When Fight Club was released in 1999, there was a strange marketing plan to promote the film. Most advertising largely relied on Brad Pitt's sex appeal and macho action scenes. Pitt was at the height of his heartthrob status, and his marriage to Jennifer Aniston made him a part of the hottest couple in Hollywood. Aniston even hosted SNL and there were quite a few references made to the film. Moviegoers that were looking for Pitt to be some action hero were disappointed as they watched Fight Club. David's Fincher's masterpiece is about the dangers of consumerism, modern masculinity, and spiritual bankruptcy. Book author Chuck Palahniuk was even quoted as saying that he liked the film's ending more than the one he wrote. But despite the themes and messages that Fincher and Palahniuk were trying to convey, the film was widely misunderstood, and created a strange culture of fans that loved the movie for all the wrong reasons.
I saw Fight Club around 2004 or 2005, when I was in high school. There's a continuum that goes along with your understanding of this film, based upon the age you first see it (disclaimer, this pertains to men only; women do like Fight Club but for different reasons than men):
10-14: Any kid that sees the movie during these ages probably has parents that don't care whether or not their son grows up to be a psychopath.
15-24: Violence=cool. "Dude we should totally start a Fight Club" has been uttered thousands of times by idiotic young men. A much smaller number actually started a Fight Club, and an even smaller amount got smacked in the face and realized that underground bare-knuckle boxing is kind of stupid.
25-40: This is the sweet spot where you actually pick up on the themes of the film. Recommended.
41+: Why does Brad Pitt have to remind me that he is chiseled from stone and I can't throw a football without my arm falling off the next day? (Come on, you know I jest!)
Luckily for me, despite seeing the movie for the first time in the dangerous 16-24 range, I never started a Fight Club. I did however, totally miss the point until I got a bit older. Unfortunately this range of men has created a sort of macho bro'ed out vibe around this film. And shocked critics seeing the movie in 1999 didn't do it any favors either. They focused on the ultra-violent fight scenes and the characters seemingly cathartic association with violence. But like countless songs, movies and literature that has come before, this totally misses the point.
In the trailer for the 2012 film Project X, we see flashes of a giant party and one high schooler's quest to destroy his parents home. The trailer makes the movie look like one huge party scene, making kids everywhere think "why couldn't I be there"? Prominently playing over the trailer is Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness". This song is decidedly not about how "cool" partying is. It's a very tongue in cheek song about the emptiness of the party lifestyle. Yet the producers of the film just grabbed it anyway and put it in the trailer without any sense of irony. Same goes for those Wrangler commercials that played Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" as they flashed close ups of Real American Men wearing Real American Jeans. Never mind the fact that "Fortunate Son" is an anti-war song that is anything but a Patriot's anthem.
Why do I mention these examples? Because of misappropriation, people now associate these songs with the complete opposite sentiment that their artist tried to convey. Fight Club has been met with a similar fate. Because of the critics initial shock at the violence, as well as the 15-24 year old boys that all stupidly tried to start a fight club, a large number of people think it glorifies violence. But it's the exact opposite. Edward Norton's character (the unnamed "Narrator") seeks any sort of emotion in his life after years of being beaten into submission by corporate and consumer life. His (spoilers ahead!) alter-ego Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) uses fighting to elicit this response, giving the Narrator a rush that he's been so desperately seeking. However, by the end of the film, he realizes that all of this senseless violence wasn't what brought him back from the dead- it was a real, emotional connection with similarly lost soul Marla (Helena Bonham Carter). Durden's methods were wrong, but his message was right: give up your pretension, give up your hopeless attachment to material goods, and just let go. The Fight Club aspect of the plan ultimately balloon's out of control on the narrator. The film leaves you with the message that your spiritual bankruptcy cannot be solved by materialism, a good job, or on the opposite end, going to extremes to "feel alive". The message is that real, human interaction is the ultimate high for humankind. (As a side note- the message here is partly right. Materialism and extremism won't bring you fulfillment, and human connection does play a large role in spiritual health. However, the ultimate healer, Jesus Christ, is the missing ingredient that the film goes nowhere near. Not that I expected this, but it's interesting that Christianity and Fight Club share common beliefs when it comes to material wealth).
It's unfortunate that this wrongful aura exists around Fight Club, because it's an absolute classic. It is thought provoking, visually compelling, and has one of the biggest twist endings in film history. It has a firm position in my top 10 films of all time. I may get some unfair judgments for placing it this high, because there are plenty of dude-bro's that have it in their top 10 as well. It's just for vastly different reasons.
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Top 10 of 2017
1. Blade Runner 2049
It is absolutely astonishing that this movie turned out well. I mean, whose idea was it to make a sequel to a 35 year-old weird sci fi movie that totally bombed upon its initial release? Movies with ridiculously belated sequels have a tough enough time, but to come up with something to follow the original Blade Runner seemed impossible and borderline irresponsible. The original had such a unique style and such a satisfyingly vague ending that dredging it back up for a sequel would surely end in disaster. But lo and behold, it was pulled off so well I could have never even dreamed it (even if that dream contained a unicorn). Directed by Denis Villenueve and starring Ryan “on fire” Gosling, Blade Runner 2049 is my easy choice for the movie of 2017. First of all, it is an absolute visual feast. Ridley Scott created a stunning movie world in 1982 and it is beautifully expanded upon in the sequel. There’s a fight scene in front of an Elvis hologram that’s particularly mesmerizing. But visuals are not the only winning element of this film. There’s an emotional story that asks central questions about humanity itself, thus continuing the great work the first movie started. Even at its near 3 hour run time, Blade Runner 2049 flies by and keeps you guessing. I can not recommend this movie enough, especially for fans of science fiction. Once again the Academy forgot to nominate the ACTUAL best movie of the year for its Best Picture statue; but is should be primed for some well-deserved technical awards.
P.S. Harrison Ford has now reprised his three most famous film roles in the last 10 years. Harrison, a word from all of us: please stop while you’re ahead. Nobody needs more belated sequels like Witness 2: Amish Ascending, Air Force Two: He Told You to Get Off His Plane, Seven Days Eight Nights: Does Anyone Remember Anne Heche?, or Fugitives: Attack of the One Armed Men. We’re good Harrison, we're good.
2. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
I think my thoughts from when this movie first came out still sum up how I feel now. And it held up even better the second time. Now, we will all hold our breath as we wonder whether or not J.J. Abrams will go back to playing it safe.
3. Lady Bird
Behind a Blade Runner sequel actually working, how much I liked Lady Bird comes in a close second for the biggest surprise of 2017. It’s a coming of age story about a petulant high school senior, self-named Lady Bird, that is hell bent on getting out of her hometown of Sacramento. Every relationship in Lady Bird just feels authentic. This is especially true when it comes to Lady Bird and her mother. Nothing is belabored or over the top, the story just unfolds without bludgeoning you over the head about anything. Plus, it has an absolutely perfect ending, something most coming of age stories struggle with. Of the 9 nominees, Lady Bird is my pick for Best Picture.
