Mason's 2014 Top Ten Movies

MASON’S PICKS FOR TOP TEN MOVIES OF 2014

I’ve been waiting to make my top ten list this year because i’ve wanted to check out some movies that i’ve missed. But I figure I should just do it anyway. I struggled this year with finding movies that moved me and would stick with me through the years. A lot of movies were really good but lacked some emotional impact. Have super hero movies made us into emotionless movie goers? I hope not. 

1. Imitation Game

I was very excited to see this film and it did not disappoint. On paper I could imagine the challenge being how to make this story one that people would want to see. I mean its about super smart people trying to crack a german code machine. The movie never loses its audience and has so many more layers to it than just their objective. We’ve come a long way in society and still have a long way to go when it comes to human rights. Benedict Cummberbach is absolutely brilliant in this. You understood his character just by looking in his eyes. Kiera Knightley was very good as well and the rest of the cast. This year needed a film like this that moves you and teaches you and entertains you. A must see!

2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

I know, I know, don’t laugh. Last year I put the Hunger Games sequel as my top movie and this year my number 2 spot goes to a movie starring apes. Like Hunger Games, there is so much more to this movie than what you might expect. Watching Cesar rise to power and cope with the betrayel of close friends and the conflict of humans vs. apes was fascinating to me. There is depth in these characters. And the story lines could be translated to things that are going on in our world today. I have been shocked that I have liked this new reboot but for that reason it deserves its spot. I honestly can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.

3. Gone Girl

Oh man i was completely engulfed in this mystery and how it was to unfold from beginning to end. I feel like it has been a long time since we’ve seen a good mystery thriller. And this was very well done! The movie has a certain vibe to it that sticks with you. Maybe its the amazing soundtrack by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross. Or maybe the great performances by Ben Afleck and Rosamund Pike. The movie was pieced together so well, combining flashbacks with reality, to really grab hold of you. While I knew there was some big moment in this movie, i never predicted it. I can’t wait to watch it again.

4. The Fault in our Stars

I’ll admit I was concerned you would have to be a teenage girl to enjoy this movie. Or that it would manipulate your emotions and cram them down your throat like a lifetime movie. I didn’t percieve it that way at all. I felt like it was full of great insights and maturity. The soundtrack was brilliant and really fit the movie perfectly.

5. Edge of Tomorrow

This was a highly entertaining and creative movie. Felt you were watching a video game as live action. I loved how well the script was written. You didn’t know where the story was going but you were interested the entire time. The repeating day could have become annoying but they gave you just enough of the repeat to keep the story moving forward. Saw this twice in theaters in 3D and loved it both times.

6. Into the Woods

I enjoy the theater so much and was very excited to see this movie which had so many great actors in it. I had never seen the play but am now looking forward to it. Chicago was a favorite movie of mine and this was directed by the same Rob Marshall. I loved the new telling of classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The way all the stories were woven together was so creative. And the music and lyrics by the great Stephen Sondheim were so fun to listen to and have since lingered in my brain. You have to like musicals to enjoy this. It feel very much like you are at watching a live play. The plot twists near the end took me for a surprise the first viewing and I wasnt sure i liked it but upon second viewing i was able to pick up more subtleties and deeper meanings to the overall message of this movie.

7. Book of Life

I saw the advanced screening of this movie and was so excited to see one of my favorite Holidays brought to life on the big screen. Day of the Dead has such a colorful, creative style and this movie captured that and way more. There are so many details and artistic expressions put into the animation that my brain could not keep up. As a graphic designer myself, this movie was eye candy! The story was cute and the songs were fun but the animation is the star here. I just bought the movie in 3D and cant wait to watch it again. It takes on a whole new dimension in 3D that I wish everyone could enjoy.

8. Birdman

I feel like people either really like this movie or don’t. I happened to really like it. I thought everyone in it created some really interesting characters and great performances. It was good to see Michael Keaton again. I was completely in awe at the filming style. The director made it seem like the movie was shot in one continuous take. No edits or cuts. So cool and I think added to the feeling of the subject matter. I liked what I thought the film was trying to say and found it somewhat thought provoking.

9. Night Crawler

This movie makes the top ten because it was a complete surprise to me. Jake Gylenthal was absolutely amazing in this! I’m serious. You’ve never seen him better. He played the character with such intensity and oddness and not in a way that seemed fake or annoying. The story was very interesting and fun to watch go deeper and deeper.

