Taking On 2014 - Top Films

So, after a(nother) long break, we have once again found our way back here to fully wrap up the year that was 2014 hot on the heels of the Academy Awards. I sort of got bogged down trying to play catch up, especially with films like American Sniper and Selma, things I couldn't qualify as 2015 films because of their place in the Oscar race, releasing about halfway through January. But it's time to stop chasing and start moving on to the year ahead. But first, one last look back at the year that was, the movies that have changed, and the films that will continue to be.

Taking On 2014 - Top Tracks

Alright, I know I missed the last round of these, and it's getting pretty late to still be caught in the last year, but who the fuck would want to escape the Year Of Young Thug anyway? Not me. So let us revel in a list of great songs that somehow isn't dominated by Thugger. As usual, here is a Spotify list I made of songs I liked from 2014, the complete playlist of songs that you see here, and the most recent entry in this series. As usual, click the songs for Youtube links to them or Soundcloud ones or where ever I can find them. Right, I also have some songs on Soundcloud that I like, so maybe look at that too? Sure, why not.

Taking On 2014 - Top Films (Q2 Quarterly Review)

It's been a while, so to speak, and I really did mean to do this earlier, but part of me hoped that I would somehow be able to see Boyhood prior to making this list, but that's just going to have to wait for our October check in. So now with TV, songs, and albums out of the way, it's time to take a quick look at the best of the silver screen in 2014 thus far. Have things changed since we last looked in? Probably. How much? Let's find out.

Taking On 2014 - Top TV Shows (Q2 Quarterly Review)

Okay, so we've gotten through music by looking at the best songs of the year and the best albums, which means it's now time for films, right? Usually, yes! However, this time I'm going to try something a little different. I've been watching a lot more TV this year, and with last year marking my first TV round up, I figured it's worth it to at least look at all the series I have watched so far and start at least considering them. Not really a full on Quarterly Review, since I won't do this again until January, but probably worth checking in simply because with the fall approaching a few of the shows towards the bottom are likely to get bumped by Boardwalk Empire or that new Soderbergh show or other things. Not to mention the time I have to catch up on this season of Oranges: The New Black, Fargo, and Penny Dreadful. Plus Gravity Falls is coming back. This list could end up being the hardest to make by year's end.

Taking On 2014 - Top Albums (Q2 Quarterly Review)

Back once again, this time to put the year's first half in music to rest. We've already taken a look at the best songs of the year so far, and now it's time to turn our gaze toward those more complete works: albums. There have been a few changes since we last had a look at the best albums of the year, and with plenty more on the horizon as well as others that I have yet to experience, I am sure that this list will change when we are back here in three months. But, until then, how about we celebrate all the greatness that has come thus far!

Taking On 2014 - Top Tracks (Q2 Quarterly Review)

Hey, what do you know, here we are again! So I haven't written in a while, which I guess by this point isn't all that surprising. But as the sailor is unable to resist the gentle embrace of the sea's calling at night, I too stand on the docks of this page waiting for the ships to dock once more and take me back in to the salty depths. Or whatever. I'm actually just here to do some more lists because I'm terrible and haven't written enough over these past few months. So it's quarterly review time!

We're starting with songs, remember when we did that like three months ago? Well, the times have changed and so has the list. As usual, click the titles of songs to hear them where avaible. Follow my 2K14 masterlist on Spotify for all new heaters as they get added, or follow me on SoundCloud I guess. I also tend to only put one song per artist, though that definition has been stretched this time. Now, on with it!

Taking On 2014: Top Films (Q1 Quarterly Review)

I kind of wrestled with how best to do this list, as I do most years, because by the end of March the total number of films I have watched is actually not all that high since much of January and February is spent catching up with movies I missed out on the previous year. Unlike with songs and albums that I have already written about, film takes more time to digest and slightly more effort to access. It also doesn't help that the first two months of the year are generally a wasteland. But as I looked over my final list, even the films that barely make up a top ten have something worth writing about, so I guess we'll do ten and just wait for the rest of what looks to be a fairly stacked year if March is any indication.

Taking On 2014 - Top Albums (Q1 Quarterly Review)

I knew we would be back here eventually! Can't stop those quarterly reviews, especially not since there was an 11th hour change to the top of this very list you are about to read/glance over because it's numbered and the titles are bold so why am I even typing this up to begin with? I don't have the answers, I'm just glad you made it this far. We have gotten through the best songs of the year so far, now on to the albums, I won't delay it any longer.

Taking On 2014 - Top Tracks (Q1 Quarterly Review)

I didn't forget this place existed, I'm just pretty much a terrible person and have only been ingesting a ton of media without any writing or documentation of my experiences except on a personal level. But I'm a sucker for lists, I guess, and honestly I get the feeling that a part of me would die if I didn't do these Quarterly Reviews. So here we are, dishing on some sick ass tunes that I have been keeping track of on this Spotify playlist. Here are the dankest of the dank so far below, even with a few words that reflect some attempt at personal feelings on songs that give me personal feelings.

As usual I will link to them whenever possible, so click the titles on each track if you can/if you want to hear the things about which I am writing because they are all pretty much fantastic.