2015 gave us a lot of great movies. Here are my picks for “the best of the best” movies of 2015.
10. What We Do in the Shadows
Horror comedies can be painful, tedious, and not funny. (Marlon Wayans has made a career making them.) Blending the best of Christopher Guest and the comedy classic Shaun of the Dead, What We Do In The Shadows puts fresh blood into the genre and is the funniest movie of 2015. This says something because it was a very good year to laugh. A mockumentary following the lives of vampires who open up about the perks and hardships of being among the un-dead, it is very clever in its silliness. This hilarious collaboration between Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement (HBO’s FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS), What We Do In The Shadows hits the jugular with perfectly spoofing vampire mythology. The visual gags were a big hoot, too. Make sure to watch this soon-to-be cult classic since it is spawning a spin-off movie with the werewolf characters.
9. Tangerine
Watching numerous movies, the truly special and unique ones demand your attention. In contrast to those void of naturalism and reality, Sean Baker’s Tangerine is a live wire full of kinetic energy charting unknown territory. The narrative feature (not doc) shot entirely on an iPhone about two transgender prostitutes in LA searching for their pimp on Christmas Eve highlights remarkable performances from both Kitana “Kiki” Rodriguez and Mya Taylor who have worked the streets. For me, the harsh moments of Tangerine exposing the seedy underbelly of the city is soothed with the catty dialogue, the character’s chemistry, and the breakthrough cinematic achievement. This low scale, hyper smart-phone production is a selfie-stick of organic film making magic that will be a revolutionary technological turning point for the medium. 21st century movie making has arrived, “bitch!”
8. Mad Max: Fury Road
What a wild ride! Blowing away all 2015 blockbusters including the cuddly dorkiness of Ridley Scott’s THE MARTIAN, George Miller’s ghoulish masterpiece MAD MAX: FURY ROAD is a hellish glimpse at post-apocalyptic fascism. The brutally energetic action adventure is a crazy mad dash of mayhem from fast cars to the grim circumstances to wicked costumes. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD was such an elaborate production even the henchmen pouncing on the poles executed their stunts with such precision like a soulful Cirque du Soleil performance. The most gripping moments came without explanation or exposition and existed in near silence or no dialogue. The cinematography is striking with every shot encompassing the tone. Beyond 2015, this masterful directorial achievement will set trends by influencing future mainstream movies similar to how SAVING PRIVATE RYAN or a Christopher Nolan Batman movie blazed their stylistic trails. I’m hoping Warner Brothers’ DC comic movies follow in the footsteps of this one in both style and substance.
7. Anomalisa
Isolation is exposed and intimacy revealed in Charlie Kaufman’s spellbinding stop motion animated tale about discovering human connection in ANOMALISA. Customer service author/speaker/expert Michael Stone spends the night in the fictional Frogoli Hotel in Cincinnati. (Spot on about Ohioans, everyone tells him to “Try our Chili” or “Visit the zoo”). Everyone has the same voice except him and a woman named Lisa (Jennifer Jason Leigh in a beautiful performance) becoming the anomaly to his dreary world. Mundane and uncomfortable moments during life play for laughs. This also features some random quirky gems including Michael meeting with the hotel manager that I dare not ruin. There’s a much discussed sex scene between Michael and Lisa that is tender as it is awkward. ANOMALISA becomes sweet in the midst of its jadedness. Pure bliss. I’m thankful Paramount bravely acquired this movie after touring the fall festival circuit (which I saw in Telluride) and released it this year.
6. Spotlight
Boston Globe journalists uncovering the Catholic priest sex abuse scandal is an exceptional drama on par with ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN. SPOTLIGHT is a powerful testament to the old fashioned spirit of journalism that is slipping away in our era of reactionary attitudes, sensationalism-for-profit, gossip mongering and blatant misinformation. The ensemble acting is impressive especially Mark Ruffalo (who has the “showiest” scene) and Liev Schreiber (who has the genuine and understated moments). Packed with gripping performances, intelligent writing, and balances a brisk pace without rushing scenes, an overloooked strength is the musical score from Howard Shore which accelerates the stakes of the need to break the story quickly but accurately. In SPOTLIGHT, the moral outrage of this exposed cover-up subtly sneaks up on viewers where restraint becomes the ultimate form of showmanship.
