supporting characters.
- DirectorRichard L. RamseyStarsAlan PowellAli FaulknerCaitlin Nicol-ThomasAn aspiring singer-songwriter's life and marriage suffer when the song he writes for his wife propels him to stardom.One of the very few faith-based films that I almost completely bought... except for too much narration and sometimes a lack of subtletly. Someday I think we'll finally master this stuff.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsIan McKellenMartin FreemanRichard ArmitageBilbo Baggins and company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of a rising darkness.Prolonged and lacking the stakes that made "Return of the King" such a great third part of a trilogy. This could have been a lot worse, but it's just not that memorable.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsRussell CroweJennifer ConnellyAnthony HopkinsNoah is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.Controversial in every frame. Even so, there's a lot of really good stuff to get out of it.
- DirectorMichael Rossato-BennettStarsDan CohenLouise DuenoNell HardieDan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, fights against a broken healthcare system to demonstrate music's ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it.Not technically brilliant, but extremely heartfelt and fun to watch.
- DirectorJoshua OverbayStarsTodd BagleyShannon Kathleen BakerLuke BeaversAfter the death of the Prophet, a man is called to lead his small religious sect as they anxiously await the end of the world they were promised.I'm honored to know the filmmakers, because this is perhaps the most thought-provoking 'religious' indie of the year.
- 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.Very entertaining, and much more complex than its predecessor, in my opinion.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.I'm not a huge fan of the campiness, but this is still a very original comic book movie that's a great opportunity to just have fun.
- DirectorDon HallChris WilliamsStarsRyan PotterScott AdsitJamie ChungA special bond develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who together team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.Pretty formulaic at times, and a pretty big plot hole at the end in my opinion, but still very well animated with likable characters.
- DirectorBryan SingerStarsPatrick StewartIan McKellenHugh JackmanThe X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.I'm not an "X-Men" fan, so some plot points were lost on me, but my attention was far from lost. Edgy, thoughtful, and entertaining.
- DirectorFrancis LawrenceStarsJennifer LawrenceJosh HutchersonLiam HemsworthKatniss Everdeen is in District 13 after she shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.I gotta hand it to these "Hunger Games" sequels. They sure know how to be subtle. And character-driven. And good.
- 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.A solid debut feature, and the best Jake Gyllenhaal performance I've seen, but I felt like it was going to build up to more than it did. And when it didn't, I felt underwhelmed.
- DirectorAngelina JolieStarsJack O'ConnellMiyaviDomhnall GleesonAfter a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, Olympian Louis Zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before he's caught by the Japanese navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.The structure of the storytelling is a little off, but I like this film's visual style, limited dialogue, and strong performances. It's actually pretty good - especially compared to Jolie's last directorial effort.
- DirectorA.J. EdwardsStarsJason ClarkeDiane KrugerBrit MarlingThe story of Abraham Lincoln's childhood in the harsh wilderness of Indiana and the hardships that shaped him, the tragedy that marked him for ever and the two women who guided him to immortality.Maybe it mimics Malick a little too much, but I have no problem with it. A beautiful story portraying Abe Lincoln as a normal kid. Powerful stuff.