THE TOP 25 MOVIES OF 2014

UPDATED on Feb 20th, 2015.
Before I didn't want to wait for Song of the Sea to be released, but obviously, I did not wait and now that I have seen it, it caused a slight change to say the least. Sucks to suck, Boyhood (except you don't suck, you're still pretty good)

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Here it is. The very best of 2014. There have been a lot of great films to come out this year, and I was lucky enough to have seen exactly 74 of them (because I keep count of shit like this.) It was a bit of a struggle to weed through all of them and pick out just 25, let alone pick out 10. I like to think of the other 15 films, numbers 11-25, as more of an honorable mention. It's difficult for me not to come up with ten films and then just not mention all of the other wonderful movies that came out this year.
But I am happy with my selection this year. I am very fortunate enough to have seen so many of this year's great films (and some not so great). The top 10 gets a description, simply because I always look at people's top 10 lists and wonder "why?" so I personally like to provide the "why."

So, without further ado, here are my top 25 movies that came out in the year 2014.


25. Snowpiercer
24. The Grand Budapest Hotel
23. Stretch
22. The Babadook
21. Big Hero 6
20. John Wick
19. How to Train Your Dragon 2
18. Blue Ruin
17. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
16. Wild
15. Foxcatcher
14. Edge of Tomorrow
13. The Guest
12. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
11. TIE - Chef/Boyhood

10. Gone Girl - 9
David Fincher makes a lot of fucked up movies, but this one may just take the cake. If you've seen it, you'll understand exactly why. It's got everything a Fincher film should have and more, including two of the best performances of the year from Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck. It's not the kind of movie that's easy to get out of your head. And for some, it may give you trust problems. That much is for sure.

9. Song of the Sea - 9.5/10
This is the best Hayao Miyazaki film that Hayao Miyazaki didn't make. Aside from being beautifully and distinctively animated, the character arcs, voicework, and music are incredibly strong... just like all Miyazaki films. Except everyone has an Irish accent. All comparisons aside, it's an absolutely gorgeous film that moved me to tears. And despite being predictable for a younger audience, there are several great twists along the way. In a word, Song of the Sea is quite simply the most whimsical film this year, and it is definitely not to be missed by kids and adults alike.

8. Selma - 9.4/10
I'm pretty sure that this is the first major biopic that has focused on Martin Luther King Jr, and holy crap, did they knock it out of the park. I had no clue that the march in Selma was even a thing. There are two things that make Selma work as well as it does: the first is Ava DuVernay's impeccable direction. The film oozes style with impressive editing and cinematography that moves with the rhythm of Dr. King's speeches. Oh, and the other thing that makes Selma so great? David Oyelowo. He's not much of a name, but it's going to be. He doesn't just play Dr. King, he is Dr. King. He is unbelievably charismatic, especially when delivering speeches. Oyelowo's performance is the single best of the year.

7. The Lego Movie 9.5/10
Raise your hand if you expected The Lego Movie to just be a 100 minute commercial! Somehow, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the guys who did 21 Jump Street, managed to infuse the immortal toy brand with more heart and humor than most animated movies have. It's hilarious and simply delightful. And delightful is a word I don't use that often, but let's be real, I can't think of another way to describe it. I never would have expected a movie about Legos to have such strong character arcs. Even more impressive, the film has a simply spectacular message for people of all ages. It's definitely the movie that surprised me most this year, and I think that says a lot. It may not have gotten the Oscar nomination it should have, but everything about this movie is still awesome.

6. Inherent Vice - 9.4/10
Paul Thomas Anderson movies are always the best. Thank god he followed up The Master with something a bit more old school. His adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's novel of the same name is a goofy and chaotic blend of good 'ol fashioned detective work and hazy plot threads that weave through one another like a Gordion knot. The performances are all around outstanding. Joaquin Phoenix is clearly Paul Thomas Anderson's new regular leading man, but it was the performance of up-and-comer Katherine Waterston that really got me hooked. Sure, she only has a few minutes of screen time, but I'll be damned if she doesn't make them count. It may run a bit long, but it's the kind of movie that I didn't want to stop watching.

5. The Raid 2: Berandal - 9.8/10
The Raid 2 is the best action film ever made. Period. I know it's a bold claim. But if you've seen it, you'll understand why. Hell, if you've seen the first one, you may not even believe me when I say that it's better. The story is larger in scope and the violence spans a wide array of locations instead of just an old apartment building. The film is also perfect on a technical level as well. The editing and cinematography perfectly compliment the distinctive Indonesian fighting style. It doesn't even run that long at 2.5 hours because of how fast and frequent the action is. I found myself frequently muttering, "holy fuck" under my breath dozens of times in the theater. And I could hear the other theatergoers saying the same thing. Now that is rare.

4. Nightcrawler - 9.7/10
This is probably one of the most fucked up movies of 2014. Jake Gyllenhaal proves once again that he is one of the most competent actors in the business. The dude literally starved himself for the role, and it actually shows. While much of the film's success can be attributed to his performance, the script is tightly written and directed by Dan Gilroy, this being his first feature. Like many films before it, Nightcrawler is a love-letter of sorts to Los Angeles. The city seems to be as much of a character as those that inhabit the film. Nightcrawler will terrify you in ways you didn't realize were possible, throwing "holy shit" moments at you left and right.

