Top Ten Best Films of 2015
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While I don’t generally make it to the theater that often I try my darndest, and this year was no exception. A lot of great films came out in 2015, and there’s a lot I still have to see (Oscar bait especially). In no particular order here are ten of my favorite films released this year.
It Follows
In terms of horror films there were slim pickens out in theaters this year. Between the dubious nature of M. Night Shymalan’s “The Visit,” to the social media present “Unfriended,” there weren’t that many innovations in the American filmmaking sphere. There are some promising foreign films like “Goodnight, Mommy,” and “When Animals Dream,” but our theaters are littered with sequels for the “Paranormal Activity,” “Insidious,” and “Sinister,” films. This film was 80s inspired, fun, interesting, original, and aesthetically awesome. If you haven’t already seen this new cult classic get on it.
Mad Max: Fury Road
The biggest action film of the year was directed by George Miller, the original creator of the Mad Max films. Starring Charlize Theron, in the lead role, was a stroke of brilliance, and lent to a feminist bent, strong characters, and harsh action. Though it’s unclear where Max has been all these years, and where his nightmares came from, there need not be a heavy story with the vivid desert imagery and intense action. This might have been everyone’s favorite film of the year.
Pitch Perfect 2
Though this film was truly not needed it works as a great sequel and pretty funny enterprise. Directed by rookie Elizabeth Banks the entire film felt fresh, weird, and intensely funny. The cast includes wacky yet strong female characters, funky dance and song numbers, and larger than life stakes for the Barden Bellas. It was very difficult to choose between this film and “Magic Mike XXL” for the fun entry in this list, but this film has a little more ahem substance.
Sicario
This is a surprisingly dark tale of an FBI kidnapping expert going behind the drug cartel’s subjective lines into Mexico to extract a key informant in a tale of gangland violence, intrigue, and a world of murder and bloodshed. Del Toro gives a sly performance as the gun for hire Gillick, and Blunt is a riveting character, both externally strong, and internally weak. The ending was only slightly twisting, but the entire film was thrilling from beginning to end, punctuated with a great pulsing score.
Tangerine
This independent film by Sean S. Baker follows the exploits of two trans sex workers on the streets of Los Angeles as they find themselves in dissident positions. One tries to get her singing career off the ground and make some money, and the other tests the fidelity of her pimp boyfriend when she finds out he is sleeping with a “fish” (cisgender woman). The banter between Sin-Dee and the characters she runs into completely entertains. The comedic undertones are offset by the grim realities of prostitution, and the bass heavy soundtrack.
Krampus
An instant camp classic for the holiday season “Krampus” has some unique ideas, fun villains, and creepy visuals. The characters are similar to “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” without the distinction of being lovable goons. Some of the kills are rushed, but overall this is a fun if thoughtful tale of how to care about your family, even when they are the complete opposite of you. Besides being funny in a black satiric kind of way, there are some gross, yet scary scenes. If you think having child actors lends to any kind of hope for these families, think again.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
As a tried and true Star Wars nerd I have been beyond excited for this film to be released. Between all the trailers and teasers I have been getting stoked for over a year, and you bet I was at the one am premiere, in 3D, in the IMAX theater opening day. While I thought it too closely resembled “A New Hope,” and Adam Driver should have kept his helmet on far more, this was one of the greatest joys I had at the movies this year, and I would gladly go see it again.
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
This year I have watched all five of these films in a bid to understand how they fit into the cultural milieu. Though “Ghost Protocol” kind of underwhelmed, “Rogue Nation” completely made up for it. Between the awesome female agent, the great visuals, exotic locales, and explosion heavy action scenes, there was a lot to love in this sequel. There will be another sequel in the next couple of years, which includes agent Ilsa Faust.
Mistress America
Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig’s collaborative spirit lent to the true to life feeling in their critically acclaimed film “Frances Ha.” In what feels like a sequel comes “Mistress America,” about a woman who is all about the experience of life rather than the complexities of living it and her misanthropic soon-to-be stepsister. While the story comes a little off-kilter near the end the characters are always engaging, and Lola Kirke gives a genuinely sweet performance as Tracy, a lonely college freshman. This is perfect for anybody whose never fit into the university crowd.
Ant-Man
I sincerely wish more superhero movies were made today with a little bit of goofiness to them. Paul Rudd as “Ant-Man” is the perfect mesh of sweet and oddball, making for a fun film that is also action heavy. The visuals are awesome, the ideas are thoughtful, and it’s simply a great family film. While I don’t care whether or not this fits into the Marvel universe, it simply does, while also being a standalone film.
