The Imitation Game Review

     It is often that the greatest heroes are the unsung ones, the people behind the curtain that dedicate their lives one way or another. People like Tony Mendez, who helped lead the operation to save several Americans trapped in Iran during the Iran hostage crisis, or John R. Fox, a WW2 soldier who sacrificed his own life by calling an air strike to his position to halt German troop movements in order to give his unit time to escape. Some of the greatest men and women in history weren't put on pedestals and immortalized with statues; they stayed in the shadows and assured that the world would keep spinning. Maybe the greatest example of these heroes would be Alan Turning, who gave up years of his life to lead a group whose work would be kept secret for over 50 years; but without him, the allied powers might not have won the Second World War.

     Starting in 1939, a mathematics genius named Alan Turning meets with a British commander concerning an undisclosed job. Turning quickly realizes that the position involves cracking the German Nazi code they use on a machine called Enigma. Turning is a peculiar fellow, he has trouble getting along with people and generally just doesn't know how to act in social situations, and since he has to work with a team this can obviously lead to problems; but his mind is invaluable and needed, so those around Turning suck it up. Enigma is supposed to be unbreakable, and the code can only be determined if you know what settings the machine needs to be set to; and since the settings are changed every day, there's no way to determine which settings are being used. So Turning comes up with an idea, a machine that can decipher what settings are being used for a particular message. The problem is that the machine would need to be more advanced than anything else ever conceived, and would cost over a hundred thousand British pounds. Fighting with his team and the higher ups, Alan attempts to complete his machine while concealing a fact about him that could land him in jail and make all of his work useless.

     Towards the end of the year, especially during Oscar season, dozens of movies get released in hopes of winning as many awards as possible; "The Imitation Games" is one of those movies. It follows a formula we've seen before, an autobiographical period piece drama about a hero or influential person. At this point this specific type of movie has been over saturated, fortunately though this movie manages to stand out being that it is very good. Whenever a movie like this comes out, arguably the most important aspect would be the acting; it gives the stars a chance to strut their stuff, and everyone in this movie does a great job. Actors Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, and Mark Strong, give some of the best performances of their careers and all bring something to the movie; but without question it is Benedict Cumberbatch in the leading role who steals the show. Ever since he rose to fame in the BBC show "Sherlock," Cumberbatch has consistently shown why he is one of the best British actors today. His performance is both one of the best of his career as well as all of 2014. In autobiographical movies, the entire film falls upon the shoulders of the lead actor; and from what I can tell Cumberbatch does Alan Turning justice. I would not be surprised if we see him get an Oscar nomination. It helps that the movie features a well written script with smart dialog. The movie does a great job telling the interesting story of an interesting and important man. I do with that the film went more into detail of Turning's early and later life, it discusses them briefly but those time periods are ultimately glossed over. With a movie like this, it is important that it looks good. Period piece movies have to look just like the time they take place in, and "The Imitation Game" manages just that. The movie has a great production design and is shot with lovely cinematography. Unfortunately though a few scenes feature rather unimpressive CGI, it's not bad but is lackluster compared too many recent movies. Almost in its entirety, "The Imitation Game" is fantastic movie; but it does suffer from one major flaw. Other than one particular scene towards the end, the movie never has that emotional punch it really needs. Several of the sad stories told, as well as the direness of the situation, don’t have the impact they really need. And because of this, some of the sadder sequences fall a little flat. Despite this flaw I have with it, "The Imitation Game" is a great movie. From the acting, to the production value, to the writing, the movie comes together as one of the better biographical movies is recent years. While it's only just getting released in my area, this is a 2014 movie. And after seeing it, it's not hard to understand why so many listed it among the best movies of the year. 

Pros: Very good performances from the entire cast, Oscar worthy performance from Cumberbatch, great writing with smart dialog, good production design, great directing from Morten Tyldum, lovely cinematography, tells an interesting story about an interesting man.