3. Birdman - 9.7/10
Every critic out there, including myself, has noted that Keaton's character in the film, Riggan Thompson, reflects Keaton's own story: He's a washed up actor who was known for playing the world's biggest superhero a couple of decades ago. Okay. We get it. At least Keaton totally kicked ass in what I consider to be one of the biggest and brightest comebacks in a long time. He's going to win an Oscar, I am sure of it. But it's not just his performance. Everything about this film works. The writing is just as dark and twisted as it is hilarious. The supporting cast has brilliant chemistry and is just as interesting as Riggan Thompson. Even more impressive is how the filmmakers told the story itself: a single, two hour long shot that expertly masks every cut. It's wonderfully surreal and something that has not been attempted in such a way before. It's arguably the most inventive film of the year.

2. Guardians of the Galaxy - 9.8/10
There is something rather special about Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel Studios took a hefty gamble in more ways than one. Thankfully, the actors and filmmakers managed to crate not just the single most fun movie of the year, but the best comic book movie ever made. Although Guardians is certainly a flawed film (Gamora and Ronan are somewhat weak characters), I can't remember the last time I have had so much fun watching a movie. I've seen it four times, and every time, it was just... fun. It's a fun movie. Something like Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a phenomenal and very enjoyable film, but I don't know if I would call it "fun."
Guardians of the Galaxy is the reason that I go to the movies. I want to laugh and have a good time. Guardians is one of the few films this year that gave me exactly that. The film is barely a few months old, yet it seems to have become ingrained in popular culture. Even the soundtrack is making waves, despite just being a mixtape of classic rock songs that expertly compliment each other. It's one of the only movies on the list that I want to watch dozens of times.
I don't think I'll ever get sick of it.

1. Whiplash - 10/10
After my first screening, as the credits rolled, a good friend of mine simply stated, "that is the best movie of 2014." I responded, "You're full of shit. There are still dozens of movies you haven't seen yet, and Oscar season is just getting started." His position did not change. Turns out, I was wrong. Whiplash is the single best film of 2014 for dozens of reasons. Powerful performances, sharp dialogue, crisp cinematography, and rhythmic editing... I could go on. But there is something rare about Whiplash that I have never encountered before.
When I read reviews, I try to find a mixture of positive and negative. When I read a bad review for a film I enjoyed, I usually understand why the critic didn't enjoy it. "Boyhood was too long and the main character was kind of a dick." Okay, sure. I understand your argument, but I still disagree with you. "Birdman" was overly pretentious and I didn't understand the message." Maybe the dialogue was a bit on-the-nose, I found that to be the case. But it didn't bother me. Although I understand complaints, it doesn't stop me from enjoying the hell out of a film.
And then there's Whiplash. I've read some of the very few negative reviews on the film, yet something was different: I didn't understand their arguments. Was I stubborn? I don't think so. In fact, I have yet to meet someone, film student or otherwise, who has said bad things about the film. I've overhyped it to a lot of people and they have all said, "that was fucking awesome."
Whiplash is flawless. It is the only film this year that I can give a solid 10/10 to. Forget everything I said about Boyhood. After the second time I saw that, I realized it was flawed. After three viewings, Whiplash has remained a perfect film that should never be forgotten. Film schools should teach it. Musicians should learn something from it. Editors, cinematographers and sound designers should comb it for its juicy details. Whiplash deserves far more than most of the films on this list, and it will almost guaranteed get screwed over by the Academy at the Oscars this year, but that should not persuade anyone from ignoring this film.
Just give it a go and see for yourself.

'The Hobbit' proves just because you can, doesn't mean you should - REVIEW

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Action Fantasy, 2014
2 hours, 24 minutes
Adapted and Directed by Peter Jackson
Based on The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
Rated PG-13 for "extended scenes of intense fantasy action violence and frightening images"

Starring
Martin Freeman
Ian McKellen
Luke Evans
Richard Armitage
Evangeline Lily
Lee Pace
Orlando Bloom
Ken Scott
Aidan Turner


"You've won the Mountain. Is that not enough?"

SPOILERS AHEAD. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED. 

I'm gonna keep this one short and sweet.
I love the LOTR film trilogy. I love The Hobbit as a book and as a story. But I don't like it when Peter Jackson turns a children's story into a sprawling epic that tries so hard to be as wide in scope as the original films that put Jackson's name on the map. It's too messy and straight up does not work.

I don't know where to start. For one, the events set in motion by the first two films seem to just kinda END after the first 15 minutes, leaving the set up from the second film seem wasteful. A bunch of subplots wrap up quickly and then some new shit starts happening. It's kind of a weird transition, like the first 15 minutes of the film could have come at the end of the second one, but then, OH WAIT, THAT'S RIGHT, there would be no third movie. Welp, ya got another ticket out of us, Peter. Hope you're happy.

The writing is LAUGHABLY awful. Like, the kind of awful in which I literally laughed out loud. Some bullshit romance subplot (which doesn't exist in the book) with a dwarf and an elf (the elf in question doesn't even exist in the fucking book) and then Legolas (also NOT IN THE FUCKING BOOK) says something hilarious about his father does not control his heart or whatever the fuck. Then, at the end of the film, the girl says some bullshit like, "If this is what love feels like, I don't want it!" And that's AFTER her dwarf boyfriend dies. Because they just had to kill off two of the most characterized dwarves in the film (because that TOTALLY happens in the book... okay, Thorin dies, but I don't think the other one does. It's been a while since I've read the books...). The whole movie is full of awfully generic dialogue to the point where I am stunned that this is even a thing. Not all bad dialogue is noticeable. In this case, it is to a fault.

