What an incredibly difficult decision to make! There were so many movies that made 2014 great. Here’s a list of my Top 10, along with other notables. Congrats to all of the studios, Directors, Actors, Producers and crews that made movie magic in 2014.
Scott’s Top 10, as seen on KOMO 4 News
Scott’s Top Ten: 4 of them have Northwest Connections
- BOYHOOD: Richard Linklater’s feat in filmmaking. He wrote, directed and dedicated 12 years to making this film, starring Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane and his own daughter Lorelei Linklater.
- INTERSTELLAR: Christopher Nolan’s IMAX journey into the wormholes of space. This is less of a sci-fi film than it is about the amazing bond between a parent and their child.
- WILD: Cheryl Strayed’s book about her 11-hundred-mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail comes to life through an amazing performance by Reese Witherspoon. Much of it was filmed in the Northwest; it features REI, Danner boots and Seattle actors like Deb Pralle.
- FOXCATCHER: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo take you on a wild ride, based on a true story.
- AMERICAN SNIPER: (opens here Jan 16th) Bradley Cooper delivers an amazing performance as Chris Kyle, the top American Sniper in Iraq.
- THE IMITATION GAME: Benedict Cumberbatch shows his incredible range, once again, as Professor Alan Turing – the man who cracks the German’s Enigma code in World War II.
- SELMA: (opens here Jan 9th) The story of Martin Luther King, Jr’s march from Selma to Montgomery Alabama. Stars David Oyelowo as MLK. Also features Oprah Winfrey. From Director Ava Duvernay.
- THE BOXTROLLS: From Laika Studios outside of Portland, one of the most imaginative stop-animation movies I’ve seen. Sir Ben Kingsley is one of many voices, along with Elle Fanning.
- GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: Starring Lake Stevens’ own Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, Star Lord. Pure fun!
- THE LEGO MOVIE: Everything is awesome about this, OK? An all-star cast of Morgan Freeman, Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell.
Notably missing
BIRDMAN: An incredibly artistic film that may fly right over the heads of many casual moviegoers. Most critics are raving about it. I’m just not one of them.
GONE GIRL: I really liked this movie and declared it a “psycho thriller for the ages.” There’s just not enough room in my Top 10.
THE JUDGE: Loved this movie starring Robert Downey Jr, Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga and Dax Shepard.
Independent Films of note
THE SKELETON TWINS – Bellingham native Craig Johnson, Writer and Director. Stars the usually-hilarious Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig in serious roles.
OBVIOUS CHILD—Jenny Slate
LAGGIES – Seattle Director Lynn Shelton; featured Sam Rockwell, Keira Knightley and Chloe Grace Moretz
Others I really enjoyed…
GODZILLA
EDGE OF TOMORROW
THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU
WISH I WAS HERE