My Top Films of 2015
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- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsMiles TellerJ.K. SimmonsMelissa BenoistA promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.Whiplash is a tremendous drama that hits every note pitch perfect and has a tempo that neither rushes nor drags. Damien Chazelle's polished modern direction is a sight to see as we delve into the life of music student "Andrew Neiman" as he sheds blood, sweat and tears to become one of the great Jazz drummers of all time. Miles Teller is phenomenal in the central role as Andrew whose determination and grit is a marvel to watch unfold and evolve as the picture progresses. J. K. Simmons similarly is utterly phenomenal as the monster that is "Terrence Fletcher" who pushes Andrew to the limit of his musical ability and psyche through verbal and psychological torment akin to "Sgt. Hartman" from Full Metal Jacket. Both actors have the most remarkable chemistry and play off each other like the finest of musical partnerships. Filled with sequences of unbridled tension that kept me on the edge of my seat, scenes of bittersweet emotional depth between Andrew and his dad or his love interest Nicole; it must be said that the finale of Whiplash is by far one of the best i've seen on screen for some time. It would be a sin for me to not mention how incredible the wall of sound is that is created from the drums at the climax of this feature - the euphoric chills were unreal. Lastly, the attention to detail to the mindset, aesthetic and idiosyncratic nature of music within an educational environment is simply top notch. From the sneaky peaks in practice room windows, the deep seated competition to be the best among fellow peers to the constant practicing over and over again until your technique is just right - Whiplash delivers an authentic look into the life of a student of music. Certainly my favourite of the year so far and quite rightly nominated for Best Picture, Whiplash is a joy from the first hit of the snare to the last crash of the cymbals. I left the cinema in awe. 5/5
- DirectorAlfonso Gomez-RejonStarsThomas MannRJ CylerOlivia CookeHigh schooler Greg, who spends most of his time making parodies of classic movies with his co-worker Earl, finds his outlook forever altered after befriending a classmate who has just been diagnosed with cancer.
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsEmily BluntJosh BrolinBenicio Del ToroAn idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.
- DirectorYorgos LanthimosStarsColin FarrellRachel WeiszJessica BardenIn a dystopian near future, according to the laws of The City, single people are taken to The Hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in 45 days or they're transformed into beasts and sent off into The Woods.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsJoaquin PhoenixJosh BrolinOwen WilsonIn 1970, drug-fueled Los Angeles private investigator Larry "Doc" Sportello investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend.Paul Thomas Anderson's latest cinematic effort is obscure, yet at the same time, clear as day. The world that Anderson adapts and showcases on screen is so seductively vibrant every frame makes you want to jump into the projection and be part of his hazy vision of 1970 LA. The performances that he acquires from his ensemble cast is simply fantastic. Brolin's sheer temerity, Waterston's heartbreaking grit and Phoenix's stoner swagger are all fantastic pieces of a jigsaw that fit into the vast puzzle that is Inherent Vice (I'd also like to note it is incredibly fun to see Phoenix and Witherspoon side by side once more). Cinematography is also handled expertly as always in PTA's features by Robert Elswit who makes each shot look dusty and vintage like an old suede jacket. Not to mention the costume and attention to detail with regards to the period is absolutely spot on. With all that being said, this is by far Paul Thomas Anderson's least accessible film. For those who like cohesive and concise narratives; look for entertainment elsewhere. Inherent Vice has the most mystifyingly impenetrable narrative that is sadly worsened by its bloated 2hr and 28 minute long run time. While it has been argued the film is to be "breathed" rather than followed, following the narrative and often mumbled fast spoken dialogue proves to be a big challenge and you'd feel you'd have a better time watching the film with a pause and rewind button and PTA himself on standby next to you so you can ask him: "Ok... So what's happening now?". The film has a satisfying close and does tie up near enough all of its loose ends, but at the same time, the time that it takes to get there does not warrant the conclusion that Inherent Vice comes to. Despite having a catchy compiled score featuring acts like Can, The Marketts, Sam Cooke and The Association, the composed score by Johnny Greenwood lacks the memorability of his last two scores for Anderson's work (There Will Be Blood and The Master). There was sadly no "Able Bodied Seamen" nor a "Proven Lands" to mull over in my head for days on end. Overall, from a film making standpoint this film is top shelf, back of the net, A-grade work... But in terms of storytelling, it's sadly a bit of a mess. This does not mean that I don't think multiple viewings of the film will make the narrative clearer and easier to follow, and that my opinion will change subsequently, but for casual film fans looking to be completely satisfied when the credits roll; I don't think Inherent Vice is the film for you. Maybe the film would be better to watch after taking "a massive bong hit" as Josh Brolin said in an interview... Well, only one way to find out... 4/5
- DirectorTodd HaynesStarsCate BlanchettRooney MaraSarah PaulsonAn aspiring photographer develops an intimate relationship with an older woman in 1950s New York.Carol is a divine, misty and seductive film that captures the essence of infatuation beautifully. Todd Haynes has crafted a film that oozes class where everything from the framing to the production design to the score evokes a palpable romantic atmosphere not only for the period but for the story and characters themselves. Cate Blanchett is flawless and the chemistry between her and Rooney Mara is remarkable and a joy to see grow and evolve through the films steadily paced runtime. While sometimes a touch too melodramatic, Carol truly is a rare treat
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsMatt DamonJessica ChastainKristen WiigAn astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and can survive until a potential rescue.
