Richard Linklater

Behind the camera and in front of it, Cage is a walking affirmation that Hollywood is the unhinged, glamorous jungle everyone suspects it to be.

There’s an imbalance of attention in the film, as it seldom scrutinizes Ljoha, who believes other people’s boundaries are permeable, despite the number of assumptions it makes about Laura.

What results is a largely uneven adaptation that places its entire weight on its lead actress, Cate Blanchett, missing out on what made the book so appealing.

Filled with both laughter and tears, “Last Flag Flying” balances tones and characters and paints a beautifully paced portrait of grief.

While “Last Flag Flying” incorporates these elements, what truly sets this film apart from Linklater’s typical wheelhouse is its complex musings on the topics of grief and truth.

2014 saw a wide array of films hit the theaters from the thrilling "Gone Girl" to the tasteful, poignant and guffaw-inducing "Dear White People." Here are the top picks as selected by the arts & entertainment department at The Daily Californian.