The Slackers Selection Movie Blog

Alex's Top 15 Films of 2022

2023-04-29T00:47:00.001-06:00

After the last few years in film were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was nice to get back to what felt like something of a traditional release schedule. It was enjoyable to get back into movie theaters again and experience what is the pure spectacle of filmmaking. From big budget blockbusters to thought-provoking dramas and comedies, 2022 felt like an impressive year for film. That doesn't necessarily mean any of the titles below will end up as all-time favorites, but the overall quantity and quality of films this year felt impressive.

In a year that was something of a return to form for the film industry, it doesn't surprise me that some of my 2022 favorites ended up revolving around a love for film, creativity, and spectacle. As you'll see in some of my descriptions, a few titles that really encapsulated the movie making/watching experience hit hard for me this year. After a few years where everything I most enjoyed was watched from home (not a single film that I ranked in my top-15 in 2020 or 2021 was seen in a movie theater), starting to get into movie theaters again was a huge benefit to many of these. Don't get me wrong, I'm appreciative of the home viewing model that now exists - sometimes it's nice to be able to pause, discuss, get a snack, etc. and not have to miss any of the action - but that immersive theater experience is just something you cannot replicate at home, regardless of how big your TV screen is.

Below are the fifteen films I enjoyed most this past year, along with some (often extended) thoughts on each. Maybe it's just that film was back in a big way in 2022, but I already feel like 2022 will end up being one of the better years for movies in all of the 2020's.

15. Avatar: The Way of Water

This was probably the premiere theater experience last year. I was lucky enough to see it in IMAX 3D and can confirm that the visuals and effects were otherworldly. Regardless of the film itself, I just enjoyed having a movie I was excited to go to the theater for again. There were some underwater and areal sequences that were so excitingly shot and constructed, you often felt like you were there with the characters. I also enjoyed simply exploring more of Pandora and learning about some mythology of other tribes and cultures. Even though they're fake, you can tell how intricately they've been developed, and it's fascinating to see how minor environmental alterations have changed the physiology of the species (same as humans, it's just more focal here). I'm already looking forward to the next group of Na'vi we get to meet in the third film (the "fire Na'vi" are said to be next). Other than the visuals, I can appreciate the messaging the film is trying to convey. It's not always perfect, but in wrapping this story in a beautiful package that demands to be seen in theaters, you're getting millions of young people familiarized with some concepts about the environment and conservation - and inversely, also with colonization and genocide, which the humans in the film represent. It's all done pretty straightforwardly, but seeing the abuse of natural resources and the killing of sacred animals for sport and money, I wouldn't be surprised if the Avatar movies ultimately do more for environmentalism moving forward than just about anything else in pop culture. Most blockbusters don't go after major commentary like that, so I'm a fan of this franchise if for nothing other than that. It doesn't hurt that they're also a blast to watch!

14. Nope

Like all Jordan Peele movies, there is plenty of subtext to explore and rabbit holes into one can dive to debate different themes and meanings. For that reason, this film makes my list. I love how thoughtful Peele is in his films, and how layered the surface material actually is. The film revolves around a pair of siblings, played by Daniel Kaluuya & Keke Palmer, who run a horse farm and begin noticing some strange occurrences in their skies. They realize they're witnessing a UFO (by name, that means "unidentifiable"), and make efforts to capture evidence of it. The film definitely has something to say about how we try and tame wild creatures and capitalize off their efforts, all while trying to get rich in the process. There are themes of grief and trauma, but the overarching concept, to me - as has been a broad stroke cover on all of Peele's films - is that of playing god, and how it usually doesn't go so well for those who try. Overall, this film might have been more interesting to read about than actually watch, as the structure felt a bit sloppier than Peele's previous films, and some of the narrative elements didn't connect as succinctly as I hoped. But there were some truly fascinating looks at fame, power structures, and of course, race, that were plenty thought-provoking. This wasn't Peele's best film, but I love what he's trying to do and how creative he is in his work. None of this dissuades me from future efforts - I am still excited to see what he has in store next.

13. X

What a love letter to grindhouse horror films of the '70s. Without actually being so, it's the best sequel to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre I've ever seen. I loved the aesthetic and cinematography; this film was a fun ride. One of the characters in the film is an aspiring director, and functions as the perfect avatar for many up-and-coming filmmakers (and probably West's early aspirations as well), wanting to transform a subversive genre like pornography into an actual work of art (something I envision West has thought about regarding the horror genre, as well). The editing is specifically inspired, bringing some creativity and sophistication to themes that didn't necessarily need to be elevated. West tackles his film with the same commentary his characters provide, elevating the horror and pornography mediums to levels that surpass their norms. While the film isn't a metaphor on deviance, as one may suspect, it's instead about how the avoidance and repression of things like sex can have even larger (societal) consequences. As for its place in horror, it does a nice job subverting some of the traditional "final girl" tropes with the killers, heroes, and actions of different people in the film. And since Pearl and Maxine are both played by the same actress (formidably, by Mia Goth), is the film saying something about cycles and fate? Though these are two very different characters coming from very different situations, is the fact that they're being played by the same person some sort of commentary on eventuality? The film is oozing with inspiration and love for the genre, and I already can't wait to familiarize myself with Pearl, a prequel centered on the character, and MaXXXine, another installment currently in the works.

12. Women Talking

It's always good when I can give these lists some time to breathe before publishing. This was a clear not-top-15 title for me after an initial viewing, but as time has gone on, the quality of filmmaking and storytelling just proved so much better than films I otherwise had in this range. Look, I'm a 30-something, middle-class white dude. This movie wasn't made "for me." That absolutely doesn't mean it doesn't deserve to be seen by someone like me - that might ultimately be quite the opposite - but in terms of instant appeal, there was little to which I connected. The film revolves around a group of women, some sort of Mennonite-type commune, talking about and voting on some definitive future options (whether to stay with the men and fight, or just leave). There's a lot of weight on the table here - abuse, repression, religion, community, fear, obligation, etc., etc. - and we simply get to peak in on a two-day stretch in which female community leaders discuss and debate their futures. It's harrowing and heavy, and you can understand the various arguments and reactions made by different women. The film gives a quick detail to let you know it takes place in modern times, but without that, you might think it was in 1800's New England (or something). It's wild to view this story knowing there are religious communities like this in America today, and still women and people who feel trapped and unable to leave. When you get boxed into such a patriarchal society, without any power, education, or money, it changing that becomes much more difficult than we could ever imagine. That concept resonates beyond the specifics of this film and is applicable to every marginalized community throughout history. This is a powerful story that is made in such an intricate way. On one hand, filmed in black and white and dialogue-heavy, you'd be inclined to say it's not incredibly cinematic; but the editing and cinematography is really quite excellent, and its Academy Award win for its screenplay truly does promote the strongest element of the film. If ranking the "best" films of 2022, this would be higher; instead, here it has to settle just for top-15 status.

11. She Said

First and foremost, I'm glad this information is out, and that there isn't nearly the fear of coming forward with abuse like this anymore. If nothing else, I can appreciate the film for shining a light on some really bad people and institutions. The film recounts the New York Times' investigation into and publishing of Harvey Weinstein’s (Miramax) sexual misconducts and industry cover-ups over decades. On the surface, this is one of my favorite types of films; I love investigative journalism and anything that shines a light on corruption. As I've often said, a big part of me has always loved the news/journalism business, and I wish I were part of it. The second half of the film shines much brighter than the first half, as it felt like it took some time to find its footing. But the second half pace picks up nicely, and it’s very procedural from there depicting the efforts it takes to get a story from concept to publish. Carey Mulligan is an amazing actress, and she did such a great job depicting a nuanced reporter who was a very passionate feminist while also living and functioning in the "real world" (as unfair as it is). For me, this one drops a bit lower because I just never felt like the tone connected quite right. Interspersing bits of actual testimonial and phone calls, while effective and powerful, took me out of the movie. Was this a documentary or was it a dramatic movie? Neither is wrong or bad, but interrupting my attention every few minutes to wonder if a part was fictionalized or a real victim did harm the focus for me. In the scheme of things, I can live with it - like I said, it's worth it to get this story out - but for a list where I'm simply ranking my favorite films, it does hurt its case. If you're unfamiliar with HW's story, this is a film you should see. You won't believe some of the truly abhorrent behavior that took place in front of everyone. Similarly, you can walk away from this film and appreciate the hard and scary work that these journalists do to uncover the truth and inspire change. As far as newspaper journalism films go, this isn't close to something like Spotlight, but it's a meaningful and important story that needed to be told.

10. Prey

Of all the movies on this list, this making the cut is probably most surprising (to me). This was a prequel of sorts to the Predator series, and though I've seen a couple previous installments over the years, none have ever resonated with me; they've mostly just been fun action/sci-fi films. But this was truly a breath of fresh air to the franchise, and an entry that I think elevated the premise beyond its campy roots. When you think of Predator movies, you think of giant, hulking 80's action stars wielding giant guns and shooting down aliens. This ain't that. Taking place centuries earlier and centering around a native Comanche tribe, we get a really fun twist on the genre and premise, and a new take on an otherwise stale concept. First, there's the broad commentary on gender, with our main character, Naru (played subtly by Amber Mindhunter), relegated to a gathering role for the tribe while she actually wants to be a hunter. She shows so many reasons why that would be an ideal role for her - she's thoughtful, skillful, aware, and prepared - but because she's a woman, she couldn't possibly handle hunting animals. This allows for a nice, juicy premise where the predator arrives, full of technology wildly beyond anything imaginable by the tribe members at the time, looking to eradicate their presence. We get some pretty classic male ego/machismo in the early attempts to try and kill the predator, but this battle proves it's going to take brains over brawn to win the day. Thankfully, the tribe still has Naru (and her great canine companion, Sarii!) who prove a challenging foe to the predator, and the only ones capable of going toe-to-toe with the enemy. While still subdued, the movie is full of action and some really creative sets and traps; if you enjoy the cat-and-mouse game of previous Predator movies, that component is still in play here. But this is a more thoughtful entry to the series than we've ever seen before - and for my money, the best approach yet.

9. The Menu

If you're looking for a film with commentary, this is your stop. That said, not all of it necessarily feels earned, and you get a sense that the filmmaker has a laundry list of groups and individuals that need skewering - from the chef and cooks to the waitstaff and guests, there's commentary aplenty! The film centers around a renowned chef at a very private and remote restaurant who invites only guests who consider themselves among celebrities and elites. Things take a turn, and this dining experience turns out to be much more than anyone anticipated. I'll leave the plot there, as the trailers did a nice job of covering up some of its thematic elements, and there are some unexpected twists throughout that are entertaining – but the real purpose here is commentary. From the top down, the filmmakers are making sounding the alarm on all of them. I tend to think the ultimate protagonist here is the average-Joe patron (Anya Taylor-Joy) and maybe the waitstaff, with some anger here from what these industries experienced throughout the pandemic - but no one escapes cleanly. From the rich entitled older couple who don't appreciate what they're being served and celebrities who try and drift off their fame, to Wall Street bros who feel like they rule the world because they have money and food critics who desperately try to derive meaning from every element on a plate (it's funny, even reviewing this film feels exactly like something it was making fun of). The color palate of the film and the quality of the food is bright and sophisticated, and regardless of it sometimes being the butt of the joke, often looks like pristine art. The film definitely isn't trying to take itself too seriously (the result of Nicholas Hoult's character is extreme satire at its finest), but there's a balance missed here that doesn't provide quite as much fun as I think it intended. Ralph Fiennes is great in one of the lead roles, and I'll be shocked the first time I see bad work from Anya Taylor-Joy, but this is a film that never quite feels greater than the sum of its parts. It's an easy enough watch, and there are some interesting themes throughout, but it never quite matched the level of sophistication I anticipated. I left feeling this movie thought it was more clever and insightful than it actually was.

8. Elvis

Maybe a bit more stylized than I would have liked, but (1) it's Baz Luhrmann - expecting anything else would be a fool's errand, and (2) it's Elvis. If anyone deserves an over-the-top, neon and rhinestone coated history, it's probably him. And while it was fascinating to see how Elvis ended up working the casino circuit later in his career, I think there's a more grounded story to tell about his life - from his perspective - about how different music and cultures influenced him. All of that was touched on in this film, but like with so many other details about his early life, it was glazed over far too briefly. I'm probably more interested in the why of how he became Elvis than the how. And I think there are more nuanced conversations we could have about his impact on American culture at the time. But that's simply a different story. Here, Elvis' career is told through the eyes of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, played by Tom Hanks. He's an interesting character himself - coming up through the circus says so much about how he managed Elvis - but parts of the film left me curious about Elvis' true feelings on matters. How much was he "controlled" by Parker, and how much did he also love the spotlight? Parts of the film make it seem like Elvis had little autonomy over his actions, and I don't know enough about his life to know how factual that actually is. Regardless, in this film we learn a great deal about the meat of his career, and how he ended up over-worked, over-medicated, and under-paid. In that regard, it is a sad tale. We mostly remember Elvis as the Vegas showman, and I'm not sure if that's a good or bad memory of him - was that ultimately the best version of his talents, or was there more that was never realized? However he felt, looking back at footage of those early Vegas days, it's clear he knew how to entertain.

7. Fresh

You can't watch this film and not draw parallels to American Psycho. There are so many elements of both films that are so similar - if you are familiar with that film, you know what to expect here. The juxtaposition between some truly gruesome and gory elements along with the energetic and upbeat soundtrack is uncomfortable. Mix in a baddie who's a sociopath in the truest sense of the word, and the film creates an experience unlike most others I've seen. The film begins with a relationship between two people, Steve (Sebastian Stan) and Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones). Noa is over trying to date but thinks she might have finally found a great guy. Turns out she was wrong. His intentions are far worse than anything she could have imagined, and throughout the rest of the film we see her coming to grips with her horrifying situation, figuring out how to escape his grasp (and plate), and maybe saving some other women along the way. I won't give a ton more away (not that you can't decipher it from the title or trailer), but you'll have to experience the rest for yourself. The imagery in the film is quite graphic at times, but it's often shown in such a playful manner (with upbeat music and a dancing/euphoric antagonist) that you're really more uncomfortable than anything. The writing and direction here is actually quite strong, with stylish and engaging content that is smarter than it will probably get credit for. It has as much fun with itself as is possible for this premise, and doesn't hold back on sharing some commentary on putting yourself out there and meeting new people. What's the ultimate message here? Don't trust men, ever? Maybe. Honestly, it's probably the right call most of the time.

6. Glass Onion

Somewhat of an unfair comp, but bottom line: after seeing Knives Out a few years back (my favorite movie of that year), this lacked the spark or new-ness that the previous film contained. Also, while great in its own right, I found this cast to be less enjoyable to watch than the Knives Out crew. There were a few more heavy hitters this time around, but I really felt like there was a strange lack of chemistry from the crew. But I loved the commentary on influencers and popularity; they all did a great job of playing terrible people who thought they were special. Even in a basal sense, it's always enjoyable seeing these types of people get made fun of. As I expected, the mystery was indeed cleverly layered, though with the ultimate joke landing on the characters themselves (thinking they were smarter than they were). Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc's detective got even more fleshed out in this installment, and he is indeed fun to watch on screen. Similarly, Ed Norton's casting in the film was so purposeful and inspired; taking a style for which Norton is known (as an actor) and specifically subverting it for the movie was a great move. You assume he's involved somehow or at the very least informed because he sounds smart and sophisticated, but he's no better than anyone else. While I can't imagine the thought and creativity to write mysteries like Rian Johnson does, I think he tried too hard to outsmart himself with this one (maybe his own process of trying to out-think the premise helped define the movie?). Glass Onion was the first in a multi-picture deal with Netflix, so we know there are more stories ahead - and while there was more to be desired, this did nothing to dissuade my interests moving forward.

5. Everything Everywhere All at Once

Wow, this was quite the ride. What a unique way to tell a story about family and legacy. As this film has become something of a phenomenon - garnering the most Academy Awards nominations of any film this year and winning Best Picture - it's likely you're already familiar with its premise and construction. But just in case, the film centers around a second-generation Asian-American couple, played brilliantly by Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, struggling to keep their laundromat business afloat along with their tired marriage. Soon after, we're introduced to the multiverse and a mission with which Yeoh's Evelyn must assist. From there, it's a completely bonkers ride exploring multiple universes and fascinating versions of characters and worlds. It's funny, tragic, and action-packed. However, at the heart of all of it is a story about family and a mother-daughter relationship that feels so genuine. You also really feel for immigrants struggling to make a living in this country, when often the deck seems stacked against them. I loved the film for the creativity and inspiration it presented, but I'll admit I'm not as head-over-heals about this movie as many others (it's still top five!). The pacing and editing were a little messy for me, and I'm not the biggest fan of prolonged action sequences in films (even if they are beautifully choreographed Kung Fu sets). I love that the film received so much recognition and dominated the awards circuit this year, even if I feel there were sometimes convoluted storytelling mechanisms at work. Showcasing originality and coming from inspired roots will always play well. This film did that and had a lot of fun along the way.

4. All Quiet on the Western Front

I always used to say that I don't really like "war movies." But I think a lot of that has had to do with the glamorization of war in earlier decades. Not that these stories also didn’t exist decades ago - they did - but nowadays I think we're getting much more honest and realistic versions of what war was/is like. And it's not pretty. I of course don't want to "enjoy" the terrors and tragedy of war, but movies like this really help one appreciate the reality of thousands and millions of young people who have died for such (often pointless) causes. This film tells the story of a handful of young German soldiers, from the youthful ignorance of enlistment to the somber realities of a war zone, moving through the system of a war and seeing firsthand how gruesome it actually is. Depicting a real battle line of WWI between Germany and France, the Western Front was perceived by both sides as a crucial inflection point for the war; the thinking was whoever controlled the front would win the war. As such, countless troops and all types of revolutionary war technologies inundated the space, for both sides, in hopes of gaining an edge. The 400-mile stretch showed little movement throughout the entirety of the war, with neither side ever advancing more than a total of 60 kilometers in either direction. Yet it still resulted in the deaths of more than 13 million people. It's so tragic and anger-inducing, and the way the film is shot is so gritty and realistic. The music score is probably the highlight of the film, a haunting and powerful arrangement that really sucks you into the intensity and horrors these kids faced.

3. Barbarian

For anything else I'm going to say, I'll simply note that I cannot get this movie out of my head. I loved it and I continue loving it. There was some intense imagery with the film, which helps sear in the memories, but the main culprit here is the effective uncomfortableness that the film presented and left you with. The film utilized such clever mechanisms to tackle ideas around instincts and safety and victimhood, often subverting them in unique ways. Centered around a woman who rents a house while in town for a job interview, she's met with constant red flag after red flag, often seemingly making wrong decision after wrong decision (too trusting!). As audience members we were never sure when one decision would be the last. The film again played with those tropes in clever ways, installing Pennywise himself, Bill Skarsgard, as the unassuming counterpart to our lead. The second act of the film, switching its focus to Justin Long's character (he's quietly built up a decent reputation in the horror industry) took me by surprise, but I loved his character and what he represented. I don't want to give any spoilers away if you haven't seen the film, but broadly speaking I think the film does a good job of showing how those who we presume are monsters often aren't, and those who pretend they aren't often are. The practical effects were wild and so fun, and I was genuinely frightened by some of the jump scares and surprises. You can feel when a movie is inspired and made for all the right reasons. Barbarian is one of those films.

2. The Fabelmans

This film encapsulates the wonder and beauty of film like few others. Something of a semi-autobiographical telling from Steven Spielberg, the film is loosely based on his childhood. There's so much I connected with in this movie, from a passion for filmmaking to parents who were most often encouraging. While I never quite had the filmmaking drive that Sammy did, I could feel in my heart the joy he had making movies with his friends. I was a little older when I did similarly with my friends, but seeing how he creatively crafted different shots and techniques, and made the most out of very little - results weren't always the same, but the process was so similar. If you don't have these types of memories, you should still be able to appreciate this one plenty (everyone has passions); from the cinematography and score to the acting and direction, the entire film is a masterclass in execution. Of some different scenes and narratives that stood out: (1) I really liked both of Sammy's parents. Between Michelle Williams and Paul Dano, they both did excellent jobs and provided a lot of depth. Neither were perfect, but they both loved their children, and it was just nice to see. (2) I really enjoyed Sammy's relationship with the Christian girl (he and his family were Jewish). As a teenage boy, just about anything sounds good when it's coming from a cute girl - even some absurd evangelical ideas. His deadpan responses to her absurdities were hilarious. (3) His relationship with the jocks was so powerful (and sad), but it was a good reminder that the one with the camera gets to write the story. You can make anyone look good or bad depending on the edit you choose - so don't piss off the director! (4) I realize I could probably look this up, but I wonder if a young Steven Spielberg actually met John Ford? If so, was their interaction similar?

This is a film that feels like it should be #1 on my list - for all of the reasons above and more - but...

1. Top Gun: Maverick

Come on. If you love the movies, you loved this movie. I feel so surprised to have a blockbuster at the top of my list, but for all the love of cinema that The Fabelmans represented, Top Gun: Maverick actually lived it. Maybe it's just the idea of returning to theaters and enjoying movies again, but watching this was about as fun an experience as one could have. The amazing effects and cinematography and sounds were made to be seen on the big screen. In every sense, this movie was a spectacle. Few films provide the kind of exhilarating tension that Maverick did. I'm pretty removed from the crowd that enjoys military-themed movies, but I still enjoyed this one a great deal. It definitely helped that it was working with concepts beyond our current technology (no one is going anywhere near mach-10 yet), and the nameless/faceless enemy helped keep things as ambiguous as possible (you're not as focused on the conflict as the mission itself, which helped limit personal and political feelings). Truly, from start to finish, the film was a blast and featured really great pacing. I wasn't the biggest fan of the original (liked it, but never thought much about it), but whether you loved it or never saw it, this film did a good job of continuing some storylines in ways that caught up new fans, but also refreshed some of the same concepts in ways that didn't require former knowledge. The movie was serious in its intensity and drama, but it also knew it was playing around with unreal ideas and didn't try and fool anyone by taking itself too seriously. You felt real life-and-death stakes for the characters, but there was just enough lightness to remind you that this was trying to replicate a slightly over-the-top 80's action flick. Throughout the movie, I couldn't help but think of how much it mirrored Tom Cruise's career. The premise centers around an aging Maverick, whom the military and young officers don't think is relevant anymore. In true 80's movie fashion, he has to come back one last time to prove he still has what it takes to save the day. There's symmetry there with how the sum of the film industry may think of Cruise, now 60-years-old, trying to sustain his action career. Just as the film confirms, there's still plenty left in the tank for this ever-committed star, who we'll next see in two more Mission: Impossible films before a currently untitled project that will see Cruise actually film in space and be the first civilian to ever do a spacewalk. The guy just doesn't slow down, and we're all better off for it. I didn't anticipate enjoying this film as much as I did, but it was a real treat. Movies don't get more exciting than this.

