The year’s just about over, so it’s time to look back on the films that really stood out and made an impact. Considering some highly anticipated films such as The Hateful Eight and The Revenant have yet to be released, there will be a follow up post. Without further ado, here are some 2015 films that are worth watching:
Ant-Man
This turned out way better than anyone could’ve expected considering Edgar Wright walked away before filming due to creative differences with Marvel. Basically, it’s a comedic heist film disguised as a superhero film. The sci-fi elements and the underlying theme of redemption give the film a surprising amount of depth too. It’s another strong entry in the MCU and is getting a well-deserved sequel with the Wasp!
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Is it perfect like the first Avengers? No, and in the film’s defense, it never would’ve been able to live up to such unrealistic expectations. It’s still a great film with a lot of conflict, even some inner conflict between the heroes. Ultron also happens to be a complex villain, and serves as a chilling example of the danger self-aware AI could pose to humanity.
Black Mass
A compelling, yet unsettling crime film based on the book Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob. It follows real life Irish American gangster James “Whitey” Bulger’s alliance with the FBI that began in 1975, and how it allowed the criminal activity of the Winter Hill Gang to go unchecked in Boston, MA. The ensemble cast is great, especially Johnny Depp as Bulger. He’s absolutely terrifying in the role and it serves as a much needed return to form for him. Joel Edgerton also nails his supporting role as John Connolly, the FBI agent who allows his deep rooted respect and loyalty for Bulger to corrupt him. The law is called into question just as much as the criminals are, and the film makes no attempt to glorify the gangster or criminal life, because it’s depicted exactly the way it is: brutal.
Body
A great indie horror/thriller set on Christmas, and the three female leads successfully carry it. Thanks to some clever twists and turns, it’s not predictable either. It has potential to become a cult favorite.
Bone Tomahawk
The other 2015 western film starring Kurt Russell. It’s a slow burner that effectively combines western and horror with great acting and brutal gore makeup/effects on top of it.
Burying the Ex
Joe Dante’s best work in years. A guy who’s a horror geek is in a relationship with an attractive, yet controlling and self-righteous girlfriend. After she’s killed in a freak accident, he becomes romantically interested in another attractive girl who’s a better fit for him, but his ex comes back from the dead to complicate everything. A horror geek being that lucky girl wise certainly wouldn’t happen in real life, but it’s no more unrealistic than the typical romantic comedy. What makes the film great is the added horror element and strong performances. It’s like a romantic comedy for guys, but can also be enjoyed by any horror geek.
A Christmas Horror Story
A fun horror anthology film set at Christmas time. The wrap around with William Shatner is decent and one of the stories has a shocker of a twist at the end.
Cop Car
Two boys steal a cop car that belongs to a corrupt sheriff; the premise is simple and so well executed. It’s tense and compelling throughout, and Kevin Bacon turns in yet another great performance as the corrupt sheriff. Also, it just so happens to be set and filmed in Colorado, which is awesome!
Creed
Thanks to strong direction, a good script, and strong performances, especially Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Johnson, Apollo Creed’s son; it’s perhaps the best sequel in the Rocky franchise. It’s by no means a cash grab sequel either, because it effectively manages to stand on its own.
Creep
Many have grown tired of the found footage subgenre/formula (rightfully so), and this is easily one of the better found footage films of recent years. Thanks to the talents of Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice, it’s a clever mix of comedy and horror, and it doesn’t fall back on the predictable found footage formula.
Crimson Peak
The story is flawed and predictable, but the solid acting and phenomenal visuals are more than enough to make up for it. A must see for any fan of gothic horror and/or Guillermo del Toro.
Digging For Fire
Yet another good and engaging film from mumblecore icon, Joe Swanberg. A husband and wife played by Jake Johnson and Rosemarie DeWitt spend a weekend apart after the discovery of a bone and a gun. They take the time to reflect and contemplate the future. Like with Swanberg’s previous films, there’s an incredible supporting cast and a lot of deep, introspective dialogue too.
Dope
Thanks to well-developed characters and an engaging plot, it’s a great crime/comedy flick that doesn’t feel obligated or forced to abide by “gangsta” clichés. Having the main characters be geeks also offers a fresh and unique perspective on lower class Los Angeles.
Ex Machina
It’s easily the best sci-fi film of the decade and one that will be talked about and remembered for years to come. It’s tense, intellectually engaging, and visually sleek. The three main actors, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, and Alicia Vikander successfully carry the film. Each of them have really taken off these past few years, and rightfully so. The film also raises some smart questions and concerns about human sexual nature and the future of AI.
The Final Girls
The film follows a group of friends, who end up trapped in the confines of an actual slasher film. It’s a fun and creative meta-horror film with a surprising amount of emotional depth, because the mother of one of the girls in the group (she was killed in a car accident) starred in the film, and it allows them to reconnect. This would make for a good double feature with Cabin in the Woods, another great meta-horror film released back in 2012.
The Gift
This film proves that Joel Edgerton is just as good as a writer & director as he is as an actor. This is much better than most thrillers because it refuses to take the “by the numbers” approach. Joel Edgerton is creepy, yet oddly sympathetic in his role as Gordo, a man who was abused and tortured in the past and Jason Bateman is absolute scum as Simon, who was acquainted with Gordo in the past. The film effectively shifts from being weird to downright unsettling as it progresses.
The Green Inferno
Eli Roth’s long anticipated cannibal film finally made its way to theatres this year after legal and distribution issues delayed its release. While it doesn’t add anything new to the cannibal subgenre, it’s still a solid film. The gore effects are brutal and convincing and it has plenty dark comedic moments. It also serves as an intriguing critique of social justice warriors, specifically young, college aged ones. It’s more of a film for Roth enthusiasts, however.
