Streaming options and quick digital/on-demand home video releases continue changing the landscape, but there will always be something special about the theater experience. Happy New Year!
Sequels
It was definitely a sequel-skewed year where audiences got second helpings with: The Amazing Spider-Man 2, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Dumb and Dumber To, Dolphin Tale 2, Rio 2, Think Like a Man Too, Planes: Fire & Rescue, Muppets Most Wanted, 22 Jump Street and 300: Rise of an Empire.
Musicals
Music abounded with, Jersey Boys, Into the Woods, Annie, Grace Unplugged, The Song, Get on Up and Jimi: All is by My Side.
Action
While action films included, The Equalizer, Lucy, John Wick, Divergent, November Man and Expendable 3.
Reboots
Transformers: Age of Extinction moved towards their rewarding international box office and became the first billion dollar grossing film not to have a Hollywood premiere in the U.S. Filmmakers continued “rebooting” familiar franchises with Godzilla, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Maleficent and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.
Dramas
The inspiring dramas God’s Not Dead and Heaven is For Real make great impacts while Son of God chronicled Jesus’s life in this expanded film based on five episodes from the popular The Bible television series.
Book Adaptations
Book adaptations were plentiful with Maze Runner and Gone Girl.
Food Cinema
While Chef and The Hundred Foot Journey cooked up some good cinema.
Unique Filmmaking
Unique filmmaking showcases included Grand Budapest Hotel and Boyhood, which was filmed with same actors over several years.
Sport Films
Sports themed films included When the Game Stands Tall, Million Dollar Arm, and 23 Blast.
Animated Films
While animated films included The Nut Job, The LEGO Movie, The Penguins of Madgascar and Mr. Peabody & Sherman.
Good Experiences
Seeing Interstellar, Big Hero 6, Unbroken, Guardians of the Galaxy, American Sniper, Fury, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Edge of Tomorrow was a much better experience.
Holiday Releases
Holiday offerings included The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Exodus: Gods and Kings, and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.