So, to note, this only includes movies that I saw that were released this year. So, while I'm sure Ricki & The Flash would have been my run-away Number 1 movie, i have to eliminate it from the list.
I'm Sorry, Meryl Streep. Please forgive me
Number 10: Jurassic World
Nostalgia, Ultra
So, this actually happens to be the movie I saw the most in theaters this year, 3 viewings. Each one made me happier than the last. The callbacks to the original, the fantastic casting of Chris Pratt as Owen Grady, and the visual design of both the park and the dreaded Indominous Rex, this lands at number 10. It would be higher if it weren't for the admittedly weak plot and it's focus on the kids who honestly aren't bad, but are hogging the spotlight from Pratt. But honestly, the motorcycle Raptor chase and the final fight with the T-Rex that elicited a childlike "YES!" from me in the theater get it here no doubt.
Number 9: The Peanuts Movie
Dare to Dream
So, in a year filled with overblown action movies, a metric ton of spy movies (either actually or parody films), and whatever Ricki and the Flash is, it was refreshing to see something as simple and soothing as The Peanuts Movie. It's the kind of movie that has something for everyone. It introduces these characters that everyone has know for years and fleshes them out enough that someone who doesn't know what a Charlie Brown is can grasp everything going on. The dialogue is witty, Snoopy's dream sequences with the Red Baron are captivating, and the movie is a special kind of charm that makes other kids movies wish they could be this good.
Number 8: Avengers: Age of Ultron
Dawn of the Planet of the Ultrons
So, while i thoroughly enjoyed this movie and thought that it took what made the first movie fantastic and upped it even more, I just saw too many great movies that dwarfed this. When the first Avengers came out, I screamed to the heavens that they had finally produced a movie exclusively for me. This time, I walked out nodding in approval, but not with the enthusiasm I had for the first rodeo.
The movie is fun, raises the stakes, and introduces fun characters like Scarlet Witch and Ultron who has, without a doubt thus far, the best villain voice in the Marvel movies. The action is great, the one-liners feel more natural, the scene where they have the party at Stark's mansion is great. It's all good, it just...it had a lot of competition, okay?
Number 7: Furious 7
Mangasm: The Movie
Dwayn Johnson flexes out of a cast, rips a machine gun off of a helicopter, and shoots things while Vin Diesel knife fights Jason Stathem on the roof of a parking garage.
Number 6: Creed
Cancer sucks
In what turned out to be a self fufilling prophecy, I walked into Creed thinking that what i was going to see was the coming out party for Michael B. Jordan. And i was right. After what is regarded as one of the worst movies of 2015 (Fan4stic), Jordan was in a make or break situation. Either Creed needed to be amazing or his promising career was over.
This movie delivered in every single way. The way this movie is shot, especially during the final fight, is absolutely mesmerizing. This movie reminded me why the original Rocky got an Academy Award for Best Picture and why Sly Stalone, in all of his slurring glory, is actually a respected actor when he puts effort in. This movie was so good, I wrote a paper about it for Developmental Psychology, as the depiction of the aging Rocky Balboa synced up with the lectures in class. I was in a constant state of bliss as rings of the Rocky theme play off through the fights. The training montage, in all of it's glory, shows the kind of director that Ryan Coogler is. I look forward to Jordan's next movie, and I actually hope this gets a sequel.
Number 5: Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Where most of you stop reading
I have to apologize in advanced, Jacob, but this movie is not my number one. Or my two. Or three...you get the point. Look, like i said with Age of Ultron, there was a lot to compete with this year. And while this movie elicited the most childlike wonder and excitement from me and completely lived up to the hype I made up for it, it just isn't my favorite this year. It is, however, my second favorite Star Wars movie, with fantastic visual effects and a great score by the always brilliant John Williams.
The story, which basically echos A New Hope, is well done and has the dark tone that Empire Strikes Back had mixed with the humor of a Marvel movie. It's well put together, well acted, well directed, and just...good. It's really good, and chances are if you saw it, you know it's good. Kylo Ren's lightsaber rivals Darth Mauls for the "Coolest Laser Sword in Movie History" award and Daisy Ridley as Ray sets a new standard for what I want in my cinema heroes. Also, BB-8 giving Finn a thumbs up is literally the best thing ever.
Number 4: Straight Outta Compton
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Crazy Motherf...y'know, nevermind...
