#EDITORSNOTE: DAVID BALDWIN, JUSTIN WALDMAN, JONATHAN GODFREY + GEORGE KOZERA SELECT THEIR TOP 2014 FILMS

Cinema Lovers were inundated with fantastic Selections at the Movies in 2014.  Although there isn’t quite a definitive Standout, there were many, many outstanding Films released.  Dare we say, one of the strongest years in recent memory? This  certainly makes the race for dominance this Awards Season a rather curious one.

We rely regularly on the opinions of our resident Contributors: Jonathan Godfrey (now with us a third year!), David Baldwin, Justin Waldman and our newest Team addition George Kozera, to keep us informed on what to watch and asked them what their Favourites of 2014 were.  We’re not professional Film Critics by any measure, but we love Film passionately and if you ever want a Friend’s opinion, we are happy to share! The voice of the Fan always should matter most and we are Fans just like YOU!

As you will see, the choices are eclectic, a reflection of the offerings this year…

 

JONATHAN GODFREY

1. Interstellar
2. Lucy
3. The Tale of Princess Kaguya
4. Nymphomaniac
5. John Wick
6. Maps to the Stars
7. Wild
8. Mood Indigo
9. Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt 1
10. Bjork: Biophilia Live

Every year of my life has been cinematically-splendid, and 2014 was no different. Numerous Films from diverse Genres excited my eyes and elevated my mind-state. None more so than Nolan’s Interstellar. Having seen it four times in the theatre it still doesn’t feel like enough. That said, it wasn’t the only slice of Sci-Fi I gobbled up. Lucy also satiated my appetite for Techno-Fantasy. Then there was the outright Fantasy of Studio Ghibli’s breathtaking tale about a Bamboo Princess, Lars Von Triers four-hour dive into sexual addiction, Keanu’s kick-ass Escapade, Cronenberg’s Olympian Tragedy, Witherspoon’s awe-inspiring performance, Michel Gondry’s take on a cult novel that finally made its way to Canadian screens, and Katniss Everdeen… the Icon who continues to inspire me. Last, but most definitely not least, Björk released her incredible Concert Film which combined technological advances with her love for nature. Maybe 2014 was a little different after all, it was grippingly- cinematic, but with a touch of the divine.

DAVE BALDWIN

Looking back, I think 2014 was one hell of a year for Film. There were some truly awful and sub-par Films released this year too. But there were just as many good, and even a few truly-great Films released as well. It was a mixed bag, but the quality and ambition of some of this year’s crop of Films was truly extraordinary. While Franchise/Comic Book Film fatigue is starting to become quite evident, some pretty huge and experimental gambles paid off brilliantly (did anyone ever expect The LEGO Movie to be as wildly enjoyable as it was?). The Box Office stats in North America may not suggest it, but it was a truly memorable year. And if this is what we have to expect in 2015, I am immediately excited for some of its prospects — and for some time to re-watch some of this year’s best Films again!

1. Whiplash
2. Nightcrawler
3. Birdman
4. Boyhood
5. Life Itself
6. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
7. The Imitation Game
8. Gone Girl
9. How To Train Your Dragon 2
10. Guardians of the Galaxy

(Potential top Films not seen before end of 2014: Big Eyes, American Sniper, A Most Violent Year)

JUSTIN WALDMAN

It is New Year’s Eve and that means that we are supposed to look back at the year and discuss the best things we have seen and witnessed this year. This year brought a ton of great Films that were released throughout the entire year, most of which came out in the second half of the year but some came out earlier on. With so many great Films that came out this past year and one Title that comes out in February, here are the best Films of 2014 with a few extra Titles. In absolutely no particular order:

1. Snowpiercer
2. Big Hero 6
3. Whiplash
4. Nightcrawler
5. Foxcatcher
6. The F Word
7. Pride
8. Dear White People
9. Calvary
10. Guardians of the Galaxy

Now that the best 10 Movies of the year I saw are out there, here is a few of the other Titles that did not make the Top 10 but deserve recognition, at least in my mind. Into the Woods, Big Eyes, Theory of Everything, Interstellar, Birdman, Gone Girl, Locke and Life Itself. 2014 was an excellent year of Film, 2015 has a tough year to compete against but BRING IT ON!

