2014 was a pretty amazing year for cinema. We saw new work by visionary filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Richard Linklater, David Fincher, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Bennett Miller, and Wes Anderson.

We witnessed incredible performances by Michael Keaton, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Carell, J.K. Simmons, Rosamund Pike, and David Oyelowo. And we were entertained and awe-struck by one of the best slates of summer blockbusters in recent history, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Edge of Tomorrow.

I saw 100 new releases this year. That’s a pretty low number, actually. To put it into perspective, The New York Times reviewed nearly 900 films in 2013. Usually, I see close to 200 new films a year, but this year I needed a break. Seeing 2-3 new releases a week can be great for a movie-lover, but doing it year after year can lead to burnout and an increase in overall disenchantment.

Luckily, I saw some truly great films that renewed my love for film and kept (most) of the cynicism and negativity buried beneath awe, joy, and optimism. Here are the films that did just that: 30 films that moved, inspired, and entertained me. Here are 30 reasons I love movies.

Wow! 2014 really proved to be a high watermark for the metal world. More insanely great albums than anyone could possibly keep up with came down the pike this year. I have been doing my very best to weed (hehe) through this embarrassment of riches so that I might compile an informed “Best Of” list, but I must admit something of a defeat this year.

There are probably still a ton of records out there that flew under my radar and, yes, some of them are probably more deserving of being on the list than these. But, hey… after all, it’s just one old metalhead’s opinion and musical tastes are subjective. So take it with a grain of salt and definitely check out the ones that you are unfamiliar with, because this is a fairly wide-ranging list with a little something for everyone to enjoy. By the same token, if you feel that I have omitted something, please let me know. I’m always up for checking out things that I’ve not yet heard. Meanwhile, enjoy the crazy amount of superb records from this year with this selection of The Best Metal Albums of 2014and formulate your own list.