Sunday, June 24, 2018
Top Movies of 2015
I've gotten through movies from 2015 in my Netflix queue, so it's time to rank them! This year I'm doing a top 9 list, because I did have enough qualify for a top 10 (movies I give at least a 7 out of 10). So here's the list:
9. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
I think the Hunger Games series tried to capitalize on the success of the Harry Potter movies, and while overall they were good, they didn't quite capture the magic of HP. There is some good action in this one, and it has a satisfying conclusion. Not as good as the books but it's pretty entertaining.
8. The Man from UNCLE
This movie is one that definitely exceeds expectations. The retreads of old TV shows can be lazy and boring, but this one is really entertaining. There is great chemistry between the three leads. I didn't really like Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes movies, but he does a great job of making a light, fun action/suspense movie.
7. Creed
After Rocky IV and V I'm not sure we needed more of these movies. Rocky Balboa was an improvement, though. And this is the best one since Rocky III. This might actually be Sly's best performance, capturing how beaten down and depressed Rocky is after his wife dies and his glory days are long behind him. The first big fight Creed has is really well shot. I'm a little nervous about the upcoming sequel but this one is solid.
6. Bridge of Spies
A very interesting Cold War story with a great performance by Mark Rylance. The first half of this movie is really good, as we find out what happens to his character. I didn't like the second half quite as much, with a lot of will they won't they that got irritating after a while. It's a good look at what happened to Francis Gary Powers after he ended up behind enemy lines.
5. Paper Towns
It seems like there were a ton of these type movies that came out around this time. High school coming of age/teen romance indie films. This is my favorite of the ones I've seen. It sets up this interesting character (Margo) but she leaves the picture early in the movie and becomes more of an idea, a symbol for Quentin of what he's missing out on in life.
4. Inside Out
Another Pixar hit. This is a really creative way to tell a story that on the surface is pretty simple. It's full of color for young kids to enjoy, but I think adults can also relate to some of the messages the film has. This is a movie that gets better as it goes along, and not many movies can say that.
3. Brooklyn
I saw this shortly after I saw Lady Bird, so I was interested to see how Saoirse Ronan did. She is really tremendous in this. You are emotionally invested in her story from the beginning. I was rooting hard for her to pick her new life in Brooklyn over her old life in Ireland. I think this captures really well what it was like to be an immigrant in America, not knowing a soul when you come into this foreign land.
2. Spotlight
This is probably the most important story told in a movie in 2015. Everyone knows about the Catholic priest scandal, but this does a great job of showing just how widespread it was and what lengths people went to to protect the church. This story unfolds much like All the President's Men, which is definitely a compliment. This isn't the most emotionally moving film, but there is a lot to admire.
1. The Force Awakens
I understand the criticisms of this movie for being too familiar. The nostalgia factor is at an all-time high, for sure. But that's just what I loved about it. There was something about sitting in the theater watching a Star Wars movie again on the big screen with the familiar music playing that had me hooked right away. I think when you hold this up next to the Star Wars movies that have come after it, it holds up even better. This was my favorite movie of 2015.
9. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
I think the Hunger Games series tried to capitalize on the success of the Harry Potter movies, and while overall they were good, they didn't quite capture the magic of HP. There is some good action in this one, and it has a satisfying conclusion. Not as good as the books but it's pretty entertaining.
8. The Man from UNCLE
This movie is one that definitely exceeds expectations. The retreads of old TV shows can be lazy and boring, but this one is really entertaining. There is great chemistry between the three leads. I didn't really like Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes movies, but he does a great job of making a light, fun action/suspense movie.
7. Creed
After Rocky IV and V I'm not sure we needed more of these movies. Rocky Balboa was an improvement, though. And this is the best one since Rocky III. This might actually be Sly's best performance, capturing how beaten down and depressed Rocky is after his wife dies and his glory days are long behind him. The first big fight Creed has is really well shot. I'm a little nervous about the upcoming sequel but this one is solid.
6. Bridge of Spies
A very interesting Cold War story with a great performance by Mark Rylance. The first half of this movie is really good, as we find out what happens to his character. I didn't like the second half quite as much, with a lot of will they won't they that got irritating after a while. It's a good look at what happened to Francis Gary Powers after he ended up behind enemy lines.
5. Paper Towns
It seems like there were a ton of these type movies that came out around this time. High school coming of age/teen romance indie films. This is my favorite of the ones I've seen. It sets up this interesting character (Margo) but she leaves the picture early in the movie and becomes more of an idea, a symbol for Quentin of what he's missing out on in life.
4. Inside Out
Another Pixar hit. This is a really creative way to tell a story that on the surface is pretty simple. It's full of color for young kids to enjoy, but I think adults can also relate to some of the messages the film has. This is a movie that gets better as it goes along, and not many movies can say that.
3. Brooklyn
I saw this shortly after I saw Lady Bird, so I was interested to see how Saoirse Ronan did. She is really tremendous in this. You are emotionally invested in her story from the beginning. I was rooting hard for her to pick her new life in Brooklyn over her old life in Ireland. I think this captures really well what it was like to be an immigrant in America, not knowing a soul when you come into this foreign land.
2. Spotlight
This is probably the most important story told in a movie in 2015. Everyone knows about the Catholic priest scandal, but this does a great job of showing just how widespread it was and what lengths people went to to protect the church. This story unfolds much like All the President's Men, which is definitely a compliment. This isn't the most emotionally moving film, but there is a lot to admire.
1. The Force Awakens
I understand the criticisms of this movie for being too familiar. The nostalgia factor is at an all-time high, for sure. But that's just what I loved about it. There was something about sitting in the theater watching a Star Wars movie again on the big screen with the familiar music playing that had me hooked right away. I think when you hold this up next to the Star Wars movies that have come after it, it holds up even better. This was my favorite movie of 2015.