Thanks for reading! Go find a movie theater and check out whatever is playing - you just can't beat that experience - and be sure to swing by next year to see what 2023 titles will be on my list.

Alex's Top 15 Films of 2021

2022-04-14T15:40:00.003-06:00

This might be the latest I've started writing this intro since we began posting these lists. Usually, I start crafting in the fall, reviewing and revising as the publish date gets closer, with a clear focus on the thoughts I want to present by that time. I didn't do any of that this year. Maybe it's because the world is shifting again, reloading us back into our normal routines, and after two years amid an ever-evolving pandemic, time has become a strange commodity. We're only just now unwrapping what life and time mean to us in a post-pandemic world, and it will be interesting to continue exploring it as the years go on. None of that has anything to do with movies, per say, but it's an interesting observation as to why my timelines might have shifted. It's either that - life-altering, philosophical realignments that have fundamentally changed how we perceive the world and process time within it - or, just less enthusiasm for movie reviews as I get older. But it's definitely one of those two things!

And speaking of two things, as I reviewed my synopses below, that dichotomy was such a central component in my film evaluations this year. With more frequency than feels the norm, there were often two elements or parts that stood out to me in many of the films I saw this year. Is that the way these films were made and intended to be analyzed (for some, it felt purposeful), or something about how I viewed or perceived them? It's just a strange observation that I've never noticed before; something you'll surely notice as you read some of the reviews below.

Before I jump in, there are a few housekeeping notes worth mentioning: (1) It was nice to get back to a full slate of movies again this year. As I mentioned in last year's post, I'm grateful we got the entertainment we did, but I also look back and can't believe the complete dearth of content that was. Last year the calculus to make the cut was pretty much anything that didn't completely suck. This year there were plenty of tough cuts that had to be made. (2) I often note some of the prominent movies I didn't get around to seeing, as to further guide these rankings (did he hate West Side Story, or just not see it?). Thankfully, that list was small this year, but prominent titles like Belfast, CODA, and the aforementioned West Side Story haven't yet made their way in front of me. (3) Scanning some of the films I did see but that didn't make my list, one worth mentioning is Queenpins. It's not particularly notable for most reasons, but if I were doing a "Best Performances" list, Paul Walter Houser would be somewhere near the top. I wanted to rank the film just so I could talk about his performance. He was amazing and far more complex than was necessary for a movie like that. I wish he would have received some awards chatter for it.

All of that out of the way, onto the list!

15. House of Gucci

This was an odd film for me. I *think* it was well-written and well-acted, but maybe not? Is the whole thing a legacy character drama with rich aesthetics and genuine stakes, or one giant camp fest with flamboyant costumes and fake Italian accents? It probably falls somewhere in the middle, but even when it was "good", I'm not sure I connected with it strongly. The whole story is basically a familial mess, with different characters lobbying for power/control, all amid some general incompetence and/or greed by most everyone. While I may not care about this family/brand, since it is based on true events, I suppose it was interesting to see how matters escalated to the point where one person had another assassinated. I'm often a fan of stories like this - messy people trying to figure out the messiness of life - but here, I just wasn't sure whether the camp was intentional, or if we were meant to take these characters seriously. Either way, I just can't help but think the tone here was missed. There's a theory that Ridley Scott, the film's writer and director, discussed different versions of the film with different actors, resulting in a spectrum of performances from Lady Gaga's too-serious portrayal mashed up with Jared Leto's over-the-top SNL performance (and everyone/everything in between). It's wild and almost unimaginable, but it also almost makes too much sense. If Scott was looking to insert a level of chaos into a film about chaos, then he accomplished capturing that here; if it wasn't intentional, then I do fear that this might have just not been a great movie.

14. The Tender Bar

Since part of me always wanted to be a writer (in some capacity), this story resonated with me. Based on true events and taking place in 1970s New York, the story revolves around the life of a boy, JR (mostly played by Tye Sheridan), who has aspirations of being a writer. Through various stages, we see pieces of his life, how they shaped him, how it helped him overcome his various obstacles (mostly, being poor and not having a present father), and how those situations led to others that made him want to be a writer. The overarching component here is probably family (whether blood-related or between those we choose), how and where we find it, and the impact it can have on our lives. The most influential person for this kid is that of his uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck). Charlie is smarter and better read than he should be (for where he is in life), but we see just how much life obstacles and circumstances can hold you back, even if you do have natural gifts. Affleck does a great job portraying this character and being a better role model to JR than anyone ever was for him. It's a nice story about breaking cycles, overcoming family and generational trauma, and how small things (and the littlest bit of support) can have big life impacts. It's definitely sentimental, and purposely pulls at the heart strings, but I love a good coming-of-age story, especially when you get to see young people overcome their hardships to find success.

13. The French Dispatch

As all Wes Anderson film are, this was more an art exhibit than anything. There were two things that seemed important for Anderson to capture here: (1) his love/interest/opinion on journalism. For me, this was a big hit. As I've expressed in these posts before, I love movies about journalism and/or newspeople, so it was a treat to live in that world for a while. Here, we're introduced to a cavalcade of personalities working for an eccentric editor and newspaper, observing how everything comingles to create a finished product. (2) Vignettes of different scenes from which it seemed Anderson almost worked backwards. Each story allowed Anderson to create its own little world, and you get the sense that he almost had more fun crafting and filling those spaces than creating the stories around them. Every set was rich with details to the edges, though I'm not sure how much it assisted with the overall narrative. The characters were unique and eclectic, as one would expect from Anderson, but the art direction here was far more prominent. There were animated sections, musical portions, and countless digressions along the way - the film's composition almost functioned more like a newspaper than a movie, which was surely purposeful. The content is elevated by the continuous stream of A-list stars that Anderson recruits for his films, and I'll never not tout his artistic visions for the sake of providing something different than what's otherwise often created in Hollywood. As has been the case (for me) with some of Anderson's more recent films, his interest in creating art seems to take precedence over making movies, and within that structure, a little bit of the excitement is lost for me.

12. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar

I mean this genuinely: I can't figure out if this is one of the worst films I've ever seen, or one of the most brilliant. It didn't hurt that I was in an altered state when I watched it - surely as it's intended - but I still can't decide if it was great or terrible. The biggest compliment I can give the film is that it's the most absurd thing I've ever seen. I love thinking about the writing for this film (the first time Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo have collaborated since 2011's Bridesmaids), and how the choices they landed on must have come together. The comedy was way (too) over-the-top, the plot was out of control, and both Wiig and Mumolo's characters were ridiculous. There were musical numbers with singing and dancing dolphins, preposterous love triangles, Morgan Freeman as a crab on the beach (named Morgan Freemond), evil plots with deadly mosquitos, and truly so much more. I thought this was going to be a dumb movie - and maybe it still is - but I can tell you that it's at least one worth watching. And good or bad, if that's the case, it had to be included in this list, right?

11. Dune

I want to make a clear distinction between "science fiction" and "fantasy". As the name implies, science fiction has a basis in science (laws have rules) and often centers around exploration/future technologies. Fantasy films, like Star Wars, don't have any real world basis, instead making up their own physical laws. Both have their place in cinema, but it's much harder for me to get invested in films that are completely make-believe over films that resemble some plausible(ish) vision of the future. Dune straddles this line about as closely as any movie I've recently seen. There are powers and prophecies, but it's also like 10,000 years in the future, and humans are a race like countless others throughout the galaxy. When our species does eventually discover life on other worlds, and if these species start to merge - and as evolution occurs in general - how are we to know what traits will emerge and provide dominance over the galaxy? This is all very in the weeds, but all of this is to say, I'm actually most interested in this story when I watch it and think about it as a futuristic reality (not a fantasy film). Stuff is plausible, not just made up for fun. It's interesting to think about not only world politics with different species and different resources in the future, but about the politics of the entire galaxy. The film was really well made, and though it's mostly a quiet and cerebral watch, there's a lot of interesting content throughout. I enjoyed this more than I expected, and am glad there's another chapter on the way - we basically set up the big conflict and sides in this film; now it's time for resolution and to see if Paul (Timothy Chalamet) can realize his ultimate potential.

10. The Suicide Squad

There's just something about the DCEU that feels so forced compared to what Marvel has been able to achieve. Thankfully, this movie was more fun than any other recent DC film I've seen (maybe the best DCEU film to date?), and with the reigns off, writer/director James Gunn was able to let loose with the action and violence. Typical of a Gunn flick, this movie threaded the needle of being action packed while also having a little heart and personality. Ratcatcher II (played by newcomer Daniela Melchior) is a prime example of that synergy. She was easily the best in the film, though the emotion from such a silly character like Polka-Dot Man was also crafted perfectly. Viola Davis finally got a version of her character worthy of her talents, and Idris Elba was perfectly cast as the reluctant leader (and the rivalry/chemistry between Elba's Bloodsport and John Cena's Peacemaker was entertaining). The opening act was fun and unexpected, and overall the absurdness was enjoyable. This was the first DC film that felt like it really let its director run with his vision (something Marvel initially struggled with before enlisting the likes of Gunn, Taika Waititi, and Ryan Coogler), so maybe this was a turning point for the DCEU. Ultimately, while a fun and entertaining ride, this was still an action film, and those just don't resonate as much with me as other genres/themes - but if you like that genre more than I do, this might be a great one. Give us more Weasel!

9. Licorice Pizza

I'm conflicted on where to rank this one, but since Paul Thomas Anderson is one of my favorite directors I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. The film doesn't necessarily have a lot to say, leaning more on character and world-building of the era, but I often enjoy those aspects more than a plot anyway. Taking place in 1970s California, the film revolves around two young people - played by Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim - just living their lives. There's young romance, business ventures, and crazy run-ins with Hollywood-types. I enjoyed the vibe of the film and thought the acting was raw and genuine, though I think it missed with its soundtrack. With this era and location - and a film named after a record store - everything was there for more iconic tracks. I recall one David Bowie song that hit perfectly, but the rest was mostly forgettable (maybe intentional?). My favorite parts were all the little side interactions these characters had with others, from meetings with crazy movie producers to drunken filmmakers performing wild stunts at restaurants - there are versions of these things that we all experienced or can feel from our own lives. Questions I still have: (1) was the relationship between these characters charming or a little weird? Most of the flirting was innocent enough, and at the end of the day these are just two young people figuring stuff out, but the age difference was kind of weird for me. (2) Was it a thing in California at this time for teenagers to just start up businesses? Over the course of the film they not only start up a waterbed sales company, but also an arcade. It seems like a lot for teenagers, but maybe that was a thing at that time. Overall, the vibe of the film was great, and if you grew up anywhere near California in the '70s I'm sure this one will resonate strongly.

8. A Quiet Place Part II

While I'll never shun an original horror concept, I was definitely among those who thought the first film accomplished everything it needed, and that making another was probably more about money than telling more of the story. I was wrong. Just as was the case with the first film, this installment offered a great story and knew exactly how to keep ramping up the tension and anxiety. And the furthered character development and growth was even better this time around. I enjoyed that the story revolved more around the kids and how they were coming to grips living in this post-apocalyptic world. Digging deeper into this world and learning more about the monsters and how they could be defeated was all really interesting - plus it was all done in a way that didn't minimize the scares or drama. We got to see new locations that presented new challenges and obstacles; like any great survivor show or horror movie, the fun here was as much about figuring out how you'd survive in those scenarios as watching how these characters made it through. Like I said, I wasn't sure a sequel was necessary to begin with, but now that I've seen it, I'm glad a third one is already in the works. I'm looking forward to seeing what more there is to come from this family, and how they'll further combat this enemy.

7. Finch

I'm not crying, you're crying! Boy, this one was a real tearjerker for me. The film's premise is that of a man closing in on death, inventing and training a robot to take care of his dog before he dies. Even just writing that out is sad! Taking place in a futuristic post-apocalyptic world, Tom Hanks plays a former scientist who is alone with his dog. Due to radiation poisoning, he knows he has little time left. He builds a robot that is like a child (but still uber-advanced by our current standards), and starts teaching him about the world, how to survive it, and mostly, how to take care of his dog and only friend. There of plenty of heartwarming moments - either between Hanks' character (Finch) and his robot/son, or between the robot and the dog - and with it all taking place in a world where you're not sure what happened is fascinating. The movie is an exploration of what we do to take care of the ones we love, and how those emotions can give us the strength to push beyond our limits. Hanks is the best of all time. And now that I have little pups in my life, clearly I'm a sucker for stories about their safety.

6. Don’t Look Up

I know this film has been polarizing to a lot of people, but for me, anytime I can get my hands on a nice piece of political commentary, it's going to rank highly. Created by maestro political satirist Adam McKay (Vice, The Big Short), this film was not only prescient, but humorous in its exposition on a variety of subjects. The clear parallel to the film's premise is climate change (or even COVID), but it also has some searing commentary on celebrity and the role of media - though I think it's primary focus is ultimately on American anti-intellectualism. Whether it's an asteroid coming to destroy the planet, climate change that's doing the same thing more slowly, or a pandemic that just asks you wear a mask and get a vaccine, the collective of Americans that are more interested in entertainment and "owning the libs" than actually doing the thoughtful thing may be the most harmful part of our society. For sure, there is also rightful skewering of the left (we tend to over-emotionalize problems, and believe that it just takes the right uplifting, come-together song to save us), but the clear antagonists here are the Americans who don't value science or knowledge, and actually go against it for the sake of doing so - even if it means more harm to them. There is a monologue by DiCaprio's character that feels like McKay's entire reason for making this film, and the anger he has towards ineptitude and the pride in anti-intellectualism is astonishing. This one definitely ranks highly for its message, though if you're looking at it from a technical standpoint, I can see a few shortcomings. It's definitely not as well made as Vice or The Big Short, but its commentary is just as sharp.

5. Malignant

This movie was as much fun as I'd hoped it'd be. Another iconic horror entry from James Wan (The Conjuring, Insidious), the film depicts a woman (Annabelle Wallis) dealing with various traumas and a supernatural link to a killer. Without giving anything more away, I feel like that's the best I can do with the description. Oh, and Gabriel is no joke! What I can tell you, is this movie finds all the right notes with its horror and B-movie camp, never getting too serious, but never necessarily being the butt of the joke, either. While the first half of the film lacks action, it still draws you in with its rich cinematography, creative shots, and inspired musical score. These are all elements for which I've also praised The Conjuring, so it's clear Wan is an expert with his craft and knows exactly which buttons to push to make movies like this work. The second half of the film features some big reveals, some awesome practical effects work, and some of the more creative action scenes I've ever seen in a horror film. There aren't as many scares as with the Wan films mentioned above, but the inspiration and creativity definitely take a big step forward. Trust me when I say you won't believe what the final act has in store. It's bonkers! If you aren't a fan of the genre - and don't appreciate the homages Wan pays to classic stylings of the genre - then I could understand not caring about this one as much as I do. But if you are, then there's no way you won't come away pleased.

4. The Power of the Dog

What a testament to the brooding western, with Jane Campion's commentary on masculinity, power, and purpose. Taking place in 1925 Montana, the story revolves around a pair of wealthy ranching brothers, Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George (Jesse Plemmons), and a widowed mother and her son, Rose (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee). Their stories connect when George marries Rose, and her and Peter go to live with the brothers. The first part of the film showcases two elements: (1) the contentious relationship between Rose and Phil, and how Rose slowly loses control of her life and embraces her sadness and unhappiness. And (2) Phil's desire to project masculinity, or, what he believes to be the strongest expressions of it (violence, anger, coldness, etc.). We eventually learn that Phil is quite educated and thoughtful, and its only in the repression of his true feelings that he acts out in such hostile ways. The second part of this film is Phil's relationship with Peter. Peter feels his purpose is to protect his mother. He cares deeply for her, and doesn't appreciate how difficult Phil makes life for her. But as Phil and Peter's relationship evolves, Phil not only gets to explore his true, inner self, but it may even make him a kinder soul in the end. In the final act of the film, we see Peter's true intentions, and how much his mother's happiness means to him. He's more calculated than he leads on, and is smart enough to manipulate Phil not by brute force but with emotion. Phil exposes his real self to Peter, maybe for the first time ever, to anyone, and Peter uses it against him. It was interesting to see two similar men manipulate different ends of the masculinity spectrum to get what they wanted/needed. The exploration of these concepts and archetypes - especially when handled with such skill from the actors involved - is as interesting as it is sad.

3. Last Night in Soho

This one took some turns that I definitely didn't expect. The film is something of a coming-of-age story about an aspiring fashion designer (Thomasin McKenzie) in present-day London, who struggles to fit in or find her footing in the big city. It's a classic premise, but one that's subverted when she becomes supernaturally linked to a woman from the 1960s (Anya Taylor-Joy). Through her dreams, she's transported to this other time, where she's allowed to blossom and live out some fantasies as another woman. This is the primary objective of the first half of the film - growth, through a really interesting lens. And with this, we get something of a love letter to London in the 1960s, and it's fabulous. There's great music, great fashion/costume design; the energy was so much fun, and you're comforted watching this intimidated young woman become more comfortable in her own skin. But, as was surely a point of the film, the allure of these components only masks the abuse and trauma these women accept and experience in order to achieve their dreams. As time goes on and she learns more about the woman with whom she's connected, we see that maybe there's a reason they're linked. The second half of the film becomes a much darker murder mystery, juxtaposing sharply with the first half, and my primary criticism is that I think similar outcomes and themes could have been accomplished without such drastic tonal shifts. But overall, the film was well-crafted and featured energetic pacing and fun music that kept me entertained throughout.

2. The Last Duel

What a great way to tell a story. This is a movie that will warrant multiple views, which I expect will only offer richer details each time. Based on a true story from 1300s France, the story ultimately accounts one of the first "me too" moments in history (at least, in the sense it was documented). In it, a wife (Jodi Comer) accuses a man (Adam Driver) of rape. As she is technically property and doesn't have legal ground to accuse anyone of anything, her husband (Matt Damon) takes up the cause for her through the courts (well, it's really more for him, but he gets to feel like it's for her). The story recounts the judicial process, resulting in a duel between the two men to decide what actually happened. From there, we see accounts of the incident told through each of their perspectives, and that's where it gets so fascinating. We see just how much male ego overshadows the actual recollections of the event, and how everyone thinks they're the hero of their story and that their actions are the most noble. The epitome, to me, is a scene from the trial (in a church) where sentencing is decided. We see it from all three perspectives, first with the male characters each recalling some impassioned speeches that prove their righteousness. However, neither recollection shows anything with the wife, and it's only through her perspective where we see how the event actually unfolded. We see the church chastising her about her sex life and forcing her to answer personal questions in front of a public audience. It's exasperating to see how much these men belittle and torment this woman, and how little they actually care about her. There are countless examples like that throughout the film, which show how things from 700+ years ago still resonate in today's world. Beyond the story, the cinematography and set/costume design is pristine, and there's even plenty of gory battle scenes thrown in.

1. Nightmare Alley

My primary draw to this film was its aesthetic. The world-building that Guillermo del Toro crafted for this noir was immersive and felt authentic; and his interests in the macabre aligned perfectly for a story like this. Revolving around carnival life in the 1930s there's a lot of dark and twisted imagery, but every element is so rich and interesting - from the retro carnival banners to the art deco designs of New York City - you can't help but be intrigued by it. The focus of the film sits with Bradley Cooper's Stan Carlisle, a grifter who not only knows how to work the angles, but also has the motivation (greed?) to seek more. Cooper is perfectly cast in the role, comfortably portraying both the suave confidence of the character as well as the dark underside he harbors. We see something of a rise and fall arc with his story, crossing all types of interesting characters throughout the journey - Toni Collette and Cate Blanchett are particularly great - who continue to provide the next big score for Stan, until he goes too far and gets in over his head. As we see more and more of Stan's dark past, the film's culmination - while being a real gut punch to the journey we just witnessed - ends up being earned and justified (as it is in true noir fashion). Even though he did terrible things, you can't help but feel bad for Stan in the end, though you assume much of his final career decision is weighted by a great deal of regret and self-punishment. There isn't much that's "nice" or "happy" about this film, but if you're interested in stories about how people react and respond to different types of control and power, or are looking for some slight commentary on how different kinds of people are marginalized, then you won't be disappointed here. You can feel the passion del Toro had in crafting this world, as every frame provides something interesting to explore. As alluring as it is uncomfortable, this is storytelling at its best.

So there we have it. Another year, another list in the books! It was great getting back to a full slate of films again this year and having difficult decisions about what should make this list. Thanks for reading - we'll catch up again next year!

Alex's Top 15 Films of 2020

2021-04-25T17:25:00.013-06:00

[Editors Note: This intro was written in January of 2021. I thought about updating it a few different times, but I kind of like how close I still was to COVID at that time - any edits now would just be softening the reactions I had then; this is good for the time capsule.]

Yikes, what a year. After all that 2020 was, it feels strange posting about movies. But movies were one of the few outlets that provided some entertainment through such a tough time; and I just can't pass up sharing one of the only posts we're still contributing to this site. I'm almost thankful that I feel confined to movies here, because I'm not even sure where I'd begin if I were writing more broadly about the year that was (but here's a nice recap from James Corden if you want to relive any of it). It sure seemed like everything that could go wrong in 2020 did. Either the simulation glitched, or it's testing just how much we can take. Thankfully, I'm writing this segment in January of 2021, and I can see light at the end of the tunnel. We swore in a new president, and I'm scheduled to get my COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks. I'm not sure if the world will ever get back to a pre-COVID "normal", but I'm definitely starting to feel some normalcy on the horizon.

As for the film industry in 2020, it was hit as hard by the pandemic as was just about every other industry. Studios shut down, actors opted out of contracts, production and release dates were postponed or cancelled, and without movie theaters for almost all of the year, almost none of the movies we actually did see were shown in ways they were intended. I'm thankful the streaming platforms are as strong as they are; if this would have happened a decade or so earlier, we might not have had any new movies in 2020. Still, the overall catalogue for 2020 was extremely limited. I did my best to rank these titles, there just wasn't a lot I truly cared about. And I'm not sure if that's more because of the quality of films available, or the broad depression we all experienced over the last year. But because I want to stay positive about the year that 2021 ~~could be~~ ~~will b~~e is, right now I want to focus on the positives as much as I can. Each of these titles had something to offer, and in 2020, anything that provided the slightest amount of entertainment deserves its accolades.

Oh, and even though for many parts of the year I was stuck at home with nothing to do, strangely, there were still movies I never got around to watching. Of them, titles like Nomadland, One Night in Miami, and Sound of Metal are the most prominent. I don't like that I haven't already seen all of those. Plus, there were myriad great horror movies to release that I also missed. Not sure I'll ever update this post, but there's a lot out there that could make for a much stronger list than this.

