The pacing, cinematography, and soundtrack combined to set a tone that was very engrossing and chilling, but the film ultimately didn't do very much with it. The largest criticism I can levy at a competently made horror film is that I don't think about it much after leaving the theater, and that was unfortunately the case with The Witch.
6.75/10
Deadpool
From the opening credits, I knew Deadpool was going to be something special. The film plays with and nods to almost every superhero trope in a lighthearted manner, and is hilarious. The action is really well done as well.
9/10
9/10
Hail, Caesar!
Somewhat unexpectedly, this film was hilarious! There are just so many memorable and quotable bits. It's essentially an ensemble film, with many fantastic actors showing up for small roles. Josh Brolin acts as the glue, the central story around which all of these characters revolve, and turns in a wonderful performance. There was just so much to like with this film, and it's one of the more fun film-going experiences I've encountered.
9/10
9/10
Top 29 of 2015
#29 - Creed
This film is electric. Michael B. Jordan is fantastic, and the camerawork during a fight is exciting and beautiful. The story is compelling and well-paced, but the huge selling point of this film is the energy and momentum that is built. It was an incredibly satisfying experience.
8.75/10
#28 - The Revenant
DiCaprio and Hardy are wonderful as always, and Iñárritu's long takes and breathtaking shot-composition combine to produce a gorgeous piece of art. There are a few scenes that really highlight the enormity of the tasks ahead of DiCaprio's character, and the gritty hyperrealism of the action scenes depict the brutality of both nature and the time.
8.75/10
#27 - Dope
This movie was dripping with style, featuring a modern feel backed by a 90s Hip-Hop aesthetic. The plot wasn't anything special, and was a tad on the predictable side, but that didn't prevent this film from being a ton of fun.
9/10
#26 - Grandma
The two lead performances are fantastic, especially Lily Tomlin. The story was touching and genuine, and the journey the characters take is complicated and produces some incredibly heartfelt moments.
9/10
#25 - Kingsman: The Secret Service
Just a really fun spy/action movie that contains one of the single best action set-pieces in recent memory.
9/10
#24 - Turbo Kid
Turbo Kid is a perfect example of filmmakers who know exactly what they want their film to be, and who push that to its extreme. This film is pitch-perfect at every point, featuring bright colors on the backdrop of a drab wasteland, the amazing synth-pop soundtrack, and the comical, way-too-over-the-top Kill Bill-esque violence. Despite the absurdity of it all, everything felt natural and at home in this film. I guess 2015 is the year of the batshit insane post-apocalyptic films that are somehow incredible?
9/10
#23 - Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation
Pitch-perfect action and an intriguing plot that kept me guessing. I'm constantly impressed with Cruise's intensity and passion for these roles, and he keeps knocking them out of the park.
9/10
#22 - People Places Things
This film explored a messy relationship with grace and charm. Jemaine Clement was stupendous, delivering a performance that felt natural and effortless. The comic panels sprinkled throughout the film were beautiful touch, and they added quite a bit to the character development.
9/10
#21 - Victoria
Without getting too specific, as this is one of those movies that's exponentially better with less information, Victoria is gripping and visceral. The performances feel effortless and natural, and the camerawork is a thing of beauty.
9/10
#20 - Carol
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara both deliver phenomenal performances in this touching, raw, heartfelt character story.
9/10
#19 - The Hateful Eight
It's possible that I just love Tarantino's style; his aesthetics, dialogue, casting, camera work, etc. all seem to work to create such fun and engaging films. And this was no different. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that fans of Tarantino will be right at home with his latest piece.
9/10
#18 - The Martian
A tremendous adaptation of an excellent book, filled to the brim with great performances and beautiful cinematography. Oh, and it has a fantastic, life-affirming message as well.
9/10
#17 - Sicario
Sicario is one of the best-looking films I've ever seen. Roger Deakins, the cinematographer, is a genius, and Villeneuve's direction complimented that brilliance wonderfully.
Blunt and Del Toro both deliver incredible performances, and this cold, unrelentingly disturbing trip into darkness begins early in the film and never lets up, not for one second.
9/10
#16 - Creep
Learn as little as you can about this film, and watch it on the strength of my recommendation and Mark Duplass' track record, which includes last year's 9/10 The One I Love. This is a much different film, but no less incredible.
9/10
#15 - It Follows
Really incredible horror film. It does a lot with very little, and has an imaginative and fresh take on the genre.
9/10
#14 - Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Dripping with a quirky style and loaded with subtle nods to lots of different things, this movie feels like a labor of love. It didn't hurt that it was at the same time both devastatingly sweet and sad, beautiful and depressing.
I couldn't shake the feeling that this was the film I wanted The Fault in Our Stars to be.
9/10
#13 - Inside Out
Pixar movies are just a delight, every time.
