Top 13 Under PG-13 of 2014

It's that time of year to write a top list of films for the year.  I'm a bit late because I wanted to make sure I watched a few films that had potential to make my list.  But, I will say that this year's Oscar season slate (e.g. films that are released near the end of the year in order to catch the eye of Academy voters) has been a huge disappointment.  I've only included two films on my list that are getting serious Oscar consideration.  However, this year's Blockbuster summer slate was amazing, as you will see reflected in my list.  Without further caveat, here is the list.

13. The Book of Life

 This film kind of took me by surprise at how much I adored it.  Its themes are very prescient to me, although I think it tried to simplify a few concepts a little too much.  The animation was so unique and ambitious!  The music was just delightful.  Most of the voice acting was phenomenal, with the exception of the random Ice Cube cameo.  Films that are this ambitious should be applauded and I recommend this film to one and all.

12. Draft Day

It saddens me that more people didn't take this film seriously.  It was directed by the legendary Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters), and I really do think it's among his best work in the last ten years.  I found the storytelling to be so compelling.  I often like films and TV series that delve into the behind-the-scenes bits of a profession, and this one was great to watch.  I've shown it to both my father and my father-in-law and they both loved it as much as I did.

11. St. Vincent

 This film also surprised me.  The first twenty minutes are very difficult to watch, but then it really picks up.  The basic theme of the film is that most people are good-natured, despite making making some terrible choices.  Bill Murray was just spectacular.

10. Godzilla

My initial viewing of this movie was very disappointing.  My complaints were the same as most critical of it: they didn't show enough monsters, the characters were dumb, etc.  However, upon rewatching it I have a new-found love for it.  When I understood what the film was supposed to be and discarded what I expected it to be, I was able to appreciate how fun this movie is.   

9. Into the Woods

I honestly thought this movie would make it higher on the list because of how much I enjoyed it.  It is perfectly cast, with the possible exception of James Cordon.  The music is so spectacular, the acting is pretty amazing, and it is so beautifully shot.  However, I have to compare it to the stage musical that it's based on.  And when doing said comparison, it doesn't have the same emotional impact.  But that doesn't mean you shouldn't watch it! 

8. Lego Movie

I will say that I consider this to be the funniest film of the year.  I laugh so hard every time I watch it.  It has such a sharp script and would have made it further up my list if it weren't for the end: the last 20 minutes didn't gel for me, and I still can't shake it. 

7. Captain America: Winter Soldier

This film has the best action scenes of the year for me.  The sequence on the highway is brilliantly choreographed.  My only problem that I have with the film is, like many other films this year, in a comparison to its predecessor.  The way that Joss Whedon wrote the character of Steve Rogers in The Avengers endeared me to the character (all the characters, actually), whereas I just think that the Russo brothers (they wrote and directed the movie) didn't write him in the same way.

6. Guardians of the Galaxy

I'm certain that many will be shocked that this isn't higher on my list.  I recommend this film to almost anyone I meet.  It's absolutely hilarious, witty, well-acted, and superbly directed.  Rocket Raccoon is the most memorable character of the year for me, and I love the 80's references that make their way into this space opera.  The emotional climax never rose to the level of The Avengers or Iron Man, which is why I can't agree with many of my friends and colleagues and say that this is the 'best' Marvel film to date.

5. Edge of Tomorrow

This was the biggest surprise of the year for me.  I expected it to be terrible, or at best mediocre.  However, I LOVED it!  I've watched it probably 4 times now and like it more with each viewing.  I tried to recommend it to a friend and he said he would only see a film where Tom Cruise dies 100 times because that's how much he hates the actor.  This was obviously a great recommendation for him.  Also, Emily Blunt is brilliant in this.

4. Selma

This is the only movie on the list that is likely to get nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.  It is thoroughly moving and utterly compelling.  It doesn't omit the flaws of Martin Luther King Jr., nor does it deify him, which many other Bio-Pics this last year were guilty of with their subjects.

3. X-Men: Days of Future Past

This is probably my favorite X-Men film to date.  It was a Herculean task for director Bryan Singer to bring two ensemble casts together and make a compelling and very touching story.  The ending of the film is my favorite cherry-on-top sequence this year.  It has a very strong emotional core with amazing acting to boot.

2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

This movie made me extremely uncomfortable the first time I watched it.  No one told me going in how much of an allegory it is.  It made me reconsider my views on the nature of human beings and whether conflict is truly inevitable in this fallen world of ours.  It is a masterpiece, plain and simple.  If I were to give out a Best Actor of the Year award, it would certainly go to Andy Serkis for his portrayal of Caesar. 

1. How To Train Your Dragon 2

As a huge fan of the first, I was anticipating this film greatly, and it actually exceeded my expectations.  It has a timeless message that mirrors World War II in a love of ways.  It was extremely touching and brought tears to my eyes.  The soundtrack is not as good as the first, and there isn't a scene like the 'Forbidden Friendship' sequence in the first, but it did work on every level and is my favorite film of the year.