Without further ado, my favorite films of 2020:

15. Foosballers

I wish I could remember where I saw this - maybe HBO? - but it was early in the pandemic. I wasn't even searching for a movie to watch at the time, but this just happened to be just starting, and the idea of a documentary about competitive foosballing intrigued me. As is the case with so many underground things, you'd be amazed at the competition and rivalries around this "sport". It was kind of neat learning about different tournaments and players in that world - I had no idea foosball was such a big deal. It wasn't anything above your standard talking head documentary, but if you're interested not only in competition, but in weird underground sporting events, then this could be an interesting film to check out. Definitely made me want to get a foosball table and start training!

14. Wonder Woman 1984

Set in the prime of the 1980's, I really wanted to like this movie more than I did. I really enjoyed the first Wonder Woman movie, and with a bigger cast, a bigger budget, and grander ideas, I hoped for this to be the first great DC movie in quite a while. Tragically, I also understand that my expectations might have led to some of my disappointment. Still, fashions were on point, I really liked Kristin Wiig's character, and the commentary on power and commercialization wasn't lost. Surely the biggest disappoint had to be a tremendous lack of 80's jams - the film relied almost entirely on its score and featured almost no pop hits from the decade. Maybe Jenkins (film's director) thought it would be too cliché to have a bunch of 80's songs in the film, but for my money, I want to see every scene highlighted by such music. I wanted more, though part of the problem was the film had too much stuff going on (something common in blockbuster franchises like this). I'm also not sure the film ever found its ending, as it dragged on for a bit too long.

13. Eurovision Song Contest

This movie was ridiculous. It's one of those projects that you know Will Ferrell saw and just thought the idea was so absurd he had to do it. An Icelandic brother/sister singing duo with dreams of winning Eurovision (one of the most prestigious pop music competitions in the world), who overcome obstacles (of not being good) to actually get into the competition. This was another film I saw early in the pandemic (whenever it was released on Netflix), and mostly I remember just enjoying it throughout. It wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't bad either. Ferrell loves being so weird and silly, and Rachel McAdams is one of my favorite actresses - especially when she can also be completely silly. The format is a pretty straightforward underdog redemption story, but it's fun, has heartwarming moments, and some of the songs - though ridiculous - aren't half bad. There are much worse ways to spend two hours than watching this.

12. Tenet

Boy, was this thing a mess. If you aren't committed to really following every detail of this film, you're going to be lost before it even gets going. I've never had problems with intricate films, the problem is when the movie continues to trip over itself with exposition, it makes the viewing experience more tedious than anything. Tenet presented some really cool concepts and ways to think about time travel that I hadn't thought about before - and for that alone, it gets inclusion on this list - but it also got so into the weeds with what it wanted to share, with so many details that had to be laid out for the concepts to make sense, that even for me it became difficult to keep up with at times. The action sequences were pretty neat (current-time people fighting against inverted-time people), and as is often the case with Nolan, there were some really cool set pieces; but the film was dense, and I didn't get much emotional intensity from any of the characters. Maybe that was purposeful, but it made the whole experience feel flat. I'll appreciate anything that is in the time travel/futuristic/sci-fi realm, so it at least provided some fascinating concepts to explore; but the execution wasn't as clear as I believe was intended.

11. Bill & Ted Face the Music

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed seeing Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter dust off the outfits for one more Bill & Ted installment. A theme we saw a bit of in 2020 - coming together, and how unity can make the world better - was also prominent in this film. It was fun watching Bill and Ted ramble through time again, this time mostly interacting with different versions of themselves. I would have loved to see more callbacks to the previous films - where was Station?! - but at least the Reaper was in there, and both characters were up to their usual always looking for the dumbest shortcut ways. Assuming this is the final chapter of the franchise, I have no problems with how it ended. It was unifying in a year where the world was so divided. Bill & Ted is completely absurd, but it's never meanspirited; and I do like that about it.

10. News of the World

Here's the thing: this film was well made, and Hanks, as usual, gives a great performance; but there's a lot about this film I simply can't remember. I remember pieces that made it strong, but I also think this was a pretty unmemorable film. The movie generally revolves around a solider (Hanks) who is tasked with transporting a child to her family after being kidnapped raised by a Native American tribe. From that concept, a father/daughter type relationship is formed, where both people learn about themselves as much as they learn about each other. It's a solid western concept, with the backdrop of a just-concluded Civil War, and the cinematography does stand out as being quite strong. But for me, the selling point on this film was that Hanks' character was a traveling news man, reading newspapers in small towns where many citizens couldn't do that themselves. Kind of cool learning about the first iterations of newsmen, and the influence that can have over a population - I would have liked to see a story more focused on that profession than what was made up as the plot of this film.

9. The Invisible Man

This isn't the Invisible Man that you grew up with, but it was fun to watch. The film didn't really hold much back, and it got much more intense than I expected, but all for the good. The drama and tension (and scares) were high, and you could feel the stakes in the characters' every moves. Elisabeth Moss, as has become typical, delivered an emotionally powerful performance that showed both her strength and vulnerability in the same breath. This movie probably isn't the same without her. The movie did a really nice job of providing commentary on and being a metaphor for abuse - especially when it can't be seen. This movie definitely was a horror movie in the traditional sense - and if you want nothing more than the surface scares, this movie will still deliver - but as an ally to the #MeToo movement, it was as powerful as anything else on screen this past year.

8. Save Yourselves!

I wish I'd wrote about this film after I first saw it, because I had some really good ideas for what different parts meant. I'll try to cobble a few together here, but mostly know that this was a fun hipster/millennial alien invasion movie that wants to be serious but also silly. Let's start with the basics. A 30-something couple decides to leave the city for the weekend and stay in a cabin - and in doing this, make a point to shut off all their electronic devices and unplug from the world. Things are going great - even though these hipsters aren't really equipped to handle the outdoors - until weird balls of fluff start overtaking the world. They mostly discover this when they turn their phones back on, and between a few different times when devices are turned on and off throughout the film, there's definitely commentary on the good/bad of social connection and reliance on electronic devices. The rest of the movie is mostly about them running for their lives, though the ending makes for some cool theories to debate as to its meaning. Overall, a fun indie alien movie that has stakes but doesn't take itself too seriously. An interesting little film.

7. Promising Young Woman

Speaking earlier about the #MeToo movement, maybe I stand corrected in stating The Invisible Man was the strongest entry last year for a film showcasing those concepts. PYW was in your face and direct in its approach. It's lead character - the always charming Carey Mulligan - was literally getting revenge for all women who have been abused or harassed but couldn't speak up or get their justice. Her character comes up with some great ideas on how to get revenge and give these monstrous guys a taste of their own medicine. It was actually enjoyable to see these kinds of guys get humbled and freaked out when the tables were turned; and by the bits we learn about this character before her current superhero status, she went through plenty of pain before getting to this point. Even when she's in the "wrong", you absolutely can't help but root for her. If anything, I would have loved to see the movie make her a full antihero, killing these predators on the daily. Instead, she is simply satisfied with scaring them and reforming them; but the reality is those guys will probably never change. She should have killed them all.

6. Hamilton

There was some debate as to whether this counts as a "movie", but I watched it as a movie, so I'm counting it. Just because there were people in the audience when it was filmed, the performances were no different than if they were doing it for an audience or a camera. I never got around to seeing this musical when it was at the apex of pop culture, but because you couldn't help but hear from everyone how amazing it was, my dumb personality was predisposed to dislike it when it finally did become available on Disney+. Yet, here we are. It charms from the start, and each song is just as enjoyable as the last. What a cool concept to retell history; I'm glad everyone now has access to it, and I hope they watch it. Powerful and important for our time. Amazing performances, star makers out of so many cast members, and a fun pace that makes it easy to fly through its two-hour runtime.

5. Soul

Even though Pixar hasn't shied away from such themes in the past, this is probably the most "adult" entry I've seen from the company. What a bold move to tackle afterlife/beyond and questions like what is the meaning of life and what happens after life in a kids movie! But it was all done in a really cool way, and made sure to do so without referencing or hinting at religion (which is important to me). I loved the visuals of the "Great Beyond", and the clever ways in which they explained so many unexplainable things. From there the plot kind of focuses on (like Superintelligence) what makes us human - or, what it means to be human. It has some good messages, is delivered in a really beautiful package, and the music/soundtrack is great. I hope every kid (and adult) gets a chance to watch this movie, because it talks about some subjects in ways we're not often exposed other than with religious implications. This is a better way to talk about life and death with your family.

4. Mank

I think you probably have to be a dedicated film fan to get as much entertainment out of this one as I did. I hope that doesn't sound pretentious, I just mean that there are contributing factors that could make it less entertaining to the average moviegoer (i.e. the film is long, it moves at a slower pace, and it's filmed in black & white). If you're wanting to passively enjoy a film, this isn't the one for you. BUT, if you enjoy movie history, then there's plenty of great content in here about the story behind the making of Citizen Kane. The film kind of chronicles the production of the screenplay - written originally by Herman Mankiewicz - and how troublesome and controversial the concept was back in 1940 (it hinted at similarities between William Randolph Hearst, one of the most powerful people in the world; and was formatted in a non-linear fashion that was unheard of at the time). We get to see some of the chaos that ensues throughout the process, and if nothing else, I enjoyed it for the information it provided on one of the most famous and important movies ever made. Directed by David Fincher, the filming was tight and purposeful, with elegant cinematography throughout; and the score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross was another homerun. The film is great, as long as you know what to expect going in.

3. The King of Staten Island

This is my favorite tone of movie, and really one of my favorite themes: coming-of-age, figuring out the world around you and your place within it. Pete Davidson stars here in a semi-autobiographical role about a guy floating through life since childhood after the death of his father, a firefighter (Davidson's real father was a NYC firefighter who died in service during the 9/11 attacks). From there the film kind of just chronicles life events that happen as we go through our 20's (moving out of home, getting jobs, searching for our purpose, etc.). Davidson is actually pretty charming in the role, and plays it exceptionally well. The soundtrack is great, and as is the trademark of most Judd Apatow movies, the balance of drama and comedy is pretty spot on. Even though the movie clocks in at just over two-hours, it never felt belaboring. I enjoyed watching the family drama unfold, and I think everyone can pull some bit of reality and understanding from the stories Apatow tells.

2. Palm Springs

I thought this was going to be my favorite movie of the year. Very rare that comedies hold onto a top spot for me, but this one checked a lot of boxes. Without spoiling anything, the film is generally about a guy (Andy Samberg) stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over. Eventually joining him is a woman, played by Cristin Milioti, and it chronicles some of the situations they experience. It features the type of humor you'd expect from Sandberg, and it was definitely fun to see Milioti join in on the antics at times (though for sure she's ultimately the more grounded character). The comedy of Groundhog Day-esque hijinks is entertaining enough in its own right, but there's also a pretty vulnerable layer about meaning, purpose, and love that's also sweet. But for me, what really puts this film over the top is its fascination with alternate timelines and realities. I'm always fascinated by concepts like that, and when you can put it in a package that's also humorous and thought-provoking? It doesn't get much better than that.

1. Trial of the Chicago 7

And, of course. There are some elements here that shouldn't make it a surprise that this was my favorite film of the year. For one, let's get out of the way that this was written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, easily my favorite writer today. He writes dialogue and interactions in such a way that I always want to listen to anything his characters are saying. It doesn't matter the film's length, I always want more. I really love movies that are based in history, especially about subjects which I know little but know I should know more. Here, it's about a group of protestors at the Democratic National Convention in 1968 who are arrested and charged for trying to incite a riot (they're protesting the Vietnam War), and the trial that took place after. Of course, much of the story parallels a lot of what we've seen in this country over the last few years, and it makes no efforts to try and avoid those comparisons - we see multiple times how close we might have come to an all-out civil war actually breaking out. Form there, the movie is basically a courtroom drama (of which Sorkin especially excels), and the gamesmanship between both sides trying to find an edge to get the verdict they want. It's expertly crafted, features plenty of amazing acting performances, and provides some information about history that is one part hopeful, and one part disparaging (maybe as much as things change, they also stay the same). But this was a great movie that everyone should watch.

Thanks for checking out my list this year. I know it was late, but the film world was just so different than it's ever been before. Thankfully I see plenty of great options already on the horizon for 2021, so I expect a return to (somewhat) normalcy next year!

Derek's Top 15 Films of 2019

2020-06-03T20:49:00.000-06:00

I’ll start with my annual apology for the short responses on some of the films. The list was mostly solidified a while ago, as were the longer responses. Many of these movies deserved a re-watch from me for more thorough insights, but I wanted to get this list posted as soon as possible to maintain continuity on the site before our 2020 lists go up, so the re-watches never happened. For now, my favorites of 2019:

Honorable Mention: The Lighthouse

A tense and wacky art film that’s definitely worth a watch… with subtitles.

15. Glass

I’m a Shyamalan apologist. The ending of the film fell flat. Like, so flat. But I have to give credit to ambition, and I found the concept of continuing this story to be stimulating. Its just unfortunate that this is a trilogy that doesn’t get better as it moves forward, but gets worse. Still made my list, though!

14. Shazam!

If I understand the concept, this movie has a major flaw that I had to overlook: why is Billy Batson more mature than Shazam? Zachary Levi did not match Asher Angel at all. He acted like a buffoon. He should’ve done what Tom Hanks did with Forrest Gump – Based his mannerisms off of the actor playing the younger version of the character. Even so, it was a sweet family film full of heart.

13. Long Shot

It was so funny. Seth Rogan and Charlize Theron have great chemistry and their characters and relationship feel genuine.

12. Us

Where was Lupita Nyong’o’s Best Actress Oscar Nomination… and win? I really hope Jordan Peele continues making these cinematic Twilight Zone episodes. He’s fantastic at it.

11. Joker

This movie’s been talked to death, and adding anything else to that discourse sounds exhausting – but I still think it’s great!

10. Ford v Ferrari

Everything regarding Henry Ford II’s character felt entirely contrived to create tension and it was incredibly annoying, but man was this movie fun. It has a dynamite score too.

9. Midsommar

I was somewhat lukewarm on this until the day after watching it when my wife and I did a lot of reading about the film (theories, director intensions, etc.) and it really boosted my opinion of it. I wish I had more specifics to give on those readings, but it was so long ago, I don’t remember much about them – but they did enough to maintain my positive impression of the film and place it on this list.

8. Avengers: Endgame

I like this one, but I like Infinity War more.

7. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Under the circumstances in which this movie was made, you can’t help but wonder what it would have been had Carrie Fisher not passed. That being said, most of my issues with this film are formal matters, or scenes that I think could have benefitted with another take. It's not the conclusion I wanted - and I never expected to get the conclusion I'd been writing in my head for years; that's a fool's wish - but this one still worked for me.

6. Booksmart

I hope this becomes a classic in the high school movie genre. I hope when my daughters grow up they speak Booksmart in the same breath as The Breakfast Club, Clueless, and Mean Girls.

5. Uncut Gems

Adam Sandler nails this. He keeps the anxiety running high throughout the film.

4. Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood

It’s not Tarantino’s best, but I still like it. It just sorta ambles along – an easy watch.

3. 1917

I had a strong visceral reaction to this one. I found it incredibly stressful and emotional. The cinematography is top notch and it’s one of the best long take films out there. I don’t care for the title though. Give me something more poetic on that front.

2. Toy Story 4

I love that after three films of Woody dedicating himself to taking care of his kid, we get a movie about Woody taking care of himself. I watch this movie quite a bit with my kids and it still hits hard every time. Also, the lighting! The best we’ve seen in a Pixar film.

1. Parasite

I love this movie for what it is as a movie, but so much of my excitement for it also lies in the fact that The Academy actually chose the best film of the year as Best Picture. In addition to that, it’s the year my daughters were born. I have a parlor trick where people tell me the year they were born, and then tell them the Best Picture winner of that year; mostly to use as a conversation generator. For many years I was bummed that mine was Terms of Endearment. I always wished The Right Stuff had won for ’83. I’ve changed my tune on that – I now love Terms of Endearment. Anyway, I’m elated that my girls will always be able to say that the Best Picture of their birth year is the groundbreaking and historic Parasite.

Thank you for reading!

Alex's Top 15 Films of 2019

2020-03-03T10:17:00.002-07:00

I'm going to note right off the bat that there are a few films I really wanted to see before posting this, but the opportunities to do so haven't yet presented themselves. I might go back and edit some of this later, but more than anything I just wanted to get something out. It's a shame that films like Jojo Rabbit, Booksmart, or A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood didn't get to factor into the decisions below, but it is what it is. I otherwise mostly got around to the movies I wanted to see.

I tried to step back from my list and see if any broader themes presented themselves. Were there stories I gravitated towards this year based on a current mindset? Overall, it's hard to tell. From my personal assessment, I didn't feel like there was as much featured with political commentary as I expected. Was the because I didn't see as many film with a political bent to them as I thought I did, or that, in review, I ultimately gravitated more towards escapism in my viewing this year? It probably could be said to be a bit of both. However, trying to step away even from myself, I actually think there was a lot on my list - more so than many would probably have - that had a political tinge to it. Even films that most wouldn't describe as so, I found ways to pull commentary out of them. And I think that ended up being my sweet spot for most films on my list this year: I needed to find something bigger that each one had to say, but overall I wasn't looking for commentary going into many of them. That's a long way of saying a lot of nothing, I know, but it at least provides a small glimpse into my mindset in reference to the films below. And more than anything, it filled up a paragraph for the intro.

That said, I think we'll leave it there. I could easily ramble on for a few more paragraphs if I don't consciously limit myself, so let's just stop while we're ahead. Without further ado...

Bonus: Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker

This didn't make my Top 15, but I have stuff to say, so I'm going to use this platform to do so. Here's the thing: I think if you really liked The Last Jedi, this film isn't what you wanted. I think if you didn't care for TLJ, then is was probably a return to exactly what you wanted. I happen to be in the camp of the former, so this definitely was not the conclusion to this saga that I expected or envisioned. Look, this movie checked every box you want for a concluding series chapter. It hit hard on nostalgia and tied a nice bow on just about everyone's storyline. I get it. Those things feel good. But as the movie went on, I just could not shake the feeling of pandering to an audience that just wanted its medicine. Give me what I like and shut up! That's opposite of what Rian Johnson did with TLJ, which I thought was such a smart approach to the franchise. His film bridged fans new and old, and kicked off some of the shackles the franchise had been bound to with previous installments. I had no problems with Johnson throwing out the playbook and saying it's OK to like something that's different. J.J. Abrams looked at TLJ and said scratch all of it. Let's spend the first half of this movie undoing everything that Johnson did the last time around, create super muddled and unnecessary narratives, and then just give fan service to the franchise the rest of the way. I am not saying Abrams is a lazy filmmaker, but this movie felt much lazier to me than it should have. Don't get me wrong, I get it - with it being the very last installment of the Skywalker saga, you really had to pay some lip service to everything that came before it. In Avengers: Endgame, I loved that it took us back to the previous films one more time before saying goodbye. While I feel absolutely justified having whatever feelings I want about different movies and franchises, it does feel a bit hypocritical to lament the very same thing here that I loved in another movie. But for some reason, none of it quite clicked with me here - and that simply might be due to the immediate course correction this film took from the last. The rest of this is a little spoilery, if you'd like to avoid such things. In a pure entertainment/fan sense, it was all fun - Rey visiting the Death Star, taking Luke's X-wing, battling on Endore, using Leia's lightsaber, etc. - but it just felt forced. I didn't much care for the Palpatine connection - it felt WAY too tacked on; and the fact that Ben (Kylo Ren) died after becoming a good guy was a bummer (though I get the parallels to Vader). The whole movie (and these last three films) were just so disjointed. I wish we could have seen a more cohesive vision from start to finish on the Reylo storyline. Overall, it was enjoyable enough, and we got to say goodbye to so many characters in so many ways. As the final film to a 40+ year franchise, it was fine.

15. Toy Story 4

I am not usually one for animated films, but for a variety of reasons, this one worked quite well for me. My expectations were mixed going into this one because on one hand, Toy Story 3 perfectly capped the franchise, and it felt like it would be hard to now end the series on any other note. But on the other hand, with the increasingly sophisticated narratives that these films took on, part of me was definitely excited to see if they still had any magic left in the tank. For the story itself, after we left the last film with the toys finding new purpose in the world (a new kid), here we see the toys contemplating life after fulfilling their mission; Woody wondering what it means to "live" without a kid to care for. Not only did this story yet again provide the perfect bookend to the franchise (until the next one?), but it really broadened the scope of what this world entailed and had in store for its characters. This film went in quite a different direction than the other films, one which I wouldn't have even thought about beforehand; but now that I've seen it, I can't imagine not having this chapter for these characters. I also really loved the animation of the film. It was so beautiful rich. Bo Peep's porcelain and the textures of all the different toys was really well done. While Toy Story 3 still remains my favorite of the franchise, this could easily top someone's list - and if judged on the art alone, this would be atop by a mile. This film also holds a special place for me because the Toy Story franchise are my youngest daughter's favorite movies. We watch all of the Toy Story movies with regularity, and it's been fun re-watching this one with her (this is her favorite of all the Toy Story movies, by the way).

14. The Report

This film serves as my political statement on the year. The older I get, the more I appreciate films that tell stories about the inner workings of our government - and usually in regard to scandalous activity. This film checks those boxes, detailing the work of Daniel Jones, who spent more than five years uncovering details behind "Enhanced Interrogation Techniques" enacted by the CIA with prisoners after 9-11. We come to learn that meant: we can torture anyone with brown skin we don't like. I understand that without context, this topic will be divisive among readers. There definitely was a lot of anger and pain after 9-11 - and deservedly so - but I believe those emotions were taken advantage of by certain people who didn't have the country's best interests in mind. In the film, the torture techniques are described as "scientifically proven" for extracting information. To see the paths these people took to justify these practices around the laws - defining different techniques in ways that technically don't break the law - was sickening. While I can make certain arguments that the CIA did things to provide safety that I could never do - under the absolutely most certain scenarios, where information was to be gained, I can appreciate what was done to extract information that truly was meant to hurt us - the lengths people in this film (and our government) went to to harm other human beings was inexcusable. The place where I get really infuriated is in the aftermath when it's revealed (but originally covered up by the CIA) that among nearly 200 prisoners, no relevant information was ever obtained, and most of the people they captured and tortured, who they propped up to be "inner circle" guys of Bin Laden, actually had few ties to his plans. They were targeting brown people because they were angry, and the sick things they were doing to some of these guys because they wanted to take it out on someone, was truly repulsive. I can understand the emotions behind it, but it's unfortunate that such misguided individuals were put in places of such power and control. I hope none of this will be confused with me having any sympathy for terrorists who devastated our country and killed so many of our citizens, but torturing people just to show your power - when the people you're torturing can't actually help on the intelligence side of things - is where I draw the line. I hope everyone will see this movie, even though it's basically two hours of dialogue and research - because this is very recent history in our country, and about things that I think many of us kind of know about, but probably never knew the full scope. I think it's important that this bit of information, from this time in our country, is exposed.