4. 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
3 Billboards, despite its backlash, was not only a great film, but a very timely one for 2017. We now live in a world where you are defined only by your extremes. Even if you do something as benign as become a presidential election meme or something that's just a fun fixer upper show in your small town, the backlash will come swiftly and utterly unfairly. So what do you do with a mean spirited mother in grief, a racist cop, and a troubled police chief? That's the question that 3 Billboards wants you to wrestle with. Each character is angry for different reasons, and the movie shows us where that anger takes us. It also asks us to look at people for more than just their faults. Are people defined by their worst qualities? By their worst actions? Can bad people still do good actions, and can they change? Our society would answer those questions by those articles I linked above. But life is not about our worst. "Bad" people aren't just caricatures, and 3 Billboards makes us live with this. Our world is so swift to judge, it's good to have a film that asks us not to do so. And luckily for us, we have a Creator that has that patience with us (2 Peter 3:9).
5. War for the Planet of the Apes
The intelligent ape Caesar, finishes his Moses-esque journey in the final installment of a very underrated trilogy of films. The War from the title doesn't end up being what you expect, and in a very good way. Caesar's arc from lab monkey to grizzled leader is a great ride, and this move is its fitting end. I can't decide if War or Dawn (or whatever they called the second one, I seriously can't keep the names straight between the first two) is my favorite, so I'll just choose to love all three of these movies.
6. Baby Driver
Director Edgar Wright has made his career with Simon Pegg action-comedies (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World's End), and Baby Driver proves that he's got much more left to say. The movie plays like an awesome mix of Guy Ritchie and Martin Scorcese; quick cuts, fierce action, and a killer soundtrack. Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, and Kevin Spacey all play slightly crazy bank robbers that use young "Baby" (Ansel Elgort) as their getaway driver. The driving scenes are particularly heart-pounding as you might imagine, but it's not just all action. Each character is three-dimensional and fleshed out. The romance between Elgort and his waitress girlfriend gives enough emotional weight to make the action interesting.
7. John Wick: Chapter 2
I saw the first John Wick on a guys trip and it was one of those situations where the movie lined up perfectly with the weekend. It was a complete blast, and had me saying "I'M THINKING I'M BACK" for months on end. Chapter 2 has every single thing that made the first movie great, and more. John Wick succeeds so well because of its world building. It gives you just enough insight into its underground of hit men and assassins that you keep wanting to learn more. But the draw of the film is the over the top Keanu Reeves action, and it is here in spades.
8. Dunkirk
Dunkirk is a technically flawless movie. It is expertly filmed in almost documentary-like fashion. We learn of the heroism of British citizens and soldiers as they evacuate from France in WWII. Dunkirk is also an incredible theater experience, the sound of every bullet and every plane flying overhead rattled my sternum in my seat. It's not necessarily a movie I'll ever watch again, akin to something like Schindler's List, but that doesn't underscore it's effectiveness as a movie experience.
9. The Big Sick
For me, this was a very pleasant surprise. I took a chance on The Big Sick as an in-flight movie a few months ago. I was somewhat expecting a dumb, raunchy comedy in the vein of 40 Year Old Virgin or Neighbors. I couldn't have been more wrong. Instead, I was treated to a delightfully funny drama about a guy (Kumail Nanjiani) who breaks up with a girl right before she goes into a coma. He then forms a relationship with her parents and learns to appreciate her even more, despite her illness. The Big Sick is a top-quality romantic comedy.
Marvel did some work on me in 2017. I wrote back in 2013 that I was pretty much done with superheroes. It felt like they'd all become stale, effects-heavy, action bore-fests. But starting with Guardians Vol. 1, I decided to give Marvel another chance. Guardians Vol. 2, along with Thor: Ragnarok to a slightly lesser extent, reinvigorated my interest in Marvel movies for one reason: these movies do not take themselves seriously in the slightest. Guardians Vol. 2 is hilarious, crazy, and weird, and it doesn't try to be anything its not. It's got a killer soundtrack, pretty visuals, and quick one-liners, and not much else. And that's great! I'm not sure that all Marvel movies can get away with such a free-spirited vibe, but I enjoyed the heck out of the ride in this one.
Honorable Mention:
Molly's Game
Thor: Ragnarok
Logan
I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore
American Made
Jim & Andy
I, Tonya
Logan Lucky
It is absolutely astonishing that this movie turned out well. I mean, whose idea was it to make a sequel to a 35 year-old weird sci fi movie that totally bombed upon its initial release? Movies with ridiculously belated sequels have a tough enough time, but to come up with something to follow the original Blade Runner seemed impossible and borderline irresponsible. The original had such a unique style and such a satisfyingly vague ending that dredging it back up for a sequel would surely end in disaster. But lo and behold, it was pulled off so well I could have never even dreamed it (even if that dream contained a unicorn). Directed by Denis Villenueve and starring Ryan “on fire” Gosling, Blade Runner 2049 is my easy choice for the movie of 2017. First of all, it is an absolute visual feast. Ridley Scott created a stunning movie world in 1982 and it is beautifully expanded upon in the sequel. There’s a fight scene in front of an Elvis hologram that’s particularly mesmerizing. But visuals are not the only winning element of this film. There’s an emotional story that asks central questions about humanity itself, thus continuing the great work the first movie started. Even at its near 3 hour run time, Blade Runner 2049 flies by and keeps you guessing. I can not recommend this movie enough, especially for fans of science fiction. Once again the Academy forgot to nominate the ACTUAL best movie of the year for its Best Picture statue; but is should be primed for some well-deserved technical awards.
P.S. Harrison Ford has now reprised his three most famous film roles in the last 10 years. Harrison, a word from all of us: please stop while you’re ahead. Nobody needs more belated sequels like Witness 2: Amish Ascending, Air Force Two: He Told You to Get Off His Plane, Seven Days Eight Nights: Does Anyone Remember Anne Heche?, or Fugitives: Attack of the One Armed Men. We’re good Harrison, we're good.
2. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
I think my thoughts from when this movie first came out still sum up how I feel now. And it held up even better the second time. Now, we will all hold our breath as we wonder whether or not J.J. Abrams will go back to playing it safe.
3. Lady Bird
Behind a Blade Runner sequel actually working, how much I liked Lady Bird comes in a close second for the biggest surprise of 2017. It’s a coming of age story about a petulant high school senior, self-named Lady Bird, that is hell bent on getting out of her hometown of Sacramento. Every relationship in Lady Bird just feels authentic. This is especially true when it comes to Lady Bird and her mother. Nothing is belabored or over the top, the story just unfolds without bludgeoning you over the head about anything. Plus, it has an absolutely perfect ending, something most coming of age stories struggle with. Of the 9 nominees, Lady Bird is my pick for Best Picture.
