Welcome, 2016. And with that, I attempt to rank every 2015 movie I saw during the calendar year. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I at least enjoyed every 2015 flick I caught, but, as this isn’t my day job, I generally avoid movies I don’t think I’ll like anyway.
Check out the definitive ranking of 2014 movies (that I’ve seen) I compiled last year, and you can also look at the full reviews of many of these movies to get all my thoughts.
29. Project Almanac
This found-footage sci-fi flick is good for a rainy afternoon, but the real revelation here is the surprisingly great leading performance from Jonny Weston. Kind, intelligent, likable, and layered, this is an actor with a bright future.
28. Run All Night
Behold, Liam Neeson actually acting! This neo-noir thriller feels more like a Dennis Lehane novel than a Taken retread, lending itself to tactile characters and refreshing realism. The premise keeps our heroes on the move, as an action movie should. Neeson shines as an ex mob enforcer, and Ed Harris delivers as the gangster out to take down his former friend. While exciting, the tension and build-up are often better than the pay-off.
27. Unfriended
A perfect atmosphere of dread blankets this entire movie. Even when the acting takes a dip, the build-up and scares are devilishly effective. Words can hurt, and actions have consequences, as Unfriended so horrifically illustrates.
26. Spectre
James Bond’s 24th onscreen mission is one of the most dichotomous movies I’ve ever seen–it has amazing direction, but a terrible script. The dialogue is dumb, the story runs every which way for no reason, and the characters are simply there to punch stuff and look attractive. Sam Mendes’s direction, however, is kinetic and beautiful, and all of the action sequences are spectacular. The opening adventure through Mexico City alone–not to mention that awesome long take–is worth the price of admission.
25. Kingsman: The Secret Service
Matthew Vaughn’s answer to today’s era of super-serious spy flicks, Kingsman provides a “far-fetched theatrical plot” with its tongue planted firmly in cheek. Colin Firth and new-comer Taron Egerton are excellent, handling both the action scenes and one-liners with ease. Sometimes the script thinks it’s far cleverer than it actually is, but the one-take “Free Bird” brawl in the church more than makes up for it.
24. Jurassic World
Most of this movie was pretty disappointing. The effects were meh, the performances were weak (except for a stellar Chris Pratt), and there was a severe lack of both tension and fun. But then… Pratt jumps on his motorcycle and rides alongside those raptors, beginning one of the most fun climaxes I’ve ever seen. The last thirty minutes of this flick are worth it.
23. Everest
While it doesn’t lack harrowing cinematography and a handful of good performances (especially from Jason Clarke), Everest the movie suffers from the problem as Everest the mountain: overpopulation. This issue leads to a lack of emotional punch. Still, some sequences are truly terrifying, and it delivers one of my favorite images of the year, as seen above.
22. Black Mass
An A+ performance from Johnny Depp elevates this crime biopic, but a shoddy script and meager supporting cast drag it back down. As my full review says, this movie should have belonged to Depp, but the audience is never fully engaged in the narrative because the storyteller keeps getting in the way.
21. Southpaw
Jake Gyllenhaal and director Antoine Fuqua make Southpaw a great experience. Rachel McAdams is also very good in her limited screen time. See my full review for more.
20. Ant-Man
Peyton Reed had a monumental challenge before him–helming such a bizarre movie, one that acclaimed director Edgar Wright abandoned. Still, he managed to pull off a great superhero movie that focuses more on comedy and less on an end-of-the-world-type plot. Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lily, and Michael Douglas hit it out of the park, lending charisma to a ridiculous plot.
19. Creed
Ryan Cooler’s direction is gritty and intimate, allowing us to move and feel along with the characters. Plus, Sylvester Stallone’s seventh iteration as Rocky Balboa may be the finest performance of his entire career.
18. The Peanuts Movie
Sweet, funny, and sincere, this big-screen adaptation from Steve Martino and the Schultz sons somehow manages to capture the melancholy whimsy of the original specials. All the characters are perfect, and it offers a poignant message for viewers of ages: People will like you if you are honest, helpful, compassionate, and act like yourself.
17. McFarland, USA
Kevin Costner returns to the sports genre to great acclaim. All the young performers are (surprisingly and thankfully) very good in their roles. At the heart of this movie is a story about a man trying to relate with people he doesn’t understand, and while the sports thrills are fun, the meeting of cultures is where McFarland, USA shines.
16. The Hateful Eight (The 70mm Roadshow)
In Quentin Tarantino’s (latest) three-hour Western, eight strangers get snowed in and proceed to sit around, drink coffee, and talk about this and that until they decide it’s time to start killing each other. Taking place in just two claustrophobic locations, most of the film is wildly entertaining with colorful characters, ever-shifting alliances, plenty of gallows humor, an Agatha Christie-style whodunit mystery, and riveting dialogue. Unfortunately, it seems that Tarantino had no idea how to end his story, settling for violence that feels senseless, sadistic, and ultimately lazy. Not to mention a twist that makes no dadgum sense and unravels much of the previous events’ intrigue. Still, the verbal game of cat-and-mouse is great, and other highlights include an MVP performance from Walton Goggins and a magnificent score from Ennio Morricone.