13. Joker

I guess we'll start with the obvious element of the film: Joaquin Phoenix's performance as Arthur Fleck/Joker. The majority of my ranking is purely on this performance, though that alone does not make a movie. However, he really did transcend in the role. Heath Ledger set the standard in The Dark Knight (2010), and I was suspicious about the idea of someone else re-defining the role already, with Ledger's still pretty recent in mind. But because both roles took place at different times in Joker's arc, both actors had a chance to define those parts. Here, with more of an origin, there's much more of Arthur's backstory and reasoning for going down the path he did. What stood out to me with this performance was Arthur's innate sadness. We get a pretty deep dive into some of the reasons for his pain, and boy are they brutal. There's some tough stuff in here that this dude dealt with, and to be as balanced as he was is amazing. But the character's definition comes primarily from the world he's born into - which also provides some fascinating societal commentary. Gotham is portrayed in a very dark light (as it often is), with greed and corruption running the city, and substantial class division within its citizens (sound familiar?). We see this character, with some true mental issues, struggling to get the help he needs, with funding cut for inner city social programs, and no learned skills to cope or thrive in the world around him; constantly beaten down and thrown away. My main takeaway from the film isn't that it condones or heroizes terrorism, instead its commentary on mental health, and a lack of empathy and care in our society. We're a nation that treats its mentally unhealthy citizens like criminals, and to me that only perpetuates the cycle. The Arthur Flecks of the world, with life stacked against them often through no fault of their own - where they're born, the parents and childhood that's given to them, etc. - are never given coping tools or paths to success that many of us take for granted in our lives. I won't condone terrorism in any regard, and regardless of the circumstances in Fleck's world, won't look at his acts as heroic, but I do have some empathy for this character. I left the movie not thinking about the riots he caused or the radicalized movements he started, but instead just a sadness for him. Sad that there are people in the world who will never get what they need to live happy lives. I'm sad that Arthur never had the chance to be a "normal" person, as much as he fantasized about being so.

12. The Irishman

This was a tough movie to rank because, admittedly, I watched this over like four or five different viewings. Being on Netflix and being accessible is great, but clocking in at nearly four hours, it also makes it really easy to hit pause for the day and revisit later. Because of that, I'm sure my overall experience was hampered. But at the same time, do I see this movie in theaters if that's my only access to it? It's a tough balance. Piecing it all together, I really did enjoy the slow burn of it all. There were definitely scenes and moments that I felt lingered way too long, but overall, the spanning runtime allowed for a much more expanded telling of the story. This wasn't a whole lot different than mob stories we've seen before - rise and fall type trajectories - but it was definitely done in a strong way, and you could tell Scorsese had fun drawing out the lives of his characters. Scorsese has a knack for these kinds of stories, and seeing the likes of DeNiro, Pacino, and Pesci back at this game was definitely fun to see. For my generation, this actually worked as a bit of a history lesson (not that I'll assume anything played out exactly like this). I grew up knowing the name Jimmy Hoffa, but outside of him disappearing and jokes about where he might be, I didn't know much about who he was or why it even mattered that he disappeared. So I liked some of the gaps this filled in for me. You have to be willing to put in the time for this movie, but even watched in segments (like a mini series) the experience seemed to work fine. It was a good throwback gangster drama, something we don't see a lot of anymore.

11. Uncut Gems

Even with all of the hype this film got, I wasn't sure it would be one of my favorites even most of the way through the film. The tension was definitely ratcheted way up, and it was fun to watch Adam Sandler in a very different role than what we normally see him in, but to me this movie played out a lot like an action movie, and for my tastes action movies don't usually have a big impact. However, in the final scene where we saw the payoff for all the held-on tension we've carried throughout the film, it was quite a shock. While I can look back now and have empathy for Sandler's character, the ending of the movie definitely put it into an instant perspective that provided quite the punch. I don't think it's anything that anyone else wouldn't say about the film, but the final scene is what sealed the deal for me with this movie; it paid off in a way quite differently than I expected. Otherwise, Sandler's character was a hard one for whom to relate. I just can't imagine myself in such dire scenarios, solving one problem just to get to the next; I don't know how anyone could live with such stress in their lives. You'll surely feel anxious watching this film, but it's unique and achieves its goal quite effectively.

10. Ready or Not

I'm a sucker for a good horror romp, and this one took the cake this year. If you haven't seen it yet, I (obviously) highly recommend it - it's a fun time with plenty of gore and shock for every horror fan. The general premise revolves around a *super* rich family whose previous relatives started a gigantic board game company - and games are still a prominent part of their world. The film starts on the day of a wedding between one of the sons, Alex, and his bride, Grace (welcome to the party, Samara Weaving!). She's never really met his family, and Alex wants little to do with them, but the ritual is that any new member of the family must be initiated by playing a game with the family. The game this time around happens to by hide-and-seek, and let's just say the stakes are high (ok, they're trying to catch you with guns and knives - if you survive the night, you're in). So imagine the shock of literally being hunted on your wedding night by a family of rich psychopaths. Not exactly how most would hope to consummate their marriage. Grace thankfully gets a little help from a few members of the family while trying to acclimate, but ultimately it's her against them all. Eventually, her strength and anger comes through in full force and she does what she has to survive - it's a fun turn to watch. The scenarios in the film are insane, though in a weird way, it doesn't feel out of the realm of possibility in regard to how the uber-rich spend their time. It's a commentary of sorts on the 1%, I think, but I didn't get a lot from it other than the general idea that money doesn't buy happiness and it doesn't by sanity. And that the world is very different for the 1%-ers and us regular folk. It was nice to see a "regular" person stick it to them a few times. Oh, and the ending of the movie is true insanity. It's absurd and I loved it!

9. Ad Astra

This one took some time to settle in. The main issue I had with it was how it was marketed and what I expected going in. I'll say up front, if you haven't seen this yet, don't go in expecting a thrill ride in space akin to something like Intersteller. This was very much not that. Yes, it takes place in space in a not-to-distant future, but the pace is very different. Really, this is a slow character piece about relationships and destiny. Expecting more flash, I felt a little disappointed after first seeing this. But as it settled in, I just kept really liking it and feeling its messages. It's now up to a place on this list it should be, but had I gone in expecting more of what this film actually was, I think I would have gotten here much sooner. In the film, Brad Pitt's character, Roy - man, he really needs an Oscar nomination for this performance; I could feel the efforts he was making to constantly keep this character restrained - was an astronaut, constantly looking for his purpose and for acceptance in the world. His father, Tommy Lee Jones (Cliff), left when he was a kid to explore the farthest reaches of space, so there was no relationship there - even though Roy wants one more than anything. Roy has spent his whole career proving how tough he is and how unafraid he is of any job that comes his way - something you can feel he's just praying for his father to notice and say, good job, son. Roy ends up going on a mission to look for his father in space, and when the two finally meet, after decades of zero contact, let's just say Roy doesn't get the reaction from his father he hoped for - there's a scene that's a true gut-punch that cuts right through Roy's stoic front. I won't get into too many more details - ok, two words: space pirates! - but if you go in expecting a more nuanced experience, this film will deliver.

8. Us

I've spent a lot of time trying to come up with a way to talk about this film. It's just so damn cerebral and nuanced that it's hard to pinpoint many of the structures I know and feel. In general, the film is about a family being hunted by clones of themselves. These clones live underground as an abandoned government project that was meant to provide support to our "human" selves. Now, they're directionless, soulless creatures living out a mimic world of those above. Until one of them organizes an uprising to take over their counterparts and enjoy a life on the surface they could only dream of. We find out that the organizer of this plan is Lupita Nyong'o's character, Adelaide, who was swapped with her clone as a child and has been living underground for decades plotting her escape. As is to be expected in a Jordan Peele movie, there is a ton of commentary to unwrap here - and frustratingly, not everything has a nice clean bow to tie on top of it. This is definitely a movie you'll pull more from as you talk about it with others, but some of the general commentary seems to revolve around the concept of privilege (in this instance, in regard primarily to race) and maybe something on nurture vs. nature. You'll go down quite the rabbit hole trying to find meaning for every little part of the movie - much like Kubrick, I believe Peele does have purpose in every little thing in his movies - and while there's a ton to unpack, you might not find as many answers as you'd like. Still, there's a core story here that's pretty focused and definitely punches you in the chest. The acting performances are killer - Nyong'o fully deserved an Oscar nomination for her two very different character performances - and the soundtrack is appropriately chilling. You can dive as deep or as shallow into this movie as you'd like, and regardless it should provide quite the experience. Even just on the surface, the film is haunting and suspenseful.

7. Avengers: Endgame

This one is a bit of a mixed bag for me - but since it was the last of a franchise, I have a lot to say. Admittedly, I watched this again after the theater, and it wasn't the same tidy experience as the first time around. There were many points where I was ready for the movie to just get to the next part. I understand that's the case with many films, but clocking in with a more than three-hour runtime, you have to really be committed to the B- and C-storylines to take that much time out of your day to watch this again. That is my biggest mark against the film. However, on my initial viewing, time was not a problem. The concept of the film was so great, and it was such a perfect way to cap off the whole saga. The core team needing to revisit the previous films to save the day once and for all (let's not get bogged down by the time travel/timeline stuff - just enjoy the ride!) was the perfect way to conclude things. Seeing these characters in those pivotal movie moments one more time was great. It was such a smart mcguffin, allowing the audience to say goodbye to the the entire story one last time. And the final battle was truly epic (I'm not going to shy away from spoilers at this point - I saw the box office numbers, I KNOW you already saw this film). I mean, who didn't love seeing Cap finally wield Thor's hammer? I think a lot of people expected it after some teases in previous films, but it was cool to actually see. And though it was obviously the main pivot of the entire movie, the moment when everyone comes back and just jumps right in the fight provided plenty of feels. Outside of a Fox character or two popping up, I couldn't have asked for more. It was the all-on battle I wanted to see in Infinity War, and it delivered. Also, the moment with all the female heroes teaming up in that moment was pretty cool. Sure, there was some gimmicky-ness to it, but it was still great to see and I'm glad they left it in. I actually wish it would have lasted longer (in my second viewing especially I noticed just how short that moment was). The ending provided some closure that feels refreshing for movie franchises these days. As much as I love RDJ's Iron Man, it was great to see him hang up the mantle. Same with Cap, who got a nice ending to his long-running arc. Do I appreciate the whole time travel concept providing small windows for those characters to come back someday? Of course! Or the idea of Tony's consciousness being uploaded for a future hero to use (a new version of Jarvis)? Sign me up! But if this is the last of these characters, it was a good send off for both. I go back and forth on many of the Marvel movies, but it's not lost on me the framework that this franchise built, and how important it's been to so many people. It's hard to imagine a world without the idea of shared universes now, but without Marvel taking a chance on some of these movies, it might have never happened. It's weird to feel a true ending to a chapter as big as the Infinity Saga, but it was a fun ride. I'm cautiously optimistic of what's ahead with the MCU, but also very excited to see what happens next.

6. Long Shot

I enjoy anything that's a little politically tinged (when it agrees with my stances, of course), but outside of generally revolving around the world of politics, this one probably had more commentary on male-female dynamics than political opinions - for which, I can also appreciate. But in reality, I think this was just a silly-smart comedy that was incredibly enjoyable in a day when anything about politics isn't often enjoyable in the slightest. The world feels insane right now, and while it's not always easy to get in the mindset to enjoy such a film, this was a great escape from the real world for a few hours. This truly was the funniest movie I saw all year, with multiple scenes that provided laugh-out-loud moments. And though I've seen Charlize Theron in comedy roles before, this felt like a role made for her; she was great in it. I enjoyed her rapport with Seth Rogan - it surprisingly worked - and seeing the two of them act like normal and silly people (even though Theron's character was an esteemed political member) was entertaining. The movie definitely benefits from the chemistry and watchability of the two stars, but this one - as silly as many moments are on the surface - is smarter than it wants you to believe.

5. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

This is one of those movies, I thought, that the more it sits with you, the more you appreciate it. There isn't a lot going on in this film - outside of a few select scenes - so I think it's expected if you don't leave the theater feeling like it's instantly one of your favorite films (the quality was always there, though). While there were a few narratives going on here, I think the one I was most drawn to was the concept of getting older and finding your place in the world. As most of us get older I think that's a theme we struggle with. It can be difficult to let a new generation take the baton when you still feel like you have plenty of miles left in the ol' legs (I've never made a running metaphor once before in my life). For DiCaprio's character, it was nice to see a few of the redeeming moments for him, and ultimately an acceptance of his place in the world (and acting industry). Beyond the metaphysical aspects of the film, I absolutely loved the look of it. What a great play by Tarantino - he basically got to make a 60's Hollywood film and an old Western film in the same flick. Both of those are genres/worlds I'd love to play with, as well. And the alternate re-writing of history in some of his recent films - that's just been a lot of fun. If time travel ever becomes a reality, I absolutely want history re-written this way (sorry, spoilers): Leo DiCaprio has to go back and flamethrower the hell out of Manson's goons to save Sharon Tate's life. How epic!

4. 1917

These top four films are in a grouped tier of their own. OUATIH is only slightly behind, but these final four films were all in discussion for the top spot. As for 1917, I want to start by acknowledging that it takes a lot for a war movie to end up near the top of my list. They just don't stick with me much. Those that do are most frequently about earlier wars - wars that were waged for the good of the less fortunate; to remove evil from power. I'm not saying the same isn't true anymore, but more modern wars have a tinge of politicization and greed to them; rarely do I feel our troops are sent for the good of the world anymore. Maybe I'm naive and they never were. Still, there's an honor I feel with older wars - so if a war movie is going to appeal to me, it's probably going to be about one of the great wars. Moving on. 1917 not only provided a thrilling, engaging, tragic, and emotional story based on true events from WWI, but it was simply a masterclass in filmmaking. I went into the film knowing it was going to be a technical marvel, but assumed that would be its main hook. But right from the beginning, seeing these boys holed up in bunkers and just surviving life in the trenches (literally), I was in. You were thrown right into this world and you could feel what these people felt. When I first heard that the film was shot to mimic one single take, it seemed more like a gimmick than anything - but I have to say, it really worked. It was the perfect way to engross audiences in the minutia of this world. I'll admit I did focus on the scene transitions and time-of-day/night sequences more acutely to "catch" any mistakes in the timeline - all of which definitely took a touch of my immersion away from the experience - but it truly didn't feel gimmicky at all. The course of the film, which followed two soldiers trying to relay vital information to another front before running into a trap, featured scene after scene of captivating imagery and usually higher stakes than before. I can chunk the film into nice blocks from each location/part of the journey, and each one had its merits for being the best of the film. It was captivating from start to finish, and I can attest: even if you don't think you're that into war movies, this one won't disappoint.

3. Ford v Ferrari

This was one of the easiest movies to watch all year. The pacing was great, the story was intriguing, and the performances/characters were all engaging. This was a real classic American "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" kind of movie. You definitely watch it and think about times when America came together for common goal; goals of being the best - putting a collective of resources together to do what had to be done to win. I'm going to sidestep the institutional ramifications that would have gone along with such philosophies (it's probably fair to say that the actions in the 506s/60s hindered our social success moving forward), but as a stand alone story, this was a real testament to a traditional American Spirit. I did not care for Henry Ford II, who ran Ford Motor Company, but could appreciate his drive and determination to be the best. One theme of the film was how the egos and opinions of committees and companies played into the failure of such endeavors - a theme those of us who work or have worked in the corporate world can relate to. Too often, nothing gets done because of the bureaucracy and red tape, and by the time everyone's weighed in on the matter, it's either too later or no longer resembles the original idea. Damon's character, Carroll Shelby, understood this, and it was only when he could shed more of the corporate weight that they were able to accomplish their goals. I didn't love the concluding chapter of the film - it felt like such a dramatic epilogue to the story we saw otherwise for the last two hours - but I get wrapping everything up. Otherwise, the racing segments and building/testing segments were all gripping and fun to watch. This didn't feel like a movie that ran 2+ hours - it was fun and easy to watch from start to finish. I am not in the slightest, but this movie made me want to be a car guy. Also I want Matt Damon's sunglasses.

2. Parasite

Korean made by now-acclaimed filmmaker Bong Joon-Ho, Parasite explores some fascinating layers of class immobility and inequality. The concept revolves around a very poor family that gets creative in its striving for societal advancement. I don't want to ruin some of the specifics, but through a series of cons, this family ends up working for a very rich family until everything eventually flies off the rails. While the film was entertaining to watch - it was equally dramatic, humorous, scary, and tense - the reason you talk about this film is to discuss its commentary on class warfare. Is the title "Parasite" in reference to the bottom-feeding poor in a society, leaching onto the very idea of finding purpose solely helping the wealthy? Or is it the wealthy who look down on those in the world around them, disinterested in the problem of their fellow man and unwilling to lend a hand - who also enjoy a way of life that only exists thanks to the services they take from others? Or maybe in the broadest sense, it's humanity in general. From there, nearly every scene of the film provides some metaphor on class structure, most of which I can't talk about in detail without ruining scenes. The most lasting of commentary, which I can share broadly, involved two poor families fighting each other to be the ones to work for the wealthy family. I just can't get out of my head how powerful that is. The poor killing each other to service the rich, while if they joined forces, they could overpower the wealthy and make the rules themselves. It's very sad. The ending of the film kind of reiterates the sadness, and while it's definitely not always the case, reinforces that the mechanisms in our world work to keep rich people rich and poor people poor. No matter how much we think we try, our lot in life is rarely changed. It's bleak, but there's some truth to it.

1. Knives Out

I've long been a Rian Johnson supporter, so it pleased me greatly that his latest was so much fun. In typical Johnson fashion, this grown up caper was not only expertly crafted - from symbolism to story construction - but was also a joy to watch. One of my favorite aspects of the film was seeing each actor chew on their scenery and imagine how much fun they all had playing such exaggerated characters. In this world, with this backdrop, everything felt real and taken seriously, but individually, they were all so silly. It was a real treat to watch everyone lean into the absurdity in sophisticated ways. The twists and turns of this whodunit were pretty elaborate, and as much as I tried to stay one step ahead of what Johnson had in store, I truly was never able to put it all together until the very end. As Daniel Craig's Mr. Blanc so absurdly yet appropriately detailed the various layers of the story: "We must look a little closer. And when we do, we see that the doughnut hole has a hole in its center. It is not a doughnut hole, but a smaller doughnut with its own hole, and our doughnut is not holed at all!" While there are pieces that you can probably put together as the film churns along, I doubt many will uncover the entire picture before its final reveal. I also really liked that this movie had some stuff to say, but never put it in your face - it provided some commentary without making you think it was doing so. Knowing how detail-oriented Johnson is, and that everything in his films have meaning, it doesn't feel happenstance that there are layers dealing with minorities and immigration; or white privilege and entitlement. The film shines quite the light on these themes without ever really saying that's what it's talking about. And I loved that. On the surface, this was a movie to sit back and just have some fun with, but if you want to pull out some commentary or explore its craft, there are ample opportunities to do so. One of the most enjoyable overall viewing experiences I had all year, and for that I give it the nod as my favorite film.

And that's it. That's what I have for now. Thanks for reading - and be sure to check back again for new posts and updates!

Derek's Top 15 Films of 2018

2019-11-23T15:52:00.001-07:00

Welp, I’m a little late. I told myself so many times that I’d eventually do an in-depth writing for this post and each film, but I had twins at the beginning of 2019, and it just isn’t happening. An interesting thing about waiting so long to write this, is that I’ve had a lot of time to sit with 2018 movies. Films that I fully expected to be in my top 5 aren’t even on this list anymore. It was fun to see what stuck. Also, the lead up to the twins resulted in me missing a lot of films, so if you find yourself asking “where’s _____?” there’s a chance I didn’t see it. I’ve got more gaps than usual.

15. Sorry to Bother You

· It’ll take you places you’ll never expect.

14. Thoroughbreds

· Simultaneously feels cinematic and like a small play.

· Pleasing eccentric style.

13. The Favourite

· The best movie nominated for Best Picture at 91^st Oscars.

· Great/unique cinematography.

12. Tomb Raider

· Such a good/bad movie

· Strong 90s vibes

11. Solo: A Star Wars Story

· Answered too many questions better left as mystery.

· Answered too many questions that should have been answered in sequels

· !!! CHEWY DURING THE TRAIN HEIST !!!

· I hope they make more.

10. BlackKklansman

· Important social commentaries.

· Strong formal qualities.

· Great scene of characters discussing film.

· My second choice for who I was rooting to win Best Picture at the Oscars.

9. Hereditary

· As I was watching this movie, I took the armrest to my left, raised it up and swung my legs over, so that no ghosts, no spirits, no demons, no anything could grab my legs, pull me under, and get me.

8. Annihilation

· It’s been so long since I’ve seen this that its placement is based quite a bit on gut. I just remember it being visually stunning and fully captivating.

7. American Animals

· Stressful

· Unconventional (maybe even pretentious) storytelling modes.

· Even if it is pretentious, I was impressed.

6. Avengers: Infinity War

· ***SPOILERS***

· The bad guy wins. It was cool to see that.

5. Won’t You Be My Neighbor

· I spent over half the movie wiping tears from my eyes, trying to hold in guttural cries from exiting my mouth.

· I think the nostalgia viewers feel while watching this movie is less for the show and the man, and more towards a life before the constant vitriol we’re exposed to on the Internet and in politics.

4. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

· Honestly, I’m amazed this movie happened. It’s so high-concept, so complex. How was it green lit? The pitch would’ve been so obscure that I’d assume it would’ve been shut down immediately. I’m so happy that Sony had faith in fans, faith in audiences, faith that people would go out and watch something so out there.

· A strong tie between the story and the art.

· Some of the greatest visual storytelling of the year

3. A Star is Born

· A high quality studio film

· I feel like they fixed a lot of issues when compared to some of the earlier versions. Where previous relationships felt surface-level toxic, this one taps into some deeper struggles.

· My favorite Best Picture nominee of the year.

2. First Man

· I love that this film goes beyond telling the story of mankind’s greatest achievement, and moves into a story of perseverance, persistence in the face of great obstacles, and great tragedy; much of it personal. Neil Armstrong was surrounded by so much death during this time, and leading up to it. An overall beautiful movie.

· Deserved a Best Picture nomination.

· Deserved a Best Original Score nomination (and maybe the win?)

1. A Quiet Place

· The best M. Night Shyamalan movie not made by M. Night Shyamalan.

· Entertaining, thrilling, and emotional.

· I find it interesting that the two movies at the top of my list center around a father and his relationship with his daughter. Had I not seen these leading up to the birth of my daughters, would they be as high as they are?

Thanks for reading!

