I've talked about a year when loads of awesome movies (or at least that's how I remember it) came out: 2006. Another year that sticks out is 2014.
For me, that year was packed with unforgettable films, each with its own unique vibe, and LOTS of repeat viewing since.
Interstellar
"Interstellar" by Christopher Nolan: visually stunning, with the right blend of sci-fi and human experience. And that legendary Hans Zimmer score.
Mad Max: Fury Road
George Miller's "Mad Max: Fury Road”: a high-octane action flick, with Charlize Theron's portrayal of Furiosa, and the visuals within that elevated it to something else altogether.
Inherent Vice
Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice”: a quirky, noir-inspired film set in the '70s, featuring a complex plot and eccentric characters, with Joaquin Phoenix as Doc Sportello to center or un-center us through it all.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel”: whimsical, detailed sets, vibrant colors, and quirky characters, with Ralph Fiennes as the eccentric concierge, M. Gustave, and … set in a lost era.
Watch ‘em all. Then do it again.
P.S. as an honorary mention:
"Edge of Tomorrow" with Tom Cruise (and Emily Blunt) is an interesting take, with the whole "live, die, repeat" idea. I wrote it off when I first saw it, but it has a strange depth to it, and in my mind I pair it with "Oblivion" from the year before.