2015 was a fun year at the movie theater, with a variety of engaging films filling up the Top 10. In fact, I saw about 80 movies released in 2015. So let's get to it, with some quick housecleaning to do...
A Blast from the Past: Check out the following links for my Top 10 Movies of previous years: 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009
A Look to the Future: Check out the link for my Most Anticipated Movies of 2016.
Context: For transparency, here's what I watched and what I missed in 2015.
Potential Listbusters: (some films I didn't see, but heard were good): Anomalisa, Beasts of No Nation, Carol, Cop Car, Phoenix, Son of Saul, The Danish Girl
15 Honorable Mentions: Bridge of Spies, Concussion, Everest, It Follows, Jurassic World, Kingsman: The Secret Service, The Last 5 Years, Legend, Me & Earl & the Dying Girl, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, No Escape, Predestination, Spotlight, Straight Outta Compton, Trainwreck
And now onto the feature presentation...
The intricacy of economic booms and busts as influenced by greed, risk, and fraud can be immensely complicated to understand, making The Big Short an especially effective film that breaks down these issues to a common vernacular as much as I suppose is possible (though I could still use additional viewings, and likely some advanced economics courses, to really understand it all). Strong performances and the script's commitment to detail efficiently translate both the scope of the market's crash eight years ago and the immorality and ignorance at the root of what came close to amounting to global fiscal catastrophe.
9. Far From the Madding Crowd
In Victorian England, the independent and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak, a sheep farmer; Frank Troy, a reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperous and mature bachelor.
A Victorian-era romance-drama based on a Thomas Hardy novel from the late 1800s may not sound like a Top-10 film, but I actually really enjoyed this adaptation. Mulligan continues her quiet run as one of the best actresses in films today, giving undeniable strength to a uniquely self-reliant woman learning about life and love in an age largely unfamiliar with and unfriendly to female independence. Director Thomas Vinterberg (The Hunt), carries the film speedily - for the most part - through the plot of Hardy's novel, creating an atmosphere in which the audience contemplates along with Bathsheba the passion and utility of relationships. Untouched by the dust and rust coating other historic adaptations, Far from the Madding Crowd is able to utilize a pastoral quality of both aesthetic and mood to rouse our attention and stir our thoughts.
Three decades after the death of the Emperor, remnants of the Galactic Empire - called The First Order and led by the mysterious Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) - still attempt to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes (Daisy Ridley, John Boyega) can stop them, along with the help of familiar faces in the Resistance (Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher).
What more can be said about the overwhelmingly successful continuation of the Star Wars saga? The Force Awakens, was a strong return to form for the franchise following the disappointing trilogy of prequels that included fan-favorite elements while introducing new characters and directions for the series. The nostalgia nods were heavy-handed at times, and the story highly derivative of the first film, but we're all just so excited to get back into a galaxy far, far away, and the rest of the film was crafted so well, that such crutches can be forgiven for now, as long as upcoming sequels can stand more on their own.
7. The Martian
An astronaut (Matt Damon) becomes stranded on Mars and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to his space team and NASA (a huge cast of talented people) that he is alive.
An astronaut (Matt Damon) becomes stranded on Mars and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to his space team and NASA (a huge cast of talented people) that he is alive.
From legendary director Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator), The Martian is an interesting, funny, and exciting film that accomplishes the rare feat of having quality story and performances in a big, flashy summer blockbuster. The film isn't as philosophical as 2014's Interstellar, which is for the better, as The Martian is infinitely more fun and succeeds largely because the filmmakers seem to know exactly what type of film they were making and never dropped the ball in their delivery.
6. Ex Machina
A young programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) is selected by his boss (Oscar Isaac) to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breath-taking humanoid A.I. (Alicia Vikander).
A young programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) is selected by his boss (Oscar Isaac) to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breath-taking humanoid A.I. (Alicia Vikander).
Simply by crafting an original story, a rarity in Hollywood these days, writer/director Alex Garland (Sunshine) already paved the way for Ex Machina to be an entry in many top-movies-of-the-year lists. That the film is actually intriguing and thrilling, and bolstered by provocative performances from each of its three leads, lands it just outside of the Top 5 on my own list. Vikander is an especial revelation, creating a character that is both sympathetic and creepy, and really should have been nominated for an Oscar for the role.
