In light of the Oscars on Sunday, it felt about time to post my top ten films of 2014. I’ll be adopting a new format this year and throughout this week and next. I’ll be posting the lists of the various editors of The Metaplex.

Every year, patterns emerge, but in 2014 there was one that was unusually specific. Film after film satirized the media, from a subtle jab in The Edge of Tomorrow to major elements of the plot in Gone Girl, Birdman, and Nightcrawler — three of the year’s most prolific films — to be wholly concerned with the news. In particular, how the news affects the public consciousness, and the delineations present between the newscaster, the public, propaganda, and truth. Additionally, in a pattern I can’t account for, David Fincher, Paul Thomas Anderson, and even Babel filmmaker Alejandro González Iñarritu, famous for being a sour-faced downer, all went the way of the comedy. Even The Grand Budapest Hotel seems to be Anderson’s funniest film. Nightcrawler, too, is a black comedy of a sort, and each screening of Gilroy’s debut had plenty of laughs. Two films, Boyhood and Interstellar, obsessed over time, and found different stylistic ways to represent it.

Before we get to the list, more random thoughts:

I must give a shoutout to the terrific work Gareth Edwards did on Godzilla, which is top 10 best-directed material, but it’s crippled by a dim-witted screenplay. His work on Star Wars is muchly anticipated. John Wick is wicked fun for fans of action fare, and I’ll smile when a sequel is officially announced. The Winter Soldier may become a favorite with time, as it’s become an easy go-to for something to “pop on.” It’s Three Days of the Condor-style fun with an easy excuse to gaze at Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson. Brilliant. I’ll defend Aronofsky’s Noah to the end of my days. If you didn’t like the rock giants, I did, and this is my list. Brendan Gleeson getting overlooked for his work in Calvary is a crime, and I petition a tribunal to find those responsible. A second viewing of Inherent Vice might make it pop up a few places while more than likely making me crave pizza. I look forward to it. I don’t get the Under the Skin hype, and you can’t make me. And I've allowed myself one tie, as with previous years.