Top 10 Motion Pictures of 2014: Survival, Anger Issues, and Superheroes

            It’s that time of the year, where I get to write a blog post with a “Top 10” list of what I consider to be the best motion pictures of 2014. Last year was full of surprises. As I’ve been mentioning for the past couple years, my list consists of movies that I consider to be technically and artistically beautiful. These ten pictures have impacted me in different ways. They’ve scarred me, they’ve activated my brain in thought and philosophy, they’ve made me cry, they’ve made me laugh, they’ve challenged me; most importantly though, they opened my mind as a filmmaker, movie geek, and individual.

10. Nymphomaniac (Dir. Lars Von Trier, Melancholia)

The Film Journal International couldn’t be more right when it said, “Who needs 50 Shades of Grey when you have Lars Von Trier.” The provocateur offered me the most challenging movie to watch of 2014. It is raw, intense, mind bending, but most importantly, a rule breaker. Dalai Lama said, “Know the rules well so you can break them effectively,” and I can’t think of a quote that better fits this movie. From the fact that it’s divided in two volumes (Does that make my list a “Top 11” instead?) to his cast choice. From the storytelling done in chapters to the abrupt change in music style. This movie, which is for a limited audience, deserved to be on my Top 10 from the moment I saw both volumes earlier this year at the Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles.

09. The Grand Budapest Hotel (Dir. Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom)

Here’s another film from early 2014 that breaks the rules and has a stamp signature by its director. This “moving painting,” as I like describing it, is quirky and beautiful to observe due to its hurricane of a cast, bold colors, art direction, and the composition of the shots. It feels effortless even though it is such an elaborate and grand piece of work.

08. Interstellar (Dir. Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight Trilogy)

Some loved it, some hated it, some didn’t get it. This was probably the most emotional film I watched last year. Beyond the outstanding visual effects and suspenseful moments, this movie has heart and does a great job grabbing you instantly and taking you through a black hole (Literally!) 

The soundtrack by Hans Zimmer is tremendous and Jessica Chastain once again proves why she is Hollywood’s “It” girl. She definitely got snubbed this awards season.

07. Lilting (Dir. Hong Khaou)

I had the honor of watching this limited release independent film at Outfest Film Festival in Los Angeles. What a treat! It’s a compelling story about a traditional Chinese mother (Pei-pei Cheng from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) who goes to Great Britain to pick up the belongings of her son who passed away, only to discover that he had been in a loving relationship of many years with another man. The language barrier between Cheng’s character and her son’s boyfriend, portrayed magnificently by Ben Wishaw (Cloud Atlas, my favorite of 2012) makes it much more interesting and there’s an amazing 360 shot that will require you to watch the movie if you don’t want me to spoil it! As a supporter of diversity in film, this had to be my movie with LGBT leading characters for my list. Sorry The Imitation Game!

06. Foxcatcher (Dir. Bennett Miller, Capote)

This very slow-paced movie won me over as it kept moving along in the middle of the second act and last act. Those last thirty minutes made it all worth it! Another project by the genius Megan Ellison that is cold, twisted, and heartless and gave me the ability to empathize with the main character, no matter how insane he was.

05. X-Men: Days of Future Past (Dir. Bryan Singer, The Usual Suspects)

I had been waiting for this movie since I watched the first X-Men movie fourteen years ago. This was the best treat for the child in me, to bring Bryan Singer back as a director, a big chunk of X-Men characters from past movies in a thrilling and adventurous movie that has soul and tones of social issues that are current in today’s world. Where else can you go watch a movie consisting of a cast with three Oscars, six Golden Globes, one BAFTA, two Emmys, two Tonys, five Oliviers, and one Cesar award?

04. Unbroken (Dir. Angelina Jolie, In the Land of Blood and Honey)

I had the opportunity to attend the LA premiere of this film at the Dolby Theatre and it was an unforgettable experience. This is a great example of why I appreciate historical pieces. I got introduced to a character I was not aware of, who was able to persevere, forgive, and live to tell his story besides the horrible atrocities of war, the shameful situations he was put in, and the obstacles he faced that determined whether he would live or not. Angelina and cinematographer Roger Deakins did an amazing job representing this person and the scenario he was put in. It’s a shame the movie was underrated and didn’t do well this awards season.