5. Carol
Shot in Cincinnati to look like 1950’s New York, Todd Haynes’ CAROL is an elegant coming-of-age lesbian drama with superb performances from the luminous Rooney Mara and the exquisite Cate Blanchett. There is engrossing tension within their budding relationship that captivates viewers. The cinematography and production design in CAROL is vivid and scrumptious embodying the best of living and breathing cinema. Credit Haynes for creating quite the film and wrapping it all together like a delicate and fancy Christmas gift. It is quite a special gem. One of the most divisive movies of the year, not everyone appreciates high class art when they see it. What an ending, too!
4. Steve Jobs
Embodying a bombastic stage persona that intertwined symphonic grace and Shakespearean dynamics, Danny Boyle’s STEVE JOBS is masterful in providing glimpses of time of the iconic inventor. Mr. Boyle conducts the commanding and passionate presence of the actors highlighted by a marvelous Michael Fassbender. Boyle’s style choice, though controversially using 16MM, 35MM, and digital filmmaking during various product presentations, worked well (for me) as the evolution of technology. The high wire, charismatic Aaron Sorkin dialogue overwhelms portraying a realistic back stage drama of these chatty and opinionated high minded people. Like the unapologetic and visionary pioneer, cinematic history will recognize the genius of STEVE JOBS currently and later. The dismal box office performance affirms this truth.
3. The Revenant
A relentless, visceral cinematic experience, filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu (BIRDMAN) crafts a survivalist masterpiece in THE REVENANT. Leonardo DiCaprio is sensational and riveting as was Tom Hardy among dire circumstances. The frightening bear attack is a must see if you can handle it. The cinematography from Emmanuel Lubezki is breathtaking making a strong case for digital photography (which says something because I love film). What a living legend. I’ll have more to say very soon. Don’t miss this on the big screen when it opens wide January 8th!
2. Son of Saul
The Hungarian Holocaust movie SON OF SAUL, about an Auschwitz inmate tasked with cremation who discovers his young son’s body and debates secretly providing a proper Jewish burial, is daunting. First time director László Nemes constructs a ravishing and unforgettable cinematic experience which ranks alongside SCHINDLER’S LIST as an all-time great movies about the grim subject matter. An engrossing watch with raw emotion, credit cinematographer Mátyás Erdély who encloses viewers into the claustrophobic setting that invokes the intimacy of terror. We see Saul but can’t clearly view what is happening around him. We can only imagine. The chaotic moments are devastating and captivating. The mechanical process of preparing for execution and the ending life is staggering in its bleakness. One of the reasons I attended the Telluride Film Festival was to watch SON OF SAUL which won the Grand Prix at Cannes. It haunted me daily the following month. László and Erdély are talented filmmakers who will make a name for themselves. Now playing in NY and LA, it opens wider January.
1. Inside Out
Peter Pan flying. Cinderella’s transformation. The presentation of Simba. Every Disney classic has their moment. INSIDE OUT gave us “Bing Bong saying goodbye.” It was sad and won’t sell nostalgia in future Disney marketing (though Joy and Bing Bong riding the wagon will). Joy’s optimistic escape leaving him behind is about sacrificial growth, maturity, and even innocence lost. Wildly imaginative and daring in its creativity, INSIDE OUT is an animated masterpiece and one of Disney’s best. Though never intended for zeitgeist, INSIDE OUT was timely and applicable to the modern human experience as many live with Fear, Anger, and Disgust commanding the control panel while Joy and Sadness are lost refusing to co-exist. This condition is harming ourselves and society. The media fuels this. Politicians exploit this. Even loved ones manipulate this. How we react to life circumstances, people’s decisions, and current events should be approached with a delicate demeanor. (The “confusing facts and opinions” line is accurate!) Some do not give INSIDE OUT the credit it deserves calling it a cute movie about a girls emotions. It is an important one about healthy relational development, preserving memories, and maintaining your identity for both children and adults. I’ve watched INSIDE OUT seven times. For me, there wasn’t a better movie from 2015.
