I don’t watch nearly as many new movies as I once did. Some of it is price –tickets + snacks + childcare –some of it is the sea change in movies in the new century. Compare the top ten grossing movies of 2014 to 1984. Actually I’m going to have to do that one day. Anyway the biggest reason I don’t watch as many new movies as I used to is I’d rather watch them at home on my big TV. And, man, my recliner is comfy. One consequence of this relatively new policy is I don’t see all the movies I’d like in a given year until they come out on video, so I can’t do a top five list until April. Still, even though, it is not December, the Top Five movies in 2014 are….
5. Tusk
It’s horrific and awful. Mostly not funny in any way. But compelling. And a lesson in story telling because the Pod-Cast was funny in ways that seeing Justin Long in a Walrus Suit was not.
4. John Wick
I was really surprised how the film tuning on the death of a puppy set the tone for the gonzo stuff that followed. The more serious Run All Night could have learned something.
3. Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
While I didn’t like the Nancy story, and I don’t like Marv as a super-duper-hero, the poker scenes were outstanding. And the eponymous vignette was note perfect.
2. Birdman
Edward Norton and Michael Keaton.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy
Sure it’s another Disney movie where the parents die, but this one has Groot. I’m, like 11% sure this is the right call here.