Home Screening Room - Don't Get Boxtrolled in Let Lucy Break You Out

Pick Of The Week

The Boxtrolls / Rated PG / Voices of Ben Kingsley, Nick Frost

A community of rather odd creatures exists below the streets in a merry little town. Each is defined solely by the name on the discarded box he or she wears. But one of these creatures is not like the others. Just who is “Eggs,” and how does he fit with the town above? A pleasant and quite delightful romp through this animated land is fun for the whole family. (Grade: B)

Also This Week

Annabelle / Rated R / Ward Horton, Annabelle Wallis

John and Mia are expecting their first child, and her husband’s gift of a doll she has long sought is a welcome occurrence. What’s not welcome is the satanic cult that attacks the couple and the strange events that follow. A prequel to the horror film The Conjuring.

The Drop / Rated R / Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace

A bar is a place where people gather together for a number of reasons. But this Brooklyn bar is just one of many places where money is “dropped” for the gangsters who own the city. When a robbery takes place, it runs much deeper than a simple attack on what was in the register.

Lucy / Rated R / Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman

Lucy was told to deliver a briefcase. But what happened next was not in the plans. When the delivery goes awry and her body receives a new drug that allows her to use her entire brain, Lucy becomes a ticking time bomb. The only question is, who will she get revenge on first?

Plus

By the Gun / Rated R / Ben Barnes, Leighton Meester 

Coherence / Not Rated / Hugo Armstrong, Nicholas Brendon

Rudderless / Rated R / Billy Crudup, Anton Yelchin

White Bird in a Blizzard / Rated R / Shailene Woodley, Eva Green

The Zero Theorem / Rated R / Christoph Waltz, Melanie Thierry

Remember – all release dates are subject to change.

The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary Celebration is Coming

I'm excited to share the following release. There is something about these iconic musicals that can just put a smile on your face.

 

The following includes excerpts from a Press Release from 20th Century Fox on the Sound of Music 50th Anniversary

 

 

Twentieth Century Fox Launches Year-Long, Golden Campaign
Bringing the Beloved Film to Theaters, Blu-ray™, Digital HD and More!

Special New Documentary
“The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg”

Opening the 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 20, 2015) – Twentieth Century Fox proudly honors the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 box office smash and five-time Academy Award^®-winning The Sound of Music with an unprecedented year-long, company-wide celebration highlighted by theatrical and home entertainment releases, and a slate of cross-company and promotional partnerships that will bring one of the world’s most ‘favorite things’ to millions around the globe. The unparalleled golden anniversary of the film’s premiere will launch March 2 in the United Kingdom and March 10 in the United States with the release of the 5-disc Ultimate Collector's Edition 50th Anniversary Blu-ray™/DVD/Digital HD. Beautifully restored, the 5-disc 50th Anniversary Blu-ray features over 13 hours of bonus content highlighted by the all-new documentary “The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg,” detailing Andrews' recent return to the magical city where she filmed her iconic role, Maria, half a century ago!

The celebration will continue on March 26 with Turner Classic Movies (TCM) paying tribute to the film’s legendary stars, Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, with an opening night screening of the movie at the sixth annual TCM Classic Film Festival (which runs from March 26-29). Famed film historian Robert Osborne will introduce the brilliantly restored film at the opening-night gala and moderate a Q&A session with Andrews and Plummer.

The treasured film will once again proudly shine on the big screen in commemoration of this special anniversary. Through a Fox partnership with Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies, a beautifully restored version of the film will be shown for two days only, April 19 and 22, in over 500 theaters across the U.S. (www.FathomEvents.com).

The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary celebration will feature a global partnership with Princess Cruises, also celebrating its Golden Anniversary in 2015. The acclaimed line will screen the movie on board multiple sailings throughout the year along with themed events, sing-a-long experiences and more. Beginning in March, fans can enter to win a Princess cruise for two plus a $500 Princess Cruises gift card each month through the end of the year with a total of nine chances to win.

