67 thoughts on “Farewell 2014! Random Best/Worst Cinematic Recap of the Year”

1. Great stuff –

   Easily, this is one of the best posts about movies that I’ve read this year. Kudos.

   jmm

   December 31, 2014 at 14:57 Reply

   1. Hey thanks Mike! Appreciate you stopping by and reading it. Happy New Year!

      December 31, 2014 at 18:44 Reply

2. Fun stuff Ruth. You’ll see variations of some of these categories in my Random Awards in a few weeks. We share a few of the exact same choices!!!

   December 31, 2014 at 14:58 Reply

   1. Thanks Keith, looking forward to your 2014 recap list. Have a blessed New Year!

      December 31, 2014 at 18:44 Reply

      1. You too. And thanks so much for being my leading commentor once again! 🙂 So appreciated!

         December 31, 2014 at 18:46 Reply

         1. Oh really? Awesome! Hope to see you around here more in 2015 Keith 😉

            January 1, 2015 at 22:29 Reply

3. Ruth, thanks so much for a great year of FlixChatter. It’s one of the best sites out there!

   December 31, 2014 at 15:03 Reply

   1. Hello Liz! Thank you so much for your kind words and support. Have a blessed New Year to you and Mike.

      December 31, 2014 at 18:46 Reply

4. Wow! Oh wow, I love these categories. 🙂 So very original and many of them are exactly how I personally would describe the film/the experiences that I had with them. Three of my favorites might have to be 1) Best Movie Mustache (going to the great M. Gustave H, a choice I fully support); 2) Best Fake Movie Trailer (that is genius); 3) Worst Haircut. (Boy, Colin Farrell does not look good there, does he? I am pretty sure I steered well clear of Winter’s Tale, too.)

   See ya in 2015 Ruth! 😀

   December 31, 2014 at 15:05 Reply

   1. Hey thanks Tom! Glad you like my random and mostly silly categories 😛 Ahah yeah Colin’s hair is just hideous isn’t it? I mean he’s a good looking guy but NOBODY can pull off THAT haircut.

      December 31, 2014 at 18:49 Reply

5. Great read! I hadn’t seen the Taken 3 trailer until now, it sure made me chuckle.

   December 31, 2014 at 15:32 Reply

   1. Thank you! Yeah that trailer’s always fun for laughs.

      December 31, 2014 at 18:50 Reply

6. That is a great list. That haircut Colin Farrell has is so awful. It deserves to be in the list of worst haircuts ever….

   December 31, 2014 at 15:35 Reply

   1. Thanks Steven! Not only is the haircut awful, the movie is too, so I guess it belongs to be in it, ahah.

      December 31, 2014 at 18:51 Reply

7. I saw your Tweet but unfortunately I couldn’t think of anything to Tweet you back. But looks like you came up with great choices on your own! I’m still laughing at the honest trailer of Godzilla, it’s so true! Lol! I’m still confused as to why they decided to show less of the hero of the movie since he’s the main title and focus of the story. Garreth Edwards said he’s trying to emulate Jaws where Spielberg didn’t show the shark till later in the movie but that’s stupid, the shark was the antagonist and here Godzilla was the hero. So stupid!

   The only category I can come up with is the best use of practical effects in Interstellar, Nolan tried to minimize the use of CGI as much as possible and they all looked great on the big screen.

   December 31, 2014 at 15:51 Reply

   1. Hi Ted, oh that’s ok, it was fun actually to think up some of these categories 😛 Yeah Godzilla is good for laughs but definitely NOT in the same league as Jaws. Even Pacific Rim was far more fun.

      Oh yeah Interstellar does have great effects, I should’ve included that!

      December 31, 2014 at 18:52 Reply

8. Such an awesome variety of categories and top picks! I’m totally inspired to be more creative next year with my list. Happy *soon to be* new years Ruth!

