Ok so what were your thoughts on the first part of my films of 2014 countdown? Let’s get to the second part but first we have to address the small matter of “The Worst Film of 2014”!
The Worst Film of 2014 : The Need for Speed
5: Lego Movie
Well it was one big advert for Lego and it was childish, but it was also very grown up and certainly not crap! The story is fast paced, smart and funny for kids and adults and tells of a Lego World where uniformity is encouraged and the ordinary Lego folk strive to be generic.
We find out early on that the evil “Lord Business” is looking to destroy the Lego world with the use of the mysterious and powerful “Kragle”. It falls into the hands of the unwitting ordinary brick “Emmet”, played by one of this years stars Chris Pratt, to save the world. That is, of course with the help of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and a plethora of other super Lego characters. We know that with this team behind him that the hapless Emmet will win out. We just don’t know how, and that’s part of what is great about it.
I hear that they are doing a “Playmobil” movie. Im pretty sure it’s going to be crap…
4: How to Train your Dragon 2
3: Frank
2: Boyhood
Boyhood is the kind film that seems to have been curated for me. In any other year it would have smashed it to the number 1 spot. Director, Richard Linklater, has made an assortment of my favourite films including one of my all time favourites “Dazed and Confused”.
The story of a boy and, importantly, his family as they grow over a number of years (12 in this case) is not a new one. Mason is the boy in question and we follow him and his family, including Mother, older sister and semi estranged father from 6 years old to adulthood. In that time the child actors noticeably change but adults importantly also grow with their varying experiences and fraught relationships.
The fact that the story is told over 12 real years with the same actors, most noticeably with the children, an endearing storyline, great acting and kick ass soundtrack make Boyhood a standout film of this year and an instant classic.
Boyhood clocks in at three hours long, which would normally discourage me but the time flew by in the cinema. This is always a great sign.
1: Guardians of the Galaxy
To put it simply, I’ve not had more fun watching any film this year than during Guardians of the Galaxy. I enjoyed it so much that I went back to see it again at the cinema which is the first time that I’ve ever done that.
Guardians is full of big laughs and big action but there is more to it than that. There is the overarching feeling of “This is awesome” that leaves you with a smug smirk across your face for 98.3% of the film and long after.
If you’re not hooked in by the time “Guardians of the Galaxy” title appears on the screen then it’s likely that you won’t like it
Ok so what’s to like? EVERYTHING! Well there is a bit of sci-fi geek exposition that you can just gloss over, but everything else like the soundtrack, the banter, the characters, the action, the story and the soundtrack. Ok ok, I know that I mentioned the soundtrack twice there but it has been on heavy rotation in my flat along with the “Boyhood” soundtrack and more recently the soundtrack from “The Guest”.
A key factor in all my favourite films is the “re-watch ability factor”. I’m already looking forward to the next viewing of GOTG. The sooner the better.
Well that’s it for my Films of 2014 rundown. Let me know what you think in the comments below and share with your friends!
K*