Well, it would still be a Richard Linklater movie, so people would probably praise it regardless. But the fact that it was made over 12 years makes it that more interesting.
I mean it was pretty much the whole point of the movie, but if it hadn't it would still be praised in the same way his before trilogy was. They aren't that different in terms of substance.
Well if the writing was just as solid and the peformances just as good then yes of course. It isnt just the fact that it was shot over 12 years its how wonderfully made the film was in all aspects
I actually convinced my friends to go see it with me, they had never heard of it before and knew nothing about it, hadn't even seen the trailer. They all loved it and were completely shocked when I sprung the news on them that it took 12 years to make.
Hello ,...great list. Here in Singapore we had boyhood in theaters fora short time and just in one hall. I'm glad to say I was one of those few people who saw it. Great movie.
Wow. I didn't expect The Babadook to be at number one. Pretty cool that it is. I loved it (not number one though for me), but I did import the blu-ray from Australia because I loved it so much and I'm using it as part of my coursework for AS Film Studies. Early today I was actually looking into the genre of horror and how people feel about it, and I even looked into Kermode's attitude, noticing that his favourite film is The Exorcist, the fact that The Babadook is number one on his list is definitely going into my work. Cheers
I saw number 1 coming. Kermode as bemoaned the lack of good horror for years now and after watching his glowing review of the film i new it wouldn't be excluded from the top 10.
Top Ten Films of 2014 1. Imitation Game 2..Nightcrawler 3. The Gandbudapest Hotel 4. Interstellar 5. Pride 6. 71 7. Godzilla 8. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 9.Boyhood 10.X-Men Days of Future Past
God I hated Boyhood, I just feel that although yes it's scope is so amazingly wide for a fictional film that Linklater actually uses that instead of actual character development, we get it it was done over 12 years anytime I felt something interesting was finally going to happen it would cut to another year and a different storyline.
I'm glad Thr Babadook is there. I've not seen a film that lingered with me in the same way for a long time. It's a film I can't wait to watch again and share with others.
The Babadook was a generic "home-alone" flick that has metaphors a 6-year-old could pick up on. The only praise I could give it would be exceptional camera-work and character creation. A 4/10 at best and is only being praised by critics because it was made by a woman.
1. Pompeii 2.Need for Speed 3.Non-stop 4.Inbetweeners 2 5.Gone Girl 6.22 Jump street 7.The Pyramid 8.Trans4mers 9.Lets Be Cops 10.Into The Storm BTW: Failed to see Nightcrawler, Exodus, Dumb And Dumber 2, Chef and A Walk Among the Tombstones. They would probably be on the list.
Very happy with your #1, I love The Babadook. My list: The Tale of Princess Kaguya hands down the best animated movie of the last decade The Raid 2 The Babadook Under the Skin Gone Girl Boyhood The Dance of Reality/Jodoroswky's Dune Dawn of The Planet of the Apes Calvary Interstellar Honorable mentions to Frank, The Canal, Guardians, X-Men Haven't seen Birdman, Selma, Whiplash, Foxtacher or Nightcrawler yet :c
Yay, frank. That was my second favourite film of the year... NOAH was first. That's right, NOAH... What a sublime movie, gutted you didn't have that in your top ten, but pleased you had frank and pride in there
The film of the year for me is definitely Nightcrawler, just for Gyllenhaal's performance alone. Kermode must have not gotten around to seeing it yet, as I can't understand why it would be missing from his end of year list if he had of seen it already.
I really enjoyed "Lucy" and I thought it merited an entry, I would have put GOTG up higher, I haven't seen some of the "foreign" films YET but in general I think he is right about that list and that is why I regard Mark as my critic. EDIT I recently seen "I origins" and I would put that in my top 5, its a well-written tale of cold rational science verse the spiritual wrapped up in a strange love story, love it.
I haven't seen nearly enough movies this year to do a credible top 10, i'll settle for a solid top 3 of films. Babadook and Under the Skin tied, Interstellar as my top film. Babadook was a lot better second time around, perhaps my expectations were too high after the very positive reviews. Under the Skin is beautiful and disturbing, and unlike some, I liked the setting and the common characters that Scarlett's ET converses with. A bit of a lull about 3/4 of the way through but the ending was perfect for the story. Interstellar... no film has had an impact like Interstellar, suddenly i'm fascinated by science. I thought Nolan did a terrific job bringing Kip Thorne's documentary to a film format. Great acting, breathtaking moments and after the second viewing, I'm happy to say the narrative and story worked much better. My only complaint is that Interstellar didn't really ask whether the human race deserves a second chance.
