10 Best Shows of 2014

Honorable Mentions: Klondike, American Horror Story, Parks and Recreations, Community, Archer, Scandal, The Americans, Silicon Valley, Justified, Legit, Wilfred, Superjail, Louie, Bob's Burgers, RWBY, The Strain, From Dusk till Dawn, Gotham, Bojack Horseman, Arrow, The Flash, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Homeland, The Walking Dead, The Newsroom, South Park, The League
Note: This list is based solely off my own personal opinion of what I thought were the best shows of 2014 and is ordered in descending numerical order (not including the runner-ups which are listed before the top 10 in no particular order). To qualify for this list, a show must have aired some time in 2014; I would like to mention I have not been able to watch every show that aired in 2014.

Runner-Up #1: Mad Men

If you were to make a list of the best written shows of all time, one thing you can be sure of is that "Mad Men" will be towards the top of that list. Taking place in the 1960s, the show follows a group of individuals working in the advertising agency. The show mostly revolves around a man named Don Draper, a Korean War veteran with a lot of personal demons. While it might not sound like the most captivating show ever made, it actually makes for great television. Often cited for its authenticity and production value, "Mad Men" managed to strike a chord with audiences and has worked its way into our pop culture. Currently, "Mad Men" is in its last season; with the first half playing in 2014 and the second have airing in early 2015. Whenever a great show ends I get a little sad, but it's been a while since a show's ending really gets to me.

Runner-Up #2: Masters of Sex
With "Mad Men" coming to an end, I see "Masters of Sex" as Showtime's attempt to have the best mid-century period piece on TV; and fortunately they may have succeeded. "Masters of Sex" tells the story of Dr. Bill Masters and Virginia Johnson as they pioneered research in human sexuality and dysfunction. Set in the backdrop of conservative 1950s America where a study like this was extremely controversial, it's fascinating to watch these two scientists fight conventional norms and enter in an area of research that had been untouched up until the time; but what really takes center stage is the relationship between Masters and Johnson. Whether their relationship was really like that or not, it sure makes for great TV. After receiving much critical acclaim, the show has already been renewed for a third season. Here's hoping it stays on the air for a while, and becomes one of Showtime's flagship series.

Runner-Up #3: Sherlock
Since its debut in 2010, "Sherlock" has become an international sensation; for good reason. A modern day adaptation of the classic character by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the show follows the infamous Sherlock Holmes and his partner John Watson in all their shenanigans. There aren't a whole lot of TV shows produced by other countries that make it really big here in the states, "Sherlock" is one of the few. Highlighted by high production values and Benedict Cumberbatch's fantastic performance as Sherlock, the show has become an international sensation. Probably the biggest problem that befalls the series are two year waiting periods between the seasons, but if anything that just ensures that the show will be of the highest quality. With season four set to air in 2016, people are already counting down the days.

10. The Legend of Korra
In 2005 Nickelodeon premiered "Avatar: The Last Airbender," which may be the best show to ever air on the network. Ending after only three seasons, many fans were left longing for more but had no hope in sight. But in 2010, it was announced that a sequel to "The Last Airbender" was in development. After debuting in 2012, "The Legend of Korra" was an instant success, garnering critical acclaim as well as the highest ratings the network had ever seen. Seasons three and four both aired in 2014, and have generally been considered to be the two best seasons. Many were afraid about the future after Nickelodeon decided to stop airing the show half way through season three, but the network decided to finish up the series by releasing one episode per week online. It has been announced that season four will be the last season, and there has been no signs of future installments in the franchise other than the possibility of some comics. If that is true, I can safely say that not only does "The Legend of Korra" do its predecessor proud; it stands out as one of the best cartoons of the past decade. 

9. Rick and Morty
"Rick and Morty" has to be the biggest surprise of the year. Airing on Adult Swim, most people didn't hear about this show until the company put the first episode on YouTube. It quickly got passed around and has since become a sensation. The show follows a young boy named Rick and his crazy, yet genius, grandfather as they go on all sorts of crazy adventures. Very funny but often heartfelt, the show is more than it first appears. To the joy of fans and critics, shortly after the premiere the series was renewed for a second season. While some are nervous since the creators of the show have said that there are going to be some changes in the future, they seem to know what they're doing so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Let's just hope that "Rick and Morty" has a long and successful run, and continues to be great.

8. Boardwalk Empire
HBO has always been the king of original content, with some of the greatest shows to ever air on television; and if you ask me, "Boardwalk Empire" is their most underrated series. Taking place in the 1920s, the show follows a several bootleggers during prohibition. Taking place several years after season four, season five picks up when most of these characters are at their lowest. By this point most people realize that prohibition is going to end, so the big names try to push as much product as possible while others plan for the future and alcohol's legalization. So everyone scrambles to grab what they can, but things don't always turn out great. I'm sad to see the show go, it really was amazing. Probably the biggest problem with this last season was that it was short at only eight episodes and feels rushed. That aside, it is still highlighted by great acting, smart writing, unparalleled production design, and some of the most interesting characters of all time.

7. Vice on HBO
Vice media originally started out as a magazine in 1994, since then it has grown and integrated a website, film company, record label, as well as having one of the most subscribed to channels on YouTube. In 2012, it was announced that Vice had signed a deal with HBO to bring their documentary shorts to TV; and since its launch in 2013, the show has become a major hit. Each episode consists of two documentary shorts ranging on a variety of topics. This season some of the topics included ivory poaching, North Korean citizens trying to defect, fallout from nuclear tests in the former Soviet Union, investigating the Fukushima disaster, the heroin epidemic in Iran, and many more. Arguably the most disturbing and real program currently airing on TV, this isn't a show for the faint of heart. Already confirmed for two more seasons, it looks like "Vice on HBO" will continue to cover fascinating stories of our ever changing world.

6. House of Cards
"House of Cards" is an original Netflix program that debuted in 2013 based off the British series of the same name, and no show that year made as many waves as this one. We had seen a few original Netflix shows before but none of this caliber, it had two time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey as the star, David Fincher as an executive producer, and a budget of 63 million for the first season; it even went on to receive nine Emmy nominations, and became the first web based series to be nominated for outstanding drama series. It helped usher in a new age, and showed that online content could go head to head with TV. With the second season so highly anticipated it had a lot to live up, fortunately it did. Picking up directly after the first season, the characters and the show's scope are increased but managed to have a much more consistent direction (which the first season struggled with). Already renewed for season three, "House of Cards" is looking to cement itself in the history books as the standard for online programming.

5. Orange is the New Black
To my own surprise "Orange is the New Black" was my favorite show of 2013, even over shadowing shows like "Game of Thrones" and "Justified." And in some ways, it became the most popular show of the year. The show revolves around a woman named Piper who has been incarcerated years after smuggling money for her ex-girlfriend. So we see her adjust to prison life, and dealing with her personal life outside of prison. The show also follows a number of other inmates as they try to continue with their lives even under less than ideal circumstances. Improving on the first season, season two centered less on Piper and focused more on the other inmates; with major story arks not including her at all. With season three set to air next year, "Orange is the New Black" is a sensation, and secured Netflix's place as one of the best producers of original content out there.

4. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
"Cosmos" was a show that was long overdue for a second season. In 1980, Carl Sagan's "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage" aired and has since become one of the most popular shows of all time being viewed by an estimated 500 million people. And 30 years later Neil DeGrasse Tyson, a astrophysicist inspired by Sagan, was chosen to host the follow up series. The new series, "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" took the formula of the original show and brought it into the 21st century. Using gorgeous visuals and unique story telling elements, we are brought on a journey ranging from the smallest micron to the entire universe. We learn about historical events and people that lead to many modern day scientific achievements, and made the world it is today. "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" is an insightful and beautiful show that really gets you thinking, and is one of the best television experiences of 2014.

3. Fargo
"Fargo" was a series I was rather unsure of when I first heard about it. Loosely based off the amazing 1996 film of the same name by the Coen brothers, "Fargo" the series takes place in the mid 2000s in northern Minnesota; the show follows a series of unfortunate events set off when a drifter (played perfectly by Billy Bob Thorton) roles through and kills a local asshole after he learns about him from an insurance salesman (played by Martin Freeman) who was tormented by him in high school. Dark, graphically violent, and hilarious, "Fargo" was easily one of the best new shows of the year. It's unknown (as of writing this) whether or not there will be a second season, fingers crossed there is because this is one of the most brilliant shows on TV.

2. Game of Thrones
After only four seasons, "Game of Thrones" has already cemented its place as one of the greatest shows to ever air on television. Based off the acclaimed epic fantasy book series "A Song of Ice and Fire," this show has become a smash hit like we haven't seen on TV in a long time. Following several character's stories on several different plot lines throughout the mythical land of Westeros, this show is filled with action, drama, comedy, revenge, sex, politics, betrayal, and everything else you could want in a show. The closest comparison I can make would be an R rated "Lord of the Rings" with more characters. Combining an incredible story, great acting from the entire cast, and some of the best production value you'll find on TV, it's easy to see why "Game of Thrones" continues to impress with its fourth season.

1. True Detective
"True Detective" may have just been the break out hit of 2014. Other than having two fantastic actors at the helm, not a lot was known about this crime drama before its debut. The entire season was written by an unknown writer and directed by an unknown director; but after the first episode I knew it was going to be special, and after only a few episodes I was proven right. Bolstered by amazing performances by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson and complimented by some of the best writing on TV, "True Detective" was absolutely incredible from start to finish. Originally planned to be a one season mini-series, HBO announced a season two is on the way. My only worry is whether or not season two can be as good as the first; but if it is, "True Detective" is quickly on its way to becoming one of the greatest shows to ever air on television.

5 Worst Movies of 2014

Note: This list is based off of my own personal opinion of what I thought were the worst movies released in 2014.

Runner-Up: Let's Be Cops
I originally saw this movie in a very early screening, several months before its release. Upon that first screening, I kind of liked it. I laughed a few times and thought the chemistry between the two leads worked. Over the next few months, up until its release, I contemplated what I thought about the movie and quickly realized that my initial impression was a little overly positive. In reality "Let's Be Cops" isn't particularly good. Other than the few funny jokes and the chemistry between the leads, this movie brings nothing new to either the comedy or buddy cop genres. It may be a decent movie to see with some friends and enjoy the absurdity that two every day schmoes pretending to be cops and getting into shenanigans, but the bad elements vastly outweighing the good ones make this a movie not worth your time.

5. Vampire Academy
Out of every terrible movie I saw in 2014, this one might have been the most difficult one to get through. It was one hour and forty five minutes of sheer boredom. Based off of the book series of the same name, it revolves around a school that raises and educates vampires. Now I realize that I am not this movie's target audience, but that doesn't make this movie any less terrible. Whether it be the bad acting, horrendous dialog, or the played up teenage problems, this movie had nothing going for it. The biggest problem thought was that it was straight up boring; I had to force myself to stay awake through it. The movie very clearly sets up for a sequel, but the movie's poor critical and commercial success suggest that it won't happen; while fans might be upset, you won't see me shed a tear.

4. Transformers: Age of Extinction
If by some odd chance that director Michael Bay sees this, I want him to known that I hate him. For a fourth time, Bay made a "Transformers" movie that is horrible. You'd think at a certain point he'd learn from his past mistakes. I don't hate him for making bad movies, if anything there are a lot of directors who make movies much worse than his. I hate him because he makes bad movies, and they make lots of money. The past two movies in this series, "Age of Extinction" and "Dark of the Moon," both made over a billion dollars and are in the top ten highest grossing movies of all time. I hate the fact that people flocked to see this overly long, terribly written, and more often than not, boring movies. While "Transformers: Age of Extinction" isn't the worst movie in the series (congratulations "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," you're still holding onto that coveted award), it's still one of the worst movies I had the displeasure of seeing in 2014.

3. Divergent
I seemed to hate this movie more than most people, but I REALLY did hate it. I remember watching this in the theater and after a while I decided to check my phone to see what time it was because I thought it would have been about half way over, it hadn't even been thirty minutes. This was one of the most boring and painful movies I ever sat through in a theater. The only redeeming quality of "Divergent" was the decent performance from lead actress Shailene Woodly. But even she's not enough to save this two hour and twenty minute movie from bad writing, lackluster action, an uninteresting love story, and all around boredom that this movie just oozes. Shortly after its release it was announced that a sequel would come out March of 2015. What makes me sad isn't that it is being made, what makes me sad is that I'm going to have to watch it and do a review for it.

2. A Haunted House 2
I think the last spoof movie that wasn't terrible was "Scary Movie 3" back in 2003, since then the only one I can think of that wasn't truly horrendous was "A Haunted House" which was decent enough and had a few good laughs. Filmed on a low a measly 2.5 million and grossing around 60, it was no surprise that a sequel was quickly announced. Essentially copying the formula the "Scary Movie" series did years ago, "A Haunted House" and its sequel spoofs both recent and classic horror movies. While the first one was decent enough, "A Haunted House 2" is just straight up bad. I think I laughed once during its ninety minute run time. Laughably bad performances, no good jokes, tired and rehashed material, and a few scenes that are just gross, this movie very well may be the worst of the year. Designed to go after the lowest common denominator, I wish I could go back and time to stop myself from seeing this movie, and use those ninety minutes to read a book or something.

1. The Hungover Games
I didn't see a lot of terrible movies in 2014, but the ones I did see where pretty damn bad; and of those I did watched, "The Hungover Games" manages to stand out among the rest as true and utter garbage. A spoof movie playing mostly off of "The Hunger Games" and "The Hangover" (with a few other movies thrown in there), it follows the trend of other recent spoof movies in being absolutely terrible. Seriously though, this is one of the least funny comedies I have ever seen. I'm fairly certain I laughed more while watch "Sophie's Chose." Following up last year's terrible "Hunger Games" spoof "The Starving Games," this movie manages to be even worse. In a year filled with many amazing films and just as many terrible ones, "The Hungover Games" manages to stand alone as the worst movie of 2014.

10 Best Movies you Might Not Have Seen

Honorable Mentions: Garden State, Paprika, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Kung Fu Hustle, Sunshine, A History of Violence, Dragon, Magnolia, Rush, The Great Dictator.
Note: This list is comprised of my own personal opinions, and consists of movies that you might not have seen.