Cons: Unimpressive CGI, doesn't have the necessary emotional impact, doesn't go enough into detail about Turning's early and later life.

4/5 Stars

5 Games to Look for in 2015

Honorable Mention: Tom Clancy's The Division, The Order: 1886, Halo 5: Guardians, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, Evolve, Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, Mighty No. 9, There Came an Echo, Mortal Kombat X, Hyper Light Drifter, Just Cause 3, OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood, Ratchet & Clank, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Star Wars: Battlefront, Deep Down, Quantum Break, The Legend of Zelda (working title).

Runner-Up: Batman: Arkham Knight
Over the past few years, the "Arkham" series has established itself as one of the best franchise running. The first game, "Batman: Arkham Asylum," was released in 2009 and redefined what it meant to be a liscned game. Two years later, the sequel "Batman: Arkham City" improved upon its predecessor and stood out in one of the most packed years for gaming in a long time. A prequel came out in 2013 entitled "Batman: Arkham Origins," while many consider it a step back from the previous games it still obtained much praise."Arkham Knight" is scheduled to be the last game in the series, and it's shaping up to be quite a game. Set in what appears to be a larger world with many new gameplay features, "Arkham Knight" looks to be the biggest and best game in what has already been a fantastic video game franchise.

5. Bloodborne
In 2009, developers From Software released "Demon's Souls;" an action RPG set in a middle time where you must power through level after level of enemies. Two years later From Software released a spiritual successor entitled "Dark Souls," which received even more praise and pretty much perfected sword and shield combat. Now in 2015, their newest game "Bloodborne" looks to build off of its predecessors. Set in what appears to be a fictional Gothic, Victorian London, it changes up the style of the previous games. The biggest change seems to be that the developers want players to be more offensive. Shields have been removed and old style guns have been added. the character movements are also much faster with an emphasis on dodging and less on putting up your guard absorbing attacks. A few months ago Sony put out an invitation to an alpha of the game which I was lucky enough to get into. and I was very impressed. The new changes feel great, and the game keeps the difficulty that the previous games in the series have been known for. After playing the alpha, I can honestly say I can't wait for the full game.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
In 2008 developer Kojima Productions released "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots," one of the greatest games ever made. It took stealth influences from from the series previous installments, but evolved into a fantastic action-adventure. So when "Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain" was announced, I immediately became skeptical. How do you improve on a nearly perfect game, and for a series to be truly great each new installment needs to improve upon its predecessor. From the gameplay that we've seen thus far, it does look like "The Phantom Pain" could accomplish this feat. With tighter looking combat and the help of improved technology from the new generation of consoles and high end PCs, "Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain" could be the game that the series has always destined to be.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
I'll go ahead and say it, I haven't actually played either of the two previous "Witcher" games; I have heard great things though. Based off the novel series of the same name, the story follows a monster hunter named Geralt of Rivia. An action RPG set in an open world, the game is developed by the the Polish studio CD Project RED; and from the early gameplay that has been shown, the game looks great. The series has become known for a few things: notoriously difficult combat, decision based gameplay that effects the endgame, and being absolutely stunning. "The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings" is often cited as one of the most graphically impressive games ever released. "The Witcher 3" will be the first time a game in the series will come to a PlayStation console, and as an owner of a PS4, this makes me very happy.

2. No Man's Sky
What this game has going for it, is that it has all the potential in the world. "No Man's Sky" is an upcoming science-fiction, exploration film taking place in a procedurally generated world where you start on one planet and then travel and discovers others. Traveling to what may be an infinite number of planets finding new species of plants and animals, as well as competing in space and land combat appear to make up most of the gameplay. With the first full length trailer playing at this past E3, the game was the talk of the convention; overshadowing many triple A blockbusters. My only worry is the game might be to ambitions; it is being developed by a small studio with limited experience, none of which is anything close to this game. But I have faith that they will be able to turn that ambition into something special. First coming to PS4 and then PC sometime in 2015, "No Man's Sky" may be the most exciting new game of the year.

1. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
There are a lot of promising looking games scheduled to come out in 2015, and despite no gameplay being released yet, this may already be the most hyped game of the year. Set to be the final installment in one of the greatest video game franchises of all time, "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" will be the epic conclusion the series deserved. I was worried for a while whether or not there would be another game since "Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception" didn't really feel like a final game. With the first gameplay being recently posted online, the game looks gorgeous and shows true promise. It is kind of sad that this will be the final game, but all great things must come to an end. Over the past few years Naughty Dog has stood out among the pack and is widely considered the best development studio working; the "Uncharted" series has been their crowning achievement, and "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" is shaping up to be a truly epic finally.

10 Best Movies of 2014

Honorable Mentions: Chef, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Lego Movie, Life Itself, Snowpiercer, Jodorowsky's Dune, The Normal Heart, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Guardians of the Galaxy, Locke, John Wick, Big Hero 6, The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz, Next Goal Wins, Edge of Tomorrow, 20000 Days on Earth, Wild, No No: A Dokumentary, Interstellar, Calvary, The Imitation Game.
Note: This list is based solely off my own personal opinion of what I thought were the best movies released in 2014 and is ordered alphabetically (not including the runner-ups which are listed before the top 10). To qualify for this list, a movie must have had a limited or wide theatrical release in 2014 (festival screenings alone do not count); I would like to mention I was not able to watch every movie released in 2014.

Runner-Up: Citizenfour
In 2013, former CIA system administrator and counterintelligence trainer for the DIA leaked information that the NSA had been spying on millions of Americans as well as non-American citizens all over the world. Sparking severe public outcry, the NSA and the federal government justified their actions by saying it was all for national security. Shortly after, Snowden was charged with espionage; but by that point he had already fled the country and is currently living in Russia. "Citizenfour" chronicles the initial meetings where Snowden told everything and the immediate fallout. There are two common believes felt towards Snowden, that he is a patriot or a traitor; either way, it is very interesting to here his side of the story and why he did it in this documentary. A possible front runner for best documentary at the Oscars, "Citizenfour" is one of the most informative and interesting films of the year.

Runner-Up: Foxcatcher
Directed by Bennett Miller, this was one of my most anticipated movies of the year since I saw the trailer a few months back. Based off the heartbreaking true story, the film follows Olympic gold medalist brothers Mark and Dave Schultz and there interactions with millionaire John du Pont leading up to the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Probably the stand out aspect of the film would be the acting; Steve Carell and Channing Tatum both give career defining performances, even co-star Mark Ruffalo gives one of the best supporting performances of the year. You add that to beautiful cinematography, great writing, a disturbing and haunting plot, and Oscar worthy directing from Miller, "Foxcatcher" manages to be one of the standout films in a year filled with great movies.

Runner-Up: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
Since their debut film "Castle in the Sky" in 1986, Studio Ghibli has established themselves as one of the best animation studios in the world. Last year though, one of the founders and the cornerstone of the studio Hayao Miyazaki announced his retirement. Many were worried since much of the studio's success is often related directly to him; but after there first film since his since his departure, "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya" is reassuring that the studio will continue to be great. Based off of a Japanese folk tale, the story follows a young girl found in a bamboo patch who's adoptive father builds a life for her he thinks she deserves. She then has to find herself, is she who she wants to be or who she is expected to be. Maybe the most gorgeous hand drawn animation of all time, this movie is an instant classic. Complex, emotional, and down right beautiful, this movie is something special and a serious contender for best animated feature at the Oscars. 

Runner-Up: Virunga
Over the past two years or so, Netflix has established itself as one of the leading original content producers in the entertainment industry. Most known for their original shows, in 2013 they dipped their foot into the documentary pool with the critically acclaimed "The Square:" which even went on to be nominated for an Oscar. In 2014, one of their new documentaries is going for the Oscar again. "Virunga" follows a group of rangers as they defend the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from rebels, poachers, and an oil company that wants to drill in the area. The park is home to some of the last critically endangered mountain gorillas in the world, as well as the only ones in captivity. Showing a look at the politics of wildlife protection and the emotional story of the men who would be willing to die for these animals, "Virunga" might be the best documentary of the year. 

