My 10 Favorite Films of 2014

Sharing movies with people is one of my favorite things to do. You can never relive the experience of seeing a movie for the first time, but the next best thing is sharing a movie with someone as they watch it for the first time. So in an attempt to share what I think are some fantastic movies with other people, I'm ranking my favorite movies of the year. There's no way to honor every great movie made in a given year, so naturally, some really great films did not make my top ten. There are plenty of critically acclaimed films from the year that I still have not had a chance to see, but in any case I am happy with the ten films that made my list this year. This is more a list of films I simply enjoyed watching than a list of what I would call the year's most well made films, but I think there's plenty of overlap in that regard too. 2014 offered some really great cinematic works. Films like Gone Girl, Birdman, and Nightcrawler featured some stunning direction, as well as a look into the darker spaces of the human mind. The Book of Life, The LEGO Movie, and The Boxtrolls feature some of the most groundbreaking visuals in the history of animated film. Movies such as Beyond the Lights, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them, and The Theory of Everything extended beyond the tired tropes of relationship films to ask some very intriguing questions about the nature of romantic love. X-Men: Days of Future Past and Edge of Tomorrow are just two examples of films that are helping to usher in an age of sleeker, and more entertaining Sci-Fi/Action films. Despite claims that this was a down year in cinema, there are plenty of examples of great films from 2014. And those are just the films that didn't make my list; which is admittedly a little unconventional this year. It features two surprisingly mature animated films, a biting social satire, a dark comedy, two significantly more lighthearted indie dramadies, an unprecidented drama, and three action/thrillers that were both smart and entertaining.

Honorable Mentions:

Get On Up

The Hundred Foot Journey

The Boxtrolls

St. Vincent
Nightcrawler
Birdman
Edge of Tomorrow
Beyond the Lights
The Theory of Everything
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them
The Book of Life
The LEGO Movie
X-Men: Days of Future Past
The Good Lie

10.) Dear White People

What it's about:

A look at the lives of four black students on an Ivy league campus, and how they confront issues of identity and discrimination in a predominately white setting. 

Rotten Tomatoes Score:

91% (Certified Fresh)

Why it made the list:

For people who haven't seen this film, the premise might seem easy to write off as just a rant about racism. The reality is that Dear White People is a complex film that pulls off an extraordinary balancing act. It's really a film about identity more than anything else, and race makes up a large part of our identity, whether we realize it or not. Each of the four main characters in the film is struggling to find their identity, and at the forefront of that struggle is the fact that they are in the racial minority at the university they attend. Racism is an inherent point of discussion in the film, and the points made in the film are a beautiful example of the discussions we should be having as a country, but aren't. But that's not the sole defining characteristic of the film. At its heart, this is an intriguing character study that portrays both the brave and ugly sides of each character. Each of the four main characters does questionable things (some more than others), but they also each have at least one moment in the film where they bravely take a stand for what their identity means to them. These characters are flawed, but the film makes a strong case that it is a broken society that has made them this way, and that's a powerful statement to be making given the social atmosphere in 2014.

9.) The Skeleton Twins

What it's about:
Twin siblings, who haven't spoken to each other in years, are reunited and as they rebuild their relationship, they are forced to examine why they let it dissolve in the first place.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
87% (Certified Fresh)
Why it made the list:
The Skeleton Twins can be a very dark movie, if the title didn't already give that away. It's a movie that puts both of the main characters through a lot of heartbreak, but also gives them a fair share of the blame for the hardships they suffer. With such a dark tone, viewers might not expect this to be a fun film to watch, but at times it really can be. What gives the film life in the midst of darkness is the charm and humanity that Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig bring to the characters. The film does an excellent job of portraying just how broken the siblings' relationship is, which make watching them build the relationship back up all the more rewarding. Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig are the heart and soul of this film, and the effortless sibling chemistry that they have, gives the film all of its life. There is one scene in particular where Hader's character tries to get Wiig's reluctant character to lip sync to a song with him, that is way more fun to watch than it reasonably should be. Fair warning, when I say this film is dark, I'm not kidding. That being said, watching Hader and Wiig on screen together is one of the best film experiences I have had this year.

8.) Big Hero 6

What it's about:
After the death of his brother, a young robotics prodigy gathers the help of a robot his brother created and a group of science students, to stop a man who is using technology for evil purposes.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
89% (Certified Fresh)
Why it made the list:
These days, Walt Disney Animation Studios is on quite the creative streak. That means that a film like Big Hero 6 has a high standard to live up to. While it doesn't quite have the whimsy of a film like Frozen, and isn't nearly as emotionally aware as Wreck-It Ralph (though it comes close), Big Hero 6 is a worthy entry into the modern Disney canon. As seems to be the trend this year, this film features some truly amazing animation. One of the first aspects of the film that I noticed was that the fictional setting of San Fransokyo is visually stunning to look at. The story here is your basic superhero origin story. In that regard it's nothing too out of the box, and doesn't really make any attempt to put a spin on the concept. As far as origin stories go, it's not a bad one though. What the film lacks in plot, it makes up for in the way it builds some key relationships. The bond that Hiro, the protagonist, has with his brother feels very genuine, and that makes the death of his brother (a fact I feel safe sharing since it is clearly stated in the trailer for the film) that much more significant to the story. The movie doesn't skimp on showing the audience how deep the brotherly relationship goes, and that feeling continues on with the relationship Hiro builds with Baymax, his brother's robot. That's the film's best quality. I wish the film had done a little more to develop the other supporting characters, but I understand why the focus was placed on the brothers' relationship. Some elements of how the titular group is formed seem a little glossed over, but that is a minor point compared to the major successes of the film. I also admire the fact that this is a superhero movie that revolves around people being heroes by using their intellect and not just super powers. It is a nice twist on the traditional superhero story that makes the success of the heroes seem much more rewarding. My hope for this film is that it can become a franchise. I think that further films could move beyond the basic origin of the group and dig deeper into who the individual characters are and what motivates them.