Runner-Up: 25th Hour
To be honest, I think Spike Lee is one of the most over hyped directors to ever step behind a camera. Granted I haven't seen all his movie, but the only two that impressed me were "Do the Right Thing" and his most underrated film "25th Hour." The film follows a man named Montgomery during his last day of freedom before being sent to prison for seven years on drug charges. This movie does a lot of things right, Edward Norton's performance, the brilliant writing, and Lee's fantastic directing. But what made this movie stand out was some of the subject matter. It was one of the first big movies to really address the events of the attacks on 9/11. It also took a serious look at the hatred of America's so called "melting pot," and the inevitability of our own fates. Despite being arguably Lee's greatest film, "25th Hour" is one of his most overlooked. And if there's one reason to watch this movie, it would be Norton's "F*ck You" monologue.

10. Short Term 12
One of the newest movies on this list, "Short Term 12" has already been listed alongside some of the greatest independent films ever made. The film revolves around a couple who run a group home for troubled youths, and we see as the balance their own lives with the lives of these young people. Bursting onto the scene last year at South by Southwest, the movie was met with critical acclaim and has since gone on to win several awards. Despite that, it only managed to pull 1.6 million at the box office. This movie is an emotional roller coaster; at times it is uplifting and hopeful, and at others it is almost soul crushing that makes you content with the life you have. That's the sign of a great movie, one that can make you feel an array of emotions; and "Short Term 12" is a great movie.

9. Rope
"Rope" is straight up, an impressive piece of cinema. The movie is made up of mostly long shots, lasting from five to ten minutes. Never before have I seen a movie that felt so similar to a play, it really brings a unique aspect to a medium where we've seen just about every trick there is. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the movie is loosely based true events. It revolves around two friends who want to get away with the perfect murder. Not only do they want to get away with it, but they want to flaunt it. So they invite a bunch of people over for a dinner party while hiding the body in plain sight in a large chest. Hitchcock's most underrated film, "Rope" is one of the most suspenseful films I've ever seen. With such a great filmography underneath his arm, it really does say something about this movie when it's one of Hitchcock's best.

8. Trainspotting
Over the years director Danny Boyle has made some great movies, from "28 Days Later" to "Slumdog Millionaire;" but if you were to ask his fans what his best movie is, the most common answer would probably be "Trainspotting." Often cited as one of the greatest British films ever made, "Trainspotting" is a film that is truly unique. Imagine a funnier, far less depressing version of "Requiem for a Dream." The film follows a group of young, British heroin addicts as they struggle with their addiction while simultaneously trying to keep what little lives they have from falling apart. Despite the dark subject matter, the movie manages to have an often upbeat feel and consistently make you laugh alongside this group of weird and f*cked up characters. Despite being a commercial success, the film didn't receive the proper attention upon its release that it deserved; fortunately, the movie has garnered a cult following over the years, Both depressing and uplifting, "Trainspotting" is one of those movies that stays with you long after you watch it.

7. Moon
What may be the most underappreciated film of the 2000s, "Moon" is one of the most unique and intriguing science fiction movies in a long time. Taking place in the near future, a private energy company has set up a base on the dark side of the moon manned by a single astronaut to mine for Helium-3. Sam Bell has been stationed on the base to run the systems along with the bases artificial intelligence GERTY. After leaving the base and going out on the surface, the rover he is driving crashes and Sam is injured. Waking up at the base a few days later, Sam feels that something is wrong and sets to find out the truth. Filmed on a budget of only five million and grossing only ten, "Moon" is a gem. Fortunately, after its release on Netflix it has gained a cult following. If you ever have two free hours, this is a movie I can't recommend enough.

6. Synecdoche, New York
If I were to make a list of the most artsy, hipstery movies ever made, "Synecdoche, New York" may be at the top of that list; despite that, this is a really great movie. From the writer of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" Charlie Kaufman, this is one of the weirdest movies I've ever seen. It revolves around a play write who receives a grant, and uses it to put on the ultimate show. Using the money, he rents out a massive warehouse, builds a city inside, and fills it with actors. He then spends years training the actors and to make the show perfect. Filled with motifs and complex themes, "Synecdoche, New York" was one of the best films of the decade and was actually named the best by Roger Ebert. Smart, confusing, and sheer genius, this is a movie that wasn't meant as entertainment but as artistic expression. 

5. Wake in Fright
Originally released in 1971, "Wake in Fright" was quickly lost to time. With almost all of the original film canisters missing and not being available on VHS or DVD, it became a legend of Australian cinema; but in the mid 2000s, a high quality copy was found in Pittsburgh. After some digital restoration, it was released on DVD a few years later. The film revolves around an Australian grade school teacher, who decides to take a trip to Sydney to see his girlfriend. On his was he stops at an area near the outback known as the Yabba. While there he gambles all his money away and is stuck alongside the crazy, drunk locals. The best way I can describe "Wake in Fright" is an Australian version of "Deliverance," minus the sodomy. Released and re-released to wide critical acclaim, the movie has garnered a reputation as one of the greatest lost films; despite the controversy of a particularly brutal scene involving the hunting of kangaroos. Unsettling, disturbing, and not for the faint of heart, "Wake in Fright" is an absolutely terrifying masterpiece.

4. The Before Trilogy
There are two trilogies I truly and undoubtedly love, "Lord of the Rings" and the "Before" trilogy. "Before Sunrise" in 1995, "Before Sunset" in 2004, and "Before Midnight" in 2014 tell the single greatest love story ever captured on camera. It tells the story of two young adults who met by choice and have a one night fling, they then meet many years later in very different places in their lives and rekindle the fire. With the series concluding as a legit couple with twins who want very different things with what is left of their lives. Each movie consists almost entirely of the two just talking, and each movie has some of the best dialog ever put into movies. The chemistry between the two leads Ethan Hawke and Julie Deply is unmatched in film history. One of the best film trilogies of all time, these are incredible movies that are worth the total 4.8 hour run time.

3. Mud
I always like to keep my eyes out for up and coming directors, and over the past few years the one young director who has stood out from the rest would be Jeff Nichols. First debuting with "Shotgun Stories" in 2008, and then "Take Shelter" in 2011 which was my pick for the best movie of the year. But his third film "Mud" is his crowning achievement. Feeling like it came straight out of a Mark Twain novel, what "Mud" does such a great job at is that it captures the American spirit, the sheer essence of what American life is like in lower economic class. That's what Jeff Nichols does so well; he can really make you relate to the characters. The hardships they go through, their hope and dreams, all the hard work. "Mud" was released in 2013 and while there were a lot of movies to come out that year, none were better than "Mud."

2. 12 Angry Men
Despite being nominated for three Oscars, winning several prestigious awards upon its release, and is often mentioned alongside some of the greatest movies of all time, not nearly enough people have seen this movie. Released in 1957, the film made only around one million dollars, which wasn't even a lot at the time. The movie revolves around a jury who are tasked with deciding the fate of a young man accused of murder. The entire jury seems content with sending him away, but when they put it to the vote one man defends him and believes they should spend more than five minutes on deciding whether a person is sentenced to death. Shot on a single set, "12 Angry Men" is an example of simplistic film making at its finest. It's just 12 men, sitting in a room and talking; yet, it's one of the most riveting films I've ever seen. I've always thought that movies from the 1950s tend not to have withstood the test of time very well, but concerning "12 Angry Men" it has aged wonderfully.