Birdman
Of the few dozen movies I've seen this year, none were as enthralling as this one. "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)," is very arguably the best movie of the year. The film follows a down and out former star as he attempts to resurrect his career with a Broadway play, but conflicts with his actors, family, and even himself seem to make this task impossible. Despite being low key most of the year, "Birdman" has emerged as one of 2014's stand out films. Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, the film is magic from beginning to end. Its incredible cinematography, great acting, percussion score, and social criticisms all come together to make something truly special. "Birdman" isn't just a movie, it is art; it is going to be studied and analyzed in film courses in schools for years to come. No movie this year was quite like it, and we probably won't see one that is for a long time.

Blue Ruin
Originally obtaining its budget through KickStarter, "Blue Ruin" is easily the best crowd sourced movie ever made. The story follows a homeless man who learns the man responsible for his parent's death is being released from prison; he then has to make a choice, let sleeping dogs lie or take his revenge. "Blue Ruin" follows the style of the classic American revenge thriller, we are taken on an emotional roller coaster pain and suffering. While it may be the most thrilling and nail biting movie I've seen in a long time, the film has flown pretty low under the radar. Grossing less than a million dollars in its limited release, most only heard about it after all the praise that it recieved from critics. "Blue Ruin" has all the makings of being an American classic, and is certainly one of the best of the year.

Boyhood
I'll go ahead and say it, "Boyhood" is a goddamn tour-de-force in every single way. Written and directed by Richard Linklater, the movie was filmed over a period of twelve years. It follows the story of a young boy from grade school to college while dealing with troubles like his divorced parents, abusive step father, and other troublesome aspects of growing up. I think what made this movie so great in my eyes was that it stuck an emotional chord with me. I lived few some of the experiences the main character, I was having flashbacks to my own childhood. Everything this movie did was perfect, the writing, directing, acting, cinematography and just about everything else was done as well as it could have been. This list is in alphabetical order but I am confident in saying that "Boyhood" is the best movie of the year; it may even be one of the best of the decade. 

Gone Girl
Going into 2014, there were few movies more highly anticipated than "Gone Girl." Directed by the legendary David Fincher, the movie is based off the 2012 bestselling novel of the same name. The film follows a couple stuck in a loveless marriage, and on the day of their fifth anniversary the wife goes missing. Shortly after, everyone starts to point fingers at the husband who does anything possible to convince people it wasn't him. Arguably the smartest movie of the year, it takes several twists and turns that left my jaw on the floor. Complimented by several great performances from the lead actors and Fincher's trademark style, "Gone Girl" will be listed alongside some of his best movies. An impressive box office success, it's movies like this that gives me hope that the film industry isn't dead. 

The Grand Budapest Hotel
Behind Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson might be my favorite director; and "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is one of his best movies. Taking place during the early 20th century in a fictional European country, the film follows the concierge a luxurious hotel and his lobby boy. After a former lover of his is murdered, the concierge goes to pay his respect only to discover that she left him a priceless painting; unfortunately for him, the police are fairly certain that he did it. So it's up to him and his lobby boy to clear his name and discover the truth. Anderson has always been known for his dry and dark sense of humor and this may be his funniest movie, there were a several times where I laughed out loud. Beautifully shot, expertly acted, and filled with cameos, "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is a movie that just about everyone would like.