7.) Boyhood

What it's about:
The life of a boy and his family is shown in glimpses for a 12 year span from when the boy is a child, to when he leaves home for college.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
99% (Certified Fresh)
Why it made the list:
It's hard to describe the experience of seeing a film like Boyhood. In many ways it is less like watching a movie and more like watching a life. This is as close as any film has ever gotten to genuine realism, and that makes it a fascinating piece of art to watch. The film has gained recognition for the 12 years that it took to shoot, but make no mistake, this isn't a gimmick. A film like this takes dedication and vision that I think few people have. I've seen the film once, and I think I would have to see it a couple more times just to be able to even describe half of the things that it does exceptionally well. First of all, the acting is incredibly impressive. Hoping that child actors would grow up to be teenagers and adults that can act is a big risk, but all of the actors navigate the material with ease, and awareness. From a narrative perspective, Boyhood doesn't have a set plot. It's a portrait of a boy growing up and the people growing around him. So many aspects of this process are so accurately portrayed in the film that it gives the film a quality that sets it apart from every other film ever made. No matter how realistic a given film may aim to be, the audience always senses the narrative backbone to it. Fiction always has a tone to it that removes it from reality. This film manages to avoid coming across as a processed and polished piece of fiction, because it is always true to the idea of portraying life in a realistic manner. Few films this year are as touching or genuinely impressive as Boyhood.

6.) How To Train Your Dragon 2

What it's about:
After successfully integrating dragons into his home village of Berk, Hiccup begins to explore uncharted lands, where he finds both allies and enemies to his way of life.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
92% (Certified Fresh)
Why it made the list:
Simply put, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is an incredibly well crafted movie. From visuals, to voice acting, to plot, this films knows exactly what it is and how to achieve its goals. First of all, the visual elements of this film are deceptively stunning. This movie has created a fantastical world where people and dragons live together, and smartly decided to take full advantage of that. When you have dragons, make them fly through the clouds, and make those clouds look gorgeous. The scenery is always either beautiful or haunting depending on what mood the film is going for in a given scene. Beyond visuals, this story makes all of the right narrative moves. Following the lead of The Empire Strikes Back, Dragon 2 expands Hiccup's universe and digs into some very compelling ramifications of doing so. The film is unafraid to go to some very dark places. By the end of the film Hiccup has experienced the kind of deep personal loss that changes a person's life. It makes him a stronger character, and it makes the entire film matter deeply to the mythology of this growing series. But the film doesn't just play on the big epic notes; the films always knows exactly the right moments to calm down and use a gentle touch. There is a scene early on where Hiccup's girlfriend Astrid is mocking his mannerisms, and the entire thing has no other purpose in the film than to remind viewers just how human these characters are. Those are the touches that make a film great. As always, I'm amazed by how these films can make a character like Toothless simultaneously adorable and intimidating. It's hard to legitimately pull off both of those characteristics in one character, but this series has managed to do it. Frankly, if this film doesn't win an Oscar, something went very wrong.

5.) Begin Again

What it's about:
A down on his luck music producer, and a singer/songwriter who just ended a relationship after being cheated on, join together to create a unique music project and get their lives back on track at the same time.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
83% (Certified Fresh)
Why it made the list:
Music driven films can be hard to successfully pull off. I'm not talking about musicals, where people just randomly burst into song for no other reason than to loudly convey a plot point. I'm talking about films where music is a deeply important part of the characters' lives, but it never is used as a substitute for genuine plot. The problem is in finding just the right balance between highlighting the music, and allowing the characters to lead the plot outside of the music itself. One of the reasons Begin Again is a such a finely tuned film, is because it finds that balance. The movie is about falling apart and picking yourself back up again. I'm a bit of a sucker for these kinds of movies, but in this case I don't think I'm overselling the how good this movie is. The music is certainly good and entertaining. My first thought watching the film was, "Wait, Keira Knightley sings?" Indeed she does. It's not Jennifer Hudson in Dream Girls, but Knightley is more than capable of making the music in the film effective and highly emotive. The chemistry between Knightley and Mark Ruffalo is amazing. The two actors work well together because, you never get a sense that either of the characters is better or more important than the other. Yes, Ruffalo plays Knightley's producer, and Knightley in many ways has her life together more than Ruffalo's character, but they are both people who are struggling to create something meaningful in the world and they realize that their best chance of doing that is with each other's help. Being Again is at times funny, sad, and inspiring. It is a easily one of the most charming films of the year.

