1. Grand Budapest Hotel

This film won’t necessarily have broad appeal, but I thought every part of the experience served to further the story and the atmosphere. From the adaptation of the script to the colors in the film to the costumes and settings, it was all assembled like a marvelous and clever puzzle. Bravo, everyon

2. Ida

Films don’t come much darker than this, but this intrigued and surprised me. Complex, haunting, spare

3. Whiplash

This is a barn-burner of a film and JJ Simmons deserves every bit of credit for chewing up every, single scene.

4. The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Is it possible for an animated feature to delight and amaze with storytelling craft, while also conveying deep wisdom about what it means to live and die? Why yes, it is possible. And this film proves it.

5. The Babadook 

A clever, startling horror film in the classic tradition. 

6. Birdman

Wonderful ensemble performance by the best cast of the year. Not gonna lie – I thought it was 30 minutes too long and could have used more aggressive editing. But a terrific film nonetheless and I hope one that marks the return of Keaton to more regular cinematic appearances

7. Calvary

If you are looking for a fun afternoon at the movie house, then by all means pass this by! Dark, brooding, and basically hopeless. Worth the trip just to see Brendan Gleeson’s performance, but you might want to queue up something lighthearted on NEtFlix for when you get back home from this one.

8. Locke

OK, the entire film takes place inside a car with just one actor. And that one actor is amazing! Suspenseful, interesting, captivating and technically impressive.

9. Guardians of the Galaxy

Yes, it is stupid and loud (it was the explodiest movie of 2014!!) but I loved it so much I saw it three times.

I really, really, really wanted to like – or at least appreciate –  Boyhood. But I did not.