The 15 Best Films of 2015

Welcome to 2015: The year of the fandoms. It's no secret that 2015 was the year of death to our wallets and that's due mostly to the ridiculous amount of franchise films that have just oversaturated the film world. A bittersweet experience to say the least. It's probably going to get worse in 2016 with six, I repeat, six, superhero films alone being released. That isn't even counting the YA book adaptations, sequels/prequels/everything-quels and cinematic universe debuts (I wish I was kidding) slated for launch. One one hand, it's a terrible thing that cinema has come to rest in such a seemingly lazy state, but on the other hand, it may force us to appreciate film as an art form just a bit more because we now have to go looking for the needle in the haystack as opposed to it just being handed to us. Alas, that's another discussion for another time though.

Despite the sort of year 2015 was, there has still been a notable number of quality films that manage to teach us the valuable lesson that there is still hope and that the art is still alive, even if it's buried in the crowd. Here are my top 15 picks for this year's films.

15. Unfriended

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Let's face it, horror films aren't exactly scary anymore. Between stupid remakes and sequels that never end there hasn't been much room for a good and original movies in the genre in some time. Levan Gabriadze's 'Unfriended' is a refreshing shot in the dark that the genre desperately needed. Sadly, it faded in the crowd. Using something as simple as one laptop screen (seriously, it's super freakin' cool), 'Unfriended' manages to deliver a different sort of bone-chilling experience that hits very, very, very close to home for this generation. Even though this film may have gotten lost in the buzz, I'm hoping that Gabriadze sparked a fire to welcome in a new wave of horror films that being life to the seemingly dead horror genre horse. Yea I think I won't be Skyping my parents this week.

14. Kingsman: Secret Service

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There's a new suave spy out there and his name is James Bond Eggsy, Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin. Matthew Vaugn's 'Kingsman: Secret Service' brought an unexpected fun and even more violent spin on everything we thought we knew about spies and their secret agency...thingies. With everything so dark and grim on the screens nowadays, it could never hurt to have some fun right? That's the primary element that landed this film on my list. 'Kingsman: Secret Service', although advertised as gritty action, brought out the comedy in situations that wouldn't have crossed anyone's minds. Also, Samuel L. Jackson with a lisp? Brilliant. Simply brilliant. I may or may not be slightly biased towards British humor.

13. Inside Out

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What better way to give people the feels than to make a film about all the feels? Pixar's latest film, 'Inside Out', came out of the gate swinging with an actual, original concept that ended up taking the summer, and the world, by storm. Landing at a staggering 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 4/5 stars everywhere else, 'Inside Out' introduced the world to a story that brought out the inner child in all of us as we laughed and cried. This film even spurred on some research behind the science of our emotions and how they make us human. 'Inside Out' did more than just make a few (hundreds of millions) bucks, it inspired us all to look within ourselves and appreciate those little glowing things running around in our  heads that drive our actions from day to day (totally kidding).

12. It Follows

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When asking that one friend that you have that owns a 'Citizen Kane' shirt someone what exactly is this random film-thingy called 'It Follows', you won't a detailed answer. Something follows someone and that thing doesn't stop until you're dead or pass it on to someone else. Oh and you're the only person that can see this thing. Yea. Oddly enough though, David Robert Mitchell's 'It Follows' was one of 2015's hidden gems. It plays on the sense of the fear of the unknown. Sounds simple but I can guarantee you probably won't be sleeping soundly after watching this. You may even have a foreboding sense of dread for a couple of days after. What if that person walking behind you is following you? What if it's your parents? Does anyone else see them? Are you crazy? Maybe? 'It Follows' handles paranoia with a finesse that I haven't seen in a long time. Pair that with a solid soundtrack and excellent visuals and you have yourself a horror/thriller that is sure to leave an impression for years to come. 

