 |
| Scene from Ex Machina |
Now that the year is pretty much behind us, it's time to get to the best part of the annual Listmania givings. It's time to count down the Top 20 best movies of 2015. While I didn't see as much as I'd have preferred (for personal reasons), it was definitely a strong year for film and even more impressive by the diverse amount of great genre work.The following is the first part of the list where I share my bottom half of the Top 20. It's a perplexing bunch, but definitely one that shows that this was far from a terrible year for film, and likely even better based on what I missed.
Honorary Mentions: 21. Wild Canaries; 22. The End of the Tour; 23. Listen to Me Marlon; 24. While We're Young; 25. Magic Mike XXL; 26. Lost River; 27. Faults; 28. Girlhood; 29. Reality; 30. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
20. Brooklyn
There are few stories that seem to draw out more compelling subtext than that of the immigrant story. Still, director John Crowley has made an endearing drama lead by a great Saoirse Ronan performance about the conflicts that arise when one is forced to move to a new home. What's more impressive than the conventional romance is the embrace of the Irish culture, the likes of which haven't been seen in mainstream cinema since In America. From the accents to the small ceremonious moments, the exploration of identity and culture are perfect fodder for this film that may not have a lot of heavy content otherwise, but definitely fulfills its status as an enjoyable drama and one that is definitely refreshing for those who have missed hearing the beauty of an Irish accent on film.
19. Entertainment
This is a film that will likely prod under your skin, either luring you in or coming across as a nightmarish piece of garbage. For those who can work the former, it's a strangely perplexing film that deals with the value of entertainment and how the American Dream is a failed construct. With beautiful scenery and accompanying music that feels inappropriate, the quest to achieve success eats away at Gregg Turkington's character as he tells awful jokes, slowly devolving before the audience. It's an abrasive film, and definitely one that challenges the very notion of what cinema can be. It's a film worthy of the "Not for everyone" moniker, but that doesn't mean that it's also an achievement of showing the downside of hard work and how it eats away at your very dignity at a certain point.
18. Junun
Earlier this past fall, director Paul Thomas Anderson announced that we was going to make his first documentary based on collaborator Jonny Greenwood's journey to India to make music. Where it could've just been a simple cut and paste, it turns into a bigger celebration of life. With gorgeous exteriors, the entire film is nothing more than a celebration of life through music. Thankfully, the music is immediately mesmerizing and sets the viewer into a trance as things unfold. There isn't much of a narrative to this. If you just go along for the journey, you may find yourself experiencing a state of awe that will make you want to go to India and have your own spiritual awakening.
17. Slow West
If there's one thing that has been embarrassingly worthwhile in 2015, it's the sudden resurgence of western movie culture. While The Hateful Eight and The Revenant have stolen a lot of the smaller films' thunder, I definitely think that Slow West is pound for pound a more impressive achievement strictly in the genre. With excellent camerawork and a simple yet perplexing story, the film plays out in the traditional sense and continues to prove why Michael Fassbender is one of his generation's best actors. While the film itself is great, stay tuned for the required third act shoot out, where the film reaches peak western bliss as a choreographed routine of violence is set alongside a beautiful countryside. If nothing else, Slow West is evidence that great westerns can still be made.
16. Appropriate Behavior
Described upon its release as a "Pansexual Annie Hall," this film from director Desiree Akhavan is itself a wonderful comedy all about exploring one's identity as a Persian woman living in New York. With plenty of great personal insight, the film is an endearing and humorous portrait of one person's life. The whole thing is made more impressive thanks to Akhavan's work in writing, directing, and starring in the film. Even if the film unfairly gets comparisons to Lena Dunham's equally frank depictions of 21st century young women, it's not exactly the same. It's possibly even more endearing and assured in a lot of ways, resulting in a satisfying movie that unfortunately hasn't gotten the credit it's deserved due to its January release.
15. The Hateful Eight
Imagine if everyone in The Ox-Bow Incident were homicidal maniacs forced to work out their problems, and you'll start to understand what Quentin Tarantino is trying to do with his latest film. It's another western homage that isn't only better than the sloppier Django Unchained, but may be among the director's most ambitious work in his lengthy career. With some of his best characters and a third act twist that saves the film, it's an achievement in direction that came after several years of Tarantino almost not getting this film out there. Thankfully he did, and its attempt to be a social commentary on violence and race relations in America isn't entirely successful, but a lot more fun and effective than it has been with his work in the past. If this is the way he's going, I can only imagine what his final two films will look like.
14. Phoenix
It isn't often that a great film has a great ending. With each passing decade of cinema, it becomes more difficult to persuade audiences to feel that shock of seeing something unexpected. However, Phoenix is a film that more than earns that title for 2015. Of course, the preceding film is itself a majestic beauty in which a Holocaust survivor returns to her hometown to find her husband: a man that had ratted her out for his own safety. The drama is beautiful and well acted, presenting a side to post-war film that hasn't been explored quite like this before. It's a unique vision and one that is better seen than discussed too thoroughly beforehand. It's a powerful reflection of what cinema can be when allowed to embrace the moment.
13. Ex Machina
There were few surprise hits of the year that had as impressive an impact as Ex Machina, which updated the mythology and philosophy of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" to the post-modern era and created a strange portrait about the powers between man and machine. Thankfully, the practically three person movie has some of the greatest moments of the year, thanks to the cocky and charismatic Oscar Isaac. However, a lot of credit must be given to Alicia Vikander, whose performance as the main robot is itself full of fragility and nuance in ways that elevate the film's third act and turn an otherwise really good genre film into just a great film. Also, who can turn down Oscar Isaac dancing? It deserves a spot just for that.
12. Spotlight
As sad as it may sound, the value of journalism in 2015 isn't what it used to be. In an era fueled by immediate reactions on Twitter and Buzzfeed articles, the profession has largely been depleted of its social value. This somehow only adds value to what Spotlight is trying to go for with its long hours of researching and tracking down sources for the controversial religious sex scandal at the center of its story. Even if its subject is full of easy fodder to ridicule, the film still manages to be professional, looking at the value of religion when placed alongside this shattering portrait of a few corrupt individuals. Not since Capote has the profession of writing seemed so intriguing and almost like a superpower. Thankfully, the cast is fully of some great heavy hitters and director Thomas McCarthy has never been better. One could only hope that this resurrects the public's interest in professional journalism, though that'll be hard to announce on Buzzfeed for sure.
11. Bridge of Spies
It has been awhile since Steven Spielberg has been this focused and impressive with his work. In a film that follows Tom Hanks in the Cold War, the film manages to pack a punch that balances the director's old eye for action with his aging appreciation for story. With a great script by The Coen Brothers, the film explores the value of understanding people in a time when society says to do otherwise. What it lacks in John Williams score, it makes up for with beautiful set pieces, intense conversations, and one of the director's most impressive work if not in a decade, possibly in his career. It ranks among his best and gives hope that the man who invented the blockbuster can transition into unique and powerful prestige dramas without losing either side of him. This film is arguably is best balance yet.
UP NEXT: Come back tomorrow for the Listmania big finale - The Top 10 Best Films of 2015
Comments
Post a Comment