#10
Irrational Man
I'm a sucker for the new Woody Allen stuff but to be honest, this isn't great. I really like the premise (if you don't know, don't look it up!), I thought the character played by Joaquin Phoenix was strangely real and although the plot is simple and straightforward I was thoroughly enthralled while watching. However, it does lack substance and by the time the credits roll, it feels small. Not sure if I have the urge to watch it again but I still had a blast while watching. (And when I say "blast", we're talking in Woody Allen terms here. This isn't a movie I'd recommend to most people.) I'm surprised what takes place in this movie doesn't happen more often.
#9
Bridge of Spies
Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, what else can I say? A unique kind of spy movie that doesn't involve guns or sexy ladies with euphemistic names. When a movie's runtime is 2h 21mins and it feels more like 1h 45mins, they've done something right. Tom Hanks is your every day man's man. A enjoyable flick for everyone to watch at home.
#8
Mississippi Grind
Ryan Reynolds does some great yet unnoticed stuff. Check out a movie called Voices, came out last year and Reynolds is amazing to say the least. Add this one to the list as well. Mississippi Grind takes a realistic and sad look at gambling addiction in a very entertaining way. Ben Mendleson plays the best losers of all time (even better than William H Macy does) and is always stealing the screen no matter what movie or show (Bloodline) he's in. Two great actors, poker, cross country trip, although a little slow a times, it's a good movie.
#7
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Listen, it is what it is and I loved it. It's a great popcorn flick with ties to my childhood. I do feel they played all their cards too soon in this one. There really doesn't seem to be any mystery left for the following movies, although with Rian Johnson directing the next one, I guarantee it'll be better!
#6
The Revenant
I'm surprised the Revenant fell this low on my list. The movie is a pure vision to watch. The acting in it is top notch and who doesn't like a good revenge and survival story? After chewing on it, it just felt too long for how simple the plot is, and forgive me for saying, that it does feel like a vehicle for Leo to walk around in a bear skin and win an Oscar. Don't get me wrong, see this movie, it's great, just potentially a little too full of itself. Leo and Tom for the Oscar!
#5
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
What a fantastic surprise this movie is. It's made with such energy and life that it's hard to not fall in love with it. Keep an eye on this director, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon who's worked with Scorsese and Inarritu, as he is going to be big. The young cast is great as well. It's funny, sad and surprising. Watch it and enjoy!
#4
Room
I had zero idea of what this movie was, and I was glad! Watching the trailer or reading about it would definitely take away from the movie. A very unique perspective on something we've seen in movies before. Sad yet motivational, slow yet suspenseful, Room did a lot of contradicting things that some how worked. My only gripe is that it drags on a bit at the end, but the movie is unique as hell and I recommend it to all.
#3
The Big Short
I've seen this 3 times already and I can't get enough. It's pretty much a horror story about how corrupt our financial system is. It's also an extremely complicated story. Seems like it could have been a bore of a movie, yet it's the complete opposite. The cast is superb and they all do aces of a job. The difficult terminology is explained in ways that make the conversations on the screen not only understandable but extremely enjoyable. Watch it and enjoy, and if you do, watch Too Big to Fail as well!
#2
Sicario
Holy Shit, this movie. I have come to the realization that movies these days are pretty predictable and at times predictable because they try to be unpredictable. But this movie, I really had no idea what the hell would happen. My stomach was in knots pretty much throughout. How does Emily Blunt not get nominated for this? How Does Benicio Del Torro not get nominated? Heck, I don't even like Josh Brolin, seriously like in anything, but he does an amazing job in this also. Denis Villeneuve is the new David Fincher and I can't wait to see what he does with Blade Runner. See this movie, try not to shit your pants, I dare you.
#1
Mad Max: Fury Road
Tough to put this above Sicario, but I haven't had more fun watching a movie in 2015 than I did while watching Fury Road. It starts and doesn't stop, much like last years "Lone Survivor". It's a constant race against time and it's great fun the entire way. The world feels new, completely unique yet real. The characters have so much wear and tear and their personalities show it. It's beautifully filmed and the practical effects are amaze-balls. I could keep on going, but there is no need. It's the best film of the year.