4.) Captain America: The Winter Soldier

What it's about:
Steve Rogers  finds himself conflicted about his role in the actions being carried out by S.H.I.E.L.D., but when his world is turned upside down, he must find the few people he can trust and save humanity from a hidden threat.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
89% (Certified Fresh)
Why it made the list:
Since the first Captain America film was essentially entirely an origin story for the character, my biggest question going forward from The Avengers was, what direction would future films in the franchise take? The Winter Soldier was a very satisfying answer to that question. This is easily one of the two most well made films in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that's already a pretty impressive list of films. There are so many things that the film does right, that it's hard to cover them all. First, the directing done by the Russo Brothers is nothing short of beautiful. If you take time to really focus on the way that they frame shots and choreograph actions sequences, it's stunning. This is easily the best directing job done in any of the MCU films, and I'm saying that as someone who was very impressed by what Joss Whedon did in The Avengers. Directly placing Steve Rogers in the environment of an organization such as S.H.I.E.L.D. also gave the film a lot to play with both narratively and thematically. The plot, which I won't delve into for those who haven't seen the film yet, is compelling and gives the characters a lot to do in the film. Thematically, Rogers and S.H.I.E.L.D. represent a struggle of ideals. S.H.I.E.L.D. is an organization that represents doing what it believes is the right thing by any means necessary. To be fair, those who represent this ideal in the organization have a legitimate sense of morality, but they are jaded by an understanding of just how terrible the world can be. Steve Rogers on the other hand is intimately aware of the consequences of trying to protect the right interests through arguably immoral methods. It is a battle of perspectives that is smartly touched on throughout the film. Another smart decision made in the film was giving Captain America allies, in the form of Falcon and Black Widow, to interact with. Falcon is a necessary part of the film, because he becomes a friend that Steve can go to who is not associated with S.H.I.E.L.D. or any of their activities. In this film Black Widow cements her status as one of the most interesting MCU characters. While Steve is steadfast and certain of who he is, Black Widow is a chameleon who has learned to never be herself so that she can survive any threat. She brings out the playful side of Steve, but her presence also causes him to contemplate her way of life. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a refreshing change of pace for the already impressive Marvel Cinematic Universe.  

3.) Chef

What it's about:
After being professionally disgraced by a famous food blogger, a Chef works to rebuild his family and his passion for food by traveling across the country in a food truck.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
88% (Certified Fresh)
Why it made the list:
One of the reasons I advocate going to the movies so strongly, is that I think there's nothing like the experience of seeing a film for the first time in a theater. By all means, I should have hated Chef based on the experience I had seeing it. I had a painful catch in my neck, and the women sitting in front of me talked through most of the movie. It actually turned out to be one of my favorite experiences of the summer, and that is all due to the quality of this film. If there's one thing that director/writer/star Jon Favreau has proven in his work on films like Elf and the first two Iron Man films, it is that he knows how to have fun telling a compelling story.There are two stories taking place here, and what makes both of them compelling is that Favreau is able to meld both stories into one by the end of the film. This is a movie about a man who is passionate about his art, but who has found himself uninspired. The movie also tells the story of a man who let his marriage fall apart and has fallen out of touch with his son because of his perceived professional shortcomings. Watching Favreau's character build himself back up in the film is not just a rewarding experience, but an incredibly fun one too. I love how Favreau has infused the film with touches of Latin American culture. This is most notably done through the expertly chosen soundtrack. It was also nice to see a film where a capable actress like Sofia Vergara is given a worth while, albeit small, role to play. Chef does an incredible job of visualizing the current effect that social media has on the business world. Social media from blogging to Twitter is not only acknowledged in the film, but visualized in a way that gives viewers an immediate sense of how important it is to the story being told. Honestly, this just might be my favorite film of the year, but ask me that on any give day and I might say that about any of my top four films on this list. I walked out of the theater after seeing this film and felt refreshed by what I had just watched. If this is the direction Favreau's film making is going in post-Iron Man, then I am 100% on board for more. Oh yeah, and don't watch this movie on an empty stomach.

2.) Veronica Mars

What it's about: 
Ten years after Veronica quit working as a private investigator, she reluctantly returns to her seedy home town of Neptune, California to prove that her ex-boyfriend didn't commit a high profile murder.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
78% (Certified Fresh)
Why it made the list:
This is the movie I have seen the most this year (four times in theaters and at least as many on home video), and each time I saw it, I loved it more and more. From a visual standpoint, I was surprised (given the low budget and Rob Thomas' lack of experience directing movies) with just how impressive the cinematography is at times. There is a scene where Veronica is riding over a bridge at night that has the makings of being an iconic film scene if only more people had seen the film. I also like how the film takes on a darker visual tone, which parallels the noir inspired world Veronica lives in. As far as mystery/thrillers go, Veronica Mars (the show) has never been huge on the "thriller" aspect, but I was pleased that the movie incorporated a couple well placed thrills to keep the audience's pulse pumping throughout the film. While the mystery Veronica is investigating is fairly surface level as a plot device, the bread and butter of the film is Veronica the character. She's a strong female character with a piercing wit, who always manages to outwit foes who possess many more resources than she does. She's also a deeply conflicted character. This is the story of Veronica deciding what kind of life she is going to live, and nobody could narrate it better than the very self aware Veronica Mars. A running theme in the film is how Veronica likens her need to seek the truth to her mother's alcohol addiction. It's a perfect gateway to understanding the main plot of the film. Veronica can stay in New York and live a normal life as a successful lawyer, or she can return to Neptune, and resume her mantle as a P.I. fighting local corruption. Watching Veronica contemplate her future is one of the most compelling character studies on film this year.

1.) Guardians of the Galaxy

What it's about:
A group of intergalactic criminals come into possession of a mysterious and powerful object, and are forced to band together to make sure that it doesn't end up in the hands of a zealot who intends to use it to fulfill a personal vendetta.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
90% (Certified Fresh)
Why it made the list:
Guardians of the Galaxy isn't the best superhero movie ever made (The Avengers), or the best superhero movie made this year (Captain America: Winter Soldier). It is, however, the best superhero origin story film ever made. Guardians of the Galaxy works because it sets a tone right from the opening shot, and it commits to that tone 100%. That probably sounds pretty basic, but it is a quality that has become more and more rare in movies these days. Guardians never takes itself too seriously, but isn't afraid to play with the viewer's emotions a little bit. The film opens with a Disney-esque parent tragedy, and then not a minute later features the hilarious Chris Pratt dancing through perilous ruins. The film is at points laugh-out-loud hilarious, and unceasingly clever in how and when it lands a joke. That being said, this isn't just a bunch of misfits goofing off on screen for two hours. The film packs a lot of thrilling action into the story as well. Gamora in particular is fascinating to watch with her near acrobatic combat style. It's nice to see Marvel add a female character to the roster that has the potential to be as complex and entertaining to watch as Black Widow has been. The real selling point here though is the entire cast of misfits banding together. It's not an original story device, but when a film like this makes you fall in love with every character in the ensemble, then it's doing something right.  The film could have been a little more polished, and frankly is in desperate need of a legitimately intriguing villain, but no film this year was more fun to watch than Guardians of the Galaxy. 

