 |
| Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road |
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.
10. The Duke of Burgundy
It's not often that a BDSM relationship can be seen as one of the most romantic and artful movies of the year. In the case of director Peter Strickland's latest, he manages to turn a love affair into something far more complex and beautiful, both in story and in cinematography. With a perplexing through line regarding butterflies (the title references a specific species), the film is rich with poetic devices and sincere moments that show the vulnerability of love in its most intimate moments. Thankfully, the film is far more tasteful than its BDSM moniker would suggest, but that doesn't mean that it lacks any of the passion necessary to grab you emotionally.
9. Mad Max: Fury Road
On paper, this sounds like one of the most cynical movie releases of the year. It's a sequel to a franchise whose previous installment was in the 80's; and features none of the original cast in favor of ridiculously named characters. However, the elderly George Miller fooled us all by turning in a film that not only stripped away a large component of CG action to focus on realistic stunts; but created one of the few mainstream phenomenons of the year. Sure, Tom Hardy is no Mel Gibson (The Road Warrior is still the best of the series), but Charlize Theron as Furiosa is among the greatest female characters so far this decade. Everything about this film tears apart the very structure of mainstream cinema and reassembles it as a pseudo-western with bawdy character designs. With the promise of more from Miller, one can only imagine how many more masterpieces the king of car cinema will bring us.
8. The Clouds of Sils Maria
A film sponsored by fragrance company Chanel should not be as impressive as this. Lead by phenomenal performances by Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart, this film perfectly explores the conflicts of celebrity as it relates to aging women. It's a film rich with great subtext and meaning that unfairly earned it comparisons to All About Eve, but achieves so much more of a complicated and beautiful look. The film is one of those rare achievements where it can be meta about itself while also being profoundly more complex than it would suggest. The only tragic thing is that Binoche and Stewart's performances are likely to be overlooked come awards season, if just because of how little it's appeared in conversations.
7. Kumiko: The Treasure Hunter
There were likely few plots that were as immediately eyebrow raising as this one, in which Kumiko (Rinko Kikuchi) acquires a VHS tape of Fargo and seeks to find the treasure. Despite the goofy plot, the film is a compelling mix of American and Asian cultures as it slowly transitions to those familiar snowy roadsides. Thankfully, Kikuchi gives an excellent performance, and one of such dedication that the absurdity of the situation works as pure drama. It also helps that she has a temporary sidekick named Bunzo: a rabbit who is likely to win the hearts of everyone who sees this. If you don't know about Fargo, don't worry. The film isn't too reference heavy and is more of a plot device to start one of the most fascinating and beautiful executions of any film this year.
6. Joy
With this film, director David O. Russell has officially made his transition from the early, angry days of Flirting with Disaster and Three Kings; to the populous auteur of his past few. With an excellent performance that highlights why Jennifer Lawrence is his perfect protege, Joy manages to mix drama with plot progressing comedy in some of the most fluid and assured directing that Russell has done since The Fighter. With plenty of great subtext regarding the economy and women in the workplace, this is a film with lofty ambitions that thankfully aren't overshadowed by the film's lesser moments. Still, it's an impressive ensemble film that shows why Russell's ensemble technique is such an effective force.
5. Mistress America
In 2013, director Noah Baumbach and actress Greta Gerwig created an impressive ode to best friends with Frances Ha. For their follow-up, they continued to expand on this idea and in the process resuscitating the screwball comedy. Gerwig co-stars with Lola Kirke as sisters bonding in light of strange mishaps. While it may not sound like the basis for much, Baumbach's direction in the third act alone is some of his best work - and the perfect balance of comedy entrances. Still, the real question to come from this is: how much longer until Gerwig becomes the national treasure she is? She's not just one of the best parts of the movie where she gives yet another endearing and funny performance with subversive undertones, she may be one of the funniest working actresses today. Here's hoping that Baumbach and Gerwig never separate.
4. Steve Jobs
Be honest, who would want to see a movie about Steve Jobs? Even when the deck was stacked with such a prestigious line-up (Michael Fassbender, Danny Boyle, Aaron Sorkin, etc.), it wouldn't be enough to draw in a crowd. Which is a shame, because the results were far more fascinating than one would expect. Fassbender gives yet another amazing performance as Jobs as he prepares for three major product launches throughout his career. With a nice mix of artistry from Boyle and Sorkin's rapid fire dialogue, the film perfectly works as a film that might have worked better as a stage play. Even if the facts are wrong (which they probably are), the poetic license helps to create a portrait of what the ego does to one's career and relationships. Considering that Sorkin chose Jobs for his subject, it only adds more of an empowering vibe to the final product.
3. Queen of Earth
After last year's Listen Up Philip, director Alex Ross Perry returns with a film that's even more focused and unnerving; this time pitting Katherine Waterston against fresh off of Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss. Technically, the film already feels aloof and abstract with a soundtrack that helps to draw tension from every grainy still shot. However, it's a powerhouse vehicle for Moss as a women who slowly succumbs to a mental breakdown. While not the expressive kind you'd find in, say, Mommie Dearest, the haunting stare of Moss as she gives scathing monologues is the work of genius that suggests that she will be fine. She's a great actress, and this film pretty much proves it within seconds of her appearance.
2. Inside Out
It has been YEARS since Pixar released a film this great. Just as it looked like the studio was to be stuck in releasing so-so movies, Inside Out returned the studio to its heyday with one of its most complex and fully realized films ever. The film is itself impressive for making the abstract into something tangible while also being a not-so-subtle commentary on the impact that Pixar movies have on us as the writers pull on our emotional levers. It's a film that will make you feel all five of the emotions, but is mostly ambitious for choosing to explore why it's okay to be sad. As much as it's a film about approaching adolescence, it's a film that proves why we loved Pixar for so many years and why during its 20th anniversary, they brought a film impossible to top - even by their standards.
1. Carol
While there have always been amazing movies per year (including previously mentioned titles), there aren't many that feel as perfect as director Todd Haynes' deceptively simple romantic drama in which Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara have a romantic entanglement. From the career best score by Carter Burwell to the amazing cinematography; the film is a celebration of love and life in ways that have been attempted to be depicted before, but never as effectively. With a wonderful ending, it's hard to think of any other film this year that was as exuberant and joyful as Carol, and it unfortunately won't seem likely to happen again right away. Cherish the fact that cinema can still make perfect movies like this. You'll probably forget this is true if you don't.
Comments
Post a Comment