Travis Hopson's 20 Best Movies of 2014

Everybody calls their list the "best of the year" but don't we really mean our favorites? I'm less interested in what somebody thinks is the best film than learning about the movies that touched them personally. I think we'd see very different "end of the year" coverage if everybody took that approach, and it's what I always try to do when putting together my list.

At the time I'm putting this together I've seen 271 movies, the most I've ever seen by a fairly large margin. I saw 226 films in 2013, a personal record at the time. And seeing so many has both helped and hindered my ability to decide on my favorites. So I'm cheating a little bit and giving some love to my top 20 movies of the year, because I won't be able to sleep knowing some of these weren't mentioned in some small way. Besides, there were a lot of movies on my "Worsts List" so it's only fair to offer more that you might actually want to seek out.

Because I'm a big dork you probably guessed there are a few superhero movies that made the cut, obviously. The X-men bobble heads on my disk nodding their approval as I type that out. And it's not lost on me that a handful of my favorite flicks this year explored the personal connection between an artist and their craft. Some of these films I've been championing all year, some just snuck up on me in the last couple of weeks, but overall it's a pretty diverse range I think. So check out my top 20 films below, be sure to take a look at all of our end of the year review, and let me know your thoughts. Oh, and please spare me the "How could you leave this off??" emails! Just because a movie missed the list doesn't mean I hate it.

20. Begin Again (review here)
19. Whiplash (review here)
18. John Wick (review here)
17. Calvary (review here)
16. Big Hero 6 (review here)
15. Starred Up (review here)
14. Obvious Child (review here)
13. I Origins (review here)
12. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (review here)
11. God Help the Girl (review here)

10. Chef (review here)
Maybe it's thoughts of my own father that inspires my love for Jon Favreau's culinary comedy, Chef. While the film draws parallels with Favreau's filmmaking career, going from inspired indie stalwart to bored purveyor of blockbuster fluff, it's also the story of a father who hopes to pass on a meaningful legacy to his son. My father passed down his love of movies to me, the same way Favreau's character passes on a good grilled cheese, and for that I'm forever grateful. Favreau's film sees him returning to the art house world, bringing along some big names like Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Sofia Vergara, for a mouth-watering road trip film that will make you laugh, cry, and book dinner reservations with the quickness. He plays a big time chef who has lost his creative mojo, but recaptures it after opening a food truck with his kid.

9. Top Five (review here)

Another movie about an entertainer coming to terms with his own popularity, Chris Rock's Top Five bristles with the energy of the streets and the comedian's scathing stand-up act. Rock plays essentially a version of himself as a funnyman looking to become a serious actor, but finding that nobody really cares about all that stuff. It's Rock's most personal film to date, and so it makes sense that it's also the one where he gets the most raw. He rips into Hollywood stereotypes and tears into issues of love, sex, politics, and race, all the while forging an unbreakable romantic bond with co-star Rosario Dawson. I even loved his top 5 list of hip-hop's greatest rappers. That's how deep my love of this movie goes.

8. The Fault in Our Stars (review here)
 I'm not supposed to want to watch a movie like this a bunch of times, right? And yet The Fault in Our Stars is a movie I could watch endlessly because it's not so much about the pain of dying, but the joys of life. With a wry sense of humor, a dash of teen angst, and two remarkable performances by Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, this adaptation of John Green's best-selling novel refuses to give in to cliches of the genre. While definitely a weeper requiring an entire box of Kleenex to endure, there is never a manipulative moment even when it would have been easier story-wise for there to be one.

7. Birdman (review here)
 I hate when people say Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's kinetic, virtuoso meta-comedy Birdman is Michael Keaton's big comeback. He's been great for a long time and his talents didn't diminish just because he's been out of the spotlight. Birdman is the most high-profile thing he's done in awhile (Need for Speed doesn't count because it sucks) and as Riggan Thompson, a former superhero actor looking to become a respected thespian (this is becoming a theme, isn't it?) he shows us levels of sadness, desperation, and rage we haven't seen from him in awhile. While his performance alone would be worthy of putting Birdman on anybody's list, one can't overlook the flawless cinematic contribution of DP Emmanuelle Lubezki who literally doesn't give us a moment to blink; his camera always moving. The supporting ensemble is equally great with Emma Stone and Edward Norton, the latter playing a manic, heightened version of himself. But what's most startling to me is the total change of gears this was for Inarritu. There is almost no connecting tissue between Birdman and the multi-tiered, heavy moral dramas of his past. It leaves me fascinated by what he'll attempt next.