 

 11. The Martian

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Ridley Scott's 'Interstellar: Part Deux' 'The Martian' was a surprise that didn't get the appreciation it deserved from the masses. The gripping tale of Mark Whatney's survival on Mars after getting left by MURRPPPHHH!! his crew put a slightly different spin on the typical framework of how stories are told on the silver screen. The stacked cast (I mean come on, they had Donald freakin' Glover) consumed their roles and felt like an actual part of the story instead of just actors playing just another character. Definitely some of the best I've seen this year. One can't help but be fascinated by the possibilities of what lies behind every corner as Watney fights to live to survive and the NASA crew risks everything to save their dear friend. Who would've thought that science and smart mumbo jumbo could make for such an entertaining story? 'The Martian' is well deserving of every praise it gets and more.

10. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2

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'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2' ended the latest YA film trend on a very, albeit depressing, high note. The Hunger Games series has been around for some time, so the plot is no surprise to those who have read the series, but the magic in this particular installment was the successful way all of that was translated on screen. 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2' drove home that the premise of the franchise isn't one to be enjoyed with a happy heart. It shines a light on both the darkness of The Capitol and the twisted state of the human condition when given to its own devices. Gripping action, memorable performances and clever storytelling through cinematography lands this film in a position that gave its audience exactly what they needed and then some.

9. Bridge of Spies

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Spielberg? Spielberg?? Spielberg. This intricately woven story by Spielberg and the Coen Brothers reaches across numerous genres to deliver a sure-fire hit that stuck out among the crowd in 2015. Despite the heavy hitters in this cast (sorry, no Donald Glover) the real star of this story is exactly that, the story. The collaboration of Spielberg and Tom Hanks bless us once again. 'Bridge of Spies' may not be for everyone but it goes to show what brilliance can come about through the collaboration of master storytellers. There are a few things that hold this film back from its true potential but that's to be expected. The good far (and I mean far) outweighs the bad and shouldn't stop anyone from seeing this movie at least twice.

8. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

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'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' is a story of hope for indie filmmakers everywhere. A Sundance survivor, this film expertly juggles a very intimate story with a risk that makes for a powerful result. Alfonso Gomez-Rejon made a name for himself with this crafted jewel of a film and is a name that I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for in years to come. I can't quite describe what makes this movie so great. Maybe it's its ability to so self-aware? Maybe the cinematography? Maybe it's its ability to make me want to get to know these characters? Maybe it's the box of tissues that I exhausted as my feels hurt? Whatever it is, it did it and all the above so, so, well. I'm not crying, I promise.

7. Steve Jobs

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If you ask me, the idea of an onscreen adaptation of Steve Jobs' life is a horse that just needs to be left alone in the furthest reach of the desert to die. Somehow 'Steve Jobs' managed to get a shot in there that actually freakin' worked for once. Steve Jobs' life to luxury is something that only a good film can describe well. This film manages to show an accurate picture of what that looked like rather than try to reach for an impossible standard and fail miserably in the process. Aaron Sorkin (by far not his best film, but notable nonetheless) brings out the  best in Michael Fassbender and brings us a film that successfully gives us a Job story that we deserve after all this time.

6. Creed

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Simplicity is sometimes best and 'Creed' is a stellar example of why complexity does not always equal greatness. After his directorial debut of 'Fruitvale Station', Ryan Coogler took on the legendary 'Rocky' series from an angle that not many people expected: Apollo Creed's son, Adonis. Aside from 'Creed' having THE most epic name for a protagonist ever, it honors and respects the source material in such a reverent way that it's hard not to admire the film's humility. This film gives us all a peek into some of the unanswered questions of the series' past as well as pave a way (that does NOT needs a sequel) for a strong future as Adonis moves away from his life of glamor and fame to rid himself of the Creed family name by getting in the ring with the legendary Rocky Balboa. Michael B. Jordan puts in his best acting work yet to breathe new life into a story that has been in the hearts of many for so long. 'Creed' pays homage right, even down to some of the very shots, and honestly made me fall in love for the characters in a way that I haven't in a long, long time.