Alex's Top 15 Films of 2018

2019-03-01T17:11:00.001-07:00

The years are really getting away from me. It's not even that my life is so busy that I can't get to movie anymore (though assuredly, when I was single, I would go to the theater almost every week, whether something called to me or not), it's more about the fact that it takes so much for me to actually get excited for many titles anymore. Honestly, there was just so little this last year that compelled me to go spend time and money on. There were definitely some good ones out there - and when they came around, I made a point to see them - but there was a lot that couldn't even peak my interests enough when they were available for free on HBO. I'm hoping this isn't a trend that continues and it was nothing more than an exceedingly down year, but only time will tell.

As it stands, I still compiled a list of the movies I did see. Not surprisingly, the list is not very robust. While I saw plenty more 2018 titles than are featured, it was a fairly substantial drop-off after the top 20 or so (and even the titles at the bottom of this list are pretty fringy). I will add, though, that there's still a hefty chunk of films I haven't yet seen that would fill out this list considerably more. Obviously many of them wouldn't register much, but of the eight Best Picture nominees, I've only seen two. There are a couple of those I still really need to get around to, as well as a handful of other awards-y titles that just never made their way in front of me. Because my list feels so incomplete - but because I want to actually get something up before it's too late - I'm going to post this now and probably make edits over the coming year as I fill in more titles. I typically don't mess with lists once they're posted, but this feels different to me; because I've missed so much, I do want this to be as thorough of a listing as possible. So depending when you're reading this, the list could look different than it did even a week ago. Either way, check below to see how the year fared in my eyes...

15. Ocean's 8

Gosh, the more this one has sat with me, the less interested in it I’ve become. I love a good heist movie, this cast was incredible, and it was plenty fun and clever, but something about it just fell flat for me. Was the writing any good? Without going back, and without looking up critic reviews, that’s the only thing I can think - maybe the script felt enjoyable at the time but didn’t provide anything really memorable (this is a similar problem I have with a lot of superhero movies). I can’t definitively say it was that, but for some reason this one never clicked with me as much as I wanted. HOWEVER, it’s still on this list as one of my favorite movies of the year, so I want to make sure and give it its praises and not just its shortcomings (though when I get to this part of my list, that’s often the case, as these are movies I clearly liked but wanted to like more). As I briefly mentioned, there was a lot of fun to be had with this premise. The heist itself was grand and well worthy of the Ocean’s moniker. I always enjoy the elaborate planning that goes into these types of heist movies, and more so, the misdirection we’re given before the real plan is revealed. While it was quite blatant (not that that’s a bad thing), I also appreciated the commentary on male-female dynamics/roles. There was enough there to make a point, but nothing deep enough that would shy away general audiences. I’m glad it had a little something to say, but I’m sure most of the actors would have preferred to say a bit more. The cast also was great. Top to bottom, there was more star power with this group than any of the previous Ocean’s movies. If anything, it was just a shame that more screen time couldn’t be given to more people. I enjoyed watching this movie at the time, but little else. It feels like it might be a good movie to have on in the background moving forward (easy watchability), and that's nothing to be upset about. As I’ve mentioned in these posts before, often that's more of a win than you'd think. There’s nothing wrong with two hours of escapism entertainment. I hope this movie did well enough financially to warrant a sequel, because I’d be interested to check back in with this group and see what they can get themselves into next.

14. Black Panther

Out of respect for the film and what it means to our society, I really want this to be higher. Seriously, our world has forever changed because of this movie. It can’t be quantified what it means for young black kids to now grow up in a world where their heroes look like them; where a mostly black cast and crew won all kinds of awards; and where a blockbuster franchise can talk about themes like race. I truly believe that because of that empowerment, we’ll have a better world for our kids and kids' kids because of this movie. If this list was about my most appreciated films of the year, this would definitely be near the top. However, it’s still a superhero movie, and the fact that it’s even on this list means quite a bit. Most comic book fans believe 2018 was a banner year for superhero movies, yet only this and The Avengers make the cut for me; everything else just kind of feels mediocre.

As for the movie itself, there are a few things I really enjoyed. First, Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa is easily one of my favorite MCU characters. His poise and intelligence when so many of the other characters just want to fight really resonates with me. He’s thoughtful and calculated, rarely making decisions out of impulse. I also like that he struggles with his power. I think it would be a very hard thing to be a leader of an entire nation of people - he doesn’t take that lightly, and is respectful of his culture while also recognizing its shortcomings. And opposite him, Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger really provides a great and grounded villain. I get why he’s like he is, and his objectives don’t need to be “destroy the planet” to be scary. He has real world motives that are a real threat to T’Challa and Wakanda. Sometimes those doomsday scenarios are fun, but I also really appreciate a villain who not only feels believable, but who's also grounded in some reality. It's such a fun and easy watch, and more than anything, I'm happy this film exists and that it was successful.

13. The Zen Diaries of Gary Shandling

This is a pretty straightforward documentary about comedian Gary Shandling. It was first presented on HBO in two parts, but it qualifies as a “movie”, so I’m including it. Since the construction is pretty typical of a documentary about someone who’s passed (clips from their life, talking head interviews from people who knew them), it’s the content that makes this one so fascinating. I didn’t know much about Gary Shandling’s personal story, only that he was a comedian who was in some shows and movies. It’s hard to say it’s “interesting” the struggles people went through and the problems they had in the world, but I really did find his personal story very fascinating. It doesn’t mean parts weren’t sad, but this was a very layered guy that didn’t let a lot show to the world. To provide some broad strokes, he was constantly worried about death, rejection, failure, purpose, etc. Truly, to near detrimental levels. At the same time, he was also one of the smartest and hardest-working comedians of his generation. His first breakthrough was with The Gary Shandling Show - sadly, a title that has thus far evaded me - one of the first mockumentary style TV shows ever concocted. Without it, shows like The Office, Parks & Rec, and 30 Rock don't exist. If nothing, I’m sad he’s not around anymore, because I think in this age of television he could have done even more great work. He was so much more than the character actor you remember from whatever movie - it’s a shame he’s not here anymore.

12. Mission: Impossible - Fallout

It feels like they’ve really hit their stride with these movies. I associate them a lot with the MCU movies. You can look at the first few and see the missteps they took in building that universe, but now they’re on cruise control and know the perfect formula to make those movies work. Same with the Mission: Impossible movies. Around the third and fourth installments, I don’t think this franchise knew what it wanted to be, but over the last few installments, they’ve really hit a groove. The action is fun, the stories are intriguing, and the pacing is what you want from an over-the-top action/spy movie. It’s the perfect blend of action and espionage, with a little bit of romance (but not too much) and heartbreak thrown in (to help keep things grounded). The cocktail works, this team works, and I’ll sign up for any further installments they decide to churn out.

11. Annihilation

This might have been the hardest movie for me to rank this year. Seriously, what a strange film. I’m actually surprised a studio funded this and got a wide release for it. It’s really weird and almost impossible to follow all of its intricacies and messages, even for the most astute sci-fi viewer (we’re talking commentary on biology, nature, spirituality, evolution, and a million things in between). But in a way, that’s what I loved about it. This movie toes the line of being too abstract for its own good, but in some ways you almost stop worrying about the details and just kind of absorb into the strange world they’re discovering. It’s interesting enough to keep you curious about what will happen next and hope some of your questions will be answered. It’s a movie I’d enjoy discussing with fellow fans, because I believe when multiple people start talking through it you can start to uncover some really cool layers; it just isn’t always going to be easy to decipher. But if nothing else, I’ll always remember this film for some of its haunting imagery, and its eerie musical score. The score was one of the best of the year, and you can’t find me anything more strange than the clone dance at the end, or the scream bear that will forever haunt my nightmares.

10. Mandy

This movie was such a trip. If you grew up watching low-budget, ultra-violent, heavy metal rock opera, grindhouse horror movies from the 70s and 80s (who didn’t?), you’ll dig the vibe presented here. Such a great throwback to the style and themes of that era. However, it’s very abstract and I wouldn’t describe its pacing as “quick”, so I could see casual moviegoers quickly becoming disinterested. But if you think you can hang on for the trip, I promise you it’s worth it. Outside of the surreal elements of the film, the basic plot is a man, Red (Nicolas Cage, in a role he was born to play), who loses everything and seeks revenge no matter the cost. In that sense, it’s a pretty basic story progression. But writer and director Panos Cosmatos really shows a passion for the material he’s presenting, and definite attention was paid to the homage of the genres he was celebrating. With the material, while the basic progression of the film is fairly straightforward, it's the societal commentary that he sneaks in along the way that really drives this thing. Based on the cult leader of the film - played with great effect by Linus Roache - I think it’s safe to say Cosmatos doesn’t think too highly of religion or male entitlement. Roache depicts your typical cult leader, but in a broader sense it’s also commentary on basic masculine fragility (or “toxic masculinity” if we want to use the phrase of the day). The character is, by all traditional accounts, decent looking and has a bit of charisma. On the surface he doesn’t seem too threatening, but he ultimately believes god and the world owes him anything and everything he wants, and it’s a woman’s fault if he experiences any failures (or specifically to this movie, if she won’t sleep with him). Once you accept these themes are the message Cosmatos is trying to project, each scene becomes incredibly clear and purposeful. The entire plot of this movie basically stems from a scene in which Mandy laughs unstoppably in his face, in front of everyone, when he posits they should have sex. It’s such a defining emasculating moment in the film, and the deepest of burns to his male ego, sending him on a tortuous journey to prove just how tough he is. Along that journey, it simply proves unfortunate for the cult that they messed with the wrong guy. Red is ruthless and unstoppable, knowing well that he doesn’t need to survive the night, he just has to survive long enough to even the score with this group. The violence in the second half of the film is relentless, with each encounter more absurd and ruthless than the last. The payoffs are worth the wait, but I’ll admit that Cosmatos isn’t in much of a hurry to get to the gore; he wants to take you on a journey, not just get to the end. It’s deliberate, but I’ll reiterate: if you can hang on, it’s worth the ride.

9. Avengers: Infinity War

I was reading something the other day about how movie stars are almost extinct in today’s world. In definition, a movie star is an actor who draws big crowds for any movie they’re in, not the character they’re playing. “Oh, the new Jimmy Stewart movie is out!” It referenced Robert Downey, Jr. and Iron Man - audiences line up for that character, but not RDJ specifically (even though I really liked it, how many people lined up to see The Judge?). It’s an interesting thought, and off the top of my head, the only actor I can think of who maybe fits that definition still is Tom Cruise. Maybe Tom Hanks? Is there anyone else who’s a true “movie star” anymore? Or are the characters in franchises our new movie stars?

That has absolutely nothing to do with this movie, it was just something interesting I’ve been thinking about. As for the movie, it was standard Marvel fare. It was fun to watch and really started rounding out the “endgame” for this specific group. I was actually quite impressed with how well they weaved everyone into the story, and seeing that concept on screen alone was worth the ten-year wait. And while I liked seeing everyone together, I like that we’re going to get mostly core-Avengers for the final film. Since it is Marvel, I expect they’ll be able to reverse the snap and bring life back to the world, but I do expect at least one of Captain America/Iron Man to die, and I’ll be curious to see how it happens (my money is definitely on Cap, if not both).

8. Overlord
This movie was so much fun. It felt like such a pulpy throwback to monster movies of the 80s. This movie fits into a few different genres, and I don't want to necessarily ruin it by outlining those categories, so I'd just say if you're looking for two hours of a fun ride, set in Nazi-occupied France during WWII, with Americans on the attack against the Germans, with a focus on some of the Nazi experimenting from that era, then you'll probably like this movie. It felt gritty at times, reminding us that we were in the middle of a war, but it never took itself too seriously and embraced the premise it was working with. In fact, I actually wish it would have ramped up the fun a bit more; I think they could have leaned into a higher octane soundtrack and a few more chaotic battles. It might have led to a messier tone, but if it could have been pulled off, this movie could have really been a blast. It was still fun and a quality addition to the year in film, but this was close to being a few notches higher.

7. Ready Player One

In some ways it’s fitting that this title was so high on my list; in others, I’m really surprised. I’m not really into gaming, so I think a lot of those references were lost on me or I didn’t care about, but there are still plenty of movie and music references to be had - there are fun easter eggs for everything entertainment littering this movie. In general, I’m not a huge fan of movies about kids saving the world, but in this movie, not only is the world they’re fighting for/in artificial (anyone who works hard can have any powers they want), but the fate of the world also isn’t on the line. Outside of kids playing this game and a company trying to control it, nobody in the regular world really cares about this. So I can let them have it. The construction of the film is a pretty typical puzzle/quest narrative - find this, which will lead you to that, etc. - and everything in the middle is kind of made up to get to those those points. But it’s a fun ride and the visuals are really impressive. If you remember it’s an Amblin film, it very much feels on brand with that moniker and a worthy addition to its stables. This wasn’t the deepest of story lines, and because it was a fake world I wasn't too emotionally invested in the characters or their outcomes, but it was enjoyable to watch. I liked the pop culture references and the idea that a world like this ~~could~~ will exist one day.

6. U.S.S. Callister (Black Mirror)

Just hear me out. First, for those unfamiliar, this was an episode featured in season four of the Netflix show Black Mirror. Obviously this post features movies, and this being a “television episode” doesn’t fit that, but it is feature length and did get nominated (and won!) and Emmy for “Best TV Movie”. And looking at others in that category (think HBO films like Game Change or Recount), I have fairly included films of their ilk in the past. It does feel more like a technicality and work-around of the current rules, but since it was, I’m allowing it.

That all being said, this was one of the more exciting pieces of sci-fi I’ve seen in a long time. It was a perfect mix of comedy and tragedy, all wrapped up in a vibrant, nostalgic aesthetic. The themes and characters were all really intriguing; talking with friends about it afterwards, I commented that I could have watched the characters in this world for hours upon hours. Like any great Black Mirror episode, it seamlessly weaved in futuristic technologies and followed the extremes of character development with the access to such technologies. I “understood” the motives of these characters, but definitely had a rooting interest towards the end. And as is another Black Mirror trademark, they always find ways to get the very best performances out of actors. When you’re talking about futuristic science fiction in space, you have to really commit or it’s going to come off as cheesy (not in a good way). These actors all dove into this material and you can tell. I won’t include much more about the plot because I think this is material that works better when you don’t know what to expect, just go watch it. It’s fun and creative and smart and tragic.

5. Creed 2
I'm such a sucker for an inspirational sports movie, with athletes who have to dig deep to reach new levels. This Creed franchise, a continuation of the Rocky franchise, hits all the right notes. Say what you will about Sly Stallone (I think a lot of people think he's a bad actor?), but he knows how to write and craft the perfect boxing movie. He's done it like six different times now, and each film feels unique in its own way while also consistent with the franchise. In this installment, the big draw here is Adonis Creed against a bigger/stronger Viktor Drago. Both of their fathers fought each other in a previous Rocky film, where Ivan Drago actually killed Apollo Creed in the ring. So there's some bad blood between these two. The film takes a good route to the final match-up, and what I've loved about these two Creed films is that Stallone doesn't rest on what the boxing genre looked like in the 80s. He's quite progressive in his storytelling, and understands completely what the boxing world looks like today. Everything felt authentic, and similarly to the previous Creed film, the fighting is legit. It looks so real; I can almost feel the punches when they land. Always about so much more than boxing, the film also weaves in some really nice personal storylines for its various characters. Everything tied together really well and made other elements in the film make more sense. I don't think you have to like or even care about boxing to appreciate this film; it has enough for just about everyone.

4. Bad Times at The El Royale

There are a few things to unpack with this one, but to start, I’m simply going to say that I loved the vibe of the film. The time period and design (1970s Lake Tahoe area) was so great and so fun to see. We actually moved to Reno, Nevada a little over a year ago, and South Lake Tahoe (where this takes place), is one of our favorite places to visit (45 minutes away) because the 60s/70s vibe is still very much alive in many of its buildings and attractions. It really feels like a step back in time when you visit the hotels and resorts, and I think they nailed it with the design of this place (sadly, it’s not real). Beyond that, I thought the story was told in a fun and progressive way, and the characters all had intriguing stories - I enjoyed following along and unwrapping the various layers this film and its characters had to offer. And speaking of the characters, that’s something that really stood out to me. When watching, I kept going back to that age-old mantra, ‘everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about’. It’s not to say everyone had something to hide, but there’s always so much more than meets the eye when we encounter new people. That was presented prominently here. The other piece I wanted to pull from my viewing was Goddard’s fascination with “the man behind the curtain”. It wasn’t as “twisty” as The Cabin in the Woods, but some similar themes were presented, where we kind of got to peak behind the curtain and see these characters when they thought no one was watching. It’s another interesting layer to my previous point, that we know very little about who anyone actually is and what they’re dealing with. This film was simply a culmination of some various personal stories in a very improbable/unfortunate (and fortunate) way.

3. A Quiet Place

What a year for horror. You can kind of categorize a few of these titles differently if you’d like (“horror”, “thriller”, “sci-fi”), but ultimately they all kind of fall under the same umbrella. A Quiet Place is very different than the horror film that ranked just ahead of this one, but it’s so good in its own ways. There are a few things that make for a great horror movie, and tension is one of them. This movie provides that in spades. We’re brought into this world and instantly made aware of the “rules” (make noise, the monsters come, and you die). They’re extreme, and even the slightest of missteps (literally) can bring death. As I watched, I was constantly fearful of what could go wrong - especially with kids, there's just SO MUCH that could go wrong. Another great element to a good horror movie is character building. This movie doesn’t necessarily let us in on individual characters (there’s not a lot of time to talk about likes and dislikes), but it does provide a very clear sense of love and family. Everything these characters do is out of love for one another. With how this movie was constructed, that bond was so important to selling its outcomes. I also now want to see a sequel with the mother and daughter kicking some monster ass!

2. Hereditary

This movie took some time to settle into this spot on my list, but it’s definitely the kind of horror movie that sticks with you, and the more you think about it, the more you really appreciate it. Outside of one MAJOR shocker, the first half of this movie is pretty subdued; a typical story about family loss and regret. It has that slow burn that I love so much about a good horror movie. I want to see that character building and those emotions simmering. As it all slowly boils to the top, you know eventually it’s going to pop. And boy does this movie pop. The movie goes off the rails in its third act, with terrifying scene after terrifying scene. As you’ve probably heard, Toni Collette absolutely gives into this role and doesn’t hold anything back. It’s her commitment to the anger and sadness and fear that really makes this movie believable. And when we finally discover how it’s all tied together, and just the creepy vibes it leaves you with in your stomach - it’s all worth it. This was the best horror movie of the year by a wide margin.

1. Vice

If you’ve read any of my posts over the last few years, it’s probably not a surprise that a political movie had such an impact on me. I feel deeply connected to the battle within our own country right now, and I’m very thankful that movies like this exist to help with my side of the cause. As the movie alludes to, Dick Cheney was a very secretive man who worked mostly behind the scenes. Because of that, I knew little about who he was and how many strings he was pulling during his tenure as Vice President. While I’m sure there were plenty of creative liberties taken, I imagine the scope of the movie was fairly accurate; it was nice to get a little peek inside this window of politics that I was otherwise mostly unfamiliar with. It’s difficult to point to a specific person or moment that started the pendulum in this direction with the Republican party, but Dick Cheney is about as good a place as any to start. He saw weakness in the system, and instead of actually fighting for issues that mattered to him, he picked issues that he could manipulate to his advantage. I can *understand* his drive for power - in a capitalist, democratic society, that’s kind of the point - but he obviously takes it to levels that were detrimental to many people. After my wife and I saw the movie, I mentioned to her that I wasn’t sure if I now “like” him more or less. Is it better to be someone who has backwards agendas out of fear, hatred, bigotry, etc., or to simply manipulate those emotions with voters to get what you want? Both are pretty terrible, but by all accounts I don’t think he was a socially inept human (my feeling is that he didn’t have many real issues with equal rights matters), he just knew how to play the game. Is that better or worse? Ultimately, my wife said it’s the same as the conversations we have about Trump: I can understand his blind grab for power; it’s the voters who continue to buy into it and support him that I dislike. While neither Dick Cheney or especially Donald Trump are decent human beings, I’m not going to fault someone (specifically) for wanting power. It’s a natural response to the world we’ve created. I’m going fault the half of the country continuously duped by people like this and who allow these kinds of people to have this level of power. You can make your argument that it’s always easier to recognize these things after the fact, but half of the country has known for years that Donald Trump is a nightmare. If half the country knew it, you don’t get to say you didn’t know when it was happening - you just didn’t want to know.

Oh, and as for the movie, it was incredibly entertaining. What a great look into a lesser-known part of our recent history. Adam McKay (writer/director) is so good at presenting information like this in a way that’s easy to absorb and fun to watch. The pacing of the film is really great, and Christian Bale is masterful as Dick Cheney. I know Bale is known for disappearing into his characters, but man, does he nail this one. Seriously, one of the more complete acting performances I’ve seen in a very long time. And Amy Adams’ Lynne Cheney is perfectly on point as the driver in that relationship; constantly pushing her husband to achieve more. She should have been nominated for an Oscar, and Bale should have won.

Thanks for checking in. I genuinely enjoy putting this list together each year; it's pretty exciting that I've now done so (formally) for eight straight years. Even though the list gets narrower and narrower each year, I'm not sure I'll ever want to stop writing it. It's a fun exercise that gives me a small creative outlet. Already I'm looking forward to next year's list! And in my view, it appears that there are some pretty solid titles ahead for 2019 - so we'll see next year how that list compares to this one. But until next time...happy watching!

Derek's Top 15 Films of 2017

2018-04-04T16:54:00.002-06:00

So, yeah… I’m extraordinary late in posting this. We usually try to get these out the week leading up to the Oscars, but it just got away from us this year. Why so late? Our excuse is found in the title of the website.

Blockbuster and blockbuster-ish genre cinema made a strong impression on me in 2017. We witnessed exciting additions to existing franchises and moving conclusions for well-established characters. That isn’t to say the “prestige” films didn’t do it for me, too. They did. They just didn’t hit the same marks or get me as excited. Overall I think it finds a good balance, so please enjoy. And as always, many of my descriptions are spoiler-filled. Beware!

15. I, Tonya
I remember it like it was yesterday.

14. Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2
This installment of the franchise didn’t seem to have much movement, and our characters were separated for the majority of the film. All of that served the plot, but it also deprived us of what we like about these characters: their group interaction. Even with those misses, there were still enough fun and beautiful moments to place it on my list.

13. Get Out
The marketing for this film was great. Going in knowing little made for quite a few jaw-dropping moments. With it being such a cultural phenomenon I’m sure the twists and secrets are out, but if someone hasn’t seen it yet, the film feels strong enough to land perfectly even with a few spoilers going in.

12. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
The acting was dynamic and some of the most memorable of the year.

11. The Shape of Water
It’s odd to talk about this list after the Oscars have already taken place, but I guess I get that opportunity. So here goes... I’m delighted that a fantasy/monster movie won Best Picture.

