\nBut I would also like to mention I have not seen many bad films this year, in fact I only saw 56 films (that’s twenty or thirty less than normal!) so my desire to watch bad<\/em> films that I would not like was pretty limited.
\nWhat I mean to say is, there are only three films on this entire list I can qualify as bad, as films I hated<\/em>. Naturally they are at the bottom. But seventy percent of the bottom ten aren’t bad at all! I really mean it, so please don’t get too offended by some of my decisions.<\/p>\n
Most of my lowest rated films this year come from my rental list!<\/p>\n
This year was highly anticipated but also a little lukewarm for me. Avengers Age of Ultron<\/em> was disappointing, Jurassic World<\/em> was good but not great, Spectre<\/em> was especially mediocre. In fact, compared to their performance last year Marvel Studios haven’t done very well!<\/p>\n Anyway, the main list is of films I saw in theatres in 2015 in descending order. Following it is a secondary list of all the new films I saw from previous years in descending order.<\/p>\n So starting at the top, my Film of the Year is…….<\/p>\n What a day, what a lovely day!! Compared to Mad Max<\/em>, Birdman<\/em> is a fascinating exploration into the seedy reality of movie and theatre life. Michael Keaton returns at his very best, along with some clever, clever camera work weaving a near seamless \u201ccontinuous take\u201d, the film is dreamlike and richly implemented. Whiplash<\/em> is a short but excruciating experience, some of the most intensive moments I have experienced in cinema, watching Miles Teller wince, sweat and bleed under J.K Simmons definitive role that won him an Oscar. I have little to no interest in drumming (although I do love Jazz) yet this film captured me and would not let go! Breaking records even before it released, it is a no-brainer that JJ Abrams resurrection of The Franchise that began all Franchises would be on the top of this year\u2019s list. By no means a perfect film (it is a soft-remake of 1977\u2019s Star Wars<\/em>) it is perhaps the most lovingly constructed homage and sequel to the original trilogy one could have hoped for. Much like Whiplash<\/em>, Black Mass<\/em> is a hardball crime thriller that for one reason alone you should see it: Johnny Depp, acting. That\u2019s right, Depp is back in this based off true events thriller, and it is as black and grim as the title might suggest. For me, it is practically unheard of that a comedy or a horror could get this high on a list (at least a horror not directed by Guillermo Del Toro) but It Follows<\/em> was perhaps one of the most unique and masterfully done horrors yet, breathing new life into a dying genre that has relied solely on painfully bland jump-scare tactics. It Follows<\/em> is creepy, intense and new, and despite my low expectations, the film rose far and above them. Despite Tom Cruise constantly hammering in the fact that \u201che isn\u2019t too old yet\u201d, the Mission Impossible<\/em> films have been incredible from start to finish (almost) and Rogue Nation<\/em> provides pulse pounding thrills and one particularly excellent motorcycle chase! On paper it sounds generic, with the trailer is looks generic, but all together it is an awesome ride of action spectacle. Disney Pixar\u2019s animated metaphysical dive into the subconscious has audiences split, myself included; I spent a long time deciding if I even really liked it. It is a marvel and unique specimen in the Pixar library and only Pixar could have delivered it as well as they did; it is incredibly challenging and incredibly poignant to older audiences. From the very beginning of the year, Ex Machina<\/em> was one film I missed in theatres but refused to miss from the year. Its lacklustre trailer had put me off; feeling tonally off and vague, but Ex Machina<\/em> is actually one of the most intellectual and smart science fiction thrillers made in a long time. With a narrow, self-contained scope, the film delves into the usual deep questions about artificial intelligence but in a new, modern way. Oscar Issac\u2019s performance is especially complex and very compelling. Just barely getting into my top ten, battling the likes of Big Hero 6<\/em> and The Martian<\/em> on equal footing, Bridge of Spies<\/em> is as most Spielberg films are, excellently made. As a clever, witty and also bleak wartime spy drama based off real events, it does not leave its audience out in the cold (it puts lead star Tom Hanks in the snowy Russian winter instead!) it is accessible and lovingly shot, while Hanks as always delivers a likable and sympathetic performance as an every-man forced into world-changing events. Big Hero 6 (2D) This is by no means a bad movie. There was a lot riding on Sicario<\/em>. After Denis Villeneuve\u2019s incredible debut Prisoners<\/em>, everyone was excited to see Sicario. A lot of people gave Sicario a free pass because