1. Once Upon a Time in the West
Every great director has a few great films, and Sergio Leone is no different; Sergio Leone was an Italian director who pioneered and mastered the spaghetti western genre. He's most known for creating the "Dollars" trilogy, featuring the quintessential spaghetti western "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly." Now the problem is that "TGTBATU" is so good, it overshadowed an arguably better movie. Released in 1968, "Once Upon a Time in the West" was the culmination of everything Leone had learned over his career. There are influences of his earlier work, as well as styles he displayed in his later movies; more refined and with a clearer vision, this is arguably the greatest western of all time. Only grossing a messily 5 million at the box office (a fifth of what "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" earned), this is one of the most unappreciated and overlooked movies of all time. While it has gained the respect that it deserved over the years, this is still a movie that not nearly enough people have seen.

5 Best Games of 2014

Honorable Mentions: Broken Age: Act One, The Walking Dead: Season 2, Monument Valley, The Banner Saga, Shovel Knight, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, Jazzpunk, Dungeon of the Endless, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!, Infamous: Second Son, Destiny, The Last of Us: Left Behind, Bioshock Infinite: Burial at Sea Part Two, Tales From the Borderlands, Game of Thrones, Shadowrun: Dragonfall- Director's Cut, Nidhogg, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft

Runner-Up: The Wolf Among Us

Since 2012, Telltale Games has established themselves the lead story tellers in the game industry. First making waves with their 2012 adaptation of the hit comic "The Walking Dead," their episodic series featuring player choices have become a hit. And despite the acclaim garnered by "The Walking Dead: Season One" and "Season two," many actually view "The Wolf Among Us" as their finest work. Based off the comic series "Fables;" all the fairy tales you've ever been told are true and over the years they have all migrated to New York City and live in secrecy, you play the big bad wolf who is the sheriff of this small community. One day you discover the grisly murder of one of your people, and are then dragged into a conspiracy that spreads throughout all of the fairy tales. "The Wolf Among Us" is one of the best mystery games I've played in a long time, and it shows the diversity that Telltale Games is capable of. It is unsure whether there will be a season two or not, all I know is that if there is I'll be downloading the first episode on day one.

5. Transistor
In 2011, independent developers Supergiant Games released their first game "Bastion;" a beautiful top down, action RPG with a unique narrative that went on to be one of the year's best. In 2013, they announced their follow up game "Transistor." Following a similar model, "Transistor" was released to wide acclaim. You play as a young woman named Red, a singer who was to be assassinated. Managing to survive only losing your voice, you find what appears to be a large sword that can communicate with you. Along with the sword, Red attempts to find out what happened and finish off those who tried to have her killed. Featuring a beautiful soundtrack, unique combat, a great narrative, and arguably the best art style of any game release in 2014, "Transistor" really is something special.

4. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
For the first time in as long as I've been a fan, we finally get a "Lord of the Rings" game that doesn't suck; not only that, it's just plain awesome. Developed my Monolith Productions, the game works as a mix between the combat of "Batman: Arkham City" and the free running of "Assassins Creed." Taking place on two separate large maps right outside of Mordor, you play as a ranger brought back from death that is seeking revenge against the monster responsible for the death of his family. Alongside the wraith who created the rings of power. Highlighted by great combat and surprisingly good story, "Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor" is one of the best games of the year and one I'd recommend to anyone interested.

3. Dark Souls 2
The "Souls" series have gained a rather unique following; it's a combination of sadists, try-hards, and overall angry people. Like its predecessors, the game is incredibly difficult. While not as hard as the previous game, I still managed to die just under 150 times during my first play through. "Dark Souls 2" is a RPG from a Japanese company called "From Software," who have developed the perfect form of sword and shield combat. What makes this game so great though is the challenging aspect it brings to the table. Too many games nowadays hold your hand through the entire game, "Dark Souls 2" breaks your hand and tells you to go kill a monster three stories tall. Some have complained that "Dark Souls 2" is dumbed down from the previous game, but I never saw that. I viewed it as more accessible to new players, and made several necessary changes to the game that just made it more fun. This was the first great game I played in 2014, and it is arguably one of the best.

2. Far Cry 4
2012's "Far Cry 3" is one of my favorite games of all time; it was ridiculous fun from start to finish. Ever since the announcement of the sequel, I couldn't have been more exciting. And after finally playing the game I can say that it lived up to my expectations. The game follows the story of Ajay Ghale, a young man from America who has traveled to his late mother's home country of Kyrat (a northern region of Nepal) to spread her ashes. You arrive only to find out that the country is engaged in a violent civil war and that your father was a leader of a local rebel group. Despite having nothing to do with the war, you are dragged into the middle of it and become the rebel's key weapon. What "Far Cry 4" does right, just like its predecessor, is that it's fun. This is a game I can see myself going back and playing several times over. An interesting story, solid mechanics, a beautiful world, tons of missions to accomplish, and endless replay value insure that this game is well worth the money.

1. Dragon Age: Inquisition
This was a game I had no plans on getting until I walked into Game Stop. Prior to its release, it received wide critical acclaim with many calling it the best game of the year. So along with "Far Cry 4" (which came out the same day), I decided to get. And after finishing the prologue, I was positive that it was going to be an amazing experience. Developed by Bioware, the game follows the player who is the sole survivor of a huge explosion that claimed many lives and ripped a hole between their world and the next. So along with a group of warriors, you are tasked with closing the rift before it consumes the earth. Whether you want an RPG, action adventure, or a dialog heavy game where your choices matter, "Dragon Age: Inquisition" has something for just about everyone. To be honest, 2014 hasn't been the best year for gaming; especially in wake of 2013 which featured several of the greatest games of all time. But if there is one game that truly stands out among the rest, it would be this one.

Tales From the Borderlands: Episode 1- First Impressions

   Over the past two years, the development studies Telltale Games has established themselves as one of the best development studies currently working. First making waves over the years with the well received "Sam & Max" games, they made it to the world stage with 2012's "The Walking Dead Season One" noted for its emotional story, complex characters, unique art style, and decision based dialog, the game was in instant success winning dozens of game of the year awards. In 2013, they launched "The Walking Dead Season Two" and a new series called "The Wolf Among Us," both of which received wide critical acclaim and concluded mid 2014. Telltale has already announced "The Walking Dead Season Three" as well as a "Game of Thrones Series," but it is their latest game that seemed to grab the most interest. Based off the hit series from Gearbox Software, "Tales From the Borderlands" brings an episodic and story heavy take to the over the top first person series shooter. And despite being completely different from the other games in the series, it works on every level.

     The story is played through two characters, Rhys and Fiona. Rhys works for Hyperion, a company working on the planet of Pandora. One day Rhys goes into his boss's office expecting a promotion, only to find a rival at the company has taken his boss's position. Hating Rhys just as much as Rhys hates him, he demotes Rhys to a janitor position. But while in the office, Rhys hears something interesting. Hyperion is looking to buy a vault key off of some guy who came upon it (on Pandora there are dozens of these vaults that contain untold treasures that can only be opened with a key. So Rhys and some of his friends decide to get the key for themselves and blackmail the company. At the same time, a young woman and con artist named Fiona, her sister, and their adoptive father are looking for the score of the century. Looking at a multi-million dollar pay out, they just have to fool a few suckers. Eventually their paths and Rhys cross, and they have to work together so everyone can get what they want. And as you can imagine, things don't go particularly smoothly.

