#10 Ex Machina (8/10)
I often consider '2001: A Space Odyssey' to be the greatest piece of cinema in history, and 'Ex Machina' has been one of only a few films since to give me that same sense of intrigue that you got with the Stanley Kubrick masterpiece. 'Ex Machina' is a futuristic and sophisticated film that has a debate over technology at the fore, only this sci-fi film has the advantage over classics in the genre of being broadcast to an audience who are much more technologically advanced. Even so, this is a very technical film that focuses on the personalities inside the technology rather than just some raw mechanisms, and this is a far greater mechanic in film to question the place of technology in society. I thought this film nailed this concept, and credit goes to the talented cast who were fully believable and allowed me to immerse myself in a simple world filled with complex technology. The only way this film could alienate you is if you go into the theatre with the ignorant attitude that this will be a generic action film, when the reality is that this is a complex piece of art with much more going on than first meets the eye.
'Ex Machina' was the very impressive directing debut of Alex Garland, who used his experience of impressive screenplays in films such as '28 Days Later' to full effect. As a result this is a film that feels nothing like a mere 15 million dollar production, and in my opinion looked far more appealing than the new 'Star Wars' film that had tonnes more cash thrown towards the visuals. Sure 'Ex Machina' has the advantage of a simple setting, but that's all it needs to work. The polished production though is just the icing on the cake over what is a very solid premise that on occasion did give me a buzz of excitement. That's a tough skill to pull off in a film primarily designed to make you think, but I found myself regularly revelling in a plot that was designed to both raise hairs and ask you questions that will conflict with your own personal beliefs. I'll admit the methodical pace might not be for everyone to enjoy, but stick with it and you'll get some tense moments stemming from a simple yet deep subject. This is a film for those that recognise the artistry behind modern cinema, and as such this was one of the standout films of the year.
#9 Mad Max: Fury Road (8/10)
If you're going to make a film that goes down the road of focusing on high action sequences, which a lot of films do these days, then this is how you should go about doing it. This latest 'Mad Max' film was full of big explosions and loud chase sequences, putting some extra meat onto an already sumptuous plot that always came first in the premise. The overall product is an almost perfect fusion of action and western elements that ended up highlighting the positives in both genres, yet still becoming easily accessible for modern audiences. That's quite a neat trick to pull off, and I can understand why critics were so highly positive of the film. Here under the disguise of a blockbuster action flick we have a surprisingly complex plot with a surprising amount of raw emotion thrown in. You could say that was keeping with the classic 'Mad Max' formula, and you may have a point, but this film never feels copied or rehashed. Instead this film is obscene, extravagant, and absolutely charmless; but that's why it's been so successful. I never thought I would see the day a man in a car chase decides to whack out his flame powered guitar, but thanks to this film I've now lived long enough to see what was one of the greatest spectacles in cinema history.
Tom Hardy puts in a fine performance in the lead role despite not actually doing that much, but his role screams 'blockbuster' in every scene, and you will find many iconic moments littered throughout what I expected to be a far more standard performance. Even supporting actress Charlize Theron puts in a great performance, arguably superseding Hardy's performance with her far more transcendent role. It's not the most intellectual film you'll see all year, but as a spectacle this was in a class of one, which sounds strange considering that this title was in development hell ever since it was deemed too 'politically insensitive' to be released during the Iraq War. Even when principal filming had finished the 480 minutes of footage took three months just to analyse, followed by the sheer amount of special effects needed. In all honesty it's a miracle that not only was the resulting film polished, but one that also became a big box office success. Many critics have claimed that this is one of the greatest action movies of all time, and although I'm not convinced it's that good, I will say that this is an exciting and quality film nonetheless.