   December 31, 2014 at 15:52 Reply

   1. Hi Katy! Hey you should do this kind of lists too, I’m sure you can come up w/ even better categories and more movies to include 😀

      December 31, 2014 at 18:55 Reply

9. So much amazing here! Love all the Mbatha-Raw mentions, and that Foxcatcher poster is hilarious! The Colin Farrell diss is great, the Birdman love is exciting (I can’t wait to see that movie) and I love that you mention the car chase scene in Winter Soldier, which I remember tweeting, when I first saw it, that it was possibly the car chase scene to end all car chase scenes…it’s that incredible!

   December 31, 2014 at 15:53 Reply

   1. Hi Drew! I just LOVE LOVE Mbatha-Raw and I wish she got more love. I don’t diss Colin, just his hideous hair, ahah. Glad you love that car chase, I still watch it on youtube from time to time, so much awesomeness!

      December 31, 2014 at 18:57 Reply

10. A simply wonderful and imaginative year-end summary, Ruth. Well done, and Happy New Year. 😀

    December 31, 2014 at 15:57 Reply

    1. Hi Michael, long time no see. Hope you’re feeling better. Happy New Year to you as well!

       December 31, 2014 at 19:00 Reply

11. There’s less than 5 minutes of the old year left so I’ll wish you all the best.
    It’s been a pleasure to associate with you.

    December 31, 2014 at 17:58 Reply

    1. Thanks Paul! Have a blessed New Year!

       January 1, 2015 at 14:02 Reply

12. Hi, Ruth:

    Well detailed, laid out and critiqued post!

    Great catch on ‘Chef’! Nice to see that Jon Favreau is still as good in front of the camera as behind. ‘The Flash’ seems to have come together very well, without the powers that be trampling all over the comic book Mythos.

    And when will Hollywood learn that if it’s not a guy in a rubber suit tearing up a balsa wood downtown Tokyo on a Toho sound stage… IT AIN’T GODZY!!!!

    December 31, 2014 at 18:38 Reply

    1. Happy New Year Kevin! It’s just me being silly with some random categories 😛 Glad to hear you enjoyed CHEF too, that’s quite a nice surprise for me, very enjoyable! I really like The Flash, both my hubby, can’t wait for Season 2!

       Ahah, Godzy is a more apt name for the giant monster! 🙂

       January 1, 2015 at 14:11 Reply

13. Hey Ruth! Cool post and best wishes for 2015, blogging and otherwise 🙂
    Good call on Monuments Men. I caught that on cable the other day and was really underwhelmed, even though I was forewarned the film would be disappointing. There were a few humorous moments, but with that cast I thought there would be more!
    Winter’s Tale sure was ridiculous huh? Nothing in that movie made sense. Another one with quite an accomplished cast that was a complete failure!
    Look forward to reading your review if/when you see Nightcrawler. Gyllenhaal turns in quite the performance in that one.

    December 31, 2014 at 19:09 Reply

    1. Thanks Melissa and best wishes for the New Year to you, too!

       It’s really too bad about Monuments Men, considering how many great actors are in it! But seems that even Clooney himself acknowledged that it’s not a good movie.

       Winter’s Tale is such an abomination and waste of resources all around, I think it got a big budget too! I definitely will rent Nightcrawler as soon as it’s available, been hearing all kinds of good things about that one.

       January 1, 2015 at 14:22 Reply

14. That was a truly fun read. Thanks for that. Love all these creative categories. Looks like you didn’t need any help. Happy New Year.

    December 31, 2014 at 19:42 Reply

    1. Thanks Dell! After I posted it I realize I missed some categories so I’ll be adding that 🙂 Thanks for all your comments and happy new year to you as well.

       January 1, 2015 at 14:23 Reply

15. I though the TOP GUN honest trailer was better! 😉

    But good pick though. Lots of time and energy went into this, didn’t it!

    January 1, 2015 at 03:18 Reply

    1. Oh it has to be a trailer of 2014 movies to be included here Rodney 😉 Thanks, it was fun to come up w/ the categories.