     When I first heard about this game I was immediately interested; one of my favorite developers making a game in my favorite active series. I was apprehensive since it would be so different from the other games in the "Borderlands" series, all of which are first person shooters. I wasn't sure if Telltale's story driven, episodic style would mesh with this new world. To my surprise the game wasn't just as good as I hoped, it went far beyond my expectations. Now let me emphasize, this is not a review. Only the first episode has been released, this is more along the lines of a "first impressions." I hate when people review each episode in one of Telltale's games, it's like reviewing 1/5th of a movie. You have to wait until the game is completed and get a sense of the whole picture. This is just my thoughts on the first episode and will not include a score, but it may be foreshadowing for the entire season. But going off the first episode, if "Tales From the Borderlands" keeps this momentum it may turn into Telltale's best game, and certainly does the "Borderlands" series proud. One thing that "Borderlands" has always been known for is its sense of humor; it's crude, childish, in your face, and more often than not hilarious. "Tales From the Borderlands" captures that sense of humor perfectly, making it really feel like the other games in the series. One thing that I was really looking forward to returning to Pandora was to see some familiar faces. Chronologically, it actually takes place after all the other games; so just in the first episode there have already been a few old characters to make an appearance. Like almost all other Telltale games, the voice acting is spot on for both the new and old characters. Troy Baker and Laura Bailey take the leads as Rhys and Fiona and are both fantastic. It does help that their characters, along with a few of the other new ones, are so likable. It's also very interesting to play as two characters, switching back and forth between them. While they have their own stories, playing as them when their stories overlap adds something new. You'll learn something from one character that didn't learn while playing the other. It does help that the dialog is very good, both funny and interesting; it really keeps the story going. Telltale's previous games have almost nothing in common with any of the "Borderlands" games, except for the art style of all things. "Borderlands" is well known for their interesting cell shaded art style, which is very similar to other Telltale games like "The Walking Dead" and "The Wolf Among Us." Looking at "Tales From the Borderlands," it is gorgeous Telltale really hit the nail on the head and did a great job emulating the "Borderlands" style. But of everything that this game does right, there is one thing that helps it stand above many of Telltale's other games; they fixed the technical problems. Both "The Walking Dead" and the "Wolf Among Us" had outrageous technical issues including: freezes, frame drops, and incredibly slow load times. "Tales From the Borderlands" fixes those issues, most of which were nonexistent during my play through. There are some minor audio and visual issues like dialog not matching up with character animation, and two objects touching and phasing through each other; but nothing game breaking. If anything, the game’s biggest problem was that it is meant for "Borderlands" fans. If you play "The Walking Dead" or "The Wolf Among Us," you don't have to be fans of the work they're based off of to enjoy them. "Tales From the Borderlands" on the other hand kind of requires you to have played the previous games, and if you're not a fan of its sense of humor there isn't anything here for you. Overall, I loved episode one. It is a strong start to what looks to be an incredibly promising game. It's out now for most everything for five dollars, and is something that I'd highly recommend (especially if you have played any of the "Borderlands" games). "Tales From the Borderlands" is promising to say the least, and if the next four episodes keep it up this could be Telltale's best game. 

Pros: Has "Borderlands" since of humor, nice to see some old faces, great voice acting, fixed many technical issues other Telltale games have suffered from, good dialog, more intense combat than other Telltale games, likable new characters, "Borderlands" and Telltale's art style works great together, does "Borderlands" series proud, interesting playing as two characters.

Cons: Some audio and animation issues, really only for "Borderlands" fans.

Foxcatcher Review

     There are few things sadder than a once national hero treated like yesterday's news, a fate which seems too often fall on Olympic athletes. Every four years, these athletes come out and are treated like symbols of a nation but are then discarded. Many of the sports in the Olympics are not like basketball or baseball; people don't care most of the time. No one cares about gymnastics or swimming 99% of the time, they care about it for one month every four years. These people dedicate their lives to their sport for one shining moment every few years, and that's it; a fate that often falls upon wrestlers. While the sport of mixed martial arts has given an opportunity to high school and college wrestlers, the Olympics is the grandest stage of them all; but what happens when they have to step off the stage. 

     Former Olympic wrestling gold medalist Mark Schultz lives a monotonous life. His best years behind him, he spends his days practicing wrestling in the hopes of future success. While his brother Dave, also an Olympic gold medalist, has a family and can adjust to everyday life, Mark isn't the most social person in the world. One day, Mark receives from an employee of John E. du Pont, a multi-millionaire and sports enthusiast. Mister du Pont invites Mark to his compound; there he offers Mark a chance to train at the professional level. He will give Mark access to his facility and to build a team that could compete in the world championships as well as the Olympics. Mark agrees and attempts to get his brother to join, but he refuses to uproot his family. Mark wants to be the best in the world, and du Pont wants him to fulfill his dream and to help America achieve greatness. But Mark soon learns something is off with mister du Pont. 

     I had particularly high hopes for this movie ever since its debut at the Cannes film festival earlier this year, where it received overwhelming critical acclaim; director Bennett Miller even won the award for best director, and may I add well deserved. Just as I hoped, this movie is as great as the critics have been saying. This movie does a lot of things right, and I'll get to those, but let me first talk about the acting. Steve Carell and Channing Tatum, give career defining performances as John du Pont and Mark Schultz. They really lose themselves in these roles and take on their personas to a near perfect level. I would not be surprised if either of them gets nominated for a number of awards over the next few months. Years from now when we look back on their careers, this is the movie we will look back at. I also have to give credit to the makeup people; a lot of makeup and prosthetic were used on Carell to make him look more like du Pont and it looks great. Like I said earlier, director Bennett Miller did a great job with this movie, he had a clear vision of what this movie should have been and he accomplished that. This is only his third movie, the first two being "Capote" and "Moneyball" (both of which are great), but "Foxcatcher" has to be the best of the three; it is certainly the darkest of the three. The film is very emotional and may have a few people in tears by the end; it also does a great job in paying respect to the people that were involved. Sometimes movies based on true events don't do that, but "Foxcatcher" shows them as real people. One thing that is strikingly obvious is that the cinematography is top notch; it's obvious a lot of planning went into it and it gives the film a very particular look. One thing I'm so happy that the film did right was that it did a good job portraying the sport of wrestling. So often it's portrayed as ridiculous and only done among meat heads, but "Foxcatcher" does it with respect; and I appreciate that. Unfortunately though, "Foxcatcher" suffers from one serious problem, it's very slow. At no point was I ever bored, but the film has a very slow build up and takes a while to really get going; and by the end you start to feel the length of the film. There is also one problem that bothered me that I doubt anyone else in the theater noticed. In the film, they show footage from a mixed martial arts fight between Gary Goodridge and Paul Herrera in 1996. The problem is that the particular scene where it is shown takes place between 1987 and 1988. This one little continuity error that doesn't take anything away from the film, but was enough to bother me just a little. That aside, this is a wonderful movie. Fantastic acting, great directing, and beautiful cinematography all come together into greatness. With 2014 almost over and the December lineup looking pretty lackluster, "Foxcatcher" might be the last great movie of the year. 

