Best Movies of 2014 and the Movies I Look Forward to Most in 2015

With 2014 coming to end and 2015 just beginning it's time to take a look at my favorite movies from 2014 and the ones I'm looking forward to most in 2015! Now keep in mind while I have seen a lot of movies this year (40 to be exact, not all in theaters though), I haven't seen all of movies that came out in 2014. Also, these may not be the most well done movies, or the most artist, but these are the movies that entertained me the most and stayed with me after seeing them. Now enough introductions, here they are!

What movies did you enjoy most this year?

(Also if you want to see my list from years previous here they are 2013 and 2012)

Best Movies of 2014

10. The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian Mckellen, Richard Armtiage, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly

Released: December 17

While not quite as entertaining as Desolation of Smaug, the Battle of Five Armies was still a great addition to the Middle-Earth film series. This movie has everything one has come to expect from a Peter Jackson Middle-Earth film, incredible action sequences, beautiful cinematography, great drama, and an outstanding score from Howard. Many have debated that the Hobbit should have just been two films like the originally planned, and use to agree with that, but I will say that had a lot of fun with this series, and I am very sad that this is the last trip to Middle-Earth. It's not a perfect film, but it still is a whole lot of fun and a great lead into the the sensational Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

9. The Lego Movie

Directed by: Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Starring: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, Will Arnett, Liam Neeson 
Released: February 7

"Everything is awesome!" Everything in this movie was very awesome! I've now seen this movie twice and I feel like I didn't catch every joke in it. Never dragging or never slowing down this movie constantly entertains. It's not only fun, but it has a really great message about control, letting go, adding value to the world using our talents, and accepting who we are.

8. Meet the Mormons

Directed by: Blair Treu
Starring: Real life mormons! 
Released: October 10

Being Mormon my myself I might be a little biased but this was probably the most uplifting and inspiring movie I saw this year. Here's an excerpt from my review of it I did "This movie is a demonstration of how the human spirit to do good can still make a difference in the world... It shows that even the smallest acts of kindness and goodness can make a huge difference. It also helped me see the potential that I have to share and do good in the world." That explains perfectly why I love this movie. You can read the rest of my review here.

7. Lone Survivor

Directed by: Peter Berg
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Ben Foster, Emile Hirsch
Released: December 25 (2013) 

(Technically this came out in 2013, but it didn't get a wide release till 2014) Based on the true story of the failed Navy Seal mission Operation Red Wings, Lone Survivor is one of the most inspiring and heartbreaking military films I've ever seen. It was the first movie of 2014 to get me to tear up. The performances are outstanding, and the direction makes you feel like you are there part of the action. This movie not only made me greatly appreciate all the men and women who serve my country, but it also gave me hope that even during times of terrible war people still can extend kindness and good will to others.

6. Dawn of the Planet of Apes

Directed by: Matt Reeves
Starring: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell
Released: July 11

Wow! That's how I felt when I walked out of this movie. Not only is this film an entertaining blockbuster, but it also has so much to say beyond just spectacle (which it has plenty of). I loved the commentary this movie has on war, the danger of misunderstandings and assumptions, the power of compassion, and the need to accept others who are different from us. The themes and messages are ones that I was not expecting from a blockbuster movie and I think we all need reminders of from time to time. I also need to give a shout out to the music, great mix of CGI and practical effects, and Andy Serkis incredible motion capture performance.

5. Captain America: The Winter Solider

Directed by: Anthony and Joe Russo
Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Robert Redford 
Released: April 4

Probably the best action movie of the year (and best of the Marvel Cinematic Universe), but it also delivers great thrills, performances, and game changing consequences to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie was so much fun, but also carries great depth. It works not only as an action movie but also as an effective thriller. I love the competing ideologies of freedom vs. control and security that clash between Captain America and Shield. I'm so excited to see them explore this theme more next year in Captain America: Civil War.

4. The Imitation Game

Directed by: Morten Tyldum
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kiera Knightly, Mathew Goode, Mark Strong
Released: November 28

While I was intrigue by the premises of this movie I did not expect to be so enthralled by the story of Alan Turing.  Riding on great direction, outstanding writing, excellent music and breakthrough performances (especially by Benedict Cumberbatch) this is one of the best films of the year! It is both triumphant and tragic, and is incredibly powerful. It has a simple message to seek to understand the people around us and the need to work with others. Check out my review here.

