2015’s Top 10 Movies

By Movie Geeks | December 23, 2015

From an idea, to the script, to filming and finally making its way to the big screen, every movie starts with a great story. The cinematic stories of 2015 inundated audiences with inspiring tales of compassion, happiness, courage and love while being spread over the various genres.

Moviegoers saw the rise of NWA, true stories of an ongoing cover-up and the economic catastrophe whose effects are still being felt today, journeys of harsh survival but also ones of inspirational hope – both here on earth and on distant worlds – and a re-imaging of the beauty and chaos of the post-apocalyptic world that is MAD MAX. Even the new story about Rocky Balboa proved to be a fascinating one as we watched the torch being passed to a new generation. We couldn’t help but feel a whimsy of nostalgia from a visit back to Philadelphia as well as to that Galaxy Far Far Away.

With 305 feature films eligible for the 88th Academy Awards, We Are Movie Geeks presents our Top 10 films of 2015.

HONORABLE MENTION – CREED

We witnessed the rebirth of a much-loved franchise and hailed the new story arc of Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky Balboa” in Ryan Coogler’s CREED. Whether you were part of the magic of the original 1976 Academy-award winning film or a newcomer to the story of the underdog from Philly, we couldn’t fight back the tears when we saw the now mentor and his student (Michael B. Jordan) climbing those 72 stone “Philly Steps”. What we wouldn’t give to see the Italian Stallion back up at that podium on Oscar night.

10. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

Based on the true story and rise to fame of members Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, DJ Yella and MC Ren, STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON (taken from the name of the first and only album released by the 5 original members) is both a biopic and a coming of age story that keeps you riveted in your seat. The love, the pain, the fights, the dis tracks and the triumph – it’s all on full display. This film is for fans of hip-hop, rap music, and all of these larger than life characters that all came straight outta Compton.

9. BROOKLYN

Beautifully photographed and acted, director John Crowley’s film version of Colm Toibin’s novel presents a deceptively simple story of a young Irish woman who emigrates to Brooklyn in the 1950s. The film works on many levels at once, as a timeless immigrant tale, a coming-of-age story and discovering one’s own adult identity by leaving home. Featuring a quietly powerful performance by Saoirse Ronan, a thoughtful script by Nick Hornby and a wonderful sense of time and place, this film has a universal story nearly anyone can link to their own in some way.

8. ROOM

Brie Larson is stellar as a young woman coping with a horrible situation, all while raising her young son amidst the confined space they’re forced to call home. Jacob Trembley gives an equally stunning performance as the boy born into a false world of hellish psychological nightmares that only his mother understands. Hard to watch, heartbreaking and yet, so incredibly uplifting.

7. THE REVENANT

Barely a year after his Best Picture Oscar triumph with BIRDMAN, director Alejandro Inarritu turns to the very cold, brutal American West of the early 1800’s for this inspired-by-true-events fable of resurrection, redemption, and revenge. Leonardo DiCaprio (in his best role since the “big boat”) literally rises from the grave to battle the elements in search of the superb Tom Hardy as the man who took everything from him. The film has two of the most incredible action sequences of the year in just its first half hour (you may want to put your old stuffed Teddy in the very back of the closet).

6. SPOTLIGHT

Director Tom McCarthy’s film about the Boston Globe investigation that uncovered the Catholic pedophile priest scandal features strong ensemble acting by a cast that includes Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams. The drama showcases what journalism should be while handling a difficult subject with sensitivity and honesty. A near-perfect film that succeeds as an example of fine film-making as well as spotlighting the power of investigative journalism.

5. STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

J.J. Abrams proves you can go home again to that galaxy far, far away (and a long time ago). The flaws of the prequels are wiped clean by this new adventure that’s a loving nod to the 1977 original, and the best entry since its 1980 sequel. It’s a moving tribute to the iconic original heroes (Leia, Luke, and especially Han) while introducing us to a new set of characters that will fuel the dreams of generations to come (yeah Rey).

4. THE MARTIAN

We could simply write it off as CASTAWAY in space, but that simply wouldn’t do this sci-fi dramedy justice. Matt Damon combines authentic emotions and a sharp sense of humor to make his character one of the most enjoyable and best loved on this year’s big screen. Not just a look into the near future, but a look into the human spirit.

