The 10 Best Films of 2014!!

 When I looked through the reviews from the year, I had over 20 movies that rated a B+ or higher during the year. Not a bad amount, and there were plenty of decent B- through C- rated films that weren't a waste of time.

I did a little trimming this morning, and here were the 10 movies that I enjoyed the most since the beginning of last year.

B-Movie/Horror:

10) Big Ass Spider! 

Any movie with an exclamation point in the title must deliver the goods. Big Ass Spider! did with a thoroughly engaging B movie premise with tongue firmly in cheek while allowing for good characterization, humor and even a thrill or two along the way. Still streaming on Netflix.

Superhero Genre (entry 1)

9) X-Men: Days of Future Past

How does Fox go against Marvel Studios to revitalize their franchise? They hit the big ol' RESET button, and wipe out everything that had ever happened in any X-Men/Wolverine movie. While that normally reeks of desperation, I instead applaud them for the sheer genius of the move. Also, the use of Quicksilver was by far the coolest introduction of a character in ages, and I'm curious to see what Marvel does with their version.

Foreign Film

8) Instructions Not Included 

If you are fluent in Spanish or willing to read subtitles, look no further than the sweetest tale about the joys and perils of raising a child than you've seen in quite some time. Heartwarming, heartbreaking, funny and sad, this one will take you on an emotional roller-coaster, and by the end, you'll be glad you took the trip. Still streaming on Netflix.

Animation (Entry 1)

7) How to Train Your Dragon 2 

Simply beautiful, as Dreamworks continues to outpace Disney, Pixar and all others as the favorite animation studio of the moment.  Lush, beautiful landscapes and environments, great characters and an impressive voice cast makes this a franchise that is truly worth watching. Be warned, a major character doesn't make it out alive, yet I didn't feel my heartstrings tugged as much as I should have, because you could tell it was coming. Hopefully the next chapter isn't too bittersweet, after all, dragons have to disappear from the earth sometime.

:(

Animation (Entry 2)

6) How to Train Your Dragon 

Yes,  you are reading that correctly. I told the kids I had no interest in their dragon movie for the last several years. With the sequel coming, they begged and begged, and being the good father that I am, I gave in and watched it. 

Absolutely amazing. 

Even moreso than the sequel, and tell me Toothless isn't the coolest animated animal to hit the screen in quite some time.

Sports Movie 

5) Draft Day

Costner's best film in ages, this movie hits the ground running and never lets up. My wife, who barely tolerates me watching the NFL was even engrossed with the film. So impressed were the two of us, that we each bought the other a copy for Christmas. 

That's love right there!

Animation (Entry 3)

4) Turbo 

Dear Turbo haters...

You can suck it.

:) 

Another Dreamworks masterpiece that got no love at the box office, but has scored forever fans in this house, it's a film that is gorgeous to watch, funny to listen to, and has a great  message to never give up on your dreams. Still streaming on Netflix.

Documentary

3) The Battered Bastards of Baseball

If you see only one documentary this year, this is the one you should watch. I saw several great ones, but this one should be turned into a major motion picture, with Kurt Russell as the star.  You should like this even if you don't like baseball.

I know I did!

:)

Still streaming on Netflix. 

Superhero (Entry 2 & 3)

2) Captain America: The Winter Soldier

I was worried when they pulled the director and went with the Russo brothers, but I knew it was going to be good.  I didn't realize it was going to be that good though!

While still a superhero movie, Cap felt like an action thriller from the 70s (that's a good thing) with political intrigue, while given the modern punch of the Bourne/Bond thrillers.

Not too frenetic, just right!

1) Guardians of the Galaxy 

I rolled by eyes when this one was announced. Who? Seriously? Marvel Comics fans barely know or care for the Guardians. I figured this would be the first movie to tank from Marvel.

Whoops.

My apologies. 

I debated on whether this or Cap would get the # 1 slot, but I give it to Guardians because I knew Captain America 2 would be good, and I thought this would be awful.

I was wrong, and will happily admit it.

Now, on to the sequels, and let's see what movies will be crowned the Best of 2015 next year!!

The Best of 2014: The TV Shows

As 2014 draws to a close, it's time to take a look back at my favorite TV that I had the chance to view during the last 12 months.


While some of these shows might have been around for a season or two, they were all new to me, whether through finding them on cable or streaming through Netflix or Amazon.


So here's the 10 shows that rocked my world over the last year, in no real order, except for # 1.

:)

10) The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles

A Grammy special that highlighted the 50th Anniversary of the Fab Four. While I would have preferred an uncut performance from Paul and Ringo, overall, it was a night of great music and fond memories that paid respect to the band that changed the world forever.

9) Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse


Seriously?
Yes.
Barbie is one of the funniest shows going today. Well written, hilarious, and voiced by some of the most perfectly cast voice actors, this show never fails to make me laugh.

Does it help to have young daughters that enjoy this show?
Sure.
Was I secretly excited when new episodes loaded to Netflix?
You betcha!!!


: )
 

8) Melissa and Joey
Formulaic romantic comedy family sitcom that you can figure out what's going to happen long before it actually happens.

Or, it's Who's The Boss? for a whole new generation!

And that's okay, because I enjoyed that show too.

Shouldered by the great chemistry between Lawrence and Hart, the show has been a pleasant addition to the streaming library of Netflix.

Naturally, the will they or won't they relationship plays out, amazingly quicker than I expected, but you know going in that these two will wind up together.

Again, that's okay, and they don't waste extra seasons stringing the show along, audience included.

7) Good Eats

Another late arrival for me, it was added to Netflix this fall, and I've enjoyed the 25 episodes I've seen.

The problem?

