Unlike the first half of 2013, this year provided stronger mainstream movie-going experiences, give or take an Amazing Spiderman 2. There are a lot of sequels present on this list, and while that might indicate a certain degree of creative bankruptcy in Hollywood, let's be honest; that statement is old hat by now. The concept of a sequel has been around for longer than most of us have been alive, and that in and of itself isn't a bad thing at all. There are a few original films sprinkled in here (note Nos. 2-4, all of which have a decent shot at appearing on my list again in December), but for the most part, they're for niche audiences, not "the unwashed masses."
10. Edge of Tomorrow
It may not be thought-provoking science fiction, but it offers a fairly good time with its Groundhog Day-meets-Aliens premise. Edge of Tomorrow is equally effective as both a full-throttle action romp and as a comedy, so it's a little surprising that American audiences haven't latched on to it at the box office. Maybe Tom Cruise's antics from yesteryear have a long-reaching shadow. Whatever the case, Edge of Tomorrow offers fast-paced fun without losing sight of its main characters' humanity. I welcome Cruise continuing to do these movies well into his 60s if he's so inclined.
An American studio finally figures out how to do the Big Guy justice. It's a popcorn-munching monster flick, but it's not without its share of art, craftsmanship, and genuinely awe-inspiring moments. Some may complain that it "takes too long" to get to the monster-on-monster throw-downs, but the filmmakers do a solid job developing a few human characters worth caring about. There's also some good acting to be found (especially from Breaking Bad legend Bryan Cranston). With most movie franchises revolving around superheroes and/or toys, it's nice we can give a giant lizard a little room to breathe.
Give Marvel credit for not resting on their laurels and repeating what has come before. Cap 2 is solid escapism, with a variety of action sequences, an intriguing storyline that pushes the Avengers arc into new and interesting directions, and a hero that's easy to get behind. It's not just another appetizer for Avengers 2, but a fun action movie that works on its own terms.
Wes Anderson's movies are an event for art-house audiences, as evidenced by the packed theater I saw this movie in. The Grand Budapest Hotel offers pretty much everything fans have come to expect from the veteran director; quirkiness, a gorgeous visual sense, and a little heart to go along with the zaniness. It also offers Ralph Fiennes, in a turn as far away from his Oscar-ish roles (not to mention Lord Voldemort), an opportunity to flex his comedic muscles, which he does effortlessly.
While not quite reaching the heights of Pixar's Toy Story series, Dreamworks' franchise does an admirable job filling the void of quality animated franchises. It's a surprisingly darker film than the original at times, and all the more memorable because of it. It didn't set the box office aflame, but it performed well enough that a third film is welcome. It has the wit, charm, and character development that makes it a worthy choice for adults to seek out, with or without their offspring in tow.
5. The Raid 2
It's a shame so few saw this; martial arts of this caliber has always impressed me more than anything a computer can create in a Spiderman or Transformers outing. Unlike the first film, The Raid 2 takes longer to find its footing, but when it does, the average action fan's jaw is likely to hit the floor. The final hour of this movie, as the more convoluted story reaches its apex, showcases some of the most brutally awesome fisticuffs one is likely to find. If you can handle the near-NC-17 level of violence, give this a go when it reaches home video.
4. The Lego Movie
Everything is awesome, indeed. Thankfully, Warner Brothers decided to open this movie in the dead of February winter, throwing a bone to moviegoers during what is traditionally reserved as a dumping ground for films studios have little faith in. Like most of Pixar's best work, this is a classic "dual-layered" approach to animation, where kids will enjoy the vivid color and frenetically paced story, and adults will laugh at the many satirical gags as well as take to heart the underlying message involving creativity and thinking outside-the-box. As of right now, we already have the film to beat in the Best Animated Film and Best Original Song for the next Oscars.
The basic story, that of a man on a 90-minute drive as he has several life-altering conversations with people via his phone, may sound dry and tedious. But looks can be deceiving. Locke is one of the more memorable films I've seen this year thanks to two key ingredients; a world-class performance by Tom Hardy and an undeniable ring of truth in the dialogue. It's so easy to relate to the main character's situation that the movie's single setting becomes an asset rather than a detriment.
2. Under the Skin
Bold, trippy, deliberately ambiguous, and unlike anything you'll see all year, Under the Skin is tailor made for adventurous movie-goers. It has plenty to say about humanity, sexuality, and even rape culture, but only those who are willing to read between the lines will discover exactly what that is. Also, while Scarlett Johansson's nudity has been much-publicized, the way she handles this ambiguous lead role as a whole is what makes her so memorable here. Bonus points for the unnerving soundtrack, which I guarantee you won't be able to get out of your head.
It's the crown jewel of the first half of 2014, and my second favorite superhero movie of all time (behind only The Dark Knight). Days of Future Past plays far more like thought-provoking science fiction with superhero flavoring than your standard operating procedure from Marvel. The storyline is wonderfully dense and relentlessly suspenseful, the acting of the ensemble cast is second to none, and the ending satisfies emotionally in the best possible way. The level at which this movie succeeds viscerally, intellectually, and emotionally sends a resounding message to all present and future filmmakers who work in this sub-genre. This is one franchise I truly, eagerly await future installments of, and that's something I can't say about most others.
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