3. Guardians of the Galaxy

Directed by: James Gunn
Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace 
Released: August 1 

I didn't know what to expect with this at first, but holy cow no other movie made me laugh, cry, and excite as much this movie did this year. This takes the cake for the funniest movie of 2014 (followed closely by the Lego Movie). While being hilarious, it also some incredibly touching moments. I love the obscurity of this movie and how different and bizarre all the main characters are. In one movie James Gunn introduced us to a whole new side of the Marvel Universe and made me feel like I knew who each of the main characters are.

2. Interstellar

Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Mathew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, Bill Irwin
Released: November 5

This movie may not be perfect or even Christopher Nolan's best film, but no other movie this year challenged me or made feel like this movie did. I love that I didn't know exactly everything that had just happened, and that I had to think and piece together for myself what I thought happened. Most movies don't challenge and make their viewer really think about what they just watched, and I loved that this movie did, while also keeping a very human and emotional connection to it all. While some scenes do take some time to develop the emotional pay off was always worth it. I got a little choked up numerous times. Amazing concept, outstanding music, great emotion, fantastic acting, and incredibly thought provoking.

1. X-Men: Days of Future Past

Directed by: Bryan Singer
Starring: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Micheal Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Ian Mckellen, Patrick Stewart
Released: May 23 

This was the most fun I had at the movies this year! I have seen this movie multiple times now and I still never get sick of it. It's smart, has new an innovative action scenes, thought provoking, funny, emotional, and exciting. All the ingredients for the best movie of the year. (I'm a huge X-Men fan, so I might be a little biased) The thing I loved most about this movie are relationships between the characters. The relationships makes the tension and action so much more meaningful, especially in the last 20 minutes were it turns into a conflict of survival and saving the soul of one of the main characters.




Honorable Mentions: Edge of Tomorrow, Big Hero 6, The Fault in Our Stars, Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1

Movies I'm looking forward to most in 2015

10. In the Heart of the Sea

Directed by: Ron Howard

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy

Release Date: March 15

Ron Howard's new movie about a fresh take on the Moby Dick story actually looks really exciting!

9. Jurassic World

Directed by: Colin Trevorrow
Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jake Johnson, Judy Greer
Release Date: June 12

The world of Jurassic Park is back! That is enough to get me excited. Plus it has Chris Pratt riding a motorcycle with Dinosaurs.

8. Antman

Directed by: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline, Lilly, Corey Stoll
Release Date: July 17

While it's had a bit of a troubled production, I trust that Marvel will be to deliver another fun and exciting film. Plus, it looks like they are mixing up the formula again.

7. Inside Out

Directed by: Peter Docter
Starring: Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, Mindy Kailing, Bill Hader
Release Date: June 19

When I was a kid I use to always think there were little people inside in my brain controlling me, so I'm excited to see my theory finally come to life. Pixar always delivers the goods and this one looks like it will be able to deliver once again.

6. Chappie

Directed by: Neill Blomkamp
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Dev Patel, Sigourney Weaver
Release Date: March 6

There are a lot of robot movies and a lot of coming of age movies, but a movie about a robot coming of age, that's new. This looks like it's going to pack an emotional punch, and it's also got Hugh Jackman as the bad guy, and his Aussie accent!

5. Tomorrow Land

Directed by: Brad Bird
Starring: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie, Tim McGraw
Release Date: May 22

I don't really know what this movie is about, but it looks intriguing. But the real reason I'm excited is because this is the collaboration of Brad Bird (director or my two favorite Pixar movies Incredibles and Ratatouille) and Damon Lindelof (writer of the amazing TV show Lost).

4. Spectra (Bond 24)

Directed by: Sam Mendes
Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Dave Bautista
Release Date: November 6

I thought Skyfall was one of the best Bond movies (if not the best), and this one has the same team back for it's sequel, and it also adds Christoph Waltz to the cast.

3. Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 2

Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Release Date: November 20

I loved Catching Fire and while I really like Mocking Jay Part 1, I felt that it was a lot of leading up to this movie, so I'm really excited to see how this series ends. No spoilers now though, I haven't read the books!

2. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Directed by: Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johnasson, Jeremy Renner, James Spader
Release Date: May 1

Joss Whedon said in an interview that he looked to The Empire Strikes Back for inspiration for this film, but even if he didn't say that I would still be stoked out of my mind to see this!

1. Star Wars The Force Awakens

Directed by: JJ Abrams
Starring: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis
Release Date: December 18

And here we go, the movie that has been on my most wanted to see list since October 30 2012! While some are skeptical I am extremely excited for this. It's got a great director, John Williams is back for the music, a great looking cast, and a pretty awesome teaser trailer!