I saw quite a few others, I really liked Gone Girl but that would be no.4 then as i preferred the three i mentioned. Lego movie deserves a shout. Haven't seen Boyhood though it never interested me. You can disagree, but no other film has stuck with me like Interstellar. I've spent hours reading up on theories and ideas, listening to science enthusiasts discussing the film and specifically the 5th dimension. And every time i learned more it improved the experience watching the film.
My personal top 5: 1. Locke 2. 20,000 Days on Earth 3. Enemy 4. Under the Skin 5. The Double/Ida/Snowpiercer (maybe cheating here with 3) I'm really surprised that Mark doesn't have Locke in there but I don't think he has seen it (can't find a review of it). I really think it would be on this list.
My top 10 would be: 1-Boyhood 2-The Imitation Game 3-Big Hero 6 4-Interstellar 5-Lucy 6-Frank 7-Le Passé 8-How to Train Your Dragon 2 9-The Lego Movie 10-The Wind Rises
gibboanx: 10. The Grand Budapest Hotel 9. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 8. Snowpiercer 7. The Babadook 6. Edge of Tomorrow 5. The Lego Movie 4. The Raid 2 3. Guardians of the Galaxy 2. Gone Girl 1. The Wolf of Wall Street
I really didn't enjoy The Babadook at all, it just didn't creep me out. Disappointed not to see Nightcrawler on this list, which for me was the most exciting and daring film of the year.
***** Not sure. It happens a lot with these sort of films. For the UK, The Wolf of Wall Street, 12 Years A Slave, Her, Dallas Buyers Club would technically be 2014 films. On the bright side, the so happily named Graveyard season for the US is actually pretty decent over here. LOL
I´m surprised he chose "Belle" for his top 10. Also, all the people mentioning the comic book movies: Marvel releases are being wayyy too acclaimed. At the end of the day all of them have teh same generic plot. I didn´t even find TASM2 worse than them, at least I got real acting with that one.
everything I loved about Frank Sidebottom is more or less exactly what I hated about 'Frank'. they succeeded in making a movie which was practically the polar opposite of its inspiration figure in terms of humour and overall tone. a syrupy, self absorbed smugfest of a movie,I hated it.
Boyhood and The Babadook...both flawed (like all films), both brilliant. Avatar 2,3 and 4 can continue to entertain the dickheads. EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!
Thought Guardians of the Galaxy would've been number one since he said he loved it so much that he went to see it three times. My movie of the year would be Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Lol funny how kermode didn't mention Von triers nymphomaniac? Easily the best movie of 2014. Would that have anything to do with the fact he doesn't give props to any of Lars Von triers movies because he doesn't like him as a filmmaker? Lol
Boyhood is the film equivalent of a Coldplay song. Bland uninteresting yet everyone loves it. I didn't hate it but it is massively overrated in my opinion.
Dear Mark, Why do you like Boyhood so much? I just don't get it. It was overlong, boring and felt like an inconsequential documentary. What is it about this film that you like? There was no drama no excitement and no payoff. The characters were uninteresting, the things they did were uninteresting and Mason is about as charismatic as Michael Gove on Mogadon. Was it the fact that it was shot over 12 years and had the same actors? Well Whoop De Doo! Truthful movie making does not necessarily equal great, good or even semi interesting movie making and that is certainly the case here. How you can rate it 2nd best film of the year is beyond me. I've listened to your review and I'm still in the dark. Please enlighten me. Kind Regards, Alex
I can tell you why I love Boyhood, and I'm sure my views and Mark's views are very similar with this film. It's not the fact that Boyhood took 12 years to make. That aspect did however, make the film much better. If Linklater had made the film in 2 years and cast different actors to play the characters, the film wouldn't have as much of an impact. Seeing the characters grow organically really improves the experience. The other thing is how this film depicts life. Everytime I watch Boyhood, it feels like watching my life unfold before me. Maybe it's because I relate so much to the situations, and Mason is such a relatable character for me. But everytime I watch Boyhood I almost tear up. Which is a rarity for me, considering I'm rarely ever moved by a film. The film brings back memories from my life that are dear to me. Playing old school Halo on Xbox, going to baseball games, going camping, and of course graduating from High School. Boyhood is a masterpiece imo, and it's a prime example of less is more. The movie doesn't need a plot. You just have to watch it for the experience and enjoy the ride.
