Ranking anything that you love is not supposed to be easy, ranking something as subjective as movies makes the task infinitely more complicated. Do I base my choices on what made me laugh the hardest, smile the longest, think the most, or flat out cry? Do I judge based on what makes me look hip and trendy or by which brilliant under the radar movies I think people need to know about? When it comes down to it, I based this list on which movies stayed with me the longest, floating around in my busy mind when I should be focused on grown-up thoughts like sweater-vests, paying taxes, and kale. The list is fluid; ask me my top 10 tomorrow, next week, and especially next month and I guarantee that the choices won’t remain the same. That’s film; that’s art, and there is beauty in enjoying something so much that you appreciate it in newfound ways as you continue evolving.
- Ten: (Tie) A Most Violent Year/ Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Right off the bat, there is a bit of cheating going on here. The way that I see it, if you’re going to bend the rules, bend them when the stakes are low. Therefore: rule bending takes place at number 10. Technically, A Most Dangerous Year came out on December 31, 2014, factor in that I’m not entirely sure Star Wars cracks my top 10 — so let them share. The Force Awakens makes it up here mostly for its insane visuals. I am a sucker for 3D, and riding down to the surface of Jakku inside a ship with a squad of Stormtroopers (all in glorious 3D) is thrilling. Unfortunately, the story lacks a sense of wonder, much of it feels like recycled bits from the original trilogy. I liken it to a young man dressing up in his father’s expensive suit; it’s a great suit, but a reflection of his father’s tastes, not his own. On the other end of the spectrum is A Most Violent Year; a film that is far removed from the spectacle of CGI and 3D. A Most Violent Year is a slow burner of a film which emphasizes gorgeous cinematography, fantastic performances, and an intense plot. The film’s tale about a man struggling to hold his world together by the seams as life tears everything around him apart resonates with me in a way that almost no other 2015 film does. Mix together the best aspects of The Force Awakens and A Most Violent Year (aside from Oscar Isaac) and you have a definite all-timer — on their own they just crack the top ten (which is still great praise).
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter is the haunting tale of a young-ish woman who mistakenly believes the buried loot at the end of the film Fargo is real. Kumiko, the film’s wistful protagonist, sets out on a quest to claim a literal treasure, but her journey carries a deeper subtext — by leaving Japan, she’s also distancing herself from marginalization, sexism, and youthful ennui. The film’s stunning cinematography beautifully captures Kumiko’s melancholic world. Rinko Kikuchi turns in a heart-achingly wonderful performance as Kumiko, which is the cherry on top of a film that will remain on viewer’s minds long after the final credits roll.
- Eight: Men & Chicken
The Danish language film, Men & Chicken, is another entry in my top 10 that defies categorization. IMDb lists it as a black comedy, which is true in a very broad sense. It’s clear that the film’s director, Anders Thomas Jensen isn’t afraid to dance to the beat of his own drum. Jensen peppers his film with sci-fi, adds a dash of fantasy, and a slight touch of horror, creating an earnest meditation on the human spirit that is as poignant as anything found in this year’s batch of dramas.
Aside from holding the crown for 2015’s dopest film title, watching SPL 2: A Time for Consequences also happens to be the most fun that I’ve had in a movie theater this year. Think of the film as a combination of The Raid and Max Payne (the game, not that wack movie with Marky Mark). The film’s IMDb page lists it as an action-crime-drama, which does the picture a grave injustice. Referring to this movie as action-crime-drama, is like referring to Jaws as the film with that one hungry fish. I prefer my own label for the movie: Choreographed Insanity. Jing Wu and Tony Jaa crackle with kinetic energy. The duo has lightning flowing through their fists and thunder exploding out of their feet. If you’re a fan of the combination of action and nonsense, then I implore you to watch this film.