they under-appreciated Prisoners<\/em>. But as someone who did under-appreciate the previous film, I did not find Sicario<\/em> as good; it was bleak and unrewarding and ultimately felt irrelevant. Again, not a bad film. Clint Eastwood directs gorgeous films, and emotion-driven films every time. But in today\u2019s open minded society one can feel that American Sniper<\/em> is not grey enough in its opinion of what the war was about. Based off the autobiography of the legendary sniper that the film\u2019s Bradley Cooper (excellently) portrays, I felt there was little room for debate: the enemy were inhuman monsters. It also failed to deliver perhaps the real battle, PTSD, as importantly as it could have, focusing more on the war than the terrible aftermath… Again, Sinister 2<\/em> is by far a bad film. In fact in terms of horror sequels it is actually very good! But Sinister<\/em> was one of those films that never asked for a sequel, and honestly remains one of my favourite horrors of recent years, and its sequel feels a little dry of ideas. Watch things blow up, watch hundreds or even thousands of people die. Watch as Dwayne Johnson, playing a rescue helicopter pilot, blindly ignore all of these people just to rescue his wife and daughter. Minions<\/em> is exactly the sugar-fuelled madness you\u2019d expect from a film based entirely around Despicable Me<\/em>\u2019s little inhuman and warbling yellow buddies. While cute and colourful, Minions<\/em> strongest asset is that its SHORT; any more of this and audiences over the age of eight would be climbing the walls. Sandra Bullock, virtually the only voice actor with real material to work with, was irritating and just\u2026 loud. I am a little sad to put Barney Thomson this low down on my list. It isn\u2019t an awful film by any means and I am sure it is \u201ca Marmite movie\u201d. Set in Glasgow, Scotland, staring Emma Thomson and Robert Carlyle, there\u2019s a lot to like in the film, but it feels like a one-note Scottish Tarantino movie; there really isn\u2019t anything beyond \u201clackey freaks out when he accidentally kills someone\u201d again and again. It feels repetitive and doesn\u2019t have enough material. Yeah. Give me your hate. Go on. Go down to the comment section and tell me how AWESOME this film is. While Fant4stic<\/em> is a terrible, terrible piece of film-making, I still feel very bad for it. The amount of ire this film has attracted from bandwagon jumpers and raging comic book fans and movie fans is unfair when you consider the toxic relationship between director Josh Trank and studio 20th Century Fox. With Fant4stic<\/em> an example of Hollywood relying on Rights acquisition over creativity, Genisys<\/em> is easily the definition of what\u2019s wrong with Hollywood\u2019s reliance on remakes and reboots and franchises. Genisys<\/em> is a painful experience, not only with Die Hard 5<\/em> levels of incompetent action direction, but also in its total disrespect for the cinematic titans that came before it; literally erasing two of Hollywood\u2019s ground-breaking movies from their own franchise, to replace it with an asinine splurge of jargon exposition, zero chemistry, zero intensity and embarrassing comedy. Pixels<\/em> perhaps collected as much hatred and ire as Fant4stic<\/em>, to the degree that championing lead star Adam Sandler famously appeared physically and mentally drained in front of press. But Pixels<\/em> deserves most, if not all, of its disgrace. <\/p>\n And for every other film I saw this year for the first time<\/em> but wasn’t released this year:<\/p>\n Rentals 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n 01. The Philadelphia Story 21 Jump Street Yeah, Paranormal Activity 3<\/em> and 4<\/em> were the bottom scorers in the whole year, each with a measly one cup o’ cocoa out of five!<\/p>\n I am looking forward to 2016’s wealth of films, the gears of comic book adaptations are now in full swing and we are getting more and more every year. 2016 in this regard has: Deadpool<\/em>, X-Men: Apocalypse<\/em>, Suicide Squad<\/em>, Captain America: Civil War<\/em>, Dr. Strange<\/em>, and of course the very intriguing (for good or ill)\u00a0Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice<\/em>.<\/p>\n Outside of comics we have the Warcraft<\/em> video game adaptation, TMNT 2<\/em>, Pixar’s Finding Dory<\/em>, Kung Fu Panda 3<\/em>, Zootopia<\/em>,\u00a0Star Trek Beyond<\/em>,\u00a0The Jungle Book<\/em> “live action” remake and The BFG!<\/p>\n Less appealing films include… the Ghostbusters<\/em> all-female reboot, a sequel to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland<\/em> (not directed by Burton but with a returning cast) Independence Day 2: Resurgence<\/em>, The Huntsman: Winter’s War<\/em> (Snow White and the Huntsman’s<\/em> unnecessary prequel) and the first sign of Disney milking the Star Wars<\/em> brand with the first anthology film Star Wars: Rogue One<\/em>, which is here because it is directed by Gareth Edwards…<\/p>\n And there you go! See you all in 2016, where I will be intending to watch a lot more than 56 films!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At last, we are here again with everyone’s top ten favourite and least favourite films of the year, so its time for my own! Now I should say right now, this is my personal opinion (as are most of my individual reviews!) and I certainly get the most flak around this time of year! But… <\/p>\n![\"madmaxfuryroad\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/madmaxfuryroad.jpg?resize=66%2C100\")