The emotional all-new The Sound of Music documentary, “The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg,” blends personal memories with fascinating history, as Ms. Andrews returns to key sites in the story of the von Trapps, including Nonnberg Abbey, Mondsee Abbey and the “Do-Re-Mi” steps at Mirabell Gardens. With the Blu-ray, fans can further explore the making of the biggest live-action musical of all time with numerous featurettes highlighting the movie, music, real-life von Trapp family and more. The Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray will feature an exclusive, 50th anniversary soundtrack from Legacy Recordings/Sony Music, which includes eight international bonus tracks never-before released in the U.S. Legacy Recordings/Sony Music will also release, for the first time ever, a special 50th Anniversary soundtrack featuring the full film score.

In addition to the new Special Edition Blu-ray and CD soundtrack, no less than four new books are being published in 2015 to coincide with the anniversary, focusing on the film. They are: “The Sound of Music Companion – 50th Anniversary Edition” (Laurence Maslon, Pavilion/Rizzoli); “The Sound of Music Story” (Tom Santopietro, St. Martin's Press); “Sound of Music FAQ” (Barry Monush, Applause Books); and “The Sound of Music: BFI Film Classics” (Caryl Flinn, BFI).

*1966: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Music
**1965: Best Actress in a Leading Role; Mary Poppins / 2012: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role; Beginners

The Critics Have Spoken - 2014 Winners

Here is the list of the winners for this year's Critics' Choice Movie Awards.

WINNERS OF THE 20th ANNUAL CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS

Best Picture – “Boyhood”Best Actor – Michael Keaton, “Birdman”
Best Actress – Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
Best Supporting Actor – J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
Best Supporting Actress – Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
Best Young Actor/Actress – Ellar Coltrane, “Boyhood”
Best Acting Ensemble – “Birdman”
Best Director – Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”
Best Original Screenplay – Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., Armando Bo, “Birdman”
Best Adapted Screenplay – Gillian Flynn, “Gone Girl”
Best Cinematography – Emmanuel Lubezki, “Birdman”
Best Art Direction – Adam Stockhausen (Production Designer), Anna Pinnock (Set Decorator), “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Best Editing – Douglas Crise, Stephen Mirrione, “Birdman”
Best Costume Design – Milena Canonero, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Best Hair & Makeup – “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Best Visual Effects – “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”
Best Animated Feature – “The Lego Movie”
Best Action Movie – “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Best Actor in an Action Movie – Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper”
Best Actress in an Action Movie – Emily Blunt, “Edge of Tomorrow”
Best Comedy – “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Best Actor in a Comedy – Michael Keaton, “Birdman”
Best Actress in a Comedy – Jenny Slate, “Obvious Child”
Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie – “Interstellar”
Best Foreign Language Film – “Force Majeure”
Best Documentary Feature – “Life Itself”
Best Song – “Glory”, Common and John Legend, “Selma”
Best Score – Antonio Sanchez, “Birdman”

Oscar Nomination Morning - Everything is NOT Awesome

Everything is NOT Awesome, But It's Not Awful Either

Ah, a beautiful sunrise across America. And an early morning for many in the crazy land of Hollywood.

Some, get the call that they've probably not slept the night before waiting for, "congratulations, you are an Oscar nominee."

For many others have a phone that doesn't ring with the message they wanted...but more of a "You were robbed" or "You'll get them on the next film" waiting for them.

Still today the announcement of the nominees for the 87th Annual Academy Awards (airing Sunday, Feb. 22 on ABC) are a big deal for those of us who live the year within the movie community.

See all the nominees on the Oscar site here.

Now let's take a quick look at what I think went right, what went wrong and some of the big stories.

It seems like everyone focuses on the negative first...let's hit some positives instead.