Thanks for reading! Now, what were some of your favorite movies of 2014? Which ones are you looking forward to seeing in 2015?

My Experience with Transparency

Last month I came up with my personal creed which include 8 values that I am trying to live by. Transparency is the first one.

Live With Transparency 

Be open, vulnerable, and honest. Have real, open, and sincere communication with others, especially those closest to me. Always be my true self. 

“The first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself”  Nelson Mandela 

I define as transparency as being being authentic to ones self, and to the people around us. It's being open, honest and real with others. 

Through out the past month though I have been able to learn and experience a lot when it comes to this topic and I want to share a few of those things. First off I have realized that being authentic and transparent can often be very difficult. 

The other night Taylor and I were watching the show Extreme Weight Loss, and this particular episode was about a father daughter duo trying to loose weight together and also repair a broken relationship. When they first start working out, they also took time to let out their raw, caged emotions. It was uncomfortable and sad to watch these two people who were trying to change bring back dark emotions and have such a painful experience both physically and emotionally. I realized that sometimes in order to change and be transparent with the people around us we may have to experience some discomfort in order to reach the happiness and alignment we so long for. It's like the saying, sometime things have to get worse before they get better.

As I've been on my journey of being more transparent and authentic I have had a few of these moments myself. Though not quite as dramatic they still have been uncomfortable but eventually they have led to the results I have wanted. I've really learned though that it important to be authentic and to feel the emotions we have inside of us. I think that it's okay to let them, out even the negative ones (at the appropriate time). The most important part though is making sure that these emotions don't overcome or control us. 

Another part of being being real and acknowledging our emotions is balancing optimism with it. One of the things I have always been very good at is being optimistic. It's a strength that I thank the Lord everyday that I have. It has helped me navigate through so many of life's difficult challenges. But sometime when someone is very optimistic they don't always see reality, or they don't always understand why another person can't overcome something difficult in their life.

For example, I remember I once had a friend come to me with a problem that was starting to cause deep depression in their life, and my advice to them was you just have to have a positive attitude and look and things different. Now it's not that my advice was bad, its that I never acknowledged that their struggle was real, and it's probably something my friend had heard numerous times. I feel that being transparent and authentic has helped me recognize that there is more to optimism then just telling ourselves to be happy. 

One of my favorite quotes about optimism and happiness is: 

"I am determined to be happy and cheerful in whatever situation I may find myself in" Martha Washington 

I use to think that this meant that we need to be happy and cheerful in every single second of lives, and while that's a great goal it's not always realistic. I now think that the key word in this quote is "determined". We won't be happy in every moment, but we can be determined to be. That doesn't mean sweeping our feeling under the rug, that means embracing them and learning how to conquer those negative feelings. 

I'm not the best at being authentic, but my wife Taylor is. She is one of the most open and real people that I have ever met. She has had to bear so much in her life and because of that she really gets people and their struggles. She has been an inspiration to me, and has help me learn to express my real emotions. 

After a month of trying to be authentic, transparent, and sincere I feel I still have A LOT to work on, but I also feel like I have made some progress. I'm excited to continue my journey on being authentic and I look forward to trying to incorporate it into expressing more gratitude in my life. 

My Personal Creed

Throughout my whole life I have been given so much, and blessed with so many incredible people and experiences. I have two loving families that I'm a part of, a happy marriage, a good job, a car that works, and so much more. I'm part of a faith that I love and that brings me so much joy. I have so much to look forward to in life. 

For a while now, I have felt that my life has been a little unfocused and disorganized. I've struggled being motivated, and I get distracted easily. I have felt as though I have been living each day without any real purpose. I've wanted something to bring some sort of consistency and some of sort of focus for each day. 

With so many changes happening in my life the last few months, I have felt that it has been slipping out of my control. So I decided to craft for myself a personal creed, or a set of values and absolutes to try and live by. 

This has been something that I have always wanted to do and I first got the idea when I was a missionary in Australia. My mission president told me a story about one of our early church leaders (I can't remember which one) who had their own personal creed that he used to guide his actions and decisions. That night I was inspired to start writing my own personal creed, but I never got around to finishing it.

A few months back my brother Myke, wrote a blog posted entitled Creed (which I was hoping would was going to be about the band at first) and I was again inspired. This simple, but deliberate declaration compelled me to want to take more control of my own life. To live by a code that would steer me in a path of living with purpose. After a few months of pondering, tinkering, and trial and error, I have come up with a personal creed that I feel will help point me in the direction I need in my life. 

