(Originally written in Dec. 2014 for Smithsonian Magazine, this list is presented here at Popwell’s for archival purposes.)
A list of my favorite films that were actually released in 2014 would be rather short, so I made a list of the best films I saw for the first time this year, regardless of when they came out. Sure, nobody asked, but I’m telling you anyway.
Under the Skin – This bizarre art-house sci-fi flick had the most haunting images of the year, and moments from the film have stuck with me ever since I saw it. Scarlett Johansson’s blank-slate alien was the most mesmerizing character of the year.
Snowpiercer – A pointed class struggle allegory in the guise of a slam-bang dystopian action flick set entirely inside a futuristic train. What’s not to love?
Gamer – No one is likely to believe this, but this Gerard Butler action flick from 2009 has more to say about the dehumanizing effects of online culture than 1,000 NYT think-pieces. Plus, Michael C. Hall lip-synchs Sammy Davis’ ‘I Got You Under My Skin’ while psychically controlling a team of kung-fu killers! I may be this film’s only champion, but champion it, I will!
Django Unchained – My general dislike of Tarantino’s overwritten pastiches kept me from seeing this til this year. Mistake. As a spaghetti western fan myself, I got exactly what Tarantino was going for, and he absolutely nailed it.
Spring Breakers – Come for the nubile young celebs in bikinis! Stay for the truly weird performance of James Franco as Alien the drug dealer! An oddball flick I was never sure if I loved or hated as I watched it, but it’s still with me many months later, so there.
Wild Style – Somehow this classic 1982 hip-hop flick eluded me til this year, when it showed up on Netflix. No one seems to have noticed that it’s the best neo-realist film made since the 50s, but I’m here to tell you that’s exactly what it is.
13 Assassins – Finally caught up to this incredible 2010 Takashi Miike samurai flick, and felt silly for skipping it for so long.
District B13 – I came way late to this one, but this hyped-up 2004 ‘Escape From New York’ rip-off featured the best Jackie Chan-style stuntwork I’ve seen in some time.
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown – A James Brown bio that focuses on the music instead of the lurid headlines. Thanks, HBO!
Bad Grandpa – The funniest flick I saw all year, this is worth watching for the scene in the Atlanta male strip club alone.
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