What Went Right

- Whiplash - my favorite film of the year found its way into the Best Picture race and (despite some confusion within the voting community on the screenplay, still found a way to get nominated for
Adapted Screenplay).

- Julianne Moore for Still Alice - one of the films that totally found a way to sneak up on me, the performance is there (it was expected to be there) and hopefully will amount to a win.

- Marion Cotillard - also in the actress category, Cotillard is an Academy fave and it was nice to see her in the mix.

- Steve Carell - nice to see the mainly comedic actor get in the mix for his dramatic, heavily makeup-centric, performance.

- Grateful - The song with music and lyrics by Diane Warren from the film Beyond the Lights was a really nice surprise for me. The film actually isn't bad and this was a big part of it.

- Song in general - I actually like the list of song nominees. They all offers something really special to their films and to see 5 nominees with a lot of good work recognized is something special.

What Went Wrong (or the section everyone wants to read)

- The Lego Movie - In my mind, the two best animated films of the year are Big Hero 6 and The Lego
Movie...though I have a certain affinity for How To Train Your Dragon 2 and others as well, it seems to say that The Lego Movie is NOT one of the top 5 animated films of the year...is ridiculous.

- Life Itself - Look, I don't know what the Academy has against Steve James, but Life Itself was the BEST documentary I saw this year. No offense to the other nominees, but this deserves one of their spots, PERIOD. Oh and YES I voted for it to win the Critics' Choice Movie Award this evening on A&E.

- A Most Violent Year - no love for a film that I had at number 5 on my top 10 list is a bit surprising. Looked to me like the type of film that could sneak in a couple noms.

- Ava DuVernay - I was not the biggest fan of Selma - very good, not great...but I can think of at least 2 folks that got directors nods that she did a better job than.

- Nightcrawler/Jake Gyllenhaal - One of the most provocative films that really looked at a harsh reality behind the scenes of the footage we all watch on the news. An excellent performance and a great film.

The Stories

- Racist? - many of those who quickly tweeted implied that the Academy members that didn't vote for Selma in many categories were racist. Very few came out and said it...but the implications were clear.

- Sexist? - like the above comment...many were quick to hit Twitter to proclaim that it was all an "old white boys club"

- American Sniper - those who don't like this film at all continue with the barbs against it. Did it deserve the noms it got?

- The Snubs - Ava, Fincher, Gone Girl, Gillian, Angelina and more - not everyone's favorites got nominated.

So unpack your own feeling on today's noms - I will as time goes on...I've just stated the stories, without my opinion yet to detail them.

Tonight on A&E is the Critics' Choice Movie Awards... I remember just a couple years back that Ben
Affleck showed up after being snubbed in the directing category for Argo and walked home with the CCMA trophy.

Could the same happen for Ava DuVernay tonight? She is nominated.

Jessica Chastain will be picking up an award for her work throughout the year tonight at the show, despite the lack of her nomination this morning.

And maybe..just maybe...if we are lucky - the film that was snubbed for the doc category will win the CCMA tonight for Steve James and at least put a smile on his face for a bit....Life Itself rocked.

So sit down tonight with your remote for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards on A&E.

And of course...we will ALL be tuned in to ABC on Feb. 22 to see who takes home the big prize.

Top films of the year - In Summary

So each movie in my Top 10 this year got their own post so I could give you more there, including trailer/release date/blu-ray or dvd date/ and so much more! Each of the titles below are linked to my original post with all the extra goodies, but for those that just want a summary...

Let's summarize here...shall we!

My Top 10 films

1. Whiplash

2. Life Itself 

3. Boyhood

4. Nightcrawler

5. A Most Violent Year

6. Big Hero 6

7. Birdman

8. American Sniper

9. Edge of Tomorrow

10. Locke

Top 6 "Family" Films of the Year

(with family defined as PG-13 and down and not all are suitable for ALL audiences - if we are talking about 6 year olds - They are intended as great family talking point films, for a variety of topics).