- DirectorBennett MillerStarsSteve CarellChanning TatumMark RuffaloU.S. Olympic wrestling champions and brothers Mark Schultz and Dave Schultz join "Team Foxcatcher", led by eccentric multi-millionaire John du Pont, as they train for the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, but John's self-destructive behavior threatens to consume them all.Sending chills down your spine from the very first frame, Foxcatcher is by far the most tense and most brooding tale this "award season". Expertly directed by Bennet Miller, who thoroughly deserved his award for Best Director at the CANNES Film Festival, and acted tremendously by the film's three leads. While Carrell is transformative and completely unrecognisable and Ruffalo gives a humblingly honest realistic turn as Dave Schultz - I can't believe I'm typing this, but - Channing Tatum IS the stand out performer of the entire picture. The intensity and visceral determination Tatum displays on screen is remarkable and is balanced expertly with such heartbreaking sympathy completing his magnetic performance that I feel is being painfully overlooked. The atmosphere of the picture is full of dread and is heightened even more by the ominous score and cold cinematography and direction. The human condition and ego are the main themes within the film and are handled with care and such artistry that it makes every single minute of the picture feel vital. My advice, don't read anything about the story going into this picture and try to avoid as much as you can relating to this film's story - this film is truly worth seeing "Going In Blind". Foxcatcher is a remarkably dark telling of the american dream gone sour akin to "There Will Be Blood" and is a must watch for the 2015
- DirectorAlex GibneyStarsPaul HaggisJason BegheSpanky TaylorA documentary looking at the inner-workings of the Church of Scientology.
- DirectorAlex GarlandStarsAlicia VikanderDomhnall GleesonOscar IsaacA young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a highly advanced humanoid A.I.Ex Machina is an impressive Sci-Fi that is not only smart but also chilling in its examination of consciousness, be that human or android. Alex Garland's perfectly paced direction and script is truly intriguing and delivers thrills while giving the audience food for thought concerning the morality of developing artificial intelligence. Garland's vision is quite Kubrickian at times but carries more warmth thanks to an exceptional sympathetic performance from Domhnall Gleeson. Oscar Isaac is similarly great and Alicia Vikander is absorbing in her role as the alluring android AVA. From its relatively cheap $20 million budget, the production value of the set design and general aesthetics of the film are remarkable and is a true statement as to what can be achieved with so little. For me, the major criticism I have with the film is that there is a moment where the film would have ended perfectly - however, the film continues for another 10 minutes showing us scenes which would have been nicer to interpret and left to our own imagination rather than being shown to us. Nevertheless, Ex Machina is a tremendous "british" science fiction piece that, if by judging by the amount of people in my screening, will be seen by very few. 4/5
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaOscar IsaacAs a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.So... Here it is... The great cinematic event of 2015 has finally landed. The hype has been almost impossible to ignore and I will not contain any spoilers or giveaway any crucial plot lines in this review - but I feel compelled to give you my verdict on the latest instalment of the franchise that is very near and dear to my heart… Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens offers some true flashes of greatness and does all it can do to lay a solid foundation for the subsequent films - but on a whole - from a first viewing - I was not blown away nor blown over by the film and was instead left quite indifferent in the way they handled particular elements and I felt in particular the lack of timelessness and strange modernising and Disneyfication of the franchise is impossible to ignore.
