25. Side Effects: Steven Soderbergh's final film may not be the best last project as a director, but as a stand-alone film (without all the hype of it being his last film) it's excellent. An intriguing and well-executed tale of lies and deceit surrounding a murder trial, it serves as both an excellent murder mystery/thriller as well as an examination of how medicine affects one's psyche, if at all. Rooney Mara and Jude Law are definitely the stand-outs of the film, and both play their roles extremely convincingly, with moments of real, raw emotion. This was profoundly effective, as, at the time this came out (early February), I hadn't seen too many good movies, as January is the worst month to see movies, so this was a pleasant surprise. The writing is excellent, the camerawork is fantastic, and Soderbergh brings his signature style to this psychological thriller.
24. The Hunger Games- Catching Fire: This second installment in the popular teen romance/science fiction/thriller franchise was really surprising, considering the fact I wasn't the hugest fan of the first film. Jennifer Lawrence is excellent (no surprise there), and the supporting cast (including the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman) were surprisingly good as well. This film has a darker, more serious tone than the previous, and spends less time focusing on the games themselves (they only take up about 30 minutes of the film), and more on the development of the characters and the effects the events of the first film have on them and on the world they live in. This is one of those rare sequels that is far superior to the original.
23. Iron Man 3: Even though it's not nearly as good as the first film or The Avengers (or even Iron Man 2), this superhero epic still packs enough action, comedy, and insanely good special effects to make the list. Even though the film maintains the series' humor, it takes a decidedly darker, more serious tone. Shane Black (writer of Lethal Weapon and director of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) helms this film, but Jon Favreau stays on as an actor and producer. Black brings some of his trademarks to the series (like the Christmastime setting), and he brings a new flavor to the series. This installment definitely feels a bit different, like how instead of the title appearing on screen in gold lettering (like in the two previous films), it doesn't appear until the end (in a 60's TV show-esque credits sequence), and is stylized as "Iron Man Three". Little changes like that make this one feel fresh and new, and that's something I haven't seen in a while: a superhero film that breaks tradition and gives a breath of fresh air into the genre, despite all it's flaws. And yes the whole Mandarin plot twist halfway through the film is a crock of shit, and that's why this film is a little low on the list, but other than that, I really enjoyed this movie: it's fun, fast-paced, and exciting, and for a superhero film, that's pretty impressive, especially considering how many shit superhero and actions films there are these days.
22. Pacific Rim: Guillermo del Toro takes a break from horror/fantasy films to make a fun, Power Rangers-esque movie where the military of the future must use giant robots (codenamed "Jagers") to combat against reptilian creatures (codenamed "Kaiju"), which come into our world from a portal at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. This movie is just kick-ass. It's got awesome fights between robots and monsters (these thrilling sequences put Transformers to shame), some humor (mostly due to the supporting characters played by Charlie Day and Burn Gorman), and slick cinematography. The CGI is absolutely incredible, and Guillermo made some good choices when it came to how to approach the tone of the film: he wanted it to be serious, but not too cynical or dark, he still wanted it to be fun and exciting; he didn't want the female character to be a "sex kitten" (or sexually objectified character), he wanted her to be somewhat attractive, but also to have a real personality and for the audience to like her. I really have to compliment him on that. Even though this is different than most of his films (even the superhero film Hellboy is a bit different than this film), he still kept some of his signatures, like the Lovecraftian-looking creatures, and the casting of Ron Perlman in a supporting role. Mr. del Toro, I commend you for being able to pull this movie off: it's smart, funny, action-packed, has good writing and fleshed-out characters, and is just dark enough to be taken seriously. That's pretty much a perfect blockbuster.
21. Frozen: This acclaimed animated film not only has beautiful animation and some good supporting characters, but also is one of the better animated films of the past five years. Although the villain is very lackluster and the whole climax is pretty rushed, the film is overall really good. The best characters are definitely Olaf and Oaken (the latter of which only has one scene). To be honest, I wasn't a huge fan of the film's music (despite the fact it was done by the musical team behind excellent Broadway comedies like The Book of Mormon and Avenue Q), and luckily, the musical numbers are short and there's not too many of them. Besides that, I really enjoyed this movie, and, according to aggregator sites like RottenTomatoes, most people agree that this is definitely worth a few viewings.
20. Prisoners and Rush (tie): I couldn't decide between these two, so I gave them each their own spot. One is a dark and disturbing thriller/drama about a father obsessed with finding his missing daughters at any cost, which also follows a highly intelligent detective who's on the same case. Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Paul Dano all do a fantastic job in this twisted, raw film that doesn't hold back at all. It's gruesome, dark, and very realistic, which is why I believe it's so effective. The second film is Ron Howard's film about the real-life rivalry and friendship between two legendary Formula One drivers: James Hunt and Niki Lauda. Chris Hemsworth puts his action hero persona aside and fills a more dramatic role alongside Peter Bruhl, who gives an amazing performance. The shining moment of this inspirational true sports story is Bruhl's powerful ending monologue, which sums up what makes the film interesting: the respect these two rivals have for one another, and how far they go to be the best.