03. Mommy (Xavier Dolan, Tom at the Farm)

A 25 year-old director envisioned this? My respects to Xavier Dolan for directing two strong female characters, a rebellious teenager with anger issues, and for breaking aspect ratio rules. Now I can see why he won the Jury Prize at Cannes. This film made me smile each time a song would come up. From Dido’s “White Flag,” to Alfil’s “Blue,” to “Wonderwall” by Oasis, this film was sort of like Boyhood on steroids. I’m so sad it didn’t get any love in the foreign language film.

02. Whiplash (Dir. Damien Chazelle)

Whiplash was the most thrilling film I watched last year. I was on the edge of my seat most of the time! Who would think that a movie about a college drummer could create such reaction, right? J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller are terrific together, the way the music merges with the pace of the edit is outstanding, and the fact that it was shot in 19 days made have even more respect for the film. This is one of those movies you want to keep watching over and over again.

01. Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance (Dir. Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, Amores Perros)

If you know me well, don’t say anything before I clear my case. I know Iñárritu is my all-time favorite director, and no, that is not the reason why this monster was my favorite film of 2014. Birdman is so phenomenal that I don’t dare to write anything about it. It is genius! It destroys critics, Michael Bay movies, and YouTubers. So many things about it are true. I enjoyed the mix between real life, the play, and the mind of Riggan/Birdman. And of course, my respects to Chivo Lubezki for that amazingly choreographed cinematography.

Top 10 Films of 2012

             My “Top 10” list of 2012 consists of films that I consider to be technically and artistically beautiful, but that also managed to move me in some way, and inspired me as a filmmaker and person.  This was one of those years that had an inordinate amount of terrific movies. Plot and storytelling were the key ingredient to many of this year’s amazing movies. I wish I could have made a “Top 20” list instead of a “Top 10,” well, I sort of cheated and included three more.

            

              I hope you enjoy reading my thoughts on my favorite films of last year, and feel free to share which ones made it to your “Top 10” list.

             If I had “broken the rules” and named this post my “Top 13 Films of 2012,” these three movies would have been included: “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” (Dir. Lorene Scafaria), “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (Dir. Stephen Chbosky), and “Wreck-It Ralph” (Dir. Rich Moore).

10. “The Queen of Versailles” (Dir. Lauren Greenfield)

I’m kicking off this list with a documentary. Why not? This informative documentary about the rise and fall of the Siegel family is clever and funny. Director Lauren Greenfield successfully covers the human side of “the queen” and her self-made billionaire husband. The viewer embarks on a two-year journey with them as they face economic struggles that lead them to make lifestyle changes and make tough choices in both business and their personal lives. This was definitely not what I expected, and the trailer is nothing but a sneak peak.

09. “The Master” (Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson)

Personally, I didn’t love this film. I guess that explains why it’s number eight on my list; however, it was thought provoking, fearless, and distinct. These are the kinds of movies I like to go see. You may leave the theater with a bittersweet feeling, but at least it managed to make an impact on the viewer and led to dialogue and debate between viewers. Films such as this one are a rarity these days.

07. “Life of Pi” (Dir. Ang Lee)

How did he do it? He’s Ang Lee. This is definitely Mr. Lee’s come-back from “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” The story is interesting and makes me want to read the book. Visually, I don’t even have to talk about it. It’s amazing the doors that technology has opened. I smell an Oscar for Claudio Miranda’s splendid cinematography, even though I would personally give it to Seamus McGarvey for his work in “Anna Karenina.”

08. “Anna Karenina” (Dir. Joe Wright)

The third collaboration between director Joe Wright and Keira Knightley proves that rejoining forces does work on the long run. It’s their best collaborative piece so far and I find it disappointing that Knightley’s performance failed to be recognized at this awards season. This theatrical-like film has the best cinematography I witnessed this year (and that’s a lot to say since there were so many films this year with mad cinematography). The production design better get the Academy Award as well as the costume design. This film is one of those that I wish had gotten more hype. The story is heart breaking and intense. Anna is one of those characters you hate to love and love to hate.

06. “Django Unchained” (Dir. Quentin Tarantino)

Tarantino does it again. The cast, the plot, the dialogue, the comedy... they are all there. He manages to portray a touchy subject tastefully and eccentrically as one might expect. The Globes brought a smile to my face last month as they honored Christoph Waltz with an award for bringing Doctor Schulz to life. I was also impressed and content that they gave Tarantino the Globe for best screenplay. Having read the script myself, I can say it is mind blowing, and it keeps you awake till dawn because of the thriller and all of its elements. He has definitely left his signature on this film and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

05. “Les Miserables” (Dir. Tom Hooper)

The leap of faith was worth the risk and all I can say is that this is the best musical film I’ve ever seen. Its value and content are unbelievable. As many of you might agree, the best part of the film is Anne Hathaway's long shot delivering "I dreamed a dream." I was also moved by the scene where Russell Crowe hands his medal to the dead kid. Tom Hooper was definitely snubbed by the Oscars.

