Top 10 Films of 2014

10. Interstellar: This is a Christopher Nolan film. How could it not be on here? It's such a deep movie that has to be viewed multiple times.
9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier: It didn't really feel like a superhero movie. It was a little bit of everything.
8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1: Just the scene with the Hanging Tree song alone was powerful enough for it to make the list.
7. Edge of Tomorrow: It was very clever and original. It had a surprising twist, and I enjoyed it.
6. Non-Stop; This film kept me engaged until the end. The whole time I was guessing who the culprit might be. It was a game of Mafia (AKA Murder in the Dark) set on an airplane and that felt very fresh.
5. Muppets Most Wanted: This was clever, funny, and original. Jim Henson would be proud.
4. The Imitation Game: Benedict Cumberbatch's performance in this is definately Oscar-worthy.
3. Penguins of Madagascar: This was so well written. I enjoyed the puns on actors' names. (Nicholas, cage them!) So clever.
2. Big Hero 6: This is right up there with the other Disney movies "Meet the Robinsons" and "Bolt." It's funny, emotional, and original.
And the winner is..... 
1. The Lego Movie: I enjoyed the satire on pop-culture, the references to other movies, and the exaggerated personalities of DC characters.

I would also like to say a fond farewell to Jeff Vice former movie critic of the Deseret News, who sadly passed away of heart failure on May 29, 2014. He is the one who inspired me to become a movie critic in the first place, so technically without him this blog would not exist. You will be missed.

The Imitation Game

Dear Academy: If you don't nominate Benedict Cumberbatch for Best Actor, then change whoever votes on these things because they clearly don't know what they're doing. This is one of the best films of the year. It's very well done. Benedict Cumberbatch, as always, does a fantastic job. It's a very thought-provoking movie that I highly recommend    to everyone. You really need to pay attention throughout the movie, or you'll miss some very important elements that contribute to the plot. It's got just the right mix of drama and humor, and is a great way to learn a little something about history, too.  This needs to be shown in high school history classes. It's one of the most important, if not the most important movie you will see this year. If you can only see one movie this year, see this one.

Grade: A+  10/10  5/5 stars

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

I wasn't expecting this film to be as good as it was. I only saw it because it's Robin Williams' last film. Surprisingly, it didn't feel like a re-hash and was actually funny. It's one of the funniest films this year. Everyone does such a great job. It's a bittersweet end to both the Night at the Museum films and Robin Williams' films. This is a fun movie and its so clever. Hopefully there will be a box set of all three films released so I can watch them back-to-back. I cried because the end is so bittersweet. It's a terrific send-off to the late, great Robin Williams. You will be missed. 

Grade: B.  8/10. 3.5/5 stars

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

There should be an asterisk in the credits after it says "Based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien" that says *loosely. The only parts that were in the book was the first 5 minutes. After that it went in an entirely different direction and did its own thing. I'm kind of sad that the world of Middle Earth is finished. After "Hunger Games" ends next year, what other book franchises will there be left to adapt other than "Maze Runner"? Nothing. It will force Hollywood to think of original ideas for once. Which I guess is a good thing, but at the same time I'm going to miss anticipating these movies and seeing them in a theater with like-minded fans. It's an emotional end to The Hobbit and the world of Middle-Earth and I'm sad to let it go. It's perfect in every way. 

Grade: A+  10/10 5/5 stars 

Into The Woods

I don't normally watch musicals, but the fact that so many A-list actors like Chris Pine and Meryl Streep are in this was enough to convince me to see it. It's such a great movie! The songs are a bit over-the-top at times but that's the point. And it's quite funny. I enjoyed the acting and unlike "Annie," everyone in this can actually sing. I was not aware Johnny Depp could sing. The film can get a bit cheesy but that's the point. Broadway is always cheesy. The film is also surprisingly dark. It's based on the original Grimm Brothers fairy tales and not the sugar-coated sweet Disney versions. (Yay!) The whole film is fun and has something for everyone to enjoy.

Grade: A-,  9/10, 4/5 stars

Annie (2014)

This isn't the pop-culture travesty many people fear it to be. I enjoyed it very much. The only complaint is that Cameron Diaz can not sing. I ask you, Mr. Director, why would you cast someone in a musical if they have no singing ability? Everyone else has incredible singing chops, though. The film is surprisingly watchable and is an example of a remake done (mostly) right. They could have cut a very slow, boring song about an hour in the film, but I guess all musicals need at least one so it gives the audience a chance to get concession refills. While it has been updated to be modern-day instead of Depression-era like the original, that's not a bad thing. No kid would want to see a movie about the Great Depression anyway. I did have one problem with this movie though. Apparently they name Annie's dog Sandy because he/she (I don't know the dog's gender; its never mentioned) has a lot of energy like a hurricane. Too soon, guys. Too soon.

Grade: B. 7/10 3/5 stars