In cinema, 2015 was a dynamite year as both independent and mainstream studios churned out some truly spectacular and unforgettable films. Women soared in an industry usually dominated by men, the world’s best performers and filmmakers put in some of their finest work to date and after years of mundane sequels and remakes, some old franchises come roaring back to life. It was definitely one for the books.
While it’s difficult to give every single great film that came out this year the recognition they deserve, these films are simply the best of the best.
10) “The Martian”
Director: Ridley Scott
The story of Mark Watney (Matt Damon, “The Bourne Identity”), an astronaut who is accidentally left behind by his crew on Mars and subsequently struggles to survive, is a striking testament to the power of science as well as the human spirit. Unlike many modern science-fiction films, it respects its audience, never holding back in its presentation of complex problems and trusting viewers to come along for the ride. It celebrates humanity’s ability to overcome and get to work, all the while being extremely fun to watch. It’s one of the most refreshing and realistic science-fiction adventures to come out in years.
9) “It Follows”
Director: David Robert Mitchell
After a disturbing sexual encounter, young Jay (Maika Monroe, “The Guest”) is relentlessly followed by an unseen entity that will kill her if it ever touches her. The premise alone made this one of the most interesting and provocative horror films in recent memory. No one could have ever guessed that its impeccably haunting imagery, retro music and powerful acting would make it a classic in a genre so desperately in need of a return to form. This one will crawl under the skins of audiences for a long time.
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s follow-up to last year’s Best Picture Oscar winner “Birdman,” “The Revenant” is based on the true events involving Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wall Street”), a fur trapper mauled by a bear and left for dead by his hunting party. The film is a shocking and grim tale of survival and revenge that skillfully ponders on both the kindness and cruelty of man. Beautifully shot, masterfully acted and gripping from start to finish, this film elevates the survival picture to profound art.
7) “Ex Machina”
Director: Alex Garland
A naïve programmer (Domnhall Gleeson, “The Revenant”) is invited out to the mountain estate of his reclusive boss (Oscar Isaac, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) to perform a task beyond his wildest dreams: test the humanity of an artificial intelligence named Ava (Alicia Vikander, “The Danish Girl”). This delectably twisty mind-game makes an absolute star out of Vikander, all the while painting a grimly stunning portrait of the frivolousness that is men trying to play God. It’s a gorgeous and haunting film that will leave viewers looking over their shoulders at the increasingly computerized world.
6) “Steve Jobs”
Director: Danny Boyle
An unconventional biopic set at three pivotal Apple product launches, “Steve Jobs” paints a complex portrait of the man it is named for (Michael Fassbender, “Macbeth”) with dizzying and commanding grace. The film undoubtedly has one of the, if not the, best scripts of the year, firing out some of the most intelligent and witty dialogue the biopic genre has ever seen. Fassbender is more than up to the task, turning in the best performance of his career and making this relentlessly excellent film a must-see.
5) “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
Director: J.J. Abrams
Set three decades after the original trilogy, this new adventure in the “Star Wars” saga serves as a bridge between a new generation of characters and the assortment of heroes and villains that millions upon millions of viewers cheered for in cinemas so many years ago. Released to an unprecedented amount of hype but also doubt, Abrams and the incredible cast more than lived up to expectations by creating some of the absolute best characters the franchise has ever seen. The film calls back to its roots while not being afraid to take some big risks. The acting, especially from newcomer and complete revelation Daisy Ridley, is what truly makes this journey special. This one has got it where it counts, kid.
4) “Sicario”
Director: Denis Villeneuve
A dark and violent tale set at the breaking point of the War on Drugs, “Sicario” follows FBI agent Kate Mercer (Emily Blunt, “Edge of Tomorrow”) as she tries to navigate a disturbing web of lies and secrets while working with a shady-at -best mercenary group assigned to bring in one of Mexico’s most powerful drug lords. The film serves as a formidable showcase for the talents of its skilled actors while simultaneously presenting stunning commentary on the grim world of drug trafficking. Highlighted further by superb set pieces and imagery, this cat-and-mouse game leads viewers into the heart of darkness and leaves them there to wonder if the War on Drugs is really a just cause at all.
Director: George Miller
The newest installment in the legend of Australian wasteland hero Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy, “The Revenant”), “Fury Road” follows Max as he helps a group of sex slaves led by a tough as nails warrior named Furiosa (Charlize Theron, “Prometheus”) escape a powerful masochist warlord and his insane army of terminally ill minions. The film is about 10 times more insane than it sounds. A pure, unadulterated adrenaline rush from the second the engines start roaring, “Fury Road” is not only the most ambitious and exciting action film in decades, it’s a powerful feminist film that never forces its women to hold back and provides the best female action protagonist ever put to the screen. Strap in and prepare to be blown away.
2) “Carol”
Director: Todd Haynes
Set in 1950s New York, “Carol” spins an utterly captivating tale of forbidden love between two complex women (Cate Blanchett, “The Lord of the Rings,” Rooney Mara, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and the effects their romance has not only on their lives, but on their very being. Lovingly crafted and perfectly acted, “Carol” is frankly one of the best romance pictures ever made. Every single moment of the film is dazzling, and no other cinematic drama about a lesbian relationship has respected and adored its characters as much as this one. It’s the most moving film of the year.
1) “Spotlight”
Director: Tom McCarthy
The true story of the Boston Globe reporters (Michael Keaton, “Birdman,” Mark Ruffalo, “The Avengers,” Rachel McAdams, “Sherlock Holmes”) who exposed the systemic cover-up of child molestation within the Catholic Church, “Spotlight” is a terrific film about the importance of journalistic work and all the good its reporters do for the world. An old-school procedural that expertly captures the day-to-day grind of being a journalist while respectfully exploring one of the biggest scandals in modern history, this film feels as real and raw as a film possibly can be. The acting is phenomenal, the script is intelligent and flawlessly researched and the direction is always mindful of telling the story right. Most importantly, the message is significant, as it should be for the best film. When a system continues to destroy lives and no one will stop it, it takes everyday people who aren’t afraid to stand up for what is right and fair to expose why that system is wrong. That seems like a fitting message for a year and a time where things can seem so dark, and no other film could have portrayed that this perfectly. Bravo.
