Top 10 – Best Films of 2014

I have had to change the rules a little bit to put together this post, when I started the blog I made the mistake of waiting until about March time to put out my best films of the year list. Due to UK release dates being a little later than the US. But I have decided to change it so going forward it will be what I have caught at the cinema that year (if that makes sense). So I will put a link to my 2013 list just to avoid any confusion of missed films from 2014’s list! – 2013 Best Films

Not only have I caught films this year at the cinema towards the end of the year I managed to catch ones I had missed either on one of my many flights for work in Africa this year and also on Sky Movies and Netflix as they became available. So this gives a lot of films for consideration. – Look here for 2014 tagged posts and here for films I watched at the cinema in 2014.

Missed Films of 2014

Worst Films of 2014

2014 at the Cinema

When organising and arranging which films were going to be in the top 10, three films didn’t quite make it . . . ‘Paddington’, ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’, ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ and ‘Chef’. All of which managed to surprise me and were enjoyable in 2014.

10. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – Review

The last journey into Middle Earth. Yes I found it rather mixed, but it was the best of the three Hobbit films and I just had to include it on the list pretty much for that. It had plenty of LOTR geeky mentions as well.

9.The Fault in Our Stars – Review

It really did break my heart this film. Sometimes that can be a good thing, it is eye-opening and has a nice way of delivering a truly awful story.

8. Million Dollar Arm – Review

This was one of the biggest surprises of the year for me, I know I am totally weak when it comes to sport based films. But wasn’t expecting this one to be that good, it was and inspirational as well.

7. Pride – Review

We’ve had quite a few films about Aids/HIV and the outbreak of it all. But this story is a little different, it shows that people did start to help each other and gives you hope that people can change. I had no idea about this true story before seeing the film, always good to learn something new.

6. Begin Again – Review

Yes honestly I have picked a Keira Knightley film in my top 10 of a year! I think I am more shocked than anyone about that. This film really took me in, had some lovely messages and let’s you know that it really is actually ok to be on your own. It doesn’t go down the normal rom-com/chick flick way which was refreshing.

5. St. Vincent – Review

 

Bill Murray can’t really do any wrong, but his performance in this film has to be close to a career best. I wasn’t expecting to almost cry when watching this one, a much bigger heart than you may first expect!

4. The Imitation Game – Review

A truly inspiring story. Yet a truly sad story. That makes an incredible film. Benedict Cumberbatch is fantastic in this film, it will make you want to laugh and also to cry. A very different story about World War II and the way homosexuality was treated in the past.

3. Locke – Review

Tom Hardy in a car for the whole film. This shouldn’t work at all. But it does! I found myself totally gripped with this one, was an incredible experience. I know some people will just hate it, but I for one loved it!

2. Interstellar – Review

 

Breathing taking and mind-boggling. This one will make your head hurt. But considering it was another 2014 film with a very long running time, this one does not feel that long. It will make you consider time like you never had before.

1. Boyhood – Review

 

Sorry I’ve done it. Actually I’m not sorry. This was by far one of the most engaging films I have ever seen, not for the storyline as such but because of how it was made. We watch him grow up in front of our eyes in a feature-length film. It captures childhood and growing up. It is brilliant. I know it will make number 1 spot on a lot of lists but it deserves it in my opinion!