15. The Voices
Absurd, dark, and hilarious. Ryan Reynolds talks to his pets, and what they say back isn’t pretty. Reynolds’s performance is simultaneously touching, unnerving, and humorous, and I think he’s one of the finest actors out there right now. Michael R. Perry’s script walks the tightrope between comedy and tragedy, and the end credits is one of the funniest I’ve ever seen.
14. The Big Short
Led by a clever script from Adam McKay and Charles Randolph, The Big Short provides an informative, entertaining look into a subject that could have gone right over my head. Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell give well-rounded, charismatic performances, and the movie manages to balance biting comedy and real-life tragedy.
13. Cinderella
Sue me, I love this movie. Directed by Kenneth Branagh with the brevity of a Shakespearean masterwork, this adaptation of the classic story brings the magic to life. Lily James is utterly enchanting in the titular role, Richard Madden is charming as the Prince, and Cate Blanchett adds some layers to the villainous stepmother. And I don’t go a day without humming that beautiful lullaby to myself.
12. The Gift
This movie–starring and written and directed by Joel Edgerton–completely took me by surprise. Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall give brilliantly realistic performances, and Edgerton’s grasp of tension and drama is impressive. Its themes are resilient and heavy-hitting, and you can read the full review to see some of the questions it raised in my mind.
11. Ex Machina
An original masterpiece from Alex Garland, Ex Machina overflows with tension. It asks what it means to be “human” and, moreover, how “human” we actually are. With amazing turns from Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, and Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina feels like the best of the Twilight Zone.
10. The Martian
Matt Damon shines in this not-too-far-fetched sci-fi adventure from Ridley Scott. This movie could have been a dreary bummer, with Damon staring into the distance, tearing up and brooding , punching the walls, etc. But it’s just the opposite. Damon’s character manages to find the humor and hope in his situation, and the movie becomes a celebration of the human spirit. See my full review for more.
9. Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation
I love this franchise. Tom Cruise continually asserts himself as a premier action star, and the M:I movies continually innovate in their field. The fifth installment, however, did not quite live up to the excellent Ghost Protocol, and its villain was pretty weak. But newcomer Rebecca Ferguson is gorgeous, talented, and here to stay.
8. Spotlight
A powerful, important story from Tom McCarthy, Spotlight does everything right. It’s subtle, smart, and righteously angry. Each actor is absolutely fantastic, and the screenplay is second to none. Check out the full review for more.
7. Bridge of Spies
Master storyteller Steven Spielberg delivers one of his most engaging films in years. Everyman Tom Hanks is in top form, Mark Rylance is great in his supporting role, and the tone manages to be gripping and fun at the same time. See the full review here.
6. Avengers: Age of Ultron
While this installment in the MCU doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the table, it gives us more of what we loved from the other movies. Every performer brings their A-game, the writing is solid, the direction is kinetic. As my review said, the movie has a great deal of heart, humanity, and unforced wisdom amid the blockbuster action and effects. It’s The Avengers, and it’s a perfect adventure for any and everyone who wants to feel the thrill of heroics.
5. Mad Max: Fury Road
If you had told me a year ago that Fury Road was primed to be nominated for Best Picture and Director, I would have called you crazy. But here we are, and this wild ride completely deserves it. As my full review says, George Miller’s direction is perfect, and every single action director out there should take notes. Even though the story is barebones, it holds an emotional punch and real stakes. Mad Max: Fury Road sets the bar for the modern action movie… and then it pole vaults over that bar, sticks the landing, and blows up the Olympics. This is a landmark, a monument that will stand the test of time because of its practical effects, believable action, and stellar direction.
4. The Revenant
Absolutely breath-taking yet uncompromisingly brutal, The Revenant is hard to watch. Leonardo DiCaprio fully commits to the heroic role of Hugh Glass, physically as well as emotionally and mentally, and Tom Hardy delivers a career-high performance. Alejandro Iñárritu has proven himself to be one of the most adept cinematic directors of this generation, providing tension, drama, action, and technical mastery in each and every scene. And this movie has my favorite concluding shot of the year.
3. Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens
I loved every second of this movie. The action is amazing, the quieter moments have power, the music is top-notch, the practical and digital effects both blow my mind… I can’t say enough. Daisy Ridley is a revelation, and I can’t wait to see what her bright future holds. In my full review, I said that the character of Kylo Ren disappointed me; here, I’d like to redact that statement. After a second viewing, I found Ren to be very nuanced and fully human. The daddy issues, the spouts of rage—Kylo Ren is everything George Lucas tried to make Anakin Skywalker but couldn’t pull off.
2. Steve Jobs
Entertaining, riveting, electrifying. Aaron Sorkin shows Tarantino how a full-length movie about people talking should be done. As I said in my full review, this is a story about pride, the folly of fame, and human relationships, and Fassbender and Winslet deliver astounding performances. The behind-the-scenes format is very intimate, and we feel that we are seeing the real Steve Jobs that his adoring fans never did. As I watched, I never once felt that that this story was being told— I believed it was actually happening.
1. Inside Out
With honest insights into humanity, Inside Out is one of the greatest movies of the decade. Funny, moving, entertaining, and relatable, this story covers it all. Brimming with talent on every front–from voice acting to production design to music to writing to animation–it simply doesn’t get any better.
Swanson Reviews 