Why The Veronica Mars Movie Is A Big Deal (Even If You Aren't A Fan)

Veroinca Mars, that name means a lot of things to a lot of people. Back when the show was on, it meant nothing to me. Sure, as a channel surfing junior high school student, I was aware of it. I never watched it though. It always just seemed like "that weird show on that channel I never watch." It wasn't until last year (years after it had been cancelled) that I actually started paying attention to Veronica Mars. That was when I heard that the show's small, but loyal, fans had funded a film version of Veronica Mars through the crowdfunding website Kickstarter.

Since seeing the trailer for the film, I made the decision to go back and see if the show was worth watching. I was hooked from the first episode. The show is about a high school student who uses the detective skills she learned from her P.I. father to solve mysteries for her classmates, as well as solving some of her hometown's biggest mysteries. I won't go into great detail about why the show is great, because that could take all day. What I will say, is that the reasons this show was a critical success with a strong following are clear. Kristen Bell led an ensemble of perfectly cast actors portraying genuinely interesting characters. It's no surprise that many of the show's cast and guest-stars have gone on to be big names in the acting and TV world. Nobody benefited more than Bell whose recent success can be seen (or more appropriately, heard) in the film Frozen. The other element of success was the show's writing. Creator Rob Thomas (no, not the lead singer of Matchbox Twenty) was able to perfectly blend a coming of age story with the gritty world of neo-noir mystery. The show never shied away from the darker elements of life, but it presented them in a way that was far less gruesome than most of today's nihilistic cable dramas.

But beyond all of that, it isn't the greatness of the show that makes this movie an important achievement. Well, at least that isn't the only reason. Why should you care about this movie if you've never seen the show? Because the movie symbolizes possibility. When Veronica Mars was on, its ratings were dismal. There's no reason this film should have been made by Hollywood's standards of decision making. Yet here we are on the day before it hits theaters. If you've ever had a beloved show cancelled, or wondered why Hollywood doesn't make films with strong women taking on gritty situations, then that's reason enough to celebrate the success of this movie. It represents the idea that people actually have a voice that can influence creative change in TV and film.

Veronica Mars was a smartly written show, which means its days on air were always numbered. The average person watching TV or going to the movies isn't looking for something they would classify as "smart" to watch. That isn't a knock on people who watch TV shows or go to movies that I don't deem to be "smart." Reality competition shows are my guilty pleasure, so I get it. The average viewer simply wants to be entertained. There's nothing wrong with that. But that's also no reason for Hollywood to neglect those niches of viewers that are looking for something a little more witty that tests the boundaries of what's conventional. Why should you care about Veronica Mars? Because with it comes the hope for a Hollywood where a small but loyal fan base can bring new creative endeavors to the big screen. I plan on being there at Midnight tonight to catch the film. I encourage you to go give the film a chance, even if you've never seen the show.

2014 Academy Awards: If I Had a Ballot

I saw a film critic I follow on twitter post an article online simply outlining how he would vote in each category. It's a simple idea, so I thought I would do the same briefly. Unlike this critic though, I haven't seen any of the nominees in some categories such as Foreign Film or Short Film etc., so I will be leaving categories such as that off.

Visual Effects: Gravity

Writing - Adapted Screenplay: 12 Years a Slave

Writing - Original Screenplay: Her

Actor in a Supporting Role: Jared Leto

Actress in a Supporting Role: Lupita Nyong'o

Sound Editing: Gravity

Sound Mixing: Gravity

Short Film - Animated: Get A Horse!

Production Design: Her

Music - Original Score: Gravity

Music - Original Song: "Let It Go" from Frozen

Makeup and Hairstyling: Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa

Film Editing: Gravity

Cinematography: Gravity

Costume Design: American Hustle

Directing: Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity

Animated Feature Film: Frozen

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Chiwetel Ejiofor

Best Picture: Gravity

2014 Academy Award Overview: Best Picture

This one is going to be a little different. There are nine films nominated for best picture and I want to highlight each of them in some way. Every film nominated isn't realistically a contender to win the award. I'll talk about the films that are nominated, but aren't real contenders. Then I'll talk about the films that have a real shot at winning the award.

Best Picture:
American Hustle
Nebraska
Captain Phillips
Philomena
Dallas Buyers Club
12 Years A Slave
Gravity
The Wolf of Wall Street
Her

The Real Contenders: 

American Hustle:
American Hustle is the story of two small time con artists (played by Christian Bale and Amy Adams) who get caught up in an FBI investigation to expose political corruption. All of the characters are caught in a web of lies, and are constantly struggling to get themselves to a better place. This film initially opened with the consensus that it is a good film, but not quite the amazing film that it was hoped to be. As awards season started, a strong campaign surged forward to promote American Hustle as a true contender for Best Picture. The appeal of the film is based around its four main actors: Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, and Bradley Cooper. All four are deserving of their acting nominations in their respective categories. The hitch in Hustle's step is that as far as "con artist" films go, it is hardly the most inventive, funny, or edge of your seat film in the genre. Many films have taken on similar subject matters and done much better.