5. Spotlight

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You know what's difficult to make a story around? Facts. Tom McCarthy's 'Spotlight' strays away from the everyday oh-no-journalists-are-starving-artist drama-thriller and tells a story (pun intended) that had me captivated from start to finish. It's one thing to tell a story about people who want to tell a story that only they believe, it's another thing to tell a story about people who want to tell a story that everyone else believes except themselves (not a spoiler, I promise). This film tackles the ever-growing issue of the sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church and does so with such elegance that it made me want to take a pen, order some Chinese food and be a responsible adult and get a journalism job run around Boston asking people about that case too (no, seriously).  Mark Ruffalo carries out the most notable performance in this film and is held up by the strong arms of other heavy hitters like Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Stanley Tucci, and Liev Schreiber. One of the must-watch-iest of the must watch movies of 2015.

4. Sicario

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Honestly, I've haven't been much of a fan of Emily Blunt recently (please don't shoot me) but seeing her in the trailer for 'Sicario' piqued my interest so much that I decided to give her another chance. This film is impressive (I think my nerves are still recovering). Period. 'Sicario' rips a new one into the whole cops-take-on-the-ultimate-druggies genre and gives an unforgettable, and I mean unforgettable, cinematic adventure that will be with you for some time. The amazing performances of Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro compliment the gritty and hardcore writing nature of this story. There aren't a lot of films I'll call brilliant and mean it but 'Sicario' is absolutely brilliant and I absolutely mean it. Not for the faint of heart, this film redefines a lot of the power it drew from to make a story for the ages.

3. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

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Yea, yea, yea, I know I talked about how franchise films put a lot of good movies this year under the radar but I have to say 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' is a HUGE exception to the rule. Unlike many pre/se/everyquels, this film had an unreal amount of responsibility to take care of therefore giving it an actual purpose as opposed to just another cash grab scheme (it sure made it's money though). To undo the tyranny of one man's prequel trilogy, please old fans, encourage new fans to sign on, and not be responsible for the destruction of hundreds of movie theaters is no easy task. While it is by no means the perfect movie, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' made history with a film that got close to the heart of what film should be: an experience. Not to mention that (cue music) for the first time in forever (cut music) there's a movie that's worth watching more than twice. This film proves that an audience are a group of people to be cared for, not abused.

2. Mad Max: Fury Road

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Back in my day I remember when films had only one genre! George Miller's not-really-a-reboot-reboot 'Mad Max: Fury Road' was probably the best reminder in 2015 that a good film doesn't have to be 10 genres to prove itself. With my generation having next to no clue what exactly Mad Max is, not many people expected this film to take off like it did. Turns out it was pretty gosh-darn good and definitely proved that there can be madness in beauty. Paying homage to the age old art of practical effects, 'Mad Max: Fury Road' gave new meaning to the word "intense". This gorgeous but insane ride (ba dum tssss) was an exciting change from the bloated and packed trend of modern films.

1. Ex Machina

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I'll just go ahead and say it: I believe Alex Garland's 'Ex Machina' is a masterpiece. This film wasn't just made, it was crafted with caring hands. Sadly, this was also a film that got lost in the mess of everything (and honestly the marketing stunk) but this turned out to be an absolutely stunning piece of art that excelled in almost every aspect. The surprise? This was Alex Garland's directorial debut. *Gasp*. Exactly. Garland came out of the gates swinging, and swinging, and swinging...and swinging. 'Ex Machina' set new standards that many films would only hope of achieving. The stellar acting coupled with amazing cinematography and a gripping story made for a psychological thriller that deserves recognition for years to come. Because of it's release earlier in the year, it's doubtful that this movie will get any nominations. But hey, that goes to show that Oscars doesn't necessarily make a film a good film. I personally think everyone should see this film at least twice and keep an eye out for Alex Garland and his upcoming future projects. If you haven't seen it, watch it. If you've watched it already, watch it again. Watched it twice? Well unfriend all of those engineer buddies you have that wanna make robots. You've been warned.