As 2014 comes to a close we’re looking back at some of its better moments. There can be no doubt that this will go down as a good year for movies, but which of the year’s blockbusters really floated your boat? After much deliberation in the Her.ie offices, we’ve narrowed our list down to ten. If you still haven’t seen any of the below, now is the time to get cosy on the couch and press play.
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Guardians of the Galaxy
The Marvel Universe is the gift that keeps on giving. HELLO Chris Pratt as leading man material. Zoe Saldana kicked ass, Vin Diesel played a tree with a three word vocabulary and Bradley Cooper shone as a raccoon with a chip on his shoulder. It was manic and it was magic. As for that soundtrack? It’s now our party playlist.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Wes Anderson’s tale of Gustave H, legendary concierge at a famous European hotel, is probably the most visually stunning work of cinema magic all year. Gustave pairs up with Zero Moustafa, lobby boy turned trusted friend, in a crime caper like no other we’ve seen before. Featuring star turns from Bill Murray, Ed Norton, Saoirse Ronan and a wonderful Ralph Fiennes, this is an absolute gem.
Interstellar
You would want to be really comfortable if you’re sitting down to watch this one. Director Christopher Nolan and leading man Matthew McConaughey had an important mission in 2014; to determine whether mankind can have a future amongst the stars. The epic tale will take three hours of your life, but for filmmaking as awe-inspiring as this, it’s probably worth it.
The Imitation Game
Cards on the table? We’ll watch Benedict Cumberbatch in pretty much anything at all. It’s just as well, though, that his latest theatrical release has done nothing at all to dim his current star power. In fact, it’s the total opposite. Cumberbatch’s turn as mathematician, cryptanalyst and war hero Alan Turing is captivating and deserving of all the plaudits he is currently receiving.
Frank
Ireland’s darling Lenny Abrahamson followed up hits like Garage and What Richard Did with Frank this year. The comedy about young wannabe star Jon and his journey with a merry band of pop musicians led by the mysterious Frank is by turns wry, endearing, touching and utterly unique.
Boyhood
A critic’s darling, Richard Linklater’s tale is worth watching solely to see the same cast over the course of 12 years – no makeup tricks or CGI at work here. The story is seen through the eyes of Mason, the central character who grows up before the viewer’s eyes, negotiating the rough terrain of childhood with cameras in tow.
Gone Girl
Without doubt one of the most hotly-anticipated films of the year, and neither David Fincher nor Ben Affleck disappointed. The big-screen adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s chart-busting novel was an exercise in suspense, with twists and turns coming at breakneck speed. Though it was the director and male lead who claimed most of the headlines pre-release, it’s Rosamund Pike’s star turn as the titular Amy that will remain with us.
The Lego Movie
Everything IS awesome! An A-Team of Hollywood stars assembled to lend their voices to this instant animation classic. Can Emmet, an ordinary run-of-the-mill guy transform into the world’s most extraordinary person, following a mix-up that means a hero is in demand and the world needs to be saved? You bet your ass he can. Warning: the theme tune will be lodged in your brain for weeks.
