My Favorite Films of 2015
Best Films of the Year lists are fun to do because you get to look back at the films you’ve seen in the past year, re-analyze why you liked or didn’t like each film, and rate which ones you loved more than others. Every year, when I make a Top Films list, I always have a clear #1 film. The rest in the list are usually made up as I’m writing, because that’s typically when I go back and start to think more about each film in depth. Of course, lists like these are never definitive. I’ll even admit, sometimes I’ll look back at an old Top Films of ____ list I’ve made and my opinion of certain films will have changed by then. But anyway, here goes my top 10 favorite films of 2015:
10. Joy
This is the worst-reviewed David O. Russell films in years, which is a surprise considering he’s pumped out critically-acclaimed films seemingly with ease as of late (’The Fighter’, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, and ‘American Hustle’ back to back to back). Despite the mixed reviews ‘Joy’ received, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Pun not intended. I can understand why the film had its detractors, as the screenplay isn’t dense or tightly written and has tonal inconsistencies. But I appreciated the looser narrative as it allowed the actors to simply perform as they often do in O. Russell films. His past three films, including ‘Joy’, have given Jennifer Lawrence meaty material and it’s always a pleasure to see her shine. (My rating: 3.5/4)
9. Spotlight
This is the favorite to win Best Picture at this year’s Oscars, and it’s easy to see why. The story of Boston Globe writers taking on the child sex abuse of the Roman Catholic Church is one full of raw emotion because it’s actually true, and it features a great ensemble cast who each have a chance to shine. (My rating: 3.5/4)
8. Dope
I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into when I went to see ‘Dope’. And honestly, I don’t know if I can even describe it accurately. It’s a comedy. It’s a crime thriller. It’s a drama. It’s a romance. It’s a coming-of-age story. You just have to see it for yourself. One of the things I noticed with ‘Dope’ was that I couldn’t tell where its story was going whatsoever. The plot is so screwy sometimes that I just sat back and enjoyed the ride, as should you. Also, it features memorable performances by (gasp!) Black actors and actresses (say what!?). (My rating: 3.5/4)
7. Cinderella
I feel like this is one of the more forgotten and under-appreciated films of the year. Even now, I’m still surprised at how much I actually loved the film. After the live-action interpretations of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Maleficent’, I didn’t expect much from ‘Cinderella’. The former two films relied too heavily on CGI than actual story, thus they left a bad taste in my mouth (though they made bank at the box office). ‘Cinderella’ turned out to be the total opposite: it was low-key. It didn’t rely much on CGI; it felt more like a period-piece. Sure, it’s pretty much a beat-for-beat remake of the Disney animated classic, but the film’s total devotion to the story and characters, the gorgeous costumes and set designs, and its pure innocence and good-natured filmmaking won me over. I’m hoping Disney’s future live-action remakes are more like ‘Cinderella’ and less like ‘Maleficent’ or ‘Alice in Wonderland’. (My rating: 3.5/4)
6. The Big Short
Who would’ve thought the director of comedies such as ‘Anchorman’ and ‘Step Brothers’ would be up for Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture, and for a film that dealt with the financial crisis of 2007/2008? It’s one of the wonderful surprises 2015 gave to us. Not only does it boast a stellar cast, but the film manages to be both entertaining and educational, as it dumbs down the complex nature of the financial crisis into something digestible for general audiences. And it helps that the film has some fun breaking the fourth wall and introducing us to hilarious celebrity cameos who chime in to help explain the causes of the disaster. ‘The Big Short’ is funny, but also intense and quite heartbreakingly depressing. It’s one of the most important films of the year. (My rating: 3.5/4)
5. The Hateful Eight
Quentin Tarantino never fails, and his long-awaited follow-up to ‘Django Unchained’ finally arrived. Like ‘Django’, ‘The Hateful Eight’ is a western filled with racial themes. Like another one of my favorite films of 2015, ‘Steve Jobs’, ‘The Hateful Eight’ feels more like a play than an actual film. Since it’s set mostly in one big room, it gives way to great performances to wonderfully-written dialogue. Featuring his iconic wordplay and bloody violence, ‘The Hateful Eight’ is the kind of film Tarantino fans can expect. (My rating: 4/4)
4. The Martian
This is one of the rare films where I left the theatre not being able to think of one major issue with the film. It was just nonstop thrills! ‘The Martian’ is pace very well and features a great ensemble cast, though Matt Damon shines in his (mostly) singular performance. A story about a man trapped alone on Mars is heavy stuff, but the film’s sense of humor saves it from becoming a standard survival film. (My rating: 4/4)
3. Room
I didn’t hear much about ‘Room’, but when its first trailer premiered online, I knew I had to see it. Brie Larson excels as a mother locked in a shed for the past seven years, and Jacob Tremblay wows as her young son who was born and raised strictly within the confines of the so-called “room.” The structure of the film may throw some people off, but overall this is one of the most intense and emotionally gripping films of 2015. (My rating: 4/4)
2. Steve Jobs
It’s such a shame ‘Steve Jobs’ didn’t perform better at the box office. It disappeared from theatres TWO WEEKS after its release! I don’t know why audiences didn’t flock to see it, considering it’s universally praised and features a script by the great Aaron Sorkin (’The Social Network’). Alas, I can consider myself lucky to have seen it premiere night, and it was worth it. The film differs from traditional biopics in that it’s not really a biopic. The film depicts three key “moments,” or scenes, in the life of Steve Jobs and highly dramatizes it. The film feels more like a stage play than a film, and it works in its favor by allowing the performances to shine in long scenes/takes. If Leo wasn’t guaranteed a Best Actor win this year, I’d love to see it go to Michael Fassbender for his incredible performance as the titular Steve Jobs. (My rating: 4/4)
1. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
No one saw this film, yet no other film last year stole my heart quite like this one. I saw this film in theatres THREE times. One as an early screening, and two because I loved it that much. The story of a boy who’s forced to befriend a girl with cancer, ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’ isn’t a romance, and it makes sure you know that. It’s a story of friendship, endurance, loss, and the meaning of life. It’s packed with stellar performances by relatively unknown actors. The trio of young actors in this film are some of the best of the year. I love, love, love this film. (My rating: 4/4)
Other Standout Films I Saw in 2015:
Carol
Creed
Inside Out
Kingsman: The Secret Service
The Revenant
Sicario
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Films I Wanted to See in 2015:
Amy
Anamolisa
Beasts of No Nation
The Danish Girl
Ex Machina
Macbeth
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
Pawn Sacrifice
Straight Outta Compton
Trumbo
The Visit
99 Homes
Worst Film I Saw in 2015: Minions
