Favorite Film Discoveries of 2014 - Marya E. Gates

Marya E. Gates runs Cinema-Fanatic.com, she contributes to Yam-Mag.com and can be found on Tumblr, Twitter,Mubi and iCheckMovies under the name oldfilmsflicker. Her first movie in theatres was Willow in 1988 and she's been obsessed ever since.

(She's also on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/user/coffeeandmovies)

And check out here discoveries list from last year as well:

http://www.rupertpupkinspeaks.com/2014/01/favorite-film-discoveries-of-2013-marya.html

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So I saw 365 new-to-me films in 2014 (which is a low year for me), but I saw a lot of great films. All of these picks are in the order I watched them.
Very early in the year I discovered the works of Susan Seidelman and fell head over heels in love with her 80s films.

Smithereens (1982) - The lo-fi post-punk feminist film of my dreams.

Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) - Ace performances from Madonna and Rosanna Arquette, as well as Aidan Quinn with the bluest of the blue eyes. 

Making Mr. Right (1987) - Great performances from Ann Magnuson and John Malkovich and some wonderful female gazing.

Cookie (1989) - Dianne Weist is a revelation in this.

She-Devil (1989) - I have no idea why this movie is so hated. It's so much smarter than its given credit and Rosanne and Meryl give powerhouse performances.


After I knocked out all the Seidelman, there were a few other films that really stuck with me in 2014:

Starstruck (1982) - This early Gillian Armstrong gem is everything I love about the 80s.

Orlando (1992) - Sally Potter directing Tilda Swinton in an adaptation of a Virginia Woolf novel where a man lives for hundreds of years, slowly becoming a woman. This. Is. Everything.

An Unmarried Woman (1978) - Jill Clayburgh gives one of cinema's greatest performances ever.

Possessed (1931) 13% of the films I watch in 2014 starred Joan Crawford (true story). This was probably my favorite. 

The World of Henry Orient (1964) - Two girls versus the world!

The Best of Everything (1959) - Another gem starring Joan Crawford (although the book is sooo much better)

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) - I don't know how I'd never seen this Denzel Washington neo-noir gem, but I don't ever want give it up.

Something New (2006) - I fell in love with Sanaa Lathan in 2014. This movie is a great rom-com with a message. Also, more great female gaze.

Love & Basketball (2000) - Again, Sanaa can do no wrong.



In 2015, I am only watching films directed/co-directed/written/co-written by women. You can follow the journey here: http://cinema-fanatic.com/a-year-with-women/