Pros: Career defining performances from Steve Carell and Channing Tatum, great directing from Bennett Miller, excellent cinematography, great use of makeup on Carell, dark and emotional, does a good job portraying wrestling, pays respect to the actual events and those involved.

Cons: Pretty slow pace, one glaring continuity error.

4.5/5 Stars

Far Cry 4 Review

     In 2004, the first person shooter "Far Cry" was released to commercial and critical success. It was extremely over the top and warranted a sequel. In 2008 under the helm of a new studio, "Far Cry 2" was released and marketed as a gritty and realistic shooter; featuring mechanics like weapon degrade, vehicles that must be repaired when damaged, and malaria. While interesting, these new mechanics made the game tedious and sucked all the fun out of the series. So a few years later when the sequel "Far Cry 3" was announced many did not take notice; upon its release though, it was met with almost universal critical acclaim and was named one of the best games of the year by many publications. Personally, it became one of my all time favorite games. The personality, the amount of stuff you could do, and just how ridiculous it was at times worked perfectly together. The game also featured one of the best stand alone expansions ever made with "Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon." Since then I have been pining for the next game in the series; and after a long wait the highly anticipated sequel has arrived.

     The story follows the story of a young man named Ajay Ghale, who has decided to travel to a northern region of Nepal called Kyrat in order to spread the ashes of his recently deceased mother. Upon traveling to Kyrat, the bus he is on is attacked by several soldiers; soldiers working for the self proclaimed king of Kyrat, Pagan Min. Years ago Pagan attempted to make a name for himself in the Hong Kong crime scene but ultimately fails. After murdering his father he flees to Kyrat, where he uses his personal funds to hire a small, private army to help him take control when the country is in the middle of a civil war. Pagan was in love with Ajay's mother before she fled to the US, and after learning that he was coming to the country he decided to intervene. After kidnapping Ajay and his guide they are taken to Pagan palace; after getting away from Pagan, he is intersected by a local terrorist group called the golden path. Ajay's father (who died years ago) was the former leader of the group, so they feel they have an obligation to Ajay and save him. After seeing what Pagan has done to the area, he decides to join the group and fight Pagan's army; not just to fulfill his mother's final wish, but to help the people of the region who desperately need it.

     Going back to the beginning of the year, "Far Cry 4" might have been my most anticipated game of the year behind "Destiny." And while "Destiny" didn't quite live up to my expectations, "Far Cry 4" has. One aspect that really surprised me about both "Far Cry 4" and "Far Cry 3" is that it really works as a shooter, "Far cry 2" didn't really stand along some other FPS games at the time but the newer games really work. "Far Cry 4" just has really nice shooting mechanics, each weapon feels a bit different and you need to work with each weapon to get good at it. The game features a bow and it's arguably the best weapon in the game, but it's something you have to practice with to use effectively. "Far Cry 4" also has a lot more variety than its predecessor: weapons, mission, animals, and challenges are more diverse. In "Far Cry 3" you could put two attachments on a weapon as well as buy "signature" weapons that had more attachments. "Far Cry 4" features many more weapons, including many more "signature" weapons. The game also has a ton of stuff to do, there are hours upon hours of missions ranging from assassinations to hunting to bomb diffusion and many more. And with the hundreds of collectible, this is a game that will require a lot of time to beat 100%. One thing that I really loved about "Far Cry 3" was that it let you chose your play style. I always compare it to a game that came out the same year as it, "Dishonored." "Dishonored" was a stealth game that allowed you to beat it without having to kill a single enemy. The problem was that it gave you no incentive to do so; "Far Cry 3" on the other hand let you go in guns blazing or rewarded you for playing stealthy (which was more difficult). "Far Cry 4" continues with that tradition and gives you even more options to play how you want. The game has also added co-op, so you can now kill hundreds of enemy and animals with a friend. One thing that "Far Cry 3" vastly improved over its predecessor was that it had a much more interesting story and unique characters; "Far Cry 4" does the same thing but also has a much more likable protagonist. In "Far Cry 3" you played some rich kid who gets kidnapped and wants revenge against the people who killed your brother, while you see where he's coming from he usually just comes off as an asshole. The new character is someone you can actually get behind. Another thing that "Far Cry 4" has over the previous game would be the world it takes place in, the world of Kyrat is beautiful and expansive. The mountains, the forests, it really is one of the most beautiful open worlds I've played through in a while. But if there is one thing that "Far Cry 4" has really done right just like its predecessor, is that the game is just plain fun. It is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying games I have played this year and is something I will go back and visit many more times. Despite everything the game does right, it has two major flaws. First off would be the driving, I hate it, I don't like it. They changed up the driving controls so you can shoot and drive at the same time. The problem is that both acceleration and direction are tied to the left analog stick and is just a pain in the ass. Vehicles do have an auto-driving function that will keep you on a road, and without it driving would just be unbearable. But of anything the game suffers from the fact that it can't quite live up to its predecessor. "Far Cry 3" was so good and such a big surprise, and became a favorite for many people. "Far cry 4" is kind of like "Fallout: New Vegas" and "Saints Row 4;" while it makes some needed improvements, it doesn't act as a huge leap forward from its previous game. But while "Far Cry 4" might not be quite as good as "Far Cry 3," it’s still fantastic. In a year that hasn't featured a lot of great games, this one is a stand out. It's fun and features a world with tons of stuff to do. I really can't recommend this game enough; I've had a blast playing it thus far and will be putting a lot more time into it. There are still a few games set to be released in the next month and a half, but it safe to assume that "Far Cry 4" is one of the year's highlights. 

Pros: Solid shooting mechanics, interesting story, unique characters, beautiful and expansive world, tons of stuff to do, more variety than previous game, let's you gun blazing or rewards you to be stealthy, features co-op, more likable protagonist, just plain fun.

Cons: Driving isn't great, not a huge step up from "Far Cry 3," has trouble living up to its predecessor.

4.5/5 Stars

Note: I played this on the PS4 and had very few technical issues, none of which were close to game breaking. I have heard that both the PC and PS3 versions suffer from serious technical issues. So keep that in mind if you decide to buy this game.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1 Review

     Ever since the success of "Harry Potter," dozens of book series have been adapted for the big screen in an attempt to be the next big franchise; very few have succeeded. But of those that have, many would say "The Hunger Games" franchise has stood out from the rest. Based off the best selling series of the same name, the story follows a young girl named Katniss who has to compete in a fight to the death style tournament meant to please the masses. What has made the series so likable would probably be the lead character Katniss; a strong yet relatable heroin, and one of the best female action characters in years. Since the first installment the series has been a massive success, both critically and financially. Not since "Harry Potter" has a film series taken the world by storm like this one. But with so much momentum it is hard to keep up with expectations; which leads us to the third film in the series, "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1." 