The landscape of modern day blockbuster cinema is vastly different from the late 70s and early 80s where movie brat directors like Lucas, Speilberg and Scorsese were able to have idiosyncratic styles and voices within their movies. Now; the biggest thing in films is Superhero movies and the Marvel-Joss Whedon-esque humour that is scattered throughout the film, to me, undercuts the timeless, magical - albeit cheesy - triumphant nature of the franchise. The film also felt strangely scared to add any gravitas to BIG reveals of characters or weight behind character introductions; namely Kylo Ren. The mix between practical and CGI effects is a very nice balance, the sound design is tip top and while the zany cuts and transitions are a welcome return the framing of the film compared to the previous film’s almost storybook like cinematography of full bodied shots that felt almost like you were watching a piece of theatre unveiled on screen; the shots and editing felt far too flashy and (if you pardon the pun) quite alien. In of itself I wasn’t overly a fan of J.J.’s direction of the picture either. For example, the references and call backs to the previous films are so syrupy and sickly nostalgic that it made me tussle with my hair cringe in my seat. One or two I could bare if they were subtle and in the background, but they just kept on spoon feeding lines, visuals and gags in the very forefront that feel very wink wink and I almost expected a moment where characters would break the fourth wall and look into the camera. Like Star Trek Into Darkness and Spectre, what made it worse was the fact they didn't DO anything with the references. It was the equivalent of holding up a photo of a scene from a New Hope and going “Hey look! Isn’t that great!?! How cool are we? What? Do something original with it that made the series great in the first place?… Nah.” Seeing somebody else at the reigns of the franchise gives a very strange and unbeknownst appreciation of the Star Wars prequels because, say what you like about the prequels, the mythology, story and vision from Lucas is masterful and you can tell he knows the world he’s created inside out. The best way to describe the direction for me is that it is the equivalent of someone else playing with your prized and beloved Star Wars figures and play sets who proceeds to play with them but in your mind doesn't play with them quite in the way they should be played.
Sit tight!
Don’t get me wrong, believe it or not, I DID enjoy the film! And I would include more positives in my review than negatives, however, that’d mean i’d spoil quite a bit of the film for those who are still yet to see it. But swiftly onto the positives where I feel the introduction of new characters in the film are one of the strongest elements in The Force Awakens. While some of their characteristics/personalities come across quite bluntly; Finn, Rey and Poe are all well rounded palpable characters that fit superbly within the mythos of the film. Issac, Ridley and Boyega are terrific within their roles as well bringing great vigour and energy that stand out against our returning heroes. On the topic of returning cast members it must be noted that Harrison Ford is pitch perfect as the older grumpier Han Solo. His reckless devil may care demeanour and banter with Chewie and the surrounding characters is incredibly heartwarming and feels not one bit stale. The only thing I will say with regards to the characters in Force Awakens is that I feel the film suffers from "Phantom Menace syndrome” where you are not entirely certain WHO the main character of the film really is but I’ll leave that for you to judge. Oh! And BB-8 is THE cutest droid you will ever have the pleasure of watching on the silver screen. The action contained in Episode VII is remarkable, suspenseful and full of fun. The dogfights in space felt as authentic as they can be and the lightsaber duels were flawless and were presented in an original way that still held onto the tradition of the original trilogy. John Williams returning to score the film is masterful as ever creating lush and nuanced leitmotif’s for newbies like Rey while at the same time returning and adapting old themes for old favourites. Lastly, the production design and physical sets and locations used made the film all the more impressive and immersive as you felt once again you were in a galaxy far far away instead of some soundstage down in London.
To sign off, it could very well possibly be that the film will grow on me and that I need to give the film another viewing to enjoy it as much as, apparently, EVERYBODY ELSE! But for me the film is good and certainly fun but in no way deserves the level of praise it is currently receiving in my opinion. That doesn’t mean i’m not hopeful that Rian Johnson will deliver with Episode VIII as I think when all is said and done J.J. has created a good foundation where Johnson can build and succeed. And on that note... If anyone wants a “Spoilerific” chat about it… Shoot us a message telling me how much you hate me for not enjoying the film as much as you did.
3.5/5 - DirectorDavid CrossStarsMeredith HagnerMatt WalshJames AdomianA small town in upstate New York plays host to its inhabitants' delusions of grandeur.Pitch black comedy from David Cross lampooning both popular and counterculture to hilarious effect. The direction isn't that polished and its low budget is worn on its sleeve, the performances are great but the writing is the true star of the film. P.S. The terrific chaotic third act is an absolute joy. 4/5
- DirectorJohn MacleanStarsKodi Smit-McPheeCaren PistoriusAorere PakiA young Scottish man travels across America in pursuit of the woman he loves, attracting the attention of an outlaw who is willing to serve as a guide.
- DirectorDavid Robert MitchellStarsMaika MonroeKeir GilchristOlivia LuccardiA young woman is followed by an unknown supernatural force after a sexual encounter.