4. 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
3 Billboards, despite its backlash, was not only a great film, but a very timely one for 2017. We now live in a world where you are defined only by your extremes. Even if you do something as benign as become a presidential election meme or something that's just a fun fixer upper show in your small town, the backlash will come swiftly and utterly unfairly. So what do you do with a mean spirited mother in grief, a racist cop, and a troubled police chief? That's the question that 3 Billboards wants you to wrestle with. Each character is angry for different reasons, and the movie shows us where that anger takes us. It also asks us to look at people for more than just their faults. Are people defined by their worst qualities? By their worst actions? Can bad people still do good actions, and can they change? Our society would answer those questions by those articles I linked above. But life is not about our worst. "Bad" people aren't just caricatures, and 3 Billboards makes us live with this. Our world is so swift to judge, it's good to have a film that asks us not to do so. And luckily for us, we have a Creator that has that patience with us (2 Peter 3:9).
5. War for the Planet of the Apes
The intelligent ape Caesar, finishes his Moses-esque journey in the final installment of a very underrated trilogy of films. The War from the title doesn't end up being what you expect, and in a very good way. Caesar's arc from lab monkey to grizzled leader is a great ride, and this move is its fitting end. I can't decide if War or Dawn (or whatever they called the second one, I seriously can't keep the names straight between the first two) is my favorite, so I'll just choose to love all three of these movies.
6. Baby Driver
Director Edgar Wright has made his career with Simon Pegg action-comedies (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World's End), and Baby Driver proves that he's got much more left to say. The movie plays like an awesome mix of Guy Ritchie and Martin Scorcese; quick cuts, fierce action, and a killer soundtrack. Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, and Kevin Spacey all play slightly crazy bank robbers that use young "Baby" (Ansel Elgort) as their getaway driver. The driving scenes are particularly heart-pounding as you might imagine, but it's not just all action. Each character is three-dimensional and fleshed out. The romance between Elgort and his waitress girlfriend gives enough emotional weight to make the action interesting.
7. John Wick: Chapter 2
I saw the first John Wick on a guys trip and it was one of those situations where the movie lined up perfectly with the weekend. It was a complete blast, and had me saying "I'M THINKING I'M BACK" for months on end. Chapter 2 has every single thing that made the first movie great, and more. John Wick succeeds so well because of its world building. It gives you just enough insight into its underground of hit men and assassins that you keep wanting to learn more. But the draw of the film is the over the top Keanu Reeves action, and it is here in spades.
8. Dunkirk
Dunkirk is a technically flawless movie. It is expertly filmed in almost documentary-like fashion. We learn of the heroism of British citizens and soldiers as they evacuate from France in WWII. Dunkirk is also an incredible theater experience, the sound of every bullet and every plane flying overhead rattled my sternum in my seat. It's not necessarily a movie I'll ever watch again, akin to something like Schindler's List, but that doesn't underscore it's effectiveness as a movie experience.
9. The Big Sick
For me, this was a very pleasant surprise. I took a chance on The Big Sick as an in-flight movie a few months ago. I was somewhat expecting a dumb, raunchy comedy in the vein of 40 Year Old Virgin or Neighbors. I couldn't have been more wrong. Instead, I was treated to a delightfully funny drama about a guy (Kumail Nanjiani) who breaks up with a girl right before she goes into a coma. He then forms a relationship with her parents and learns to appreciate her even more, despite her illness. The Big Sick is a top-quality romantic comedy.
10. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Honorable Mention:
Molly's Game
Thor: Ragnarok
Logan
I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore
American Made
Jim & Andy
I, Tonya
Logan Lucky
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Top 10 of 2016
1. La La Land
Previous to seeing La La Land, here's the list of musicals that I'd seen in my entire life: Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, Grease (on TV one time when I was like 8), and Mary Poppins (I think). Needless to say, I'm not a musical guy, and it is no small feat that La La Land ascended to my top spot for 2016. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone continue the chemistry they started in Crazy. Stupid. Love and sing their way through a sun-splashed classic Hollywood tale. There's a lot of conventional stuff about love, dreams, and happiness, all executed very well. But it's the music, the strong performances by Stone and Gosling, and the unexpected ending that elevate this film. Gosling is on an insane "Jim Carrey in the 90's" type run right now, totally on fire in everything he's in. I listened to the soundtrack for months after this movie came out, and I don't like musicals! Stone and Gosling don't necessarily have strong voices but it makes sense for the story. I didn't see Moonlight, but I have a suspicion that despite its Academy Award for Best Picture, La La Land will be the movie we're talking about 20 years from now.
2. Hell or High Water
A little bit No Country for Old Men, a little bit Heat, and a little bit Bonnie and Clyde, Hell or High Water hits all the right notes. It has some absolutely incredible bank robbery scenes. Chris Pine and Ben Foster play brothers trying to save their mother's farm, with Pine playing the level headed lead and Foster playing crazy in a way that he does so well (see 3:10 to Yuma and Lone Survivor). It's a Robin Hood type moral tale that has you questioning each character's motives that's also backed by some intense action and beautiful desert vistas. This is Pine's best performance of his career. You'll reluctantly root for his character and question your reasons for doing so.
3. Arrival
Arrival is a true science fiction movie. It has high concepts that make you think more deeply about our own world, with little in the way of action sequences. It reminded me a bit of the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode called "Darmok". Two completely foreign peoples struggle to learn to communicate despite having completely different methods of communication. What sets Arrival apart is its emotional stakes. I don't want to give all the twists and turns away, but there's so much to unpack about understanding others, the sanctity of life, and free will. Amy Adams is excellent as always, and gives a pretty gut-wrenching performance as a linguist attempting to communicate with aliens that have landed on earth. This a perfect example of how art can be God's way of seeing His beauty. There are numerous spiritual themes that director Denis Villenueve may or may not have intended to convey, but no matter the intent, they are there nonetheless.
4. The Nice Guys
Ryan Gosling, previously described as "on fire", only bolsters that description in an awesome buddy cop film. He and Russell Crowe have a lot of fun together here. The story is a tried and true murder mystery, but as with any good buddy cop movie, the real draw is the relationship between the two leads. Crowe and Gosling are funny and charming each time they're on screen, and there's enough mystery to keep the story moving at an effortless pace.
5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Why do they feel to need to add "A Star Wars Story" to all of these movies? Is there anyone on earth that will be confused by Rogue One and Solo being anything but Star Wars movies? It's just an awkward title that I hate. With that out of the way, Rogue One is a great action movie. The ending was bold (not for normal movies, but for Star Wars), and greatly increased how much I left the theater liking this movie. The filmmakers decided to use CGI work to re-create young Carrie Fisher and Peter Cushing, a move I thought strayed too close to the uncanny valley. That was part of my biggest annoyances with Rogue One, the insistence up on the nudge-nudge, wink-wink "remember this is Star Wars" nods. Did we really need cameos by R2-D2, C-3P0, and the guy that gets his arm hacked off by Obi-Wan in Episode 4? Not really. Rogue One was good enough on its own. Here's to hoping this is toned down in Rian Johnson's new Star Wars movies. Despite all of that, there's still a lot to like. Rogue One does an excellent job at explaining one of the most baffling plot holes in all of Star Wars history: the incredibly stupid "flaw" in the original Death Star. I wish that the movie had taken itself a tiny bit less seriously, but overall, I was a big fan of this first Star Wars spin-off.
