Which 2014 movies should I see on the big screen right now?

January 16, 2015 11:03 AM

I don't see too many movies during the year. But every year I go to the AMC Best Picture Showcase, which plays the "Best Picture" nominated movies back to back over two consecutive Saturdays in February. What OTHER 2014 movies (not nominated for Best Picture) did you really like that I should see on the big screen while I can? I like most types of movies except horror. Thanks!!!
posted by bluesky78987 to Media & Arts (18 answers total)

Everyone is going to tell you Interstellar. And you must see it on IMAX. And a real IMAX like they have in planetariums and museums, not the fake mini-imax you have at the local cineplex.
posted by empath at 11:06 AM on January 16, 2015 [3 favorites]

It depends upon your love for arthouse cinema but I absolutely freaking LOVED Under the Skin.
posted by kariebookish at 11:22 AM on January 16, 2015 [1 favorite]

I followed empath in to say Interstellar.
posted by achrise at 11:23 AM on January 16, 2015 [1 favorite]

Birdman is a film that's best seen on the big screen. The cinematography is astonishing.
posted by essexjan at 11:28 AM on January 16, 2015 [4 favorites]

If your prior questions are any indication, you live here in Los Angeles, which means you can still catch two of my 2014 faves: Inherent Vice at the Arclight (and elsewhere) and Big Hero 6 at the Cinemark 18.
posted by mykescipark at 11:32 AM on January 16, 2015

"The Book of Life" was fantastic on a big screen.
posted by jbickers at 11:44 AM on January 16, 2015

If you have any way to catch Ida and The Grand Budapest Hotel on big screens, you should absolutely take the opportunity. They're both nominated for Best Cinematography and are unquestionably two of the best-shot films of the year.
posted by rabbitroom at 11:46 AM on January 16, 2015

Wild - Witherspoon was nominated for acting, but the movie didn't get a BP nod. Take a look at all of the movies that got an acting, directing or writing nomination but didn't get one for Best Picture.
posted by soelo at 11:47 AM on January 16, 2015 [2 favorites]

I wouldn't waste any time at any AMC theater for Intersteller. All of the nominated best animated features should be seen in a theater, I think.
posted by Ideefixe at 11:55 AM on January 16, 2015 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions so far! Definitely want to see most of these.
posted by bluesky78987 at 12:39 PM on January 16, 2015

I agree, Birdman. The cinematography is absolutely stunning. Definitely see on the big screen.
And as much as I'm a Wes Anderson fan and loved The Grand Budapest Hotel, don't waste money seeing it on the big screen. Not worth it.
posted by shesbenevolent at 12:42 PM on January 16, 2015

Response by poster: Birdman and Grand Budapest Hotel were nominated so I will be seeing those at the back-to-back event.
posted by bluesky78987 at 12:52 PM on January 16, 2015

Among the movies I saw and really liked which weren't nominated for best picture from 2014 were: Afternoon of a Faun, No, The Galapagos Affair, The Final Member, Blue Ruin, Belle, Half of a Yellow Sun, Korengal, We Are the Best, Obvious Child, Finding Fela, The Drop, Dear White People, and Horns. Most of these are long out of theaters (though many of them are streaming on Netflix) but you should still be able to catch Wild and Top Five. I haven't seen A Most Violent Year yet, but Jessica Chastain got Golden Globe attention for it and I am really looking forward to it.
posted by ChuraChura at 2:51 PM on January 16, 2015 [1 favorite]

I loved Nightcrawler. I don't believe it received a Best Picture nom, so that would be my recommendation. A great, tense film.
posted by tacodave at 3:31 PM on January 16, 2015

Seconding No, which was fantastic, and (if you can find it) Pride was an absolute delight. Neither of them has to be seen on the big screen, though.

However, my favorite movie of the year: Only Lovers Left Alive. It's a quiet little indie film, but I actually really loved seeing it in a theater, where I could just soak into its whole atmosphere.
posted by you're a kitty! at 10:10 PM on January 16, 2015

I watched a less than stellar copy a couple of days ago and can't wait to see it again, this time an official print, on a big screen: Leviathan

Edit... On preview: it's one of the nominations for Best Foreign Language film. Also recommended, the Turkish film 'Winter's Sleep'.
posted by Mister Bijou at 12:11 AM on January 17, 2015

Nthing Birdman. Also Obvious Child was a delight. I loved Muppets Most Wanted, I am a huge muppet fan though. Boyhood was a good one, but I wasn't quite as crazy about it as everyone else seemed to be, still, an enjoyable film. I also enjoyed The Hundred Foot Journey and The Imitation Game. In spite of all that, its going to sound crazy but I think The Lego Movie might have been my favorite of 2014.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 1:25 PM on January 17, 2015

Oh, also really liked Big Eyes.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 1:37 PM on January 17, 2015