Posted on ANDPOP:
This year has been a big year for film with The Hunger Games coming to an end, Daniel Craig wrapping up his time on James Bond and, of course, everything Marvel — so I did the brunt work of rounding up all the movies of 2015 that you have to see if you haven’t, and have to re-watch if you have.
Although this list has been a work in process for a while, I basically had the Top 2 spots figured out immediately after this year’s TIFF (no skipping ahead!).
You’ll probably see some of these films on other lists, but prepare for some surprises because, to be honest, a lot of these movies surprised me.
Lets get to it:
10. Tangerine
9. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
8. Magic Mike XXL
7. Inside Out
6. Anomalisa
5. Mad Max: Fury Road
Of all the summer blockbusters that came and went, Mad Max: Fury Road was the most memorable. Invigorating and original (even though it’s a reboot), It’s a visual trip kept grounded by a surprisingly weighty narrative and a stellar cast — in particular, Charlize Theron as Furiosa, who the movie truly belongs to, making it more than just a summer action flick.
4) Spy
Yeah, Spy is on this list and Carol isn’t — you’re all going to have to deal with it. Director Paul Feig has really come into his own with his last few movies. Bridesmaids is great, of course, The Heat is made by the performances but with Spy, Feig got it very right. In Spy Melissa McCarthy gives her most fully realized comedic film performance yet; the shtick is cast aside and Susan Cooper feels like a real person (more or less). It’s the best spy-genre movie to come out this year. Also, Rose Byrne is a goddess and we are all unworthy. There’s also that.
3) Creed
I have never felt more energized, emotionally drained and high off cinema than after watching Creed. Much like the film that comes next on this list, Creed broke me; there is nothing like an inspirational sports drama to really get the waterworks flowing. Michael B. Jordan delivers as always — and, I think, is being overlooked this awards season — but the film belongs to the understated performance from Stallone, reprising his most iconic role — Rocky Balboa, of course. Creed checks off all the items one needs to work as a sports drama but beautifully sidesteps convention. All credit belongs to director Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station) for masterfully crafting this sorta-kinda Rocky reboot.
2) Brooklyn
Brooklyn! Brooklyn. I thought I had cried all the water out of me when I saw it back in September at TIFF, but I saw it for a second time this month and it hit me just as hard. The quiet sweeps over and when you’re least expecting it, you’re a puddle. Saorise gives one of the best, if not the best, performances of the year in the film as Eilis, an Irish immigrant who moves to Brooklyn in the 1950’s. Beautifully penned by Nick Hornby, the period drama based on the book of the same name isn’t heavy handed and it soars in the softest of moments.
1) Spotlight
I knew when I saw Spotlight at TIFF that it would remain my favourite film for the remainder of the year. The film is based on the true story of the Boston Globes Spotlight team and their uncovering of the allegations of abuse against the Catholic Church. Tom McCarthy directs this all-star ensemble cast — Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schrieber, John Slattery and Brian d’Arcy James — as the Spotlight team. While not an action movie, obviously, Spotlight is the most thrilling spectacle you’ll see all year — and there isn’t even a chase scene. It supersedes the conventions of a typical procedural thanks to it’s sharp script, perfect pacing and the riveting true story at hand shown to us through the eyes of investigative journalists. It tackles a heavy subject matter with such grace, an impeccable script and a true ensemble that works together.
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