1. Big Hero 6

2. The Lego Movie

3. Guardians of the Galaxy

4. How to Train Your Dragon 2

5. Touch the Wall

6. The Hundred-Foot Journey

Top 5 Documentaries This Year

1. Life Itself 

2. Red Army

3. Point and Shoot

4. Touch the Wall

5. Citizen Four

I'll have some more fun lists as we get ready for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards airing Thursday, January 15 at 8PM ET on A&E!

2014 Top 10 - 1. Whiplash

2014 Top 10

1. Whiplash

I went back to view this film a second time before I slotted it at the top of my list this year and in that viewing my initial thought was confirmed. This is a marvelous film.

The story of Andrew, a normal kid by all indications, who is playing drums in a conservatory. He is shy around girls, thinks his family is immensely important and is just trying to find his niche.

However, he IS one thing, that many are not - driven to be the best at what he does right, playing the drums.

All he can think of is getting into Fletcher's top Studio Band and the conservatory. They are the best at the school, and he wants to be the best. But Fletcher holds an iron fist over the band. You don't get there without him feeling you've got what it takes. And once you are there...you always have the opportunity to be invited to leave at any time.

Fletcher pushes buttons but are those buttons helpful? Or will the pushing lead farther?

J.K. Simmons is getting a ton of love for his role as Fletcher, and rightly so. The maniacal leader of the studio band delivers a bit of every hard driving sports coach, teacher, conductor that you have ever seen. He is able to make you hate him, then wonder if he is such a bad guy, then hate him again! And his motivations? Well...see the film!

Miles Teller as the driven kid in Andrew will drive you nuts. He wants one thing, to be the best at the drums. He is willing to push all he loves to the side to please Fletcher. Teller is that innocent kid one minute, while the next minute behaving like a raving lunatic. Why he isn't given more credit for his part in this film is beyond me. His acting chops go long beyond his age here and this is easily the best role of his still young and blossoming career.

And there is Damien Chazelle. Delivering in letting these two actors go on many occasions we never feel forced into anything. I've seen both of these individuals before in real life and Chazelle brings them TO life in Whiplash.

The music is top-notch, the acting out of this world, the screenplay works, emotions aplenty...Whiplash is my choice for the best film I saw in 2014.

Whiplash

Rated R

107 minutes

Directed by Damien Chazelle

Written by Damien Chazelle

Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser

Opened in theaters - October 10, 2014

Available on Blu-ray / DVD on February 3, 2015 (expected)

2014 Top 10 - 2. Life Itself

2014 Top 10

2. Life Itself

This one found it's place in my list very late. In fact I didn't get a chance to screen this during the regular release as it wasn't offered to me.

Once I did see it, I couldn't get past it's unmistakeable charm. Life Itself is one of the best films this year, hands down.

Sure I could be biased being that it is about the man who defined film criticism for a generation or

more (mine).

Sure it's about movies...one of the things I truly love.

Sure it's put together by a master filmmaker in Steve James.

Sure it's in a genre I love...documentary.

All of that is true, but it is so much more than that.

Steve James brings together a story of Life...Itself! That is, of course, Roger's title...but Roger Ebert's life was filled with so many of the struggles and triumphs that we all encounter. (Ok so there was no Pulitzer in my closet...but I have won awards in my life.)

It's a story of life, in and around the movies. But it's also a story about life.

Documentaries get no love when it comes to putting together lists of the best of the year. And I don't understand that position. It is in rarified air on Rotten Tomatoes with 98% fresh as this was written. So why do we just throw it out when it comes to crafting a list of the best of the year?

I can't.

Steve James had to tell the story of the footage he shot. He had to make me invest in Roger, Chaz and all the others that have known him.

It was his culling of the material generated the tears that formed in my eyes, the chuckles when I thought about Roget being a Common Guy ... like myself with why he worked with Roger Corman.

