It’s mid-February, the Oscars are less than a week away, and here I am finally coming out with my best list. The main reason why is due the theatrical patterns here where I live. For example, Still Alice, with Julianne Moore’s superb performance, only opened up here on February 13th. A Most Violent Year opened just one week earlier. If I keep waiting to see every film that should be considered, among them, The Babadook, Inherent Vice, it would be October. That said, here are my top 10, as well as, some honorable mentions.
10. LIFE ITSELF
9. NIGHTCRAWLER
8. THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
7. WHIPLASH
6. THE IMMIGRANT
5. BIRDMAN
4. IDA
3. SELMA
2. BOYHOOD
1. THE IMITATION GAME
Honorable Mentions
(in alphabetical order)
A Most Violent Year
A Walk Among the Tombstones
Big Eyes
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Finding Vivian Maier
Gone Girl
Mr. Turner
The Normal Heart
The Skeleton Twins
The Theory of Everything
Top Five
Venus in Fur
Twenty Four Frames 
Great list – we share some key picks. Of the Best Picture Oscar nominees I feel The Imitation Game is the best, though like most years the true best pictures weren’t even nominated.
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I am surprised The Imitation Game never gathered any steam for best picture awards. It looks like Boyhood or Birdman is going to walk away with it.
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As is usual the past several years, I have seen only a few of the past year or so. Usually wait for them to show up TV. Loved Wes Anderson’s “Grand Budapest Hotel” and Jim Jarmusch’s “Only Lovers Left Alive.” Still waiting for the rest – probably should make an effort to go to the movies more often.
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Fabulous Top Ten list and honorable mention scroll John!!! We do share similar taste and a great number of exact Top Ten selections! Bravo!!!
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