2014 Dream Oscar Ballot

Tomorrow are the Academy Award nominations and at this point their success rate is anyone's guess. This year was so uneven that the Oscars have a real chance to think outside of the box and honor some deserving contenders. Or, more likely, they could play it entirely safe and stick within their playhouse of designated Academy fare. 2014 was a better year than they're making it out to be, but you wouldn't guess that by some of the frontrunners.

I could go on complaining or I could present my own choices for the Oscar nominations tomorrow. Nominees below, there are six nominees in each category to spread the love, except Best Actress which had to have seven this year (a "weak year" for women). Winners are bold, runners-up are italicized. Enjoy!

The Best Films of 2014.

Another year comes to a close and compared to other film years, 2014 ranks squarely down the middle. Some of its highest achievements are films I know I'll think about for years to come, while others already seem a forgotten memory. None of the films listed below have to worry, though. Whether they burrowed into my brain, immediately won over my affection, or challenged me enough to feel they had accomplished something, these films below represent (for better or worse) my favorite movies of 2014. Enjoy!