Top 5 Movies of 2014 (As of Sept. 18)

Editor's Note: I have not seen all the movies that came out this year. Listed here are the movies that I have seen.

Summer is over and, let's be honest, there were some amazing movies this year. Below, I have listed the best movies this year in my opinion (and I highly recommend watching them)!

#5. Guardians of the Galaxy

Already the highest-grossing movie of the year, Guardians of the Galaxy is also one of the greatest movies this year. The script is well-written, each character having their own complex-yet-simple personas, and they are well-played by the actors. It's also well-directed and just all around fun to watch!

#4. Edge of Tomorrow

Yet another sci-fi flick makes it into my list, and what better choice for fourth place than Edge of Tomorrow? It's a time-loop thriller done right, with pitch-perfect pacing, edge-of-your-seat action, a fair amount of complexity and twists, and great lead characters portrayed by great actors!

#3. How to Train Your Dragon 2

A children's movie making the list? What sorcery is this?! I'm not sure, but there is no doubt that writer and director Dean DeBlois has crafted an amazing sequel and a beautiful animated adventure. The script is fantastic, perfectly balancing the light-hearted humor for the kids with a story that anyone of any age would enjoy.

#2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Another sequel/sci-fi flick. This was the year for it, I guess. Anyways, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a thrilling, of not intriguing, adventure. The morals and messages ring loud and proud throughout this well-scripted and well-directed movie. It has the best pacing I've seen in all the movies this year, neither ending too soon or too late. And the story itself is so good, I just had to buy the novelization (which I hope to read soon)!

#1. Boyhood

If you have seen Boyhood, then you shouldn't be surprised to see it as my number one choice for Movie of the Year. Following the story of a boy for a real twelve years, Richard Linklater masterfully weaves a dramatic tale about growing up. It is a long movie (nearly three hours), but it goes by quickly, like life.

Do you agree with the list? What are your top picks for Movie of the Year? What's your favorite movie of the year? For me, the answer is The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Not the best movie, I know, but it's still my favorite!

Comments

What to Read After Insomiac's Spider-Man

So you've just defeated the Sinister Six, maybe done a side mission here and there, or perhaps 100% completed what most are considering the best Spider-Man game ever made (and they're right). What now? Where do you go from here to learn more about the wisecracking wall-crawler? Besides Tom Holland's performance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we've never really seen Spider-Man portrayed so solidly like we have here. This, my friends, is where the fun part comes in: Entering the vast world of Spider-Man presented in comics and novels. Allow me to be your guide, providing recommendations for any requests you may be wishing for. "I just want more..." Well, you're in luck because Marvel has 2 options for you! Spider-Man: Hostile Takeover is the official prequel novel to the game, taking place 6 months prior. It follows Spider-Man trying to find an imposter killing people, working with a newfound friend from the police force to take ...

Books on Film by Black Authors

There's no real order to this list, nor can I guarantee which ones are worth reading or not. However, the quality of the books are not the point, but rather we should lend these voices our eyes, ears, and time, giving them a stronger voice than they would have had without at least mentioning them. Titles link to the Goodreads page for the specific book and additional links will be listed to buy the book from Barnes & Noble and/or Thriftbooks (non-affiliated). Don't forget to see if your local bookstore might have these in stock! Missing your favorite? Tweet me @AuthorKLau and I'll update the article! Independent Visions: A Critical Introduction to Recent Independent American Film by Donald Lyon Far from the big money movie machine of Hollywood lies the cutting-edge, artistically fresh world of American independent film. These independent filmmakers, working outside the formulas and constraints of the big studios, produce today’s most exciting and innovative movies. In ...

Is Thanos the Best MCU Villain?

Spoilers ahead! Avengers: Infinity War set out to be a huge, climactic start to the final main wave that originated back with Iron Man in 2008. In this installment, audiences are finally getting a front row seat at the big bad Marvel has been teasing since the first Avengers film: Thanos. Infinity War takes a macguffin approach in this story, the main items the characters are fighting for being the six infinity stones. The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy team up to keep the stones from Thanos but, if you've seen the film, they fail to do so and half of the universe gets wiped out Left Behind style. The Avengers couldn't beat Thanos because he was much too powerful for them. This, in turn, should make him the best villain in this cinematic universe, correct? Well, not quite. Marvel has had a rocky track record when it came to good villains in their films for the past 10 years. There are great ones like Killmonger ( Black Panther ), Vulture ( Spid...

Kevin Lau

Search This Blog