The visual effects are all over the place. The movie looks fine from a distance. Literally. Sweeping pans of the vast Middle Earth landscapes look phenomenal, as they did in the original trilogy. But close up? Not so much. Everything is bogged down by CGI that is far too heavy for its own good. As a result, it looks like a typical blockbuster. There's even a moment when Legolas does something so fucking ridiculous and the CGI looks so bad that the audience laughed. Hell, that happened quite a bit, come to think of it.

I could go on, but I'll put it like this: if your film looks more fake than something that came out over 10 years ago, you have a problem. Especially with such a monstrous budget.

So what's good about the movie? Not much. The performances are pretty good, Martin Freeman in particular. Ian McKellen is obviously amazing as he has ever been as Gandalf, and Luke Evans is great as Bard the Bowman. The rest of the dwarves are fine. Everyone else is... just fine...

I really can't recommend this movie. It's not good, guys. It's just two and a half hours of non-stop fantasy action that is disgraceful to Tolkien's book. I wanted to enjoy it, but this is really just generic Hollywood fanfare at it's finest.

5/10

INHERENT VICE - Review

It sure feels good to be home. My semester is all wrapped up, which includes the conclusion of my first full semester as the film critic for The Columbia Chronicle.

It's been ages since I've written a review here. My last one was for Guardians of the Galaxy, which came out all the way back in early August. That was my #2 most anticipated movie of the year, so I'm happy to return to the blog to talk about my #1 most anticipated movie of the year, Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice. 

I certainly hope you enjoy my back-to-basics approach of first-person writing and the lack of proofreading. Because it's a casual blog and I have other things to do, you know?

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Inherent Vice

Crime/Mystery/Comedy, 2014
2 hours, 28 minutes
Written and Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Adapted from the novel Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon
Rated R for "drug use throughout, sexual content, graphic nudity, language and some violence"

Starring
Joaquin Phoenix
Josh Brolin
Katherine Waterson
Owen Wilson
Reese Witherspoon
Hong Chau
Benicio del Toro
Martin Short


"I need your help, Doc."



Hazy.

That's the one word I can use to accurately sum up Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film Inherent Vice. It is one hazy-ass movie. You're probably wondering what exactly about the movie is hazy. Quite frankly, it's... it's everything. The characters, visual style, plot, you name it and it has got the word haze written all over it. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. If anything, it makes the movie all the more special. I can safely say that Inherent Vice is another excellent addition to Paul Thomas Anderson's filmography. This is his seventh film, and thankfully, he's still going strong.

Things kick off when private eye Doc Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) is visited by his ex girlfriend Shasta (Katherine Waterson), who needs help after the disappearance of her wealthy boyfriend, Mickey Wolfmann (Eric Roberts). Reluctant at first, Doc accepts the case and finds himself facing more than he bargained for in the form of an international drug syndicate called The Golden Fang. From there, Doc squares off against Nazis, the FBI, lawyers, dentists, dopers, baseball bats, PCP, and spontaneous cunnilingus.

Inherent Vice brings back the neo-noir in such a way that has not been seen since The Big Lebowski. Yet instead of being a comedy with crime elements, Inherent Vice lays on the mystery pretty thick and keeps the laughs reserved. That doesn't mean it's hilarious, just that the humor takes a back seat. This can be a double-edged sword. Many scenes drag on for more than a few minutes in which Doc just asks a lot of questions and gets a lot of answers.

What makes the film so funny is the diverse cast of characters. Everyone has a distinctive personality and Joaquin Phoenix plays well off of the other cast members, Josh Brolin in particular. The back-and-forth between nearly everyone is stellar as well, thanks to Anderson's sharp writing. And, much like in the case of The Dude, much of the film's humor is at the expense of the drug-fueled central character.

Amidst the high profile leading cast, it is the supporting members that make the film shine. Newcomer Katherine Waterson, who plays Doc's ex-girlfriend Shasta, is easily one of the highlights. Although she only appears in three key scenes (two of which happen to be rather lengthy), Shasta is one of the most memorable characters. She's a modern day femme fatale, and hopefully Waterson will become an Anderson regular as well as receive an Oscar nomination for the part.

As great as Waterson and the rest of the supporting cast are, a majority of them are underused. Martin Short makes a highly memorable appearance, but only for a single scene. It's a shame to waste such a talented cast, especially when many of the actors have received top billing. At least the supporting players have noteworthy roles that enhance the pacing, story, and Phoenix's performance.

The crime and mystery itself is just as intricate as one would expect from a Los Angeles based noir. It all begins with Mickey Wolfman and then the disappearance of Shasta. Doc's interest in the case grows as he is repeatedly led back to it by other parties. Early on, Shasta recommends Doc to a friend of her's. The woman's case seems rather ordinary, but it is quickly revealed that her case is connected to the Wolfman disappearance. Each and every case intertwines with the central mystery, which makes every scene feel necessary. However, because of its impressive size, some of the threads get lost in the clutter. Repeat viewings ought to help fix the problem.