Shame that The LEGO Movie isn't on here anymore, but seeing The Babadook at top is excellent. That movie right there is a scary piece of work.
Nightcrawler and Mr Turner were two movies I expected to see on his list.
Makes me wonder if Boyhood hadn't been made over 12 years but in 3 months with 2-3 different kids playing the boy, had anyone cared?
Well, it would still be a Richard Linklater movie, so people would probably praise it regardless. But the fact that it was made over 12 years makes it that more interesting.
I mean it was pretty much the whole point of the movie, but if it hadn't it would still be praised in the same way his before trilogy was. They aren't that different in terms of substance.
Well if the writing was just as solid and the peformances just as good then yes of course. It isnt just the fact that it was shot over 12 years its how wonderfully made the film was in all aspects
I actually convinced my friends to go see it with me, they had never heard of it before and knew nothing about it, hadn't even seen the trailer. They all loved it and were completely shocked when I sprung the news on them that it took 12 years to make.
Its a gimmick movie of sort like the artist but without that it would have worked
Hello ,...great list. Here in Singapore we had boyhood in theaters fora short time and just in one hall. I'm glad to say I was one of those few people who saw it. Great movie.
I agree with No.1. The film made up for years of disappointing horror films.
Wow. I didn't expect The Babadook to be at number one. Pretty cool that it is. I loved it (not number one though for me), but I did import the blu-ray from Australia because I loved it so much and I'm using it as part of my coursework for AS Film Studies. Early today I was actually looking into the genre of horror and how people feel about it, and I even looked into Kermode's attitude, noticing that his favourite film is The Exorcist, the fact that The Babadook is number one on his list is definitely going into my work. Cheers
Where's Nightcrawler?
He has yet to see it.
I saw number 1 coming. Kermode as bemoaned the lack of good horror for years now and after watching his glowing review of the film i new it wouldn't be excluded from the top 10.
Half in the Bag completely ripped boyhood. Everyone else seems to love it. Doesn't look that interesting.
If you need explosions or set pieces to keep you entertained, don't see Boyhood.
Fantastic.
"Twerp"
***** I would still love the movie without the cool concept because it's still a good film.
it's worth a watch, just cos it's a cool concept
Top Ten Films of 2014
1. Imitation Game
2..Nightcrawler
3. The Gandbudapest Hotel
4. Interstellar
5. Pride
6. 71
7. Godzilla
8. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
9.Boyhood
10.X-Men Days of Future Past
I'm glad that you pick The Babadook as your number #1
God I hated Boyhood, I just feel that although yes it's scope is so amazingly wide for a fictional film that Linklater actually uses that instead of actual character development, we get it it was done over 12 years anytime I felt something interesting was finally going to happen it would cut to another year and a different storyline.
Under the skin was the best this year. Under the rated. Boom tish
Starred Up, Raid 2 and Nightcrawler would all make my top ten of the year.
I'm glad Thr Babadook is there. I've not seen a film that lingered with me in the same way for a long time. It's a film I can't wait to watch again and share with others.
The Babadook was a generic "home-alone" flick that has metaphors a 6-year-old could pick up on. The only praise I could give it would be exceptional camera-work and character creation. A 4/10 at best and is only being praised by critics because it was made by a woman.
1. Pompeii
2.Need for Speed
3.Non-stop
4.Inbetweeners 2
5.Gone Girl
6.22 Jump street
7.The Pyramid
8.Trans4mers
9.Lets Be Cops
10.Into The Storm
BTW: Failed to see Nightcrawler, Exodus, Dumb And Dumber 2, Chef and A Walk Among the Tombstones. They would probably be on the list.
Very happy with your #1, I love The Babadook.
My list:
The Tale of Princess Kaguya hands down the best animated movie of the last decade
The Raid 2
The Babadook
Under the Skin
Gone Girl
Boyhood
The Dance of Reality/Jodoroswky's Dune
Dawn of The Planet of the Apes
Calvary
Interstellar
Honorable mentions to Frank, The Canal, Guardians, X-Men
Haven't seen Birdman, Selma, Whiplash, Foxtacher or Nightcrawler yet :c
Great and unexpected No 1... a truly nerve wracking experience an so well acted!!!
