The Halftime Top 5 2014

An image from Like Father, Like Son one of the best films of 2014 so far

Photo Credit: Mongrel Media

It’s about halfway through the year (well give or take) so it’s time to see just how good of a year in film it’s been so far. These are the best of the best of what I’ve seen as of the end of June and I’ve got to say this is a decent list. Many of these films actually have a chance to be on the end of the year top 10 and I had a legitimately hard time pairing this down to just five. So lets get going here are my five favourite films in 2014:

Honourable Mention:

Her

Her is technically a 2013 film but it didn’t open in Vancouver until 2014 and thus I didn’t have a chance to see it at the end of last year. The film itself is a lovely and fascinating look at love of both technology and in a long distance situation. I love this film but decided to eliminate it from 2014 contention simply because it already had its awards moment and really is a 2013 film.

5. X-Men: Days of Future Past

The most ambitious of this year’s Summer Blockbuster crowd so far X:Men Days of Future Past managed to be the sweet spot of this Summer’s biggest films. The plot manages to work despite all of its intricacies, the characters are all well rounded and detailed, and it even managed to have some really cool action sequences. This is the best superhero film since The Dark Knight Rises and the best Blockbuster of 2014.

4. Locke

Tom Hardy driving a car while taking phone calls for an hour and a half doesn’t sound like a great film idea but Locke manages to make it work extraordinarily. The great performance from Tom Hardy and the fascinating character arc experienced throughout this film make it a true winner. Bring on some more great actor talking on the phone in a car films!

3. Under the Skin

Bold, beautiful, and fascinating Under the Skin is one of the strangest and most rewarding films of 2014. Anchored by a great performance by Scarlett Johanson, a truly devastating message about female sexuality, and beautiful technical filmmaking Under the Skin is a great example of thinking man’s Sci-Fi. Sure this film isn’t for everyone, on the surface it may seem like Johnanson walking around the countryside of Ireland picking up men, but look even slightly amount deeper and you’ve got something truly special in Under the Skin.

2. The Raid 2

A symphony of violence and the best action film I’ve seen in a number of years The Raid 2 is an absolute blast. This film features some of the best shot action sequences I have ever seen, from great one on one fights to the best car chase since the French Connection. But this film isn’t great entirely for its action, the film boosted the ambition with a fun undercover cop plot and some very interesting character arcs. That whole film culminates in a final hour that is one of the most intense and amazing sequences I have ever lay witness to.

1. Like Father, Like Son

A festival darling in 2013 Like Father, Like Son finally hit mainstream theatres in early 2014 and the results are dazzling. This film hit me on an emotional level that has yet to be topped in 2014 providing beautiful and challenging moments that could be devastating at one point and joyful at others. The achievement of this film is dazzling, taking a premise that might seem manipulative and melodramatic on paper and transforming it into a film that is beautifully grounded and strikingly emotional. Seek out Like Father, Like Son and don’t be afraid of the subtitles because the ultimate experience is well worth it.