Here are my top 10 films of 2015. Dare I say it, it’s been a relatively slow year for film, but we have had some pretty darn good ones.
10. Amy (IMDb)
Amy is an interesting perspective into the life of Amy Winehouse who passed in 2011 as a result of alcohol poisoning. It’s a documentary that simply cannot be missed, it’s heartbreaking and incredibly moving while highlighting the highs and lows of Winehouse’s life (and subsequent death). It’s an honest look into the life of a celebrity and one that cannot be looked over.
9. Jurassic World (IMDb)
The visuals for Jurassic World are a stand-out here, likewise with Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas-Howard’s performances in the movie. The general nostalgia is perhaps lessened which works in it’s favour as it provides a more sophisticated and developed perspective on the ‘Jurassic’ movie series.
8. Big Hero 6 (IMDb)
Big Hero 6 arrived in the UK quite late, at the very start of 2015, two months after it’s US release. The heavy influence of culture in the film is awe-inspiring, and seeing the relationship between Hiro and Baymax develop was particularly heart-warming also. The action in the film is particularly fun as well, especially with it’s source material being Marvel, the villain is compromising and intriguing, and the main characters are compelling and loving.
7. The Martian (IMDb)
Apart from a STELLAR soundtrack (ABBA, David Bowie, Gloria Gaynor, and Donna Summer), The Martian, starring Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig and Jessica Chastain, is a genuinely entertaining and thrilling movie with grounded emotion that provides a sense of humanity when so often this is lost in a film like this. The visual effects are particularly worthy of praise, also, it’s simply an awe-inspiring movie.
6. Inside Out (IMDb)
This was my most highly anticipated animated movie of 2015, I found the concept of a Pixar/Disney film about what goes on inside the mind fascinating and knew it would be a success (considering Pixar has made films about Cars, robots, and bugs). Being one of the more conceptually ambitious movies in this list, the animation and storyline is likewise ambitious which boosts the quality of the film in a delicate and simply superb manner.
4. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (IMDb)
Having read the book, I was most excited for the film. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is charming and beautifully articulated to feel personal and charming while touching on the heart-wrenching story of cancer without being too focused on the dramatics and solemnity, bringing in some light-heartedness and comedic value.
5. Ant-Man (IMDb)
While Age of Ultron was fine (and grossed a lot more), Ant-Man was the true MVP for Marvel Movies in 2015. The visual content was superb, and the use of ordinary household objects to emphasise ‘size’ in the film is admirable, perhaps even more so when Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) first puts the costume on and shrinks down in a bathtub. Furthermore, the storyline is entertaining and fitting for a ‘smaller’ Marvel movie, likewise the characters and comedic value of the film boosts it to one of Marvel’s best.
3. Brooklyn (IMDb)
Seeing Felicity Smoak speak in an Irish accent was a bit of a culture shock, however this was rectified by such an amazing film. Saoirse Ronan’s perfomance is simply outstanding in Brooklyn, as is the supporting cast with the likes of Domhnall Gleeson and Julie Walters. The production on Brooklyn is also worth praise, which easily guides the movie and makes it flow effortlessly.
2. The Theory of Everything (IMDb)
The Theory of Everything was released on the 2nd of January here in the United Kingdom, so it applies to this list, which is fortunate because it is a superb film. Eddie Redmayne is one of my favourite people, and his portrayal as Stephen Hawking was awe-inspiring and moving, as was Felicity Jones as Jane Hawking. The Theory of Everything is carefully articulated and portrays Hawking’s story in such a heart-warming and tender way.
Honourable mentions
Avengers: Age of Ultron, Creed, Mad Max: Fury Road, Carol, Bridge of Spies, Dope.
1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (IMDb)
I saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens on the 21st December with some friends and I fell in love. I smiled throughout the entire movie (apart from a few moments but no spoilers), I thoroughly enjoyed the cinematography and direction J. J. Abrams took with the film, which resonated a lot stylistically with the original Star Wars trilogy. BB-8 lives up to the hype, being the wonderful droid we expected, and more. Unfortunately, I didn’t go into this blind as it had been spoiled for me on Twitter whilst I was reading the replies on a BBC Breaking News tweet (a lack of connection between the two but some people just want to watch the world burn) so I didn’t have the anticipation because I was aware of what would happen. However, even if you’re aware of the story, it’s still a fantastic film and engages you no matter what, with old and new coming together to bring Star Wars back to life.
totallyculture 