It has been an interesting year for movies.  For the majority of the year only mediocre films were being released.  It wasn’t until towards the end of the year when truly great films began to be released. With that being said, I decided to share with all of you the five best films that I saw this year.  Unfortunately, I was not able to see every movie that was released this year so if your favorite isn’t here, I apologize.

5.  Saving Mr. Banks

This film recounts the production of the production of the Disney classic, Mary Poppins.  Unlike many other movies about filmmaking, this one doesn’t focus on the filming and direction of the film but rather the pre-production of the film.  Emma Thompson is fantastic as P.L. Travers, the author of the original books, who is able to be stern yet still be likable.  Equally good is Tom Hanks as Walt Disney himself.  The only flaw of the film are the flashbacks to P.L. Travers’s past which felt completely unconnected to the rest of the film.

4.  The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Very rarely do sequels surpass their originals, but The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is able to pull it off.  The film has better acting, story, cinematography, and is overall more entertaining than its predecessor.  What looked like just another cash-in on a popular teen novel series, turned out to be an engaging film that had had some genuinely surprising twists and turns.  If you weren’t satisfied with the adaptation of the first novel, give this film a chance, you won’t regret it.

3.  Pacific Rim

It may not be the most complex or thought provoking movie that was released this year, but it certainly was one of the most entertaining.  What you get is about two hours of giant robots battling against monsters.  Needless to say, it isn’t for everyone, but if you want to have great, mindless entertainment, look no further than Pacific Rim.

2.  Captain Phillips

Yet another Tom Hanks film, but this one features what might possibly be his best performance since Forrest Gump.  The film is based on the true story of cargo ship captain Richard Phillips whose ship gets hijacked by Somali pirates.  The final scene is one of the best that I have ever seen.  It is incredibly realistic for a Hollywood film and features some of the best acting that I have seen

1.  Gravity

Simply put, Gravity is one of, if not the best visual experience in all of film.  The special effects, cinematography, acting, and music are spectacular.  The opening shot alone, an almost ten minute long shot, is some of the best cinematography in a film period.  The film is incredibly intense and will leave you on the edge of your seat.  If the trailers have turned you off, do yourself a favor and watch it anyway.  It is most definitely the best film of the year.