- Six: Beasts of No Nation
First-time actor Abraham Attah holds his own against the veteran Idris Elba in Cary Fukunaga’s mesmerizing war film, Beasts of No Nation. Attah is a revelation as Agu, a child soldier on the front lines of a civil war. Children are not supposed to be able to carry the weight of such hefty roles. Attah seamlessly melts into the story, effortlessly transitioning from scenes conveying childlike wonder to exhibiting the cold dead eyes of a killer. The film’s cinematography also deserves top billing. Best known for his work on True Detective’s first season, Fukunaga imbues the film with his now signature hauntingly beautiful style. Despite the gorgeous aesthetics, this one is a tough, albeit worthy watch.
- Five: The Martian
Ridley Scott’s sci-fi masterpiece, The Martian, is a bold declaration that the genius behind the classics Alien and Blade Runner still isn’t finished with the genre. This gem of a film is spectacular at every level: it’s gorgeously shot (worth the extra money for 3-D), packed with fantastic performances (Damon, Ejiofor, Chastain, Daniels), and boasts gripping drama that will literally have viewers on the edge of their seats. The Martian shows us that the most important aspects of sci-fi are not always robots, aliens, and ray guns; when done right, touching moments derived from relatable human emotions are all that is needed.
- Four: MAD MAX: Fury Road
If this world were fair, the title of this film would read, Mad Max: The Rise of Furiosa. Charlize Theron rolls through the film exuding more O.G. than the cast of Straight Outta Compton. On top of crowning a woman as one of the baddest mofos around, the film is a marvel of unmitigated spectacle. Compared to Mad Max, the Transformers, and Furious series have the artistry of kids yanking cars out of a toybox and smashing them together. Fury Road is blockbuster action done right. Director George Miller packs his movie with well-choreographed and beautifully executed set-pieces. Miller applies such complete mastery over the visual spectrum that Mad Max: Fury Road is its own form of art, a hybrid of Jackson Pollock and Cirque du Soleil projected up on the silver screen.
- Three: The Hateful Eight
The Hateful Eight is the most difficult film to place on my list. Sometimes a great film experience is separate from a great film. The Hateful Eight passed through my city featuring a “road show experience.” The road show throws the movie up onscreen in the much-vaunted 70mm format and runs a few additional minutes. I love Tarantino movies and I’m not yet 24 hours removed from watching The Hateful Eight for the first time, so my decision making may not come from the most objective place right now. A week from now the film may slip down to number 5 or perch it itself atop my list. Right now 3 is a safe bet. Despite a slight bias from my current Tarantino buzz, the film still features memorable characters, an atmospheric setting, and all of the stylized dialogue and brutality that I’ve come to appreciate from the genre loving auteur. Number 3 it is…..for now.
I don’t often watch movies twice, but when I do I rarely choose comedies. An action movie’s quick pace means it’s easy to miss something, the films often warrant second looks. Comedy is a different animal. Jokes rarely land as effectively the second time they’re experienced. Yet, I couldn’t help but watch What We Do in the Shadows over and over. I find the film funnier with each viewing. The movie offers a fresh take on the well-worn vampire genre, and despite being a comedy, it happens to be one of my all-time favorite additions to vampire fiction. What We Do in the Shadows is an easy watch featuring unforgettable characters and infinitely quotable lines. If you fall under the umbrella of enjoying vampires while also happening to be someone that likes laughing, check this flick out.
- One: Creed
Ryan Coogler’s masterful follow-up to Fruitvale Station converted me into an unconditional lifetime fan. Real Talk – Coogler’s next picture could be an origin story about that robot Paulie owned in Rocky IV, and I’ll still be all in. Rocky isn’t just one of the greatest sports movies ever made, it’s one of the great American films: period. By creating a follow-up worthy of the original, Coogler pulled off a small miracle. Creed features an insanely tight script, visual flair, and strong performances evoking some well-earned tear jerking moments. I just want to watch this movie again and again. Creed is a shining example of a follow up that hits all the familiar beats from the original while still remixing it in a way that feels fresh. 6-months ago, had someone said to me I would prefer the new Rocky movie to the next Star Wars installment, I would have called them crazy: that’s the beauty of cinema.
Honourable mention to:
Bone Tomahawk, It Follows, Mistress American, Inside Out, Where to Invade Next, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Call Me Lucky.