My creed consists of 8 core values of which I want to strive to live by. (My idea for this came from the book Delivering Happiness, written by the Zappos CEO, and also from Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues.) Some of them are tangible things that I can work on improving, while others are more reminders or a change in mindset.  

8 Values and Absolutes to Live By

Live With Transparency 

Be open, vulnerable, and honest. Have real, open, and sincere communication with others, especially those closest to me. Always be my true self. 

“The first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself”  Nelson Mandela 

Be Grateful in Every Circumstance 

Seek to be grateful in every situation of my life. Learn to not complain or make excuses. Appreciate the beauty in my life, even when life is at it's darkest.  

“How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?” Dieter Uchtdorf

Do What I Say I Will Do

Be dependable. Find solutions to problems, don’t be the problem. Be different from the crowd. Do what I say I will do. Take action, and live to tell stories.

“Do or do not, there is no try” Yoda 

Live My Passions

Align my activities with my dreams and passions. Don’t waste my time doing things that do not create value and happiness. Do not mistakes this as not doing hard things, but rather maximizing my time to do the most important things. 

“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”  Nelson Mandela

Seek Happiness, Not Pleasure

Pleasure and lust create momentary enjoyment, happiness creates lasting fulfillment and joy. Identify what brings true lasting happiness, and what brings temporary enjoyment. Align myself with things that bring happiness, not pleasure. 

"Your Short Term Desires Are the Enemies of Your Long Term Dreams" Anonymous  

Talk to Everyone

Be invested and interested in people. People are NOT objects. Say hello to the people around me. Seek to do things to benefit the people around me. Every person has a story to tell. Listen to others, and seek ways to to increase my circle of friends.

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”  Charles Dickens

Surround Myself with Greatness

I can not succeed on my own. Every day of my life align myself with someone or something that will help me reach success. Find people who I can share my goals, dreams, and desires with that will listen, counsel, advice, and ultimately let me make my own choices. 

“Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.” Edmund Lee

On My Path to Success, Failures Will Happen

I cannot succeed without first failing. Mistakes and obstacles will happen, learn to pivot and move past them. Embrace them, learn from them, and move forward. Most importantly, BE CONSISTENT! 

“Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up” Thomas Wayne

I realized that trying to accomplish 8 things at once would probably be an impossible task, so I decided that I would focus on a different value each month, and then repeat over and over again until I am perfect at each. So pretty much, I will be focusing on these goals for the rest of my life, unless I happen to live till 150, I should be pretty good at them by then. While I don't expect to perfect all of these things in the next months, or even years, I do however, expect to make small improvements in my life that will help bring the focus and purpose I'm yearning for. If you see me, ask me how I am doing at my goals. I need the accountability, plus it means you read my blog.

Now, I think it's time to go listen to some Creed. 

Fault in the Stars Review

I have recently started doing movie reviews with Mormons at the Megaplex! You can check out my first review of the Fault in Our Stars! I will still be using this blog to write all of my randoms thoughts and experiences, but a lot of my movie focused posts will be over there now.


The Fault in Our Starts Rise above the typical young adult romance films

My Grandma and X-Men

What do they have in common? Well not a lot really.......expect for one other thing.

A few weeks ago X-Men Days of Future Past came out. I loved the movie for a lot of different reasons but one of the things that stayed with me the most is the overall premise of X-Men.  

X-men is all about a group of people who are feared and judged because they appear different. In reality though, they are the exact same as other humans, just with certain physical gifts or powers. But because they are mutants they are treated differently.

As many people know my Grandma Kendall passed away very recently. Before she died, a few family members and I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with her. She was in excruciating pain and it was incredibly difficult for her to sit and talk (but it was a moment that I will always treasure because I got to have one last conversation with her). 

One of the last things my sweet and spunky Grandma said to us was to love and accept people, no matter what they do. Even if people are doing things we don't agree with, love them. 

Even those closest to us who we may think we need to change. We can not control them, we can love them and accept them. Those words will always stay with me. 

Really when you think about it, it's such a simple concept, but yet it can be so hard to actually do. 

Accepting others just the way they are is something that my Grandma was a pro at. Even in her later years when she was deathly sick she always went to an extra effort to accept people into her home.

She always made a place in her home for anyone who had no where else to go. Whenever I would bring friends over she would embrace them like they were her own grandchildren. 