Apparently host Alton Brown has been offering this show for a decade, and I've only got a small handful of episodes to watch.

Frankly, I want more!

It's education, cooking, and fun all in one quick episode. 

What could be better?

How about more Alton Brown?

6) Cutthroat Kitchen

Brown returns as a host for a reality game show where 4 chefs are given 30 minutes to make a meal, and money to spend sabotaging each other to make sure that they win while their opponents lose.

It's genius, and it's evil.

I love to see some of the things they attempt to make to eat and under some of the worst conditions you could ever imagine having to deal with in the kitchen. 

Again, just a handful of episodes on Netflix, and I'm hoping for more.

Otherwise, I may have to start hunting down the Food Network to keep up.

5) Justified

Dear Amazon-

Please stream season 4 so I can watch it before the final season begins airing in January.

Thank you.

Seriously, decided to watch this one this year on Amazon, and was immediately sucked in.

Brilliant casting, great story and characters from Elmore Leonard.

Looking forward to the final season, but will be sad to see it go.

4) The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

For the first time since Johnny Carson retired, I can watch the Tonight Show again.

Sorry, just never got the appeal of Jay Leno, so I stayed away and happily watched Letterman.

Fallon brings an energy and sense of fun to the show.

His games and skits with the guests is a breath of fresh air, and brings an extra layer to the show other than just celebrities shilling their latest movie/song or whatever.

Not bad.

Here's to at least as long of a run as Carson enjoyed!

3) Chuck

 

Add this to the list of shows that you'd think I would have watched during their course on tv, but no, it wasn't until it became available to stream on Netflix that I gave this one a whirl.

Loved it. 

I've only made it partway through the 2nd season, so I've still got time for the show to lose its appeal, but so far, so good!

 

2) Pushing Daisies

Wow, I would have really liked to see what else they had in store for this series, but alas, the writer's strike and apparently continued shuffling by the network quickly caused the demise of this show. 

Amazon had it streaming briefly this year, but has since pulled it.

I may actually spring for the complete series to be able to revisit this quirky and fun show whenever the mood strikes.

1) Psych

 

Okay, so maybe this is  cheat as I had seen Psych before this year.

However, I don't care.

This is my review blog, so I can make and change the rules as I see fit! 

:)

Psych goes out on top, a show that in my opinion, never jumped the shark.

8 seasons, and only a handful of episodes that we don't go "yes, let's watch that one again!!!" *Dual Spires, you are at the top of the list*

However, even the *worst* Psych episode was often better than the best episode of nearly any other show out there.

Well written, a superb cast and more fun packed into 43 minutes than should be legal for a television show.

Still waiting for Season 8 to be streamable, but until then, it's on my DVR and I own season 8 already. 

The final episode?

That's how tv shows like this should end.

By not ending.

Shawn and Gus are still out there, solving crimes...

We just don't get the luxury of seeing them do it.

For now....

 

 

Time to reset the clocks for next year, and see what 2015 has in store!

 

(I think I've already found my first choice!) 

 

Hopefully Santa Brought You Cool Stuff "While You Were Sleeping"

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Rated PG

Starring Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Jack Warden

Directed by Jon Turteltaub

The Story:

Lucy (Bullock) works for the subway and every day she pines for mysterious stranger Peter (Gallagher). When she saves his life on the subway, a case of mistaken identity occurs when the nurse introduces Lucy to the family as Peter's fiancee. They are thrilled, and all of them love Lucy, except Jack (Pullman) who is a bit suspicious.  When Peter awakens, it appears he has some very specific amnesia concerning Lucy, but is willing to ignore it since apparently they are in love and are to be married.

I bet you can see where this one is headed, right?

And the truth is, you won't care because it's a fun, sweet story with a marvelous cast from start to finish.

The final Christmas movie to be reviewed this holiday season, While You Were Sleeping takes place between Christmas and New Years, so it's a great way to end the holidays.

It's also a minor part of the story, so you can really watch it any time of year.

This one used to be watched at least once a year, but then sort of fell off the radar over the last decade or so, and that's a shame.

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of this film, and it's high time you revisit it if it's been some time since you last saw it.

Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Not sure if it will become an annual holiday tradition, but it's high time to watch it more often than every decade.

Reliving Christmas Eve Over And Over On The "12 Dates Of Christmas"

12 Dates of Christmas (2011)

TV PG

Starring Amy Smart, Mark-Paul Gosselaar

Directed by James Hayman

The Story:

Kate (Smart) is trying to get back with her ex-boyfriend on Christmas Eve. She ends up standing up a blind date with Miles (Gosselaar) in the attempts to win back the ex. Fate decides that perhaps Kate needs to try again, and so she is going to relive this date with Miles until she gets it right. Will she ever enjoy her Christmas, or is she doomed to forever be stuck on Christmas Eve?

Another of the many Lifetime/Hallmark/ABC Family plethora of holiday movies that have been produced to air on television for viewers.

This little romantic comedy has quickly become one of my recent favorites.

Yes, it is just like Groundhog Day in the repetition aspect, but that's okay because Groundhog Day is a great movie and if you're going to try and replicate the formula, make sure you do a good job of it.

And they do.

Smart and Gosselaar are great leads with enough chemistry that you are rooting for them to get together by the 12th Date.

Naturally, Kate spends her time learning new things to do, learning more about herself, and learning quite a bit about her friends, loved ones, and some passing acquaintances.

Needless to say, she decides as the Christmas Eve wears on, she needs to share her gifts of discovery and make the world a better place.

Great movie, lots of fun!

Available to stream on Netflix as of his writing.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I have yet to purchase it, but I've been lucky enough that it's been streaming on Netflix for the last 2 years.