Okay, I know. I know. It’s been two months since 2015 has ended and you’re probably why am I only posted my top 10 of 2015 list just now? Well, there’s a pretty good reason for that. While most film critics I know posted their top 10 lists either late 2015 or early 2016, I decided to wait a little longer on posting mine and spend the last two months catching up on a lot of films (both the good and the bad) that were released in 2015 that I didn’t get a chance to see until recently. Plus I also wanted to re-watch a bunch films that I loved from last year to see if they were still worthy enough to be on it. While I don’t think that 2015 was as great of a year as 2014 was, it was still a pretty consistently good year for films nonetheless (also it was a truly fantastic year for Australian films as well). Now before I go into my final official top 10 of 2015, here’s another list of films that sadly didn’t quite make it on there but were my honourable mentions for the year. Enjoy!
NOTE: I’ve only included films that were officially released in cinemas in either Australia, the U.K. or the U.S. in 2015 (however some films that I saw at film festivals this year won’t be included if they hadn’t had a theatrical release in either of those three countries yet).
HONOURABLE MENTIONS (In Alphabetical Order):
99 Homes
American Ultra
Amy
Anomalisa
Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Creed
Cut Snake
The Dressmaker
Fast & Furious 7
Finders Keepers
Holding The Man
The Hunting Ground
I Am Big Bird: The Carroll Spinney Story
It Follows
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
Mommy
Shaun The Sheep Movie
Spotlight
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Testament Of Youth
The Visit
Youth
…And now onto my official top 10 films of 2015…
10. THE LOOK OF SILENCE
(Dir: Joshua Oppenheimer)
“While director Joshua Oppenheimer’s sequel/companion piece to his amazing and ambitious 2013 documentary THE ACT OF KILLING is a more low-key film, it’s still an incredible doco that’s just as equally powerful, shocking and devastating as that one. If you see one documentary from 2015, make it this one.”
9. PARTISAN
(Dir: Ariel Kleiman)
“While some viewers might find some aspects of this Australian made coming-of-age cult thriller a bit too frustratingly vague but for me personally, it’s those qualities that I absolutely loved. This was a brilliantly acted, haunting, hypnotic and superbly made film that stays with long after you’ve watched it. It’s a captivating début from first director Ariel Kleiman.”
8. MACBETH
(Dir: Justin Kurzel)
“There’s have been many excellent adaptations of William Shakespeare’s legendary play, this latest take from Australian director Justin Kurzel is definitely up there as one of the best. It’s an absolutely riveting, violent and visually stunning film that’s brilliantly made in every way. Michael Fassbender & Marion Collitard were just both simply superb in their roles.”
7. THE LOBSTER
(Dir: Yorgos Lanthimos)
“Acclaimed DOGTOOH director Yorgos Lanthimos’ English language debut is an absolutely fantastic film whose own unique quirky blend of satire, sci-fi, comedy, thriller and, most importantly, romance makes it a true blue original. Sure it might be a little too bizarre and strange for some people but for me personally, I thought it was truly brilliant!”
6. LOVE & MERCY
(Dir: Bill Pohlad)
“One of the best music based biopics I have seen quite a long time. It’s truly superb, extremely moving and beautifully crafted film that does a terrific job at exploring the life of Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson during different time periods. Both John Cucask & Paul Dano were fantastic in their roles as both the older and younger versions of Wilson.”
5. THE MARTIAN
(Dir: Ridley Scott)
“After delivering one of his worst’s films with the awful EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS, director Ridley Scott bounces back in a major way with this truly excellent and crowd pleasing sci-fi film that’s without a doubt the absolute best film he’s made in years. It’s intelligent, funny, intense, riveting, inspiring and hugely entertaining. It’s one of Scott’s masterpieces that’s for sure.”
4. INSIDE OUT
(Dir: Pete Docter & Ronnie del Carmen)
“Pixar has always know how to tug at the heartstrings of cinema goers over the years, but this is definitely their most emotionally charged one yet (which shouldn’t be a surprise since it’s about emotions). It’s a superbly made animated film that’s truly original, hilarious, moving, imaginative and truly wonderful performances from its voice cast. It’s one of Pixar’s best films yet”
3. ROOM
(Dir: Lenny Abrahamson)
“I’m not going to lie. I was basically on the verge of tears every 5 minutes during the course of this film. It was a truly emotionally powerful film that’s was both equally harrowing and hopeful. Brie Larson & young new comer Jacob Tremblay were both gave two of the best performances I’ve seen in all of 2015. They were amazing!”
2. THE HATEFUL EIGHT
(Dir: Quentin Tarantino)
“While Quentin Tarantino’s latest it won’t be for everyone but for me personally, it’s another truly amazing masterpiece from him. It’s a truly violent, darkly hilarious, shocking, mean-spirited, nihilistic and completely riveting western that happens to also be surprisingly his most politically charged and thought-provoking film yet. I loved every single minute of it!”
1. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
(Dir: George Miller)
“Out of all the films that I saw from 2015, none of them (even the ones that I absolutely loved) have never come close to impact that this film had on me. Having seen the film 6 times at the cinema (which is the most times I have ever seen a film on the big screen EVER), I’m still just a blown away after all those viewings as I was the first time I watched it. In a year where a lot of sequel/reboots pandered to audience’s nostalgia for what came before in the past, director George Miller instead pushed the MAD MAX series forward and take it to the next level by giving us a sequel that was unlike anything that we have seen before. Every element that Miller and his cast/crew brought film just works perfectly: the performances are terrific, all the characters were memorable, every line of dialogue is quotable, every single shot through out is iconic, it has some of the greatest actions sequences ever put on film and much, much more. It’s not just an amazing action film, it’s just amazing film all together (not bad for the 4th film in a classic Ozploitation series). There’s no shred of doubt in my mind that this film deserves it’s spot as my number 1 best film of 2015. In fact it’s now one of my all time favourite films as well.”
Well, there you have it. Those are my official top 10 films of 2015. Agree or disagree? Let your voices be heard in the comments below or on the official SuperMarcey.com Facebook page! Also keep a look out next week when I will unveil my highly anticipated top 10 worst films of 2015 list. That’s one you will definitely do not want to miss, it’s going to be terribly good!
– Bede Jermyn
The Super Network 