We didn't always agree on a variety of things...in fact many of his takes on films are what gave me the impetus to start telling my stories of what I believed films to be.

I felt like I lived just a piece of the life Roger have...and it is a portrait of life itself.

Life Itself

Rated R

120 minutes

Directed by Steve James

Based on the book Life Itself by Roger Ebert

Starring: Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert, Martin Scorsese, Ramin Bahrani

Opened in theaters - July 4, 2014

Available on Blu-ray / DVD on February 17, 2015 (expected)

2014 Top 10 - 3. Boyhood

2014 Top 10

3. Boyhood

What a delightful film!

Yep - it is an incredible journey through 12 years of a boy's life as he becomes a man. And director Richard Linklater worked with the cast every year, for 12 years to create this film.

That's right -- most of you already know this fact, but in case you don't... Boyhood was shot over a

period of 12 years (a couple of days each year) with the same cast!

Imagine that...in this day and age where we've had Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale and Ben Affleck (well we haven't seen that yet...but it's coming next year) each play Batman (over the past 26 or so years)...the same characters in the same roles!

And you see some amazing growth.

Although the title is Boyhood, you see growth in all the characters. Probably best evidenced in Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke as they become responsible adults over the course of the film. They change in every aspect of their being.

I'm reminded of Seinfeld when I think of what made Boyhood great. It's a film that takes a fly on the wall attitude and puts it on screen to see the growth and development and let us experience a journey instead of telling us what we should experience and feel.

This is an amazing achievement and it even feels like at 2 hours and 45 minutes...there should have been more! We invest in the characters and would like even more in some of the years.

The phrase "kids grow up so fast" is tossed around all the time...in Boyhood, there is no denying that it is the truth.

Boyhood

Rated R

165 minutes

Directed by Richard Linklater

Written by Richard Linklater

Starring: Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, Ethan Hawke

Opened in theaters - July 11, 2014

Available on Blu-ray / DVD on January 6, 2015 (expected)

2014 Top 10 - 4. Nightcrawler

2014 Top 10
4. Nightcrawler

The movie in my top 10 list this year that I truly didn't know what to expect when I sat down in the

theater. Had an early screening of it and simply knew that Jake Gyllenhaal was the main star so it had me at that point. Sitting down, I didn't know whether this would be a fishing movie dealing with night crawlers or what...it is NOT a fishing movie!

What it IS...is an entirely fascinating journey into the seedy underbelly of crime journalism. Gyllenhaal's performance of entrepreneur Lou Bloom is both twisted and frightening yet heart breaking all at the same time.

I literally sat on the edge of my seat for the entire film, waiting to see it unfold before my eyes. I cringed at the graphic nature of items, yet couldn't turn away.

Rene Russo is the best she has been in quite some time as the news producer that is driving the creations of Bloom's enterprise. She delivers a passion for putting on the programming that will garner the most eyeballs possible to compete in the highly competitive LA morning news culture.

I just totally dug this one, from start to finish. There was no other thriller quite like it this year.

Nightcrawler

Rated R

117 minutes

Directed by Dan Gilroy

Written by Dan Gilroy

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton

Opened in theaters - October 31, 2014

Available February 10, 2015 on DVD (expected)

2014 Top 10 - 5. A Most Violent Year

2014 Top 10
5. A Most Violent Year

Doing lists like this means that sometimes we talk about films like American Sniper and this film that most people have not seen. I don't like that, but it is the nature of the beast.

J.C. Chandor really burst on to the screen with Margin Call in 2011 and after following that up with the
Robert Redford film All is Lost he gives us this gritty and raw look at 1981 and the heating oil business in New York. An industry that is rife with corruption has one man trying to do things differently. Abel Morales wants to become the dominant player in the industry without the use of crime syndicates.

When the others in the industry don't see things the same way, it can lead to a truly violent result.

Soft-spoken yet intense, this film has a bite like nothing else this year. The story that Chandor weaves will have you impatiently looking for a resolution to this dispute and cheering Isaac's Abel charachter.

