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Brandon’s Top 10 Films Of 2015

Welcome to my version of the Top 10 Films Of 2015!  No matter the year, whether it be considered a “good” or “bad” one, I still find it hard to whittle the thing down to 10.  Last year I skewed it a bit, going for cute with 14 films in 2014.  This year, tough as some of the cuts were, I was able to get it down to 10.  The year had some very emotional highs for me, and every one of the films on the list grasped at me in some certain way.  They left me with some good thought or appreciation while others exhilarated and had me very amped up after seeing them.  With 2015, the typical Oscar bait didn’t really impress me too much and I’ve also decided I’m going with my gut and the films I’m going to revisit most after this year.  Those really are the ones that are “best” to me.  I look back at my previous Top 10s lists and there are ones I haven’t even touched since making the list.  I’ve given up doing a Worst films list for my own reasons, but if you’re wondering The Human Centipede 3 was the worst film I saw this year and the worst film I saw at the theater was Terminator: Genisys (And yes, I did see Fantastic Four. But is it worth arguing which of those is more awful?).  Now, onto my picks!

10. Jupiter Ascending

Just kidding, Brian! False start people!  Seeing if everyone is paying attention…Now…onto

10. Cop Car

My low budget, 70s exploitation sensibilities were on overload loving this little movie starring Kevin Bacon.  Carrying a simple premise, the film never tries to be anything bigger only capitalizing on what it was.  The film features great character work, child performances, action and suspense.  Even in its smaller moments, you’ll find yourself enthralled in some form of suspense.  That scene with the two boys carelessly playing around with the gun was especially nerve wracking.  Kevin Bacon is very good here, but he’s only one aspect of what turns out to be such a great little movie.

9. It Follows

Speaking of those low budget sensibilities, It Follows had me at hello.  This stylish little horror-thriller harkens back to stuff like Halloween (Always a plus with me when done right) with a hint of Body Snatchers.  However, its very much its own thing, too.  Adding to it is an awesome score to accompany everything.  This is proof that horror is usually at its best and most original when sitting at the lowest end of the budgetary spectrum.  With this and The Guest, I’ve also become a pretty big fan of Maika Monroe.  Hope she has a great career ahead of her.  My story with this film is that Aaron Neuwirth texted me after he saw it and said “You are going to love It Follows“, and yeah, he was right on the money.

8. Kingsman: The Secret Service

Never a hater of the Roger Moore era James Bond films, I was delighted to see someone not only throw appreciate toward it, but to show that it can be very cool at the same time it is goofy and over the top.  This movie also features one of the best action sequences of the year, that in which Colin Firth takes out a church full of racists.  Matthew Vaughn has a perfect track record with me, as I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every one of his films.  This one may be my favorite of them.  2015 was the year of the spy movie, and this one really blew the doors open for the resurgence when it came out.  Its getting a sequel, but I’m sure we’re only a month or so away from Matthew Vaughn leaving said sequel.

7.  The Final Girls

Here’s a movie I just can’t sing enough praises.  As a slasher fanatic, this one truly encompassed things I love about the genre, while also poking plenty of fun.  But, it was just window dressing for a pretty emotional story regarding a girl coming to terms with the untimely death of her mother.  This one is very colorful and stylish on the eyeballs as it tells its tale too.  It also features a great cast of young actors.  An incredibly fun and engaging movie that will give you thrills, laughs and butterflies.  People who don’t even enjoy slasher films may wind up finding enjoyment in this one.

6.  Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

In the year of the spy, of course more than one shall make the list.  This franchise is on a continued pace of topping themselves.  I thought Ghost Protocol might be its peak, but it went even higher (Literally, Tom Cruise hung off a plane) with Rogue Nation.  Ethan Hunt’s sixth installment features the death-defying stuntwork, but also with some wonderfully choreographed chases and fight sequences.  The opera-house scene has a 1960s sense of elegance that made me fall right in love with it.  Looking to the future, I’m a little bummed that Ralph McQuarrie is returning to direct the next installment, as each impossible mission should feature a new director.  But, at least its not John Woo returning.

5.  Ex Machina

How about that Oscar Isaac, isn’t he something?  And he’s got dance moves to boot!  Missed this in the theater, but luckily Brian’s review copy accidentally got sent to me and I got to have a peak.  This low profile little science fiction film is incredibly thoughtful, engaging, thrilling and suspenseful.  Everyone in the cast is superb and the film has such a patience and precision to it.  Of the films in 2015, I feel this is one that is likely to outlive most in terms of importance and study.

4.  The Hateful Eight

I’m so happy they bumped this release up, so I was able to catch it in the theater.  No, I didn’t get to see one of those fancy 70mm prints (Jealous, I am), but they at least are still projecting it in the correct aspect ratio at the multiplex so I could still basque in the glorious cinematography and playfulness Tarantino has with the frame.  Dialogue, mystery, performances are all top tier here in this western thriller.  The films of Quentin Tarantino normally have some good tunes in them to listen to but damn was this score by Ennio Morricone amazing!  It felt like everything was firing on all cylinders for this movie, and its one QT almost didn’t go through with.  I’m glad he did as it sits atop the pedestal of his best work for me.  I cannot wait to take this one in again.

3.  Creed

Wow, who’da thought this film would be THAT good.  We said it with Rocky Balboa, too…but I mean, this is a whole different level.  As a huge Rocky fan (I once traveled to Las Vegas to be an extra in Rocky Balboa), I was delighted to see this torch-hand off sort of movie that actually perfectly executed the terrific idea Rocky V had.  Coogler has such an eye here, that it infuses a whole new life into the franchise.  The fight scenes are an eye opener and the movie really gets one emotionally (ALMOST…ALMOST had some tears from this tough guy).  This is the closest we’ve gotten to the greatness of the original, and this is a series that has had some very good subsequent rounds.

2.  Mad Max: Fury Road

My top 3-4 picks are really close to coin flips on spots.  This was the hardest portion for me.  Mad Max: Fury Road is an amazing cinematic experience.  This is why we go to the movies.  The craft on display is breathtaking and the film just never stops.  Hell, its not even really the title character’s movie, we get someone who is kinda even a little better.  When you have a movie like this and a character comes out like the Doof Warrior and everyone just kinda collectively says “That’s fucking awesome!”, you’ve made a MAJOR win.  I’m glad people could have some fun with their movies again.  Mad Max: Fury Road was pretty much the gold standard for 2015 and one of the most defining movies in a long time, as you’ll be hard pressed to find a “Best Of” list for this year without its presence.

1.  Star Wars: The Force Awakens

When it came down to my #1 pick for this year, I really had to think about it.  But in all honesty, I truly believe this was my favorite.  From 2015, I can almost guarantee this is the film I will watch the most within my lifetime.  Yes, the emotional pick won out this year.  I still can’t keep myself from wanting to go see it in the theater again and again.  I didn’t do that with the other films on the list (Plus, with kids, its hard to see a film more than once nowadays anyway).  This film was an absolute blast for me on opening night and I’ve enjoyed it even more on the subsequent views.  Another factor is that I really loved all the new characters introduced in the film as well.  They’re a great lot of talent.  The hype for this film was very strong before I saw it and its even stronger now that it’s out.  Its a face paced, fun, space fantasy extravaganza worth every bit of the praise its received.

And that’s it for 2015 for me.  

Some close calls that didn’t make my list are: Inside Out, The Revenant, Love & Mercy, Dope, The Gift, Steve Jobs, Joy, Trainwreck, The Martian, Sicario

Movies I wasn’t able to get to:  Spotlight, The Big Short, Room, Brooklyn, Carol, Bridge of Spies, Straight Outta Compton