6. War Dogs
I'd like to submit War Dogs as the most underrated movie of 2016. Miles Teller and Jonah Hill play morally questionable guys that game the federal government's military procurement system. Part of the reason why I liked this movie so much was that I actually did this job for a summer. Except for the, you know, super shady illegal stuff that they get involved with in the movie. But the insanity they describe of how the US government buys its weapons is actually that insane in real life. War Dogs has two great leads and a fantastic "too crazy to be true" type story that will easily keep you engaged for its run-time.
7. Hunt for The Wilder-People
This is the film that got Taika Waititi a chance to direct mega blockbuster Thor:Ragnarok, and you can see his talent here. Sam Neill plays a crusty old man that is left to care for a troubled New Zealand kid played by the hilarious Julian Dennison. Wilder-People hits all the right father-son notes with plenty of comedy and heart.
8. Hacksaw Ridge
Mel Gibson makes his triumphant return to our consciousness with an emotional and beautiful(ly violent) war film. Ridge is about WWII pacifist Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) and how he became the first US veteran to win the Medal of Honor without ever firing a shot. Hacksaw Ridge has shades of We Were Soldiers with a little less melodrama (a little), and the same amount of war violence. But no matter the comparison, it's a great WWII film.
9. The Founder
The story of McDonald's (semi) founder Ray Kroc is a worthy tale to be told. The Founder tells of how traveling salesman Ray Kroc built the biggest restaurant empire in the world. It straddles the line between a cautionary tale of capitalism and a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit in a non-preachy way that's interesting for its whole run time. Michael Keaton is brilliant as Kroc, and it's likely the second best performance of his career, with his portrayal of Captain Mauch in The Other Guys a clear first (I'm only slightly kidding).
10. Star Trek Beyond
Now that I've completely given up on on these new Star Trek movies actually being Star Trek movies, I felt free to enjoy Beyond for exactly what is was; an action movie. I understand that it's not profitable to make Star Trek: TNG style science fiction movies, so there's no reason to be upset that this is really a Star Wars movie starring James T. Kirk (even the TNG movies went the action route- a much dumber choice with its cast becoming more and more ancient with each film). Beyond is just another solid entry in this franchise, nothing more, nothing less.
Honorable Mention:
Keanu
X-Men: Apocalypse
The Lobster
Previous to seeing La La Land, here's the list of musicals that I'd seen in my entire life: Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, Grease (on TV one time when I was like 8), and Mary Poppins (I think). Needless to say, I'm not a musical guy, and it is no small feat that La La Land ascended to my top spot for 2016. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone continue the chemistry they started in Crazy. Stupid. Love and sing their way through a sun-splashed classic Hollywood tale. There's a lot of conventional stuff about love, dreams, and happiness, all executed very well. But it's the music, the strong performances by Stone and Gosling, and the unexpected ending that elevate this film. Gosling is on an insane "Jim Carrey in the 90's" type run right now, totally on fire in everything he's in. I listened to the soundtrack for months after this movie came out, and I don't like musicals! Stone and Gosling don't necessarily have strong voices but it makes sense for the story. I didn't see Moonlight, but I have a suspicion that despite its Academy Award for Best Picture, La La Land will be the movie we're talking about 20 years from now.
2. Hell or High Water
A little bit No Country for Old Men, a little bit Heat, and a little bit Bonnie and Clyde, Hell or High Water hits all the right notes. It has some absolutely incredible bank robbery scenes. Chris Pine and Ben Foster play brothers trying to save their mother's farm, with Pine playing the level headed lead and Foster playing crazy in a way that he does so well (see 3:10 to Yuma and Lone Survivor). It's a Robin Hood type moral tale that has you questioning each character's motives that's also backed by some intense action and beautiful desert vistas. This is Pine's best performance of his career. You'll reluctantly root for his character and question your reasons for doing so.
3. Arrival
Arrival is a true science fiction movie. It has high concepts that make you think more deeply about our own world, with little in the way of action sequences. It reminded me a bit of the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode called "Darmok". Two completely foreign peoples struggle to learn to communicate despite having completely different methods of communication. What sets Arrival apart is its emotional stakes. I don't want to give all the twists and turns away, but there's so much to unpack about understanding others, the sanctity of life, and free will. Amy Adams is excellent as always, and gives a pretty gut-wrenching performance as a linguist attempting to communicate with aliens that have landed on earth. This a perfect example of how art can be God's way of seeing His beauty. There are numerous spiritual themes that director Denis Villenueve may or may not have intended to convey, but no matter the intent, they are there nonetheless.
4. The Nice Guys
Ryan Gosling, previously described as "on fire", only bolsters that description in an awesome buddy cop film. He and Russell Crowe have a lot of fun together here. The story is a tried and true murder mystery, but as with any good buddy cop movie, the real draw is the relationship between the two leads. Crowe and Gosling are funny and charming each time they're on screen, and there's enough mystery to keep the story moving at an effortless pace.
5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Why do they feel to need to add "A Star Wars Story" to all of these movies? Is there anyone on earth that will be confused by Rogue One and Solo being anything but Star Wars movies? It's just an awkward title that I hate. With that out of the way, Rogue One is a great action movie. The ending was bold (not for normal movies, but for Star Wars), and greatly increased how much I left the theater liking this movie. The filmmakers decided to use CGI work to re-create young Carrie Fisher and Peter Cushing, a move I thought strayed too close to the uncanny valley. That was part of my biggest annoyances with Rogue One, the insistence up on the nudge-nudge, wink-wink "remember this is Star Wars" nods. Did we really need cameos by R2-D2, C-3P0, and the guy that gets his arm hacked off by Obi-Wan in Episode 4? Not really. Rogue One was good enough on its own. Here's to hoping this is toned down in Rian Johnson's new Star Wars movies. Despite all of that, there's still a lot to like. Rogue One does an excellent job at explaining one of the most baffling plot holes in all of Star Wars history: the incredibly stupid "flaw" in the original Death Star. I wish that the movie had taken itself a tiny bit less seriously, but overall, I was a big fan of this first Star Wars spin-off.
6. War Dogs
I'd like to submit War Dogs as the most underrated movie of 2016. Miles Teller and Jonah Hill play morally questionable guys that game the federal government's military procurement system. Part of the reason why I liked this movie so much was that I actually did this job for a summer. Except for the, you know, super shady illegal stuff that they get involved with in the movie. But the insanity they describe of how the US government buys its weapons is actually that insane in real life. War Dogs has two great leads and a fantastic "too crazy to be true" type story that will easily keep you engaged for its run-time.