6. X-men: Days of Future Past (review here)
You pretty much have me with anything involving the heroic, flawed, histrionic mutants in the X-men. I've been reading the comic for basically my entire life and have loved just about every movie (that wasn't an insult like X-men: The Last Stand), but X-men: Days of Future Past is the first one that gets everything right. With so much that could potentially go wrong with the massive cast and three time periods to juggle, Bryan Singer showed a skillful hand in giving every character their moment to shine and every era a unique flavor. The central "love" triangle between Professor X (James McAvoy), Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) has all the soap opera elements fans of the comic will love, while the endless array of super powers flung around the screen is impressive.

5. Mommy (review here)

Oh hey, screw you, Academy voters. You may not want to put Xavier Dolan's hyperactive, gloriously unpredictable drama Mommy in the Oscar race, but it damn sure deserved to be there. In truth I wasn't sure I would be able to tolerate breakout star Antoine Oliver Pilon's performance as Steve, a walking powder keg fresh out of jail and into the life of his ill-prepared mother, Diane, played by Anne Dorval.  But this is a film that defies expectations on a character and technical level, with emotions that literally stretch beyond the boundaries of the screen. While Dolan's toying with the aspect ratio may come off as a cheap ploy it proves a crucial element, and paired with an impeccable soundtrack ("Wonderwall" has never been used better. Ever.) Mommy is a huge leap forward for the young filmmaker. As Diane and Steve settle into a messy but rewarding friendship with a mousy neighbor (Suzanne Clement), the mother/son bond bends but never breaks. Considering the mommy issues Dolan has sought to highlight in his previous films, it's refreshing to see him explore it from a more positive angle and in such an exhilarating way.

4. A Most Violent Year
I don't know how he does it, but JC Chandor has now made three movies that look like they come from three different filmmakers. Margin Call is as different from All is Lost which is a country mile from A Most Violent Year, one of the best crime dramas in recent memory. For me, there's The Godfather and nothing else need apply for the crown, but A Most Violent Year is the first film to make me reconsider. Set in 1981 during the most violent year in New York City history, the story follows a level-headed heating oil magnate played by Oscar Isaac. When outside forces begin to violently put a crimp in his business, he begins to find it hard to stay on an even keel, and it doesn't help that his wife (Jessica Chastain) seems to be pushing him to take aggressive action. As an exploration of the American Dream and the nasty, corrupt things one must do to attain it, A Most Violent Year is without peer. And it doesn't hurt that it features crisp, cold cinematography by Bradford Young, who will be mentioned again later on this list.

3. The Raid 2 (review here)
All year I've been telling people that Gareth Evans' jaw-jacking sequel The Raid 2: Berendal would end up in my top 3. Nobody believed me. Why is that so crazy? Is there a better action director anywhere than Evans right now? How can he keep finding news to thrill us? How does he keep finding unique angle to show star Iko Uwais bashing some guy's brains in? No other scene had my heart racing faster than the fight with Baseball Bat Guy and Hammer Girl, an intense cramped quarters rumble of impeccable stunt choreography. While some may balk at the 2 1/2 hour run time or the expanded gangster storyline, for me it only added to the franchise's charm. While The Raid was like one long video game, The Raid 2 has a different energy yet still gives us the hardcore brutality we love. How Evans can possibly top this is beyond me but I can't wait to see him try.

2. Frank (review here)

Frank, you had me at "Michael Fassbender under a giant papier-mache head". It's that kind of boldness, that willingness to embrace something so weird that makes Lenny Abrambson's exploration of creative genius and insanity so lovable. Domhnall Gleeson plays a hopeless musician who falls in with a quirky band of weirdos led by the titular masked singer, who may or may not be a complete lunatic. While he latches on to their creative energy without bringing much of his own, he also tries to push them into the mainstream, which doesn't go over so well with the band. From the searing soundtrack (performed live by the cast) to the off-kilter tone, Frank celebrates individuality in all its forms while quietly lamenting those who crave conformity.

1. Selma 
I worried about Selma from the moment it was announced. How could I not with Lee Daniels (briefly) at the helm? He had already squandered a wealth of talent and an amazing story with The Butler, and would probably do it again here. Thank goodness for Ava DuVernay. It's incredible that Selma is only her third film because she has the skill of a seasoned veteran, boiling down a few months in Martin Luther King's campaign for voting rights into a profound statement on the power of people to affect change. Refusing to conform to standard biopic pitfalls, Selma lets us in on the ground floor of King's movement, putting us in touch with the immediacy of his cause. Depicted with warmth and commanding presence by David Oyelowo, King is honored but never idolized; the cracks in his armor seen in tense struggles with his wife Coretta, President Lyndon Johnson, and his own supporters. But through all the human frailties arose a powerful leader. And chalk up another win for cinematographer Bradford Young, whose vivid imagery captures the urgency of the time. With so much going on in this country right now in terms of race relations, the importance of an inspiring, relevant, and yes extremely crowd-pleasing film like Selma can't be overstated.

