My Favorite Things About 2014

Last year I decided to write a post about my favorite things from the past year so I figured why not revisit that again this year? On the whole I would say that 2014 was a solid year; I discovered many new things, watched loads of good anime, widened my horizons on just about everything. I'll also preface this list by saying that these are MY favorite things about 2014 which means its indicative of my year. This list also includes some of my least favorite things from the year so the favorite title attached to them is entirely ironic. Anyways let's get to it:

Favorite Film of 2014: The Skeleton Twins

The comic book nerd in me really wants to put down X-Men: Days of Future Past or Guardians of the Galaxy in this spot but I could not resist this film. Starring two of SNL's funniest stars of the past decade (Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig) plus an old comedy film standby of the last decade (Luke Wilson) made this film look like it was to be much cheerier on the surface. The film itself, while hilarious at several points, goes to depths that I did not expect walking into the theater. A film all about how important your siblings are and how you should always treasure them. Not to mention several scenes in which anyone who has a sibling can truly relate to. An absolute gem of a film.

My "Favorite" Disappointing Film of 2014: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

I really, really wanted to like this film, I honestly did, and when I finished it I truly thought it wasn't half-bad. Then I thought on it; I thought about the film's poor pacing, abundance of plot lines with massive plot holes and poor writing. The biggest crime that the new Spidey movies have is that they still have yet to truly distinguish themselves from the Sam Raimi films. Sure, Andrew Garfield is a better Peter Parker than Tobey Maguire but this last entry felt more like a hastily put together film that serves to only set up more sequels so that Sony can keep Spidey from where he belongs, with Marvel Studios. The problem with putting Spidey into cinema is that it takes him away from the original roots of the character that Steve Ditko (not Stan Lee) created. Ditko wanted Spiderman to be an average high school kid, an everyman who just happened to have powers that we could relate to. When you make a celebrity actor like Garfield or Maguire as Peter Parker is that they feel detached from us and unrelatable. One thing can be said about this film though, you do really feel for the guy when he cries here.

Favorite Video Game of 2014: Transistor

Super Giant Games follow-up to their 2011 smash hit Bastion, Transistor proved to be a tough one for me at first. I knew what I was getting into, beautiful graphics, wonderful music, but I was foolish to think that the game would be the same hack-and-slash romp Bastion was. As I unsuccessfully bashed my way through enemies I thought I would quickly tire on Transistor. Instead, once I figured out the nuances of its gameplay I came to find a game that was incredibly challenging, yet rewarding, offering many different paths to victory. I haven't yet finished it, but I found Transistor to be a wonderful experience.

Favorite "New" Anime of 2014: Kill la Kill

Simply put, Kill la Kill was the most fun that I have ever had watching an anime period. Studio Trigger's first independent work was a beautifully rendered, fast-paced, and remarkably funny show that managed to kick tons of ass and actually be quite touching at times. All it took was a strong female protagonist, an excellent supporting cast, and the once again amazing musical work of Hiroyuki Sawano. I have watched Kill la Kill all the way through about 3 times and it still never loses its magic. Easily the best anime of the year.

Favorite "Old" Anime of 2014: Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT think for a minute that this show is going to be about cute girls getting powers and going on silly adventures and everything is going to be candy and gumdrops and everyone lives happily ever after. I do not think I have ever underestimated a show more than I did this one. What could have just been an easy show to write off became one that was incredibly dark and psychological; two things I love in any anime. A complete masterwork and deconstruction of the magical girl genre, Madoka Magica is absolutely brilliant. (and its on Netlflix!!)

"Favorite" Disappointing Anime I Watched in 2014: Sword Art Online

Sometimes the hype train is good, you hop on the hype train of several animes and find yourself incredibly happy (Steins;Gate, Attack on Titan, Kill la Kill etc). Other times, you find yourself wondering what exactly the hype train was all about. Sword Art Online is that for me. I finally got around to watching this hype behemoth this past spring and I could not for the life of me figure out what made this show so darn appealing. Was it Kirito, the protagonist who despite a personality possessing all the personality traits of a loaf of bread manages to make girls swoon all over him? Was it Asuna; the character who looked like she was going to be a dynamic and refreshing female character before reverting into a bland, run of the mill tsundere? Was it the scatterbrained plot which didn't seem to do its source material justice by skipping ENTIRE BOOKS OF A LIGHT NOVEL SERIES? Whatever it is, this show is considered the bee knees to loads of people, except me. Somebody explain to me why.