She was a big believer in never giving up on people, and always loved and accepted other regardless of what they chose to do with their life. In the latest X-Men film (which is where I'm going with the connection) there is a line that I think perfectly explains one of my Grandma’s philosophies of life: 

“Just because someone stumbles and loses their path, doesn’t mean they can’t be saved.” 

Charles Xavier

She emulated this motto till the end and I’m so grateful for her incredible example. 

I love you Grandma.

Best X-Men Moments

Fourteen years ago superhero movies were not really a thing. Sure people knew who Spider-man, Batman, and Wolverine were, but besides that, the common public didn't really know much about superheroes. I would even bet that some people didn't even know who Ironman, Thor, or the Avengers were. But, in the summer of 2000 the first X-Men film was released and the rest is history. While the X-Men films started out strong, they eventually started to wander a little bit, and for a while kind of got push aside to make room for other superheroes. With X-Men: Days Future Past being both critically and financially successful it looks like the X-Men films series is back on track.

In anticipation for the latest film my brother Matt and I re watched all of the X-Men films, and I was reminded how great this film series is. There not all created equal, but they each have their place. The thing I love about X-Men is that there is so much more to them than just being superheroes. They are stories of survival, fear, oppression, acceptance of others and yourself, working as a team, and overcoming incredible odds. So for my latest blog entry I have decided to outline my favorite moments from from the X-Men films. So without further adieu, here they are! (Heads up there are spoilers)

15. Wolverine Fighting in Every American War: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

The first Wolverine movie was the weakest of all the films, but it had one of the coolest opening scenes from any movie I've seen. In about 5 minutes it shows Wolverine and his brother Sabertooth fight in just about everyone American war starting with the Civil War all the way up to the Vietnam war. In 5 minutes this scene showed us who the character of Wolverine really is, and that he's been through a lot of crap.

14. Wolverine Kills Jean Grey: X-Men: The Last Stand

Throughout all the first three movies Wolverine is constantly trying to hook up with Jean Grey. But when he finally has the opportunity she decides to go crazy. Wolverine knowing that he is the only one who can stop her is faced with a difficult decision; kill the women he loves, or let thousands and maybe even millions die. It's a pretty dark and heart wrenching scene. It is a very bitter sweet moment.

13. Bullet Train Chase Scene: The Wolverine

The next Wolverine stand alone film was filled with a lot great action scenes and character moments, but I think my favorite is the fight scene on top of the bullet train. It's both thrilling, and innovative, and it shows Wolverine in a vulnerable state which makes the situation even more intense.

12. The Future Opening Battle: Days of Future Past

Days of Future sure did open with bang. In about 5 minutes we got so see about 5 new awesome mutant powers and we got our first look at the sentinels, and man were those sentinels scary. We see the likes of mutants such as Ice-man, Blink, Sunspot, and Warpath killed in matter of minutes. This scene not was an awesome sequence but it set up the tone of the movie, and showed that what our heroes were going to be facing would not be a cake walk.

11. Jean Grey Sacrifices Herself: X2: X-Men United

Another powerful moment featuring Jean Grey. This scene is great because it's emotional, and heartbreaking as we see one of the legendary X-Men give up her life to save those she cares about. It's also really the first time we see how powerful Jean Grey can really be.

10. Wolverine Saves Rogue: X-Men

One of the best things about the first X-Men film was the relationship between Wolverine and Rouge, and this scene demonstrates that Logan isn't all that tough, and that he does have a human side to him. It's a very touching scene that shows Wolverine going out of his way to help one of his fellow X-Men.

9. Xavier Sees His future: Day of Future Past

While DOFP features a lot of different characters, it's real main character is Xavier, and about the redemption of his soul and finding hope again. I love this scene in the movie because he finally begins to accept who he is again and embrace his powers. I loved seeing both James McAvoy and Patrick Stewart together on the same screen as well.

8. Quicksilver Jail Break: Days of Future Past

Quicksilver was definitely the breakout character in the newest X-Men film, and this scene was both hilarious and exciting! Quicksilver is was one the most visually impressive X-Men. I can't wait to see more of him in the next film.

7. Xavier vs Magneto Airplane Show Down: Days of Future Past

One of the best things about the new films is the relationship between Professor X and Magneto. Once great friends turned to bitter rivals, and this scene we finally get to see the two hash it out. But the scene is not one of great mutant powers, but rather it's an emotional battle of words. We learn about what both of theses characters have been through and we can relate to both of them.