A movie that surprised me and made me rethink my life (seriously), Straight Outta Compton hits that perfect note where I learned something and was entertained. What I learned is that, in the 80's, being Black in California was a crime punishable by getting the living shit kicked out of you. For anyone that doesn't believe that there were race issues (you know, the 1 person who still exists), watch this movie. The scene from the Detroit concert where the riot happened was my favorite part. And the movie as a whole is a great telling of the World's Most Dangerous Band. The actors do a great job playing the band, Paul Giamati plays what is, in my opinion, his best role to date, and the guy playing Snoop Dogg is amazing.
It manages to be retro and modern (there's a "Bye Felecia" joke), grounded and over the top, and action packed and earnest all at the same time. It also inspired me to get back into playing and wanting to make music again, something I had been burned out from for a while. Watch the movie, listen to the music, and be changed.
Number 3: The Martian
I need to Science the shit out of this blog
So, while Star Wars was the most visually impressive Sci-Fi movie this year, this one was the most intriguing. Based off the book of the same name, it stars Matt Damon playing a sarcastic asshole botanist who must survive on Mars until someone comes to rescue him. What happens next is probably the most realistic depiction of science and space in Science Fiction film history. From the realistic reaction from the President and NASA when they find out Damon is alive to the "science" of living on Mars. The man plants potatoes on Mars!
It's all the character that drives this movie. A movie about a dude stranded on Mars could have been boring, but thanks to the excellent screenplay adaptation of the book and the return to form directing by the greatest living director, Ridley Scott, it works perfectly. Not only one of the best movies of the year, but one of the best movies I've seen.
Number 2: Mad Max: Fury Road
What a lovely day to die
In what had to be the most out of nowhere experience in films for me, Mad Max Fury Road does everything right with pretty much nothing. The story is simple: Furiosa (Played by Charlize Theron) is driving Immortan Joe's War Rig to get gasoline, but is actually smuggling hi's 5 wives out and away. Chaos insues, Max (played by Tom Hardy) drives a car with Furiosa and shit hits the fan in the most amazing way possible. It's all done with real stunts, no special effects, and that's what puts this movie here. In what is essentially a movie with two very long car chases, it manages to be interesting and fresh the whole time. There is a guy strapped to a semi truck, blindfolded, playing a flaming guitar. The whole time.
THE WHOLE TIME!
Furiosa turns out to be the biggest badass of the entire movie, standing up to the patriachy set forth by the tyrannical Immortan Joe to free his slaves and live in peace. Furiosa and a tribe of women are responsible for the triumph in this movie, not Max, which some would say is a bait-and-switch, but i would call an excellent twist on top of an excellent movie. The only negative i can think to say is that it is a theater experience. I'm not sure the home version could have the same magic as the theater did. But boy, when I saw it in the theater, it blew my damn mind. And it still sticks with me even though this movie came out relatively early in the year.
Number 1: Inside Out
Feel Factor
This was number one the second it finished, and through every other movie I saw this year. Nothing has lived up to this movies since. This is, without a doubt, the best Pixar film every made in my opinion. From the casting of the emotions (come on, Lewis Black is Anger. It's perfect) to the plot, to Bing Bong. It's all perfect.
And, here is the thing that's gonna blow your mind. Look again at the list. Look at the names. Notice something? Like maybe that this is the only original idea on this list? The only thing that's not a sequel, an adaptation, a re-imagining, or "based on a true story" is this movie is it. The only original idea (surprisingly, he wrote sarcastically) is a kids movie by Pixar.
And, here is the thing that's gonna blow your mind. Look again at the list. Look at the names. Notice something? Like maybe that this is the only original idea on this list? The only thing that's not a sequel, an adaptation, a re-imagining, or "based on a true story" is this movie is it. The only original idea (surprisingly, he wrote sarcastically) is a kids movie by Pixar.
And it's more than a kids movie about emotions. It's a coming of age story, painting the perfect picture of feeling lost in a new place. It shows that growing up sometimes means you need to leave things behind. And that there are multiple sides to a memory. Sometimes something beautiful can make you sad. And sometimes something sad is a moment you later look back on fondly. It doesn't have the action that other movies this year, but it evoked something in me a movie had never done before. The feeling I got watching this movie can't really be described. It sparked an emotion I can't name, bringing so many memories flashing back and making me look at moments differently. Things I remember from childhood are now looked at different. That's something that Age of Ultron can't do. That's something that Star Wars can't do. And that feeling is what put this here.
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