10. Thor: Ragnarok
I think the first Thor film is one of the worst in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). I disliked it so much that I didn’t find any drive to see Thor 2. I think that was the first superhero movie I didn’t see in the theater in this modern era of the genre. When I heard about the third installment, I felt apathy towards it. Then I saw the trailer. It changed my mind instantly. It was clear they learned a thing or two from Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 1. They learned to go full chuckle-house. With the genius comedic mind of director Taika Waititi, Marvel made me do a full 180 on Thor. Maybe I’ll see the second one someday.

9. Split
I am just so elated for M. Night Shyamalan. He brought his A-game and brought twists back into his storytelling, but in a new and exciting way. James McAvoy’s performance is a tour de force. Be sure to go back and watch Shyamalan’s directorial work from 1999 – 2008 before diving into this one. Skip the rest. Eh, skip The Happening (2008) too. Replace it with The Visit (2015).

8. Kong: Skull Island
I enjoyed this when I watched it in theaters and have since bought it and watched it many times more with enjoyment. There’s a little too much winking at the audience for what I want, but not enough to turn me off of the film. But it is enough to put it in the lower half of this list. I’m a fan and I can’t wait to see what else this franchise has in store for us.

7. A Ghost Story
Last Action Hero instilled a dream in me: a dream to see a serious live-action movie with a 2-D animated character. None of the other characters make mention of it and it doesn’t pertain to the plot. Imagine if Willem Dafoe’s character, Caravaggio, was animated in The English Patient. That’s what I was looking for. A Ghost Story is the closest I’ve gotten. I hate to say this about a ghost movie, but this movie is haunting, and one of the best of 2017.

6. The Big Sick
If you’re not into romantic comedies, this one may be for you. Also, Holly Hunter and Ray Romano dominate. They are a powerhouse supporting cast, and I’m disappointed the Academy votes weren’t enough to get them nominations.

5. Call Me By Your Name
NEVER WALK OUT OF A MOVIE! This is the perfect reason why. Sometimes the end is the crutch that elevates everything else you’ve just watched. I’m not saying the rest of the movie is bad, it’s not. Not at all. But I can imagine the pacing of the film turning people off and leading them to walk out. Don’t let that happen to you.

4. Blade Runner 2049
This was an odd experience for me. Usually when I feel like a movie is long, it falls in the I-didn’t-care-too-much-for-it category, like Lawrence of Arabia. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King is objectively long when compared to most other films, but it doesn’t feel long to me. Blade Runner 2049 felt long, yet I absolutely loved it. It fell in the whoa!-this-is-amazing category. It excites me that I can still be surprised with new responses like this from the movie-going experience.

3. War for the Planet of the Apes
I think this was the best movie of the year. Biblical story telling, top-notch acting, and effects beyond anything we’ve seen in cinema elevate it to an unparalleled level. However, it’s a difficult watch. This movie wasn’t made for casual repeat viewings. It’s harsh. Those factors push it down a bit for me, as they relate to your potential experience.

2. Wonder Woman
This movie is my mom working full-time and earning two degrees while raising two children.

1. Logan
I’ve mentioned on other end-of-the-year lists how important the X-Men franchise is to me. It’s let me down a couple times, but when it hits, it hits big. That’s what happened here. It borrowed from classic genre films that came well before it and still managed to subvert many of the expectations we have for superhero films. It was a breath of fresh air and what I’ve been waiting for in this genre/from this franchise. It’s not perfect, it uses one tired trope, but it’s been earned. Its use isn’t flippant. Even with my nitpick criticism, it still tops my list as my favorite movie of the year.

Thank you for reading!

Alex's Top 15 Films of 2017

2018-04-04T15:43:00.004-06:00

I was going to start with the paragraph below, but as I started writing it, I realized how similar it was to so many of our/my intros each year. Initially, I almost deleted it because I wanted something “fresh” and after reading the first handful of sentences, realized it was not that. But in that moment I also realized that these entries have become something of an annual snapshot into each of our lives. I’m unsure if other writers will follow similar suit this year, but looking back, often we start our posts by recapping what the year held for us and how it related to the movies we watched. And as we’re now only submitting this one post each year, I think I’m now looking at them as something of a scrapbook. Yes, you’re probably not going to get a ton of originality out of these intros, but I think not only is it interesting to see how life events influenced film preference each year, but as longtime friends it’s just fun to look back over the years and see how each of us has changed. It’s a pretty neat time capture.

So that all being said, here’s my annual check-in:

It’s funny how getting engaged, moving with your family to another state, building and moving into a new house, both you and your partner starting new jobs, the kids starting new schools, and getting a new puppy all tend to interrupt your movie-watching schedule. Who woulda thunk it? I can say with near certainty that I watched fewer movies in 2017 than I have in any calendar year of my adult life. It just didn’t happen this year. But honestly, I’m not too upset about it. Aside from the obvious trade-off of experiencing all of these momentous life events with my family instead of watching a few extra movies, I again just struggled to get into many of the mainstream offerings. While plenty still did, there were a great many titles that just didn’t interest me. I really don’t think anymore that there is a lesser quantity of quality films being made – truly, there are so many more – it’s more of a narrowing of my interests and a realization that there are many more important things in life than watching every movie that comes out. And maybe that’s all a given, but it’s just so interesting to feel that transition through the years.

On the other side of that, however, I’m still writing a post about movies and am excited to be sharing my end-of-the-year list (albeit later than usual). While I did not get around to seeing as many titles as I have in the past, I still saw a good number and was entertained by many of them. There’s so much I love about the movies, and it’s really a joy of mine to compile this list; I constantly look forward to writing it each year. I’ll forever love going to the theater, and seeing a grand spectacle film (even if it’s ultimately forgettable and trite) will always be something I look forward to. I know I don’t have the stamina to hang with the truly dedicated movie fans anymore, but hopefully there’s a base out there that still loves movies as much as I do, but has also let other, often more important, aspects of life fill in the gaps. Maybe for those people, this list can serve as a quick recap of the year, focusing on the handful of films that they might actually want to get to.

So without further ado, my favorite movies of 2017:

Quick Preface: I'm not going to list all of the movies I didn't see this year that I wanted to - I'm not sure where that list stops as far as notoriety is concerned - so if you don't see something below that you feel should be on a top list, I'll let you guess whether I didn't care for it or otherwise see it. But as it stands, I'm still happy with the films I did see last year...

15. Alien: Covenant

I love the Alien franchise. They can make a new one every year and I’ll gladly fork over my $10 to see it as soon as it comes out. The two most recent entries have definitely had their issues, but their ideas have been grand and right up my alley: where did we come from? What’s our purpose? I love movies about space exploration, future technologies, and themes that explore the advancement of civilization. Those (together) are really some of the most fascinating things to me, and honestly, any movie that features them I will rate highly. In general, I thought the production values of this film were better than those in Prometheus, but I thought the ideas were a bit less fascinating. I like that they took it to another level, but again we were left unable to communicate with our creators and learn more about our actual existence. The world building was neat, and I love continuing to dig a little deeper, but I don’t think this was quite the payoff I was hoping for after Prometheus. If/when the next Alien film is made, I’ll be curious where they end up next.

14. Thor: Ragnarok

Based on the trailer, I REALLY wanted to like this more. It might have been the best trailer of 2017. Plus, Taika Watiti directing, Cate Blanchet as the villain? Sign me up! In reality, the great setup probably led to too high of expectations, and it was never able to catch up. Still, it was an enjoyable Marvel film, and I am really digging the way the Marvel Studios is approaching its offshoot franchises. James Gunn with Guardians of the Galaxy, Waititi now with Thor, Ryan Coogler with Black Panther, etc. Giving these unique/artistic directors a chance to run with these franchises however they see fit (still staying within the general bigger picture of Marvel’s plan) is fun to watch. It’s given great life to these smaller franchises, and really made them stand out on their own. I love it. I easily think this was the best of the Thor movies, but no matter what, I just can’t seem to get incredibly invested in this storyline. Still, this movie was entertaining and finally provided some substance to Thor’s journey (before, I always felt like he was too powerful for whatever obstacle they put in front of him). Blanchett’s character was a great match, and she was so fun to watch in this role. As much as I wanted it to be, this wasn’t a top-tier superhero movie for me, but it was a memorable one that should continue to stand out from the heard.

13. Colossal

What if I told you there was a movie out there in which a woman (Anne Hathaway) moves back to her hometown after losing everything in the big city? Simple enough, right? But what if I then told you that, simultaneously, giant monster attacks started cropping up around the world. And then what if I finally told you that eventually we realize that these monster attacks only happen when our main character gets blackout drunk (which she does often), and all of the monster’s moves mimic her moves (if she lifts her arm, the monster lifts its arm). And when you’re taller than a skyscraper, even that can have major consequences. If there’s ever been a more creative metaphor for life while drinking extreme amounts of alcohol, I’ve not seen it. Throughout the film she becomes more aware of this and actually learns to control it – but also learns that when she can’t handle life and continues to drink, it often leads to the death of thousands of people. While a silly concept, it gets pretty heavy. There are even deeper layers in the film, and an interesting turn from Jason Sudeikis’ supporting character. It’s fascinating to see this whole story play out and learn why it’s all happening. Going in, I expected a bit more comedy, but it was definitely an interesting film.

12. Life

It feels very much like this could have been an offshoot of the Alien franchise. Some similar themes (origins of life; space exploration), but without the restraints of the Alien mythology. Actually, if Alien and The Thing had a baby – its name would be “Life”. I love a good monster movie, especially when it can take over bodies and you can’t be sure if your friends are “infected”. Plus, since I am so fond of space exploration movies, the idea of finding life is something I’ve often thought about – and this is the worst possible outcome. Even if something seems inferior or harmless, how could we ever know what real capabilities it has or how it would respond to interaction with our species? It’s something I don’t think I’d ever want to be a part of, and this movie only confirmed those sentiments. The action was intense, and the idea of being trapped in space with a deadly creature is truly frightening. A great space thriller, if you’re looking for that.

11. Split

This was an interesting study, propped up by a solid performance from James McAvoy. He was the perfect choice to play a character both timid and creepy. The film explores a character with multiple personalities – 23, I think? – and the interactions he has with certain people around him. The most interesting aspect is how his personalities interact with each other. They’re aware of each other and often get into skirmishes (there’s a great example in the film about all of them constantly fighting for the light and whoever is holding it at the time gets to talk – and the others are constantly trying to get it away from him). I would have been perfectly fine with a film that simply explored the life of this person, but it continues to go further, and gets more and more “sci-fi” as it goes on. But maybe the coolest thing about the film – and it’s been out for a year now, so the ban on spoilers has lifted – is that we find out this takes place in Shayamalan’s Unbreakable universe. I had no idea going in, so it was a fun surprise. I didn’t love Unbreakable, but I think it’s a clever concept for a superhero movie. And I didn’t realize that I cared about that universe expanding until I knew that it was. Now I feel like I’m pretty excited to see how all of these characters interact together in the sequel.

10. Wind River

Well acted, well paced, and it told an important story that I don’t think is well known today. The film takes place in snowy North Dakota, and centers around the death (and rape) of a Native American girl. As tragic as that is itself, it explored why this is an epidemic around reservations. I won’t share too many details as to not give away the exploration of the crime, but it was a very harrowing look at a world that has been pushed aside and ignored. While there is sadness in this tale, it’s still quite fascinating, and is a great whodunit thriller. Jeremy Renner, who is one of the leads in the film, has a great character arc and gives, probably, the best performance of his career. I do feel like everyone should see this movie, but I will reiterate that it’s intense.

9. The Shape of Water

I saw this film very late in the game - like, after it already won Best Picture. So I think my view of it probably ended up being a little skewed. I REALLY wanted to see this movie for a long time, and the more hype it received - and especially after it won four Oscars - the more anticipation I had for it. And that's rarely a recipe for success. Too much hype is never good for a movie; almost none can live up to the expectations we create in our heads. So that being said, I did not like this movie as much as I expected and/or wanted to. But I still enjoyed it plenty. The storytelling was beautifully done and sweet. The cinematography was exceptional; nearly every shot felt meaningful and impactful. I also appreciated the social commentary it provided - the Michael Shannon character and the General he reported to (white males; too much anger and aggression; this construct that they're oppressed; a skewed idea of power and authority) were still just as harmful and present as they are today. Sadly, those characters did not need to be written into the 1960's to feel as real as they did. Otherwise, the relationships between many of the other (protagonist) characters were great. Elisa, Giles, Zelda, and Dr. Hoffstetler - I'm not sure which I enjoyed the most, but I'm just glad they all rose to the occasion and helped out for the greater good when they needed to. The movie didn't quite have the pacing I was expecting, and there was less fantasy than I was hoping for (I would have loved to dive deeper into the mythology of the featured creature), but it was still a joy to watch.

8. Baby Driver

I’m not typically a fan of “action movies”, but I think this had enough variation on the genre to keep me interested. The rest of the film did not match the adrenaline-pumping tension of the first scene, but I appreciated how it slowed down and actually told a story about this character; there were some nice layers to this guy that you don’t necessarily expect in an action movie. While the music of the film was focal – I think it was mostly an excuse for Edgar Wright to put all of his favorite songs into one movie – I actually didn’t love all the song selections as much as the marketing made me believe I would. I think sometimes Wright got a little too cute with some selections and in those moments I was wondering why he loved a certain song so much (where as the “right” song would have just kept me in the moment). Still, the story was fun, the pacing was excellent, and the general vibe of the film was still something I really enjoyed.

7. Logan Lucky

I think this movie provided the most fun I had at a theater all year. Yes, the acting was good from all the leads (special nod to Daniel Craig for being such a weirdo in this film), the directing from Steven Soderbergh was expectedly on-point (he knows how to make heist films), and the pacing swift enough to keep anyone involved – but for me this movie gets such high marks for being such an escape. 2017 was a crazy year, and while I love movies that have a lot to say about society, I also can appreciate a movie that just wants to have some fun and let you forget about the world for a couple of hours. That’s how I feel when I think about this movie, and I mean that in the very best way. I don’t think I need to say much else because there isn’t a lot going on outside of what’s happening on the surface. But if you want an enjoyable, silly (but smart) escape, this is a great option.

6. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

This was probably the most difficult movie for me to rank this year. If we’re talking about its successes, the first place we need to start is with the acting. The three actors in the film who received Academy Award nominations – Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Rockwell – were all absolutely deserving. McDormand stole the show. And the supporting performances from Harrelson and Rockwell provided a lot of great depth to the film. But as social commentary has been a major theme this year, the plot of the film – a mother taking on the law after they’re unable to find her daughter’s rapist and murderer – felt especially important. Taking place in the south, not only did we get the dynamic of men vs. women, but we got citizens vs. police. It was usually an uncomfortable position to watch, but I think that’s what made it more powerful. Sometimes it needs to be uncomfortable. There was definitely some wildness to the film – both from the actions of the characters and the direction of the movie – that at first were jarring, but ultimately I think led to a more shocking look at how life can sometimes be not only for police officers (do they ever get in trouble for anything?), but for men in those southern "boys clubs" (do they ever get in trouble for anything?). The entire film felt unfair, which I assume was the point. Still, even with the many battles going on, there was constantly an undertone of compassion and understanding. As humans, I think that’s a great message: we might fight to the bitter end about our values and beliefs, but I do still believe we need to care about one another and remember that we’re all human beings. As for some of the detractors, the main ones for me were the overall pace and tone. This movie was all over the place. As individual scenes, I thought they all worked great, but it bounced back and forth so much, often struggling to decide if it was a laugh-out-loud comedy or a tear-jerking drama. I realize that life is all of that, but the constant jostling between the two – I felt like it somehow took me out of it. Still, as a commentary on the world (and for its artistic values) I think this is an important film for people to see.

5. The Big Sick

This movie was just so sweet and charming. Written by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, the story follows their real-life meeting and relationship. It really did feel very honest, and easily featured some of the funniest stuff I saw in a movie this year. It found the perfect balance of taking very relatable situations that happen in real life and letting us laugh about them/ourselves. I loved watching both of their families, and how they eventually came around to the idea of these two being together, even though they came from such different backgrounds. Gordon’s mother, played by Holly Hunter in the movie, was great and showed some surprising comedic chops from an actor that doesn’t otherwise show that side often. I'm bummed she didn't get an Oscar nomination. But overall, the movie was just delightful to watch. You run the gamut of emotions with this, but never to a point where any of them feel tiresome or overwhelming. It’s a nice balance throughout, and as far as romantic comedies go, surely this was the best of the year.

4. Star Wars: The Last Jedi

I’m not quite sure what I was expecting from this movie after the last couple Star Wars films. I liked (didn’t love) The Force Awakens, but Rogue One did very little for me. But being very much on the Rian Johnson bandwagon, I wanted nothing but success for him with this film. Luckily, I think he gave me exactly what I wanted, even though I didn’t know going in it was what I wanted. I’m sure you’ll get much more detailed descriptions of this film from other writers who are more passionate about the series than I, but I felt this was the perfect Star Wars movies to bridge old fans and new. I realize that the humor was different than in previous films, and some of the sequences were rather “unnecessary”, but I still loved the storylines (the purest form of good vs. evil), and the world building was just so much fun. Every scene seemed to provide something new and unique – I could just feel Johnson using any excuse to come up with a new creature. I’ve always loved that about Star Wars, and I think it was best displayed in this film. The plot for the Jedi definitely did not go how I expected, but I think I liked it. I’m still unsure how I feel about the interactions with Luke and Kylo Ren, but I get it. I understand Mark Hamill’s initial issues with the direction of his character, but like he ultimately has, I think fans will come around to it and see it as a necessary arc for the Jedi. I did appreciate Kylo’s feelings about the past (which of course mimic the crowd’s attachments to certain aspects of the franchise) – Johnson obviously did not mean it with anger, but having Kylo say to Rey (and the crowd) that she needed to let go of the past (kill it, if she had to) felt overdue. Johnson went against the grain with a lot of fanboy theories about the series, and I’m glad he did. It was time to break free from the cage every filmmaker was stuck in. I know a lot of die-hard fans didn’t care for the movie, but I hope most of them will eventually come around. I absolutely think this was the Star Wars movie we needed, and I think it was a blast to watch.

3. Brigsby Bear

What I loved most about this film was that it really succeeded and was impactful on a couple different levels. We jump in on a 20-something guy who, for all intents and purposes, seems like a fine kid. His family dynamic is peculiar, but there’s love there and it’s clear they prioritize education and family. His main quirk is that he’s still obsessed with a favorite childhood TV show, Brigsby Bear (this plays well to a generation that loves nostalgia). We then realize something strange is going on, as they appear to live in an underground bunker. We could normally assume a disaster of some sort in the real world, but then we see animatronic animals lining the outskirts of the yard and we know something is off. Flash to the cops arriving and us realizing that he was actually kidnapped by these people as a baby and has been living in isolation with them his entire life. What they gave him in that bunker is all he knows of the world. From there, we really get into some neat themes. On one hand, we have this ~~kid~~ man who’s suddenly thrown into the real world and is trying to cope with everything: his real parents, his sister, making friends, etc. It’s a very unique coming-of-age story watching him figure out where he fits into his new world. On the other, from an artistic standpoint, he learns that Brigsby Bear never got a finale, so he sets off to make a movie and complete the story himself. This leads him down a few different paths – some of discovery, some of hardship – that all lead him to the person he becomes. It’s a very quirky movie, but it has a lot of charm, and Kyle Mooney (SNL) does a great job finding a middle ground to live in with this character. I loved watching his journey.

2. Molly’s Game

To those close to me, it’s probably no surprise that I have an Aaron Sorkin movie so high on my list. His writing is just so entertaining to me. His heavy use of exposition; the way he describes scenes and empowers his characters – as a fan of the writing medium, it’s everything I wish I could put in my own writing. Add in Jessica Chastain crushing it in this role, and throw in the fact that I also love poker (and the high-stakes world around it), and this was a perfect storm for me. Even before seeing this film I could have told you it would be high on this list. As for the actual substance of the film, thanks to Sorkin's quick repartee, the pace moved swiftly and kept me engaged throughout. It was an incredibly easy watch and I don't feel there was much lag time. And as expected, Chastain owned this role. She, along with co-star Idris Elba, were quite fun to watch on screen together. Chastain has long been one of my favorite ~~actresses~~ actors, and this film only solidified those opinions. On the other end, while I’ll defend Sorkin’s writing (and directing debut!) to the end, detractors will point to Sorkin’s overwrought themes and tidy arcs - but for me, that’s all just part of the package. Sure, you could say that Molly’s “30 years of therapy in two minutes” was a bit trite (and convenient), but Sorkin likes quick, impactful conclusions/self-realizations. They may not be the most realistic, but it definitely makes for an entertaining movie.

1. Get Out

Equally entertaining, thought-provoking, culturally-significant, and poignant, Get Out was one of the best experiences I had watching movies all year. I fully expected something of quality from Jordan Peele (even though people seemed surprised that he could handle a genre outside of comedy), but was so pleased to see such piercing commentary on society today – and wrapped up so neatly in an entertaining package. To go on about the different levels of this film and why they’re each so important would be to retread what has been gushed about for months now. After reading so much about the film myself, I don’t feel like I can as articulately expand on what has already been said. But just take it from me: if you have been under a rock and somehow haven’t seen this movie yet, go check it out. Then go read about it from people much smarter than me. It’s a wonderful, important piece of cinema that I’m glad exists in today’s climate. Plus it's just entertaining and exciting to watch!

Thanks for checking in again this year. As referenced at the start, I still feel there are a great many movies from 2017 that I need to see - but this is at least a start. We'll see what next year brings!

The Slackers' Top 15 Films of 2016

2017-02-25T10:18:00.005-07:00

What a year in film. I'd have to go back and really analyze the stats, but I feel like this was the broadest collection of titles ever featured for this segment. This year, we only had one film appear on all five lists. That seems pretty crazy to me! I know there were plenty of entries that some of us didn't get around to, but that still seems like a pretty uncommon feat - especially for a group that generally agrees on film so much. Still, there's so much good that can come from such an occurrence: the opportunity to highlight and talk about even more films. This year overall we had 40 different titles showcased in these posts, more than we've ever had in the past. I'm sure a big part of that trend has to do with our growing and evolving interests in certain types of movies, but a big part of that can also be chalked-up to the ever-increasing accessibility of movies. In every subsequent year, more films become visible thanks to social media marketing, and accessible thanks to online streaming platforms. In the past we were more limited to what happened to show in theaters near us; now so much more is at our fingertips. That's pretty awesome.

Over the last five days, each writer on this year's panel has unveiled their individual lists for their Top 15 Films of 2016. As I've said many times before, what's great about our site is that we do have five different writers active at the same time providing their own perspectives on film. This not only gives five separate views on film (hence more chances to connect with certain voices and opinions), but it gives us all kinds of data to then build into composite lists. And really, that's what we want to give: each of our personal opinions, but at the end of the day, a group of films that we, as a collective, most appreciated and enjoyed. It's two very different but equally important views on the matter. And what's nice about having the individual lists first is we don't have to have any discussion for our group list - we simply plug in the titles each of us selected, give weight (point values) to higher picks, and let the formula do the rest. There's no debate or arguing over what we want to showcase - the rankings are what they are.