The evolution in Paul Thomas Anderson's work is been fascinating. His early work consisted of films like Boogie Nights, and Magnolia, which contained fast paced filmmaking with huge ensemble casts. Things slowed a bit with Punch-Drunk Love and then considerably with his highly acclaimed There Will Be Blood, the latter of which was a considerable change in pace for the director. He kept that slow and more focused momentum going with The Master, and now we have arrived at Inherent Vice. It is a wonderful culmination of the new and old Anderson. The slower and centralized plot is bolstered by a strong, supporting ensemble cast. It is Anderson returning to his roots while staying true to his new form, and longtime fans of his work will be sure to appreciate its value. It acts a companion piece to both Boogie Nights and The Master in vastly different ways, one for the storytelling and the other for style.

In a world full of disappointments, Paul Thomas Anderson has not let me down yet. I'm so thrilled that Inherent Vice turned out to be another amazing addition to his filmography. It's definitely worth seeing more than once to get the full scope of the mystery, as some of the details may get lost in the rather large mix. It's a shame is that the supporting cast is not used as effectively as they could have been, even if the characters and dialogue are strong. It may rank somewhere in the middle of his work, but even that is good considering all of his movies are fucking amazeballs.

9.4/10

WHERE HAVE I BEEN‽

See that up there in the title? You know, that exclamation question mark lookin' thing? That's an interrobang. EDUCATE YOURSELF.

Hey there, all you lovely people! How are you? If you answered, "I'm doing good," you should be saying, "I'm doing well," because grammar saves lives.

So as some of you may know, I was hired as the film critic for The Columbia Chronicle. You can imagine how busy I must be with that and school, but at least I am enjoying it. And you can read my reviews in the Arts & Culture section of the paper. If you're looking online, just browse the site for a bit and you'll find them. It seem as though it's in a different spot every week... Check those out EVERY MONDAY!!!

The only drawback is that I don't have time to write on here anymore. Which is a shame, because I do enjoy posting to this poorly named blog (if anyone has any better names, shoot them my way. I'll give you five bucks if it's good).

I just want to let you all know that I am looking forward to getting back to the blog over winter break. There are TONS of amazing movies coming out in the next few months, and once this semester with the paper is over, I will be writing and posting right here, as always.

Okay, what else... It think that's it...?

Yeah. That's it.

If you're still reading this, I assume that you're one of my regular readers, which I know are few in number. But you are the reason that I do this! Go you! You should be proud of yourself! I mean it. Be proud, Goddammit! And tell me if you are a regular reader, because I want to give you hugs.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - Review

Guardians of the Galaxy

Comic Book/Action Adventure/Science Fiction/Comedy, 2014
2 hours, 1 minute
Written by James Gunn and Nicole Perlman
Based on the comic book series "Guardians of the Galaxy" by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Directed by James Gunn
Rated PG-13 for "intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action and for some language"

Starring
Chris Pratt
Zoe Saldana
Dave Batista
Vin Diesel
Bradley Cooper
Lee Pace
Michael Rooker
Karen Gillan
Benicio Del Toro
Sean Gunn
John C. Reilly
Glenn Close

"I am Groot!"

For the past several years, Marvel has cashed in on their sizable cast of A-list comic book characters. Iron Man has already received the trilogy treatment with Captain America and Thor in the process of getting theirs. These characters are, and have always been, significant in the Marvel comic universe. So it came as a bit of a surprise when Marvel announced they were turning to the B-list to expand their universe. "Guardians of the Galaxy" is the first time that Marvel has taken a big risk in their cinematic universe. The heroes are virtually unknown to those outside the comic book fandom. Thankfully, "Guardians" is a stellar addition to Marvel's Cinematic Universe as well as a great standalone science fiction epic.

The film begins with Peter Quill (Chris Pratt of "Parks and Recreation" fame) uncovering an ancient artifact among ruins of a destroyed planet. However, the artifact is highly sought after by a few dangerous parties. Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace), a powerful enemy who wishes to use the artifact to destroy planets, sends assassin Gamora (Zoe Saldana) to recover it from Quill... anyway, a bunch of stuff happens at this point, I don't want to go into every single detail. Basically, Quill and Gamora end up in prison along with a genetically modified, wise-cracking raccoon named Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and a humanoid tree named Groot (motion captured and voiced by Vin Diesel). Once in jail, they meet Drax (Dave Batista), a powerful warrior with a vendetta against Ronan for murdering his family. While Quill, Gamora, Rocket and Groot want huge sums of money for the artifact, Drax only wants revenge. The five work together as a team to escape and sell the artifact, but once the artifact's true power is discovered and Ronan's plan is revealed, the five decide to destroy Ronan and save the galaxy from certain doom.

Marvel films are known for their off-brand humor, and "Guardians" is certainly no exception. It's as much a comedy as it is a science fiction film with humor that will entertain both young and old audiences. The humor stems from the brilliant character work from the entire main cast. Peter Quill, AKA Star Lord, is basically a more intelligent version of Andy Dwyer from "Parks and Recreation." He's got great taste in music, and while he may be a bit of a bastard at first, he is instantly relatable and sympathetic. He always knows exactly when to say and when to say it, and although he might not be as proficient in combat as his companions, he rises to the occasion and becomes more than just a leader. Drax, the one character that nobody expected to be funny, actually manages to steal a few great moments. The only reason Drax is so funny is because his people do not understand sarcasm or metaphor, only the literal. You can imagine what happens with someone as sarcastic as Rocket on their team. Speaking of Rocket, he and Groot work like a modern day Han Solo and Chewbacca. Rocket is a weapons expert who isn't afraid to say what's on his mind, regardless of the repercussions. He just doesn't give a fuck. As great as Rocket might be, he's nothing without his pal Groot. Groot, who can literally only say the words "I am Groot" in that order, is equal parts vicious warrior and sweetheart. He'll ruthlessly kill a bunch of bad guys while wailing a battle cry, then turn around and give you a warm smile. If there's any scene stealer in the film, it's Groot.