12 Years A Slave:
12 Years A Slave tells the true story of Solomon Northrup, a black man who was born free, but is betrayed and sold into slavery. It is a raw, brutal, and passionate film that removes any Hollywood notions of slavery being anything but a soul crushing practice that degrades the humanity of everyone involved. The ensemble cast is brilliant, though they have gained less attention than that of American Hustle. What makes 12 Years A Slave a true masterpiece is Solomon Northrup's struggle to hold on to his humanity in the face of heinous crimes against the human spirit. The voice and essence of Northrup bleed into this film in a way that exposes his soul to the world. None of this could have been done without Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong'o's beautiful acting. There is a line in the film that sums up the entire experience. "Your story is amazing, and in no good way."

Gravity:
Gravity is the story of a woman stranded in outer space and struggling to survive after an unforeseeable disaster. Except that it isn't. The real story of Gravity is that it is a film about the choice that every person must make to either believe and fight for something greater than our sorrows, or to be consumed by them and allow ourselves to float away into the silence. The setting of outer space is less of a necessary structure to the telling of the story, and more of a compliment to it. Gravity is a film of contrasts, much like space itself. Life cannot exist in space. The conditions are extreme. In the same beat, space offers the most visually stunning sights known to man, and a serene silence that a person could get lost in. Director Alfonso Cuaron uses these images to highlight the internal struggle of main character, Ryan Stone (expertly portrayed by Sandra Bullock). When it seems like Stone is fated to die, her character must make the choice to give in, or fight for life. Bullock's performance, in which she anchors most of the film on her own, is one of the most emotionally appealing displays of the year. The film also features a visual and technical mastery that is revolutionary to the craft of film making. It's a testament to Cuaron that he was able to make his vision come to life, and Bullock that she was able to give voice to that vision.

The Other Nominees:

Nebraska:
Nebraksa tells the story of an old man who is starting to lose some of his sense of reality, and his son who feels the obligation to get to know his father better. In the film Bruce Dern portrays the main character, an old man who believes he has won a contest, which his family recognizes is clearly a scam. He insists on going to Nebraska to collect his prize though, and so his son reluctantly drives him there in hopes of growing closer to his father. Watching the father/son relationship unfold, albeit more on the part of the son than the father, on screen is the most rewarding aspect of the film. The film falters in areas, and more than anything was nominated for Alexander Payne's name recognition.

Captain Phillips:
Captain Phillips is the true story of a ship that was boarded by pirates, and the ship's captain who was taken hostage. Tom Hanks' portrayal of the title character drives this film, as does Barkhad Abdi's portrayal of the pirate who takes Phillips hostage. It isn't the most exciting of the nominees on the list, but Captain Phillips features great acting, a well rounded story that explores all perspectives of the event, and enough edge of your seat moments to warrant a nomination. The shame of this film is that Barkhad Abdi's performance won't get the recognition it deserves.

Philomena:
Philomena is the true story of a woman who had her son is taken from her by a group of nuns, and her search to find out what happened to him nearly 50 years later. This is easily the crowd-pleaser of the the group, and I don't mean that pejoratively. For as sad as the subject matter of the film is, there is also a lot of levity, and a "Hallmark Hall of Fame" level of sentiment. Judi Dench carries the film as the titular character. At times the film tries to play the "look at this cheeky old lady" card, but I think Dench tried to take the role seriously, and it shows. It's not the weakest nominee in the group, but the real honor for the film is just being nominated.

Dallas Buyers Club:
Dallas Buyers Club is the story of a man diagnosed with HIV who, upon learning that there is no effective treatment for the disease, starts a buyers club where people diagnosed with the disease can buy vitamins and supplements that help fight the effects of the disease. Dallas Buyers Club's impact is that it shows just how poorly HIV treatment and education were handled in the past. There are warnings about the privatization of scientific research and how uninformed ignorance can lead to prejudice, in the film. The acting here is solid, but I don't think it's so strong that it warrants a win in both male acting categories. If things get really crazy with Best Picture voting, then this might be the film that could sneak past the top three, but I highly doubt that.

Her:
Her tells the story of a lonely man who falls in love with a personalized computer OS while struggling to overcome a divorce he didn't want. This film is probably the most original of the group, at least in concept and plot. The concept of a person falling in love with a computer could have gone very wrong. As a whole, this film is more thought out and well crafted than any of the other non-contenders, and even more than the actual contender American Hustle. Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix should have been nominated for their roles here, but in all honesty, the Best Picture nomination and potential Best Original Screenplay award are more than most films of this status could ask for. Unfortunately for Her (but not for us as viewers), the film didn't go for obvious social messages or slightly witty older actors that are the hallmarks of Academy cherished films.

The Wolf of Wall Street:
I haven't seen this one. I have no desire to see this one. Why America has a fascination with men being a**holes on screen is beyond me. I don't need to see three hours of an overrated actor snorting coke and dropping f bombs. Wouldn't it be a crazy change of character for DiCaprio to try playing a humble character with no money? Just a thought. Not that he needs any help. Like Woody Allen before him, DiCaprio will keep getting money and praise just for doing the same thing over and over again. Wolf won't win, but it's a Scorsese/DiCaprio film, so the nomination is no surprise.

Who Will Win:
As discussed above, the three real contenders for this award are American Hustle, Gravity, and 12 Years A Slave. Not only are these three the top contenders, but many critics are saying that this is the tightest Best Picture race that there has been in years. Let's break this down a little.

American Hustle has two factors that contribute to its contender status. The biggest factor is that it won the Best Ensemble award at the Screen Actors Guild awards. In that same vein, the largest voting body for Best Picture are actors, so they tend to vote for actor driven films such as American Hustle. All of that being said, while Hustle used to be considered one of the top two contenders, it's lack of wins from any of the other guild awards has knocked it down to number three status and slowed its momentum significantly. The best chance American Hustle has is if Gravity and 12 Years A Slave split the vote enough for it to pass them.