Chastain is really one of the hardest working actresses we have right now and she has a knack for picking roles that allow her to add immense value to a film. Here she portrays Abel's wife Anna that has been the daughter of a mobster but tries as much as possible to honor Abel's wishes to remain a clean organization. But as a smart, worldly woman she will try to do what's best for everyone.

I found myself totally riveted by the story. The gritty realism and first class acting on every level knocked my socks off and have kept this film with me for weeks since I have seen it. Chandor, Isaac, Chastain and the great Albert Brooks deserve this spot on the list.

Oh and by the way...check out the film Margin Call that Chandor did in 2011 - It's REALLY good as well...and worth a look if you missed it. Next up for him is Deepwater Horizon...and I can't wait!

A Most Violent Year

Rated R

125 minutes

Directed by J.C. Chandor

Written by J.C. Chandor

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Albert Brooks

Opened in theaters - December 31, 2014 (limited)

Available on Bl-ray / DVD - Not Currently Announced

2014 Top 10 - 6. Big Hero 6

2014 Top 10 
6. Big Hero 6

The best family film of the year, Big Hero 6 brings us a story of mystery, family and SUPERHEROES!

After a life changing event it is up to young Hiro to save the world, or at least San Fransokyo. His invention has been stolen and is being used for all the wrong reasons.

Now Hiro must team up with the lovable inflatable robot, Baymax and a team of young scientists to stop the destruction of the city. And although Baymax was origianlly constructed to help with health care, he will be retrofitted to do the job.

An inspired mix of the best of superhero plots with Disney family structure and animated brilliance brings to life the lovable Baymax and the surrounding San Fransokyo.

It's an inspiring film for kids of all ages. The importance of family, learning and science are all stressed through a beautiful and entertaining journey for Hiro and his new friend Baymax.

And in true Marvel fashion...there is a scene after the credits to offer one last chuckle. (Plus Stan Lee shows up). I really enjoyed this film, and you will too with the whole family!

Big Hero 6

Rated PG

102 minutes

Directed by Don Hall, Chris Williams

Written by Jordan Roberts, Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird

Starring: Voices of Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Daniel Henney, T.J. Miller, Damon Wayans Jr.

Opened in theaters - November 7, 2014

Available on Blu-ray / DVD - February 24, 2015 (expected)

2014 Top 10 - 7. Birdman

2014 Top 10
7. Birdman

Containing possibly the best acting performance this year. Michael Keaton as the washed up actor Riggan Thomson who brought life to the super hero Birdman is trying to reinvent himself. So he has now taken on a new challenge, a Broadway play.

In a world that wants nothing to do with him (including a critic who is immediately skeptical about him in the world of theatre) Riggan must find a way to survive and if possible, come out of the experience stronger than ever.

Director and co-writer Innaritu takes on an amazing concept in the film. A single shot that moves with the actors throughout the film. panning to the sky or the background to reset actors. This perception of a single shot enhances a maddening backstage area.

Keaton is at the top of his game, but that's not it...there is an amazing supporting cast there that rivals any that are in films this year.

Edward Norton as the broadway hotshot, Emma Stone as Riggan's daughter and Zach Galifianakis as the hard-working assistant.

This is a refreshing film that will have film lovers reveling in doing things a different way.

Birdman

Rated R

119 minutes

Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

Written by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo

Starring: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton

Opened in theaters - October 17, 2014

Available on Blu-ray / DVD - February 17, 2015 (expected)

2014 Top 10 - 8. American Sniper

2014 Top 10 
8. American Sniper

Based on the story of the most prolific sniper in American military history, Chris Kyle. This film has not yet opened in many parts of the country, but isn't to be missed when it does.