Frank had a strange feel to it I can't describe. I definitely want to watch it again.
Yay, frank. That was my second favourite film of the year... NOAH was first.
That's right, NOAH... What a sublime movie, gutted you didn't have that in your top ten, but pleased you had frank and pride in there
Nightcrawler definitely deserved to be on here.
I agree, '71 was bad boy, so was gone girl
The film of the year for me is definitely Nightcrawler, just for Gyllenhaal's performance alone.
Kermode must have not gotten around to seeing it yet, as I can't understand why it would be missing from his end of year list if he had of seen it already.
i was getting worried that i wasn't going to see The Babadook in the top 10 at all, so relieved when it made No.1.
Excellent #1 choice. Just saw it last week and it is firmly in my #1 choice as well! But still need to see Boyhood.
Boyhood should be number 1
I really enjoyed "Lucy" and I thought it merited an entry, I would have put GOTG up higher, I haven't seen some of the "foreign" films YET but in general I think he is right about that list and that is why I regard Mark as my critic.
EDIT I recently seen "I origins" and I would put that in my top 5, its a well-written tale of cold rational science verse the spiritual wrapped up in a strange love story, love it.
Great list Mark!! Except.....Birdman is number one.
I haven't seen nearly enough movies this year to do a credible top 10, i'll settle for a solid top 3 of films. Babadook and Under the Skin tied, Interstellar as my top film. Babadook was a lot better second time around, perhaps my expectations were too high after the very positive reviews. Under the Skin is beautiful and disturbing, and unlike some, I liked the setting and the common characters that Scarlett's ET converses with. A bit of a lull about 3/4 of the way through but the ending was perfect for the story. Interstellar... no film has had an impact like Interstellar, suddenly i'm fascinated by science. I thought Nolan did a terrific job bringing Kip Thorne's documentary to a film format. Great acting, breathtaking moments and after the second viewing, I'm happy to say the narrative and story worked much better. My only complaint is that Interstellar didn't really ask whether the human race deserves a second chance.
I saw quite a few others, I really liked Gone Girl but that would be no.4 then as i preferred the three i mentioned. Lego movie deserves a shout. Haven't seen Boyhood though it never interested me. You can disagree, but no other film has stuck with me like Interstellar. I've spent hours reading up on theories and ideas, listening to science enthusiasts discussing the film and specifically the 5th dimension. And every time i learned more it improved the experience watching the film.
My personal top 5:
1. Locke
2. 20,000 Days on Earth
3. Enemy
4. Under the Skin
5. The Double/Ida/Snowpiercer (maybe cheating here with 3)
I'm really surprised that Mark doesn't have Locke in there but I don't think he has seen it (can't find a review of it). I really think it would be on this list.
NIGHTCRAWLER?????????
An unforgivable omission.
My top 10 would be:
1-Boyhood
2-The Imitation Game
3-Big Hero 6
4-Interstellar
5-Lucy
6-Frank
7-Le Passé
8-How to Train Your Dragon 2
9-The Lego Movie
10-The Wind Rises
I agree with marks no.1 selection
Wait no Whiplash, Nightcrawler, Inherent Vice or Birdman? Or are you considering those 2015 films?
No Winter Sleep? he sounded like he loved it so in his review. ah well.
Can't wait for the blu ray.
gibboanx:
10. The Grand Budapest Hotel
9. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
8. Snowpiercer
7. The Babadook
6. Edge of Tomorrow
5. The Lego Movie
4. The Raid 2
3. Guardians of the Galaxy
2. Gone Girl
1. The Wolf of Wall Street
I'm must say I'm shocked mark. Is that a new laptop?
Interesting choice for # 1.
'Frank' was great.
If Freidkin likes it, Kermode does too 😉
I really didn't enjoy The Babadook at all, it just didn't creep me out.
Disappointed not to see Nightcrawler on this list, which for me was the most exciting and daring film of the year.
Not as daring as Under the Skin, for example.
I liked the Babadook, but I was never scared while watching it, it is too rational to be horror.
Hmmm, surprised BIRDMAN didn't make the list...
Still pretty cool to see a horror film at the top of his list.
Whiplash is the best film I've seen in 2014
The Babadook was on my list as well
Mr Turner, Foxcatcher?