\n01. Mad Max: Fury Road<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nMad Max: Fury Road<\/em>, from trailer to final product, had me completely sold. A simple story packaged in an old school, grunge-style gasoline fuelled action movie, a direct testimony to what action films used to be in the age before computer generation and wire-work. Outside of the awesome visual, soundtrack and design is a rich world just wanting to be explored, as well as a quotable script. Far, far from mediocre!
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"birdman\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/birdman.jpg?resize=68%2C100\")
\n02. Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nWith clear digs at problems with modern film-making, as well as film critique, journalism and a heavy focus on self-worth and redemption, Birdman is a fascinating and compelling experience.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"whiplash\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/whiplash.jpg?resize=70%2C100\")
\n03. Whiplash<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nIf you want a hard as nails, intense and gritty drama with awesome performances and that doesn\u2019t outstay its welcome, Whiplash<\/em> is it. Well deserving to be at the top of my list.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"starwarsforceawakens\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/starwarsforceawakens.png?resize=68%2C100\")
\n04. Star Wars: The Force Awakens<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nBridging the gap of thirty years, welcoming new fans and respecting the concerns and reluctance of existing fans, Star Wars: The Force Awakens<\/em> brought excellent new life to the series and may even have inspired Hollywood in general once again.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"blackmass\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/blackmass.png?resize=67%2C100\")
\n05. Black Mass<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nIt isn\u2019t just Depp\u2019s performance though, in fact the entire cast delivered great performances here.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"itfollows\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/itfollows.jpg?resize=70%2C100\")
\n06. It Follows<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"missionimpossible5\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/missionimpossible5.jpg?resize=65%2C100\")
\n07. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"insideout\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/insideout.jpg?resize=70%2C100\")
\n08. Inside Out<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nWhile this film may get a free pass from being just that, it is also wonderfully animated, voice-worked and scored.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"exmachina\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/exmachina.jpg?resize=67%2C100\")
\n09. Ex Machina<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"bridgeofspies\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/bridgeofspies.png?resize=68%2C100\")
\n10. Bridge of Spies<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe Martian (2D)
\nAvengers: Age of Ultron (2D)
\nJurassic World (2D)
\nAnt-Man (2D)
\nEverest (3D)
\nKrampus
\nLegend (2015)
\nJohn Wick
\nThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2D)
\nSpectre
\nChappie
\nSouthpaw
\nShaun the Sheep Movie
\nKingsman: Secret Service
\nThe Visit
\nFoxcatcher
\nCrimson Peak
\nRun All Night
\nMaggie
\nHitman: Agent 47<\/p>\n![\"sicario\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/sicario.jpg?resize=68%2C100\")
\n10. Sicario<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nCritics love Sicario<\/em>, and while good at what it does (a harrowing look at the seedier world of Mexican drug cartels and hitmen) it does nothing with the excellent female lead of Emily Blunt, who gets dragged around like baggage. Nothing occurs with merit or value, and the film leaves you drained and exhausted.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"americansniper\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/americansniper.jpg?resize=67%2C100\")