Bradley Cooper as Kyle showcases the incredible struggle that must be present in the life of a sniper. Who is really trying to harm his friends and fellow soldiers and who is not? The trailers focusing on that heart-wrenching decision is below, and don't worry - it's an early scene in the film so it's not spoiling everything.

Sienna Miller as Kyle's wife back home shows the grief and confusion of being with a man she loves who has conflict in his life that is incomprehensible for most of us.

Chris Kyle did things that I couldn't have and it's amazing that people have that ability.

There is a fine line between right and wrong, sometimes that line gets blurred but it is always there.

American Sniper                                                                                                                                       

Rated R

132 minutes

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Written by Jason Hall based on the book by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen, Jim DeFelice

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner

Opened in theaters - December 25, 2014 (limited), January 16, 2015 (expansion)

Available on Blu-ray and DVD - No release date set.

2014 Top 10 - 9. Edge of Tomorrow

2014 Top 10

9. Edge of Tomorrow

When you start making a Top 10 list, many critics forget about the films that were "blockbusters" in the

middle of summer. This year, in a year that felt down on the blockbuster side for me, this film stood out.

Edge of Tomorrow had a rare blend of comedy with it's action. It was cursed by a bad title, in my mind, as it conveyed nothing to the viewers trying to make up their mind whether to see the film. Sure once you've seen the film, you realize that Tom Cruise's Cage character is always getting just to the "edge of tomorrow" before having to start all over again...and in that context it makes sense. So to does the renamed Live, Die, Repeat that is what the film seems to be going under for DVD/On Demand platforms.

That is all water under the bridge though as the star of this is the concept. And that works. Cruise delivers in the action version of Groundhog Day and Emily Blunt is brilliantly cast alongside him for all of the destruction that is about to befall the world as we know it. Since he gets to do it over and over again, we really hope he does succeed.

Great action, a great story, and good acting are all there for Director Doug Liman who rocked my world with the 2002 launch of Jason Bourne in his directing of The Bourne Identity is back and rocking my top 10 yet again.

Edge of Tomorrow 

Rated PG-13 

113 minutes

Directed by Doug Liman

Written by Christopher McQuarrie, Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth based on the novel "All You Need is Kill" by Hiroshi Sakurazaka

Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Brendan Gleeson, Bill Paxton

Opened in theaters - June 6, 2014

Available NOW on Blu-ray and DVD

2014 Top 10 - 10. Locke

My 2014 Top 10 
10. Locke

A film that is a virtual one man show can either grip you or bore you as part of the audience.

Locke is a film that features one individual onscreen for virtually the entire time, and with Tom Hardy in the role of Ivan Locke, it one grabbed me and refused to let go.

Ivan Locke is making a drive to be at the hospital for the birth of a child. But this child is not with his wife, but with someone else.

The car ride has him battling to get a huge construction job he is managing completed.

It also has him discussing life with his son, as well as the soccer match he was supposed to tune into with him.

There's the uncomfortable conversations with his wife.

And of course, communication with the hospital he is traveling to and his soon to be baby's mother and staff.

And even visually seeing just Hardy's side of the conversation, we feel an incredible range of emotions. He delivers a man that has a lot on his mind, and simple phone calls become much more. A truly daring exploration as a one man show, and the one man is perfectly cast with Tom Hardy.

Locke
Rated R
85 minutes
Directed by Steven Knight
Written by Steven Knight
Starring: Tom Hardy
Opened in theaters - April 25, 2014
Available NOW on DVD

2014 - Honorable Mentions

Ok...so the last post had the almost made it titles...now those that were cut at the last minute...

On any given day, these could have run all the way into my top 10, but ... well ... when I did it, that was where things stood...so here's (in no particular order) the ones that were in a zillion way tie for 11th on my top 10.

The Lego Movie - Everything is awesome in this movie and although nervous when I first sat down to 

experience this animated joy ride, I found myself singing along and continue to do so as I write this. In fact...I'm having second thoughts...maybe this should be in my top 10 of the year ... no changing it now. Definitely one of the most fun films you will experience this year, that is for sure!

