Ten Best Films Of 2015!!!!

Here they are--those films that made my 2015 film going year so wonderful. I saw a lot of films that should be on this list in 2015. Unfortunately, not all are going to get representation. It's weird..I complained toward the middle of this year that 2015 has not been a good year for film but now that it's 2016, I realize how wrong I was. So my apologies to films such as The Gift, Eden, Me And Earl And The Dying Girl, It Follows, Danny Collins, Trainwreck,  Black Mass, The Martian, Slow West, All Things Must Pass and The End of The Tour for being shut out. Here are the ones that managed to make it in..
(10) An Open Secret

An Open Secret is Amy Berg's powerful, devastating and revealing documentary that chronicles sexual abuse in Hollywood mainly from stories of child stars from the 1990's and early 2000's. Even though Hollywood wants to keep people away from this film, it is a powerful experience that needs to be had. Berg doesn't try to sugarcoat any of this nor does she try to add any kind of uplifting schmaltz at the end. It may not be enjoyable but it damn sure is important.

(9) Inside Out

This will be higher on a lot of others's lists for good reason. Inside Out is a beautiful film with a brilliant concept that also teaches children that being sad and frustrated and disappointed and disgusted and scared are not only great but necessary. This will surely stand the test of time as a learning tool for all future youth. Even if you don't have kids or are not one yourself (I'm in that category,) the themes are so universal and the film so fun that it's a must see.
(8) Love And Mercy

Love And Mercy is an absolutely gorgeous and absorbing film about the life of the genius behind The Beach Boys--Brian Wilson. Told through two different periods in time, with Paul Dano portraying a younger Wilson and John Cusack portraying an older one, there is power and beauty oozing from every scene. The film also manages to be simultaneously fun, striking, sad and uplifting, a difficult task by any standard.

(7) Ex Machina

Featuring hands down the best scene of the year (involving a dance floor and a consistently chilling performance by Oscar Isaac,) Ex Machina is the kind of film that fortunately doesn't have time for a lot of set up. Almost immediately after the film starts, we get the brilliant interactions between a geeky tech company employee (Domnhall Gleeson) and the company's no-nonsense owner (Isaac) taking place in the owner's beautiful house on a gorgeous plot of land. The film also features a breakthrough performance by Alicia Vikander as a robot that the men put the Turing Test on.

(6) 99 Homes

The better of the two housing crisis films from 2015 (the interesting but flawed The Big Short being the other,) 99 Homes features dynamite performances from Andrew Garfield, Laura Dern and especially Michael Shannon, an absolutely fascinating actor who continues to surprise with every new role. Unfortunately met with no box office success in its short theatrical run, I just hope that Ramin Bahrini's incredible film finds a large audience in no time. It is a thrilling, inventive, provocative and incredibly timely piece of work. 

(5) Brooklyn 

One of the most lovely films I have ever seen, Brooklyn features a dynamite and darling performance from the always great Saoirse Ronan as well as incredible supporting work from Emory Cohen, Domnhall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters. Everything about this film is warm, touching and downright incredible. A sure fire Oscar contender, this is a film that truly fits the phrase "they don't make them like that anymore."

(4) Mad Max Fury Road

Mad Max Fury Road was the best reminder all year of why cinemas are an absolute must to have. A non-stop thrill ride with great performances from Tom Hardy, Nicolas Hoult and Charlize Theron in particular, this is an always thrilling, absolutely mind blowing and life affirming experience.

(3) Spotlight 

Following the Boston rape allegations against Catholic Priests and the massive cover up, Spotlight is a devastating film that also knows everything there is to know about journalism. Watching this film is a powerful and engaging experience but also an educational one for those who don't know about the cutthroat and dedicated world of field journalists.

(2) Steve Jobs

Featuring great performances across the board from Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jeff Daniels, Katherine Waterson and many others, Steve Jobs is how a biopic about the Apple founder should be done. Written beautifully by the brilliant Aaron Sorkin and directed with infinite pizzazz and freshness by Danny Boyle, this film is a fast paced, wonderful look at one man's life through all its ups and downs. 

And my favorite film of 2015 is.......

(1) Room

Featuring an astonishing performance that is sure to take home the Oscar from Brie Larson and an equally powerful one from newcomer Jacob Tremblay, Room is an at once visceral, sad, palpable, claustrophobic, charming, uplifting and altogether wonderful film about the unbreakable bond between mother and son. I urge anyone who hasn't already seen this film to go out and see it in theaters (where it needs to bee seen) immediately. There is no other film like it and surely will never be!!! Also, check out a similarly powerful performance from Larson in the criminally overlooked drama Short Term 12.