*** I can't believe this is all I wrote at the time. This film is such an incredible work of art, and is redefining the way adults speak with children regarding the way they are feeling. It hands children the tools to convey their emotions simply and effectively. And it does all of this while being a fun, gorgeous, and charming film. It is films like this that keep Pixar so entrenched in the Pantheon of great animation.
9/10
#12 - Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Leading up to the release, I kept my exposure to trailers and news at a minimum, in an attempt to control my excitement a bit, lest I get tricked by a Star Wars film again. But in the final few days, I couldn't contain myself. I was excited. My expectations had been raised to an unrealistically high level. Imagine my surprise when they weren't only met, but surpassed!
This film is capital F-U-N fun. It's humorous, the characters are great, and the performances better. I'd note some of the more exceptional examples, but I'd end up listing most of the cast. The action beats were exhilarating. Essentially, I sat in my chair struck with childlike wonder for the duration of the runtime, and that's one of the best things I can think of to say about a film.
It isn't a perfect film;it isn't the best Star Wars film nor the best movie of the year. But it is really, really damn good, and I couldn't be happier or more excited for the future of the franchise. It truly feels like everyone involved was oozing passion and respect for the original trilogy. This is truly one of the best times I've had in the theater in a long time.
9.25/10
#11 - The Big Short
This film takes a complicated and intricate subject-matter and presents it in a wonderfully entertaining way. The faux-guerilla-documentary camerawork and characters constantly breaking the fourth wall help to keep the audience engaged, which is important when the subject matter is so depressing and scary. The performances are excellent, but Carell steals the show for me again.
9.25/10
#10 - 45 Years
In a film that depends so heavily on the series of conversations between the two leads, what stood out to me was the impressive duality on display. Every mundane, ordinary conversation was tinged with distrust or anger, and every argument was laced with a feeling of unending devotion to one another. Ultimately, the final product is a film that is heartfelt, raw, and utterly devastating.
9.25/10
#09 - Anomalisa
Visually, this film is transcendent. The stop-motion style is gorgeous and immersive; during several scenes I felt as if I weren't watching animation at all. Kaufman films tend to be slightly optimistic, but mostly crushingly depressing, and Anomalisa is no different. That said, it is an incredible piece of film making and storytelling, and easily one of the year's best.
9.25/10
#08 - When Marnie Was There
Not only does Studio Ghibli once again redefine how gorgeous animation can be, but they do so while telling an incredible, touching, and heartfelt tale.
9.25/10
#07 - Ex Machina
An incredible, tense, chilling look at the creation of AI. This is what Chappie should have been.
9.25/10
#06 - Goodnight Mommy
Altogether beautiful, chilling, and disturbing. This film gets the highest praise I can offer, in that at its conclusion, I found myself stunned, in awe of what I had just been a part of. I needed a minute before I could leave the theater, and as I sit outside typing this now, I'm still wholly unsettled.
9.25/10
#05 - Beasts of No Nation
A tremendous gut-punch of a film, headlined by two phenomenal performances from Idris Elba and Abraham Attah. It felt as if I were watching Full Metal Jacket, only through the eyes of a literal child instead of a young man.
9.5/10
#04 - Wild Tales
I'm quite enamored with this film. Essentially a feature-length Black Mirror without the sci-fi elements, Wild Tales is some of the most fun I've had with a film this year. Each story is expertly crafted and paced, and the film is littered with very interesting camera angles and techniques.
9.5/10
#03 - Spotlight
Incredibly powerful and impeccably acted, Spotlight is engrossing and at the same time difficult to watch. I was floored by this film. Some of the smallest moments and roles had tremendous impact, which is a testament to the stupendous filmmaking on display.
9.5/10
#02 - Mad Max: Fury Road
First Viewing: Just a top-tier action film, that happens to have phenomenally gorgeous cinematography to boot.
Second Viewing: Somehow even better the second time. At one point, my eyes started hurting, and I realized it was because I forgot to blink, as a result of my complete and total engrossment in the film.
9.5/10
#01 - Room
The story is expertly told in a manner that, although the trailer spoils some elements, still evokes significant response. The film is harrowing and hard to watch at parts, and then heartwarming and joyously beautiful. The two lead performances are on another level, especially the young Jacob Tremblay. Awards for everyone and everything in this film.
10/10
Honorable Mentions
There were so many other films I wanted to mention, but the already-tenuous premise of counting down my Top films one-a-day for an entire month was already stretched too thin. These are some other films that I loved quite a bit that just fell a tiny bit short of my list.
8.5s: Trumbo, The Visit, The Danish Girl, Tangerine, and Love and Mercy
8.75s: Southpaw, The Wolfpack, The Walk, The Stanford Prison Experiment, Hidden, Phoenix, and Straight Outta Compton.
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