Best Book or Movie of The Year 2014

FirefightnRick · December 17, 2014

I had to make this a book or movie because in my opinion for this year, it's one and the same with the movie "Unbroken" coming out. The book came out a while back.

This is one of the greatest stories of survival and forgiveness possibly ever told. I heard Zampini's son interviewed yesterday on Mark Davis' show and was impressed with what he had to say about how great director Angolina Jolie was to his dad and their family and how pleased they were with the job she did in the movie.

I'm still waiting for 12 Mighty Orphans. I haven't even heard if there's a screen play written yet? Anyone know?

Rick

Edited December 17, 2014 by FirefightnRick

CMJ · December 17, 2014

The book was amazing. I'll probably be seeing the film today (one of the perks of being in an industry town) - and will let you know how it turns out. I am sort of fearful though, because that's a ton of story for one 2.5 hour movie. It'd be like trying to make Band of Brothers into a movie.

That_Guy_Arlo · December 17, 2014

Your pick for best movie is one you haven't seen yet?

CMJ · December 17, 2014

Whiplash is my favorite film of the year (so far).

TheTastyGreek · December 17, 2014

Because of some professional good fortune and the opportunities that came along with it, I was very lucky to get to see a lot of fantastic movies this year. Of everything I saw, there are two that I watched back in January that still stick with me as among the most powerful I've seen not just this year, but in my entire life. Both are documentaries.

One is called The Overnighters. For anyone that hasn't seen it (and it cleared under $100,000 during it's theatrical release... So that means pretty much everyone.) I implore you not to read anything about it and watch as soon as you're able to access it on a streaming service or video on demand or home entertainment option. The one sentence synopsis is that it's about a pastor in North Dakota who tries shelter and minister to the men who are flocking there seeking work from the shale/fracking boom, and the challenges he struggles against among his community, his parishioners, and his own family.

Courtland, you'll have at least two chances to see this in a theater... It plays at Arena Cinema in L.A. the weekend of the 27th and 28th, and I'll be shocked if it isn't an Oscar nominee, so you can probably catch it during the nominee screenings I know you try to make it a point to catch every year.

If I can only convince people to see one movie, it would be The Overnighters. I don't even want to dive into why, for fear of blunting or spoiling what makes the story so emotionally compelling and ultimately shocking.

The other was Last Days in Vietnam. It airs on American Experience (PBS) on April 28th. You can all see it then for free.

CMJ · December 17, 2014

As far as under the radar awesomeness goes, one title I must throw out there....Blue Ruin. It's like an early Coen brothers type of thing. Reminded me of the atmosphere of Blood Simple.

Thanks for the heads up John.

Coffee and TV · January 6, 2015

Whiplash is my favorite film of the year (so far).

On my list.

I think my favorite this year has to be The Theory of Everything. It wasn't really what I was expecting but I still really really liked it.

CMJ · January 7, 2015

On my list.

I think my favorite this year has to be The Theory of Everything. It wasn't really what I was expecting but I still really really liked it.

I very much enjoyed that one as well.

KRAM1 · January 7, 2015

On my list.

I think my favorite this year has to be The Theory of Everything. It wasn't really what I was expecting but I still really really liked it.

Thanks for the recommendation and the back-up from CMJ. I will have to check this one out soon.

I did see Unbroken over the holidays and enjoyed it, but must admit, the prison camp scenes were pretty much standard WWII Japanese prisoner of war camp fare including the sadistic camp commander and guards. No real creativity from Jolie at all here, and the life raft scenes went on and on and on...also not much creativity...only last comment "I've got good news and bad news" sort of thing added anything in the way of memorable lines. I had read the story in magazines and read the book, so it is definitely an inspiring story, but as far as a fantastic and epic movie depicting this great American hero...well, not so much.

But, the thing I thought was great was that Jolie was able to form a bond of friendship with Zamperini (sorry, probably messed up the spelling here) and was able to utilize him as an expert on the film. That, and the fact that he was able to see this project come to fruition before he passed away. To me...that is the greatness of this project.

Occams Razor Ramon · January 7, 2015

Agree that Unbroken was a formulaic Hollywood cut n' paste telling of a great source story. Seconding TTG on The Overnighters. Was lucky enough to see it, and it's just incredible. Still thinking about it.

Got5onIt · January 13, 2015

CA: The Winter Soldier

Guardians of the Galaxy

Nightcrawler

The Equalizer

Edited January 13, 2015 by Got5onIt

oldguystudent · January 13, 2015

Guardians of the Galaxy

I think I'm the only person alive that didn't see anything special about that movie, but then I'm not much into the whole comic book super genre at all.

Green P1 · January 13, 2015

St. Vincent FTW.

CMJ · January 13, 2015

Nightcrawler

Definitely one of the best films of 2014.

Cerebus · January 20, 2015

Book:

After years of putting it off I started Robert Caro's biography of LBJ. I ended up engrossed and powered through all four volumes in under 3 months. Not only is LBJ a fascinating characters, not only is Caro a stupendous researcher and author, but I have never seen the modern American political system described in such detail. If you want to understand how the levers of political power are moved in the US, read this series.

