Movie Report Cards

MOVIE REPORT CARD: TOP 10 FAVORITE FILMS OF 2015

1/20/2016

Greetings internet dwellers!

I know I said I wouldn't do a top 10 of 2015, but I've actually caught up on A LOT of films that I missed last year, because of my back surgery. So much so in fact, that I am actually able to put a top 10 list together.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

STEVE JOBS

While its formula can get tiresome, Steve jobs hinges on the performances. The cast is phenomenal. From Fassbender to Rogen, they keep this interesting look at the Apple legend moving.

INSIDE OUT

Inside Out's brilliant screenplay, propels this mundane story to new heights. It's fun, colorful, funny, and smart. It even made me cry.

ANT-MAN

Ant-Man was the better Marvel proper film to come out in 2015. That's right, I said it. Age of Ultron got too lost in its set-up of future Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, it forgot how to have fun. Ant-Man makes up for that in spades.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE- ROGUE NATION

Not only was this a great Mission: Impossible movie, it was better than the misguided Spectre. Entertaining, thrilling, and action packed, Rogue Nation is awesome popcorn entertainment.

THE REVENANT

While I really enjoyed The Revenant, I feel it's getting a bit too over-hyped for its own good. DiCaprio is great, but I actually enjoyed Tom Hardy better. It's a gorgeous, and violent film, but kind of falls apart after the bear attack. In a way, it's a little bit of a hot mess. Still, I enjoyed it.

10. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

This film, hits hard. It holds no punches when it comes to its subject matter. While it does meander into typical biopic fare, that doesn't take away from how well this film is directed, and acted. Straight Outta Compton is engaging, and fascinating from beginning to end.

9. KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE

Fun, brilliant, bloody, and smart, Kingsman: The Secret Service, is sheer entertainment. In a sea of comic book films that came out in 2015, Kingsman started the ball rolling, and out shined the biggest of them all. It's premise is fun, it's violent, and fresh. It's a great time.

8. SICARIO

Tense, beautifully shot, and violent, Sicario outgrows its small scale, and becomes something epic. Benicio Del Torro, Emily Blunt, and Josh Brolin, were painfully overlooked for awards consideration for this one. Sicario is raw, and it makes you feel dirty. It's a great, tightly wound film.

7. BRIDGE OF SPIES

It has become something of the "it" thing to hate on Bridge of Spies these days. Not here. Bridge of Spies offers an old school Cold War tale, with a fantastic script by the Coen Brothers, guided by the wonderful direction of Steven Spielberg. Couple that with two amazing performances by Tom Hanks, and Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies is a treat.

6. STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

While The Force Awakens was a little bit of a rehash of the original Star Wars Trilogy, that doesn't take away from how entertaining it is. The film managed to bring back the essence of Star Wars, yet start on its own path. With a slew of new, entertaining characters, The Force Awakens is one of the most entertaining films of the year.

5. THE MARTIAN

Ridley Scott directs the shit out of The Martian. It's funny, poignant, and entertaining. With all the crap Scott has been turning out in recent years, it's nice to see him back to form with this one. Matt Damon, and the rest of the cast, just solidify this film nicely.

4. CREED

I have never really been a Rocky fan. However, that doesn't matter with Creed. Masterfully directed by Ryan Coogler, with a knockout performance by Sylvester Stallone, and Michael B. Jordan in tow, Creed is brilliant. Creed is surprisingly powerful, and it crescendo's during the final fight. The movie actually made me care about Rocky Balboa. That says something.

3. EX MACHINA

Ex Machina, is a hauntingly beautiful Sci-Fi tale. Quiet, simple, and sometimes scary, Ex Machina offers up a bunch of ideas, and a story that grips you. I don't want to say too much about Ex Machina, it should be explored on its own.

2. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

Mad Max: Fury Road makes up for its lack of story, by reminding us that film, is a visual medium. Bursting with a kinetic energy that never lets up, not only is it one of the best films of the year, but may be one of the best action films ever made. Seventy-something year old George Miller, shows the Michael Bay's of the world how it's done.

1. SPOTLIGHT

Simple, but brilliantly directed by Tom McCarthy, Spotlight handles its subject matter the right way. It never gets preachy, nor does it ever slow. The story and execution are wonderfully built. The cast here, all have their game faces on, and without them, this entire thing would crumble under its own weight. It's a delicately crafted film, but done expertly.

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