Favorite International Athlete of 2014: James Rodriguez

Few players had as much of a meteoric rise as James Rodriguez this year. Before 2014, despite being a good player, James' name was known only by football junkies and known more for being part of AS Monaco's big money movement rather than his ability. Colombia's golden boy was the star of this year's World Cup, despite not winning it. He scored golazo after golazo and topped each of them off with some savvy dancing of his own. Then he followed that with a big money move to Real Madrid which made him one of the world's most expensive players. While many thought he would struggle at Madrid sharing the limelight with the world's biggest stars, instead James has made himself into one of them. Only 23 years of age, his best years are yet to come but he will never forget this one.

Favorite Domestic Athlete of 2014: Madison Bumgarner

There are many pitchers who have risen to stardom in the World Series, Madison Bumgarner is no exception and may perhaps be the best of the bunch. Bumgarner has won three world championships at age 25. In 36 World Series innings, he is 4-0 and holds an ERA of 0.25, fewest hits per nine innings (3.5), and the fewest walks plus hits per inning (0.53). All of those stats are World Series records. He was heroic in this year's World Series against the Kansas City Royals, winning games 1 and 5 as a starter and then coming out of the bullpen to close out a Game 7 win. This guy is unreal, the stuff of legend.

Favorite Shocking Sports Moment of 2014: Germany 7-1 Brazil

You cannot make stuff like this up. This was a World Cup semi-final between two of the most prestigious teams in world football. The game was in Brazil, the Brazilians planned on winning this game, then taking the final and raising the trophy in front of their own countrymen. However, those dreams turned out to be fanciful at best as the Brazilians were taken to town by a ruthlessly efficient German side. The hosts were down by five (count em FIVE) goals before the 30 minute mark and only managed to earn back any dignity with a late and ineffectual goal from Oscar. What was supposed to be a glorious day in Brazil ended up being a nightmare.

Favorite Album of 2014: You Haunt Me - Sir Sly

Sir Sly's debut album is the closest thing you can get to seeing them live (its an experience) and was an absolute master class. The haunting (no pun intended) melodies of songs like "Gold" and "Where I'n Going" serve as great setups for the high octane of "Inferno" and "Leave You". If you get the chance you should see these guys live.

Favorite Song of 2014: "Cool Kids" - Echosmith

Starts out as a slow and unassuming song until you hit that incredibly catchy chorus. This band of siblings (amazing) put out one of the best jams of the year.

Favorite New TV Show of 2014: The Flash

The new little brother to Arrow on the CW, The Flash has shown itself capable of surpassing its predecessor at times during this season. Grant Gustin has provided an incredible rendition of Barry Allen and has really made the character his own. Not to mention he's backed by an amazing cast which at times even includes some Arrow characters. While it still fails to avoid some of the pitfalls that snagged Arrow during its own initial season, The Flash has promised an incredibly ambitious plot which I am jumping at the bit to see. While it doesn't always manage to escape Arrow's shadow, The Flash is more than capable of standing on its own. 

Favorite TV Episode of 2014: "The Climb" - Arrow

Stephen Amell has taken to Twitter often to brag about how ambitious Arrow planned to be this season. However, Arrow seemed to be taking the same approach to its third season that it had during its firs two, using ten or so episodes before launching headfirst into the season's main plot arc. As a result this season seemed a bit tame in comparison to last season's pulse-pounding conclusion. That was until "The Climb" dropped, an absolute masterclass that stands up with some of the best comic book works of all time. This episode had everything: Sarah's killer was was discovered, Merlyn's plot unveiled, and the League of Assassins finally made their move. All of this leading to a showdown between Oliver and R'as al Ghul. I don't think anybody expected Oliver to win this fight but for it to end the way it did...well...its a bold move that takes the stake of this season to ridiculous heights.

Least Favorite TV Episode of 2014: The How I Met Your Mother Finale

I already said that I had said my last words about this show and there's an already written post about this ridiculous ending. Read that instead and spare me the pain of typing this.

Favorite Thing in 2014 That Makes Me Too Excited For 2015: Avengers: Age of Ultron

The leaking of the trailer for Marvel's next HUGE installment into their universe was a near global event with nerds running to their computer screens to see images of the upcoming film. Suffice to say, it didn't disappoint. Joss Whedon's second outing at the helm of the studio's flagship franchise promises to be incredible. James Spader's Ultron voice is every bit as intimidating as needed and the darker tone the film is taking is exactly the medicine The Avengers films have needed.

Favorite Late Thing In 2014 I Have to Catch: Big Eyes

Last year I had a con film that starred Amy Adams in this spot (American Hustle), this year I also have a con film that stars Amy Adams. It would appear that I have a thing for con films starring Amy Adams which come out around Christmas time. Big Eyes is a film based on the true story of Margaret Keane whose husband, Walter (Christoph Waltz), then sells them. The two are actually playing a con game against each other which, given the two actors involved, can only be wildly entertaining. Christoph Waltz alone is enough to make me see most films, the fact that Tim Burton is also involved is just the icing on the cake here.