10. Whiplash

I saw the trailer to this and foxcatcher around the same time. They looked to me to be the very same movie except one is a drummer and one is wrestler. I found fox catcher to be kinda boring and draw out and the performances (steve carrell), was not worth the hype. Whiplash on the other hand was fresh and different and intense and the performances was top notch. This movie made me feel something. I was nervous and scared and intimidated. A fascinating journey the character goes on.

Really good small films:

• Snow Piercer - Very fun to watch this futuristic thriller that exposes some interesting commentary on our social system. I loved Tilda Swinton in this so much!

• 100 foot Journey - Completely enjoyable from beginning to end. I always love Helen Mirren and it was eye candy to watch the food scenes. Nearly made my top ten.

• Boyhood - I wanted to love this movie but found the story to be too mundane. Its worth mentioning and seeing because it was filmed over 12 years. You get to actually see the main actor go from a boy to a teenager on screen. Brilliant in that regard!

Really good popcorn films:

• Intersteller - Super long and needed editing but it was thought provoking and had some great visuals and talking points.

• Gaurdians of the Galaxy - Just plain good fun!

• Mockingjay - I keep loving these Hunger Games movies.

Really good suspence/thrillers:

• Equalizer - This movie had such a style to it that it has stuck with me. Some really cool constructed action.

Really good comedies:

• Penguins of Madagascar - I’m a fan of the madagascar movies. I think there are lots of laughs in them. This one has a lot too but does drag toward the end.

Really good based on true stories:

• Theory of Everything- A heart breaking story and amazing performace by Eddie Redmayne.

• Unbroken - I tell everyone I know to read the book. It will change your life! The movie did a great job but i feel like it lacked some of the heart and emotion of Louis Zamperinis amazing life.

• The Good Lie - I would recommend this movie for families. Great story and clean for everyone to enjoy.

Still wanna see:

• Fury

• The Drop

• A Mos Violent Year

Masons 2013 Top Ten Movies

I really enjoyed so many movies this year. So many in fact that i made a top ten and then kept going with ones i enjoyed, but maybe not enough staying power in them to be a top ten contender. My top ten consists of movies i’d see multiple times. That usually is my gauge for how I decide. Although sometimes a film makes the top ten more because of its subject matter and social importance such as 12 years a slave. Not sure i wanna watch that again though. 

1. HUNGER GAMES

Nailed it! I enjoyed the first movie adaptation but this sequel killed it. pun intended. I was completely engrossed in Catniss’s journey from beginning to sort of end.  Jennifer Lawrence did a great acting job in this and i felt the danger, the sadness and the conflict. Saw this a couple times in the theater and can’t wait to watch it again and again. Now lets hope the next two movies will make that last book better.  

2. THE GREAT GATSBY

I have not read the book or seen other movie adaptations of this story so I had nothing to compare it to. I loved it! I hope you saw it in 3D because it looked amazing! I am a huge Leo, and Carrie Mulligan fan and they were so fun to watch. The way of speaking, the costumes, the music and parties were all so mezmerizing. But beyond all that, i feel like this story has some depth as well.  Nice job Baz Luhrmann! 

3. GRAVITY

Again, i hope you saw this one in 3D as well. Stunning to saw the least! I couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing. I completely felt like i was watching real zero gravity scenes. This felt groundbreaking to me. Like when Jurrassic Park blew us all away with its special effects. And way to go Sandra for carrying this film nearly all by yourself. I sigh of relief when it was over. Not sure how much more stress I could take. 

4. WAY WAY BACK

I love a movie year with a small independent film stand out and this year had a few. From beginning to end, this film was so good. I mean just look at the poster, it says it all. You’ll laugh a lot and cry a little and wanna punch Steve Carell in the face. Perfect casting all around. Sam Rockwell is always amazing and is a stand out in this. The boy captures your heart right away and you just wanna hug him. Sometimes i wonder whats wrong with me because I really despise movies like the Hangover, or anything with Adam Sandler. But then I realize this is my kind of comedy. It has heart and depth and you will fall in love with it. 

5. ABOUT TIME

Okay another well done small independent film. I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into when I went to see this with Gina. Would it be another crappy attempt at a romantic comedy? No. We found ourselves smiling all the way through it. Sure its a gimicky time travel love story but I found it to be a fresh perspective. Rachel McAdams is adorable as always and the awkward lead charcter is quite engaging as it turns out. I can’t wait to watch this again. Its cute and clever and takes you along for the ride. 