#8 Carol (8/10)
According to many this was the best film of the year, and I can see where they're coming from. This is certainly a film worthy of high praise, but for me the overall experience was only good, and had a long way to go before being considered the greatest of 2015. The overall setting was a weird love triangle with a lot of lesbianism thrown in, which is fine by me, as was the casting, which saw Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara produce two performances that were great when mixed together. Their roles were just what was needed to accurately translate what was originally a controversial novel set around a shocking scandal, but that part was never shoved down your throat, and instead the focus was on the individual characters who are deeply affected by their scandalous behaviour. 'Carol' was a film with real subtlety and vigour, as such becoming one of the more emotionally invested films of the year, and one that handled mature subjects with the seriousness and grace that they required.
This excellent piece of cinema was the result of eleven years of development, with the end result being one of beauty and elegance. I'd say the overall experience was a satisfying one, and the overall feel was very similar to that of 'Brokeback Mountain', although the latter film is less mature and made with a commercial audience in mind. 'Carol' in contrast relies on the sublime ambiance and cinematography to convey a strong sense of passion within the plot, and it's because of this element that I can understand why critics were so quick to praise what many thought was a perfect film. I would say that this was a timely piece, exploiting the growing acceptance of homosexual relationships in art, but beyond that there is an immense level of artistry and passion that went into this creation that leaves an overall special feeling. I can understand why this is the highest rated film of the year on 'Metacritic', but presumably other audience members see things in it that I don't.
#7 The Walk (8/10)
It's not particularly hard to create an interesting story around the extraordinary life of Phillipe Petite, and as a personal fan of his unbelievable tightrope feat above the Twin Towers a story with him involved is always going to be compelling. Take 'The Walk' for example. This is a film that has the same fascinating story to drive the plot whilst also adding some of the most pleasing visuals I've ever experienced. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is entirely believable in his lead role as Petite, and you can genuinely believe he shares the same passion for daredevil stunts that the actual character does, but it's always overshadowed by just how good this film feels. This is what 3D films were made for. The sheer immersion from the visuals alone is staggering, and some of the shots used are just awe inspiring. The actual walk itself as a climax is such an adrenaline rushing moment that it opposes the dialogue driven opening segments in such a way that you just have to experience this fantastic climax in the moment. The tension in that walk alone is almost a surreal feat considering that this is a documentary, and for a film that tells a well known story, this is one of the few that actually put you in the position of the protagonist, and in a biopic praise doesn't get higher than that.
#6 The Revenant (8/10)
In all honesty this is a movie that will survive throughout history solely due to Leonardo DiCaprio's quite extraordinary Oscar worthy performance. The extent that DiCaprio goes to in order to tell the incredible survival story of Hugh Glass is just stunning. The various stories plastered all over the Internet describing the ordeal that DiCaprio went through is totally believable and a sign of the commitment this man had to what may just be his finest ever role. Unfortunately for Tom Hardy, who is also in fine form in the supporting role, his part is completely muted by just how good DiCaprio is, and in truth so is the whole cast in an overall very well acted film. I was always one of those people that didn't think Leonardo DiCaprio deserved an Oscar, but after having watched 'The Revenant' there is no doubt his performance here is one of the all time greats.
Once you get past the role of DiCaprio you get to a film that you will often presume is just trying to be 'Oscar fodder', but I don't really care about the over-the-top nature as the visual presentation is just stunning. There's some amazing shots of the harsh wilderness and the natural world, only serving to further the idea of just how brutal the Hugh Glass story really is. As a film this was as gritty and realistic as I like in an action film, and I'm glad the Hollywood cliches don't overpower what is a story heavily embedded in history. To say there aren't any of those cliches would be a lie, and there's also some big problems with the narrative, as it has an ending that doesn't make sense and some weird pacing that means the film runs out of steam by the end, but aside from those issues this is an excellent piece of cinema with some outstanding performances within.
