GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
ADVERTISEMENT
Filtered By: Lifestyle
Lifestyle
#Throwback 2014: A look at the best (and the rest) of 2014’s movie offerings, Part 2
Before the curtain draws on 2014, the time is ripe for a look back on the best (and the rest) of the films that made our year. Superheroes ruled the box office for another year in a row, but it wasn’t all explosions and CGI that set the big screen ablaze, as an eclectic crop of performers used their not-inconsiderable talents to thoroughly own their respective films in ways rarely seen. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, 2014 was a very good year for the movies, and here’s your guide to some of the highlights.
READ: #Throwback 2014: A look at the best (and the rest) of 2014’s movie offerings, Part 1
CRASH AND KABOOM
(The best of the blockbusters)
READ: #Throwback 2014: A look at the best (and the rest) of 2014’s movie offerings, Part 1
CRASH AND KABOOM
(The best of the blockbusters)
Seriously, who expected this movie to be a hit? But it was, and now we can't wait for the sequel! Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
“Guardians of the Galaxy”
After nine blockbuster films that introduced the world to the interconnected wonders of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the studio behind “The Avengers” took its biggest risk ever in devoting their tenth movie to a superhero group that most people had never even heard of and entrusting it to the director of offbeat fare like “Slither”. The result? The highest-grossing film of 2014, and by far, the most overtly fun of the Marvel movie canon. Not bad for a flick starring a sitcom actor (“Parks and Recreation’s” Chris Pratt), a gun-toting raccoon and, of course, that talking, dancing tree.
After nine blockbuster films that introduced the world to the interconnected wonders of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the studio behind “The Avengers” took its biggest risk ever in devoting their tenth movie to a superhero group that most people had never even heard of and entrusting it to the director of offbeat fare like “Slither”. The result? The highest-grossing film of 2014, and by far, the most overtly fun of the Marvel movie canon. Not bad for a flick starring a sitcom actor (“Parks and Recreation’s” Chris Pratt), a gun-toting raccoon and, of course, that talking, dancing tree.
With a climactic brawl to end them all, the final installment of 'The Hobbit' trilogy goes out on a high note. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
“The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies”
While no one will pretend that three movies were needed to adapt Tolkien’s first foray into Middle Earth, there is no disputing the fact that the titular battle presented here is one well worth the wait for. Epic in every measure, director Peter Jackson’s ability to stage a large-scale battle scene is more impressive than ever before, presenting audiences with a Middle Earth free-for-all that, for all its numerous fronts, never leaves the viewer confused as to what is happening onscreen. While this is far from the “defining chapter” that we were promised, this is one hell of a capper to “The Hobbit” trilogy.
While no one will pretend that three movies were needed to adapt Tolkien’s first foray into Middle Earth, there is no disputing the fact that the titular battle presented here is one well worth the wait for. Epic in every measure, director Peter Jackson’s ability to stage a large-scale battle scene is more impressive than ever before, presenting audiences with a Middle Earth free-for-all that, for all its numerous fronts, never leaves the viewer confused as to what is happening onscreen. While this is far from the “defining chapter” that we were promised, this is one hell of a capper to “The Hobbit” trilogy.
“Snowpiercer”
Based on the French comic of the same name, “Snowpiercer” is director Bong Joon Ho’s (“The Host”) first English language film, but you’d never know it from the masterful end result. Set in a dystopian future following a botched attempt to end global warming, “Snowpiercer” is a triumph of craft and atmosphere, with brilliant turns by the entire cast, including Chris Evans, John Hurt, and Tilda Swinton. That the film succeeds on its own merits is an accomplishment; the fact that it happens to be a sci-fi commentary on social class structures that never feels heavy-handed is like the icing on a blockbuster cake.