6. WORLD WAR Z

This makes my top ten because how many zombie movies are really any good? I loved 28 days later but not really any others stand out. This was a fresh take on what a zombie appoccalypse might be like? It never gets boring with a ton of scenes of zombies walking slowing toward their victim. This keeps you engaged the entire time. The pacing is excellent. Their are high action thrilling scenes but also slow quiet suspensful scenes. You get small clues as to the cause of the outbreak and it all works together so well. 

7.  THE BOOK THIEF

I had heard so many good things about this book. I even read the first few chapters but then saw a squirrel if you know what I mean. What a well told story. A beautiful story of a little girls life set in the terrible circumstances of Hitler and World War II. The little girl keeps your attention the entire time. She does a brilliant job. The story has great pace and keeps you entertained all the way through. There are some really great meaningful moments that will stick with you. 

8. ENOUGH SAID

I loved this movie. It had a very raw and genuine feel to it. You truly felt uncomfortable and awkward as the characters did as they navigated the dating scene as divorced adults. I love Julia Luis-Dreyfus in anything. I find her so fun to watch. And while it was hard to watch James Gandolfinis last role before his death, he was enjoyable to watch. I loved the themes in this movie. How little annoyances can become poison in a relationship if we let them. 

9. STOKER

I recently showed this movie to a bunch of friends and they all claimed they hated it. So i guess its not for everyone but i also saw them all glued to the screen too. Anyway, I thought it was well crafted and dark and mysterious. It felt very hitchcockian to me and I loved how details of the plot were carefully revealed. Some very cool cinematography and great soundtrack as well. 

  

10. 12 YEARS A SLAVE / THE BUTLER

I’m lumping these two movies together is that okay? The reason being is that I think they are both important to watch. They both are well made portrayels of parts of our American History. 12 years had some unbelievable acting from much of the cast. Butler spans a large timeline in a way that keeps you interested. I recommend both of these movies for learning and getting a better sense of our past. 

Really good small films:

PHILOMENA - Totally loved this movie. Judi Dench is so awesome!

THE EAST - Knew very little going into this but left really enjoying it. 

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES - Very long but found myself interested the entire time.

MUD - Good movie just a little long and drawn out for me. 

HER - Beautifully shot, great soundtrack and performances. Interesting film. 

BLUE JASMINE - worth watching for Cate Blanchett and Sally Hawkins performance.  

Really good popcorn films:

PACIFIC RIM - probably a guys movie but robots beating up on monsters. yes please.

ELYSIUM - Loved District 9 by the same director and enjoyed this as well. I like parallels to real life.

ENDER’S GAME - Left me wanting to know whats next for Ender. 

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS - These Star Trek reboots are so great!

Really good suspence/thrillers:

PRISONERS - Very little soundtrack and much darker than i thought it would be. But the plot kept involved.

BROKEN CITY -  I’m a Russell Crowe and Mark Wahlberg fan. Worth a watch.

SIDE EFFECTS - I liked this movie. Not sure why but I did. 

DEAD MAN DOWN - different but i also was interested in the characters and plot.

Really good comedies:

AUSTENLAND - Just fun and cute. Jeffifer Coolidge is always a hoot.

THE HEAT - Sometimes too much but i laughed pretty hard at times. Love that Sandra.

Really good based on true stories:

RUSH - Didn’t think i’d care about a race car movie but this story is really good.

SAVING MR BANKS - Loved seeing behind the scenes of making Mary Poppins. Just needed a little more too it.

WOLF OF WALL STREET - Did this stuff really happen? Wow. I’m happy with low income if this is what happens with wealth.

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB - Nailed it Matthew M and Jared Leto. Very interesting story.

FRUITVALE STATION - The last 24 hours of Oscar Grants life. Very well made film. Felt honest and left you with things to think about.

PAIN AND GAIN - I kind of compare this to Wolf of Wall Street. Very crazy story. Again, did this really happen? Wow. 

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS - Very well done film just too long at times. The payoff was at the great performance by Tom at the end.

Good but a little disappointed:

AMERICAN HUSTLE - Loved so much about this movie except for the plot. I just didn’t care about their hustle at all. Got bored. 

SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY - Very beautifully shot but i wanted a stronger emotional punch. Seemed kind of one note.

SUPERMAN - Great attempt but still didn’t quite nail it. Too much action and CGI and not enough plot an conflict. 

Still wanna see:

NEBRASKA

INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS

OUT OF THE FURNACE