As 2015 comes to a close, it is time to celebrate yet another unforgettable year in film. Be it animated fare, science-fiction entertainment or breathtaking action movies, the year offered something special for everyone. It was especially a satisfying year for science-fiction fans, who got to see their favorite franchise return to the big-screen after 15 years.
Because there were so many gems sparkled throughout the year, it was hard to narrow it down to only ten films. Nevertheless, listed below are my personal picks for the top 10 films of 2015. As with any year, it was extremely challenging to pick ten films out of the millions that I saw. So, keep in mind that your favorite films of the year may not necessarily coincide with mine.
Before we dive into the top 10, however, here are some films that almost made the list. Even though they didn’t make the top 10, these movies are still worth a watch.
Honorable Mentions:
Black Mass
Just when you thought that Johnny Depp’s career has sunk to the bottom of an ocean like the Titanic, he returned with a resounding bang to the big-screen in Black Mass. Almost unrecognizable, he delivered a performance that will not be forgotten in years to come.
The Danish Girl
It seems like only yesterday that Eddie Redmayne won the Oscar for his stunning performance in “The Theory of Everything”, yet this year he has a good shot at winning it again. This time, for his heartbreaking portrayal of a transgender artist in Tom Hooper’s The Danish Girl, one of the most moving films of the year.
Ant-Man
Who knew that superhero movies could be funny? Certainly not me, and this is why Ant-Man took me by surprise. In a day and age where superhero flicks take themselves too seriously, this hilarious comic-book film re-ignited a stale genre.
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
Say what you will about Tom Cruise, but what cannot be denied is that the movie-star knows how to entertain.
The Best Movies of the Year
1. Room
Haunting, believable and deeply unforgettable, Lenny Abrahamson’s Room is without a single doubt the best film of the year. Although not for the faint of heart, this inspirational story of the bond between a mother and her child had a profound effect on me as a viewer. It is one of the few films this year that took me on an emotional journey: I laughed, bit my nails in tension and when least expected cried. What truly made this my favorite film of the year, however, was how meaningful it was. In a day and age where most movies are nothing more than pass-time entertainment, Room reminded me why I watch movies: not only to be entertained but to learn a lesson about life. It delivered an inspirational message that has stayed with me to this day. Few films, if any, are able to accomplish that.
2. Spotlight
Films about journalism aren’t my cup of tea, however, Tom McCarthy’s Spotlight is one of the most gripping movies I’ve come across in recent years. ‘Thought-provoking’ isn’t the first word that pops into mind when talking about journalism films, yet that is perhaps the best way to describe Spotlight. Boasting one of the year’s most star-studded casts, this well-acted awards contender sparks discussion about controversial issues that are too often ignored in our world today.
3. The Revenant
One of the most terrifying scenes of the year was getting to see a bruised and battered Leonardo DiCaprio get attacked by a bear in The Revenant. An engrossing, mesmerizing and unbearably intense thriller, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s film powerfully explores the lengths that a man is willing to go through to survive. In the role of a lifetime, Leonardo DiCaprio delivers one the most impressive performances of his career so far. Almost recognizable, he pushes himself as an actor in a way that he has never has before. With it’s brutal and disturbing violence, the film pushes the envelope as well. Although it is not for the faint of heart, for those who love cinema this epic is simply too stunning to be missed.
4. Inside Out
It’s one thing for an animated film to please kids, but it’s quite an achievement when it is also able to cater towards adults. Inside Out is one of those rare animated films that will leave a lasting smile on the faces of both kids and adults alike. Pixar’s latest effort is a heartfelt, original and deeply intelligent film that proves animated films don’t always have to be for the young ones. Sometimes, all it takes is an intelligent story to attract the adults as well. I, for one, am not a child and still ended up adoring Inside Out. It has set a monumental standard that will be hard to follow by animated flicks in the coming years.
5. The Martian
As far as Summer blockbusters go, few were packed with as many laughs, heart-pounding thrills and emotion as Ridley Scott’s The Martian. As a blockbuster, this film accomplished what it set out do: entertain. Despite it’s long running time of two and a half hours, there wasn’t a moment when I felt bored while watching this film. Yet, what truly set it apart from most blockbusters is the humorous approach that the film took. Although the subject matter is solemn, Matt Damon did a wonderful job of infusing humor into it resulting in one of the funniest films of the year.
6. The Gift
One of the most overlooked movies of the year was Joel Edgerton’s spellbinding directorial debut, The Gift. A masterfully crafted psychological thriller, it came out of nowhere and proved to be one of the pleasant surprises of the year. From the looks of the trailers, nobody expected this film to be anything more than a generic horror movie. Surprisingly, however, first-time director Joel Edgerton created a thriller so suspenseful that it would have made Alfred Hitchcock proud.
7. Brooklyn
One of the few films this year that I personally connected with was the period-drama Brooklyn. A well-made, sophisticated and deeply relatable coming-of-age story, it realistically captured the challenges of immigration. Having immigrated to Canada in my teens, I found myself relating to Eilis’ journey as an immigrant in a land far away from home. Immigration is a tough, yet rewarding experience that changes one’s life, and this film beautifully captures that.
8. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
To be honest, I must admit that I’ve never been a fan of Star Wars. However, I was rather taken aback by how much I adored Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It was an absolute joy to see J.J. Abrams bring back a beloved franchise to the big-screen and a movie-going experience I will not forget in the years to come.
9. Me, Earl and the Dying Girl
In a year filled with countless sequels, reboots and remakes, it was rare to come across a film as original as Me, Earl and the Dying Girl. In an industry that has always lacked originality, this deeply heartfelt love letter to cinema shined like a light-bulb in pitch-black darkness.
10. Mad Max: Fury Road
Out of all the films I saw in 2015, few were as exciting as George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road. Like stepping onto a roller-coaster ride, this breathlessly entertaining film took movie-goers on an experience unlike any other. There’s a moment in the film when a character screams at the top of his lungs, “what a lovely day!”.
On that note, what a lovely year it has been for movies, indeed…
The Film Buff 