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Box Office: 'Exodus' Leads the Way with $24.5M; 'Top Five' Cracks the Top Five

1. Exodus: Gods and Kings- $24.5M
Ridley Scott's expensive Biblical epic, the one with all the Aussie and British actors, got off to a middling start with $24.5M, but it was enough to lead a weak box office. To put that into context, it's nearly $20M less than what Darren Aronofsky's Noah did at the early part of the year, and is just short of the small-budget Son of God's $25.6M. Scott was adamant that casting big names such as Christian Bale and Ben Kingsley were necessary to get the film made, and we're seeing that pay off in the international numbers. Add another $32M overseas and the $57M total doesn't seem so bad.
2. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 1- $13.2M/$277.3M
3. Penguins of Madagascar- $7.3M/$58.8M
4. Top Five- $7.2M
Notice how Chris Rock has been all over the news lately? How every word he says on race or politics is getting plastered everywhere? It's not random; he's got a movie to promote. That would be Top Five, which has been blanketed by amazing reviews (including mine) and some solid awards buzz, even if Paramount hasn't done much to hype the celebrity comedy. And all of Rock's self-promotion has worked because it debuted with $7.2M on only 979 screens, giving it the highest per site average in the top 10. Not too shabby, and being so high on the charts is its own promotion for a film titled Top Five, right?
5. Big Hero 6- $6.1M/$185.3M
6. Interstellar- $5.5M/$166.8M
7. Horrible Bosses 2- $4.6M/$43.6M
8. Dumb and Dumber To- $2.7M/$82.1M
9. The Theory of Everything- $2.5M/$17.1M
10. Wild- $1.5M/$2.4M
Fresh off a Golden Globes nominations for Reese Witherspoon, the hiking drama Wild expanded to 113 theaters in its second week and earned a respectable $1.5M. Expect this one to have pretty long legs (no pun intended) as we get closer to Oscars announcements.

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Review: Chris Rock's 'Top Five' co-starring Rosario Dawson

We've been waiting a lot of years for Chris Rock to finally put all of the pieces together; to combine the sharp, hilarious social commentary of his stand-up act with the obvious love he has for cinema. Overtly paying homage to the classic films of others hasn't really worked out in Rock's earlier directorial efforts, and nor should we expect it to. Whether he's on stage or on Twitter, Rock is one of the funniest guys on the planet but he does it by examining his own life and how it fits in today's society. Celebrities waxing on about the problems of other celebrities rarely works, but Rock has found the perfect formula for doing so in Top Five, an introspective look at stardom that happens to be the funniest movie of the year.

Bristling with the energy of the Manhattan streets right from the start, Top Five is always moving, whether it's to the next joke or the next discovery as Rock examines his celebrity. He plays Andre Allen, a comedian who hit the big time with a series of popular cop comedies in which he dresses up as bear named "Hammy". His catchphrase "It's hammy time" is part of the national lexicon whether he likes it or not, and he most certainly doesn't. Now trying to go legit with "Uprize", a serious movie about a Haitian slave rebellion, Andre is also on the verge of getting married to a reality star (Gabrielle Union) for broadcast on national TV. So he's at a professional and personal fork in the road, and hardly in the mood for a lengthy interview with Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson), a writer for a magazine that has typically trashed his work.

It's not hard to see Rock coming to grips with the path his own career has taken, while at the same time finding ways to joke about the nature of being famous. He also builds, rather subtly, a sweet little romance at the center. But this can hardly be called a traditional love story by any means. It's a comedy first and foremost, with Rock inviting what seems like an endless string of his buddies (Jerry Seinfeld, Cedric the Entertainer, Tracy Morgan, and many more) popping up for what seem like extended stand-up riffs. Also a character study, Rock gives each character just enough time to be fully realized, such as JB Smoove's role as Andre's best friend/body guard. While the running gag about his "big girl fetish" is funny (it could have been annoying), we also see in small doses the genuine concern he has for Andre, who is dealing with some other personal demons. While some of the revelations towards the end don't quite come together as Rock intended, so much works that they're only a minor quibble. Besides, you'll be too busy laughing to notice.

