Our Favourite Films of 2014

10. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies

We were lucky enough to catch this one in 3D and IMAX just before it was released and we really enjoyed it. While it lacked a little in terms of having too many periphary characters, the scenery and the incredible individual battle scenes were breathtaking.

9. The Lego Movie

Who doesn’t love Lego? It’s legitimately the greatest toy ever made. So when we heard there was to be an animated movie based entirely on the toy brand, we were the first in line at the local cinemas. It didn’t disappoint! ?SPACESHIP!?

8. The Fault In Our Stars

Even the mere mention of this film has us reaching for the tissues. One of many film adaptations of books released this year, it was easily one of the best. John Green should be delighted with how well Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley performed. *sniffle*

7. The Edge Of Tomorrow

It’s not a true year in movies without Tom Cruise running. 2014 didn’t disappoint. The Edge Of Tomorrow was an unexpected hit this year, given its somewhat far-fetched plot which is essentially a war-torn version of Groundhog Day. Cruise is fantastic, Emily Blunt even better.

6. Love Is Strange

While The Fault In Our Stars may have been the most tear-inducing film of the year, it wasn’t the most romantic. That title falls to the wonderful Love Is Strange which focuses on the story of Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina) who are finally able to marry after 39 years together. It’s thoroughly beautiful.

5. Calvary

Brendan Gleeson is officially the king of Irish film. Calvary is the darkest of dark comedies. In confession, a parishioner tells Father James (Gleeson) that he’s going to kill him in revenge against another priest who had abused him as a child. Don’t be surprised to see Gleeson nominated for an actor. It’d be thoroughly deserved.

4. Boyhood

We’ll probably never see the likes of this film again. Richard Linklater filmed Boyhood over an 11 year period starting in 2002. It chronicles the life of 6 year old Mason Evans Jnr. as he grows up and learns plenty along the way. It’s the most emotional portrait of growing up you’ll see on screen.

3. Her

Nominated for five Academy Awards, Her was always going to make our top ten. Technically it was released in 2013 but it didn’t get released in these parts until February of this year. The story follows the life of Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) as he falls in love with an operating system, voiced by Scarlett Johansson. It’s unexpectedly beautiful.

2. Gone Girl

Our favourite of all the adaptations this year. It stays true to the book, which is a welcome change. The story sees Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) come home to find his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) is missing. Affleck suddenly finds himself as the prime suspect and from there, it’s just a brilliant, brilliant film. Watch it.

1. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Undoubtedly Wes Anderson’s finest film to date. It focuses on a butler/concierge played by Ralph Fiennes who finds himself drawn in to a world of intrigue having been given a famous painting by his 84 year old partner. Excellent comedic cameos from Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum amongst many more make this, simply put, a cinematic masterpiece.

What were you favourite films of 2014?

Niall Swan @NiallMacSuain