7. Hunt for The Wilder-People
This is the film that got Taika Waititi a chance to direct mega blockbuster Thor:Ragnarok, and you can see his talent here. Sam Neill plays a crusty old man that is left to care for a troubled New Zealand kid played by the hilarious Julian Dennison. Wilder-People hits all the right father-son notes with plenty of comedy and heart.
8. Hacksaw Ridge
Mel Gibson makes his triumphant return to our consciousness with an emotional and beautiful(ly violent) war film. Ridge is about WWII pacifist Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) and how he became the first US veteran to win the Medal of Honor without ever firing a shot. Hacksaw Ridge has shades of We Were Soldiers with a little less melodrama (a little), and the same amount of war violence. But no matter the comparison, it's a great WWII film.
9. The Founder
The story of McDonald's (semi) founder Ray Kroc is a worthy tale to be told. The Founder tells of how traveling salesman Ray Kroc built the biggest restaurant empire in the world. It straddles the line between a cautionary tale of capitalism and a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit in a non-preachy way that's interesting for its whole run time. Michael Keaton is brilliant as Kroc, and it's likely the second best performance of his career, with his portrayal of Captain Mauch in The Other Guys a clear first (I'm only slightly kidding).
10. Star Trek Beyond
Now that I've completely given up on on these new Star Trek movies actually being Star Trek movies, I felt free to enjoy Beyond for exactly what is was; an action movie. I understand that it's not profitable to make Star Trek: TNG style science fiction movies, so there's no reason to be upset that this is really a Star Wars movie starring James T. Kirk (even the TNG movies went the action route- a much dumber choice with its cast becoming more and more ancient with each film). Beyond is just another solid entry in this franchise, nothing more, nothing less.
Honorable Mention:
Keanu
X-Men: Apocalypse
The Lobster
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Top 10 of 2015
1. Mad Max: Fury Road
The teaser trailer for this film came out in late 2014, and needless to say, I was pumped. The style and look felt completely fresh. And after seeing the film, I was not disappointed. These days, special effects don’t do anything to “wow” you. That is, until George Miller melts your face off with a guitar-strapped masked man chained to a monster truck and shooting fire out the end. Just read that sentence again. This is exactly what action movies should be. Memorable characters, jaw dropping stunts, and no time wasted. Charlize Theron’s Furiosa was praised upon release, and deservedly so. She’s the real hero of the film, with the titular Max (Tom Hardy) playing second fiddle. This is an incredible achievement in film making, one which was rewarded by 6 Oscar wins. You’ll want to watch this one over and over.
2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The Star Wars conversation surrounding these new films has been nothing short of hilarious. The routine goes something like this: near universal critical and audience praise upon the film's release, followed by those very same people drastically walking back their initial enthusiasm. The Force Awakens has been endlessly picked apart, and I won't resuscitate any of those arguments here. I have it so high on my 2015 list because JJ Abrams succeeded in bringing back the magic of Star Wars to our lives. I felt it in the theaters in 2015, and I felt it when I re-watched it before The Last Jedi in 2017. This is a movie I will watch over and over. To me, it has a little Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade feel to it. There's nothing new to speak of, but the formula works so well that when it's done correctly, it's joyful. It was a wonderful close to Han Solo's story, and an effective introduction to new characters Finn, Rey, and Kylo Ren. Kylo Ren and Rey, when all is said and done, may be the best two characters in all of Star Wars (gasp!).
3. The Hateful Eight
Quentin Tarantino indulges at every single turn in this 3-hour long western. If you’re not a fan of “Tarantino dialogue”, you will hate this movie. It’s long, deliberate, and slow, but in the very best kind of way. Each conversation builds the tension between ruthless killers and liars, all culminating in a twist filled ending. I watched this movie and The Revenant back to back, and that one felt at least an hour longer despite a shorter run time. Where The Revenant feels labored, Hateful Eight masterfully builds tension and keeps you engaged.
4. Sicario
This film is a great example of the language of film. It’s mood and storytelling is told through its visuals. This is a violent, complicated film about the US border with Mexico. The scenery is striking, with the vast dark of the Mexican desert eliciting dread at every turn. Emily Blunt is amazing in her role as an FBI agent drawn into the thorny politics of the war on drugs and immigration. She plays her role with power and an undercurrent of vulnerability. She’s effectively the only woman amongst an agency of men, and her strength is different and in ways more effective than theirs. It’s the best performance of her career, not to mention the solid work of Benecio Del Toro and Josh Brolin. Director Denis Villeneuve will show up several times in my top tens- and he’s inching towards Fincher and Nolan’s “automatic watch” category.
5. Creed
One Christmas break (back when I had such a thing) my family decided to watch the first five Rocky movies in a row. As I went through the 6 Rocky films, my thoughts went something like this: 1. This is incredible! I love you Rocky! ADDRIAAAAAN!! 2. OK, this one is pretty much exactly the same story as the first one but still good I guess. 3. Why are Rocky and Apollo Creed running shirtless on the beach together? Why is this in slow motion? Wait now they're jumping and hugging?!?! What is this movie?! 4. Is there any part of this movie that isn't montage? I guess it's fun to watch a movie where we beat the Russians? Was this the first movie to talk about PED's? Did they really have to kill off Apollo Creed to get Rocky mad at this Russian? 5. Why is Rocky's kid such a horrible actor? Is he worse than Tommy Gunn? No, Tommy Gunn is worse. Is this the worst Rocky movie ever or just the worst movie ever?. 6. (Doesn't even see it due to scarring from Rocky 5).
What a roller coaster. Despite all this, I still had high hopes for this movie because of the talented director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan (I wanted to yell "WHERE'S WALLACE" at the screen but I didn't). Creed ends up being possibly the best film in the entire series. It's got some great acting, most improbably by Sylvester Stallone, reprising the role that made him famous. It's strange to see such a serious and incredible drama that is technically a sequel to one of the least serious and cheesiest "dramas" of all-time (Rocky 5). Creed has the emotional stakes and intensity that come with any boxing film, with the Creed-Rocky history adding layers to the characters that mean something. Whatever you want to call this reviving of the franchise (Reboot? Soft Reboot? Sea-boot?), it has been a success, and should be a blueprint for others that would like to do so.
6. Inside Out
Pixar did it again- it made an emotionally resonant story out of some computer generated characters. I shouldn't be surprised at this point, they've been doing it since the 90's. Inside Out is a comical and wonderful trip into the mind of a child, in such a way that it rings true with everyone. Physical manifestations of our emotions was a brilliant premise that was executed with all the laughs and all the feels.
7. Spectre
I'm a big fan of the James Bond series (see here and here), and I really liked Spectre. Daniel Craig's Bond films have all felt fresh in one way or another. But this one feels like it's "settling in". Any Bond fan knows that basically every movie for the series first 30 years followed the same simple formula. And we loved them for it! Sometimes you just want to settle in and watch the familiar. But after Skyfall set the bar so high, a drop was bound to happen. It's a solid time, and not much more. Vintage Bond.
8. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
At some point, Tom Cruise is going to be too old to play action heroes. But it's not here. This 5th entry in the franchise hits all the right notes to make a solid action movie. Cruise always makes for an excellent time, he's still as bankable as ever.
9. Spotlight
For the second straight year, the Oscar winner for Best Picture comes in at number 9 on my list. I really loved Spotlight. It's a well-acted, well-directed movie of an important event in American history. However, it doesn’t do anything new. And that may be why it’s been somewhat forgettable in my mind. Solid, but not much more.
10. The Martian
Did Matt Damon make a cameo in Interstellar knowing that he would be in this role and it would confuse everyone? Maybe. But The Martian stands on its own right. It feels less serious than Interstellar, but serious enough to make the last 20 minutes very intense.
Honorable Mention:
Jurassic World
The Intern
The Big Short
Daddy's Home
Spy
The teaser trailer for this film came out in late 2014, and needless to say, I was pumped. The style and look felt completely fresh. And after seeing the film, I was not disappointed. These days, special effects don’t do anything to “wow” you. That is, until George Miller melts your face off with a guitar-strapped masked man chained to a monster truck and shooting fire out the end. Just read that sentence again. This is exactly what action movies should be. Memorable characters, jaw dropping stunts, and no time wasted. Charlize Theron’s Furiosa was praised upon release, and deservedly so. She’s the real hero of the film, with the titular Max (Tom Hardy) playing second fiddle. This is an incredible achievement in film making, one which was rewarded by 6 Oscar wins. You’ll want to watch this one over and over.
2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The Star Wars conversation surrounding these new films has been nothing short of hilarious. The routine goes something like this: near universal critical and audience praise upon the film's release, followed by those very same people drastically walking back their initial enthusiasm. The Force Awakens has been endlessly picked apart, and I won't resuscitate any of those arguments here. I have it so high on my 2015 list because JJ Abrams succeeded in bringing back the magic of Star Wars to our lives. I felt it in the theaters in 2015, and I felt it when I re-watched it before The Last Jedi in 2017. This is a movie I will watch over and over. To me, it has a little Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade feel to it. There's nothing new to speak of, but the formula works so well that when it's done correctly, it's joyful. It was a wonderful close to Han Solo's story, and an effective introduction to new characters Finn, Rey, and Kylo Ren. Kylo Ren and Rey, when all is said and done, may be the best two characters in all of Star Wars (gasp!).
3. The Hateful Eight
Quentin Tarantino indulges at every single turn in this 3-hour long western. If you’re not a fan of “Tarantino dialogue”, you will hate this movie. It’s long, deliberate, and slow, but in the very best kind of way. Each conversation builds the tension between ruthless killers and liars, all culminating in a twist filled ending. I watched this movie and The Revenant back to back, and that one felt at least an hour longer despite a shorter run time. Where The Revenant feels labored, Hateful Eight masterfully builds tension and keeps you engaged.
4. Sicario
This film is a great example of the language of film. It’s mood and storytelling is told through its visuals. This is a violent, complicated film about the US border with Mexico. The scenery is striking, with the vast dark of the Mexican desert eliciting dread at every turn. Emily Blunt is amazing in her role as an FBI agent drawn into the thorny politics of the war on drugs and immigration. She plays her role with power and an undercurrent of vulnerability. She’s effectively the only woman amongst an agency of men, and her strength is different and in ways more effective than theirs. It’s the best performance of her career, not to mention the solid work of Benecio Del Toro and Josh Brolin. Director Denis Villeneuve will show up several times in my top tens- and he’s inching towards Fincher and Nolan’s “automatic watch” category.
5. Creed
One Christmas break (back when I had such a thing) my family decided to watch the first five Rocky movies in a row. As I went through the 6 Rocky films, my thoughts went something like this: 1. This is incredible! I love you Rocky! ADDRIAAAAAN!! 2. OK, this one is pretty much exactly the same story as the first one but still good I guess. 3. Why are Rocky and Apollo Creed running shirtless on the beach together? Why is this in slow motion? Wait now they're jumping and hugging?!?! What is this movie?! 4. Is there any part of this movie that isn't montage? I guess it's fun to watch a movie where we beat the Russians? Was this the first movie to talk about PED's? Did they really have to kill off Apollo Creed to get Rocky mad at this Russian? 5. Why is Rocky's kid such a horrible actor? Is he worse than Tommy Gunn? No, Tommy Gunn is worse. Is this the worst Rocky movie ever or just the worst movie ever?. 6. (Doesn't even see it due to scarring from Rocky 5).
What a roller coaster. Despite all this, I still had high hopes for this movie because of the talented director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan (I wanted to yell "WHERE'S WALLACE" at the screen but I didn't). Creed ends up being possibly the best film in the entire series. It's got some great acting, most improbably by Sylvester Stallone, reprising the role that made him famous. It's strange to see such a serious and incredible drama that is technically a sequel to one of the least serious and cheesiest "dramas" of all-time (Rocky 5). Creed has the emotional stakes and intensity that come with any boxing film, with the Creed-Rocky history adding layers to the characters that mean something. Whatever you want to call this reviving of the franchise (Reboot? Soft Reboot? Sea-boot?), it has been a success, and should be a blueprint for others that would like to do so.
6. Inside Out
Pixar did it again- it made an emotionally resonant story out of some computer generated characters. I shouldn't be surprised at this point, they've been doing it since the 90's. Inside Out is a comical and wonderful trip into the mind of a child, in such a way that it rings true with everyone. Physical manifestations of our emotions was a brilliant premise that was executed with all the laughs and all the feels.
7. Spectre
I'm a big fan of the James Bond series (see here and here), and I really liked Spectre. Daniel Craig's Bond films have all felt fresh in one way or another. But this one feels like it's "settling in". Any Bond fan knows that basically every movie for the series first 30 years followed the same simple formula. And we loved them for it! Sometimes you just want to settle in and watch the familiar. But after Skyfall set the bar so high, a drop was bound to happen. It's a solid time, and not much more. Vintage Bond.
8. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
At some point, Tom Cruise is going to be too old to play action heroes. But it's not here. This 5th entry in the franchise hits all the right notes to make a solid action movie. Cruise always makes for an excellent time, he's still as bankable as ever.
9. Spotlight
For the second straight year, the Oscar winner for Best Picture comes in at number 9 on my list. I really loved Spotlight. It's a well-acted, well-directed movie of an important event in American history. However, it doesn’t do anything new. And that may be why it’s been somewhat forgettable in my mind. Solid, but not much more.
10. The Martian
Did Matt Damon make a cameo in Interstellar knowing that he would be in this role and it would confuse everyone? Maybe. But The Martian stands on its own right. It feels less serious than Interstellar, but serious enough to make the last 20 minutes very intense.
