2014 was a remarkable year for cinema, marked by the release of numerous successful and influential films.
How about we recall some of the top films of 2014? Below we list this year’s best films available on streaming services in Brazil.
The best films of 2014
Critically acclaimed, “Birdman” was the big winner of the 87th Academy Awards ceremony. The film won Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography.
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and with photography by Emmanuel Lubezki. “Birdman” is notable for being presented as if it were shot in one continuous sequence, with tricks to disguise the cuts.
Michael Keaton stars in the production, playing an actor best known for playing a superhero decades ago. He is now trying to revive his career by trying to write, direct and star in a play on Broadway.
The cast also includes Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone and Naomi Watts.
Well received by critics, “Interstellar” was nominated in five categories at the 87th Academy Awards and won the award for best visual effects. Additionally, the film was the tenth highest-grossing film of 2014.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film stars Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Caine and Matt Damon.
The plot takes place in the near future, where the Earth is suffering from a global food crisis due to a shortage of natural resources. On a mission to find a new habitable planet to replace Earth, a group of astronauts travel through a wormhole near Saturn.
The cult film Eugène Green, “La Sapienza”, is a French production well received by specialized critics. Praise was directed at the formal rigor employed by Green.
Exploring themes such as love and art, the film follows a famous architect and his wife as they travel to Italy to work on a book. Along the way they meet a future architecture student and his sister. However, they decide to separate: while the women remain together, the men continue their journey.
Directed by Damien Chazelle, “Whiplash” received critical acclaim and was a crowd pleaser. At the 87th Academy Awards, the film won 3 awards, including Best Supporting Actor for JK Simmons, whose performance was considered the highlight of the production.
The plot follows an ambitious music student and jazz drummer (Miles Teller) who attends a prestigious New York conservatory. The young man attracts the attention of his famously tyrannical instructor (JK Simmons), known for his brutal and demanding teaching style.
From that moment on the relationship between the two becomes increasingly tense and obsessive, with the master pushing his student to the limit in the search for perfection.
A biopic on the life of Chris Kyle, known as the deadliest sniper in US military history, “American Sniper” is a military drama directed by the famous Clint Eastwood.
Well received by critics, the film received 6 Oscar nominations and won the award for Best Sound. Furthermore, the film was a box office success.
Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle and the film shows his four tours in Iraq and the tragic effects the war had on his personal life. The production also features actress Sienna Miller.
A success with audiences and critics, “Gone Girl” is considered by the specialized media to be one of the top films of the 2010s. The production is directed by David Fincher and written by Gillian Flynn, based on her 2012 novel of the same name. .
In the plot, Amy (Rosamund Pike) mysteriously disappears. Her husband, Nick (Ben Affleck), becomes the police’s prime suspect when lies and facts about their rocky marriage come to light. Nick then tries to find Amy and prove her innocence.
With major twists, the film also stars Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry and Carrie Coon.
Film by the cult Wes Anderson, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” received acclaim from specialized critics and won 4 Oscars. The cast has several stars, including names such as Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jude Law, Saoirse Ronan, among others.
The plot follows the adventures of Gustave H. (Fiennes), concierge of a prestigious hotel located in a fictional Eastern European nation, in the company of his friend and protégé, the messenger Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori).
One of the titles that appeared most in the lists of specialized film media as one of the best films of 2014 is this Swedish production that mixes psychological drama and morbid humor.
Directed by Ruben Östlund, the film follows a family on holiday in the French Alps. However, when an apparent avalanche occurs, the husband prioritizes escape over the safety of his wife and two children.
After the scare, the real terror comes when the wife (Lisa Loven Kongsli) questions her husband (Johannes Kuhnke) for his selfish attitude.
One of the action blockbusters of 2014 that received the most critical acclaim was this production, which stars Tom Cruise in the lead role. Based on a Japanese novel written by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, “On the Edge of Tomorrow” deals with the theme of the time loop.
The production is directed by Doug Liman and also stars Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton and Brendan Gleeson.
The film is set in a near future where Earth is invaded by an alien race. An inexperienced combat officer (Cruise) is assigned to a dangerous mission against aliens. However, he dies in combat, but strangely wakes up earlier that same day, reliving the events over and over again.
Sequel to “The Planet of the Apes: Origin” (2011), “The Planet of the Apes: Confrontation” received a largely positive reception from specialized critics, who noted the notable increase in the level of quality compared to previous work.
The film is directed by Matt Reeves and stars Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell and Kodi Smit-McPhee.
A decade after the events of the previous film, in which a deadly virus known as “simian flu” decimated much of the human population, the genetically engineered apes have gained intelligence and leadership. This sequel follows the increasingly strained relations between the human survivors and the apes led by Caesar (Serkis).
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Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
