2015 was another great year for cinema lovers and although I haven't seen every film from the past 12 months here is my list of favourites from the ones I have seen. This year I have added notes on my top ten (without spoilers) and why I chose them and some new categories below - I hope you enjoy!
As always I would love for you to comment with your thoughts on my list and let me know what I need to see.
*For my friends and family in the UK please note some films came out over here in 2015 that came out in 2014 for you like: What We Do In The Shadows, '71 and Paddington. And vice versa with films like: Whiplash and Birdman the latter two you will see in my Fave Films of 2014 post from last year.*
As always I would love for you to comment with your thoughts on my list and let me know what I need to see.
*For my friends and family in the UK please note some films came out over here in 2015 that came out in 2014 for you like: What We Do In The Shadows, '71 and Paddington. And vice versa with films like: Whiplash and Birdman the latter two you will see in my Fave Films of 2014 post from last year.*
Here's my top 10 movies of 2015:
1. Mad Max: Fury Road
I just wasn't expecting this to be so good, but it blew me away: the look, the sound, the stunts everything. It was a visual feast for my eyeballs and I was totally immersed in the carnage. It's definitely not for everyone but I loved the ride, story and characters. George Miller and this kinetic juggernaut of a film deserve to win big at the Oscars, but we'll see.
2. Inside Out
I don't know how Pixar do it so often but they make you really feel and care about the characters they create. The fact that they did that with feelings that are characters this time is even more impressive. Not to mention the insanely inventive world inside of us and for giving us Bing-Bong possibly the greatest make believe character ever.
3. Paddington
I was not excited about this film, yes I had enjoyed Paddington Bear as a child but they didn't need to make a movie about him especially after Postman Pat and all the other disasters. But this film won me over...big time. It has a huge heart and is very funny and it made me smile and laugh a lot and better than most have done in a long time.
I guess I am not a serious Sci-Fi fan as I didn't like: Gravity, Interstellar or 2001: A Space Odyssey so I wasn't sure I would enjoy Ridley Scott's film. But this had Matt Damon (one of my faves) and he was incredible. He carried the film almost alone with his charisma and wit. I wasn't expecting to laugh and enjoy it as much as I did!
These just get better and better, the last was very good but #5 is the best yet. They are just fun to watch. There are great stunts, chases and fights but it doesn't take itself too seriously - it helps when you have Simon Pegg (another one of my faves) to lighten the tension. Plus Tom Cruise is a crazy man and will do anything to make the film more exciting.
6. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Okay who else got as giddy as a school boy when the opening credits began to scroll up the screen!? I know it wasn't just me! Thankfully that wasn't the high point. Look we've all been burned by the prequels so we all hoped but didn't get too excited just in case Jar Jar returned. It wasn't the best but it was 4th best. It was very similar to the original trilogy story wise but with a bunch of great new characters thrown in with the legends. But what JJ Abrams did do brilliantly was to gave us the "feels". This was a Star Wars film and many times throughout A Force Awakens I got excited in a way that I did when I first saw the original trilogy so now I can't wait for Episode VIII next year.
On the cover this looked like the sniper version of The Hurt Locker and there are some similarities especially the PTSD part that both men struggle with. But this film directed by the great Clint Eastwood is based on a real man who just happened to be the most lethal sniper in the history of the USA. This is his story and it is powerful, exciting and at times hard to watch. It doesn't shy away from tough issues but will cause you to think about them and the men and women who are intensely driven and go to war to keep those they love safe.
This was a surprise last minute entry after a friend recommended I see it. The 2008 housing collapse didn't sound like a fun focus for a film. But the director should have given me hope - Adam McKay of Anchorman fame. I know right seems like an odd fit but if you have seen the credits to The Other Guys another McKay film you will know he has a fire burning in him to reveal the wealthy corrupt. This isn't a film of heroes and villains there are simply winners and losers. You will find yourself rooting for those above but they aren't heroes but anti-heroes. This is an angry film but there is much to enjoy amazingly. Much like the Martian this will find you laughing when you didn't think you would.
Never has a soundtrack caused this much tension in the cinema since maybe Jaws. This film will have you on the edge of your seat and chewing furiously at your nails. Emily Blunt leads us head first into dangerous territory on both sides of the US/Mexican border. With nothing ever really explained you are left feeling as lost as she is wondering who she can trust and what they are actually doing. See it for the incredible performances from the three leads and the nerve wrecking action scenes.
For those of you who have seen Flight of the Conchords (NZ comedy music duo) you can guess what type of film this is. For everyone else its a strange documentary style look at a bunch of vampires who live in Wellington, NZ. How they live with each other, deal with household chores and their most hated rivals the werewolves. The dark humour and gore at times is not for everyone but there is much to enjoy if you last the 90 minutes.
Honourable Mentions:
Jurassic World - They gave us bigger dinosaurs, Chris Pratt & a killer 3rd act.
Creed - Breathing new life into Rocky: Michael B. Jordan & Stallone are a treat.
Ant-Man - Wright's fun ideas, Rudd's charm and Pena make this a must see.
Shaun the Sheep: The Movie - So clever & fun - never get enough Nick Park!
White God - Best Hungarian dog revenge film with a heart that I saw this year!
Song of the Sea - beautiful story, tons of heart made with stunning animation.
Man Up - I love Simon Pegg, not his best but still funny although trez crude.
The Best of The Rest:
*Spotlight, *The Hateful Eight, *Legend, *Room, *MI:5 (UK), *Mississippi Grind, Pitch Perfect 2, *Steve Jobs, Avengers: Age of Ultron, '71, Ex Machina, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Straight Outta Compton, Everest, Me, Earl and the Dying Girl, The Gift, Dope and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
So So Movies with Moments of Magic... Just Not Enough:
*The Good Dinosaur, Bridge of Spies, Spectre, Woman in Gold, While We Were Young, Slow West, Spy, Selma, Minions, People Places Things, The Final Girls, Mr. Holmes, Cop Car and Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse.
Truly Awful, What Were They thinking!?
*The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, Get Hard, Aloha, Back in Time, Trainwreck, Black Sea and Terminator: Genisys.
* denotes I have now seen that film since I first wrote this.
What were your fave films of 2015?