GEORGE KOZERA

For the first time in years, I struggled with whittling down the Movies I saw that were eligible for my Top 10 Movies of 2014. That in itself is a strong indication how many great movies were released this year! So it is with great apologies to the following Movies that WOULD have made the list in a weaker movie year (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wild, Gone Girl, The Lego Movie, The F Word, Locke & The Babadook), I submit my Top 10 that made the biggest impact on me in 2014.

1. Boyhood
2. Foxcatcher
3. The Theory of Everything
4. Birdman
5. Ida
6. The Immigrant
7. The Imitation Game
8. Mommy
9. Nightcrawler
10. Whiplash

My 2014 in review, including my Best-Of?  Click here for that.

Stick with us once again in 2015 for the most exciting Canadian Advance Screening Giveaways, Prizes, Star-Spottings and Reviews!

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures/Mongrel Media/Elevation Pictures/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

#BOXOFFICE: “TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES” MAKES IT TWO-FOR-TWO!

And it’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles once again atop the Box Office in its second week out! The Action-Fantasy Flick starring Will Arnett and Megan Fox pulls-in $27 million this weekend for Paramount Pictures from 3,980 theatres across North America. In just two weeks, it grosses $116 million.

Guardians of the Galaxy continues to perform well in second spot with $23.7 million for Marvel, now in its third week out.  To date it has earned $221 million.

Comedy Let’s Be Cops debuts in third spot for 20th Century Fox with $17 million from 3,094 theatres.  Earning just 11% on the Tomatometer, the Film starring Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. earns a much better B CinemaScore from Audiences.

The Expendables 3 opens in fourth spot for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films with $16 million from 3,221 theatres.  The star-studded Action Flick penned by and starring Sylvester Stallone gets 35% on the Tomatometer and also a good A- CinemaScore from Audiences, which will help its word of mouth hopefully as this Installment has the lowest opening of its Franchise.  The first Film in 2010 earned $34 million in its debut, by comparison.

Adaptation of popular Novel, The Giver debuts in fifth spot for eOne Films/The Weinstein Co. with $13 million from 3,003 theatres.  Starring Jeff Bridges, Odeya Rush and Brenton Thwaites, the Film receives 30% from Critics on the Tomaometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

Lucy slips to eighth in its fourth week out with $5.2 million, just surpassing the $100 million-mark in North America for Universal Pictures.

Well-reviewed Boyhood expands to 771 theatres for Mongrel Media/IFC Films, rounding-out the Top Ten with $1.9 million. In six weeks it has grossed $13.6 million.

#BOXOFFICE: “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY” INDESTRUCTIBLE AT THE BOX OFFICE

There was no stopping GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY from achieving its ultimate destiny of being a smash success for Marvel.  The Blockbuster demolishes the competition with a stunning $94 million in its debut from 4,080 theatres. Audiences and Critics alike have raves for the Action-Fantasy Comic Adaptations starring Chris Pratt, garnering an A CinemaScore and 92% on the Tomatometer. This opening makes it the third highest ever for a Superhero Franchise behind Spider-Man and Iron-Man.

Lucy in its second week still is going strong for Universal Pictures.  After debuting on-top last weekend, it slips to second spot with $15 million, nearing the $80-million mark domestically.

Opening in third is James Brown Biopic, Get on Up for Universal Pictures also. The Musical-Drama opens with $14.7 million from 2,468 theatres. Reviews for the Film are strong with 72% on the Tomatometer and also an A CinemaScore from Audiences.  Keep a tab on star Chadwick Boseman who starred in last year’s Jackie Robinson Biopic 42.