19. The Heat: Paul Feig's buddy cop comedy is not only hilarious, it's also somewhat touching in it's portrayal of the two leads as sort of foster sisters to each other. Melissa McCarthy continues to prove she is one of the funniest female actors working today, and she definitely is the best part of the movie, she's foul-mouthed, stubborn, crazy, breaks the rules, belittles her superiors, and is a bad-ass cop. It may not be as good as The Other Guys or Hot Fuzz, but this movie is action-packed, hysterical, and a tugs at the heart-strings a bit, and that's quite and accomplishment, especially when you think about how many shitty comedies there are these days.
18. This Is the End: This self-deprecating comedy about the Biblical apocalypse has enough movie references and pop culture jokes to keep any cinephile happy, and the main actors do a fantastic job mocking themselves. This very original film is not only hilarious, but also has some creepy elements in it, such as demonic possession, tribes of cannibals, and hellish monsters. An uproariously funny horror-comedy, This is the End not only makes fun of it's stars and most of Hollywood, but also shows the touching friendship between the two main characters: Jay and Seth, and how they stick together through the worst situations, whether it be dealing with a possessed Jonah Hill, a cannibal tribe led by Danny McBride, or an encounter with Satan incarnate.
17. The Conjuring and Insidious-Chapter 2 (tie): Both of these are terrifying James Wan horror films involving the supernatural (and both star Patrick Wilson, and in both films he has a pretty attractive wife). The former is based on a real-life case (one of the few "based on a true story" films that's actually based on a true story), and is all the more horrifying because of it. It's a pretty authentic movie, and is very reminiscent of classic 70s ghost films (and it takes place in the 1970s). The music is a little too similar to the Insidious score, but they do have the same composer, so that's not a huge surprise. The makeup, practical effects, and camerawork are superb, props to you James Wan. And as if that wasn't enough, his next project, a sequel to his hit film Insidious, came out only a few months later. This film has a little more in common with The Conjuring than the first Insidious. It's more grounded in reality than the first movie (despite the ghost segments), and the villains are terrifying and eerie. The makeup and prosthetics, as well as the cinematography, music, and special effects are all extremely well-executed, and this is one of the few sequels to be on par with the original.
16. American Hustle: David O. Russell's latest film is an expertly crafted crime-comedy/drama which is inspired by actual events and people. Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner, and Jennifer Lawrence really shine in this excellent movie about con men, which won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress- Musical or Comedy (Lawrence), Best Actress- Musical or Comedy (Adams), and Best Picture- Musical or Comedy. If those three awards don't convince you to check this out, then you have a problem. As for me, I loved it, and look forward to seeing it again.
15. The Wolf of Wall Street: Martin Scorsese's black comedy/drama about Wall Street corruption and indulgence is extremely entertaining, with a great cast headed by Leonardo DiCaprio (who won the Golden Globe for Best Actor- Musical or Comedy). Jonah Hill also pulls off a more dramatic role this time around, which he showed he could do in 2011's Moneyball, but he still is able to deliver tons of laughs as he and Leo go on several drug-fuelled misadventures involving stock markets, corruption, and Quaaludes. However, if black comedies aren't for you, then don't see this one, this is as dark as they get. If you hate long movies, skip this one, too: it's exactly 3 hours long. Also, if you're a prude about swearing and nudity, this one probably isn't for you either. It had to be edited down from an NC-17 rating for graphic sex, and it broke the record for uses of the expletive "fuck" (or related words like "fucker" or "fucking"): over 500 times, breaking the record held by Spike Lee's Summer of Sam. However, if you can get past all the cussing, constant graphic sex and drug abuse and drinking, then I guarantee you'll enjoy this crazy true story about one man's unbelievable climb to power on Wall Street. I definitely did.
14. Monsters University: Although this Pixar film isn't as good as it's predecessor, it definitely was enjoyable and gave me a feeling of nostalgia, after all, Monsters Inc. was one of the first films I saw in a theater. It holds a special place in my heart, like many things I saw when I was young, it brings me back every time I see it, so I was skeptical of this one at first. However, the people at Pixar swung me. With a star-studded cast, some of whom returned from the original (Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, etc.), this film made the wise decision to focus more on Mike than Sully this time around. It's now more of an underdog story, because when the original film began, Sully and Mike were already the top employees at their workplace, here, Sully is still the top dog, but Mike is constantly disrespected and belittled for his unthreatening appearance. This film has a bit of a different feel from the original, which isn't a bad thing, but still maintains faithful to the overall tone of the first movie. I would definitely recommend checking out this movie if you loved the first one or are generally a fan of Pixar.