- DirectorEvan GoldbergSeth RogenStarsJames FrancoSeth RogenRandall ParkDave Skylark and his producer Aaron Rapaport run the celebrity tabloid show "Skylark Tonight". When they land an interview with a surprise fan, North Korean dictator Jong-Un Kim, they are recruited by the CIA to assassinate him.So, the most controversial film of the year is now available to watch - is the hype justified? Is it any good?... In a sentence; Yeah, it's pretty darn good! While Kim Jong-Un would certainly find the film offensive, Rogen and Goldberg are just as offensive to Americans and don't miss a beat when it comes to being self deprecating and satirising the western world's obsession with celebrity and materialism. The rude and crude nature of The Interview's humour is silly with plenty of laughs to be had, but the film certainly isn't smart.The humour is instead of the variety you would expect from a Seth Rogen film - 10x funnier than Bad Neighbours but not quite as good as This Is The End or Superbad - so do not expect a biting sociopolitical satire akin to Dr. Strangelove or The Network. Rogen, like always, does what he does best and plays Seth Rogen while Franco gives a bolstering performance as the eccentric Dave Skylark. The two leads play off each others strengths well as you'd expect but they in this case exceed expectations and showcase a bromance on par with Seth & Evan in Superbad and Saul & Dale in Pineapple Express. However, the stand out performance is Randall Park as Kim Jong-Un who delivers an expertly varied turn bringing laughs and chills as the supreme leader of North Korea. Rogen and Goldberg's direction as well has stepped up a notch since This Is The End, showcasing their blossoming talents as fully fledged directors by delivering really great looking shots, momentous action sequences and well executed and tamed improvisation. From all the talk around this film, The Interview could never fully live up to the hype as one of the funniest and satirical movies of all time. However, what The Interview does show is that Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are willing to step up their creativity further than they have ever done before and deliver unique stories, that are at the centre rather childish, but are funny nevertheless. With some great cameos, skilled pacing and memorable one liners - The Interview is a really well made comedy... TAKE THAT NORTH KOREA! 4/5
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsColin FirthTaron EgertonSamuel L. JacksonA spy organisation recruits a promising street kid into the agency's training program, while a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.
- StarsRobert J. MussettRobin NicolleEbony BambrickPat Robertson (40) and Fergus O'Hare (17) are in jail. Robertson has his wife, Jess and two daughters, Amber-Leigh and Piper at home while O'Hare lived at home with his parents.
- DirectorPaul TibbittMike MitchellStarsTom KennyAntonio BanderasBill FagerbakkeWhen a diabolical pirate above the sea steals the secret Krabby Patty formula, SpongeBob and his friends team up in order to get it back.Yeaaaah... Wasn't expecting this to feel as bizarre as it did, but it was, and it was fantastic. While sometimes ole Spongebob played 2nd fiddle to other characters and I missed the dynamic between him and Patrick, Sponge Out Of Water is a very very very unexpectedly funny and trippy film. Don't be lead to believe the whole film is live action as the live action parts last about 20 minutes if that! If you're a fan of Spongebob, especially the early "edgier" seasons... Smoke a doobie and go watch Sponge Out Of Water. 3.5/5
- DirectorMark BurtonRichard StarzakStarsJustin FletcherJohn SparkesOmid DjaliliWhen Shaun decides to take the day off and have some fun, he gets a little more action than he bargained for. A mix up with the Farmer, a caravan and a very steep hill lead them all to the Big City and it's up to Shaun and the flock to return everyone safely to the green grass of home.Aardman Animations knock it out of the park once more with this stellar silent comedy that reminds us how much we miss stop motion animation. 4/5
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom HanksMark RylanceAlan AldaDuring the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers.
- DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsAbraham AttahEmmanuel AffadziRicky AdelayitorA drama based on the experiences of Agu, a child soldier fighting in the civil war of an unnamed African country.
- DirectorSam MendesStarsDaniel CraigChristoph WaltzLéa SeydouxA cryptic message from James Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover the existence of a sinister organisation named SPECTRE. With a new threat dawning, Bond learns the terrible truth about the author of all his pain in his most recent missions.
- DirectorJustin KurzelStarsMichael FassbenderMarion CotillardJack MadiganMacbeth, the Thane of Glamis, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.
- DirectorGeorge MillerStarsTom HardyCharlize TheronNicholas HoultIn a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper and a drifter named Max.
- DirectorBrian HelgelandStarsTom HardyEmily BrowningTaron EgertonIdentical twin gangsters Ronald and Reginald Kray terrorize London during the 1960s.