Hercules slips to fourth spot with $10.6 million in its second week out for Paramount Pictures, just surpassing the $50-million mark.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, a former Champ, finds itself in fifth spot this weekend with $8.4 million in its fourth week out.

A Most Wanted Man is comfortably in its bubbling-under status for eOne Films and RSA Films with $3.1 million grossed. In two weeks, it has made $6.5 million across North America from 729 theatres.

Rounding things out is And So It Goes with $3 million earned this weekend in its second week for VVS Films/Clarius.

#BOXOFFICE: “LUCY” EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS WITH BIG OPENING

After enamouring Moviegoers with a slickly-cut Trailer earlier this year, it is no surprise Lucy finds itself atop the Box Office this weekend with $45 million from 3,173 theatres, exceeding Studio expectations for Universal Pictures. Audiences didn’t quite get this latest offering from French Director Luc Besson, giving it a C+ CinemaScore. Critics were on the fence also with a 56% score on the Tomatometer. The divide aside, one thing’s for sure – Scarlett Johansson‘s certainly got it.

Hercules debuts in second spot for Paramount Pictures, with $28.5 million from 3,595 theatres. Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson it its titular role, the Action-Fantasy drew positive response from Critics overall with a 65% CinemaScore and a B+ CinemaScore shouldn’t hurt word-of-mouth, yet also not help much either.

After two weeks on-top Dawn of the Planet of the Apes slips to third spot with $16.2 million for 20th Century Fox, pushing its earnings domestically past the $175 million-mark.

In its second week, The Purge: Anarchy slips to fourth spot with $10.3 million for Universal Pictures, a two-week tally of $52 million for the Sequel in the Horror Franchise.

And So It Goes debuts in eighth spot for Clarius/VVS Films with $4 million from 1,762 theatres. Critics absolutely hammered on the Rom-Com starring Diane Keaton and Michael Douglas, giving it a 15% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences were a lot more forgiving with a B+ CinemaScore.

Rounding out the Top Ten is 22 Jump Street with $2.5 million in its seventh week, just surpassing $185 million domestically for Sony Pictures.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO SEE “LUCY” IN TORONTO, MONTREAL, VANCOUVER, CALGARY, EDMONTON, OTTAWA & WINNIPEG!

When the Trailer first surfaced for LUCY earlier this year, I’m sure many of us can agree that we absolutely had to see it right away. Starring Megastar Scarlett Johansson and directed by acclaimed Filmmaker Luc Besson, the Film soon will be hitting theatres and we expect Box Office Madness!

Official Synopsis:

From La Femme Nikita and The Professional to The Fifth Element, Writer/Director Luc Besson has created some of the toughest, most memorable Female Action Heroes in cinematic history. Now, Besson directs Scarlett Johansson in LUCY, an Action-Thriller that tracks a Woman accidentally caught in a dark deal who turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

LUCY also stars Academy Award® Winner Morgan Freeman.

 

Mr. Will and Universal Pictures Canada want to take Readers across Canada to an Advance Screening on #LUCYMOVIE! Screenings are available in Toronto, Montreal,Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Winnipeg on Wednesday, July 23, 2014.

Details are as follows:

Toronto – SilverCity Yonge & Eglinton

Montreal – Cineplex Forum

Vancouver – Cineplex International Village

Calgary – Landmark Shawnessy

Edmonton – Scotiabank West Edmonton Mall

Ottawa – Coliseum

Winnipeg – Landmark Grant Park

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  There on this Post, tell me who your favourite female Action Hero is! Share this Post with your Friends on Facebook or Re-Tweet the below to increase your odds of winning!

http://www.mrwillwong.com/lucymovie @MRWILLW wants us to #win passes across Canada to see #LUCYMOVIE. In theatres 7/25!

 

Good luck, Wongsters!

Watch the official Canadian Trailer:

Official Canadian Artwork:

Universal Pictures Canada release LUCY on Friday, July 25, 2014.

 

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)