This year, the most significant factor in this ranking was surely due to certain films that certain contributors did not get around to (Moonlight, Everybody Wants Some!!, Nocturnal Animals, Miss Sloane, etc.). It's hard to know how this list would turn out if we'd all seen "everything", but that's just how this business goes. We're never all going to see every movie that was released in a given year, so this never serves as anything more than a benchmark. We saw most of the films we "wanted" to see, and this is how our ranking of those films turned out. As we've all mentioned, none of the rankings on this site should ever serve as definitive, end-all lists; simply a quick peak at how we're feeling based on what we've seen in the moment. It's never perfect, but it's a fun study and still an eclectic grouping of titles.

Before we (finally) jump in, note that no explanations were provided on specific titles below because everything on this list was featured on multiple individual lists over the last week. If you're interested in more information on each film, check out the last five posts on this site.

15. Hacksaw Ridge

14. Star Trek Beyond

13. Manchester by the Sea

12. La La Land

11. Captain Fantastic

10. Hunt for the Wilderpeople

9. Jackie

8. Hell or High Water

7. 10 Cloverfield Lane

6. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

5. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

4. Lion

3. Midnight Special

2. Moonlight

1. Arrival

Overall, this feels like a really great collection of films with a lot of genre and tonal variety. As mentioned at the beginning, this list was compiled by doing nothing more than collecting up the picks from our individual lists already posted. So not much more explanation is needed - just go back to the lists if you want to know how/why a certain film ended up where it did.

Thanks, as always, for taking the time to check out all of our picks this year. As this was the broadest collection of films we've ever showcased in this series. hopefully you came across some titles that you might have otherwise missed.

Tracy's Top 15 Films of 2016

2017-02-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

Damn. 2016. It started off as a total drag in the movie department. But, as the year went on I found myself wanting to go to the movies more and more. I still wasn’t able to see all of the movies that I wanted. Luckily, I have more than enough to put together a top 15 that I can be proud of. I view the world through emotions and that fact about me is exactly what drives me in the movies that I like and the formulation of this list. The movies that you see here all hit me in some important way and that’s why I’m compelled to place them here. You can argue about a movie’s execution of its themes and characters and technical work, but you can’t argue about how they make you feel.

15. The Nice Guys

I reeeally debated this spot on my list. I eventually decided on this movie because of the pure, unadulterated 1970s joy that it brings me. Listen, I don’t think the plot is amazing or the movie is totally on the mark. It actually had the potential to be much better than it was. But, this is my list, damnit. The interplay between Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling is great. The actress that plays Ryan Gosling’s young daughter (Angourie Rice) was a surprise hit and I think she’s on the cusp of really coming into her own as a popular and talented actress. The soundtrack is awesome and I love movies set in 1970s L.A. – there’s nudity, there’s riffing, there’s mystery, there’s violence. What more do you really need? I find myself turning this movie on all the time. In fact, it’s the only one on my list that I’ve seen multiple times.

14. Nocturnal Animals

Going into this one, I had no idea what to expect. If you don’t know anything about it – keep it that way. It really made it interesting and engaging. Now that I’m older and I’ve seen hundreds of movies, I can predict the common formula for many films and I know the way they’ll turn out. So, when you have a movie like this, that can keep you on your toes, I really like that. Something terrible happens in this movie and it’s one of my biggest fears. When a movie can play off of your deepest fears and darkest emotions, it’s powerful and uncomfortable in a way that only good art can manipulate you. (Come for Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal – stay for Michael Shannon and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in his very creepy turn as Ray.)

13. Manchester by the Sea

I know a lot of people didn’t care for this movie. It’s sad, it’s sad the whole way through. It’s difficult to knowingly subject yourself to that kind of intense emotion. You might think you know what kind of grief to expect after seeing the preview, but that’s only the half of it. It made my list for two main reasons. First, it was very well made. The sadness was cut with levity in a way that I’ve never seen. Something terrible would happen and then would transition into artful lightness that wasn’t cheap and didn’t betray the intensity of emotion you just felt. I don’t know how they did it. Second, I enjoyed the culmination of the relationship (uncle and nephew) of the two men in the film. I’m a sucker for men with seemingly un-evolved emotions actually showing their feelings. It got to me.

12. Hacksaw Ridge

I have a weird relationship with WWII movies. They are intense and too hard for me to watch, but they connect me to my grandfather who was a veteran from that war and they help explain a very complicated time in our world history. I don’t usually watch them more than once. I debated even seeing this one, but I’m so glad I did. It follows a young man who is a conscientious objector to the war for his own convictions about non-violence, but he still feels the need to assist in the war effort as a medic as an act of duty for his country. He is constantly being tested, but he achieves greatness and aids the men in his company to such a degree that they admit how wrong they were about him. Much like Manchester by the Sea, I am a real sucker for men getting emotional – especially these tough soldiers. When you see the actual footage of the sergeant in his company cry when recalling what Desmond Doss did decades and decades later, it’s almost too much to bear. This movie had some moments that were trying a bit too hard, but when you cry as long as I did after the movie ended, it truly earned its spot on this list!

11. Loving

Going into this movie, I expected it to be more angry and violent. You usually see bricks through windows and violent assaults in civil rights movies. And while I think it’s very important to show those aspects, I was relieved there wasn’t much of that in this film. It was a quiet love story about an interracial couple who simply wanted the legal right to live together with their children in their own state. Ruth Negga’s powerful and restrained performance kept me constantly enraptured. You knew how much she cared about her life and her family, but she never spun out of control or showed violent emotions. She was a rock. Still, you could sense how important this was for her.

10. Arrival

I enjoyed this departure from more typical alien movies. It looked at an alien arrival from a more logical, realistic, and scientific perspective. While some of the characters in this world assumed that the aliens came to Earth to fight us, some realized that wasn’t the case and so they attempted to learn their language and speak with them. These aliens were not humanoids and the fact that this movie made me feel for a creature that was so different was lovely. There’s a twist in this movie that I had small inkling of and started to sense throughout, but the reveal was still wonderful and emotional. Amy Adams can totally carry a movie.

9. Captain Fantastic

This movie was a wonderful mix of irreverence and familial love and the struggle to live in this world in the way you want. This family and their interplay was so interesting to watch. The story follows one man’s struggle to raise his large brood the way he sees fit in the forest after his wife’s untimely death, and it kept me enraptured the whole way through.

8. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

I was raised on Star Wars; it’s extremely nostalgic for me and I was happy to say that I enjoyed this part of the saga much more than I thought I would. One of my favorite things in the entire world(s) is a cool robot, and this movie had that covered with the main droid. I guess you could say that it was the droid I was looking for?! But, seriously, the robots in Interstellar were some of my all-time favorites and the droid here totally had a smack of those ones. Wow, I really didn’t intend to write this post completely about the droid.

7. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

As a person who anxiously awaited the release of every subsequent Harry Potter book after reading the first one at age 11, you could call me a pretty big fan. It’s a magical world that I was afraid I would never see any more from. However, It took me awhile to see this movie because I assumed it wouldn’t hit the mark. I mistakenly assumed that this movie was going to be something they just released knowing it would make money from the people who’d go see anything with the Harry Potter name slapped on it. I was so happy that it was a fully-fleshed out movie from the HP universe. I truly enjoyed seeing the wizarding world in America and the characters were just lovely. Much like my fellow slacker Derek, I too have a crush on Queenie. Just try not to fall in love with her!!!

6. Hell or High Water

I don’t think there is one bad actor in this movie; everyone just nailed their performances. What starts as two brothers robbing banks to save the family ranch quickly escalates into so much more. That kind of storyline makes me anxious in the best way. The final scene between Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges is a glorious chess match of a conversation that is frustrating and satisfying for me in how unsatisfying it was for Bridges’ character.

5. Jackie

This movie was so intense. The score was dramatic and amazing and really set the tone. Pay special attention to any scene in which Jackie has blood on her. Her anguish was so palpable it felt like I was in the same room with her. We’ve all seen the footage of our beloved JFK being murdered. It’s no easy feat to recreate the jarring footage of his assassination that we’ve all seen so many times, but honestly, the recreation lent another dimension of emotion to it. It all happens so fast and watching Natalie Portman as Jackie scramble for the pieces of her husband’s skull and brain as a knee-jerk reaction was so brutal. Watching her scream and cry as their car sped toward the hospital was almost too much to bear. The only sound you heard was the music. It’s a scene I won’t soon forget.

4. Hunt for the Wilderpeople

This movie was so irreverent. It was in the same vein as a Wes Anderson movie, with a little more heart and emotion to it. Sam Neill has been a love of mine ever since Jurassic Park and I have a feeling that he’ll never disappoint me. Look for beautiful New Zealand scenery and a funny and light tone (even though the subject matter is kind of intense) that culminates in a truly touching ending. I still have the song about Timmy Baker stuck in my head!

3. Midnight Special

I love weird Sci-fi movies. They’re my favorite thing! And Midnight Special did not let me down. I enjoy a movie that doesn’t just lay everything out for you. This was a fun one to watch unfold in front of your eyes. Who are the bad guys? What kind of cult were these people in? What kind of mysterious powers does this little boy have? I’m in love with Michael Shannon and I can’t seem to dislike anything that he’s in. Like fellow Slacker Elisabeth, I also ran into him one time. It was one of the best moments of my entire life!

2. Lion

What a dang sobfest this movie was! A 5-year-old boy becomes stranded in a city where he doesn’t speak the language and doesn’t know the name of his town to get back home. Watching him traipse around while avoiding very real danger was so difficult. The only thing getting me through was knowing that this story was based in truth and that the boy lives to this day. I cried because I was scared for him, I was worried about him, I was happy for him. You really run the gamut of emotions and Lion is truly deserving of its Best Picture nomination this year.

1. Moonlight

I’m having trouble with my list this year. It’s difficult to adequately describe how some of these movies made me feel. But, to put it simply, Moonlight was one of the most beautiful movies I’ve ever seen. This cast, as a whole, were the best actors I saw this year. This film has a timeless quality to it. Its themes will never become irrelevant, even as the years the movie encapsulates drift into the past. I think that’s because this movie could almost be set at any time or place and still be a close and emotional look at the life of this boy/man. When Chiron (as a little boy) sits at the table of his surrogate parents and asks them the hard questions about how he’s supposed to feel about himself, I didn’t think I could handle it. The warmth with which the important people in his life treated him helped mold him and accept himself for who he was. This movie was not about where he lived, who his parents were, or how he earned money. It was about his journey and who Chiron was. Just lovely. (Fellow Slacker Elisabeth should get some kind of hero award for shushing the loud, giggling group of middle-aged women who were interrupting this beautiful film.)

Thanks for reading!

Elisabeth's Top 15 Films of 2016

2017-02-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

I’m not sure what to say about 2016. It was a rough year for me, personally. Some good things happened, of course, but overall it was a tough one to weather. I always find a little bit of comfort in going to the movies though, and they definitely played that role for me last year. It’s always nice to be able to escape from your own reality for a couple hours (even though half of the movies on my list aren’t exactly uplifting). Until recently though, I was struggling to keep a running list of my favorite films because so many of the ones I saw just did not do it for me (I’m looking at you, La La Land). But I was able to cram in a bunch over the past few months and suddenly my list fell into place and I felt pretty good about it. So without further ado, here are my favorites of 2016…

15. Hacksaw Ridge

I’m no war movie fan. I honestly usually just get bored. That probably makes me sound like a bad person, but it is what it is. This movie though, aside from its schmaltzy beginning, was genuinely very good. I can’t believe I didn’t know about Desmond Doss before seeing this. Everyone should know about this hero! I was never bored during the battle scenes, which is a pretty amazing feat for me. This would be a rough one to rewatch, but I’m glad I finally saw it. Such a worthwhile story to learn about.

14. Sully

I enjoyed this movie. I love Tom Hanks (who doesn’t?) and the story is powerful. I had no idea any of this stuff was happening behind the scenes after the real life incident, and I found it all really fascinating and frustrating. This movie is good, but it isn’t great. And there are several other movies I could have put on my list to replace it. But. My grandma died back in November, and this was the last movie she saw in the theater, or ever. She loved Tom Hanks, and wanted to see anything he was in. Her eyesight was nearly gone by the end of her life, and she said that at times she struggled to see what was going on, but being fairly dialogue-heavy, she followed the story just fine and ended up loving it. When she found out that I went to go see it, she got so excited and had to know whether I liked it or not. She talked to my mom (her caregiver) about it for days. Days. So it may not be one of the best, but the memories I’ve attached to this movie are some of the most special to me.

13. Manchester By the Sea

This movie was rough. I saw it mostly because I’m a big Kyle Chandler fan, but I ended up enjoying it (can you enjoy this movie?) overall. I kept wondering, “What on earth happened that was so awful?” But oh, the reveal is genuinely the most awful thing you could imagine. Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams really know how to break your heart. Also, the decision made at the end of this movie felt very realistic to me. It’s worth a watch. You just may need a mood-lifter afterwards.

12. Midnight Special

I’m a huge Michael Shannon fan and will watch anything he’s in (I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting him, and he’s strange and lovely, as you’d think he would be). I was into this movie from the get-go, and loved imagining what could possibly be going on. The mystery was spot-on. And it was so tense! I wasn’t necessarily disappointed by the reveal at the end, but I felt a little like, “Oh. Okay.” But when I watched the special features and listened to Jeff Nichols talk about it, I ended up loving it way more than I initially did. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but it helped this movie land a spot on my list, so I vote good.

11. Nerve

This isn’t some masterpiece of a movie, but man, is it fun. I love a good teen movie every now and then, and this’ll be one I’ll want to add to my list of ones to watch on a somewhat regular basis. It’s bright, it’s energetic, it’s unrealistic in a way that’s exciting and not annoying. The soundtrack is also top notch. The overall message about the internet and social media is a bit heavy handed, but nevertheless important and true.

10. Star Trek Beyond

I won’t ever pretend to be a true Star Trek fan – I’ve never seen a full episode of any version of the show, and have only watched half of one of the original movies. But I know enough about universe to appreciate it, and I instantly fell in love with these new movies. This one did not disappoint, and was a great rebound from the lackluster Into Darkness. I was so happy (and sad) to see Anton Yelchin get more screen time than he did in the past two movies. It was a nice sendoff, and I hope they treat Chekov’s absence in a positive way in the next film (maybe he got married and decided to settle down for a safer, more stable life?). I also cannot help but grin from ear to ear during the Beastie Boys scene. Again, I can’t call myself a Beastie Boys fan, but I did see them live in 2007 by accident. I was at a music festival and they decided to show up unannounced (to the festival goers, anyway), and when they took the stage they immediately started playing “Sabotage.” The stage was at the bottom of a hill, and I’ll never forget standing by the stage and turning around to see a stampede of people barreling down the hill to come watch this band they had no idea they were going to have the opportunity to see. It was a moment I’ll never forget, and I was taken right back to it when the Starfleet crew blasted the song into outer space.

9. 10 Cloverfield Lane

It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen this so I’d like to watch it again and refresh my memory, but I do know I really enjoyed it. I loved not knowing what exactly was going on, loved not knowing whether I should trust John Goodman or not (who was amazing in this). I was on the edge of my seat nearly the entire time. I wasn’t bothered by the ending like some people were – I was actually kind of excited by it. I look forward to more Cloverfield films in the future.

8. Arrival

This movie has everything I like: UFOs, aliens, language (or just, the process of figuring something out/translating), emotional family/maternal drama. It was pretty scary to see the knee-jerk way the world ended up reacting to the aliens, because I’m sure that’s what would probably happen should this actually occur. But I loved the conclusion of the story. That phone call had my heart racing.

7. Moonlight

I’ll just be echoing the masses by saying this movie is important and beautiful, but it is. I felt perpetually on the verge of tears the entire time. I just wanted to wrap my arms around Chiron, especially during the high school portion. Even though I had to shush a group of giggling old ladies sitting in front of me in the theater during the night beach scene (I mean really, how immature can y’all be?), I was wrapped up in this story from the start. I imagine it’ll stay with me forever.

6. Jackie

Aside from the obvious famous photos and footage, I didn’t know a whole lot about Jackie, so I loved this snapshot into a very specific and intimate time in her life. I’m no Natalie Portman fan, so the fact that she won me over in this probably says a lot about her performance. She was so great. She carried so much grief throughout the film – I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to stay in that mindset for so long. I also love John Carroll Lynch, so he was a welcome surprise as LBJ.

5. A Monster Calls

Occasionally there’s a movie that makes me so emotional that I have to think of every funny movie I’ve ever seen in order to stop from crying out loud in the theater. This was one of those movies. I knew next to nothing about it before seeing it, and what a surprise it was. This is what children’s movies should be. This is the kind of movie I want my future kids to watch and feel and love. It tackles a hard subject – a parent dying from cancer – but I appreciated the fact that the filmmakers felt that it was a subject they *could* tackle in a kid’s movie. They did an amazing job of it. Little Lewis MacDougall as Conor was so wonderful. And the watercolor art and animation in the movie really made me want to get back to painting. It’s such a beautiful movie. Watch it.

4. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

I’m not sure I have a lot to say about this movie, other than I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved it all the way through, and am looking forward to owning it eventually and watching it again. I know there is no need for a contest between Rey and Jyn Erso, especially because I think they’re both awesome, badass women that I'd love my hypothetical future daughters to look up to, but Jyn really won me over (it probably helps that I’ve been a Felicity Jones fan for a while). I’d kill for her outfit, too. I also really loved seeing Riz Ahmed in this, and hope to see him in many more things in the future.

3. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

I was a bit skeptical about this movie before seeing it, but it took me right back into the wizarding world that I know and love and made me never wanna leave. And it was so fun to finally see some American wizards! Tina and Queenie were so wonderful and I want to live with them in their cozy little apartment as much as I want to live in Newt’s briefcase with all the fantastic beasts. Also, Newt and Jacob are probably two of the most lovable characters in the Harry Potter universe. And little Pickett the Bowtruckle too, who was modeled after my sweet, tiny cat Pipsa, I’m pretty certain.

2. The Light Between Oceans

Superficially, I’m obsessed with the clothing in this movie. I guess I love 1920s-30s coastal Australian fashion? The sweaters, the suspenders, the long flowing skirts, the cardigans, the boots, all the gorgeous baby knits. I love the idea of life on a little island, even though I don’t think I could ever hack it. Not so superficially, this movie probably stuck with me so much not only because it reminds me a lot of my favorite book, but because going through infertility for more than two years makes me completely understand the desperation to have a child. My situation is completely different than Isabel’s, but I get her. I can’t say I’d feel comfortable making the same decision she does – finding a baby and keeping it without seeking its family first, or without going through the proper channels to adopt it – but I understand why she does it. She breaks my heart. So does Michael Fassbender as Tom, who is such a good, tender man. He wants so badly to do the right thing. And ultimately he can’t live with himself if he doesn’t. This movie is visually beautiful and so very tragic. It’s a hard watch, but beautiful enough and full of enough sweet, happy moments, that I think I could watch it regularly.

1. Lion

Yet another movie on my list that required me to call upon scenes from comedies to keep me from disrupting the theater with my loud crying. I just can’t believe the most perfect and awful series of circumstances that happened to little Saroo. It seems nearly impossible, and yet it happened. Sunny Pawar and Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman will break your heart right in half in this movie. I guess I’m a sucker for this kind of story (a child in need/adoption/loss/the longing for home and family), but the fact that this one is true makes it all the more heartbreaking and overwhelming. What a crazy, awful, gorgeous story. That ending will stay with me forever. On a lighter note, anyone know where I can try some jalebi?

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Tracy’s list! I can’t wait to read what she has to say.

Nathan's Top 15 Films of 2016

2017-02-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

What a year. For both good and bad, whether personal or what was going on in the country, 2016 was the biggest year of my life. With all that was going on, last year was easily the least amount of time I devoted to watching movies. I still saw a lot of titles, but I crammed most of them in over the last two months. While my opinions haven’t had their usual time to marinate, most of what I’ve seen is still really fresh.

Before I get to my list, I will say that the main thing I took away from this year was how lazy major Hollywood productions have become. I’m talking summer blockbusters, franchise films, things like that. I know it’s not something that just came out of nowhere, but 2016 seemed to easily take the cake as one of the most underwhelming for big budget films. It’s almost like Hollywood developed an allergy to new ideas. Luckily there were plenty of fantastic independent films to pick up the slack this year and make this a fun list to compose.

So here it goes, my favorite films of 2016…

15. Eddie the Eagle

Nice to see a quality sports movie outside of the typical baseball, basketball, football triangle. It’s just a great film about channeling positivity and determination. This guy did whatever it took to represent his country, despite the best efforts of those around him trying to stop him just because he didn’t fit their mold.

14. Fences

This isn’t necessarily the most enjoyable watch, but I’ll argue that Denzel Washington gives the strongest performance of the year with this movie. Plus it highlights a lot of what I don’t admire about how older generations went about life. Many of the themes are ones I can’t relate to, and this shows just how unappealing the whole get a job, work there your whole life, retire thing can be; all the people living those incredibly unfulfilling lives. I admire hard work, but why do so many of the older generations seem to get so riled up about younger people wanting to channel that towards things their passionate about? We only get one shot at this, folks; might as well enjoy it as much as we can.

13. Moonlight

There are much smarter people than I who have written much better commentary on this film than I ever could. What I can say is that I think this was the most important film of the year. It’s quite incredible to see how differently folks without my privilege have to go about their lives despite all of us being so similar when you really look at it.

12. The Girl on the Train

For some reason, this kind of felt like a B-version of “Gone Girl”. Very similar tones and reveals, but somehow it just missed on being really great. Still, there were several unexpected plot elements I happened to relate to that made the film very engaging.

11. Manchester By the Sea

Simple and somber, yet profound. Casey Affleck gives this year’s other powerhouse performance, and I'm glad the Oscar is going to come down to him and Washington - both are incredibly deserving of the win. This was such a downer of a film, but it never seemed to drag for a second.

10. 10 Cloverfield Lane

I think John Goodman has officially entered the just give the man an Oscar already category. This film has such good pacing. One of the few good films from the first half of the year.

9. Hacksaw Ridge

One of the best war films of the last decade. It’s an impressive thing to have a main character whose religion is the driving force of the movie and me not have a single problem with it. Plus, the battle scenes are some of the best I've ever seen.

8. Miss Sloane

There’s a lot of good words to describe this movie: crisp, sharp, slick. It’s just a good looking film and it moves at a great pace. Jessica Chastain kills it as usual. The woman doesn’t miss.

7. La La Land

I wish the Oscars didn’t have this recent history of patting themselves on the back to pick the Best Picture winner - because this is easily the one I could get behind more than any of them. The soundtrack is great, and the actors are charming and have good chemistry. I don’t even think the events of the story matter all that much. It’s more of a novelty as a film.

