With 2014 already behind us, critics and many others (including some ofyour favoritewriters onthe GoD staff) have already weighed in on what they felt were the top films of the year. Now, it’s time to recognize those films.
The Writers Guild Of America (WGA) has just announced their nominations for the best screenplays in the original, adapted, and documentary categories. Oftentimes, these nominations (and the winners) are a precursor to who may be nominated for Academy Awards – with the exception of Whiplash, but more on that later.
I was initially apprehensive about creating a “best of” movie list for 2014, because upon review, it was easier to make a list of all the critically acclaimed movies I didn’t get a chance to see than did. In fact, here’s that list now: Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Only Lovers Left Alive, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Whiplash, Selma, Ida, Goodbye to Language, The Babadook, and Inherent Vice.
So with the caveat that the best films of the year (and possibly your favorites) may still yet to be seen by me, here is a list of the best films I did see this past year.
Now that 2014 is over, we are left with deciding which movies were the best of the year. Contrary to to what the box office says, 2014 was a pretty amazing year in film. But as I look back at the 100 or so films that I have seen in the past year, the following 15 films are the ones that I have seen repeatedly, could not stop talking about, or have had the biggest impact one me. Of course this is a subjective list, as there are plenty of other films that I have and have not seen that are or could be better, but honestly, these 15 left the biggest impact on me. I’ll also throw in a couple of honorable mentions. Hit the jump to check it out.
As the co-creator of (among others) the Swamp Thing, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Storm, and most notably, Wolverine, Len Wein‘s imprint upon the comics universe has been huge. An artist, editor, and of course, legendary writer, Wein continues to make his mark in comics, as well as television, having worked on the critically acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series, as well as the massively popular Ben 10series. Wein’s currently involved with new work for Marvel Comics, as well as a number of other media projects.
I had the opportunity to chat with this legendary comics writer during the Long Beach Comic Con. Wein discussed his beginnings, his editorial and television work, and offered insights on the changing industry.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press