\n09. American Sniper<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nJust a little more understanding and a little less gung-ho mentality would have elevated American Sniper<\/em> far into the top half of this list.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"sinister2\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/sinister2.jpg?resize=68%2C100\")
\n08. Sinister 2<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nIt is over-complicated in its explanations for its predecessor\u2019s mythology, and weakens the entire franchise as a result. It does try to explain everything in a logical manner at times, yet the scares are too deliberate now, too forced and too contrived, lacking the original\u2019s grungy, brutal spontaneity.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"sanandreas\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/sanandreas.jpg?resize=67%2C100\")
\n07. San Andreas<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSure, San Andreas<\/em> is a natural disaster movie and shouldn\u2019t be under too much criticism, it is entertainment, but honestly this film is pretty stupid. The visuals are excellent, and for once we have a lead actor who looks like he could rescue you from a tidal wave or a sinking building (I\u2019m looking at you, 2012) but the plotting is old hat and stale. The moments of spectacle are contrived and overblown.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"minions\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/minions.jpg?resize=71%2C100\")
\n06. Minions<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nMinions was kinda fun at the time, but since they hi-jacked Despicable Me 2<\/em>, I don\u2019t think they ever deserved their own movie. Unless you want to buy more merchandise.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"thelegendofbarneythomson\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/thelegendofbarneythomson.jpg?resize=67%2C100\")
\n05. The Legend of Barney Thomson<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"furious7\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/furious7.jpg?resize=63%2C100\")
\n04. Fast and Furious 7<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nHonestly, the Fast<\/em> franchise died after part four, and no one agrees with me. Furious 7<\/em> is the total accumulation of the nonsense this franchise has become. I lose arguments because all my reasons for disliking it are the same reasons people love it. It is the first time this franchise has forgotten it is about CARS.
\nWith a ridiculous plot that could have been for a GI Joe movie, and a baddie who can apparently teleport across the globe at will (and this being acknowledged in the main plot!) excessive action and needless, NEEDLESS fight sequences that have nothing to do with anything. How Michael Bay films get all the bashing and films like this get a free pass I have no idea.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"fantasticfour2015\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/fantasticfour2015.jpg?resize=68%2C100\")
\n03. Fantastic Four (2015)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nWithout a plot, character development or any soul at all, the film is the definition of what\u2019s wrong with Hollywood; when the Rights to property means more than creative expression and good business sense.\u00a0Fant4stic<\/em> is a terrible movie and a lesson that executives should heed.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"terminatorgenisys\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/terminatorgenisys.jpg?resize=64%2C100\")
\n02. Terminator: Genisys<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nOn top of all this, a marketing campaign that spoiled not only the whole film but the film\u2019s only original twist. On not just the trailer, but the poster too!
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n![\"pixels\"](\"https:\/\/cinemacocoa.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/12\/pixels.jpg?resize=71%2C100\"){kind=tracking}
\n01. Pixels<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nIn an age of geek culture being stronger than ever, with science fiction, comics and fantasy genres dominating all media, what makes more sense than a film that begins with stating how all video gamers are losers and morons. A world where aliens attack us with video games and there\u2019s literally only three people who can play games.
\nFor a comedy, it isn\u2019t funny, at all. Pixels<\/em> may be as bad as Terminator Genisys<\/em>, but at least Genisys<\/em> isn\u2019t old and obsolete.
\nRead the Review<\/a><\/p>\n
\n02. Gone with the Wind
\n03. Horror of Dracula
\n04. Spring Breakers
\n05. Locke
\n06. Boyhood
\n07. The World’s End
\n08. Mama
\n09. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
\n10. 22 Jump Street<\/p>\n
\nMad Max (1979)
\nMad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
\nParanormal Activity 3
\nParanormal Activity 4<\/p>\n