Top 10 Films of 2015
Here’s a list of my favorite films from last year. I waited to see The Revenant until I made the list, but I still haven’t gotten to see potential films like Carol and 45 Years. I’ve also decided not to include films that played in festivals, as some will be released later this year or the coming future. Without further ado, my favorite films of 2015.
Honorable Mentions:
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (d. Gibney)
Mistress America (d. Baumbach)
Magic Mike XXL (d. Jacobs)
Son of Saul (d. Nemes)
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (d. Gomez-Rejon)
Inside Out (d. Doctor & Carmen)
10. THE REVENANT (d. Iñárritu)
Jokes about Leo winning an Academy Award aside, he truly does give it his all, physically and mentally, and it would be a shame if the Academy doesn’t hand him the Oscar. What wouldn’t be surprising is cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki winning his third Oscar in a row, and I’m saying this knowing fully well that Mad Max: Fury Road exists. Sure, it’s a bit too long. It feels self-important, oppressive, and omnipotent at points (i.e. the final shot). But The Revenant is also undeniably beautiful, effective, gut-wrenching, and an unforgettable experience.
9. TRAINWRECK (d. Apatow)
Hilarious, honest, and heartfelt, Trainwreck is easily the best comedy of 2015, which isn’t a surprise when you team up the talented Judd Apatow and comedian Amy Schumer. What sets this movie apart from other romantic comedies is Schumer’s character. She’s relatable and feels like a real person, and a lot of that has to do with the semi- autobiographical story. The movie is essentially a vehicle (no pun intended) to showcase Schumer’s talents, and she has many. Additionally, the casting is pitch perfect, from Bill Hader, to John Cena, to Brie Larson, and while there are some minor bumps on the road, Trainwreck is a hit (pun fully intended).
8. BEASTS OF NO NATION (d. Fukunaga)
Beasts of No Nation starts out bleak and gets worse from there, as a film about the horrors of war should be. It’s humorless and harrowing, with our young protagonist, Agu (played by the wonderful Abraham Attah), witnessing and committing one tragic event after another. Despite being the feel-bad coming-of-age movie of the year, there are as many beautiful and moving scenes that beg us not to judge Agu’s actions, but to empathize with what he has to go through and to losing his innocence at such a young age.
7. SPOTLIGHT (d. McCarthy)
The inspiration of All the President’s Men is obvious, and the film isn’t flashy in any way. It’s the fact that the story is compelling and the matter-of-fact way that the story is told that make Spotlight a grade A film about good people simply trying to bring justice into the world. Add to that an established, ensemble cast who are all on top of their game, and you have yourself something great. Spotlight is proof you don’t need unnecessary plot twists, showy performances, and amazing camerawork to create a riveting film.
6. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (d. Miller)
With its constant reshoots, budget increases, and delayed production, Mad Max: Fury Road looked to be another failed attempt at rebooting a beloved franchise. Good thing we were all wrong. Instead, what we got was an exhilarating action film filled with life, energy, and grace rarely found in modern action flicks. Part of that has to do with its use of practical effects, another part with Charlize Theron as the remarkable Furiosa, and the rest with its simplicity, the credible world building, editing, production design, music, direction, and pretty much everything else. It’s a film where every cast and crewmember worked together in harmony to create something special.
5. THE HATEFUL EIGHT (d. Tarantino)
QT’s eighth film may not be his best, but it is his most accomplished work to date. From the direction, to the staging, to the detailed camerawork, Tarantino’s progression as a filmmaker shows. You also have an ensemble cast filled with memorable characters and great dialogue you’ve come to expect from Tarantino films. The biggest surprise here isn’t Jennifer Jason Leigh - although the acclaim she’s received is deserved - but Walton Goggins. Playing plenty of insignificant supporting characters in the past, Goggins is promoted to lead role here (along with Samuel L. Jackson), and he astonishes. What a performance. What a film. Yes, Tarantino self-indulges in many moments in The Hateful Eight, including its near three-hour runtime, but considering the man hasn’t made a single bad film in his entire career, some self-indulging is allowed.
4. THE MARTIAN (d. Scott)
The Martian is Ridley Scott’s best film in years. It’s engrossing, surprisingly funny, and with all its talk about fact-based science, never boring. Some credit should also be given to the always-reliable Matt Damon who brings compassion and likability to his role as botanist Mark Watney who gets stuck alone on Mars listening to cheesy disco music. The film is also refreshingly optimistic, about many people of different races and cultures working together to save just one man’s life. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do.
3. THE LOOK OF SILENCE (d. Oppenheimer)
The follow-up to The Act of Killing, The Look of Silence is a documentary following a man who confronts the people who killed his brother during a genocide in 1965. Compared to the first film, The Look of Silence is just as devastating but, ultimately, a more emotional, rewarding, and better film due to seeing things from the victims’ perspectives this time around. Silence is used a lot throughout the documentary to emphasize the unspeakable terrors that have been committed to not just the main character’s brother but to the many other people who died during the anti-communist purge. The result is a film that’s upsetting, sad, yet remarkable.
2. VICTORIA (d. Schipper)
The hook of Victoria is that the entire film is shot in one take. Impressive right? Nevertheless, a film can’t be successful purely on its technical merits, however admirable they may be. Good thing, then, that Victoria has a lot more going for it, namely the actress who plays the titular character, Laia Costa. Someone who seems at first to be a carefree party girl, Victoria has many layers underneath her, a young woman who once had a promising future but has since given up her goals due to a past event. Costa brings humility and relatability to her role that when she finally finds herself in an unfortunate situation (that of a key part in a bank heist), we care what happens to her. The long take is just the cherry on top of what ends up being a work of art.
1. STEVE JOBS (d. Boyle)
Steve Jobs is, in a word, masterful. It isn’t the typical biopic you’d normally get from Hollywood these days, but with director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin behind the camera, you should come to expect that. Structured in three literal acts, the film plays out like a stage play, which is unusual for a film, but it works to Boyle’s and, most importantly, Sorkin’s strengths. The screenplay is wonderful and some of the best dialogue ever written can be found in this film. As for the direction, Boyle brings his own, distinctive style to the Sorkin screenplay. Despite having a bunch of scenes of people talking to each other, Steve Jobs is a visceral experience that makes two hours feel like one. As for Michael Fassbender himself, he’s outstanding as Jobs, which isn’t surprising at all, and the rest of the cast is great, including Kate Winslet and even Seth Rogen. By the end of the film, what we really witnessed is masters doing what they do best. Steve Jobs puts to shame almost every film released the previous ten years. It's that good and why it’s my favorite film of 2015.
