1. Gravity
Gravity is the reason why movie theaters still exist. The film is as gripping and intense a movie experience as any I have ever seen. Gravity uses the entirety of the screen to create a sense of isolation and dark out in the vastness in space. But not just a technical achievement, the film also has an emotionally resounding story involving the spiritual rebirth of Sandra Bullock's character. Her performance is an impressive near one-woman feat, as she spends almost 95% of the film on screen. I think that I ate maybe 2 handfuls of the popcorn I had during this movie; that's how high the intensity is. Usually I've chomped through the bucket before the opening credits can finish. Gravity will suck you in and not let go for an amazing 90 minutes.
2. Her
Emotionally complex and strange, Her is one of the most unique and inventive movies I've ever seen. Joaquin Phoenix, acting mostly alone on screen, falls in love with his "OS", or an artificially intellegent computer system. The film is neither championing or demonizing this type of relationship. It merely explores what our not too distant future looks like, and that the need for interaction in any form is something that humans will always crave. Director Spike Jonze normalizes the fact that people can gain emotional attachments based on text or voice alone, and not just in the stupid Catfish type way. People are using their computers to fall in love every day; what if the computer could be the one to fall in love with? Her will leave you pondering the nature of relationships and technology for a long time.
3. American Hustle
If you want to talk about a movie that is overloaded with talent, look no further. Directed by David O. Russell, and starring Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Louis C.K., and Jeremy Renner, American Hustle absolutely deserves all of its Oscar nominations for acting. The film is cool, sexy, and fast in all the right places. Bale playing such an iconic character like Batman for so long kind of made me forget how he is one of the best actors working today. American Hustle is one of those Forrest Gump/Ferris Bueller's Day Off type movies. EVERYONE will like it when they see it.
4. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Ah, The Hobbit. The book version is my favorite book of all time. Tolkien's adventure novel is pefect in almost every way, and I have read it many times. The films at first were very difficult for me to judge. They are totally different in tone than the book, which initially was off putting for me. However once realizing that these movies are more about creating prequels to The Lord of the Rings, something Tolkien's book never did, I began to enjoy them for what they are. The second installment of the prequel trilogy is just as impressive an adventure as the first, with a few unnecessary detours that brought it down a tick. The initial scene between Maritn Freeman's Bilbo and Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) is a high mark for not only this trilogy, but for The Lord of the Rings as well.
5. Pacific Rim
"A movie about giant monsters and robots made your top 10? Are you insane?" That's probably what you're thinking right now, but Pacific Rim is the epitome of a great action film. If a director decided to combine Godzilla and Transformers, but actually make them not suck, Pacific Rim would be the result. Plus look at the cast! Stringer Bell! Jax Teller! Charlie Kelly! Hellboy! The cast was basically an all star lineup of my favorite TV shows, which probably made it even more enjoyable for me. I readily admit that this film will not be for everybody, and shouldn't win any Oscars, but as a sci-fi action film? It's darn near perfect.
6. Elysium
District 9 was one of the most inventive science fiction films of the last 20 years, and director Neill Blomkamp's second film is a worthy follow up. The futurstic world envisioned is creative and depressing, but the story is one of hope. Matt Damon is great as the hero, but Sharlto Copley's villain steals every scene he is in. As far as sci-fi action movies go, Elysium is top notch.
7. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Ben Stiller has only directed a few films (The Cable Guy, Zoolander, Tropic Thunder), and has never made one with any sort of emotional resonance, but Mitty finds a way to be funny and heartfelt. The story of a "boring" man taking an adventure is not really anything new, but Stiller plays the title character with such warmth that his story is endearing. The film really shines in its Indie soundtrack and how well it is shot and framed.
8. 42
Jackie Robinson is an American hero, and 42 is a faithful adaptation of his life. The film doesn't really take any risks except for the realistic rendering of the berating he takes at the hands of an opposing manager, played by Alan Tudyk. Jackie is one of my favorite athletes of all time, and his contribution to baseball and sports cannot be understated. Could you imagine watching professional sports that only had a bunch of white guys playing?
9. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Has there ever been a time in movie history where an actress is the lead of the biggest blockbuster film franchise, AND is perenially nominated for Academy Awards? J-Law, we bow down to thee.
10. The Place Beyond the Pines
Would be higher if not for a bit of disjointedness at the end. Director Derek Cianfrance has an incredibly distinct style, and I am looking forward to his future work. This movie increased by Ryan Gosling man-crush tenfold.
Honorable Mention: Frozen, Monsters University, Star Trek Into Darkness, World War Z
Still haven't seen: Captain Phillips, Blue Jasmine, 12 Years a Slave, Wolf of Wall Street, Inside Llewyn Davis, Dallas Buyers Club, Before Midnight