How to Train Your Dragon 2
The first "How to Train Your Dragon" is my favorite animated movie of all time; and considering how much I love movies like "Spirited Away" and "Frozen," that's really saying something. Based off the book series of the same name, the story follows a young man named Hiccup as he continues to learn as much about dragons and the world around his small village as he can. While his father the chief wants him to settle down and lead the village, Hiccup isn't sure what he wants to do but knows he isn't ready to be chief yet. But when a mad man rolls into town looking to control all the lands, Hiccup's leadership skills are truly put to the test. "How to Train Your Dragon 2," is one of the best sequels ever made; it does everything a sequel should do. It continues what the previous film did right while improving upon some necessary areas. Funny, heartbreaking, and downright beautiful, this is a movie that will be fun for the entire family.

Nightcrawler
Watching "Nightcrawler," it is hard to believe that it is the directorial debut of Dan Gilroy. The story follows Louis, a hardworking young man looking for success in Los Angeles. After coming upon a car wreck one evening, he witnesses freelance journalists called nightcrawlers who look for entertaining stories after dark. Believing he can do it, he quickly makes a name for himself in the business through his less than legal measures. All he has to do is make sure he isn't killed in the process. Featuring one of the year's best original screenplays as well as an Oscar worthy performance from Jake Gyllenhaal, "Nightcrawler" is a dark and critical look at the media absorbed world that we live in. While it may be too intense for some, "Nightcrawler" is one of the year's standout films.

The Raid 2: Berandal
In 2011, director Gareth Evans released the best action movie of the past decade, "The Raid: Redemption." This past year the sequel was released, and it may be one of the greatest action movies of all time. "The Raid 2: Berandal" starts off almost immediately after the events of the previous film, SWAT officer Rama escaped near death but is almost immediately brought into an anti-corruption task squad, where he is charged with going undercover to eliminate two of the largest crime families in the country. "The Raid 2" is a two and a half hour masterpiece of violence and chaos. It took everything the first film did right and cranked it up to eleven. And unlike the previous film, an interesting story and smart dialog was written into it. From start to finish "The Raid 2: Berandal" grabbed my attention and never let go, and may be my favorite movie of the year.

Starred Up
It's been a while since we've had a great prison film, and "Starred Up" might be the best since "The Shawshank Redemption." The story follows a troubled young felon as he is transferred from a juvenile facility to a high security prison. It shows him adjusting to his new surroundings while simultaneously learning to control his actions and get along with other inmates. Despite being a small time movie, it has more thrills than most big summer blockbusters. I originally heard about this movie after seeing it was one of the highest rated films of the year on Rotten Tomatoes. A breakout performance for Jack O' Connell, this is one of the year's biggest surprises. "Starred Up" is one of the best independent films of the year, and has the makings to be an instant prison movie classic.

Whiplash
While independent films are often ignored at major award shows such as the Oscars, I'm really hoping "Whiplash" and all of its acclaim manage to get it recognized. The film follows a young man named Andrew, a jazz drummer at one of the most prestigious music schools in the country. One day he is noticed by the director of the schools top band, he is eventually asked to join as backup drums. Andrew quickly finds out though that the director is a cruel task master who will accept nothing less than perfect, and will use both physical and psychological abuse to obtain that perfection. Despite this Andrew still dreams of being the best, and will bleed for his dreams if he has to. With powerful performances from Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons in the lead roles, as well as great cinematography and one of the best soundtracks of the year; "Whiplash" is nothing short of astonishing, and it may be the best independent film of 2014. 

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Michael Keaton (Birdman)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)
Best Animated Feature: How to Train Your Dragon 2
Best Cinematography: Birdman
Best Costume Design: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Director: Richard Linklater (Boyhood)
Best Documentary Feature: Tie- Citizenfour/Virunga
Best Film Editing: Birdman
Best Foreign Language Film: The Raid 2: Berandal
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Guardians of the Galaxy
Best Original Score: Tie- Birdman/Interstellar
Best Original Song: Where No One Goes (How to Train Your Dragon 2)
Best Picture: Boyhood
Best Production Design: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Sound Editing: Interstellar
Best Sound Mixing: Interstellar
Best Visual Effects: Interstellar
Best Adapted Screenplay: Gone Girl
Best Original Screenplay: Tie- Birdman/Boyhood

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.