5. Steve Jobs
A portrait of Steve Jobs (Michael Fassbender), the man at the epicenter of the digital revolution, unfolding backstage at three iconic product launches.
From one of the best writers in the business, Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, The West Wing), Steve Jobs once again demonstrates Sorkin's proclivity for fast, funny, and smart dialogue. What is truly incredible about the film is that the entire spectacle is three scenes, often occurring in real time. This experience, when coupled with a compelling turn from Fassbender as the titular character, really helps audiences connect with this depiction of a persona that was rather elusive in real-life.
4. Creed
Former boxing champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis (Michael B. Jordan), the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
From one of the best writers in the business, Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, The West Wing), Steve Jobs once again demonstrates Sorkin's proclivity for fast, funny, and smart dialogue. What is truly incredible about the film is that the entire spectacle is three scenes, often occurring in real time. This experience, when coupled with a compelling turn from Fassbender as the titular character, really helps audiences connect with this depiction of a persona that was rather elusive in real-life.
Former boxing champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis (Michael B. Jordan), the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
Much like The Force Awakens, this technically seventh sequel in the Rocky franchise revamped the series in a manner that maintained much of what made the original a classic while guiding its characters into new territory. Stallone is quite effective as a mentor to Adonis and though the heart of the film may be cliche, it is earnest and packs an emotional punch that contributes to the film's adrenaline-soaked climax.
3. Room
A young boy is raised by his mother (Brie Larson) within the confines of a small shed.
A young boy is raised by his mother (Brie Larson) within the confines of a small shed.
There is perhaps no more heart-wrenching (or heart-warming) film to be released in 2015 than Room. Larson is simply incredible as a mom living to give strength, and potential freedom, to her child in the most scary of circumstances; her Oscar was well-earned. Young Jacob Tremblay also accomplishes acting feats which are impressive for a boy his age. A film that is simultaneously defined by both harrowing realism and profound other-worldliness, Room is arresting and satisfying, haunting and inspiring, and an unforgettable example of why we go to the movies.
2. Inside Out
After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.
After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.
Production company Pixar has had a less-than-stellar run of late (including the mediocre Brave and Monsters University, and the actively-bad Cars 2 and The Good Dinosaur), but here again is a true return to form for the animation powerhouse. Inside Out boasts an impressively unique concept and delivers the quintessential combination of laugh-out-loud humor and misty-eyed drama that the studio has historically been known for. The visuals are strikingly beautiful, the story boldly creative and poignant, and the film is another modern classic from Pixar.
1. Mad Max: Fury Road
A woman (Charlize Theron) rebels against a tyrannical ruler in postapocalyptic Australia in search for her home-land with the help of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshipper, and a drifter named Max (Tom Hardy).
There are scenes and sequences in Fury Road that upon their conclusion you find yourself gasping, realizing that you had been holding your breath and gripping the armrest for the past five minutes or more. While Hardy brings a fierce intensity to a role originated by Mel Gibson, the character of Max matters less to the film than the heart-pounding racing stunts that make it such a rapturous movie. Max is simply along for the ride as the female characters effectively drive the story, though he's ready to lend a violent hand when the need arises. Ultimately, Fury Road is breathlessly exhilarating and odd in a way that "absurd" hardly does it justice and "berserk" feels like a more appropriate descriptive. Yet, it all works somehow to provide one of the most unique experiences of the year.
A woman (Charlize Theron) rebels against a tyrannical ruler in postapocalyptic Australia in search for her home-land with the help of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshipper, and a drifter named Max (Tom Hardy).
There are scenes and sequences in Fury Road that upon their conclusion you find yourself gasping, realizing that you had been holding your breath and gripping the armrest for the past five minutes or more. While Hardy brings a fierce intensity to a role originated by Mel Gibson, the character of Max matters less to the film than the heart-pounding racing stunts that make it such a rapturous movie. Max is simply along for the ride as the female characters effectively drive the story, though he's ready to lend a violent hand when the need arises. Ultimately, Fury Road is breathlessly exhilarating and odd in a way that "absurd" hardly does it justice and "berserk" feels like a more appropriate descriptive. Yet, it all works somehow to provide one of the most unique experiences of the year.
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