It’s already July, which means half of the year is already behind us. You’ve already seen what I was disappointed with this year, so let’s finish off our top ten of the year so far on a positive note. Unfortunately there were no real stand outs this year, and half of the films that disappointed me ended up just getting 3/5 stars, but it just wasn’t enough to leave the kind of impression I was hoping for.
I can’t say the same for the films that I liked this year. Again, with no real stand outs, and a lot of the films ending up pretty much mediocre, it was fairly easy choosing a top ten at this point of the year than it was last year. With six more months left, this list could easily change. So you’ve seen a teaser of the kind of films that made it on to the list in the header image above, why not check out the full list below.
10 – Edge Of Tomorrow
Though Doug Liman‘s Edge Of Tomorrow couldn’t hold it’s own at the box office, it proved that Tom Cruise still has the edge and those so-called critics were wrong about him, and that the actor still could carry the film even without the help of some well-known support. Original, fun, and action packed, Edge of Tomorrow has plenty of heart and humor, and was every bit the sci-fi action time traveling film any fan of the genre could hope for. While the concept may have been just a tad bit confusing, the film overall was loads of fun, and that’s what is most important. The idea of turning what is essentially a sci-fi action version of Groundhogs Day, but it’s hard not to enjoy a film as engaging and fun as Edge of Tomorrow.
9 – Chef
It is certainly not the most groundbreaking film, but after busts like Cowboys And Aliens (thanks a lot Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman), it’s great to see that Jon Favreau has found his stride again. What the Transformers franchise does by sexualizing woman and explosions, Chef does by creating food porn. Seriously don’t go into this film on an empty stomach, because they way Favreau shoots his food in his film will make you hungry. Aside from that, the film actually has a feel good story with that Favreau flair. Chef finds one of the top chef’s in all of Miami without a job due to an overbearing manager and ego. Set on finding what made him a chef in the first place, Favreau makes a bold move by making food he loves in a food truck, with the help of his family (Sophia Vergara) and close friends. Chef is funny and witty, and has a lot of heart, the kind of heart that films this year has been missing.
8 – Fault In Our Stars
Not one of the most surprising hits of this year considering how much of a fanbase there is, especially for those who have read the novel. What was surprising was the fact that Faults In Our Stars actually beat Edge Of Tomorrow at the box office. Our own Sabina is such a huge fan of the film, even got some of her work included in the film’s official music video. Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber writes yet another fine adaptation of a novel that centers on the youth of a nation. Though the film does deal with some dark themes, it gets through it with wise-cracking humor and some very heartfelt moments. Sure Fault In Our Stars is a cancer film, but it does not try to sell itself as a tired cliched cancer drama, and making it relatible was just just once of the reasons why the film has become such a hit. The other reason is because of the chemistry between film stars Shaliene Woodley and Ansel Elgort. The performance from the two certainly will get audiences to turn on the water works.
7 – Begin Again
It’s difficult not to like a film like Begin Again. Sure The latest film from writer-director John Carney (Once) may be cliched drivel, but the charming cast, and the soulful music completely make up for it. Begin Again does have that indie hipster look to it, it doesn’t have that pretentious hipster feel. However because Begin Again falls into the generic roamantic tropes we would normally see in any romance film, it doesn’t quite soar as high as Once does. But what this film lacks in originality, it makes up for with heart, music, and ambition. Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley sing all the right notes with wonderful performances, and their characters seem to actually engage the audience through song. Sure Begin Again may ask the “can a song save your life” cliche, but you feel so good by the end of the film, you just may have the itch to watch it again.
6 – Obvious Child
While it is the most sensitive subjects to have in a comedy, Obvious Child addresses the issue of abortions with wit and comedy. The always hilarious Jenny Slate stars in this comedy written and directed by Gillian Robespierre. Like The Fault In Our Stars, the film doesn’t try to sell you the idea that it is an abortion movie, instead the film’s focus is on the strength of the contemporary women. And as you get further into the film, we slowly start to feel for Donna (Slate) rather than judge her decisions. Sure there is that religious and political divide, but it is important to see that Obvious Child is one of the few films who are dare venture into addressing a very serious issue in a way that is not only funny and self-depreciating, but also shows how difficult it is for women to come to decision at a critical moment in their lives.
Hit the jump to read our top ten films of the year.
5 – How To Train Your Dragon 2
The writer and director Dean DeBlois takes the comedy to a deeper place, the kind of place leaves us craving for not only more dragon action, but also leaves us wanting to see more of this beautiful world. Yeah it’s an animated world, but it’s a beautiful one at that. These scenes, especially the ones that contain all the action are blissful, exciting, and breathtaking. What this sequel succeeds at, where other sequels fail, is that it builds upon itself, expanding the world we see, and introducing new characters, which makes the dynamics that much more impressive. The film has plenty of heart, emotion, humor, and action, and it soars on almost every level imaginable. While the dark tones may make it hard for the young members of the audiences to watch, How To Train Your Dragon 2 is just the kind of sequel that we all deserve.