#5 Spotlight (8/10)
I wasn't aware a film about journalism and child molestation could be as gripping as this, but this surprise hit proved me completely wrong. 'Spotlight' is a mature and sophisticated film that handles pressing issues in a unique way that understandably put many audience members off. However for me this was a film that gave me a genuinely insightful view into the realistically depicted world of journalism without glorifying any characters for the sake of cinema. This film understood that it was showing the audience history changing events, and as such treated the issues seriously as if the audience were adults and were genuinely intrigued by the subject matter. The inner workings of the plot are complex enough to thoroughly rinse your mind of any predetermined thoughts, which is a good thing, as on the face of things the plot can become a little narrow in places with a lack of raw content; but as long as this film kept asking questions it never got dull.
'Spotlight' was a film that gave me the unique stories of multiple characters in their full, fleshed out glory. You get the sense of why each character is tied into the narrative, and each story is given equal amplification in a film that tries to avoid taking sides in such a controversial case. I applaud the directors and cast for keeping with this style of narrative, as the serious tone is one that can accurately show the emotional feelings of the entire cast who all do a great job with their respective characters. This is a film that's touching, thoughtful, vile, and realistic, with a huge emphasis on immersion of the audience. I'm not convinced this deserves to be given a 'Best Picture Oscar', but this is an overall extremely well made docudrama.
#4 Bone Tomahawk (8/10)
Of all the films that I thought were going to revive the western genre, it certainly wasn't this film that I expected to achieve that. 'Bone Tomahawk' was a film with a unique blend of western and horror that combined to create a quite sophisticated, yet primarily exhilarating film. But don't think this small budget film was full of cheap and pointless thrills, because this had a lot of realism despite being totally fictional, and actually became more believable than the majority of factual films this year. 'Bone Tomahawk' had an authentic sheen that it never lost despite containing some of the most unorthodox villains this year. At the centre was the harsh reality of the Old West that never felt like it was forced down the viewer's throat, instead relying on the contrast between the mundane of life in the past with intense action sequences to make the thrills and characters a million times better.
The real highlight however was the ensemble cast, who were just great together. With these characters you really did get the sense that the film was set in a small tightly knit community, and these relationships were interesting to explore and elaborate on despite still being centred around that idea of realism. In such a dull setting it was so nice to see some of the most extravagant plot points this year, and by that I mean the gruesome death scene that comes out of absolutely nowhere. It's a disturbing yet brilliant piece of cinema that only improved a solid and gritty plot. Again, realism was at the centre of that scene, and that's what made it all the more horrifying. I love a brutal and visceral film that feels plausible at every stage, and when you combine this with a solid premise and a well paced film you get an experience that ramps up the intensity exponentially. I had my doubts when first picking this one up, but wow did this film blow me away beyond all expectations.
#3 Jurassic World (8/10)
'Jurassic World' was the blockbuster of the year. Now I don't particularly like the idea of a film being a slave to the commercial market, as that often leads to the removal of fundamental elements just to make the film more inclusive, but in 'Jurassic World' I felt the quality wasn't ruined by pandering to more people, despite the fact that this production was obviously meant to sell big. Okay it's not the most intelligent film of all time, or intelligent for the franchise even, but who honestly cares about what's realistic in a science fiction film that looks this damn good. I'm a scholar in a course that includes prehistoric biology, but I didn't give a flying fuck about the dimensions of the dinosaurs included, because I'm aware that this is a work of fiction, and should always be treated as such. It may not be as good as the original 'Jurassic Park' in terms of fictional tales, but for the first time since that groundbreaking film was released I got the same goosebumps I always did when you ended up getting a look at some of these epically made creations.