Based on the French comic of the same name, “Snowpiercer” is director Bong Joon Ho’s (“The Host”) first English language film, but you’d never know it from the masterful end result. Set in a dystopian future following a botched attempt to end global warming, “Snowpiercer” is a triumph of craft and atmosphere, with brilliant turns by the entire cast, including Chris Evans, John Hurt, and Tilda Swinton. That the film succeeds on its own merits is an accomplishment; the fact that it happens to be a sci-fi commentary on social class structures that never feels heavy-handed is like the icing on a blockbuster cake.
Mutants, mutants, everywhere! 'Days of Future Past' was a success at putting Marvel's merry misfits back on track. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox
“X-Men: Days of Future Past”
“Days of Future Past” heralded a return to form for Marvel’s merry band of mutants, who haven’t had a good film since 2003’s “X2: X-Men United”, as the departure of original director Bryan Singer killed whatever forward momentum the series had at that point. A poorly-reviewed sequel (“X-Men: The Last Stand”) was followed by two lackluster solo “Wolverine” films, and a prequel (“First Class”) that opened the door for the return of Singer. While “Days of Future Past” has got killer action sequences, fantastic special effects, and more mutants than you can shake a stick at, it will forever go down as being the one whose time travel gymnastics effectively erased everything that happened after “X2”, and for that, we should all be grateful.
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
Put simply, “The Winter Soldier” is that rare sort of sequel that not only takes what came before, but builds upon it and expands on it in a way that far too few follow ups are able to do. Taking everything that made its predecessor an audience-pleasing hit and turning it on its head, “The Winter Soldier” is a deliberate throwback to the paranoid Cold War thrillers of the 70s, which now seem downright quaint in this age of online security and CIA torture scandals. With this film, directors Anthony and Joe Russo have accomplished the impossible: taken an outmoded American icon, and made him relevant for the 21st century.
Put simply, “The Winter Soldier” is that rare sort of sequel that not only takes what came before, but builds upon it and expands on it in a way that far too few follow ups are able to do. Taking everything that made its predecessor an audience-pleasing hit and turning it on its head, “The Winter Soldier” is a deliberate throwback to the paranoid Cold War thrillers of the 70s, which now seem downright quaint in this age of online security and CIA torture scandals. With this film, directors Anthony and Joe Russo have accomplished the impossible: taken an outmoded American icon, and made him relevant for the 21st century.
Matthew Mcconaughey puts in one of his best performances in 'Interstellar', but even he can't escape the grip of a poor ending. Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures
“Interstellar”
Similar to last year’s “Gravity”, regardless of what one thinks of the story, Chris Nolan’s outer space opus takes 2014’s top prize in the eye candy sweepstakes, for its blisteringly beautiful take on the wonders of the final frontier. From the dust bowl to the outer reaches of our solar system, this is a film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen you can find. Iffy final act notwithstanding, Nolan’s tale of astronauts in search of a new home for Mankind is Kubrick’s “2001” on computer-generated steroids, and well worth at least one viewing.
Similar to last year’s “Gravity”, regardless of what one thinks of the story, Chris Nolan’s outer space opus takes 2014’s top prize in the eye candy sweepstakes, for its blisteringly beautiful take on the wonders of the final frontier. From the dust bowl to the outer reaches of our solar system, this is a film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen you can find. Iffy final act notwithstanding, Nolan’s tale of astronauts in search of a new home for Mankind is Kubrick’s “2001” on computer-generated steroids, and well worth at least one viewing.
“John Wick”
Where “The Expendables 3” was a watered down, PG-rated affair, “John Wick” was a hard action flick that accomplished the not-insignificant feat of restoring to Keanu Reeves the big screen action hero status that the seemingly ageless actor hasn’t enjoyed since “The Matrix” (the less said about “47 Ronin”, the better). With influences ranging from anime to the Hong Kong action flicks of the 80s and 90s, “John Wick” is an under-seen gem film that fans of inventive, well-choreographed mayhem need to give a shot.