It Follows
One of the best horror films of the decade. The premise of an unknown supernatural force stalking a girl after her sexual encounter with a guy is both terrifying and original. In addition to this, it shows a lot of love for 70’s and 80’s horror and is a well-made film on technical terms.
Jurassic World
Nitpicking and minor plot holes aside, it’s hands down the best sequel in the Jurassic Park franchise. The love for the first Jurassic Park is all there, and so is the sense of awe and excitement. Also, Chris Pratt is so charismatic!
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Based on the comic series The Secret Service created by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, it’s an undeniably entertaining self-aware spy film. While the film makes some big departures from the comics, it still sticks true to the main storyline and tone. Samuel L. Jackson nails his role as Richmond Valentine, the film’s villain and Colin Firth is unexpectedly bad-ass as Galahad, a Kingsman spy. The church fight sequence is also a thing of beauty!
Knock Knock
Like with The Green Inferno, this one is mostly for Eli Roth enthusiasts as well. It’s an exaggerated home invasion thriller with Keanu Reeves as a married man who’s tortured over the course of a weekend by two sadistic girls. Keanu Reeves is amusingly hammy at times and Lorenza Izzo and Ana de Armes are seductive, yet absolutely evil as the two girls who torture him. As a whole, it’s a gripping film that explores the possible grim consequences of committing adultery.
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck
A documentary about Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain that’s just as intriguing and off the wall as the man himself was. The unique approach makes for a bizarre experience, and it captures both the creative side and the human side of Cobain, the latter side being something that’s often overlooked and lost when one becomes an “icon”.
Love & Mercy
It’s a great biographical drama that follows the dark past of musician Brian Wilson, who is well known for being one of the founders of The Beach Boys. The parallel narrative works great as we follow Wilson in the 60’s, played by Paul Dano, when his mental problems begin and in the 80’s, played by John Cusack, when he’s being mistreated by his psychotherapist, who’s played by Paul Giamatti. A hopeless situation for Wilson is changed thanks to a chance encounter with a strong willed and good intentioned woman, Melinda Ledbetter, played by Elizabeth Banks. It’s a compelling and dark look into the life of a music prodigy, yet it never lets hope slip away entirely for Wilson nor the viewer.
Mad Max: Fury Road
George Miller absolutely delivered with this long awaited sequel/reboot. It’s easily the best film in the Mad Max franchise and also the best film of 2015 on a creative and technical level. The visuals are phenomenal, the plot is simple, yet engaging, the action is chaotic & non-stop, and Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron both kick ass in their respective roles. Theron especially nails her role as Imperator Furiosa, a lieutenant of the film’s antagonist who defies his patriarchal order. The film’s strong feminist message is just one of the many reasons why it’s been highly praised and talked about. Tom Hardy successfully takes over the role of Max Rockatansky from Mel Gibson and considering the film’s success, we just might be seeing Max again and not have to wait another 30 years.
The Martian
Based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name, it’s Ridley Scott’s best directed film in years and is one of the best sci-fi films of the decade. The ensemble cast is great and there’s a lot of humor injected into the dire situation, and it works thanks to some strong writing and acting.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Based on Jesse Andrew’s novel of the same name, it’s a dramedy about a self-loathing teen who befriends a girl at his high school who’s dying of cancer. It’s a touching film about human connection that hits hard emotionally without ever feeling forced.
Mission: Impossible – Rouge Nation
Although Ghost Protocol remains the best of the franchise, Rouge Nation is a worthy follow-up. The film benefits from director Christopher McQuarrie’s vison, and Rebecca Ferguson’s strong performance as Ilsa Faust, a female MI6 agent. She’s been the best female character in the franchise so far. Sean Harris is also impressive as Soloman Lane, the film’s antagonist.
The Night Before
It’s a great film about Christmas, drugs, partying, but most importantly, friendship. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anthony Mackie make for a convincing friends, and the supporting cast is nothing short of incredible, especially Michael Shannon.
The Overnight
Patrick Brice continues to impress with his second feature length film. It’s a smart film that explores marriage and relationships in the modern age. It’s gripping and intriguing from start to finish and the small cast is in tune the entire time.
Slow West
Perhaps one of the most overlooked films of the year and certainly one of the best looking thanks to some top notch cinematography. The film follows a young man, played by Kodi Smit-McPhee as he travels through Western America in search of his true love. He comes across an outlaw, played by Michael Fassbender who agrees to help guide him. Both actors are phenomenal in their respective roles. It’s a film that shows how meaningful the pursuit of love is, yet how futile it can all be in the end.
Spectre
While it’s not on par with Skyfall, it’s another fun Bond outing that’s very reminiscent of the older Bond films. Christoph Waltz practically steals the film too. He can play a villain like no other.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Thanks to J.J. Abrams, we finally got another worthwhile Star Wars film after more than 30 years. Everything we loved about the original trilogy is there, and the force is once again strong with the Star Wars franchise.
Trainwreck
Amy Schumer is one of the funniest women in the business, and this film proves that. It’s hilarious and a surprisingly heartfelt comedy about a woman who gradually discovers that monogamy just might be possible. The supporting cast is great too, especially John Cena and Lebron James, who plays himself. It’s also Judd Apatow’s best film since Knocked Up.
Turbo Kid
Turbo Kid is quite the super violent sci-fi action/adventure film that’s also a great homage to sci-fi and action films of the 80’s. It has a surprising amount of humanity and emotional depth too. The Kid and Apple, played by Munro Chambers and Laurence Leboeuf respectively make for quite the cute and charming pair!
Vacation
Despite the over reliance on raunchy humor at times, it’s a lot better than most have given it credit for. The love for the previous Vacation films is still there and it’s very entertaining in its own right.
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