BEST FILMS OF 2014

JODOROWSKY DUNE (Dir. Frank Pavich)

A documentary about the best movie never-made, that has artists and casts like: H.R. Giger, David Caraddine, Mick Jagger, Orson Welles, Dan O’ Bannon, Chris Foss and Jean Giraud. 

GUN WOMAN (Dir. Kurando Mitsutake)

What did you get if you cast a porn actress in a movie directed by an exploitation expert like Kurando Mitsutake? A classy torture porn and one of the best revenge flick you’ve ever seen.

WHIPLASH (Dir. Damien Chazelle)

Who knew jazz could be so bloody and violent?

A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT (Dir. Ana Lily Amirpour)

The best modern vampire film from Iran that reinvents the genre that F.W. Murnau (Nosferatu), Bela Lugosi & Bram Stoker perfected. 

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (Dir. James Gunn)

Been following James Gunn since his Troma B-movie days. After Slither (2006) and Super (2010), this underdog Marvel adaptation is executed in a campy and skillfull use of soundtrack and comedy. 

BOYHOOD (Dir. Richard Linklater)

Linklater personal experiment about growing up. Filmed in 12 years from when the actor (Ellar Coltrane) is 6 years old until he’s an adult. Mesmerizing.  

’71 (Dir. Yann Demange)

One of the most intense war movie / manhunt themes ever filmed about the Protestant vs Catholic riot in Belfast 1971. 

THE GUEST (Dir. Adam Wingard)

From the guys that brought you “You Are Next” (2013), One of the most smart and skillfull home-invasion horror film, comes another mish-mash of ’80s tough guy films that also resembles a John Carpenter horror with a wee bit of Drive influence.

NIGHTCRAWLER (Dir. Dan Gilroy)

Nightcrawler explores the dark side of journalism through this tour de force thriller. Another movie influenced a bit by Drive.

GONE GIRL (Dir. David Fincher)

David Fincher at his finest game.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

1. BLUE RUIN (Dir. Jeremy Saulnier)

2. COLD IN JULY (Dir. Jim Mickle)

3. BIRDMAN (Dir. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu)

4. INHERENT VICE (Dir. P.T. Anderson)

5. THE RAID 2 (Dir. Gareth Evans)

6. BIG BAD WOLVES (Dir. Aharon Keshales & Navot Papushado)

7. STARRED UP (Dir. David Mackenzie)

8. GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (Dir. Wes Anderson)

9. THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA (Dir. Isao Takahata)