And then there's Gamora... Gamora isn't exactly a bad character, but she suffers from what pretty much every Marvel movie suffers from: an uninteresting female protagonist. Okay, maybe uninteresting isn't the best word, but in comparison to the rest of the four, what does she have? She's a vicious warrior assassin with green skin. There isn't much to set her apart from the rest of the team. That's not to say she doesn't have good moments, but by the time you walk out of the theater, you'll only be talking about everyone else EXCEPT Gamora. Which is a shame, because in a film with a diverse cast of characters, she's easily the blandest.

Every character has their moment to shine. The first hour or so focuses mostly on what makes the central characters relatable. We learn about Drax, Quill, and Gamora's past. We also learn about Rocket's horrifying past of being nothing more than a lab rat before he escaped. The film focuses on what each of them has lost, but by the end of the film, they have become good friends. Because, you know, it's a somewhat predictable Hollywood blockbuster. It has to have a happy ending that sets up for a sequel. Yet it still manages to keep you on your toes.

And because it's a Hollywood blockbuster, you know the visuals are going to kick ass. And they do. It's a beautiful film with gorgeous cityscapes and colorful nebulas. Even Rocket and Groot look pretty good for CGI characters.

Overall, "Guardians of the Galaxy" is a badass movie with the charms of a Marvel movie and a standalone science fiction epic. I can't remember the last time I had such a great time watching a Marvel film. Probably not since "The Avengers." But it might even be better than "The Avengers!" Considering this does fit within Marvel's canon of comic book films, I would definitely put it right up there at the top above the first "Iron Man" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." So yeah, it might be better than "The Avengers," and everybody loves "The Avengers."

You don't need to have seen the other films to appreciate just how much fun "Guardians" is. Sci-fi fans and comic book nerds will go ape-shit over it. This was my #2 most anticipated movie of the year, and it was TOTALLY worth the wait.

9.7/10

BOYHOOD - Review

Boyhood

Drama, 2014
2 hours, 46 minutes
Written and Directed by Richard Linklater
Rated R for "language including sexual references and for teen drug and alcohol use"

Starring
Ellar Coltrane
Ethan Hawke
Patricia Arquette
Lorelei Linklater

"Life doesn't give you bumpers."

We go to the movies to escape from our lives. For just a few bucks and a couple of hours, we can immerse ourselves in fantastical and fictional worlds that have the ability to provoke certain emotion. We forget about our problems. We stop caring about our real problems and start thinking about the fictional ones on screen.

Films surrounding adolescence usually focus on a brief moment in the main character’s life. The story might revolve around a divorce, the loss of a loved one, or some sort of traumatic event. Films like these attempt to make a bold statement on the human condition. Some of these films might be close, but Boyhood is the only film to nail it right on the head. And it hits hard.

Boyhood follows the story of Mason (Ellar Coltrane), a young and ordinary kid. Mason has a younger sister, Samantha (Lorelei Linklater), a struggling Mom (Patricia Arquette) and an absent Dad (Ethan Hawke). The film doesn't have an exact story. It's just about growing up. Mason begins the film as a young boy and by the time the credits roll, he's a young man in college. He experiences happiness, fear, love, loss, failure, and success. The film is built of smaller stories that serve the theme of the film. Significant moments such as escaping a drunken step-father's home are juxtaposed with going to church on a Sunday morning, but every moment serves a purpose.

Boyhood is a grand experiment in filmmaking that pays off in an incredible way. The film was shot over the course of twelve years with the same cast. It may be an incredible experiment, Boyhood does something on an emotional level that most movies don't. It forces us to examine our own lives and how we move through different stages of being. Unlike most movies, Boyhood is about real people with real problems. It rarely feels staged. The film has a natural progression between the years. Soon enough, the inquisitive six-year-old is now a well-spoken adult.

Boyhood represents life at its core. If you're expecting an answer to the meaning of life, you won't find it here. The movie does not exist to teach us the meaning of life. It teaches how to appreciate it. We travel through life thinking we live in stages, yet we fail to appreciate the nuanced moments that define who we truly are. Yes, there are huge tent-pole moments that shape us, but it's the little things that we overlook that have huge impacts in our lives.

Boyhood is about life. It is sad, funny, awkward, and uplifting. It will cause many to examine their own lives and how the small things in life shape us, the small things that matter the most. Everyone will find something relatable in Mason and his family. This film is a masterpiece and will go down in history as one of the greats. It is the Casablanca or The Godfather of our time.

Boyhood is, perhaps, the definitive expression of what it means to be a human being. This movie is just, well... life. And that's all it needs to be.

10/10

The Best of 2014 (So Far)

We're over halfway through the year, so I think now is a good enough time to come up with a top 10 list for the first half of the year... however, I'm a somewhat lazy fucker, so I only wrote stuff for the top five. Even though that's how I usually do this, so... this is awkward.

I'm going to keep this relatively brief, so let's get to it.