Where “The Expendables 3” was a watered down, PG-rated affair, “John Wick” was a hard action flick that accomplished the not-insignificant feat of restoring to Keanu Reeves the big screen action hero status that the seemingly ageless actor hasn’t enjoyed since “The Matrix” (the less said about “47 Ronin”, the better). With influences ranging from anime to the Hong Kong action flicks of the 80s and 90s, “John Wick” is an under-seen gem film that fans of inventive, well-choreographed mayhem need to give a shot.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
(Sequilitis ad Infinitum)
(Sequilitis ad Infinitum)
'Transformers 4' never once managed to be as cool as this picture promises. Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures
“Transformers: Age of Extinction”
‘Nuff said.
‘Nuff said.
From his redesigned costume to the fantastically-realized acrobatics, the action in ASM2 is breathtaking. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures
“The Amazing Spider-Man 2”
Ditto.
Ditto.
NICE TRY
(Close, but no cigar)
(Close, but no cigar)
One of the few clear shots you will see of Godzilla in this film. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
“Godzilla”
Killing of Bryan Cranston’s character in the first third of the film in favor of saddling us with his wooden plank of a son (played by “Kick-Ass’s” Aaron Taylor-Johnson) was bad enough, but saving the (all-too-brief) kaiju fisticuffs ‘til the last ten minutes was pure torture. Not even the King of Monsters’ beautifully-rendered radiation breath could save this one. Here’s hoping that Johnson and his onscreen wife, Elizabeth Olsen, are more entertaining when they play siblings in next year’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron”.
Killing of Bryan Cranston’s character in the first third of the film in favor of saddling us with his wooden plank of a son (played by “Kick-Ass’s” Aaron Taylor-Johnson) was bad enough, but saving the (all-too-brief) kaiju fisticuffs ‘til the last ten minutes was pure torture. Not even the King of Monsters’ beautifully-rendered radiation breath could save this one. Here’s hoping that Johnson and his onscreen wife, Elizabeth Olsen, are more entertaining when they play siblings in next year’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron”.
Not even Anjelina Jolie's perfect casting could save Maleficent. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
“Maleficent”
Really, Disney? A Maleficent movie where one of the greatest villains in the history of animation doesn’t even turn into a dragon? Jolie as Maleficent was a masterstroke, with her being absolutely (yes) magnificent in the role, and the studio powers-that-be wasted her participation on a run-of-the-mill misunderstood bad guy origin story. What’s next? An Ursula movie where the feared sea witch turns out to be Ariel’s misunderstood mother?
Really, Disney? A Maleficent movie where one of the greatest villains in the history of animation doesn’t even turn into a dragon? Jolie as Maleficent was a masterstroke, with her being absolutely (yes) magnificent in the role, and the studio powers-that-be wasted her participation on a run-of-the-mill misunderstood bad guy origin story. What’s next? An Ursula movie where the feared sea witch turns out to be Ariel’s misunderstood mother?
HONORABLE MENTION
(Of dictators and dick jokes)
(Of dictators and dick jokes)
President Obama called Sony's cancelling of 'The Interview' a mistake. Now we want to see it more than ever. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures
“The Interview”
Given Sony’s unwillingness to defend a film it spent millions of dollars on to produce, it’s anyone’s guess when this will be released, but no list of 2014’s most notable films would be complete without a mention of “The Interview”. While from the first film to depict the planned death of a sitting world leader, one is simultaneously amused and worried for the state of a world where the guys behind “This is the End” and “Pineapple Express” could ever be considered a political threat. Of course, now that Obama’s chimed in with his opinion that the cancellation was “a mistake”, who knows what’ll happen? — VC, GMA News
Given Sony’s unwillingness to defend a film it spent millions of dollars on to produce, it’s anyone’s guess when this will be released, but no list of 2014’s most notable films would be complete without a mention of “The Interview”. While from the first film to depict the planned death of a sitting world leader, one is simultaneously amused and worried for the state of a world where the guys behind “This is the End” and “Pineapple Express” could ever be considered a political threat. Of course, now that Obama’s chimed in with his opinion that the cancellation was “a mistake”, who knows what’ll happen? — VC, GMA News