3. THE BIG SHORT

It’s a testament to Adam McKay’s directing ability that he’s able to take a subject that has cast such a dark shadow over the lives of millions and made it into a film that’s A.) Approachable so that someone without knowledge of the housing industry can understand it B.) Bitingly funny C.) Captivating and entertaining. Steve Carell and Christian Bale (in two Award-worthy performances) lead an all-star cast about a group of insiders who catch wind of the subprime mortgage bubble before it bursts – unfortunately no one around them wants to listen. THE BIG SHORT shows how complex the levels of greed, deceit, and destruction truly are, while the rest of us are being distracted by Selena Gomez and the world of pop culture.

2. EX MACHINA

EX-MACHINA is an incredible film that explores the idea of intelligent behavior in machines. Can machines really feel and think for themselves? Its becoming a bigger possibility with each passing day. Alicia Vikander shot to instant “It” girl status with her turn as Ava in Alex Garland’s thriller. (Also, if you’ve seen STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS and were a big fan of Oscar Isaac, this is a great film to watch him in to get a better grasp of his acting range.)

1. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, the movie every action fan had been waiting for since THE ROAD WARRIOR, was pure dynamite, with enough wit and ingenuity to put all recent action films to shame. Director George Miller staged his film as one long, gonzo action set piece, mostly involving custom vehicles of death barreling down deserted post-apocalyptic highways at breakneck speeds, brilliantly sustaining an edge-of-your-seat 120-minute chase with crisp editing, sharp photography by John Seale, and a pounding music score by Junkie XL. Nothing was spared in MAD MAX: FURY ROAD and the sheer inventiveness of it demands repeat viewings, so buckle up, spray-paint your mouth silver, and watch it again.

The individual favorites from the WAMG team:

Jim Batts

1. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
2. SPOTLIGHT
3. THE REVENANT
4. THE MARTIAN
5. INSIDE OUT
6. ROOM
7. AMY
8. MR. HOLMES
9. STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
10. THE HATEFUL EIGHT
Honorable Mention: THE WALK

Michelle McCue

1. THE MARTIAN
2. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
3. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
4. CREED
5. 45 YEARS
6. BROOKLYN
7. THE BIG SHORT
8. SPOTLIGHT
9. STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
10.EX MACHINA
Honorable Mention:  CAROL

Tom Stockman

1. MAD MAX FURY ROAD
2. THE REVENANT
3. IRRATIONAL MAN
4. ELECTRIC BOOGALOO, THE WILD UNTOLD STORY OF CANNON FILMS
5. CAROL
6. STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
7. EX MACHINA
8. MISTRESS AMERICA
9. ANOMALISA
10. INSIDE OUT
Honorable Mention: SAN ANDREAS

Michael Haffner

1. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
2. THE BIG SHORT
3. CAROL
4. ROOM
5. THE KEEPING ROOM
6. CARTEL LAND
7. SPOTLIGHT
8. SICARIO
9. LOST RIVER
10. EX MACHINA
Honorable Mention: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

Cate Marquis

1. SPOTLIGHT
2. BROOKLYN
3. THE BIG SHORT
4. 45 YEARS
5. THE REVENANT
6. THE MARTIAN
7. YOUTH
8. EX MACHINA
9. SON OF SAUL
10. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
Honorable Mention:  AMY

Melissa Howland

1. STAR WARS : THE FORCE AWAKENS
2. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
3. THE REVENANT
4. THE HATEFUL EIGHT
5. EX MACHINA
6. THE MARTIAN
7. AMY
8. KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE
9. AUTISM IN LOVE
10. SPOTLIGHT
Honorable Mention: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2

Travis Keune

1. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
2. THE BIG SHORT
3. THE MARTIAN
4. ROOM
5. EX MACHINA
6. TANGERINE
7. THE BOY
8. SHELTER
9. FELT
10. ANT-MAN
Honorable Mention: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO: THE WILD< UNTOLD STORY OF CANNON FILMS

Melissa Thompson

1. STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
2. CREED
3. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
4. THE BIG SHORT
5. EVEREST
6. THE 33
7. JURASSIC WORLD
8. IN THE HEART OF THE SEA
9. BROOKLYN

Contributed by Tom Stockman, Jim Batts, Michael Haffner, Melissa Howland, Travis Keune, Cate Marquis, Melissa Thompson and Michelle McCue.