#10: X-Men: Days of Future Past
#9: Neighbors
#8: Edge of Tomorrow
#7: Godzilla
#6: The Grand Budapest Hotel

#5: Chef
Although Chef isn't quite the highest rated of all the films I've seen thus far, it's still high up in terms of pure entertainment. Yeah, the story could've used a bit of worked, but Chef is one of the few films in which I could easily say, "I want to watch this non-stop for hours." The characters are instantly likable and the food looks so good.

#4: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
I didn't like the first Captain America film, so thankfully, this one made up for it. The story led the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe to a completely new place that is sure to change things up in the future. The film also plays out somewhat like a political thriller, full of twists and turns, which is a rare quality for any superhero film. It also has Robert Redford as a bad guy, so, you know... kinda has to be good.

#3 How to Train Your Dragon 2
Dreamworks shocked everyone with the first How to Train Your Dragon film. I think this is partially because Dreamworks had a shitty streak for a while. Thankfully, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is just as exciting and entertaining as the first, which I did not see coming. The animation itself is gorgeous, the character development is strong, and it does a great job of building the world around the main village of Berk. It's one not to be missed.

#2 The Lego Movie
I did not expect to enjoy this movie. At all. I went into it with the mentality of "this is just 100 minutes of product placement" which, I suppose, isn't incorrect... but there's so much more to the film than I was expecting. The voice cast is excellent and the animation is first class. It should also be noted that the film has a surprisingly sweet and positive message for younger AND older viewers. Definitely an Oscar contender for this year.

#1: The Raid 2
The third sequel on the top 5, The Raid 2 was a massive expansion of 2011's The Raid: Redemption. Jumping off immediately from the first film, The Raid 2 is a combination of hardboiled gangster film and even harder-boiled martial arts action. Everything about the production is top notch. At no point does the story drag -- if anything, it feels a wee bit short at two and a half hours. But that might just be because I just wanted more. Thankfully, a third (and most likely, final) Raid film is in the works.

That was pretty short, right? Whew. Now go back to whatever you were doing, and props to you if you actually read the descriptions that I worked so very hard on! You readers are pretty swell. Here's a prize that I am sure only a small few of you people will appreciate.

JERSEY BOYS - Review

Jersey Boys

Musical Biopic, 2014
2 hours, 14 minutes
Screenplay by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice
Based on the Broadway Musical "Jersey Boys"
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Rated R for "language throughout"

Starring
John Lloyd Young
Erich Bergen
Michael Lomenda
Vincent Piazza
Christopher Walken

"Funny how?"

When I think of Clint Eastwood, I think of Harry Callahan. William Munny. The Man With No fuckin' Name. But he's had a good run as a director... well, maybe not recently. He doesn't have much of an outstanding directorial style. He was just a good filmmaker. As of late, he's had a bit of a dry spell with his films. Not since 2008's Gran Torino has he received many good reviews. Unfortunately, Jersey Boys, which chronicles the rise and fall of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, is just straight up a bad movie and a sadly lazy piece of filmmaking.

The strength of the film lies in its acting and soundtrack. That's about it. The performances are as good as they can be, while the music is just as good as the actual records from back in the day. John Lloyd Young, who reprises his Tony winning role as Frankie Valli from the Broadway show, is easily the best part of the entire production. What else about this movie is good? Not so much...

Jersey Boys' flaws stem from poor filmmaking. Right from the opening scene, I felt completely uninterested, which is rare for just about any movie ever. Every film, even the bad ones, has something going on to get the film rolling from the get-go. Jersey Boys had me bored from the very start. I didn't feel captivated or interested by anything.

Things don't get much better from there. The only interesting aspect of the story is anything in regards to the music. The music is great. Hell, the music is easily the single best part about the film. It's an amazing soundtrack! But it isn't enough to save the story, which fails due to a few uninteresting subplots that don't seem to go anywhere or add to the story. Not just that, but there are a few glaring structural issues as well. The progression of time is barely present. The best example of this is the subplot with Frankie's family. In an early scene, a very young Frankie takes a girl out on a date. Their relationship from the first date isn't believable, and it cuts from said first date to their wedding. Next time we see the wife, 20 minutes later, they've got a young daughter. Then Frankie has a discussion with the same daughter (who is suddenly older, about 10 or so). Then in the final act, his daughter is a young woman who gets into trouble and has a heart to heart with Frankie. We don't feel anything for the girl because we don't know her. It's frustrating to see this relationship blossom out of nowhere, and then we're expected to have sympathy for these characters once something happens to them. In addition to the shitty subplot, it's difficult to see the progression of fame and wealth that the Four Seasons attain throughout the years. Most films cover the rise and fall, but in this case it's just about the music. Then it becomes about the money. But then the money was never a big deal before... so where is this stuff coming from? The film is driven by a messy narrative that doesn't actually need to be so messy.

When I said above that the problems stem from poor filmmaking, that includes a couple of other elements in the process of making the film. For one, Jersey Boys is an adaptation of a musical. Sure, musicals might move the action along a little quicker and in a different style than a film, but you have to take that into account when doing the actual adaptation. Secondly, the film ignores any sort of rules set by musical biopics from the past. YES, I am saying that this film does not fall into any sort of cliched plot because it simply cuts these elements short. The family subplot is in every musical biopic but in Jersey Boys, it's obvious that a few scenes were left on the cutting room floor, giving us only a weak outline of what's actually going on. Stuff that should be there simply is not, and that is not acceptable for this type of movie. Maybe Eastwood wanted something different, but in this case, it doesn't work. He tried to break the rules and he failed.