Theory of Everything - Stephen Hawking is a brilliant man. Whether you love him or hate him, agree or disagree with him...he is unquestionably brilliant. That said, this movie will make you feel even more for the man that seemingly lost everything at a young age. When you see him now, you envision a man who has always had to deal with the physical limitations he has, but you would be wrong. This story about meeting his wife Jane, the struggles and the triumphs that came along with that and so much more puts a very real side to this genius and emotionally can only drive you to succeed.

The Grand Budapest Hotel - Nominated for a slew of Critics' Choice Movie Awards (11 to be exact) and truly a vastly underrated film. Wes Anderson films leave people in different places. Sometimes you understand and other times the head is left scratched. One of the best of the year for sure that will have you smiling at the mania throughout.

Kill the Messenger - I know, a lot of folks wouldn't even consider this film at this point. For me, Jeremy Renner is the type of actor that can and does sell this film. A reporter who finds the story of his career in his lap must now fight back when he becomes the story. Emotionally charged and intriguing around every corner, when you like a good conspiracy... you will like this film.

St. Vincent - Ok, total disclosure, I'm a real Bill Murray fan. And this film is no different from what I like. As a man who is the stereotypical grumpy old man next door he plays perfectly against Melissa McCarthy and her young son. I found myself equal parts offended and in love with Vincent and this film.

Chef - I loved this since the day it came out. Jon Favreau is perfect as the clueless parent with no social media background that finds a bond being reestablished with his son. When you combine his son's knowledge of the internet with his cooking background, how can this new food truck operation fail. Although it's R rated, I really think this is one most can watch without fear.

Guardians of the Galaxy - Man I didn't know what I was into when I was sitting down for the preview on this film. The trailers really didn't grab me. The film DID grab me. I had a smile on my face throughout and really could listen to that soundtrack any day of the week. I AM Groot!

Gone Girl - This was one I thought might make my Top 10 before I saw it. It has all the right elements

of what I like. A great director, a hot script, an actor that has reinvented himself and is amazingly on top of things and it should make for a great film. Instead there was something just missing. that kept it from being a top 2 or 3 movies of the year type of film. That doesn't mean it wasn't really good though and hence, on this list.

The Imitation Game - I love Benedict Cumberbatch. He really can hit so many nails on the head. Think about the last couple years .. Star Trek (Khan), August: Osage County (Little Charles Aiken), Penguins of Madagascar (Voice of Classified), and this film ... just to name a few! Such a great cross-section of films that I'm excited to see what he does next. Here, as Alan Turing, you believe the struggles that he deals with personally and professionally as he works to develop the machine to end World War II. It's an amazing story and Cumberbatch delivers.

Wild - Reese Witherspoon's performance here deserves to be recognized as truly one of the best of the year. Her journey will resonate with all women AND men who have to overcome things in their life. I felt every step of the trek resonating into my feet. As she walked, I walked with her as a viewer and quite frankly was mesmerized by the expedition. I could rewrite my lists tomorrow and have no problem recommending this to anyone.

Still Alice - This is a personal film for me. My Grandmother had Alzheimer's when she passed. Sure it wasn't early onset, but that doesn't make it any less painful. The performance by Julianne Moore as a brilliant woman that we see deteriorate onscreen is truly special. I saw what Julianne Moore portrayed in a first hand environment and I will tell you this reminded me of moments gone by and the lovely woman that was my Grandmother. On top of that, the family relationship hit home. And can I call out Kristen Stewart here - I will that off the top of my head...while I write this... the best performance of her career thus far in a small role as one of Moore's children. I even had her on my nomination list for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards (coming Jan. 15 on A&E)

So there you have it... I love each of these films...they just didn't get to the top 10 in my mind...coming next I reveal that list....

And if you missed the one before this with the other films I really had on my watch this year...check that out here.