2014:Mid-Year Review

2014: The Best so far!!!

   So we are about 8 months into this wonderful year of films.  I know that I have seen some great ones and I've seen my share of duds!  I've seen about 30 movies so far and I wanted to do this best of list just to start a discussion really.  I know that there are tons of great stuff out there that I haven't got to yet, but Netflix is slow at times!  I've definitely gone to the cinema a lot this year, not just to see the big box office flicks but to see indy films too!  (Thank You TODD!!)  I will be doing this by category. I'll list them and then pick my favorite from them.
First off though here's the films I've seen so far...

22 Jumpstreet

About Last Night

Bad Words

Captain America The Winter Solider

Chef

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Godzilla

Grand Budapest Hotel,The

Fed Up

Fluffy Movie,The

Ida

Lego Movie

Locke

Lucky Them

Jack Ryan:Shadow Recruit

Maleficent

Million Dollar Arm

Neighbors

Non-Stop

Paranormal Activity The Marked One

Purge:Anarchy,The

Ride Along

Robocop

That Awkward Moment

Think Like a Man Too

X-Men:Days of Future Past

Walk of Shame

Wish I Was Here

Best Actor:
Jon Favreau-Chef
Andy Serkis-Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Tom Hardy-Locke
Zach Braff-Wish I Was Here
Ralph Fiennes-The Grand Budapest Hotel

Honorable Mentions:
Jason Bateman-Bad Words
Hugh Jackman-X-Men Days of Future Past

This was rather difficult for me.  I enjoyed these five actors a lot!  I would have to say my favorite is Andy Serkis!  The guys is in a full body suit the whole time he films, and yet he still can relay the feelings of Cesar.  I thought his performance was better than the first film and I can't wait to see if they do a third one! 

Best Supporting Actor:
Tony Revolori-The Grand Budapest Hotel
Michael Fassbender-X-Men Days of Future Past
Josh Gad-Wish I Was Here
Pitobash-Million Dollar Arm
Zach Effron-Neighbors

    This one is easier for me!  I'm going with Zach Effron.  He has defiantly broken away from his old High School Musical days.  This was his best role to date and a good rebound role as well from earlier dud, The Awkward Moment.

Honorable Mentions
Samuel L. Jackson-Captain America The Winter Solider

Best Actress:
Agata Trzebuchowska-Ida
Kate Hudson-Wish I Was Here
Elizabeth Banks-Walk of Shame
Angelina Jolie-Maleficent
Julianne Moore-Non-Stop

Honorable Mentions:
Kerri Russel-Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

I went back and fourth between two of these leading ladies but in the end I'm going with the rookie here.  Agata Trzebuchowska was just amazing in Ida.  Its crazy because it's her first role as well.  She made me feel conflicted and I kept wondering what she was thinking the entire film.  I hope she does another film soon so we could hopefully see her growth.

Best Supporting Actress:
Agata Kulesza-Ida
Joey King-Wish I Was Here
Abbie Cornish-Robocop
Ellie Fanning-Maleficent
Scarlett Johansson-Chef

Honorable Mentions:
Kiera Knightley-Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit

This one is an easy choice for me.  Joey King is simple amazing in Wish I Was Here.  She's been in a lot more movies than I thought and she still just learning her craft.  I think that she could be a good break out star soon.  Only time will tell!

Best Director:
Zach Braff-Wish I Was Here
Steven Knight-Locke
Jon Favreau-Chef
Bryan Singer-X-Men Days of Future Past
Matt Reeves-Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Honorable Mention:
Wes Anderson-The Grand Budapest Hotel

All five are really deserving choices here.  All five films provided moments that will be remembered one way or another.  If it was a big budget movie or just an indy film, you have to have good direction.  All our favorites have a man in charge.  So far this year I think it's Bryan Singer.  I know that this will be the debated one here.  But think about how good the X-Men movies were when, Singer, did the first two.  Then Ratner ruined the third one and the franchise never recovered, until now.  Considering all the star power this movie had too, (Jackman, Stewart, Fassbender, McAvoy, Lawrence, Berry, McKellen, Dinklage etc) he kept things in order.   This movie garnered 1 of my 4, 4 star ratings too.

My Top Ten so far in 2014:
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                                                                                          So that's my top ten!  I know there are a lot out there that I haven't seen yet!  I am prepared for this list to change! I hope it does too cause then there were some great movies!

I'm already looking forward to

1:Guardians of the Galaxay

2: Foxcatcher

3: Boyhood

4: Gone Girl

5: Birdman

6: Hunger Games:Mocking Jay Part 1

7: Interstellar

8: Sin City: A Dame to Kill

9: Nightcrawler

10: A Most Wanted Man

11: Into the Storm

12: The Hobbit 3

13 :Snowpiercer

14: Fury

15: Dumb and Dumber to

 So in closing I hope you all have fun at the movies!  Please tell me what your looking forward to!  What did you agree with me on?  What did you think I got wrong?  Let me know!!

And as always Thank You!!  Adam