The only positive experience I got from Jersey Boys is a new appreciation for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Performances are strong and the soundtrack is great. The writing, pacing, and overall plot? Underwhelming at best. There are a few moments that could have been more memorable. The introduction of the song "Sherry" was snooze-worthy when it could have been a standout moment. But no. Strong performances and a great soundtrack do not fix a fractured and boring narrative. If you're a die hard fan of the band, it's worth your time. Otherwise, sticking to the Broadway show might be your best bet.

5/10 

Sequel Double Feature - 22 JUMP STREET and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2

I would like to take a moment to apologize. I have been lazy. I started both of these movies a couple weeks back after I first saw them. To admit I have been busy is somewhat of a lie. I have been busy, but I have also had time to write these two reviews for movies I have looked forward too. I eventually decided to sit down and bang them out.

What I truly apologize for is the quality of the writing itself. I am very critical of my own work, and I feel as though perhaps I have royally screwed the pooch with this double feature. I just needed to get this stuff off my to-do list. Hell, the first paragraph of each review is identical -- then again, it fits with both, I suppose.

So, without further ado, please enjoy a couple of late reviews that are somewhat sloppily written. I'll do better next time -- I swear it.

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22 Jump Street


Action/Comedy - 2014
1 hour, 52 minutes
Written by Michael Bacall, Oren Uziel, and Rodney Rothman
Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
Rated R for "language throughout, sexual content, drug material, brief nudity and some violence"

Starring
Jonah Hill
Channing Tatum
Ice Cube
Amber Stevens
Jillian Bell
Peter Stormare
Wyatt Russell

"It's Vietnamese Jesus now, you racist motherfucker."

Movie sequels are a dime-a-dozen in today's Hollywood market. If a movie does remotely well, studio executives will find a way to turn it into a franchise. Although many sequels can make it rain at the box office, the actual quality of the film may vary (I'm looking at you, Hangover sequels). Yet it is movies like The Hangover series or Transformers that give sequels a bad name. Just remember that sequels gave us The Dark Knight, The Empire Strikes Back, and more recently, The Raid 2 (which is currently #1 on my movies of 2014 list).

Thankfully, 22 Jump Street mostly lives up to the hype. The original 21 Jump Street, which is based off the hit 80s TV show starring a young Johnny Depp, was a surprise critical and financial success. It just makes sense for a sequel, right?

Usually I take a whole paragraph to give plot background, but in this case I only need a couple of sentences. Schmidt and Jenko (Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, respectively) go back undercover to find drugs at a college instead of a high school and shenanigans ensue.

That's basically the long and short of it. Other than a few solid twists, the story is exactly what one should expect from watching the trailer. However, the story itself isn't all that compelling. If anything, the side-plots are more interesting than the main plot, which starts to drag in the second half. The movie does make fun of itself for being a sequel. Hell, you can even see a bunch of that material in the trailer. Although the humor pokes fun at typical sequel tropes that one would expect from the film, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's acceptable to actually do it in their own film. The results are a mixed bag because it does effect the story.

But what the movie does excel at is humor. And it's really, REALLY funny. It might be funnier than the first. I don't want to ruin any of the jokes, but just trust me when it say that the film's strongest asset is its humor. Good sign for a comedy.

22 Jump Street isn't quite as good as the first film, mostly due to the lack of a strong story and some repeat gags. However, the humor does shatter almost every expectation set by the first film.

7.8/10


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How to Train Your Dragon 2

Animated Action/Fantasy - 2014
1 hour, 42 minutes
Written and Directed by Dean DeBlois
Rated PG for "adventure action and some mild rude humor"

Starring
Jay Baruchel
Cate Blanchett
Gerard Butler
Craig Ferguson
Kit Harrington
Djimon Hounsou
America Ferrara

"A man who kills without reason cannot be reasoned with."

Movie sequels are a dime-a-dozen in today's Hollywood market. If a movie does remotely well, studio executives will find a way to turn it into a franchise. Although many sequels can make it rain at the box office, the actual quality of the film may vary (I'm looking at you, Hangover sequels). Yet it is movies like The Hangover series or Transformers that give sequels a bad name. Just remember that sequels gave us The Dark Knight, The Empire Strikes Back, and more recently, The Raid 2 (which is currently #1 on my movies of 2014 list).

I was shocked at how much I enjoyed How to Train Your Dragon, considering that I'm not a huge fan of Dreamworks animated films. The first film was as imaginative as any film developed by Pixar. And it would have won an Oscar if not for Toy Story 3 being released that same year.

The long awaited (and someone unexpected) sequel, How to Train Your Dragon 2, picks up five years after the events of the first film. Vikings and dragons live together in blissful harmony. Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and Toothless, his dragon, are still best friends. One day, Hiccup and Toothless meet a dangerous dragon trapper named Eret (voiced by Game of Thrones' Kit Harrington aka Jon Snow (who knows nothing)) who reveals that a dangerous man named Drago Bludvist (Djimon Hounsou) is building a vast and powerful dragon army. Hiccup, Toothless and their friends set out to defeat the dangerous dragon hunter before their village is burned to the ground.

It's difficult to go into what is wrong with the movie simply because its strengths grossly outweigh the issues. The only glaring problem, to me, anyway, is that the villain's motive is just not as strong as it could have been. It's a little typical for this kind of movie. Oh, and the relationship between Hiccup and his girlfriend Astrid (voiced by America Ferrara) sometimes feels a little unnatural at times. They are apart for a majority of the film, but when they are together, it just doesn't feel quite right. Yes, they are both strong characters in their own right and they make sense as a couple, but it could be that they just don't have enough screen time together to make the relationship stronger.

