As you may have heard, television is growing again in creative innovation. This year saw some great new additions to my TV watching schedule. Here’s what were my favs this year.
6. Broad City
5. Silicon Valley
4. How To Get Away With Murder
3. Gotham
2. Survivors Remorse
1. Black-ish
10. Guardians of the Galaxy
9. Belle
8. Interstellar
7. Edge of Tomorrow
6. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
5. Dear White People
4. About Last Night
3. Begin Again
2. Chef
Overall, I would say 2014 was a fairly decent year for film. However, it what I liked was very surprising because I wasn’t aware of the films prior. I had no idea who Guardians of the Galaxy were in the MCU but went in and ended up having a fun ride. I never knew about the history surrounding Belle and then I saw the movie and learned so much while placing Gugu Mbatha-Raw as one of my favorite new actresses. Edge of Tomorrow and Interstellar both played with my mind and had me thinking afterwards. Up until now, Captain America was probably my least favorite Avenger but after the Winter Soldier, he became the most intriguing. I think after the Avengers, this was the most action packed Marvel movie ever. Dear White People was funny and very thought provoking, I loved it. About Last Night, Begin Again and Chef were very heartwarming stories that kept me engaged. Chef in particular had so many layers and pulled everything off well. I loved the themes and visuals and became attached to the story. But out of everything I saw, the one film that packed the most punch was…
1. Gone Girl
WOW! This movie not only blew me away but took me on so many twists and turns on such a dark ride. I absolutely loved it. I read the book a while ago and loved it too, its probably one of my favorite books. With that being said, this was one of the best adaptations of a book I’ve ever seen. I was engaged like I didn’t know what happened. Hats off to David, Ben and Rosamund. So GOOD!
10. Maroon 5 – V
9. Chris Brown – X
8. J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive
7. Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear
6. Mariah Carey – Me. I Am Mariah. The Elusive Chanteuse
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5. Azealia Banks – Broke With Expensive Taste
4. D’Angelo & The Vanguard – Black Messiah
3. Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions
2. Rochelle Jordan – 1021
Being dead honest this was a really weak year in music. However, there were still some gems scattered throughout. Maroon 5 gave us some great pop/rock gems putting us in a California chill mode. While many disagreed, I felt Chris Brown gave one of the strongest albums of his career with very catchy songs. Sia successfully launched from songwriter to her own successful singing career, while delivering a very emotional yet mainstream effort. Azealia Banks gave us one of the most refreshing hip hop albums I’ve heard in a long time and Mary J. Blige branched out to a new sound that I enjoy on her. D’Angelo and J. Cole gave us a surprises year end releases that were sonic & lyrical delights, adding flavor to a bland year. Mariah Carey also released what I feel is her best album since Emancipation. I also want to highlight one of my favorite underground artists, Rochelle Jordan. I’ve been trying to keep everyone in the know about her since her 2012 “Pressure” mixtape, which I LOVED. It seems like every single song she makes is perfect and her debut studio album didn’t disappoint. While these were all great (and you should check them out) the best album of 2014 has to go to………..
1. Pharrell – Girl
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Pharrell is one of my all time favorite artists and producers. Like Rochelle, everything he does, I love. This album finally showed the real Pharrell and this is what I feel a true body of work is. It told a story and had a lot of fun while taking you on musical journey. “Girl” is not only my favorite album of 2014 but quickly rising in one of my all time favorites. And there you have it!
Honorable Mention:
Jhene Aiko – Souled Out
Eric Bellinger – The Rebirth
Sebastian Mikael – Speechless
Trey Songz – Trigga
Kelis – Food
Chasing EGOT 