Honorable Mention:
Jurassic World
The Intern
The Big Short
Daddy's Home
Spy
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Top 10 of 2014
Since signing up for MoviePass, my love for going to the movies has been rekindled. It had always been there, but now that I can see as many as I want for $9.99 a month, I've found myself seeing just about everything that catches my interest. It has also revived my interest in doing some more writing on this page. My #nerdrage led me to write about the new Star Wars in December, which made me look through my old posts and realize I hadn't done a top 10 list since 2013. So before I started putting together a list for 2017, I decided to go back and fill in the gaps.
Putting together a top 10 list years later is probably the best way to do so, although the interest will likely have waned (I fully expect no one to read this, and a couple of people to read the 2017 list). Bill Simmons once had a half-baked idea to award the Oscars 5 years later. So this year, we'd be handing out the Oscars for movies from 2013. Although no one would watch the ceremony or care, it would be a much more honest way to determine the best movies of the year. Time allows us to re-watch films, sometimes again and again, and let things sink in. I'll give you a couple of examples. The first time I watched Blade Runner, I was a freshman enrolled in Film Lecture at the University of Arkansas. I was expecting a cool Sci-Fi action film with Harrison Ford. Instead, I was confused and bored by the plodding, strange neo-noir with a weird soundtrack. However, I gave it another shot a few years later and absolutely loved it. I was moved by the Roy Batty character, and appreciated the look of the film even more. Another example is the movie Swingers. I had always heard this was a great low-budget comedy that launched Vince Vaughn's career. I watched this one for the first time as a college junior and was bored to tears. After giving it another chance when I'd had a few years out of college, it completely clicked. Swingers is a movie about love and career in the awkward stage right out of college. Until I had experienced that, I couldn't connect with the film at all. Point being, neither of these movies would have made any top 10 list had I ranked them after one viewing, but they are two of my favorites now.
But I digress. Here's my top 10 of 2014. Had I written this in January 2015, it likely would have looked slightly different. These are the films that have stuck with me over the years, and left the strongest impression.
1. Interstellar
Christopher Nolan is batting a perfect 1.000. I've loved every movie he's ever made (save for his independent debut Following, which I've never seen), and Interstellar is another incredible entry to the Nolan canon. Released in the middle of the Matthew McConaussaince, the film is an incredible science fiction and father-daughter tale. The Hans Zimmer score is burned into my brain as one of the best of all time. The acting is top notch, it's not overly science-y when it's explaining things, and has real emotional stakes. This is how you make a science fiction film.
2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Having watched the entire Apes trilogy this summer, I can confirm that this is my favorite of the three. Which is saying a lot, because these Apes movies are so much better than I ever thought they could be. In this film, Caesar is no longer an ape in a lab, but a bona fide military leader. Andy Serkis' motion capture work gives nuance and emotion to a CGI animal that I had no idea could be possible. The titles of these movies make no sense (why is there a Rise before a Dawn?), but they’ve managed to be one of the best trilogies this decade.
3. X-Men: Days of Future Past
This iteration (somehow) successfully merged the early 2000’s X-Men movies with the new cast of the semi-reboot First Class. This is my favorite movie of the franchise, with the time travel and the 70’s vibes all meshing so well. I had such a bad taste in my mouth after the horrific X-Men 3 that it was really nice to allow that cast to finish up in an actual good movie. But the scene of the film (and maybe of all 2014) was Quicksilver taking out an entire room of bad guys in slow motion. I could watch that over and over.
4. Gone Girl
I love David Fincher. His style is exceptionally unique and effective at telling a story. Gone Girl is probably a lower tier Fincher movie, which tells you how deep his IMDB page is. It’s a twisting drama that was expertly placed on film from the best-selling novel. Ben Affleck was perfect casting because our feelings about his character are basically the same as how we feel about Ben himself: is he a jerk? Is he a smart dumb guy or a dumb smart guy? Do I trust him? And so on. Just perfect.
5. Edge of Tomorrow
The most underrated movie of 2014 was an awesome mix of Groundhog Day and The Terminator. The premise is Tom Cruise essentially living the same moment over and over in order to beat the bad guys. The execution is what’s important here, as director Doug Liman mixes action and comedy perfectly. And even though Emily Blunt is still too young to play Cruise’s love interest, it’s more believable than about half the movies he’s done this decade.
6. Guardians of the Galaxy
I saw this movie at a group outing at the drive-in, fully expecting to be bored to tears. At the time, I was in the middle of a full on Marvel boycott. I had felt that they had become tiresome, predictable, and boring. So to say that this movie caught me by surprise was an understatement. I could be wrong, but it appears to me that it was around this time that Marvel decided to drop any pretense of taking itself seriously, which means two things. One, almost all of these Marvel movies are going to be fun and entertaining. Two, very few are going to be memorable. This one ended up in the memorable category, due to its killer soundtrack and comedy.
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel
It's a Wes Anderson movie. It's quirky. It's funny. It has memorable characters. What else do you need to know?
8. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The conclusion to the epic, albeit unnecessary, "Hobbit" "trilogy". I put both of those in quotation marks because it's not really a trilogy of movies about JRR Tolkien's classic novel, but an attempt to make prequels to the Lord of the Rings. Which is fine! It's just not what I was hoping for. The Hobbit is my favorite book of all time, and Lord of the Rings are my favorite films of all time. So my anticipation for these movies was great. But when the story would deviate from Bilbo and our main story on to other things, my interest would dip. I can't help but feel like there's an excellent 3.5 hour Hobbit movie buried within this trilogy of movies (I may or may not own a bootleg called "The Tolkien edit"). Battle of the Five Armies is a fine end, with some memorable Bilbo scenes, and some over the top action. My biggest complaint with these movies has nothing to do with the writing or story, but the decision to make the main two Orcs CGI. They proved in Lord of the Rings that good ol' fashioned makeup can make incredible movie monsters. Going back to watch those movies today, 15 years later (!), they are still just as scary and just as believable. But the CGI orcs in The Hobbit just look awkward and way less scary. I'm not sure if it was cost, or Peter Jackson feeling like his vision couldn't be realized, but I was disappointed in the decision.
9. Birdman: or The Unexpected Virture of Ignorance
The Oscar winner for Best Picture comes in at number 9 on my list. Birdman was a thoughtful, well-acted movie with a very unique score and cinematography. But this is a great example of time giving better perspective. I loved this one at the time, but have felt little to no desire to re-watch. This movie is excellent, but not the best movie of the year.
10. Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler is one of my all-time favorite movie theater experiences. The film is incredibly dark, and our lead is Jake Gyllenhaal playing an unhinged wannabe news reporter. He lies, cheats, steals, and assaults his way to the "top" of the breaking news report game. His character is so strange, and so weird, I couldn't help but laugh. My friends were laughing too. But that's where it stopped. The entire theater must have thought we were a band of psychopaths, because the humor was lost on everyone else. My wife constantly nudges me when I'm too loud in movies (which is all the time), and if we had been dating at this point she may have walked out. It was magnificent.