And it's good to see Rock hitting on all cylinders like this. At heart he is a true lover of film; the last film he directed was inspired by Eric Rohmer'sChloe in the Afternoon, but it didn't have that personal touch Top Fivedoes. Comedy and truth go hand-in-hand and there is honesty in Top Fivethat is undeniable, and yet the tone remains light throughout. Rock is best when at his most raw, and he's not afraid to get downright nasty. Try not to laugh (and possibly throw up) at a flashback to a particularly gross sexual encounter. Try not to pick your own favorites as Andre and his friends rank their top five favorite rappers. It may seem like a trite, throwaway aspect to the story but the rankings will come to mean something special by film's end. So much of Top Five turns out that way, though. The bulk of the film sees Rock sharing the screen with Dawson, and they are a perfect match for one another. We've never seen Rock this comfortable on screen, but you know what? Everybody seems that way opposite Dawson who is absolutely delightful. She's never been better.

So if it's tough to make us care about the troubles of celebrities, Rock has figured out how to do it. Just make sure we laugh. A lot. Top Five isn't just one of the best movies you'll see this year, it deserves to be in your top five.

 Rating: 4 out of 5

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NSFW Trailer for Chris Rock's 'Top Five' co-starring Rosario Dawson

The timing of this new, very NSFW trailer for Chris Rock's new comedy Top Five couldn't be better. I literally just saw it about 30 minutes ago, and without going into specifics it's a film his fans absolutely must see. Not only is it very funny, but also very personal to Rock as he plays a former stand-up comedian and comedy actor trying to become a serious thespian. But with an impending marriage to a reality TV star (Gabrielle Union), a new film opening in theaters, and an interview with a beautiful journalist (Rosario Dawson), he finds himself questioning the personal and professional choices he's made.

Top Five opens on December 12th. Check out the trailer below.

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Free Advance Screening of Chris Rock's 'Top Five'

A searing and hilarious look at the world of showbiz, Chris Rock's comedy Top Five has been praised by critics as his best directorial effort yet, and now you have a chance to see it early! Rock explores the ups and downs of celebrity as a comedian-turned-actor juggling the expectations of his fans with his desire to be something more. As he prepares to get married to a reality TV star, his situation is further complicated by the arrival of a sexy and disarming journalist, played by Rosario Dawson.

The Top Five screening takes place on Monday, December 8th at Regal Gallery Place at 7:30pm. To enter, simply fill out the entry form below. Winners will be contacted by email on Monday, December 1st. Good luck!

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Chris Rock Talks his Favorite Rappers in Clip from 'Top Five'

The best part of High Fidelity, at least for me, were the scenes with John Cusack discussing his top five lists, whether it was about old girlfriends or favorite German rock stars. Those moments revealed a lot about his character, and it was something most guys can relate to because we all sit around and discuss stuff like that. That's what Chris Rock seems to be tapping into with Top Five, his new comedy that has been all the rage since debuting in Toronto.

Rock wrote, directed and stars in the film as celebrity comedian Andre Allen, who is about to get married to a reality show star and is trying to reinvent himself as a serious actor, despite his fans not really wanting him to. In this clip we see what amounts to a comedy bit as Rock talks about his top 5 rappers with family and friends, including Rosario Dawson who co-stars an inquisitive journalist.

Top Five opens in limited release on December 5th.

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First Trailer for Chris Rock's Festival Hit, 'Top Five'

While other films may have racked up awards at the Toronto Film Festival, it's doubtful any of them came out of it as hot as Chris Rock's Top Five. The celebrity world comedy scored a big time distribution and has people talking about Rock as a director again, his first effort behind the camera since 2007's I Think I Love my Wife. And with the film a couple of months away from hitting theaters the first trailer has arrived and it's hilarious.

Rock stars alongside Gabrielle Union, Rosario Dawson, JB Smoove, and more in the story of a top comedy star dealing with a lot all at once. He's set to make his big dramatic debut and reinvent himself as a serious actor, while at the same time he's about to get married on national television to a popular reality star. And on top of all this he has to spend the day being interviewed for New Yorker magazine by the beautiful and sharp Chelsea (Dawson), who challenges him on multiple levels.

Not surprisingly, Rock has cast a bunch of his fellow comedians in smaller roles with Kevin Hart, Jerry Seinfeld, Cedric the Entertainer, Adam Sandler, and more making appearances. Top Five hits theaters on December 12th.

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