04. “Zero Dark Thirty” (Dir. Kathryn Bigelow)

Let me just say I have plenty of respect for Kathryn Bigelow for taking on such a controversial and important role. The story couldn’t have been told better. Maya, played by last year’s “It girl,” Jessica Chastain, is empowering and inspiring. You see her grow throughout the years as she works on the assignment to hunt Osama Bin Laden. As she gets better at her job, the suspense increases and keeps you on the edge of your seat. In my opinion, this should have been Kathryn’s year. She should have been the first women to win an Oscar for best director this year, and not in 2010.

03. “Argo” (Dir. Ben Affleck)

“Argo” is “The Town” on steroids. I have to admit I simply watched it due to all the hype and awards it's been receiving. After leaving the theater, I literally asked another viewer why it had taken me so long to watch it. The edit was outstanding. The pace was fast and kept you engaged. It wasn’t slow, like I feared it would be, and even though you already know what’s going to happen (well, kind of), you are taken on a roller coaster ride that almost moves you to tears as it comes to an end. I identified myself with this film because of all the Hollywood references, from the moment it starts with those storyboards, throughout the film when they’re trying to get a producer, all the way to the end where you see the Star Wars action figures. It definitely is a special film about filmmakers and unsung heroes of this country.

02. “The Impossible” (Dir. J.A. Bayona)

This movie about a family who survives the tsunami that hit Thailand in 2004 is definitely the most emotional film I saw this year.  It simply gives you an appreciation of life. As soon as it was over it made me want to run to my loved ones and hug them. J.A. Bayona recreated the series of events as realistic as possible. Having shot in the actual hotel where it happened, with actual people who were there as extras, it made it much more organic. Naomi Watts should have definitely been this year’s leading actress winner in the various awards held this season, and I wish Ewan McGregor had been recognized for his work as well.

      01. “Cloud Atlas” (Dir. Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski)

How in the world did they do it? I don’t know where to begin. I love this movie so much it's hard for me to put in words what it makes me feel. This year’s most underrated movie had all the components (literally) that made it unforgettable.

Just like “Melancholia,” my favorite movie from last year, “Cloud Atlas” kept me up at night for two straight weeks. It made me think about numerous things, not just about the craft of filmmaking, but about life, people we meet, things we do, just to name a few. The most memorable elements from this movie were the beautiful score, the production and costume design, and the edit. This is the definition of a fearless movie that took many risks; for me, it worked. I'm currently reading the book, and all I can say is that it takes a group of geniuses to adapt such a twisting story and bring it to the big screen. Here's my favorite quote from the movie: “Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.”

             Since I just started this blog six months ago, I wrote my “Top 10” from the last two years as a note on my personal Facebook. Here they are:

“Top 10” from 2011:

10. “The Art of Getting By” (Dir. Gavin Wiesen)

09. “Like Crazy” (Dir. Drake Doremus)

08. “The Artist” (Dir. Michel Hazanavicius)

07. “Martha Marcy May Marlene” (Dir. Sean Durkin)

06. “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” (Dir. Stephen Daldry)

05. “Drive” (Dir. Nicolas Winding Refn)

04. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Dir. David Fincher)

03. “The Tree of Life” (Dir. Terrence Malick)

02. “J. Edgar” (Dir. Clint Eastwood)

01. “Melancholia” (Dir. Lars von Trier)

“Top 10” from 2010:

10. “Never Let Me Go” (Dir. Mark Romanek)

09. “Conviction” (Dir. Tony Goldwyn)

08. “The Kids Are All Right” (Dir. Lisa Cholodenko)

07. “The Fighter” (Dir. David O. Russell)

06. “The Social Network” (Dir. David Fincher)

05. “The King’s Speech” (Dir. Tom Hooper)

04. “True Grit” (Dir. Ethan & Joel Coen)

03. “For Colored Girls” (Dir. Tyler Perry)

02. “Inception” (Dir. Christopher Nolan)

01. “Black Swan” (Dir. Darren Aronofsky)