6. Death of Professor X: The Last Stand

I was so shocked the first time I saw this. I could not believe that they would kill off Professor X and because of that it was incredibly emotional for me the first time I saw it. The fact that it was Jean Grey was the one the killed him made it that much more shocking. This scene also has a pretty awesome fight scene between Wolverine and Juggernaut.

5. Nightcrawler's Attack on the White House: X2: X-Men United

The first scene in the second X-Men film opens with a huge bang! In about 5 minutes we see one mutant take out the entire secret service. This scene is one of the most visually impressive scenes in any movie. It's both fun and terrifying as we see Nightcrawler demonstrate how lethal he can be.

4. Wolverine Wakes Up in the New Future: Days of Future Past

This end scene was both triumphant and touching. It reminded me of the final scene of Inception when Cobb, wakes up from his dream. It great to see that Wolverine's mission was successful and they had prevent the terrible future and see old characters back from the dead.

3. Wolverine Goes Berserk in the Mansion- X2: X-Men United

When Strikers sends his goons to attack the mansion they didn't expect to run in a crazy, butt kicking Wolverine. This was the first time we really got to see Wolverine do some real damage. This is one of the most heart pounding scenes of the whole series. Hugh Jackman does an amazing job at portraying the pent up anger that's been brewing inside of Wolverine.

2. Xavier becomes a Cripple: First Class

I loved First Class, but there aren't a ton of memorable scenes, except this one. Like I said before, one of the best things about these movies is the relationship between Charles and Eric. This is scene is heartbreaking as we see them fight for the first time and eventually see Xavier become crippled because Magneto. This scene poses the questions, are we willing to stick to what we believe in, even if it hurts the people around us? That's exactly what happens as Magneto so full of hate for humans wishes to destroy them, that he ends of hurting the person closest to him.

1. Final Battle: Days of Future Past

The last 20 minutes of the final battle, that rotates between Magneto's attack on the white house and the sentinel attack in the future is the most intense, thematic, and emotional scene of the all of the X-Men films. Not only does it have amazing action sequences and incredible special effects (Magneto freaking picks up a football stadium!) it also has a lot of heart to it. I'm not going to lie I got a little tear eyed when I saw the death of many of the mutants in the future scenes. But the thing I liked the most it is that I felt that this final battle was really more about saving the soul of Mystique, rather than the actual physical fight. That fact alone makes it that much more thrilling, and profound. Along with stopping Magneto, Xavier is trying to save his life long friend from a life a despair and suffering. It's an incredibly exciting and thought provoking ending to the best X-Men movie yet.

Those are some of my favorite scenes. Did I miss any other good ones?

Carl

Just over 10 years ago I lost someone very close to me. Someone who had so much of his life still ahead of him. But regardless of how long he lived in his mortal body, he played an incredible part in my life. 

In 1991 I was almost three years old when my family moved from Colorado to Arizona. It was not long after that I met a brown skinned, curly haired kid named Carl. I can't say I remember the first time we met, but I remember that we were always the best of friends. 

Growing up I was a pretty shy and timid kid, but not Carl. He was adventurous, determined, and ambitious. He was a dreamer. At one point he wanted to be a dolphin trainer at Sea World, as well as an airplane pilot. If he was still alive today I would not be surprised if ended up doing both. 

Carl was one of the few people I know that always chased his dreams and did what made himself happy. If he wanted to do something he never stopped to hesitate, he went after it and did it. He lived his life the way he wanted but he always made sure to include people in his adventures. I don’t know if I have ever met a more fun person than Carl. He was always up for anything and everything. 

One of my favorite memories was when Carl, and our friend Zack and I were about 13. We spent most of the day in the wave pool at Big Surf riding the waves with our rafts. As the day was coming to an end Carl leaned over to Zack and I and said “This is the best day ever”. The thing is, that’s pretty much how almost every day ended with Carl. 

Like I mentioned before, I was a shy and timid little boy, and sometimes those traits still resonate in me. Sometimes I hesitate to go after the things that I want, and sometimes I wish I would be more determined and adventurous. I wish I had my friend Carl by my side to help me with these things. 

But today, 10 years after his death, I hope that rather than sitting around and expecting things to happen, I am determined to be more like Carl and go after what I want. Not waiting around for life to happen, but to go live my dreams. Make time for the important people in my life. 

End each day by saying "This is the best day ever". And just like Carl, do the things that make me happy! I love you buddy, thank you for making my life so much fun and teaching me to chase after my dreams. Until we meet again!