Stanko's Stance

For the “The Big Picture” 2014 Movie Draft, I have 116 movies that were released that year that I have seen. This was before a plummet in 2015 and 2016. 2014 was my final year of college and also my first year of employment. I had a lot of time on my hands I guess.

We are heading into my 11th reflection on a The Big Picture’s draft. Thus far I have Chris Ryan in the lead with five wins, followed by Sean Fennessey with three. Amanda Dobbins has one win, and Joanna Robinson picked up the win in her celebratory appearance.

Now let’s head into the 2014 movie draft. Going into this blind, so let’s see who it transpires.

Drama

• Whiplash is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is one of the best endings to a movie I have ever seen. JK Simmons plays one of the most deplorable antagonists of all time. Whiplash has stood the test of time and continues to grow as time goes on. This is just a loaded category from the three; Nightcrawler is incredibly unsettling, and Gone Girl hit a different tone with America for a Fincher thriller. But still, Whiplash remains among the best movies I have ever seen, and so it wins here.
• Sean Fennessey is on top of Amanda and Chris, 1-0-0.

Comedy/Horror

• Sorry folks, I did not like Inherent Vice. The Grand Budapest Hotel is a very fun movie and maybe my favorite Wes Anderson, but I admit that I have real desire to revisit it anytime soon. Neighbors on the other hand, that is something I have nit-picked certain scenes from for a long time. This may be an upset for the movie purest, but sometimes the blockbuster is the way to go.
• Sean and Amanda are tied, 1-1. Chris still waiting for his first point.

Blockbuster

• It is between Edge Of Tomorrow and Interstellar. It is not going to be Guardians Of The Galaxy. Did not enjoy it, and still don’t. Sorry, not sorry. It would behoove me to lean into the Tom Cruise jet stream and pick Edge Of Tomorrow, but if I did that, it would be an Emily Blunt vote. And that is what I am going to do. Or is it. NO. I am going to go with Interstellar. That scene with Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey is incredibly stressful, and the I recall Jessica Chastain’s character being an emotional anchor. I may or may not have understood the ending the first time, but I did understand how great of a movie theater experience Interstellar was.
• Amanda Dobbins picks up her second point. She holds a 2-1 lead over Sean. Chris is still awaiting his first point.

Animated/Foreign Language

• And here is Chris Ryan’s point! The Raid 2 wins this category because 1.) it is an awesome movie. 2.) I have not seen Paddington or Force Majeure.
• Amanda leads the charge, 2-1-1. Can Sean and Chris catch up?

Wildcard

• Snowpiercer was the first Bong Joon Ho movie that I saw. The reveal of the bugs being the food is still entrenched in my brain. Should also be noted that i have not seen the other two Wildcard selections, The Gambler and Beyond The Lights.
• Sean has tied it up at 2-2 with Amanda. Chris is one shot behind from creating a three-way tie. Part of my wants the chaos.

sequel

• I hate myself for this. I am selecting 22 Jump Street. I will readily admit that Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes and Captain America: Winter Soldier are probably better movies, but I can not shake the fact that I re-watch one scene from 22 Jump Street more than most.

Amanda Dobbins gets her second victory in my reflections of the Big Picture drafts. This is many way seemed like an anti Amanda draft, going with a lot of popular movies rather than her traditional high-reviewed niche movies. The other year that Amanda won was back in 2017. Amanda wins this 2014 reflection over Sean and Chris, 3-2-1.

Drama

• I already went off in the upper portion about how good Whiplash is. It is easily on my Top-10 of the 2010s. Also, I included it on my random list about goosebump inducing moments, referring tot he ending. Miles Teller rose into stardom with this role, and Simmons was injected into the smarmy character circle. Whiplash is an absolute must. Must, must, must see.
• Yes, blog readers. It is me here, once again typing about John Wick and how good it is. It did not reach Blockbuster status (not even close actually), so I could have out it into Wild Card category, but I am making my selections here a little weird and niche. John Wick does have drama in it. It has a love interest dying from cancer. A man contemplating out of retirement. Balancing revenge with justice. Everything you need!