Now with that out of the way, let's get to the good stuff. Which is basically everything else. The voice work is exceptional. THE Roger Deakins, one of the greatest cinematographers of all time, worked on the project as a visual consultant, and it shows. The cinematography is absolutely fucking GORGEOUS. The animation itself is staggering in its meticulous detail. The story, despite my lackluster explanation above, is really impressive for an animated film. There are tons of awesome twists and turns. Hiccup's character development is far deeper and more impressive than that of the first film -- which was pretty significant, I might add.

And I can't forget about Toothless. Remember how adorable and badass he was in the first film? Yeah. He's still cool. He's like half puppy, half dragon. And he might just surprise you in this new film...

Go see this movie. Go watch the first one then see this one. They are both exceptional pieces of animation and deserve to be seen.

9.7

NEIGHBORS and X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST - Double Feature Review

Neighbors

Comedy, 2014
1 hour, 36 minutes
Written by Andrew J. Cohen and Brendan O'Brien
Directed by Nicholas Stoller
Rated R for "pervasive language, strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, and drug use throughout"

Starring
Seth Rogen
Rose Byrne
Zac Efron
Dave Franco
Ike Barinholtz
Carla Gallo
Hannibal Buress
Lisa Kudrow
Craig Roberts

"Do NOT call your mother! Jesus! You Jews and your fucking mothers!"

Finding a good studio comedy seems to be a challenge nowadays. I'm not talking about anything produced by Adam Sandler, but comedies with relatively big names that look funny bust on impact. Neighbors could easily have been one of these films, but thankfully is saved by an excellent premise and cast.

Neighbors centers around first-time parents Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne). They live in a lovely suburban neighborhood when a fraternity moves into the house next door. Led by Teddy (Zac Efron), the frat is just as rowdy and obnoxious as any movie fraternity might be. Mac and Kelly are first accepted by the frat, but peacetime quickly turns into wartime once the frat gets just a little too loud. Mac and Kelly conspire together to bring the fraternity to its knees so that they can peacefully raise their child.

I'm just gonna say this outright: Rose Byrne is the hero in this movie. While many raunchy adult comedies revolve around adult men acting like immature five-year olds, Byrne's character Kelly is just as bad, if not worse, than her husband. She has no problem doing insane shit to take down the fraternity, from making out with another woman to blasting fireworks onto a crowded street. Kelly and Mac make a surprisingly convincing couple, seeing as they are more alike each other than we're used to seeing in movies.

There are a few jokes that don't quite hold up and some of the plot is a little predictable, but Neighbors is nonetheless hilarious. Definitely a must-see for those who participate in Greek life.

9/10

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X-Men: Days of Future Past

Comic Book/Action Adventure, 2014
2 hours, 21 minutes
Written by Simon Kinberg
Directed by Bryan Singer
Rated PG-13 for "sequences of intense sci-fi violence and action, some suggestive material, nudity, and language"

Starring
Hugh Jackman
James McAvoy
Michael Fassbender
Patrick Stewart
Ian McKellen
Jennifer Lawrence
Nicholas Hoult
Peter Dinklage
Ellen Page
Evan Peters

"I didn't kill the President."

I've never really understood the X-Men franchise. I don't love or hate the movies -- I just don't really give a shit. The only one I really like is First Class. I have nothing but neutral feelings about the original trilogy and I can't say much about the standalone Wolverine movies. Unlike most movies I see, I went into Days of Future Past with neutral expectations. I was hoping to enjoy it, but wouldn't be upset if I hated it. Turns out, my thoughts on the movie are neutral as well.

The film starts in a bleak future. Robotic beasts called Sentinels roam the desolate landscapes, hunting down any mutants they can find. Among these remaining mutants is the one that can walk through walls (Ellen Page). Apparently she can send people back in time. She sends Wolverine back to the 70s to stop Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) from killing Bolivar Trask aka Tyrion Lannnister in disguise (Peter Dinklage), the scientist who created the Sentinels. Wolverine joins forces with a young Professor X (James McAvoy) and a young Magneto (Michael Fassbender) to track down and stop Mystique.

While I wasn't super crazy about the movie, I must admit that it is very well constructed. The time travel mechanic works pretty well and the visual effects are just as good as one would expect. What is most interesting is how Days of Future Past seamlessly connects First Class and the original X-Men trilogy in such an original way.

However, my biggest complaint is that it's just not that entertaining. A bunch of shit happens at the very tail-end that doesn't make a lot of sense to those not versed in X-Men lore. I just didn't care. Hell, I stopped caring once Quicksilver disappeared. Quicksilver was badass! Easily stole the entire show, but he's only there for 10 minutes tops.

I think my thoughts on Days of Future Past are so neutral that it's kind of difficult to write about. I firmly believe the most important element of a film is that it is entertaining -- especially a summer superhero blockbuster. But I was not entertained as much as I hoped I would be. I had no expectations for this movie to live up to, and that minimal expectation was not exceeded. I suppose that on the surface, Days of Future Past is actually pretty solid. The movie didn't majorly fuck up like some of the past movies apparently did, so I guess it has that going for it... I just don't care enough about the movie or the franchise to really get into the thick of it.

7/10