Honorable Mention:
Neighbors
The Lego Movie
The Imitation Game
John Wick
Big Hero 6
Dumb and Dumber To
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Putting together a top 10 list years later is probably the best way to do so, although the interest will likely have waned (I fully expect no one to read this, and a couple of people to read the 2017 list). Bill Simmons once had a half-baked idea to award the Oscars 5 years later. So this year, we'd be handing out the Oscars for movies from 2013. Although no one would watch the ceremony or care, it would be a much more honest way to determine the best movies of the year. Time allows us to re-watch films, sometimes again and again, and let things sink in. I'll give you a couple of examples. The first time I watched Blade Runner, I was a freshman enrolled in Film Lecture at the University of Arkansas. I was expecting a cool Sci-Fi action film with Harrison Ford. Instead, I was confused and bored by the plodding, strange neo-noir with a weird soundtrack. However, I gave it another shot a few years later and absolutely loved it. I was moved by the Roy Batty character, and appreciated the look of the film even more. Another example is the movie Swingers. I had always heard this was a great low-budget comedy that launched Vince Vaughn's career. I watched this one for the first time as a college junior and was bored to tears. After giving it another chance when I'd had a few years out of college, it completely clicked. Swingers is a movie about love and career in the awkward stage right out of college. Until I had experienced that, I couldn't connect with the film at all. Point being, neither of these movies would have made any top 10 list had I ranked them after one viewing, but they are two of my favorites now.
But I digress. Here's my top 10 of 2014. Had I written this in January 2015, it likely would have looked slightly different. These are the films that have stuck with me over the years, and left the strongest impression.
1. Interstellar
Christopher Nolan is batting a perfect 1.000. I've loved every movie he's ever made (save for his independent debut Following, which I've never seen), and Interstellar is another incredible entry to the Nolan canon. Released in the middle of the Matthew McConaussaince, the film is an incredible science fiction and father-daughter tale. The Hans Zimmer score is burned into my brain as one of the best of all time. The acting is top notch, it's not overly science-y when it's explaining things, and has real emotional stakes. This is how you make a science fiction film.
2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Having watched the entire Apes trilogy this summer, I can confirm that this is my favorite of the three. Which is saying a lot, because these Apes movies are so much better than I ever thought they could be. In this film, Caesar is no longer an ape in a lab, but a bona fide military leader. Andy Serkis' motion capture work gives nuance and emotion to a CGI animal that I had no idea could be possible. The titles of these movies make no sense (why is there a Rise before a Dawn?), but they’ve managed to be one of the best trilogies this decade.
3. X-Men: Days of Future Past
This iteration (somehow) successfully merged the early 2000’s X-Men movies with the new cast of the semi-reboot First Class. This is my favorite movie of the franchise, with the time travel and the 70’s vibes all meshing so well. I had such a bad taste in my mouth after the horrific X-Men 3 that it was really nice to allow that cast to finish up in an actual good movie. But the scene of the film (and maybe of all 2014) was Quicksilver taking out an entire room of bad guys in slow motion. I could watch that over and over.
4. Gone Girl
I love David Fincher. His style is exceptionally unique and effective at telling a story. Gone Girl is probably a lower tier Fincher movie, which tells you how deep his IMDB page is. It’s a twisting drama that was expertly placed on film from the best-selling novel. Ben Affleck was perfect casting because our feelings about his character are basically the same as how we feel about Ben himself: is he a jerk? Is he a smart dumb guy or a dumb smart guy? Do I trust him? And so on. Just perfect.
5. Edge of Tomorrow
The most underrated movie of 2014 was an awesome mix of Groundhog Day and The Terminator. The premise is Tom Cruise essentially living the same moment over and over in order to beat the bad guys. The execution is what’s important here, as director Doug Liman mixes action and comedy perfectly. And even though Emily Blunt is still too young to play Cruise’s love interest, it’s more believable than about half the movies he’s done this decade.
6. Guardians of the Galaxy
I saw this movie at a group outing at the drive-in, fully expecting to be bored to tears. At the time, I was in the middle of a full on Marvel boycott. I had felt that they had become tiresome, predictable, and boring. So to say that this movie caught me by surprise was an understatement. I could be wrong, but it appears to me that it was around this time that Marvel decided to drop any pretense of taking itself seriously, which means two things. One, almost all of these Marvel movies are going to be fun and entertaining. Two, very few are going to be memorable. This one ended up in the memorable category, due to its killer soundtrack and comedy.
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel
It's a Wes Anderson movie. It's quirky. It's funny. It has memorable characters. What else do you need to know?
8. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The conclusion to the epic, albeit unnecessary, "Hobbit" "trilogy". I put both of those in quotation marks because it's not really a trilogy of movies about JRR Tolkien's classic novel, but an attempt to make prequels to the Lord of the Rings. Which is fine! It's just not what I was hoping for. The Hobbit is my favorite book of all time, and Lord of the Rings are my favorite films of all time. So my anticipation for these movies was great. But when the story would deviate from Bilbo and our main story on to other things, my interest would dip. I can't help but feel like there's an excellent 3.5 hour Hobbit movie buried within this trilogy of movies (I may or may not own a bootleg called "The Tolkien edit"). Battle of the Five Armies is a fine end, with some memorable Bilbo scenes, and some over the top action. My biggest complaint with these movies has nothing to do with the writing or story, but the decision to make the main two Orcs CGI. They proved in Lord of the Rings that good ol' fashioned makeup can make incredible movie monsters. Going back to watch those movies today, 15 years later (!), they are still just as scary and just as believable. But the CGI orcs in The Hobbit just look awkward and way less scary. I'm not sure if it was cost, or Peter Jackson feeling like his vision couldn't be realized, but I was disappointed in the decision.
9. Birdman: or The Unexpected Virture of Ignorance
The Oscar winner for Best Picture comes in at number 9 on my list. Birdman was a thoughtful, well-acted movie with a very unique score and cinematography. But this is a great example of time giving better perspective. I loved this one at the time, but have felt little to no desire to re-watch. This movie is excellent, but not the best movie of the year.
10. Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler is one of my all-time favorite movie theater experiences. The film is incredibly dark, and our lead is Jake Gyllenhaal playing an unhinged wannabe news reporter. He lies, cheats, steals, and assaults his way to the "top" of the breaking news report game. His character is so strange, and so weird, I couldn't help but laugh. My friends were laughing too. But that's where it stopped. The entire theater must have thought we were a band of psychopaths, because the humor was lost on everyone else. My wife constantly nudges me when I'm too loud in movies (which is all the time), and if we had been dating at this point she may have walked out. It was magnificent.
Honorable Mention:
Neighbors
The Lego Movie
The Imitation Game
John Wick
Big Hero 6
Dumb and Dumber To
Kingsman: The Secret Service
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