It’s that time of year again, when critics begin compiling their annual lists of “best of” and in some cases, “worst of” and we here at TheHDRoom are no different. Below is our list of the best films of 2015, which we have decided to cap off after December 18, when a certain little space movie hits theaters worldwide.
As with any “Best of” list, this is taken from all of the films we’ve seen in 2015. The list is also subjective to the critic, as I can guarantee that I enjoyed films that others didn’t, and vice-versa. If you don’t like our choices, feel free to comment on what we got wrong, what got left out, and maybe even your favorite movies of 2015.
Here’s our list of the 10 best films of 2015.
10. The Hateful Eight. I’m not a Tarantino fan. I’ve liked a couple of his movies, but the man loves very single word he writes, and he simply refuses to self-edit (words or film frames). It runs unnecessarily long, but when the story gets going after the characters get to the haberdashery, the Hateful Eight sizzles like no other movie in Tarantino’s repertoire. Plus, Kurt Russell makes everything he’s in better, and Walton Goggins absolutely steals the movie. I consider this Quentin Tarantino’s best film.
9. The Martian. I went into this one expecting over-emphasis on high-drama and Ridley Scott milking the whole “we have to save Mark” thing. Instead, I got a funny, amazingly-paced, high-science action-adventure film that hit all the right marks. Matt Damon did a helluva job here, and the supporting cast really helped elevate his performance. This may be Scott’s best all around film, and that says a lot.
8. Mad Max: Fury Road. George Miller returned to the character he created in 1979, and he updated the story in an amazing way. Max (now played by Tom Hardy) takes a backseat to Furiosa (Charlize Theron), and the story of their rag-tag caravan escaping the clutches of a madman across the dangerous Fury Road was more thrilling than any other film this year. Practical effects and stunts, and some of the best car chase scenes ever filmed really punctuated Mad Max: Fury Road and reintroduced the character and his post-apocalyptic world to a new generation of fans. It’s an amazing accomplishment.
7. The Big Short. The financial crisis of 2008 is still on many minds, as the effects are still being felt seven years later. Adam McKay’s film on the how and why is done with an almost funny approach, as a handful of industry folks saw the crash coming and tried to capitalize on it. Steve Carrell and Christian Bale lose themselves in their respective roles, and as the absurdity of what was happening plays out, the audience doesn’t even know if it’s safe to laugh, or be frightened that the bubble that burst is, right now, filling up with air again, and the crooks who caused the world’s economy to tank are still unpunished and most still have their jobs. Funny and scary, The Big Short is a solid ensemble film that begs to be watched.
6. Tomorrowland. This film was vilified for not focusing on the actual place called “Tomorrowland” and instead, telling the story of a group of people trying to get to the magical place. Tomorrowland, as the MacGuffin here, rubbed people the wrong way, apparently, but the message that Tomorrowland is made possible by the dreamers and creatives of the world resonated with me. It’s a fine movie, and one of the best of 2015.
5. Sicario. Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners) is back with a story ripped from today’s headlines, involving the U.S. response to the drug cartels of Mexico. A stellar cast, including Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benicio Del Toro, and a frenetic pulsing pace, punctuated by a killer score by Johan Johannson makes Sicario stand out as one of the best films of 2015 — and possibly the decade.
4. Brooklyn. Saoirse Ronan absolutely owns this movie as a young Irish girl who leaves her sleepy Ireland village to come to 1950s New York. Ronan’s performance is easily one of the best of the year, and the film has a heartbeat of joy, and loss, and so much more. It is well worthy of any and all awards it may win come Oscar time.
3. Trumbo. Bryan Cranston and this amazing cast tell the story of one of the darkest times in 20th century America: when we turned on our own. Much like the witch hunts of 17th century Massachusetts, Hollywood was ransacked by vindictive people with their own agendas, and many talented writers, Like Dalton Trumbo, were hurt because of it. The sad story of the Hollywood 10 makes for a great movie, and it’s punctuated by the fact that it’s a true story. Sad but true.
2. The Revenant. Beautiful and brutal, this was my number one film until earlier this week. The story of the legendary Hugh Glass and the real-life expedition that almost killed him many times over is brought to life by Alejandro Inarritu (Birdman), and Inarritu’s decision to shoot with only natural light and only on location (no sets) gives this film a realism not seen in film for decades. When Leonardo DiCaprio is swimming through an icy river in the Canadian winter, he’s really doing it. The bear attack may be CG, but the rest is shockingly brutal. This film, while a little long, is a triumph of filmmaking, and positions Inarritu as one of the best filmmakers working today.
1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens. No other movie this year hit the notes that The Force Awakens did. I laughed, I cried, I was in awe, and it made me tap into a part of myself that I had thought lost. Technically, it’s a gorgeous film and J.J. Abrams really nailed what a Star Wars film is meant to be. The Force Awakens is the perfect Star Wars film, and sets up the next trilogy by investing in the characters and their journey, and not just the spectacle of it all. And I will never forget the rush of emotions I felt in that last shot. Suddenly, I was 8-years-old again, and no film this year had that kind of effect on me. I may be biased in opinion when it comes to Star Wars, but I’m not ashamed. This is the best movie of 2015.
There you go. I watched well over 100 movies this year, and reviewed a good number of them (and more will be coming as they hit theaters nationwide in the coming weeks). Did your favorite movie make this list? Did I overlook something you really enjoyed? Feel free to comment below. In the meantime, have a wonderful end of 2015, and here’s to an amazing 2016!