For being the most critically lauded film (a 97% rotten tomatoes rating, which is the highest of any nominated film), Gravity's chances are far from certain due to a number of factors that help and hurt its chances. First, the pros column. Director Alfonso Cuaron won the Directors Guild Award, and it is almost certain that he will win Best Director at the Oscars this year. This is normally a fairly strong indicator of a film's shot at winning Best Picture, but it's far from a sure thing. Gravity also had a historical tie with 12 Years A Slave to win the Producers Guild Award, which has been a strong predictor of the Best Picture winner in recent years. Since actors tend to vote for actor driven films, that could hurt Gravity's chances because it mostly features one actor, and many actors may see the technical aspects of the film as trying to replace actors in the medium. On the other hand, Gravity's support among the voters who belong to the technical categories is almost a guarantee. Gravity's chances are good, but for a lot of the race it has been considered the number two contender.

12 Years A Slave has been perceived at the leader for much of the race, granted that is by a slim margin. As stated above, it tied for the PGA award with Gravity. Like American Hustle, it features a large ensemble cast, which could appeal to actors in the Academy. Unlike Hustle, 12 Years A Slave has managed to maintain its momentum. It looks like the film might only come away with one acting win despite its three nominations, and even that win isn't a sure bet. Many voters will most likely feel some guilt over not giving Chiwetel Ejiofor the Best Actor award and therefore cast their vote to award this film Best Picture. There is also a strong sense that due to the subject matter of the film, that it "should" win. The sentiment isn't necessarily wrong, but it also isn't necessarily genuine based on how uneven 12 Years A Slave's chances are of winning in other categories this year. If you're playing the odds, this is probably the film to bet on, but don't be too surprised if Gravity has the upper hand, or American Hustle sneaks in there.

Who Should Win:
I'll make this short. I am dying to see Gravity and 12 Years A Slave tie for this win. It happened at the PGA Awards, but critical consensus seems to be that it would be nearly impossible to see it happen at the Academy Awards. Still I can hope. Both films together epitomize film as an art form. I can't really choose a favorite between the two because both are spectacularly well made, and completely different. Whichever one wins (hopefully both!), I'll be happy.

Snubs:
There are plenty of arguments to be made for any number of films that weren't nominated this year. Many people thought that The Butler, Inside Llewyn Davis, Saving Mr. Banks, and August: Osage County would be contenders, but they were mostly left out of the Awards all together. These films all had flaws, but that doesn't mean there isn't a decent argument for some of them being better than some of the films that did make the cut this year. Unlike last year when Beasts of the Southern Wild overcame it's small independent status to get a handful of nominations, the smaller independent films didn't have as much luck this year. Some great smaller independent productions that deserved nominations were Fruitvale Station and Short Term 12. Then of course, there's The Way Way Back, which was a personal favorite of mine this year. I love the blend of humor and drama in the film, but while it was well received by critics, many tried to compare it to other "summer" films, and lost sight of its voice.

2014 Academy Awards Overview: Best Actor/Actress in a Leading Role

Best Actor and Best Actress are probably the two most notable awards given outside of Best Picture. These two categories are foregone conclusions this year, which is a shame, cause neither category is getting it right this year. This is a look at the races this year.

Best Actor in a Leading Role:
Christian Bale in American Hustle
Bruce Dern in Nebraska
Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street
Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years A Slave
Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club
Who Will Win:
Matthew McConaughey in his turn as an AIDS sufferer who works to advance treatment of the illness. McConaughey has taken home the Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and SAG awards for his portrayal in Dallas Buyers Club.
Who Should Win:
As much as I respect what McConaughey has done here, this should be Chiwetel Ejiofor's award. McConaughey's role has a lot of depth and he performs it outstandingly, but at the end of the day his character seems a lot like a variation of the Matthew McConaughey we already know. This role is great, but it's not a huge stretch for McConaughey. The beauty of Ejiofor's performance is that he portrays not just a character, but the whole soul of a man. Solomon Northrup is a man who suffers unbearable physical and emotional pain, and yet he fights on for survival. The ache of watching Northrup being stripped of his dignity by his captors is easily the most raw performance of the year. The story of 12 Years A Slave could easily be turned into merely a good lesson put on film, but Ejiofor's performance (and for that matter Nyong'o's) make it a portrait of a man stolen from freedom and family. Christian Bale is great in American Hustle, but it's hard to watch it and not think about how this role doesn't hold a candle to his Oscar winning turn in The Fighter. Bruce Dern is perfect as a quiet old man somewhere on the edge of lucidity in Nebraska, but the role lacks the same level of content as the other nominees in the category.
Snubs:
There were quite a few snubs among the actors this year. Perhaps most slighted this year were black actors. Chadwich Boseman gave a powerful, though critically underrated, performance as Jackie Robinson in 42. Michael B. Jordan was subtle, but impressive as a man trying to turn his life around for his family in the tragic film Fruitvale Station. While The Butler had its problems and critics, Forest Whitaker carries the film with his performance. One of the most notable snubs was Tom Hanks for Captain Phillips. His acting in the last 15 minutes of that film is enough to win most people an Oscar, let alone his impressive performance in the rest of the film.

