Film Promo
December 26, 2014 9:47 am
As you savor the mood of a post-holiday Friday, I offer you this gift.
Over on the Syracuse New Times site is my Top 10 list of my favorite films from 2014.
Film Promo
OK, I’ll give you No. 10. That would be “The 100-Foot Journey,” the pretty delightful Disney offering featuring Helen Mirren as the French restauranteur who wages battle with the Indian family that moves across the street and opens a competiting joint to jar her idyllic life.
The rest you’ll have to find over there.
And if you’re not celebrating today, perhaps you’ll think me less of a Grinch for sending you over there and not serving all the ham-and-eggs here.
To read today’s installment of my weekly Film News blog (usually the news portion runs on Thursdays, but not this week) on the wickedly handsome Syracuse New Times site, click the link below.
Also is included there is my update on “The Interview” screening controversy. Yes, you CAN see it.
What was your favorite movie this year, and why? Do you prefer the little movie or the blockbuster? What movie do you want to see next?
Posted by markbialczak
Categories: Movies
Tags: 'The Hundred-Foot Journey', 'The Interview', Movie News, Syracuse New Times, Top 10 Movies 2014
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Great to see the list, Mark. I am thinking perhaps I should see ‘Begin Again’!
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By Christy Birmingham on December 28, 2014 at 5:02 pm
The music scenes in the city are really special, Christy. I hope you like it. 🙂
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By markbialczak on December 28, 2014 at 5:25 pm
You’ve listed a few movies that we might check out while I’m on winter break. “Hundred Foot” does sound intriguing. I hope it’s up that with “Julia, Julie” and “Big Night.”
I have no desire to see “The Interview” and have to side with the cynic who wondered if this was a plot by SONY to draw audiences to this bomb. Love to hear your take on this film. 😉
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By earthriderjudyberman on December 27, 2014 at 11:08 pm
I don’t think this was a SONY ploy, Judy. I’ll see ‘The Interview’ when it makes its way to HBO or NetFlix and write about it then, I think.
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By markbialczak on December 28, 2014 at 9:52 am
Mark, Merry Christmas, Man. Last night I was standing at the Red Box, picking out some flicks for my wife and I and the kiddos. The movie “Hundred Foot Journey” was in the running for what I would rent, but the wind blew my mind to the left, and I choked. So, now I know. I will rent it ASAP. I liked your earlier post about the rose bush … excellent post. Have a good year, Mark. Peace, T
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By Other Side of the Trees on December 27, 2014 at 5:58 pm
You have lots of time to get “Hundred-Foot,” T. It’s a gem. Enjoy. Happy New Year, my friend. See you soon.
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By markbialczak on December 27, 2014 at 6:39 pm
Okee dokee; didn’t see one of those. 😦 I think we’ll rent Hundred Foot Journey. The trailer looks so good, and I like happy endings.
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By kerbey on December 27, 2014 at 3:44 pm
Please do rent “Hundred-Foot” and watch it with your hubby and son and by happy, Kerbey. 🙂
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By markbialczak on December 27, 2014 at 6:44 pm
Happy is a far away dream.
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By kerbey on December 27, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Journey is on my netflix queue 🙂 Will be fun to follow your thoughts through Oscar season. Off to read the rest. And no one could ever mistake you for the Grinch. Ever.
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By Liz on December 27, 2014 at 12:35 pm
No, I’m not that Grinch-like. Much. Thanks, Liz. 🙂 You, you, you are going to really like “Hundred-Foot.”
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By markbialczak on December 27, 2014 at 6:47 pm
I haven’t seen a newly released flick since Jurassic Park in Alburquerque, I gravitate to the older ones
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By Benson on December 27, 2014 at 11:20 am
A lot of people prefer to wait to see them at home, Benson. More convenient. And a lot of people just prefer the more vintage films, too.
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By markbialczak on December 27, 2014 at 12:01 pm
I’ve only seen one of these (American Hustle) and am dying to see “Gone Girl.” It was such a good page-turner. My husband, who is not-so-secretly in love with Helen Mirren, would go see her in just about anything!
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By Silver in the Barn on December 27, 2014 at 10:11 am
She starts out pretty persnickety in “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” Barbara, but I fear he’d be enchanted by Dame Helen nevertheless. 🙂
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By markbialczak on December 27, 2014 at 12:06 pm
Nice list, Mark. I’m not going to see “Gone Girl,” though. I’m gone from movies that are disturbing in that way.
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By Ann Koplow on December 27, 2014 at 12:34 am
You stay gone from that, then, girl. It was unsettling in that way, Ann.
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By markbialczak on December 27, 2014 at 12:17 pm
Hmm, I am ashamed to admit I have not seen ANY of the movies on your list, though two of them are on my “to see soon” list (Gone Girl and Fault in our Stars). My favorite movies this year were No Good Deed, If I Stay, and Maleficent. No Good Deed might even be on my top favorites of all times list now.