Did Kermode not see Birdman?
Birdman hasn't been released in the UK yet
Not yet.
ReelsChannel Is there a big reason it's getting a weird release?
***** Not sure. It happens a lot with these sort of films. For the UK, The Wolf of Wall Street, 12 Years A Slave, Her, Dallas Buyers Club would technically be 2014 films.
On the bright side, the so happily named Graveyard season for the US is actually pretty decent over here. LOL
ReelsChannel i went to see it yesterday in London, full released a few days ago
I´m surprised he chose "Belle" for his top 10. Also, all the people mentioning the comic book movies: Marvel releases are being wayyy too acclaimed. At the end of the day all of them have teh same generic plot. I didn´t even find TASM2 worse than them, at least I got real acting with that one.
Nice to see the Babadook Love!
Did Mark Kermode even see ______ ?
^ Follow the above template for the standard comment
Does anyone know if Kermode saw/reviewed Snowpiercer?
:)
I don't think he did.
NO WHIPLASH?
Hasn't come out in the UK yet.
that was my thought as well... but he hadn't made a review on it yet
My favourite is The Zero Theroem.
Such a great movie, hugely under rated.
+1 for 'no gone girl?!??'
The Babadook at No.1? It's truly a bad year for cinema.
everything I loved about Frank Sidebottom is more or less exactly what I hated about 'Frank'. they succeeded in making a movie which was practically the polar opposite of its inspiration figure in terms of humour and overall tone. a syrupy, self absorbed smugfest of a movie,I hated it.
Think I'd rather grow a whole set of teeth than watch Transformers! No Gone Girl??
I was really excited to see Boyhood, but sort of bored watching it. Where the hell is Birdman?
No Lego the movie?
Boyhood and The Babadook...both flawed (like all films), both brilliant. Avatar 2,3 and 4 can continue to entertain the dickheads. EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!
Didnt he watch Birdman and Nightcrawler?
No ’71 and Gone Girl? WTF
Thought Guardians of the Galaxy would've been number one since he said he loved it so much that he went to see it three times. My movie of the year would be Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
No Tusk?!
Lol funny how kermode didn't mention Von triers nymphomaniac? Easily the best movie of 2014. Would that have anything to do with the fact he doesn't give props to any of Lars Von triers movies because he doesn't like him as a filmmaker? Lol
Yeah, strange how he didn't give a filmmaker whose work he doesn't like film of the year! No, wait, that's not strange at all.
Badabook? Really!!!!!
Wheres Guardians, Nightcrawler, as for Frank, 90 mins of my life I'll never get back.
It took 12 years to make!!!!
Boyhood is the film equivalent of a Coldplay song. Bland uninteresting yet everyone loves it. I didn't hate it but it is massively overrated in my opinion.
Dear Mark,
Why do you like Boyhood so much? I just don't get it. It was overlong, boring and felt like an inconsequential documentary. What is it about this film that you like? There was no drama no excitement and no payoff. The characters were uninteresting, the things they did were uninteresting and Mason is about as charismatic as Michael Gove on Mogadon.
Was it the fact that it was shot over 12 years and had the same actors? Well Whoop De Doo! Truthful movie making does not necessarily equal great, good or even semi interesting movie making and that is certainly the case here. How you can rate it 2nd best film of the year is beyond me. I've listened to your review and I'm still in the dark.
Please enlighten me.
Kind Regards,
Alex
I can tell you why I love Boyhood, and I'm sure my views and Mark's views are very similar with this film.
It's not the fact that Boyhood took 12 years to make. That aspect did however, make the film much better. If Linklater had made the film in 2 years and cast different actors to play the characters, the film wouldn't have as much of an impact. Seeing the characters grow organically really improves the experience.
The other thing is how this film depicts life. Everytime I watch Boyhood, it feels like watching my life unfold before me. Maybe it's because I relate so much to the situations, and Mason is such a relatable character for me. But everytime I watch Boyhood I almost tear up. Which is a rarity for me, considering I'm rarely ever moved by a film. The film brings back memories from my life that are dear to me. Playing old school Halo on Xbox, going to baseball games, going camping, and of course graduating from High School.
Boyhood is a masterpiece imo, and it's a prime example of less is more. The movie doesn't need a plot. You just have to watch it for the experience and enjoy the ride.
no
The Babadook was greatly disappointing and more boring than anything else