4 – The Lego Movie
Everything is indeed awesome about Phil Lord and Christopher Miller‘s The Lego Movie. What looked like a long form commercial actually turned out to be one of the most entertaining films of the year. The Lego Movie is the kind of film that builds upon itself brick by brick, giving us more and more reasons to fall in love with it. Though it looks like a kids movie, it’s a film that can be best described as childhood nostalgia come to life. It consistently reminds us of how much fun it was to let our imaginations run wild just by playing with these iconic toys. But it’s ultimate message had a truth that often goes unsaid. So for The Lego Movie to deliver that message with fond memories and child-like humor was one that could be heard from miles away. Though the opening sequence could have been widdled down by a few minutes, the exposition is far better than the films mentioned in the most disappointing films this year.
3 – Captain America: The Winter Soldier
While DC Comics is playing catch up, Marvel Studios shows no signs of slowing down or mocking the competition, choosing to run full steam ahead with films like Captain America: The Winter Soldier. While it may be one of the studios’ most controversial films yet – dealing with controversial issues like unwarranted surveillance and wiretapping – the sequel finds a way to still be true to itself and the Marvel mantra. Like the previous Marvel solo films, Captain America: The Winter Soldier stands on its own, while staying within the universe that the studio has so carefully crafted, and then expanding on those ideas to build a much large and cohesive universe. Chris Evans returns as the titular Captain America, and he is joined by some Marvel alum, but also newcomers like Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp, and the legendary Robert Redford. While we still have Guardians of the Galaxy to wait for, if these results stand, Captain America: The Winter Soldier will go down as one of the best Marvel movies ever to come out of Marvel Studios.
2 – The Grand Budapest Hotel
Every bit funny and witty as it is charming and quirky, The Grand Budapest Hotel is truly one of the best films of the year, and not just so far. Visually appealing in almost every way, Wes Anderson delivers one of his most impressive films to date. As well thought out and clever has this film is, even the cinematography is magical. Almost every shot and every scene is a sight to behold. It is a spectacle in every sense of the word. The film brings together a wonderful collection of talent, which includes the likes of Ralph Finnes – in a rare comedic performance – Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Saiorse Ronan, Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton, Owen Wilson, Jude Law, Bob Balaban, and more. Anderson reminds us that a great comedies with a largely multitalented cast, doesn’t need big budgets, it just needs to bring out the laughs in a goofy and quirky way.
Hit the jump to see our number one movie of the year.
1 – Snowpiercer
To say that Bong Joon-Ho‘s Snowpiercer, the director’s first English language film, is ambitious would be an understatement. But through some of the controversy of Joon-Ho fighting Harvey Weinstein over the final cut, the film is one of the standouts of the year that is plagued by prequels, sequels, reboots, and remakes. Chris Evans once again stars in this action sci-fi thriller, that has some powerful political undertones. But what the film lacks in CGI and big budget sequences, it makes up for through aforementioned ambition, adventure, originality, and the balls to be different from any other film being released this year. You can literally see all the characters develop as the story progress with each and every passing car. As amazing as the story is, the visuals are just as impressive if not spectacular. Joon-Ho, along with Kyung-pyo Hong created a world that is every bit as massive as it is limited, with each new car presenting us all new wonders and dangers, making it that much harder for the film’s political metaphors to go unnoticed. And while Snowepiercer is an adaptation of a French comic, the film succeeds on every level, not only by delivering a message about social classes, but also giving us stupendous action sequences that will leave you hungry for more.
Honorable mentions.
For films that I haven’t seen this year, but heard a great deal of amazing things, X-Men: Days Of Future Past is something that cannot be missed. While the franchise stands one some shaky chronological foundation, Days of Future Past reboots itself, making us forget or at least wipes under the rug some of the mistakes the franchise has made in the past. Generations of X-Men cast old and new come together for this film, which adapts one of the most iconic X-Men story arcs yet. While the film has faltered at the box office, it still manages to be one of the best and most entertaining X-Men films, next to The Wolverine, of the entire franchise.
Another film that I managed to miss this year is Nicolas Stoller‘s Neighbors is another film that deserves your attention, but not because of Zac Efron and Seth Rogen‘s great comedic chemistry, but because Rose Bryne once again, shows she is adept at being in a comedy, that is unapologetically raunchy and volatile. She nearly steals the show, despite the film being some what predictable and a retread.
22 Jump Street proves itself to be a sequel that improves on the original, but also a message sent to studios that more films like these need to be made, not because of studio politics pushing for sequels, but because they are actually deserving of getting a sequel.