I have the kind of “special” brain that loves compiling lists. As we dive into 2015, I’m giddily filling out the blank lines in my new planner (I think I’m one of the five people on the planet who still uses one of those)– making lists for goals, work, errands, events, and things I want to eat. So, it’s no surprise that I’m jumping on the bandwagon (the horse of which has already been beaten to death) and making a list of my favorite movies of 2014. You’ll notice it does not say “Best Movies of 2014” because I don’t think I’m qualified to make that assertion, but I’m sure going to share my opinion until we’re all sick of it, because that’s another charming aspect of my personality. So, here we go:

1. Gone Girl

I loved this book and was nervous for an adaptation, but David Fincher has proven his evil genius yet again. Every detail  of Gone Girl demands attention: the framing, transitions, coloring, cinematography, writing, and visual puns are all beautiful and satisfying. Man, and the casting is spot-on. The book describes Nick as having a face you want to punch, and doesn’t Ben Affleck perfectly fit the bill? For my very spoilery review go here.

2. The One I Love

One of the most underrated films of the year, The One I Love left me thoughtful, introspective, and eager to discuss. It’s a film that I finished and immediately wanted to see again– a film that took care to explain enough, but left things a little untidy and open to interpretation. Also, I can’t get over the performances of Mark Duplass and Elizabeth Moss. The film hinges on their subtlety and they deliver with cherries on top. For my spoiler-free review of the film, go here.

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