Is it just me, or has 2014 been an AWFUL year in movies so far?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 12:47pm

I realized this morning that I've only been to the movies 3 times in 2014 and I usually go 3 times a week. I know I've said more than a few times that I'll wait for it to come out on DVD, and I was just looking at the upcoming dvd releases through August and there's absolutely nothing that I'd feel the need to own, besides 2 of the movies I saw in the theater.

I hope the upcoming films are better than the crap that's been put out so far!

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 12:57pm

I agree Jordan, the only really good film I've seen this year is Captain America 2.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 1:30pm

Some of the festival films from last year have yet to be rolled out.

But here is my list of great films that have/had a 2014 release date:

The Missing Picture

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Starred Up

Under the Skin

The Immigrant

Palo Alto

Not sure about Johnnie To's Blind Detective getting a proper US release but it is a fun, wacky one. If all of these films stuck in my Top 10 list by year's end, I will be very satisfied.

Additionally, Nymphomaniac (still have not seen Vol. II), David Gordon Green's Joe, Ernest & Celestine, Blue Ruin, Locke, The 12 o'clock Boys, and Only Lovers Left Alive have gotten good notices.

But as far as within-house big/medium size studio films, I have only heard good things about Neighbors and Captain America 2.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 1:37pm

I think we've just been spoiled with some great early releases the past couple years. So far, I've really enjoyed Captain America and The Lego Movie. The Muppets sequel wasn't without its charms. That Joss Whedon straight to digital release In Your Eyes was interesting if nothing else. I missed Under the Skin but my local one screen indie just got Grand Budapest Hotel.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 2:42pm

I agree it has been lackluster.

And the summer season seems uncharacteristically weak as well.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 2:50pm

When the most exciting things coming up are Godzilla and the new Adam Sandler movie, it makes me glad I canceled my movie pass subscription.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 2:51pm

The only film I've loved so far is Miyazaki's The Wind Rises--but I guess technically that came out last year. But Strummer listed a number of films I at least found interesting (I need to post in the Nympho thread now that I've seen both parts--I kinda hated it, but I'm still glad I saw it, if that makes sense.)

I thought as far as big tent-pole movies go, Cap American 2 was pretty good. I admit as an X-Men geek I am getting excited for Days of Future Past.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 2:53pm

I haven't seen Captain America 2, yet. I actually forgot that was out so I'll have to go see it next week sometime.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 3:10pm

Jordan, I honestly think Captain America 2 is better than The Avengers. I didn't really like the first one but this one blew me away. It's a spy thriller with superheros.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 3:34pm

GODZILLA looks awesome to me. I love the fact it might be a disaster flick mixed with a monster. Also, I'm super excited for INTO THE STORM.
I really like disaster flicks....

[Marianne2]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 3:57pm

Have to agree. I saw Frozen twice, but that came out last year. I was looking through the list of movies coming out this summer and I do have interest in Jersey Boys. I haven't made up my mind about Maleficent yet. It looks intriguing, but I'm not a huge Angelina Jolie fan.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 4:04pm

UNDER THE SKIN and BLUE R-U-IN are supposed to be fantastic.

Updated On: 4/26/14 at 04:04 PM

[tazber]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 4:59pm

I think you mean Blue Ruin Borstal.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 6:59pm

The only 2 movies that impressed me this year were the new Muppets movie and Noah. A lot of people didn't like Noah, but I'm not sure why. Even if it wasn't 100% biblically accurate, I think it was really well done and some great performances.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/27/14 at 3:11am

It is not just you. I usually go to the movies once a week. This year it has been rare for me to go more than once a month. The Lego movie was the best thing I have seen this year.

[carolineorchange21]

Posted: 4/27/14 at 6:31am

I saw August: Osage County because I see most Meryl Streep films. She's the ultimate movie star/great actress in the Bette Davis vein and was good but I felt underwhelmed by the film. I liked the older Karen Silkwood-esque accent and that she seemed to base her voice on Margo Martindale. The resemblance achieved between the two actresses via makeup and physicality was stunning. Julia Roberts was competent.

I also saw Saving Mr. Banks (technically released 2013 but I saw it 1.14) because Mary Poppins means a lot to me...and Emma Thompson is goddess :) I was almost lost from the beginning because of the flashbacks to the author's childhood. It seemed contrived but the editing and Thompson's fabulous acting were wonderful in the scene where the Sherman brothers are playing Fidelity Fiduciary Bank for the first time and are cut with her flashbacks to the father drunkenly rambling at an outback county fair. Then I realized Colin Farrell was playing Travers Goff and my mind was further blown. Tom Hanks was Walt Disney if Disney made the film...wait. I felt there was probably a great deal omitted from the final release because of the uneven pace. The scenes with PL Travers interacting with 60s Hollywood are the best in the film.

The only other thing I cared to take the time to see was the Stritch doc which was as awkward and brilliant as I expected!

I think there are a few blockbusters I may take in this summer - possibly a bad horror flick on a whim - but this has indeed been a most paltry movie season so far.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/27/14 at 12:37pm

Just saw a preview for Jupiter Ascending last night and thought it looks promising (I loved Cloud Atlas). Wasn't thrilled in the idea of another Godzila remake, but the trailer impressed me.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 4/27/14 at 1:21pm

I agree. I also cancelled my Movie Pass because I just wasn't going as much anymore. It is actually kind of sad, I miss going to the movies. :P I'm a huge movie fan but I just can't get excited for anything playing right now. Most of the best movies I saw this year so far were movies that were also available on demand. Here is my list (and I usually see at least double of what I've seen by this time of the year)...


A

-

A-

The Den
G.B.F.
Nymphomaniac: Volume 1
Nymphomaniac: Volume 2
Veronica Mars

B+

Stranger by the Lake

B

About Last Night
Barefoot
Better Living Through Chemistry
In Fear
The Lego Movie
Neighbors

B-

Date and Switch
Non-Stop
U Want Me 2 Kill Him?

C+

Divergent
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
Wolf Creek 2

C

Haunt
Nurse

C-

Adult World


D



F

-

Total Number of Films Viewed: 21