I also didn't find any fundamental problems with this film. The cast were perfectly acceptable, and actually went beyond my expectations. Chris Pratt is a cool and nerdy guy who does what's needed in the lead role, and the kids aren't even annoying, which is nothing short of a miracle in a big blockbuster like this one. I still think the overall spectacle was inferior to that of the original, but this newer version never gives up on the dinosaurs and almost always quite rightfully has them as the focus; and that's good in a film where the characters can end up looking a bit bland in comparison. No 'Jurassic World' didn't bring anything new to the table, and there are parts filled with cliched nonsense that frustrated me, but as a film this was about the most entertainment you could possibly squeeze out of a few hours. This film looks the part and travels at such a rapid pace that you can't help but sit on the edge of your seat almost all the way through, looking at some creations that will make any human say 'holy shit'. To me this is what modern cinema is all about, and in a classic homage to the Steven Spielberg style of film, this one pulled it off in style.
#2 Sicario (9/10)
Well this was one of the most intense films this year. 'Sicario' literally means 'hitman' in Mexico, so I was expecting something action orientated, but nothing compared to how graphic and thrilling the final product turned out to be. The cast in particular put on a stellar show, especially Benicio Del Toro who was the dark role that this film desperately deserved. His character fits into the narrative perfectly, which I wish I could say for leading actress Emily Blunt who never quite fully fits into that FBI role as well as she should. I certainly blame the casting for failing at finding the correct person for a role that should be believable, but at least Blunt doesn't become an absurd character that doesn't contribute to the film despite being so one dimensional, at least making the film entertaining, and I guess in any other thriller I'm sure she would have flourished. I suppose it's in the style of the film that the main role becomes lost in the greater concept of conflict, which is always the central focus of any good war film.
I would say that 'Sicario' throws the theme of conflict around a lot more haphazardly than many of its contemporaries, but it's not a thoughtless production and actually requires a little bit of thought to truly enjoy the whole narrative. When this film does do things right though, they properly hit the mark. 'Sicario' has some of the best cinematography and music I've seen and heard all year, which is an extremely powerful mechanism in a plot that sometimes becomes hard to relate to. Maybe it's because of my ignorance on the Mexican Drug War, but I can safely say that no cinematic experience has ever brought a current conflict so vividly to life. This was an experience were I felt I was a part of this ongoing conflict, and some of the merciless mental images produced by this work are sickening to say the least. This is a graphic production that never feels predictable or gimmicky, and its impactful nature deserves a lot of respect with its depictions of conflicts in relation to global warfare. In essence the film portrays the narrative as a trivial part of a global issue, and that's such a great mechanism for any good war film.
#1 Bridge of Spies (9/10)
Thank you Steven Spielberg. Thank you for making what appeared on paper to be one of the duller parts of the Cold War into one of the most interesting and gripping films I've watched this year. When the powerhouse combination of Spielberg and Tom Hanks come together you just know the results will be good, but what I didn't expect was a historical production that managed to be insightful and intriguing throughout the whole duration. My expectations of 'Bridge of Spies' were that this wouldn't be a film that would leave me on the edge of my seat, but thanks to brilliant performances by the whole cast that's exactly what happened. Hanks in particular plays such a good leading role and his charisma shines above the whole cast. It's a memorable performance that deserves an Oscar, as does the work of Spielberg who once again masterfully recreates his version of history with every little detail being meticulously thought through and refined. The result is a film that flows perfectly from scene to scene, making a fascinating tale out of a forgotten event in history.
Okay there are still a few Hollywood cliches lying around to let you know that this is a commercial film, but at the heart of everything there is that passion for history that Spielberg loves to tell. I do question the roles of the Russians being portrayed as solely evil warmongering bastards, but that's a small detail to overlook from an overall very polished narrative. The styling as well deserves special praise, because at every stage the film feels like a product of its time. There are many classic elements used that scream of 1950's cinema, and I like that the film forgets about high action and explosive scenes, and instead focuses on sophistication and coherence. The script was masterfully written, brilliantly fleshing out each character into the elegant plot, which was paced really nicely for an overall positive experience. It's amazing to think that this film was made for only 40 million dollars, which is further proof that when it comes down to historical films Spielberg can turn a simple idea into one of the most interesting anecdotes and a top notch film with very little resources.
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