     Shortly after the events of "Catching Fire," Katness and the other rebels have taken refuge in an underground military bunker in the now destroyed district 13. After competing in the games twice, Katniss's mind is all but destroyed. Suffering from night terrors and haunted by the games, she is a shell of her former self. One day she is approached by the president of district 13 who wants her to be the mockingjay, a symbol of hope for the rebels who wish to overthrow the totalitarian government. At first she is apprehensive, but agrees after she sees that her home district had been firebombed and completely wiped out. She did demand that the former games winners would be rescued and pardoned, including Peeta. The rebels then embark on political warfare, in an attempt to gain support and shame the government. Slowly but surely, the people start to rise up alongside them; with some even carrying out terrorist attacks. While she doesn't want to do it, Katniss understands that she is a symbol of hope; and she will do anything to take down the government.

     To my own surprise, the second "Hunger Gamers movie" "Catching Fire" was one of my favorite movies of 2013. It was one of the most exciting movies of the year, and just all around enjoyable. So since I had seen it, I have been excited for its sequel. So going into "Mockingjay-Part 1" I was extremely excited; to be honest though, it didn't quite meet those expectations. Ever since the first film, one thing the series has always done right has been casting. Everyone gives a great performance and really embodies their character, especially Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. At this point, it is hard to imagine anyone else playing that character except for her. Unlike "Catching Fire," this isn't really an action movie, while there are a few cool action scenes its more about political intrigue. The politics or war and the propaganda campaign might actually be the most interesting thing about this movie. I also have to mention the new characters; all of which are all likable and unique. Unfortunately that brings us to the first problem the movie suffers from. There are too many characters doing too many things. The old faces plus the new, there are so many that only Katniss stands out. Several times, some of the best characters in the series only appear for a short while. Haymitch, one of the best characters in the series, is only in like four scenes. And just like one of my problems with "Catching Fire," there are more than a few cheesy lines in the movie that just make you shake your head. But there is one major problem that stands out among the rest; the movie just isn't as exciting as its predecessor. The last half of "Catching Fire" was pure action, while "Mockingjay- Part 1" only has a few action sequences throughout its entire run time. If you’re not a fan of political movies, you might not like this movie at all. This movie is not as good as "Catching Fire," it really is a step backwards for the franchise. For everything it did right it did something wrong; but I'll at least say this, I'm excited for part two. Despite its flaws, the movie serves as a great build up to the finale. Even though this has been a letdown in some ways, it has managed to put "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2" towards the top of my most anticipated list of 2015. 

Pros: Great performances from the cast, some cool action scenes, political intrigue, Jennifer Lawrence is Katness, likable new characters, does a good job as build up to the finale.

Cons: Too many characters doing too many things, suffers from some cheesy lines, not as exciting as its predecessor.

3.5/5 Stars

Big Hero 6 Review

  Over the past few years we've seen a shift in what company is the king of animation. From the mid 1990s up until 2010, the undisputed king was Pixar. You had some other talented studios like Dramworks Animation and Studio Ghibli, but no one could surpass Pixar and their 7 best animated feature Oscars. But for the last few years the mantel has shifted, back to Disney Animation of all people. For the longest time, Disney was a god among men from the earliest days of animation to the mid 1990s. But after their renaissance period (late 80s to mid 90s) Disney dropped the ball. For several years they couldn't seem to recapture that magic they once had, up until 2010 anyway. In 2010, they ushered in a new wave of Disney animation with "Tangled." Shortly after they followed up with 2012's "Wreck-it-Ralph" and 2013's two time Oscar winner "Frozen" (not only was it the first Disney movie to win best animated feature, it would become the highest grossing animated movie of all time). Which leads us to "Big Hero 6," the first Disney animated movie to be inspired by a Marvel Comic book. So in a film industry that is seemingly run by Marvel comic book movies, can "Big Hero 6" stand out? And the answer to that question is yes.

     Hiro Hamada is a young genius living in the fictional city San Fransokyo, and despite his intellect he chooses to spend his time squandering his abilities on useless endeavors. One day his brother Tadashi, an aspiring inventor, takes him to the university he is attending. After looking around and meeting a legendary scientist, Hiro decides he wants to enroll. He enters in a science competition that the university is holding, where the best creation will ensure acceptance into the school. After a rocky start, Hiro ultimately comes up with an idea. He builds microbots, small robots that can be linked together with other microbots to create and do just about anything. Blowing every other entry out of the water, he gets accepted. Shortly afterwards, a fire in the presentation building destroys all of the microbots and results in a few deaths. Devastated, Hiro shuts down and locks himself away from the rest of the world. A few days later a microbot in Hiro's possession that survived the fire started to move again and attempts to go to some location. After following its directions, Hiro learns that the microbots survived and more are being made. He is then attacked by a masked man who Hiro believes started the fire. From then on Hiro's only goal is to bring this man to justice; but since he knows he can't do it alone, he decides to gets some help from a few friends. 

     Since getting back into the game, Disney has set the bar real high. With box office successes like "Tangled," Wreck-it-Ralph," and the Oscar winning "Frozen," "Big Hero 6" had a lot to live up to. Fortunately though, it manages to stand by those aforementioned movies. In today's day and age, a majority of animations all look the same. They are computer generated and look just like each other. Having good animation isn't enough anymore, it has to stand out. "Big Hero 6's" animation is beautiful and distinct in some ways; it has that Disney trademark we've seen from their last few films, but also seems to have both a comic book and Japanese anime influence. The futuristic world they live in is gorgeous and vibrant, and the combination of the cultures of San Francisco and Tokyo makes for an interesting combination. When people go see an animation, they usually want a light hearted and fun film; "Big Hero 6" manages to do that and then some. The film is very funny, on more than one occasion was the entire theater filled with laughter. And during the second half of the movie it becomes a full blown action flick, making it look like a combination of "Wreck-it-Ralph" and "The Avengers." And like Disney's last few films, it will be fun for the entire family. Both kids, as well as adults will love this movie. One thing that surprised me was how emotional it was. There are some tragic moments in this movie that may bring a tear to your eye. In a movie like this, they didn't have to bring it to such a deep and emotional level; but I respect the fact that the people behind it did. I also have to give props to the characters, all of which are great. With each character having a distinct personality and voiced perfectly, each one feels unique. One thing I have to note would be the robot character Baymax, he might be the most lovable movie character ever made. He makes Olaf from "Frozen" look like the Jew Hunter from "Inglourious Basterds." He's so likable it's nauseating at times; he's funny, sweet, and just looks adorable. Any parents who take their kid to see this movie better expect to buy a Baymax plushie some time soon. The movie does unfortunately suffers from one major flaw, pacing. During the first half of the movie, a lot of stuff happens very quickly; during the second half, there is a singular goal in mind for the characters meaning not as much stuff happens making the movie feel slower. I'll also say that the second half loses some of the emotional impact the first half did. In a year filled with great animated movies, this one manages to stand out. Beautiful, funny, action packed, and emotional, it has something for just about everyone. While "Big Hero 6" might not be a home run like the last few Disney movies, it is sure to get cheers and applause from anyone who goes to see it. 

Pros: Beautiful animation, action packed, very funny, surprisingly emotional, good voice acting, likable characters, Baymax is the most lovable character ever, fun for the entire family.

Cons: Pacing issues, loses emotional impact second half.