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By rachelcarrera on December 27, 2014 at 12:29 am
You saw ones I did not, Rachel, so we are Even Steven. 🙂
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By markbialczak on December 27, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Aww, you’ve got to see the others, Mark…. After all… you’re THE movie man. 🙂
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By rachelcarrera on December 30, 2014 at 10:45 pm
Yes, let’s find the extra time and the added pay … 🙂
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By markbialczak on December 31, 2014 at 8:43 am
Went to see Robin’s last performance last night. I cried at the end…I thought the movie ended quiet poetically. Loved the winking with two eyes bit…”no, that’s blinking”. My favorite movie this year…hmm. Maybe The Fault In Our Stars.
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By Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister on December 26, 2014 at 11:48 pm
That made my list, Aud. 🙂
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By markbialczak on December 26, 2014 at 11:50 pm
I was just headed over to read your list.
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By Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister on December 26, 2014 at 11:55 pm
You know my problem with going to movies Mark. When they turn the volume down a few thousand decibels I’ll consider going again, but not at the expense of losing my hearing. With so many family members already deaf I’m hanging on to my ear drums as long as I can. BUT, I’ll rent the One Hundred Foot Journey, or check it out from the library and watch it here at home at a comfortable sound level, because it’s my daughter’s favorite movie, and she has never led me down the wrong path yet as far as movies and books go. Heading off to the nest in a few Mark. I’m tired.
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By Kentucky Angel on December 26, 2014 at 9:04 pm
You will enjoy “The Hundered Foot Journey,” for sure Angie. Your daughter is really right on this one. 🙂
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By markbialczak on December 26, 2014 at 10:27 pm
i’ve only seen 4 so far, i’d better get on it!
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By ksbeth on December 26, 2014 at 7:55 pm
They’ll come to you now, Beth, it gets easier. 🙂
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By markbialczak on December 26, 2014 at 10:30 pm
I’d like to go see the One-hundred Foot Journey. I missed that and probably many others. I will check out your list!
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By Amy Reese on December 26, 2014 at 6:37 pm
Thanks for checking out the story on the other site, Amy. 🙂
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By markbialczak on December 26, 2014 at 10:35 pm
I’ve wanted to see most of those of films, and there were a few I hadn’t heard of. Great list. My pleasure!
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By Amy Reese on December 26, 2014 at 11:17 pm
Nice! I hope you get to see them all, Amy, as they get to DVD, cable, NetFlix …
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By markbialczak on December 26, 2014 at 11:28 pm
Hi Mark! I haven’t seen any of these pics but would like to see Her and The 100-foot Journey. I haven’t been out to any movies this year past – too expensive.I don’t have a preference bewteen little and bog movie – as long as they are well done. I have seen some dandy movies in each category. For instance I really enjoyed Das Boot (subtitled 1981 version) that cost $12 million to make and also Avatar that cost $237 million to produce and grossed over 2 billion I have thoughly enjoyed films with production costs of only a few hundred thousand (titles don;t pop to mind – but they will)
The Interview sounds like it may stir up some controversy although i am pleased it is being released.
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By Paul on December 26, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Yes, the story is the key, not the budget, Paul. Sorry to hear that the admission fee is keeping you away. The big screen experience still thrills me. Is there not a theater around you in Ottawa that does the “couple-months-after” experience for half-the-price? That’s the rage in some places in the States and they fight for a piece of the ticket pie.
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By markbialczak on December 26, 2014 at 12:31 pm
I haven’t seen any of these movies yet Mark. But would gladly spend some treadmill time to see most of them. I like the movie that makes me laugh, and think and gasp and relate. So it could be a block buster but it’s usually not. 🙂
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By Chatter Master on December 26, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Treadmill time for all of those emotions … I think you would do all of the above with ‘Gone Girl’ except relate, Colleen.
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By markbialczak on December 26, 2014 at 12:36 pm
Than I shall put it on the treadmill list! 🙂
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By Chatter Master on December 27, 2014 at 9:04 am
Blended was awful. Thought it would be a nice family movie, which for the most part it was, but it felt the need to “blend” (pun intended) in raunchiness that made me cringe with my 11 year old sitting next to me. Why does Hollywood have to take something that could be so nice and innocent, provide a good message, but then F it up with trash? I was disappointed.
Sorry, had to vent. Good list otherwise and thanks for sharing!
FBF
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By Free by Forty!!! on December 26, 2014 at 10:52 am
I’m here for you to vent, FBF! There was too much raciness for an 11-year-old in “Blended.” Agreed. My soft spot for Drew and Adam let it slide when I made this list though I may have mentioned such in my original review. Thanks for your other kind words.
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By markbialczak on December 26, 2014 at 12:43 pm
I really enjoyed Gone Girl…
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By Austin on December 26, 2014 at 10:11 am
Yes, it made my list, too, Austin.
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By markbialczak on December 26, 2014 at 10:12 am
As it well should!
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By Austin on December 26, 2014 at 10:15 am
Struggling to remember if I’ve even been to the movies this year. If I have, I was sure to have been dragged along to a kiddie flick…of yes, memories of ‘Alexander…’ come to mind! Ask me again in another 10 years!!
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By Marissa Bergen on December 26, 2014 at 10:08 am
Sorry, mom. 😦
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By markbialczak on December 26, 2014 at 10:14 am