- Boyhood (2014)
- The Artist (2011)
- Ida (2013)
- World of Tomorrow (2015)
- The Fits (2016)
- Coco (2017)
- Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
- 13th (2016)
- My Life as a Zucchini (2016)
- Blue Ruin (2013)
- Spotlight (2015)
- Song of the Sea (2014)
- Citizenfour (2014)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- 12 Years a Slave (2013)
- The Invisible War (2012)
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
- Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
- The Babadook (2014)
- Best of Enemies (2015)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- A Separation (2011)
- American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs (2013)
- The Retrieval (2014)
Thoughts on the ones not mentioned before now:
The Fits was one of those films that just stuck with me. A fascinating drama about a tomboy who joins a dance troupe in Cincinnati and does what she can to fit in. Then the fainting and seizures start. What does it mean? Is it related to the newcomer? The film just draws you in and compels you to keep watching. Features a great debut from Royalty Hightower as the lead character (who hasn't acted since 2017, unfortunately) and directorial effort from Anna Rose Holmer (who came back as co-director of God's Creatures just last year with Emily Watson and Paul Mescal).
I'm disappointed that Coco didn't make the list's honorable mentions. A story of a boy driven by his love of music and disheartened by his family's banning of song who is determined to get the truth about his family with the help of trickster Hector and maybe even meet idol Ernesto de la Cruz. A fascinating story that ties in Mexican heritage (Day of the Dead) with a story of a boy following his dreams. Towards the end, I had one of the ugliest crying sessions I've ever had for a film. Not spoiling what happens, but if you saw it, you'll know what I mean.
OK, I might have gotten a bit docu-heavy on my list and fair play. But 13th from Ava DuVernay is a very good one. It focuses on the racial inequality with the prison system being largely filled with African Americans pointing out such things as the war on drugs, the Jim Crow laws and the practice of convict leasing has disenfranchised black people since the end of the Civil War. It's well researched, thought-provoking and at times depressing. If you don't have a Netflix subscription, it can be seen in full on YouTube.
Nice to see some love for Blue Ruin overall. It's a film about an ordinary man who seeks revenge on those who killed his parents. But unlike most takes on the genre, he's comically inept at it. A thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and unsure of what happens next...it's directed with lean efficiency by Jeremy Saulnier and led by an intense Macon Blair and it's worth seeking out.
Song of the Sea for my money was the best animated film in 2014 (still hadn't seen Big Hero 6 or The Book of Life, for what it's worth). A compelling story of an Irish boy who learns the truth about his mute sister and decides to help her on the mission she's destined for, it's heartwarming and has a nice message attached to it as well.
Citizenfour is another documentary on my list. This one explores the life and history of Edward Snowden, whistleblower for the NSA which he reveals their illegal wiretapping practices there and in other government agencies. It plays like a thriller in real time as Snowden reveals the secrets he knows to the press and they have to elude phone calls from the media and the government who wants to extradite and prosecute him. It also explores the dangers that global surveillance has in the world.
Last but not least, yep another documentary. The Invisible War examines the history of sexual assaults in the military and how it feels like the perpetrators are unpunished and the survivors face reprisals, inadequate physical and emotional care and the risk of being kicked out of service. So basically 1.2 percent of all sexual assaults lead to a conviction and 16.8 percent of them are even reported. Featuring conversations with survivors, military brass and members of Congress, director Kirby Dick sets out his case of big change being needed. After the film was released, members of Congress and branches of the military have enacted changes to improve care and allow for greater reporting and fairer trials.