       January 1, 2015 at 14:23 Reply

16. I love your categories. May I ask why there is no Best surprisingly bad-ass male character or Worst supposedly-bad-ass-but-turns-out-annoying male character?

    January 1, 2015 at 06:54 Reply

    1. Hi Abbi! Oh you’re right! I will think of the male versions of those two categories and tweet you when the list is updated 😀

       January 1, 2015 at 14:24 Reply

17. Happy New Year Ruth. Great list. I really couldn’t disagree with any of those although I haven’t seen Black Sails or The Flash. My girlfriend liked The Flash though. I would nominate Jake Gyllenhaal as one of the creepiest characters ever. Man was it uncomfortable to watch him onscreen. You’ll see what I mean. The slo-mo scene from the X-men was probably the best, certainly the most creative, since The Matrix. Definitely worth a shout out. I would add one to the Most Romantic Duo list. Maybe I’m a sap but Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley from The Fault In Our Stars were really good together. While not quite living up to the book I thought their chemistry was fantastic.

    Even though I don’t post as much because I don’t have much to add to the new movie posts (I’ve been terrible with seeing new movies this year) I’m never failed to be entertained by your varied and well written posts. I remember years ago discovering your blog from IMDb’s now defunct Hit List and I never looked back. Bravo Ruth on a job well done.

    January 1, 2015 at 08:00 Reply

    1. Happy New Year to you Dave! I think you might like both Black Sails and The Flash, both are excellent though they couldn’t be more different in terms of tone, of course.

       Man I really can’t wait to see Nightcrawler, he does look extremely creepy from the trailer. I haven’t seen The Fault In Our Stars but it just seems so sad. I actually told Ansel Elgort after I interviewed him that I might be a basket case if I watch that movie.

       Thanks for your kind words Dave! I’m thrilled that you now are part of FlixChatter and making it all the richer for it. Looking forward to more awesome posts from you 😉

       January 1, 2015 at 22:08 Reply

18. That’s better.

    Ratzenfrattzin’ WordPress!!!

    There’s a possible new and distractive, suave and sophisticated Brit actor you may be interested in over on Fox’s ‘Sleepy Hollow’, Tom Mison. Palpable chemistry between him and Abbie Mills, his co-star, Nicole Beharie.

    Just a New Year suggestion 🙂

    January 1, 2015 at 09:13 Reply

    1. Hey Kevin, Happy New Year my friend! Oh I’m quite familiar w/ Mr. Tom Mison from ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.’ I haven’t seen Sleepy Hollow but one of my good friends is a huge fan of the show, sounds good but a bit too spooky for my taste.

       January 1, 2015 at 22:11 Reply

19. Great list! Nice to see love for Pike and Carell

    January 1, 2015 at 11:55 Reply

    1. Thanks Sati! I feel bad now I don’t have a category for Ruffalo, hmmm I should think of something 😉

       January 1, 2015 at 22:12 Reply

       1. I have him in my hottest character one, he almost won in lead and supporting categories, though 🙂

          January 2, 2015 at 10:01 Reply

20. Ha ha, great categories Ruth! Now this is an awards ceremony I’d like to see!

    January 1, 2015 at 13:25 Reply

    1. Ahah, yeah I’d love to see Colin’s um, acceptance speech for his award 😉

       January 1, 2015 at 22:13 Reply

21. Wow got a bit of everything in this post 😀

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    January 1, 2015 at 13:39 Reply

    1. Happy New Year, Tim!

       January 1, 2015 at 22:13 Reply

22. Awesome picks! I agree with so many. I never get tired of watching that staring montage in the honest Godzilla trailer either. lol

    January 1, 2015 at 14:30 Reply

    1. Thanks Brittani. Ken Watanabe’s unintentionally hilarious in Godzilla 😀

       January 1, 2015 at 22:14 Reply

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24. Happy new year, Ruth! I just like everything there, I agree with most of it… it’s hilariously amazing!

