Best movie of 2015?
I'm sure I saw some 2015 movies that aren't nominated for Oscar--ANT MAN? AGE OF ULTRON? SISTERS? But they aren't on my mind today; it's the Oscar nominiees. As of today, I have seen 20 of the 32 films nominated for at least one Oscar outside the foreign, documentary, and short film categories. These account for 63% of the films nominated in these categories, and 82% of the nominations (I keep a spreadsheet). The only film nominated for more than one Oscar that I haven't gotten to yet is CAROL. Sorry CAROL! You release to DVD on March 15. It's been a busy couple of weeks.
And it's a good crop of films. Of the 20, I can say that I didn't like two: SICARIO and JOY. Even JOY had good parts, although the film as a whole is not successful. There are a few that I would not rush to see again, like ROOM, YOUTH, and, I fear, THE REVENANT--but that's not the same as saying that they are bad films.
I have to be honest--my favorites of this group are not among the eight films nominated for Best Picture. There are some gems in that bunch, to be sure (other than ROOM and THE REVENANT). THE BIG SHORT and SPOTLIGHT are both wonderful, don't-miss movies. I hope THE BIG SHORT wins the category (it probably won't). MAD MAX: FURY ROAD is a visual trip, although my pulse doesn't race for cars or heavy metal, and I could take or leave the story. BROOKLYN, BRIDGE OF SPIES, and especially THE MARTIAN are good, solid movies you would be proud to have picked either for a date or an outing with your parents.
They aren't my favorite films of 2015.
Here are two movies I loved more than all those movies. EX MACHINA. Boom! Hard science fiction, an amazing performance by Oscar Isaac, and hello, Alicia Vikander! Where have you been all my movie-going life? There is a moment towards the end that I won't spoil, but it's very small and it just blew me away and still haunts me. I think the film outdoes HER (2014), and HER is fantastic. This is a great film to chew over, maybe an important one.
THE HATEFUL EIGHT is Quentin Tarantino's best film in years--best since KILL BILL (2003-2004). I saw it during the 70mm Roadshow. What a gift. I love Ennio Marricone's score (my wife doesn't--too much dissonance), I love the pace, and the locked room mystery setting. I love that Quentin is just saying "Fuck it--this is me. No one else could make this movie. Like it or go home." I'm proud to say I like THE HATEFUL EIGHT.
But these films also aren't my favorite. My favorite is a tie.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is the only 2015 film I saw three times (I've seen THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES as many times, but it was released in late 2014). I should really go again, while it's still playing in 3D. Lawrence Kasdan came back and he and J.J. Abrams crushed it. They give us just the right amount of nostalgia, as if to say "This is really Star Wars! It's back, for real!" But they don't just copy A NEW HOPE, they make adjustments so clever I still shake my head over them. And the artistry of the scenic designers, technicians, and special effects wizards is beyond compare. This is an immersive, fully developed fantasy experience, and while it is in the world, part of me is still 10 (my age when THE RETURN OF THE JEDI was released).
This movie is just as good: THE DANISH GIRL. There were a lot of slick movies in 2015. See SPOTLIGHT and THE BIG SHORT. There weren't nearly as many stunning, breakthrough works of art. THE DANISH GIRL is like a painting that finds it way past your eyes straight to your chest and you never see it coming. Hello again, Alicia Vikander! Eddie Redmayne, we are not worthy (I speak for all humans). This is about gender, yes. It's also about love, and sadness, and a bravery so terrible even death has no dominion. This is the best film about the perils of being human.
Coming to think of it, I also like STEVE JOBS better than at least six of the Best Picture nominees. ANOMOLISA is good, too. Great year!
And it's a good crop of films. Of the 20, I can say that I didn't like two: SICARIO and JOY. Even JOY had good parts, although the film as a whole is not successful. There are a few that I would not rush to see again, like ROOM, YOUTH, and, I fear, THE REVENANT--but that's not the same as saying that they are bad films.
I have to be honest--my favorites of this group are not among the eight films nominated for Best Picture. There are some gems in that bunch, to be sure (other than ROOM and THE REVENANT). THE BIG SHORT and SPOTLIGHT are both wonderful, don't-miss movies. I hope THE BIG SHORT wins the category (it probably won't). MAD MAX: FURY ROAD is a visual trip, although my pulse doesn't race for cars or heavy metal, and I could take or leave the story. BROOKLYN, BRIDGE OF SPIES, and especially THE MARTIAN are good, solid movies you would be proud to have picked either for a date or an outing with your parents.
They aren't my favorite films of 2015.
Here are two movies I loved more than all those movies. EX MACHINA. Boom! Hard science fiction, an amazing performance by Oscar Isaac, and hello, Alicia Vikander! Where have you been all my movie-going life? There is a moment towards the end that I won't spoil, but it's very small and it just blew me away and still haunts me. I think the film outdoes HER (2014), and HER is fantastic. This is a great film to chew over, maybe an important one.
THE HATEFUL EIGHT is Quentin Tarantino's best film in years--best since KILL BILL (2003-2004). I saw it during the 70mm Roadshow. What a gift. I love Ennio Marricone's score (my wife doesn't--too much dissonance), I love the pace, and the locked room mystery setting. I love that Quentin is just saying "Fuck it--this is me. No one else could make this movie. Like it or go home." I'm proud to say I like THE HATEFUL EIGHT.
But these films also aren't my favorite. My favorite is a tie.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is the only 2015 film I saw three times (I've seen THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES as many times, but it was released in late 2014). I should really go again, while it's still playing in 3D. Lawrence Kasdan came back and he and J.J. Abrams crushed it. They give us just the right amount of nostalgia, as if to say "This is really Star Wars! It's back, for real!" But they don't just copy A NEW HOPE, they make adjustments so clever I still shake my head over them. And the artistry of the scenic designers, technicians, and special effects wizards is beyond compare. This is an immersive, fully developed fantasy experience, and while it is in the world, part of me is still 10 (my age when THE RETURN OF THE JEDI was released).
This movie is just as good: THE DANISH GIRL. There were a lot of slick movies in 2015. See SPOTLIGHT and THE BIG SHORT. There weren't nearly as many stunning, breakthrough works of art. THE DANISH GIRL is like a painting that finds it way past your eyes straight to your chest and you never see it coming. Hello again, Alicia Vikander! Eddie Redmayne, we are not worthy (I speak for all humans). This is about gender, yes. It's also about love, and sadness, and a bravery so terrible even death has no dominion. This is the best film about the perils of being human.
Coming to think of it, I also like STEVE JOBS better than at least six of the Best Picture nominees. ANOMOLISA is good, too. Great year!