Best Actress in a Leading Role:
Amy Adams in American Hustle
Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock in Gravity
Judi Dench in Philomena
Meryl Streep in August: Osage County
Who Will Win:
When Blue Jasmine came out last summer, every critic seemed to automatically decide that Cate Blanchett had just won her second Oscar. That was before any of the other four nominees' performances had hit theaters, I might add. Blanchett has won every major award this year, and a strong campaign has taken root to award Blanchett's overall acting career more so than just this one performance. Most of all though, women in Woody Allen films win awards. That's about as close to a sure thing as you can get with the Academy Awards.
Who Should Win:
Bullock or Adams. Let me start this by saying that I admire Cate Blanchett's career and even her performance in Blue Jasmine. That being said, of the women nominated, Blanchett's performance is fourth place at best. While Blanchett is great in this performance, she comes across as a caricature, not a real person. No matter how hard Blanchett acts, I can't imagine this woman ever existing in the real world. Part of that is that Woody Allen's scripts often have an unbelievable quality to them, and part of that is because the screen has seen this role before in the form of Blanche DuBois.  There are three arguments as to why Sandra Bullock should win this award. First is Bullock's ability to bring emotion out of this role. Bullock evokes a range of emotions from the role; terror in her present situation, sorrow in her tragic past and current feelings of helplessness, the peace she finds through outer space's silence, and most of all triumphant joy in her decision to fight to reclaim her life through all of this. Second is Bullock's physical performance. I would venture to say that this is easily the most physically demanding Oscar nominated performance ever. Bullock was often working with experimental equipment and doing so gracefully. Third Bullock carries most of the film by herself. That's not an easy feat to achieve. Most of the other actresses in this category had large supporting casts to lean on in their films. I know Bullock won't win this award, but her nomination is validation of her first win, so that's enough of a win for me. My second choice for a winner would be Amy Adams. First of all, this is her FIFTH nomination without a win. People seriously underestimate how impressive her career is. Not only has she given five great award worthy performances, she also acts in a wider range of films than almost any other actor in the business. In the film, Adams' character is doing a tight rope routine between trying to hide her true self from those around her, and trying to hide her true self from herself. When Adams really shines in the film is when her character lets her guard down and shows brilliant glimpses of honesty. Amy Adams easily gives the most emotionally demanding performance of the women nominated here. Judi Dench is amazing in Philomena as a woman looking for her son who was taken from her by nuns who were selling Irish babies to Americans. Meryl Streep's nomination here is just proof that the Academy will nominate her no matter what. There are genuinely funny and heartbreaking moments from Streep in this film, but mostly her character is so over the top that it undermines any message the film is trying to get across to viewers. Any of the people in my snubs section would have been better nominees.
Snubs:
The notable snub here is Emma Thompson for Saving Mr. Banks. No matter what problems the critics seemed to have with the film (some of them are warranted, others aren't), most of them still recognized Emma Thompson's excellent acting in the film. The way that she studied PL Travers' breathing and speaking patterns from old recordings and matched those in the film is impressive. Another actress who deserved to be nominated was Brie Larson from Short Term 12. Her performance is subtle, but emotionally powerful. That's something the category could have used more of this year.

2014 Academy Award Overview: Non-Acting Categories

Here is an overview of some of the more prominent Academy Awards categories outside of Best Picture and the acting categories.

Animated Feature Film:
The Croods
Frozen
Despicable Me 2
The Wind Rises
Ernest & Celestine
Who Will Win:
Frozen. It's really no contest this year, especially with Pixar's only film Monsters University not getting nominated. Many critics are hailing Frozen as the greatest Disney animation musical since The Lion King.
Who Should Win:
This is Frozen's year. In what was easily one of the weakest years for animated film in recent history, this film was the clear stand out. I'll be honest, I haven't seen any of the nominated films outside of Frozen and The Croods, and partially that's cause this year is such a given. I'll add the note here that I've heard nothing but good things about The Wind Rises and Ernest & Celestine, I simply haven't seen them because they haven't been playing in theaters near me. It's good to see Disney Animation have an actual shot at winning this year. In the last few years, Disney Animation has arguably started to rival, if not outperform their Pixar counterpart. A list of their recent animated successes include: Bolt, Tangled, Winnie the Pooh, The Princess and the Frog, and Wreck-It Ralph. The last film on that list easily should have won the Oscar last year.
Snubs:
Monsters University wasn't Pixar's brightest moment, but nonetheless it was a better animated film than most this year. Some critics cheered when it didn't get nominated, and I understand the sentiment. Pixar has beaten some better films simply based on name recognition these past few years. That being said, I think the best films should be nominated, and Monsters University was much better than The Croods.

Directing:
David O. Russell for American Hustle
Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity
Alexander Payne for Nebraska
Steve McQueen for 12 Years A Slave
Martin Scorsese for The Wolf of Wall Street
Who Will Win:
Unless there is some major upset, this award is going to Cuaron.
Who Should Win:
Cuaron. Gravity is a near-perfect realization of Cuaron's vision. This is a very impressive list of directors working on stunning films, but it's hard to argue against Cuaron and Gravity. Not only did Cuaron direct a visually revolutionary film, he also directed a film that brought the best, physically and emotionally, out of lead actress Sandra Bullock. O. Russell and Payne are impressive directors, but their films don't have the same acute sense of vision that Cuaron's does. If Cuaron weren't in the race, the award should go to McQueen who made many strong choices in portraying the cruelty of slavery.
Snubs:
I really respect David O. Russell and Alexander Payne, but in my opinion, Spike Jonze should have been nominated for his work on the Best Picture nominated Her over everyone in this category except Cuaron and McQueen. Another impressive director this year was Destin Cretton, who directed the critically lauded Short Term 12.

Writing-Adapted Screenplay:
Before Midnight
Captain Phillips
Philomena
12 Years A Slave
The Wolf of Wall Street
Who Will Win:
This one's a little bit of a toss up. Captain Phillips won the Writers Guild Award for this category. Critical consensus however seems to be that 12 Years A Slave is the front runner. That film wasn't even nominated for the Writers Guild Award. Another advantage that 12 Years A Slave has in this category, is that it has a much greater chance of winning the Oscar for Best Picture than Captain Phillips does, so that could raise the film's overall profile in other categories such as this one.
Who Should Win:
I haven't read Solomon Northrup's memoir about the 12 years he spent as a slave in the South, but it is next on my reading list. 12 Years A Slave's script is written to be not just a record of events, but a portrait of Solomon Northrup's indomitable spirit. I have no idea why WGA didn't nominate it for their Adapted Screenplay award, but it was a significant error. This film should hands down win this award.

