My Best and Worst films of 2015

Top 10 Movies of 2015

Spotlight- Terrific ensemble acting in the riveting true expose of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

The Martian- Matt Damon as a stranded astronaut on Mars was suspenseful, exciting and filled with unexpected humor.

The Big Short- Impressive yet highly stylized version of the events leading to the Mortgage crisis of 2008 with an excellent cast including an outstanding performance by Steve Carell.

Sicario- Emily Blount, Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro were excellent in this tension filled southern border crime drama.

Brooklyn- Wonderful period drama filled with emotion about family and finding oneself. Soairse Ronan is luminescent.

White God- The best film ever about a dog trying to survive in a hostile world and the teenage girl trying to find him. Great back story as well about the shelter dogs used in the film.

Inside Out- Leave it to Pixar to create an animated film that was the most emotional movie of the year and certainly not for kids.

Room- Riveting drama of maternal love and devotion that was devastating as well as beautiful. Incredible acting by Brie Larson and Jacob Trembley.

The Hateful Eight- Tarantino…love him or hate him but nobody makes movies like him. “Ten Little Indians” meets “Reservoir Dogs”.

Trumbo- Communist paranoia runs rampant in the America of the 1950’s. Another great ensemble cast led by an outstanding Bryan Cranston as the screenwriter Dalton Trumbo.

Honorable Mention-

Slow West- an unconventional western that upends the genre.

Love & Mercy- Brian Wilson bio featuring Paul Dano and John Cusack as Wilson in the early and later years of his career. Dano’s scenes creating “Pet Sounds” gives you goosebumps.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens- If you’re a fan, it’s spectacular (even if it seems too much like déjà vu).

Mad Max: Fury Road- The most action packed visceral film this year with Charlize Theron stealing the film from Tom Hardy. Loses some points for basically being a one trick pony.

Mr. Holmes- a great script and the impeccable Ian McKellen. What else do you need?

’71- A terrific thriller that takes place in Belfast Ireland during the “Troubles”. Jack O’Connell is terrific as a British Soldier caught in the conflict.

Worst 10 Movies of 2015

The Fantastic Four- Worst version yet. Utterly unfantastic.

Jupiter Ascending- Sloppy, confusing and Channing Tatum with elf ears.

Blackhat-  Total mess of a cyber thriller.

Black Sea- A submarine sinks and so does the film.

Tomorrowland- a two hour PSA to save the planet.

Poltergeist (2015)- Such an unnecessary remake. Stick to the original.

Rikki & the Flash- Meryl Streep found a way to embarrass herself and Kevin Kline too.

No Escape- that’s what the audience kept thinking as the silly film ran its course.

Crimson Peak- All style and no substance. A terrible ghost story.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.- Again, all style and no substance. Dishonors the original TV show.