Best Movies of 2014 (Part 2)

Movies are made to entertain, make one ponder and to leave behind a mark as we come out of the cinema halls.  There are few movies which evolves over a period of time, the more you watch that movie the more you start liking it.

Continuing with our series of best movies of 2014, here is the second and the last part.

Read: Best Movies of 2014 (Part 1)

6. HAIDER

Shahid Kapoor in 'Haider'

Vishal Bhardwaj's movies are always different from the lot and has its own following.  Without going into the debate of whether Haider is a correct adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet or whether it captures the actual story of the army's role in Kashmir, Haider stands out for its splendid performances, soulful music, cinematography and direction.

7. Bey Yaar

Poster of gujarati movie 'Bey Yaar'

One always co-relates Gujarati films with garbas, dandiyas and village backdrop.  But films like Bey Yaar dismantles these beliefs.  After a promising start with his first movie, Kevi Rite Jaish,  director Abhishek Jain comes back with an even stronger Gujarati entertainer in Bey Yaar.  Featuring performances, songs, music comparable to a good bollywood movie, Bey Yaar is story about two friends who put their morals at stake to earn a quick buck.  The fast pace movie (especially in the second half) keeps you glued to your seat till the end.  It is heartening to know that Gujarati film industry has evolved from its past and it needs more directors like Abhishek.

8. Metro Manila

Still from 'Metro Manila'

Filipino movie which got rave reviews globally, Metro Manila is about a poor family seeking brighter future in the megacity Manila and the plights they face fulfilling their dreams.  This can fit any other stereo type Bollywood movies but what set it apart is its execution.

9. The Grand Budapest Hotel

A still from 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'

Wes Anderson's movies are always different from the rest and same goes for The Grand Budapest Hotel.  On the backdrop of superb sound track,  characters from the movie leave their impression on the viewers.  Add Wes Anderson's direction and screenplay, this movie is a joy to watch.

Best Movies of 2014 (Part 1)

Year 2014 saw few good movies.  Here is the listing of some the best movies I have seen.

Now that the most anticipated film of 2014 has released yesterday and none in pipeline for last few days of this year,  it is a good time to look back and list down the best movies I have seen in 2014.  Kindly note that the listing below is from the movies I have watched during this year.  There might be instances a movie may be very good but I am yet to watch it or movie got released before 2014, but was watched this year.  Further I am not a big fan of Sci-Fi, Lords-of-the-Rings type and Superhero type movies.  The list needs to be viewed from these perspectives.

1. QUEEN

Still of Kangana Ranaut from 'Queen'

Undoubtedly the best movie of 2014, Queen makes you laugh, cry, aspire, dream, achieve and conquer. This is a movie which will pep you up no matter how low you are feeling in your life.  Stunning performances, strong script, excellent production and electrifying soundtrack.  This film is a complete package on how the movie should be made.  There are many memorable scenes / characters in the film -  Lisa Haydon as Vijayalakshmi, Marco Canadea as Marcello, Mish Boyko as Oleksander, Jefferey Chee Eng Ho as Taka.  Even Sabeeka Imam as Rroxette leaves an impression in her short on-screen presence.  Add Kangana Ranaut's best performance till date to this.  Indisputably Queen is the queen (king) of 2014.

2. SNOWPIERCER

A still from Snowpiercer

Film by Korean directory Bong Joon-Ho, you know you are about to experience a gripping, hair-raising experience right from the word go.  Released last year, this film is set in 2031, when the entire world is frozen except for those abroad the Snowpiercer.  The train has its own class systems and economy.  An adaption from a French novel, Le Transperceneige, this film celebrates the cinema.
P.S.:  Not for faint hearted.

3. HER

Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams in 'Her'

Imagine you falling in love with your OS (Operating System)!! By love, I mean real love.  Theodore, played by Joaquin Phoenix and a man about to get divorce, falls in love with a newly purchased artificially intelligent operating system. OS becomes part and parcel of his daily life and he starts sharing his joys and sorrows with it.  Scarlett Johansson's voice as Samantha is mesmerising.  Though you can't see her throughout the movie, you can feel her emotions and instantly fall in love with her.  It would be unfair to the film if I don't quote few lines from the movie here.

The past is just a story we tell ourselves.

We are only here briefly, and in this moment I want to allow myself joy.

I feel like I can be anything with you.

I'm yours, and I'm not yours.

It's like I'm reading a book... and it's a book I deeply love. But I'm reading it slowly now. So the words are really far apart and the spaces between the words are almost infinite. I can still feel you... and the words of our story... but it's in this endless space between the words that I'm finding myself now. It's a place that's not of the physical world. It's where everything else is that I didn't even know existed. I love you so much. But this is where I am now. And this is who I am now. And I need you to let me go. As much as I want to, I can't live in your book any more. 

4. HIGHWAY

Alia Bhatt as Veera Tripathi in 'Highway'

2014 has seen few of the best movies ever directed in Bollywood.  These films are different, set themselves apart from the mainstream cinema and leaves you pondering at the end.  Highway, directed by Imtiaz Ali, is one such film.  Alia Bhatt (as Veera Tripathi) proves that she can even act in films which are not the usual masala types.  It is a journey of two people, burdened by their past, experiencing life and freedom.  Gorgeous cinematography by Anil Mehta and soulful music by A.R. Rahman makes this movie unforgettable.

5. HASEE TOH PHASEE

Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra in 'Hasee Toh Phasee'

Hasee Toh Phasee is at fifth position on account of strong performance by Parineeti Chopra. Bittersweet romcom triangle makes it an easy watch.  Besides the main lead, the supporting cast also add muscle to movie and makes its entertaining.

(to be continued...)

Check out Part 2 of Best Movies of 2014