Writing-Original Screenplay:
Dallas Buyers Club
American Hustle
Blue Jasmine
Her
Nebraska
Who Will Win:
Again, this one is a little up in the air. Critical consensus is that American Hustle will win. The Writers Guild gave the award to Her. American Hustle again has a greater chance of winning Best Picture than Her. On the other hand, Her has gained a lot of recognition this year as arguably the most original story among the Best Picture contenders. I'm going to take a guess and say that the Academy will recognize the originality of Her.
Who Should Win:
Not only is the concept behind Her more original than the concept behind American Hustle, Her features the best writing in any film this year. The key to Her's script is that it is very dialogue heavy, and the dialogue is beautifully honest and poetic. In other hands, the story of a man falling in love with a computer OS could go very wrong. The way it is developed here shows some very heartfelt glimpses into our longings and insecurities as humans.

2014 Academy Awards Overview: Best Supporting Actor/Actress

This is the first of four posts I am doing on the Academy Awards, which airs this Sunday. This post focuses on the supporting acting categories. Unlike last year when these categories were filled with mostly minor performances, the supporting actor and actress categories are teeming with talented performances this year.

Best Supporting Actor:
Barkhad Abdi in Captain Phillips
Jonah Hill in The Wolf of Wall Street
Bradley Cooper in American Hustle
Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club
Michael Fassbender in 12 Years A Slave
Who Will Win:
Jared Leto. His turn as a transgender AIDS patient struggling with drug addiction is a complete transformation for Leto. If there's one thing the Academy has consistently rewarded, it's actors who transform themselves for roles. If you have any doubts about Leto's chances of winning, he has already taken home awards at the SAG, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice Awards this year.
Who Should Win:
It's hard to argue against Leto winning this award. The transformation he takes on as an actor is very impressive. Beyond that, the role offered Leto a lot of depth, and he takes full advantage of it in his performance. Another testament to Leto's performance here is that it actually brings out the best in his co-stars Jennifer Garner and Matthew McConaughey. That all being said, this is easily one of the most impressive supporting actor categories in years. Barkhad Abdi is haunting as a pirate who slides seamlessly into the role of thief and hostage taker. Bradley Cooper is manic as the FBI agent who loses all sense of reality in his pursuit of glory. Michael Fassbender is visceral as the mentally disturbed slave owner who treats everyone around him like objects to be abused. In any other year one of these three could easily walk away with this award.
Snubs:
This category is so strong this year, there aren't too many strong cases to make for people getting snubbed. I haven't seen Jonah Hill's performance, and I really have no desire to watch The Wolf of Wall Street. I would personally argue that Sam Rockwell should have been nominated from The Way Way Back, but I'm fully aware that The Way Way Back was never taken as seriously as it should have been, and his name was never legitimately in the mix.

Best Supporting Actress:
June Squibb in Nebraska
Sally Hawkins in Blue Jasmine
Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle
Julia Roberts in August: Osage County
Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years A Slave
Who Will Win:
Most of the acting categories are pretty much set in stone as to who will win, but if there's any chance of an upset, it's in this category. Lupita Nyong'o has won in this category at the SAG and the Critics Choice Awards. Jennifer Lawrence took home the Golden Globe in this category. Does that suggest that this race is extremely close? Probably not. Lupita Nyong'o seems to have most of the momentum going into this one. There's also the factor of Jennifer Lawrence having just won an Oscar last year. Unless something shifts the momentum before voting ends, Lupita Nyong'o is almost certainly getting this award.
Who Should Win:
I'm a little up in the air on this one. Lawrence and Nyong'o both gave amazing performances. Just like her winning performance last year, Lawrence is a force of nature in American Hustle. Her role isn't the most vital one in the film, but she steals the attention from just about every other actor when she's on the screen. The beauty of Lawrence's performance is how she makes her character larger than life one moment, and the next moment she makes her character seem like a vulnerable child looking for shelter. Her subtle moments are just as impressive as her over the top ones. Lupita Nyong'o's debut performance was the kind that can define a career. There is a deep personal struggle within her character that she portrays with perfection in her acting. The true testament to Nyong'o's acting here is how deeply she makes you feel the pain of her character's existence. At times the pain is emotional, but it is also physically embodied by the tortures that her character suffers at the hand of her slave owner and his jealous wife. For that, I would give the slight edge to Nyong'o. June Squibb is excellent as a blunt foul-mouthed old woman, but her performance lacks the depth of Nyong'o and Lawarence's performances. Julia Roberts gives one of the best performances of her career here, but in reality it's more of a leading role than a supporting role, so her nomination is a stretch. Sally Hawkins' performance was not even close to the same caliber as her fellow nominees, and her nomination makes no sense.
Snubs:
Other awards ceremonies this year gave nominations to Oprah for her role in The Butler. I think that would have been a much better choice than Sally Hawkins. The true snub here though is Amy Adams for Her. It's not the biggest role, but Adams makes it a vital role to the film through her genuine and honest portrayal of the main character's best friend.

How @SadderAndWiser #WinsTwitter

My friend, whose Twitter profile is @SadderAndWiser, keeps a pretty low profile on Twitter. That being said, if you are one of her fortunate 23 followers, then you know that there are quite a few gems on her timeline. @SadderAndWiser's Twitter account is a winner because it references awesome TV shows, her sharp wit, and her ability to tell things like they are. Here is a sort of greatest hits list for you:

Keep tweeting @SadderAndWiser!