Movie:

The Imitation Game. First off, the portrayal wasn't 100% accurate. Turing wasn't some sort of autistic misanthrope. Though he could be incredibly blunt he could also be charming and funny, his superiors and coworkers at Bletchley Park appreciated him from the start and considered his ideas to be genius, the chemical castration did not leave him a mental wreck, we're not 100% sure his death wasn't accidental, etc. It still is a good movie, not a historical document, as all the Oscar nominations attest to. Truthfully I am just so happy that people outside of the computer science field will get a chance to hear the name and understand the genius of Alan Turing. It's likely clouding my judgement, to be fair.

The man more or less is the father of programming, and computers, and networks, and artificial intelligence.

Coffee and TV · January 20, 2015

Book:

After years of putting it off I started Robert Caro's biography of LBJ. I ended up engrossed and powered through all four volumes in under 3 months. Not only is LBJ a fascinating characters, not only is Caro a stupendous researcher and author, but I have never seen the modern American political system described in such detail. If you want to understand how the levers of political power are moved in the US, read this series.

Seen Selma or read any of the reviews on it? I still want to see if but will be going into it a little weary because of the way the director portrayed LBJ as some sort of antagonist to MLK.

Movie:

The Imitation Game. First off, the portrayal wasn't 100% accurate. Turing wasn't some sort of autistic misanthrope. Though he could be incredibly blunt he could also be charming and funny, his superiors and coworkers at Bletchley Park appreciated him from the start and considered his ideas to be genius, the chemical castration did not leave him a mental wreck, we're not 100% sure his death wasn't accidental, etc. It still is a good movie, not a historical document, as all the Oscar nominations attest to. Truthfully I am just so happy that people outside of the computer science field will get a chance to hear the name and understand the genius of Alan Turing. It's likely clouding my judgement, to be fair.

The man more or less is the father of programming, and computers, and networks, and artificial intelligence.

Yeah I've always heard "the computer was essentially invented during WW2" but never read much of the details about it's beginnings. It was really cool film that didn't get you caught up in the minute details of it all and focused more on Turing. The flashback sequences did well to explain enough as well, there was no need for a full biography of it all. It's a damn shame what happened to him after the war though. Pretty good film but I still put it behind The Theory of Everything and maybe Wild. I really gotta get around to finish out the Best Picture nods.

KRAM1 · January 21, 2015

Seen Selma or read any of the reviews on it? I still want to see if but will be going into it a little weary because of the way the director portrayed LBJ as some sort of antagonist to MLK. [/b

Good movie. If folks haven't seen it, they should. But, I cringed at the depiction of LBJ's relationship with MLK. Anyone with even a slight knowledge of that relationship should have known better. Almost ruined the movie for me, and I have to wonder if this will have an impact on younger viewers who do not know the real situation between the two men? Sad that Hollywood has to screw things up so badly and so often.

CMJ · January 23, 2015

Good movie. If folks haven't seen it, they should. But, I cringed at the depiction of LBJ's relationship with MLK. Anyone with even a slight knowledge of that relationship should have known better. Almost ruined the movie for me, and I have to wonder if this will have an impact on younger viewers who do not know the real situation between the two men? Sad that Hollywood has to screw things up so badly and so often.

On the one hand I understand. But, I guess I don't expect a film to be 100% accurate. One of my favorite all time films is Amadeus, and that certainly isn't! I sorta go on a case by case basis how close I care about the accuracy of film to real life.

Edited January 23, 2015 by CMJ

Green Mean · January 23, 2015

On the one hand I understand. But, I guess I don't expect a film to be 100% accurate. One of my favorite all time films is Amadeus, and that certainly isn't! I sorta go on a case by case basis how close I care about the accuracy of film to real life.

Amadeus is one of my favorite movies ever. I never saw that film until one of my high school classes showed it and it was so great.

Censored by Laurie · January 26, 2015

Birdman.

and its not really close for me, though I've yet to see Whiplash or Nightcrawler

CMJ · January 27, 2015

Birdman.
and its not really close for me, though I've yet to see Whiplash or Nightcrawler

I wasn't really a fan of Birdman. I respected how unique it was, but I can't say I found it very enjoyable. Incredibly well acted though.

TheTastyGreek · February 7, 2015

Last Days in Vietnam is available on Roku today on the PBS channel.

Only today, so watch it now (if you have a Roku) or wait for April.

CMJ · February 7, 2015

Last Days in Vietnam is available on Roku today on the PBS channel.
Only today, so watch it now (if you have a Roku) or wait for April.

It's probably my 2nd favorite of the doc nominees (I LOVED Finding for Vivian Maier), and I suspect it'll win the Academy Award.

Edited February 7, 2015 by CMJ

DeepGreen · February 8, 2015

Imitation game was a really good movie and I highly recommend it.

For accuracy, one of my favorites was "The Longest Day". Seems to depict very well what happened on that historical day. It just about every famous actor in Hollywood at the time it was produced is in the movie. You youngsters should see it if you haven't already.