13. The Wolverine: In this surprisingly entertaining superhero film (based on the beloved comic book limited series by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller), which branches X-Men: The Last Stand with the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past, and which discards the previous Wolverine film, Wolverine must deal with the loss of his powers and must use his hunting and tracking skills, brute strength, and more intelligent side to stop some treacherous foes in Japan. Showing the more human side of Wolverine while exploring his psyche, this film is a darker, more serious X-Men film, more similar to the tone of the first two films, but also packs in a good amount of exhilarating action sequences, including an excellent fight atop a bullet train, and an epic final battle between Logan and the villains inside a mountaintop fortress. James Mangold has crafted a very entertaining and more in-depth Wolverine movie than I've seen before, and the ending of this film perfectly sets up the much-anticipated Days of Future Past film coming out this summer.
12. The Way, Way Back: This coming-of-age-dramedy is definitely one of the better comedies of the year, and one of the more touching films I've seen this year. An underdog story about an awkward young teen finding his place during a stay at a beach house with his mom and her douchebag boyfriend during the summer, this movie has an amazing cast, and a talented writing team behind it. The entire movie has this charm and appeal to it that's just mesmerizing, and the story is not only very compelling, but some moments make you a bit teary-eyed. This is one of the few movies this year that has made shed a tear.
11. Gravity: In Alfonso Cuaron's stunning space thriller, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney must survive the barren and desolate conditions of space all while attempting to get back to Earth after their transport is destroyed. This film is not only extremely intense (it keeps you on the edge-of-your-seat for almost the entire run-time), but also has some heart-wrenching dramatic moments (like when Bullock tells a harrowing story about her daughter), and has some of the best cinematography I've ever seen. The realism of this film is astounding, and its' authenticity is undeniable. The unbelievably great cinematography and incredible sound design create the feeling that you are actually in space with these characters, and you can't help but root for them to get home. There's pretty much no music for this movie, creating a feeling of awkward tension, as if you're expecting something awful to happen at any second (which I was). I was worried about Bullock carrying this movie mostly by herself, and although at times it was obviously hard (as that's a lot of pressure for an actor), but I thought she actually kept it together and did a great job, I really have to compliment her for that. Gravity is just an amazing technical feat, and even more than that, its' a profoundly effective film, and the ending makes you almost want to cheer.
10. 42 and Lee Daniels' The Butler (tie): Both these films are emotionally gripping real-life stories about African-Americans fighting for respect in a world that doesn't appreciate or love them based on the color of their skin. The first is the story of baseball player Jackie Robinson, who went from playing small-time games with his friends to becoming one of the most respected and admired athletes to ever live. Chadwick Boseman's performance is amazing, especially coming from a relatively unknown actor. Harrison Ford also gives a very good performance as the team executive of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Christopher Meloni appears as the Dodgers' manager, and Alan Tudyk appears in a brief role as the despicable and racist manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. This film is not only inspirational and moving, but also is pretty accurate as far as history goes. The second film chronicles the life of an African-American butler named Cecil Gaines, who works in the White House, and serves under many different presidents. The film has a huge all-star cast, and features Oprah Winfrey and David Oyelowo is main roles. Forest Whitaker plays Cecil, and gives one of the best performances of his career, almost as good as his performances in Ghost Dog, The Shield, and The Last King of Scotland. It's a powerful story that shows the evolution of the United States during the 20th Century from the perspective of one man and his family.
9. Trance: Danny Boyle's slick and twisted psychological thriller may look like just another Inception knock-off, but I can assure you it's anything but. Boyle's dark and complex film is packed with grisly violence, nudity, swearing, and has some crazy plot twists. The film is like a jigsaw puzzle that the viewers have to solve along with the characters, and just when you think you've got it all figured out, it changes everything you think you know. The three main characters seem like typical characters at first: hero, villain, love interest, but as Boyle peels back the layers of each one, they're revealed to be completely different than you thought, and are less cut-and-dry and black-and-white, and more shades of gray. A perplexing and interesting thriller, Trance is full of surprises.
8. Anchorman 2- The Legend Continues: Finally, after almost a decade of anticipation, I was able to finally see the sequel to one of my favorite comedy films. Will Ferrell and the cast haven't lost it after 9 years, and they don't spend the whole time retreading jokes from the original (even though they do it a few times), but actually do some new stuff like having Ron Burgundy move to New York City, get a new catchphrase, get new rivals and some new friends, and raise a shark named Doby from birth. The movie is not only insanely funny and over-the-top, it also has just the right amount of absurdity and surrealism to make it feel like it takes place in some crazy alternate reality. This was definitely worth the wait.
