My top 10 movies seen in 2014

Brave cinema from the new Tarkovsky. An amalgam of politics, theology, family ties, literature, music, and sociology. Zvyagintsev teams up with his regular collaborators: co-scriptwriter Negin, cinematographer Krichman, and the classical musical pundit Phillip Glass. In this fourth feature film he is able openly state his views that were often covered by layered symbols in in his earlier films. Surprisingly Russia submits it as the official entry to the Oscars and it wins a nomination for the Best Foreign Film Oscar! A must-see film for the well-read mature viewers to enjoy beyond the bleak realistic tale. My detailed review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.com/2015/01/171-russian-director-andrei.html

The finest and most mature work of the Polish director Zanussi to date. Brilliant music from Wojciech Kilar aids a cerebral tale of two distinct types of women manipulating a good man in today's global economy. Zanussi examines religion and business tactics in today's world. Zanussi is able to present a a very critical perspective of today's Russia and the political power of the Vatican Cardinals.

Naomi Kawase is the Terrence Malick of Japan and the film resembles the beauty of Malick's "The Tree of Life." Both films deal with death and the importance of mothers in our lives. Both give importance to nature in the narrative. The role of Miyuki Mitsuda as the dying mother is unforgettable. My review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.com/2015/04/176-japanese-director-naomi-kawases.html

Nuri Bilge Ceylan is one of the finest directors and intellectuals making films today. Based loosely on an Anton Chekov story called "The Wife," the Turkish director deftly adds local characters to the tale of a reputed actor dealing with his wife and sister while writing a book on theater. The long tale is rewarding 3 hours of cinema, without sex and violence, and can remind film enthusiasts of the finest works of Ingmar Bergman. My review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.com/2015/03/175-turkish-director-nuri-bilge-ceylans.html

A portmanteau film from Argentina with enjoyable black comedy offered in each tale. Actor Ricardo Darin provides yet another top notch performance as a demolition expert who faces problems that an average citizen of Buenos Aires faces. And it wins a nomination for the Best Foreign Film Oscar! My detailed review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.com/2015/01/172-argentine-director-damian-szifrons.html

Tom Hardy is superb in this film that beats Spielberg's brilliant debut film "Duel." "Locke" could have been a lovely one act play on stage--but cinema can offer much more. The script is equally phenomenal. My detailed review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.com/2014/10/168-british-film-director-steven.html

A lovely lead performance (which has won an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in 2015) and a tale of human priorities. A film that will make you wonder what you would do if you could imagine yourself as one of the many varied characters in the film. Again, a lovely script and direction adds to the strength of the Belgian film. My review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.com/2015/02/174-belgian-directors-jean-pierre-and.html

Music and talent ought to go together. But forces intervene. The film is driven by performances. And J K Simmons is magnetic in the role of the bullying mentor of a talented drummer (and he has been rewarded with an Oscar nomination for the role). The young director Damien Chazelle offers promise and has been rewarded with a nomination for the Best Screenplay Oscar. So has the impressive editing (Tom Cross) of the film been recognized with an Oscar nomination. Winners all the way. My review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.com/2015/01/173-us-director-damien-chazelles-second.html

An Indian film made with a micro-budget of US$11,000 that is world class in quality. A tale of how ordinary rural folk react when they accidentally encounter illicit arms transporters in the southern state of Kerala in India. the film is not so much about arms transportation as it is about people and their different attitudes. My detailed review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.com/2014/10/166-indian-filmmaker-sudevans-debut.html

A true story from Ethiopia about young rural girls abducted, raped and subjugated by tribal men. A lady NGO spearheads their support against all odds. The film was partially produced with funds from Angelina Jolie. it is not the tale but the way the tale is presented which makes it one of the finest films from Africa after those of Ousmane Sembene (Mali) and Mahmet Saleh-Haroun (Chad) in earlier years.