2014 is over and it wasn't a banner year for the film industry. Actually, it was pretty pathetic. The blockbusters didn't bust many blocks. The rest weren't much to speak of either, but there were some good ones. Here are my ten favorites of 2014:
10. Alive Inside
Not a tremendous cinematic experience, but this documentary contains absolutely incredible information. It demonstrates what might be the best treatment to date for Alzheimer's. The fact that the treatment has nothing to do with medication or doctors makes it even more newsworthy, yet if you didn't see "Alive Inside" you've probably never heard about it. If you know someone with Alzheimer's, you must see it.
9. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Imagine my surprise to find out that at the end of 2014, a "Planet of the Apes" film would make my top ten list. I went into it with the lowest of expectations. I walked out stunned that not only was it possibly the best of the long-running franchise of monkey flicks, but it was darn good for any film. Of course, the special effects were stunning but the story was also worthy. Easily the biggest longshot to make this list.
The latest contribution by the enigmatic Lars Von Trier, is not for everyone. It's also not what you might think it is. Volume I was hot at times, even red-hot, and it was a decent film in its own right. Volume II is far less hot, but it makes up for it by being more of a psychological, philosophical, mystery-thriller. I repeat, it's not for everyone, but it might be for you.
7. Citizenfour
The second documentary to make my top 10 list for 2014. It is special because it presents an inside look into Edward Snowden, one of the most mysterious figures of our time. That a filmmaker was able to conduct interviews with him while he was in the middle of perhaps the biggest political intrigue of the last few years made me feel like a layer that normally exists between me and government had been stripped away. I am still a bit shocked that I got a chance to see who Edward Snowden really is. If you have any interest in his story, I suspect you have already seen "Citizenfour", but if you haven't, you should.
6. Venus in Fur
Roman Polanski's latest, is a departure from his usual work, but the quality is still there. There are only two actors, but both do a great job, particularly Emmanuelle Seigner, Polanski's real-life wife. She scorches the screen while giving lessons on how women have power men can only dream about. Seigner gives one of the special performances of 2014.
5. Pride
The feel-good movie of 2014. Hands-down. It is similar in that way to "The Full Monty", another British film. The story is based on an unlikely alliance that was once forged between coal miners in Wales and homosexuals in England. That these two groups came together for a common cause is so bizarre that only non-fiction could have produced it. You can see where the plot is going at every step, but you can't help smiling, anyway.
4. Ida
The best foreign film of the year. It's original, depressing, heartwarming, bleak, uplifting, and darkly funny. The performances by the two leads are excellent. The directing and writing are just as good. It also may be the best looking film of 2014.
This is the second film in the top 10 that takes place in England. Both are based in truth and both are very good. This one ranks higher because the story is incredibly important in world history and because it conveys it in an exciting way. The performance by Benedict Cumberbatch is arguably the best I saw this year.
The third documentary on this list and easily the best one of 2014. It's the story of a master forger who can't be convicted of a crime because he doesn't attempt to sell his art. He donates it to museums that are fooled, one and all. The forger, Mark Landis, is one of the most compelling figures to ever grace the screen.
1. Selma
I really had no interest in seeing this one. It sounded like a speechy, preachy tribute to one of the most important people in twentieth century America. However, Ava DuVernay's biopic of Martin Luther King proves to be far more than that. By focusing on a couple of weeks in MLK's life, instead of trying to crowd his whole life in, DuVernay has created the most powerful and watchable movie of the year. Is it an all-time classic? Probably not. But in this fairly weak year, it is king.
