I'm ambivalent about movie lists. On one hand they are really fun, accessible indexes of information that reduce a plethora of movies down to the ones that really matter. And on the other hand they are reductive and seem a bit sensationalized for my taste. Oh well, I'll make a list anyway. All in the name of fun. In the protest of traditional lists however, my number will not be round. It won't even be even. This is me thumbing my nose at the system.
1. Boyhood (Richard Linklater)
I cannot say enough about this movie. Never has a movie been so intimate yet so epic, or so gentle and yet so powerful. If you have not seen this movie yet, I truly feel sorry for you. Boyhood is the best American movie since Forest Gump.
2. Birdman (Alejandro González Iñárritu)
This movie is an absolute thrill to watch. Here we see a director and his cast truly swinging for the fences. This is an art movie that has the adrenaline of a summer blockbuster. While watching this I said out loud "How the hell did they do that?" and "Was that all just one long take?" multiple times. My socks were rocked.
3. Ida (Pawel Pawlikowski)
Beautifully poetic and picturesque film. The black and white photography is really breathtaking. I absolutely loved the languid pace. Ida is a movie you can just sit back and totally absorb the detail of every frame. This is art.
4. Foxcatcher (Bennett Miller)
Oh, the drama. The mood is amazing and all-consuming. Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo are all working at the top of their respective games and it's lovely to watch. "Chilling" is the word.
5. The Grand Budapest Hotel (Wes Anderson)
Twee as fuck.
6. Force Majure (Ruben Östlund)
A relationship drama that is amusing as hell. You could call it satire, dark-comedy, or a character study. Uncomfortable to watch but ultimately rewarding. Rides that fine line between funny and sad.
7. Gone Girl (David Fincher)
Wonderfully directed, scripted and acted. Has a lot to say on relationships and society. Unsettling satire at it's best. David Fincher directs the hell out of this thing.
8. Two Days, One Night (Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne)
I absolutely love the Dardenne Brothers, and for good reason. They continue to make deeply moving and affecting movies that feature working-class lives. Their movies are essential. Lead actress Marion Cotillard gives a raw performance that strikes a nerve.
9. Inherent Vice (Paul Thomas Anderson)
A sloppy and fun romp from PTA. I could watch his movies all day long (AND I DO!!!!) Some complain it's too incoherent, but that did not bother me.
*note: I have not seen every movie made this year.
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