Comedy/Horror

• Kingsman: The Secret Service is immensely rewatchable. The church scene is iconic and has been watched by Emma and I at least five times on different occasions. The movie is mainly action yes, but if you aren’t laughing at Samuel L. Jackson in The Kingsman, then you are a rock. It is an action movie with a splash of comedy mixed it, but it is enough to get it back into this category.

Blockbuster

• Gone Girl has risen in estimation since it came out, much like many other David Fincher movies. For example, much like Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011). Ben Affleck is good in Gone Girl, but let’s be real. We are all returning to the movie for Rosemund Pike. Amy Dunne is a CRAZY person. Downright coo-coo for co-co puffs. Don’t care there. The fact that I would consider getting into bed with her now knowing what she did to Neil Patrick Harris says something.
• I have never cried in a movie theater more than when I watched A Fault In Our Stars. I saw it as part of a double-feature with Maleficent, and my eyes were misty as hell when I arrived at the second theater. I knew it was a movie about cancer, but I did not know who died and how traumatic it would be. I had to sit in my seat for the entire credits in order to compose myself. If I did not, I would have been sniffling so loud in the lobby.

Animated/Foreign Langiage

• Justice for The Lego Movie!!! It was one of the best movies of the year in general, and it was WAY better than the celebrated Frozen. it is not even close! When The Lego Movie was not nominated for an Oscar, I wanted to riot in my college dorm. I was so angry. Also, I went to go see The Lego Movie in the Alamo Drafthouse. One of my first viewings in that theater. The theater was mainly kids and their parents, but none walked out of the theater happier than me.

Wild Card

• John Wick is good. It is going to be among my selections. I love it.
• Barkley Marathon: The Race That Eats The Young is a movie made for runners. I watched it on Amazon Prime and had a fantastic time. Here is the IMDB log line: “A famous prison escape sparks the idea for a cult-like race that has seen only 10 finishers in its first 25 years. This award-winning, oddly inspiring, and wildly funny documentary reveals the sports world’s most guarded secret.” This race is so hard that when you are accepted into it, you get a letter of condolence. Nothing to celebrate here except for unique pain.

sequel

• The Raid 2: Berandal follows the path of its predecessor The Raid (2011) in creating an adrenalin frenzy. The fights are nuts. The action is bonkers. The choreography is like a bloody recital. You will want to punch a hole in your wall after watching it. I have seen two Indonesian movies, and it is these two Raid movies.
• X-Men: Days Of Future Past is not talked about much now with it being directed by Bryan Singer, but this movie continue a very strong X-Men movie run. After the depression of X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), we got spoiled with X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Three quality movies in a row. This movie was the last great one that had an OUTRAGEOUS cast.

Reflection On “The Big Picture” 1990s Oscar Winners Movie Draft – Chris Ryan Victory
Reflection On “The Big Picture” 2003 Movie Draft – Joanna Robinson Victory
Reflection On “The Big Picture” 2009 Movie Draft – Chris Ryan Victory
Reflection On “The Big Picture” 2010 Movie Draft – Sean Fennessey Victory
Reflection On “The Big Picture” 2011 Movie Draft – Sean Fennessey Victory
Reflection On “The Big Picture” 2012 Movie Draft – Chris Ryan Victory
Reflection On “The Big Picture” 2014 Movie Draft – Amanda Dobbin Victory
Reflection On “The Big Picture” 2015 Movie Draft – Chris Ryan Victory
Reflection On “The Big Picture” 2016 Movie Draft – Chris Ryan Victory
Reflection On “The Big Picture” 2017 Movie Draft – Amanda Dobbins
Reflection On “The Big Picture” 2018 Movie Draft – Sean Fennessey Victory

Chris Ryan – 5 Wins
Sean Fennessey – 3 Wins
Amanda Dobbins – 2 Win
Joanna Robinson – 1 Win

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