The best films of 2014 so far, according to critics

Whenever asked to list down their best bets for the year, critics would cite the ones released in the last two quarters, when studios are scrambling to produce films that they hope would get the Academy's attention. Just last year, two of the most acclaimed movies, "Gravity" and Best Picture "12 Years a Slave," were released in October and November, respectively.

But while the first half of the year isn't through yet, quite a number of films churned out by big studios and independent outfits are strong enough to generate buzz among critics.

"Only Lovers Left Alive." Nominated for the Palm d'Or in the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival, this story of two-thousand-year-old vampires in love is a far cry from the infamous teeny afterlife fare of The Twilight Saga. Wry but passionate, this film shows that love between older couples can be nothing short of sizzling and romantic. Richard Corliss of TIME declares Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton "a vampire duo to die for."

Image Source: hdcoolwallpaper.com

"The Lego Movie." It was released way early in the year (Feb. 7 in the U.S.), and yet critics and fans alike have never forgotten how they were left amazed by this action-packed movie about the world of brick figures. What makes it a possible Oscar front-liner for Best Animated Feature? Two things: the smooth marriage of stop motion technology and computer-generated imagery, and the pace so fast viewers almost needed to buckle up.

Image Source: middleearthnews.com

"The Grand Budapest Hotel." Ralph Fiennes stands out in this wry and irreverent film about Gustav H., a hotel concierge living at a time of state turmoil. Dizzying and whimsical, the film starts to unfurl one crazy event after another after Gustav inherits an invaluable painting from one of the hotel guests.

Image Source: foxsearchlight.com

Since 1983, character actor Steve Inwood has been a voting member of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Subscribe to this blog for more about the best in cinema.