    January 2, 2015 at 00:06 Reply

    1. Thank you Paskalis, glad you like the list 😀

       January 4, 2015 at 20:29 Reply

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26. Haha! This was great. My favorite year-end wrap up I’ve read for sure. Great work, Ruth! 😀

    January 2, 2015 at 10:28 Reply

    1. Thanks Billy! It was fun to put it together too 🙂

       January 4, 2015 at 20:30 Reply

27. I really liked this post. Very fun awards. But that fake Foxcatcher poster takes the cake.

    January 3, 2015 at 10:38 Reply

    1. Thanks Ian! That Foxcatcher fake poster is probably the funniest I’ve seen this year, it couldn’t be more inaccurate thus makes it all the more hilarious.

       January 4, 2015 at 20:31 Reply

28. Merry Christmas and happy New year Ruth 🙂

    I know it’s late but I was away for a while 😉

    Anyway….I love your post!! Very creative and I feel like it’s a time consuming post. I don’t know much of the movies there but I enjoyed reading every bit of it. However, I don’t understand what’s so funny about Taken’s trailer.

    January 5, 2015 at 07:42 Reply

    1. Hi Nov! Hope you had a great Christmas break. Ha..ha.. yeah it took me a couple of days to do this list but it was fun coming up w/ the categories. Well the Tak3n trailer is hilarious because Neeson’s character is just so indestructible! It’s unintentionally funny because it’s obviously not a comedy but I just find the whole premise so preposterous that it’s funny 😀

       January 5, 2015 at 14:09 Reply

       1. Ah…I get it now!
          You know, I sure hope Neeson will no stay in this role any longer. He is a good actor, it’s a shame to be stuck in the same role for long and be remembered for that role for the rest of his carrier

          January 7, 2015 at 08:22 Reply

          1. Yeah, he’s more famous for being Bryan Mills now (his character in the Taken franchise) than any other roles he’s played, even iconic ones like Schindler’s List and Rob Roy!

             January 7, 2015 at 11:50 Reply

29. Very fun post here, Ruth! Really enjoyed reading it. I totally would have put John Wick (Keanu Reeves) as Best Badass – Male (although you added “surprising” to your category, and it wasn’t too surprising that he could pull that off, right?).

    I totally agree on the Taken trailer – it makes me laugh. Oh Liam Neeson will never live the whole Taken deal down after using his special set of skills . . .

    I really want to see Locke since it seems to be well-liked by everyone’s reviews I’ve read. And I did finally see Nightcrawler, and I thought it was great. I’ll be curious to see what you think of it after you see it, Ruth!

    January 6, 2015 at 20:56 Reply

    1. Hi Kris! Ahah yeah, I’m not surprised Keanu is still bad-ass, I mean he still looks better than most guys in their 30s! I ended up choosing an actor from Downton Abbey, Dan Stevens, even though I haven’t seen The Guest. But even from the trailer he looked absolutely ripped 😛

       Locke is good simply because of Hardy’s performance. If you like him, it’s definitely worth a look. How violent/gory was Nightcrawler btw? I’m very curious to see it because the premise sounds intriguing and Jake G. has been getting all kinds of kudos for his performance.

       January 7, 2015 at 13:58 Reply

       1. I’m a fan of Tom Hardy’s, so I’ll definitely have to check that out at some point.

          TBH, I don’t think Nightcrawler really is that gory. It’s violent in about two or three major scenes, and that’s about it. I did think it was Jake Gyllenhaal’s best performance I’ve seen. The movie is definitely not my favorite type or genre of film, but it was a fun and interesting experience. It’s just very dark. So keep that in mind when you decide to watch it.

          January 8, 2015 at 10:15 Reply

30. Hi Ruth! Awesome post! Love the awards for Emily Blunt, Rosamund Pike, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Locke, and Birdman.

    January 7, 2015 at 19:59 Reply

31. Wow, how long have you worked on this post? It was an amazing (and often funny) read!

    January 14, 2015 at 04:08 Reply

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