7. Dallas Buyers Club: This tragic true story about AIDS patient Ron Woodruff is extremely powerful and bold. Stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto have already gotten Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe awards, and the film is now nominated for several Oscars including Best Picture. McConaughey gives a gut-wrenching performance as the bigoted redneck Woodruff, who slowly evolves into a more accepting and caring human being due to his experiences with AIDS. Leto turns in yet another mesmerizing performance as the cross-dresser Rayon. Leto is a true chameleon, physically molding himself to fit each role he accepts. Jennifer Garner and Denis O'Hare fill in supporting roles, and both are excellent as well. This may be the best movie McConaughey has ever done, and this is also, without a doubt, one of Leto's best as well.
6. Man of Steel: Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan's collaboration could have been hit-or-miss. Luckily, at least in my opinion, it was a definite hit. Despite some people thinking some of the changes they made (such as the way the villain dies, and the way Superman's dad dies) ruined the movie for them, I felt like they weren't all that bad, and the villain's death can actually be viewed as a good decision, especially the way the filmmakers chose to handle Superman's reaction to it. This movie is definitely one of the better superhero films of the past few years, and is one of the best action films this year. The rousing musical score, the special effects, intense action sequences, exploration of Superman's psyche and past, and uplifting ending make Man of Steel enjoyable every time you see it.
5. The World's End: The final installment in the Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy is the best comedy of the year in my opinion. From the trio behind the previous two films (director and writer Edgar Wright, and stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost), this film chronicles the journey of an old group of friends as they trek across their home town to finish an epic pub crawl, only to discover the town has been infested and taken over by alien robots. Combining comedy, science fiction, and the apocalypse, this British film has something for everyone: cool fight sequences, funny dialogue and situations, and some real drama, as the main character must learn to accept that his glory days of high school are over.
4. 12 Years a Slave: In Steve McQueen's stomach-churning, disturbing, and emotionally grueling historical drama, an all-star cast led tell the tale of a free black man being kidnapped, taken away from his family, and sold into slavery for 12 years. The cinematography, writing, and music are all fantastic, but the best aspect of this film is the incredible acting. The performances by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong'o, and Michael Fassbender in particular are superb and captivating, with lots of raw, intense emotion. This movie is truly one of the most graphic and powerful portrayals of slavery that I have ever seen put to celluloid.
3. Captain Phillips: In Paul Greengrass' thrilling drama based on true events, Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi lead an amazing cast in retelling a story of survival and courage. The film is incredibly tense and keeps your heart racing wondering what's going to happen next. Even though you know that Phillips makes it out alive, you can't help but be scared for him. However, the film's made the smart choice to also portray the pirates who take Phillips captive in an empathetic light, showing that they don't like what they're doing, but are forced into it by war lords and by the poverty they live in. A powerhouse film about a brave man who risked it all to save his crew, Captain Phillips definitely constitutes several viewings.
2. The Hobbit- The Desolation of Smaug: Peter Jackson delivers yet another grand interpretation of the epic fantasy story that is Tolkien's Middle-Earth. Sir Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Luke Evans, Evangeline Lily, Orlando Bloom, and Benedict Cumberbatch lead a massive cast (which includes Lee Pace and Stephen Fry) in this highly entertaining fantasy adventure film. The cinematography and locations are amazingly beautiful, Peter Jackson always gets the best locations for these films. The design of this world, including costumes, weapons, creatures, and structures, is intricately detailed and its' incredible to think about how much work went into it all. The performances are really good, and the entire sequence involving the company of dwarves' encounter with Smaug the dragon is extremely entertaining, and his conversation with Bilbo is very tense and frightening, and sometimes a bit humorous. Even the ending song ("I See Fire" by Ed Sheeran) was excellent. The only complaint: the massive cliffhanger at the end, that kind of pissed me off.
Well, I couldn't include everything, so here are so honorable mentions:
Ender's Game
Despicable Me 2
The Family
You're Next
Evil Dead
Dead Man Down
Oz the Great and Powerful
World War Z
The Croods
The Great Gatsby
The Hangover Part III
Fast & Furious 6 (just for cheesiness factor)
Elysium
Carrie
Thor: The Dark World
Don Jon
1. Star Trek- Into Darkness: This movie took everything I loved about the first movie and made it even better. Everything, from the adrenaline-fueled action sequences, to the likeable characters, to the threatening villains, to the musical score, is taken to the next level with this superior sequel. The main characters have to face even more challenges this time around, facing off against a mysterious and extremely dangerous new foe (played Benedict Cumberbatch, who is a perfect fit for the role) as well as dealing with more responsibilities in Starfleet. J.J. Abrams' masterful science fiction action movie is definitely the best movie of the year because it's not only entertaining and exhilarating, but also thoughtful and compelling, with a somewhat sympathetic villain and an ending that leaves the door open for more excellent sequels. I loved it and I'm sure anyone who sees it will, too.
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