4.5/5 Stars

Whiplash Review

     The things that a person will go through to obtain perfection are astounding. They will push their mind, body, and soul to the absolute limits to be the best they can be. Throughout my life I have known many people like this, people who will push everything to the side except a single facet of their life. One of my very good friends in high school shut himself out from the rest of the world so he could study and have the best grades possible. Since he graduated in the top 20 of our class I guess you could say it worked, but at what cost. He alienated himself from his friends and completely missed out on his senior year. So was it really worth it. "Whiplash" premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival where it won both the Grand Jury and the Audience Award, a feat rarely done. This movie explores that search for perfection and what it can do for a person, and the journey it takes us on is one of the best of the year.

     Andrew Neyman is an extraordinarily talented young drummer who has hopes to be one of the best of all time. He attends one of the best and most competitive music schools in the country but is afraid he doesn't stand out. While practicing one day he is met by Terrence Fletcher, the teacher of the school's most prestigious band. After taking an interest in him, he decides to invite Andrew to join his band. Excited at first, Andrew soon discovers that Terence is a sadistic perfectionist who will verbally and physically abuse his students. While apprehensive if this is right for him, Andrew is determined to be the best and sticks it out. Practicing until his hands bleed, Andrew only improves; but he soon discovers that it will never be enough for Terence. 

     "Whiplash" is only the third film of director Damien Chazelle, and it is unquestionable that it will take him to new heights. For such a young director this is a very impressive outing, and it shows great promise for him in the future; he might be looking at a best director nomination. While this movie does almost everything right, what takes it to the next level would be the acting of Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons. I first saw Teller in the 2013 independent film ""The Spectacular Now," in which he immediately showed promise. He's most known for playing parts where he's quick witted and sarcastic, but in this movie he shows serious acting chops. It's also worth mentioning that he actually played the drums in this movie. Often where you see an actor play a musician, the music is added in later; but Teller really plays the drums, and he's damn good. Starring opposite of Teller would be J.K. Simmons, who gives what might be the best performance of his career. He's a commanding figure that always draws attention to himself. Imagine if a really mean drill sergeant decided to become a music teacher. What really helps these two is that their characters are so great; Teller's character is driven and hopeful while Simmons’s is a task master who does want his students succeed and will push them to their breaking point. In some ways they are polar opposites, but in others they are surprisingly similar. The film also features great cinematography and editing. The movie it is shot makes it feel alive; there are lots of cuts (especially during music scenes) that emphasizes what is going on and keeps it fast paced. And speaking of the music scenes, this movie has one of the best scores of the year. The jazz influenced band music is great and memorable; I really hope that it is at least nominated for best original score. It's also worth noting that the movie features one of the best adapted screenplays of the year. The movie does suffer from one drawback though, romance. The movie attempts a romance between Teller's character and a young woman towards the begging of the movie, but never really goes anywhere; it is short lived and ends abruptly. In all honestly it could have been cut from the film altogether, it plays such a minor part and doesn't add anything. Overall, this is an incredible movie and an impressive outing from such a new director. Worth all the acclaim that it has received, I really hope that it gets a much wider release. Exhilarating from start to finish, it is one of the best movies of the year.

Pros: Great performances by Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, one of the best soundtracks of the year, great video editing and cinematography, interesting lead characters, well written screenplay, wonderful directing from Damien Chazelle. 

Cons: Romance feels tacked on and unnecessary.

4.5/5 Stars

Interstellar Review

     There's an old say that when an animal’s back is against the wall it is at its most dangerous, that statement describes humans perfectly. Faced with our own mortality, people will go to the end of the earth to survive; but what happens when there is no where left on earth to go to. The only logical answer is to look to the stars. That is exactly what "Interstellar" is about. Directed by one of the best directors currently working, Christopher Nolan, this has been the most anticipated movie of the year for a lot of people. It had a great cast, an interesting premise, and the fact that it was a Nolan movie only brought more attention to it. Since the first trailer, I couldn't even contain my excitement. I was convinced that this was going to be the next sci-fi masterpiece and would be the best movie of the year. So after waiting more than a year, "Interstellar" has finally taken flight. 

     Taking place in a not so distant future, Earth is dying. After years of trying to sustain billions of people, the entire world has entered into a sort of dust bowl; the soil is no longer fertile, and we are having trouble feeding so many people. Cooper, a farmer and former astronaut, lives with his two children and father-in-law; one day after a huge dust storm Cooper comes upon some sort of anomaly. After decoding what appears to be a message, it takes him to a secret base run by the government. He learns that about 50 years ago, a wormhole was discovered near Saturn that could lead to another galaxy with habitable planets. The people behind the mission ask Cooper to pilot the ship; reluctant about leaving his kids, he ultimately agrees since it might be the only way to save the human race. So along with a group of scientists they head out knowing that if they fail, all is lost.

     Going into 2014, I don't think there was a single movie I was more excited about seeing. I am such a huge Nolan fan, I was hoping this would be the next "2001: A Space Odyssey." Unfortunately though, it is not. One thing that really got me excited was seeing some of the cast, a lot of A-list actors with Matthew McConaughey at the helm. And as expected, everyone does great. There isn't a bad performance in the bunch. Even the kids do a really good job. They're assisted by the fact that the characters are so likable. You want nothing more for these characters to succeed because you see the hardships that they go through and you just want them to catch a break. The movie is also very emotional, on more than one occasion it had me almost tearing up. I did hear a few people in the theater full on crying. What really helps would be the musical score by Hans Zimmer, who always known the perfect piece to assist the scene. One thing that Nolan has become known for would be how beautiful his movies are, and "Interstellar" is no different. The cinematography and visual effects are gorgeous and Oscar worthy. There are multiple shots in this movie were you're jaw will drop of the sheer beauty. The film also has really great production value; Nolan really like to use practical effects and actual sets instead of having too much CGI, and it all looks really good in this movie. I think one thing that this movie really has going for it is that it is ambitious. The scope of the movie isn't something you see every day, and you can tell that Nolan had a vision for what this movie could be and went after it. And that just shows how great he is, and he really does an amazing job directing this movie. And while he does a great job, the movie doesn't always match stack up. The movie is very though provoking, I don't think anyone can deny that, but at times it tries too get a little to philosophical. It wants to be this incredibly deep thematic movie all of the time, but at a certain point you role your eyes and want it to hurry up. Also, this movie is very long; much more so than needed. At 169 minutes, they could have cut out about half an hour of footage. Personally, I think the last ten minutes shouldn't have been included at all. You think the movie is over but there is one more scene, and I think the movie would have been better without it. But the biggest problem would be the plot, it's jumbled. Nolan tries to fit so much into this movie that at times it loses itself in its own ambition. It just kind of jumps from one plot line to another; and towards the end it tries to tie a nice little bow on top, but you still might leave the theater confused and a little frustrated. "Interstellar" is not perfect, it suffers from a few problems that hold it back from being the next great space movie; still though, this is something I would recommend if you are at all interested. It is a beautiful, well acted movie that will make you think about your place in the universe when you leave the theater. It might not be the masterpiece I was hoping for, but it is another solid addition in Christopher Nolan's filmography. 

Pros: Great performances from the entire cast, likable characters you root for, beautiful cinematography and visual effects, solid production value, great directing from Christopher Nolan, very ambitious, thought provoking, really emotional at times, beautiful score. 

Cons: Half an hour too long, plot gets jumbled, tries a little too hard to be philosophical.

4/5 Stars