On this very last day of 2015, it’s time to reflect about how it’s been a good year. So much so that it was difficult whittling down the films of the last 365 days into just 9 discrete entries. I know nobody’s really reading this preamble, so let’s just get into the 9 best movies of the year so you can start disagreeing with me for my choices.
As much as people might complain about how inaccurate the science is, the fact is that most audiences don’t really care. What impressed me was a riveting story about one man’s struggle to survive, and how he actually managed to stay optimistic all that time alone on Mars. How many people can cope with solitude the way Mark Watney did?
We all bawled like a baby at the death of Bing Bong. And he wasn’t even a real person – he was an imaginary character even within the context of the story itself! It touched us with its depiction of depression, and taught us a very real lesson. It’s OK to be sad.
Ted’s the friend we all want to have. Honestly, who wouldn’t want a childhood buddy who’ll be with you no matter what, who was brought to life thanks to, as cheesy as this may be, love? It helps that he’s a teddy bear too, and he’s a throroughly genuine person with all his vices. It may not have been as good as the first, but it was still pretty funny.
It’s tough to be funny and agile at the same time, but Melissa McCarthy pulled it off. She strives to entertain by being funny, and isn’t afraid to look silly in the process. Yet she’s competent and powerful, able to hold her own as a spy. She should be the example that women look up to for female empowerment, since her desire to entertain isn’t marred by a need to look awesome in every single camera angle (which, you know, most action stars are fond of doing).
Danny Collins told the story of an young boy trapped in an old man’s body. Danny truly had the heart of an innocent kid (if you overlook all his whoring and drug use), and it’s this sincerity that made his quest for redemption so heartwarming. He was, and still is, the grandpa we all wished we had.
I still think that “Black Sea” is one of the most underrated films of the year. It combined rich symbolism and themes, and showed us how even the strongest of men can be corrupted by wealth. It was a character study that combined tension, drama, and a frightfully claustrophobic environment into a great film that explored its small corner of the world thoroughly and convincingly.
It’s a story about a nerd. It’s the ultimate reward for all those who favour the geekier aspects of life, who can aspire to having their lives documented on film for all posterity. And of course, since most movie buffs are nerds, this matches up quite nicely. And what greater scientist could you pay tribute to than Stephen Hawking?
Benedict Cumberbatch frequently plays fascinating characters, and his outing as Alan Turing was no different. High stakes and strong themes made this film a memorable one, and the fate of Alan Turing was so unjust that you never quite recovered from it.
9)Star Wars: The Force Awakens
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was an excellent blend of old and new, revealing the fates of beloved characters while introducing new and intriguing heroes. There were many subtle but touching moments, like R2D2’s coma being a result of Luke’s disappearance, and to see the Force being wielded with so much more finesse and power now was a reminder of what binds us living beings all together.
But what makes a movie good or bad, anyway? It all boils down to story, characters and pacing. It’s a tough balance to maintain, but it pays off so well when it all does.
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