6. Hell or High Water

Perfect tone, perfect pacing, perfect casting, and perfect acting. The premise is nothing new, but the dedication to focusing on the characters and their relationships is. And it worked.

5. Arrival

This would challenge for a top-5 spot on my alien film list. Mostly for how original it made the whole genre feel. This easily has the most authentic feel of any alien film I can think of.

4. Midnight Special

This might be the quickest I’ve gotten hooked on a movie. Those first five minutes were so good. The music, the tension of the unknown (but knowing something important was happening) was so strong right out of the gate. The payoff may not have been exactly what I wanted, but it was still a great ride.

3. Hunt for the Wilderpeople

I love nature, I love anything from New Zealand, and I love coming-of-age stories. This movie was witty, had a lot of heart, and the actors all worked great together. And sadly, most people probably haven't even heard of it. If you'r reading this now and haven't seen it yet, go watch it immediately.

2. Captain Fantastic

This definitely isn't a movie for everyone. In fact, most people in this country would be turned off by a lot of this guy's ideals. Then again, a lot of people in this country have a lot of dumb ideals... There are obvious flaws with the way the main character goes about instilling his values, but the world would be a far better place if society as a whole adopted more of these ways of thinking.

1. Swiss Army Man

I said my last film wasn't for everybody, but this beauty brings that to a whole new level! I feel like this is one of those films that most people either love or turn off after 15-minutes. Are you intrigued yet? I don't want to say a thing about the plot, simply say that this movie slapped a big goofy smile on my face and once it was there, it didn't leave until the movie was over. Before watching this, I'd felt like over the last couple of years my love for movies had been declining; but this movie definitely brought the life back in a big way!

Thanks for reading – check back tomorrow and Friday for Elisabeth and Tracy’s lists.

Derek's Top 15 Films of 2016

2017-02-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

Normally I use this space to round up some overall feelings I had on the year of cinema. For some reason, I’m not sure how to write about the cinematic year as a whole. I don’t think that reflects anything regarding the quality of filmmaking this year. I think there were standouts and disappointments, just no overarching theme for me. Anyway, rather than talk about how I don’t know how to talk about the year as a whole, I’ll get into my list of standouts. It's much easier to talk about the individual movies. Take a look after the jump.

Oh! I guess I should give some forewarning: many of my descriptions are spoiler filled.

15. Don’t Breathe

I’ll be cheating here a bit. This spot also belongs to The Witch and Nocturnal Animals.
The Witch is too effective, too terrifying for me to put on my list. I’d feel like I was endorsing evil by giving it a spot on my list. It’s one of the best films of the year, but I’m not putting it on my list.

I only saw Nocturnal Animals a few days ago, and I initially didn’t think it would make my list, but as these few days have passed it’s only gotten better for me.

Okay, let's get to the real #15, Don't Breathe. Don’t Breathe was so close to being great. Like instant classic, perfect, all-timer level. Unfortunately, the end sets up a sequel with gusto. That cheapened the whole thing for me. Just make a sequel. You don’t need to suggest that it’s inevitable. I don’t want to wait for one. Surprise me with one. But when I forget about that setup, the movie again becomes one of the best of the year for me. There are some highly disturbing images in this film and it can be difficult to watch at times, but you’ve gotta check out the cinematography. It’s first rate.

14. Neon Demon

The themes are pretty simple in Neon Demon. It doesn’t hold the complexities of a Lynch or Cronenberg, but it’s grotesque, beautiful, and more importantly engaging. The occult narrative (twist?) wiped away any issues (which were already minor) I had with the film. That was a great turn, and ensured this film on my list.

13. A Monster Calls

I feel like so many children’s films today aim for the lowest common denominator. Maybe it’s always been like that, but I feel like the majority of the children’s films I was exposed to as a child were more sophisticated than the ones we get today. What even are The Minions? I haven’t seen those movies, but I assume the previews tell me enough. Children are smarter than that. They deserve better than that. They can handle more than that. That’s what A Monster Calls does. It has faith in children, faith in their intelligence, faith in their strength, and faith in their abilities. In regards to children’s films, I have so much respect for this one and the next film on my list. I hope they’re the beginning of a movement.

12. Midnight Special

The pacing is slow, but we are taken right into the action from the beginning of the film. It very much feels like we are entering the story mid-movie. The night I saw this, I didn’t expect it to be on my list. I guess it needed to marinate. I think back to it quite often.

This really took me back to films from my childhood, specifically the 1985 film D.A.R.Y.L., but there’s an authenticity in the nostalgic feelings the film evokes. This doesn’t feel like mimicry or even homage. It feels real in its 80's children’s film sensibilities. It’s similar to what I wrote about in my A Monster Calls description. It knows children are smart and don’t need to be pandered to. Again, I’m hoping these two films are the beginnings of sophisticated films made for children.

11. Green Room

I like seeing Captain Picard and Chekov in a movie together. Patrick Stewart seems like one of Earth’s greatest human beings. This role is so unlike him and felt like a major widening of where we’ve seen him go as of late.

10. Lion

This is a massive oversimplification of what the movie is, but they made the true story of someone sitting on their computer trying to find their house from a satellite view of Earth engaging and powerful. Plus, that ending. It hit me hard. It literally knocked the breath out of me.

9. Suicide Squad

Soooooo, yeah. Margot Robbie is really doing it for me here. She captivated me, and kept me engaged during this frenetic and sometimes terrible movie. She’s why this movie is on my list. Killer Croc’s makeup was a highlight for me as well. I just really enjoyed looking at him. I should also mention the character Slipknot. I was excited to see how they would use him, and the way they did was hilariously disappointing. I dunno… I can barely justify this movie being on my list. It just belongs.

8. Love & Friendship

Jane Austin is hilarious. She really knows how to patronize high-society sleaze. I think the image I posted above says quite a bit about the main character, Lady Susan Vernon. This movie cracks me up. Plus, those opening character introductions caught my attention right away. Had they not been so unique, I probably wouldn’t have stopped what I was doing to watch this movie. I can see this one moving up on my list as time goes by. It’s such an easy watch, and I love that watchability factor.

7. 10 Cloverfield Lane

The jarring genre shift towards the end of the film is so abrupt that it’s unsettling; unsettling enough to have me question whether or not it was the right move. In the end, I always lean heavily towards the movie being exciting and successful. The real question we should be asking ourselves is where is John Goodman’s Best Supporting Actor nomination?

6. Jackie

Natalie Portman’s evocative portrayal of Jackie draped in cinematographer Stéphane Fontaine’s masterful, felty textures put me out of sorts. This was like seeing familiar footage from a new angle, but more haunting than that statement articulates. It was like there was no distance from history of that terrible event. It was tangible, it was present, and it surfaces an understanding of the personal horrors Jackie faced during and after that event.

5. Deadpool

This movie jumped significantly on my list after I got it for Christmas. Its high watchability factor has made it a frequent companion in my painting studio. Since owning it I’ve watched it a number of times and feel more comfortably acquainted with it each time.

Quick little side note… I found X-Men: Apocalypse to be a disappointment. So I’m glad the X-Men can get some representation on my list through this movie.

4. Moonlight

If this were an exercise in listing what I believed to be the best of what cinema had to offer in 2016, this would top my list. Why does it only sit at #4? At the risk of giving away my next three films, nostalgia still plays a large role in my emotions. I’m not sure if I’ll grow out of that. The nostalgia factor was high for films 1-3. Moonlight’s look at expectations in a masculine-driven culture is difficult. The crippling anxieties in hiding, and dangers in revealing one’s self are ever present through the acting of the three men playing the lead.

3. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

I wasn’t expecting this movie to remain so high on my list all year. As with most movies, as they settle they can lose their impact and take some steps down on the list. This wasn’t the case. It stuck. My infatuation with Queenie may have had a lot to do with that. Mighty gorgeous, she is. The bond she has with her sister and the tender relationship formed with Jacob were all the more reason for me to fall for her. I was also impressed that this franchise was willing to take itself into some pretty dark subtexts. That’s something I wouldn’t expect from a money printer of this size, and I commend them for doing so.

2. Star Trek: Beyond

I’m amazed this movie had as big of a budget as it had. $185,000,000. That’s only five million less than the bloated previous film. The money is not on the screen here. Beyond is not a flashy, over-the-top film. It has a smaller, more contained feeling. That doesn’t mean to say there aren’t spectacular moments; there are. Personally, this film feels more in the family of Star Trek films featuring the original and Next Generation cast. That paring down of scale is what made this film work for me. It has notes of Star Trek: Insurrection in its scope and the breaching of the Enterprise was hopefully a tip of the hat to Star Trek: The Voyage Home.

This film followed the deaths of two very important members of the Star Trek family. We were met with the untimely death of Anton Yelchin, and the passing of the legendary Leonard Nimoy. Having lost the two of them, and integrating the reality Nimoy’s passing into the narrative through Spock’s death made this film extra emotional.

I have to finish by saying that this cast continues to astonish me in how well they capture the essence of the original characters.

1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

This made the number one spot for many reasons, but the one thing stood out to me more than anything else: the tangible textures. The costuming, the makeup, and sets all evoked the tangible nature of the original trilogy. I haven’t researched it to find out, but that Star Destroyer almost certainly had to be a model. If not, visual effects have finally achieved a way to eliminate the slick film that seems to coat most CG objects. This was also an example CGI characters moving further away from the uncanny valley than we’ve ever seen. A CG Princess Leia and the digital resurrection of Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarken blew me away. Regarding its appearance; had I not known, I don’t think I would have known.

Thank you for taking a look. I know my list is rather populist, but I hope you found some drive to see a couple films you may have casually passed on. Be sure to check back tomorrow to see Nathan's best of 2016 list.

Alex's Top 15 Films of 2016

2017-02-20T10:16:00.004-07:00

What a year 2016 was. Sometimes inspiring, other times defeating, it was nonetheless unforgettable. On one hand, we lost countless beloved public figures — far more than we should ever have to mourn in a single year. On the other, my Chicago Cubs finally won the World Series for the first time in over a century. On one hand, Donald Trump became president and promptly began running the country into the ground. On the other, I got engaged to the most wonderful woman I’ve ever known. A mixed bag, to say the least — but one that I’ll surely never forget.

Because of everything happening in the world and in my life, many films from this year will always be tied to the moment. Even before the chaos fully arrived, the slate of releases felt like a preview of the turbulence to come. The overarching mood of 2016’s best films was deeply somber. Not without joy, of course, but often grounded in loss, struggle, and the heavier corners of the human condition — which, in hindsight, felt like the perfect reflection of the year itself.

At first, I worried that 2016 might mirror the previous year: plenty of “good” movies but not nearly enough “great” ones. The early months were slow and uninspired. But once I’d caught up on the full slate, I was happy to rewrite this paragraph with a far more positive tone. There was plenty to celebrate, and plenty to talk about. Not every film below is a masterpiece, but together they form a snapshot of a fascinating, emotionally charged year in cinema.

P.S. My total viewings were lower this year, so I want to call out one title that surely would have been on this list had I seen it: Moonlight. Its absence is due only to circumstance — if and when I see it, I may revisit this ranking.

15. The Founder

It was tough deciding what film would close out this list — this spot could have gone to a dozen titles — but my love for mid-century American history tipped the scales. While not always the best-constructed film, The Founder fascinated me with its story of Ray Kroc’s partnership (and eventual power grab) with the McDonald brothers. The kitchen choreography scene is a particular highlight, and the contrast between Kroc’s ruthless ambition and the brothers’ “American Dream” idealism was compelling. The film slows down too much in places, but its portrait of an industry-changing moment is well worth watching.

14. Don’t Think Twice

“I feel like your 20s are all about hope, and then your 30s are all about realizing how dumb it was to hope.” That single line hit harder than almost any other I heard in 2016. This story of a Chicago improv troupe struggling to break through is both entertaining and painfully honest — a portrait of how dreams can fade even when talent and passion are present. The ensemble’s chemistry is electric, and the film resonated deeply with me as someone who once pursued creative ambitions with a group of friends. Relatable, bittersweet, and absolutely worth your time.

13. The Monster

If you’re a fan of classic creature features, this one delivers — but what makes The Monster memorable is its emotional core. Beneath the surface horror, it’s a raw exploration of a fractured mother-daughter relationship. Director Bryan Bertino (The Strangers) once again excels at building atmosphere through sound, design, and pacing. I wish the film had revealed less of its creature — the unknown is always scarier — but the practical effects are refreshing, and the nods to monster-movie mythology (like its fear of bright light) are clever. It’s a modern horror story with an old-school heart.

12. Midnight Special

I wanted to love Midnight Special more than I did. With Michael Shannon (always reliable) reuniting with director Jeff Nichols (Mud, Take Shelter), the potential was sky-high. The premise — a father on the run to protect his supernaturally gifted son from government and religious forces — is compelling, and the film explores fascinating questions about how power is manipulated. Still, it never quite fully connected for me. It’s unique, thoughtful, and well-acted, but it lacks the resonance of Nichols’ best work. Even so, it’s a worthy and intriguing entry in the modern sci-fi canon.

11. Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Taika Waititi followed What We Do in the Shadows with a completely different kind of film — a warm, quirky coming-of-age story about a rebellious boy and his reluctant guardian trekking through the New Zealand wilderness. The mismatched duo dynamic is endlessly fun to watch, and the film’s blend of humor, heart, and stunning landscapes keeps it consistently engaging. The eccentric supporting cast, sharp writing, and growing bond between the leads make this one of the year’s most charming entries. Familiar in premise, perhaps, but overflowing with personality and emotional sincerity.

10. Captain America: Civil War

Marvel keeps pulling me back in, and Civil War is a prime example of why. Essentially another Avengers movie, it somehow balances its huge roster while telling a grounded, character-driven story. The ideological split at its core feels believable — neither side is clearly right or wrong — and the introduction of Spider-Man and Black Panther (the latter a standout) injected new energy into the franchise. The airport battle sequence remains one of the MCU’s most exciting set pieces, and the story’s political undercurrents give it surprising weight. It’s blockbuster entertainment done right.

9. Hacksaw Ridge

Whether or not you can separate Mel Gibson from his work, there’s no denying Hacksaw Ridge is a powerful, well-crafted war film. Andrew Garfield shines as a pacifist medic determined to serve without a weapon, and the story’s tension — between conviction and practicality — is compelling. The extended battle sequence is brutal but riveting, and the film captures both the horror of combat and the resilience of human spirit. I’m not usually drawn to war movies, but this one felt important and deeply human. It’s a story of courage worth watching, regardless of your stance on the genre.

8. Captain Fantastic

A timely and thought-provoking film, Captain Fantastic explores the extremes of raising a family outside societal norms. Viggo Mortensen delivers a strong performance as a father navigating the clash between idealism and reality. The film’s greatest strength lies in its nuanced perspective: neither mainstream society nor total isolation is portrayed as ideal, and both offer valuable lessons. At times, the film overplays its philosophical hand, but its core message — about balance, adaptation, and doing the best we can within imperfect systems — resonates deeply. It’s a bold, intelligent piece of storytelling.

7. Miss Sloane

Jessica Chastain commands the screen as a ruthless, calculating lobbyist in Miss Sloane, a film that offers a sharp, unsettling look behind the political curtain. The procedural elements — watching how votes are courted, deals are struck, and power is wielded — are fascinating, if infuriating. Chastain’s performance is magnetic, and her character’s relentless ambition is thrilling to watch, even when it’s repellent. The script occasionally feels like “Aaron Sorkin Lite,” but even so, it’s smart and snappy. It’s an unflinching portrayal of power and manipulation — and a reminder of how politics really works.

6. Manchester by the Sea

This was one of the most difficult films of the year to rank because it straddles the line between “best” and “favorite.” It’s not something I’ll casually rewatch on a Sunday afternoon, but it’s a film I’ll never forget — and one I’ll continue recommending to people who haven’t seen it. Casey Affleck’s performance is devastating, capturing a man broken by grief and unable to outrun his past. The film is heartbreakingly sad but profoundly human, exploring how people cope with unimaginable pain in vastly different ways. It’s genuine, raw, and one of the most emotionally honest movies in years.

5. Hell or High Water

I’ve become a huge fan of the neo-Western genre, and Hell or High Water is one of its finest examples. This story of two brothers robbing banks to reclaim their foreclosed family land is a sharp, modern tale of desperation, justice, and rebellion. The economic backdrop — rural communities still reeling from the housing crash — is woven beautifully into the narrative, giving the action weight and context. Chris Pine and Ben Foster deliver career-best performances, and Jeff Bridges, as always, is excellent. It’s a story where you find yourself rooting for the “bad guys,” and it’s executed with style, depth, and empathy.

4. 10 Cloverfield Lane

Critics often harp on the film’s final act, but I actually liked the way it concluded — even if the “Cloverfield” branding made it less surprising. The real brilliance of this movie lies in its tension, pacing, and claustrophobic atmosphere. Nearly the entire story unfolds in a single confined location, but it never feels static. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is a fantastic protagonist — resourceful, intelligent, and refreshingly far from the usual horror archetype — while John Goodman is magnetic, shifting between calm, kindness, and terrifying volatility in a way that keeps you guessing. It’s an underrated thriller with performances that deserved far more recognition.

3. Everybody Wants Some!!

Richard Linklater’s spiritual successor to Dazed and Confused is everything I hoped it would be: relaxed, conversational, funny, and deeply human. Set over a few days with a college baseball team in the 1980s, it’s a film that’s technically “about nothing” — and that’s exactly what makes it so good. The dialogue is sharp and lived-in, the characters are distinct and memorable, and the period details fully immerse you in the era. It’s the kind of film where you feel like you’re hanging out with the characters rather than watching them, and Linklater’s gift for capturing everyday life is on full display here.

2. La La Land

I went into La La Land with little enthusiasm — I had to practically force myself to see it — and came out completely enchanted. Damien Chazelle crafts a vibrant, joyful tribute to classic Hollywood musicals while infusing it with modern energy and emotion. The chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is undeniable, the choreography and music are spectacular, and the film’s color palette and visual style are dazzling. Even the bittersweet epilogue feels perfectly judged. In a year dominated by heavy, somber stories, this was a burst of cinematic joy — a love letter to art, passion, and dreaming big.

1. Arrival

It took some time for me to settle on Arrival as my #1, but ultimately it was an easy choice. Intelligent, character-driven science fiction is my sweet spot, and Denis Villeneuve delivered one of the best examples in years. The premise — humanity racing to decode an alien language and avert global disaster — is gripping, but it’s the execution that elevates it. The film’s depiction of international tensions feels frighteningly plausible, and the alien design and linguistic concepts are imaginative and thought-provoking. Amy Adams is phenomenal (where was her Oscar nomination?), grounding the story with emotional weight that lingers long after the credits roll.

Beneath the surface, Arrival is a film about communication, perspective, and the human experience. The deeply personal subplot running parallel to the larger narrative gives the story heart and resonance beyond its sci-fi framework. It’s a film that challenges how we think, how we connect, and how we make meaning out of our lives — and it left me stunned. If you care about smart, beautifully crafted science fiction, this is essential viewing.

Final Thoughts

I’m thrilled with how this list came together. While some years feel top-heavy, 2016 was strong from start to finish — there isn’t a single weak link in the group. I also appreciate the diversity of styles, genres, and perspectives represented here, from blockbuster spectacle to intimate indie dramas. This year’s films might have leaned darker in tone, but they also felt honest, human, and deeply relevant to the world we were living in.

As always, I hope this list introduces you to something new — or inspires you to revisit a title you might have overlooked. Each of these films left a mark on me in some way, and together they reflect the complicated, unforgettable year that was 2016.

The Slackers' Top 15 Films of 2015

2016-02-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

Even though none of us really have the time anymore to make this site what we (parts of us, anyway) would want it to be, I'm glad that something of a tradition has formed where we at least come back every year to share our best-of-the-year lists, and maybe a few Top 5 Movie Guides while we're at it. Really, that's enough to get us through the year. It's a good outlet for sharing some of our feelings on the year in film.

Over the last five days, each writer on this year's panel has unveiled their individual Top 15 Films of 2015 lists. As I've said many times before, what's great about our site is that we do have five different writers active at the same time providing their own perspectives on film. This not only gives five separate views on film and gives you, the reader, more chances to connect with certain voices and opinions, but it gives us all kinds of data to then build into composite lists. And really, that's what we want to give: each of our personal opinions, but at the end of the day, a group of films that we, as a collective, most appreciated and enjoyed. It's two very different but equally important views on the matter. And what's nice about having the individual lists first is we don't have to have any discussion for our group list - we simply plug in the titles each of us selected, give weight (point values) to higher picks, and let the formula do the rest. There's no debate or arguing over what we want to showcase - the rankings are what they are.

Last year, we only provided our Top 10 in this post because picks were all over the place. The year was so scattered that when we put the data in, after the first ten titles or so, everything was pretty similar. This year, the separation from the pack by the top 15 titles (top 16, actually - sorry "Sicario") was significant enough that it was worth providing the full list and keeping in theme with our 15 selections. And it really is a great, diverse collection of films; I'm quite proud of us, as a group, for coming up with these 15 as our favorites from 2015. The film that ended up in the #1 spot is slightly surprising, but I don't think any of us have any complaints about it.

One last note before we jump in: no explanations are provided in this post because everything on this list was featured on multiple individual lists over the last week. If you're interested in more information on each film, check out the last five posts on this site.

15. The Revenant

14. The Big Short

13. Staten Island Summer

12. Inside Out

11. The End of the Tour

10. Spotlight

9. Room

8. Kingsman: The Secret Service

7. Mad Max: Fury Road

6. Ex Machina

5. It Follows

4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

3. The Martian

2. Jurassic World

1. Creed

That puts a cap on our commentary on 2015 in film. Thank you for following along with us - I hope you had as much fun reading these posts as we've had writing them. As we have settled into this nice little routine with these yearly posts, you can expect us back again this time next year for another round of discussion. As always, happy watching!

Elisabeth's Top 15 Films of 2015

2016-02-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

As a whole, 2015 doesn't really stand out to me movie-wise. But when I start breaking it down, I realize that we got Jurassic World and Star Wars and those combined are enough for me to feel like it was a really fun and nostalgic year. I didn't go to the theater as much as I normally would have liked due to work and just, well, life. But that allowed me to be a little more discerning when it came to what I chose to see, making me never walk out of the theater disappointed at any point last year, at least not that I can remember.

I've never been super into reading about films and I've never read any film critics regularly (I rely on my husband Derek to fill me in on all the details); I just want to watch them and talk about them with friends. And that's exactly what writing here has felt like. It was a lot fun for me to be able to make a list like this to really think about and reminisce on all that I saw, but to do it in a casual, conversational way. Many of these films I saw only once, and writing about them now has made me want to go back and re-watch most of them. I want to thank my new (to me) fellow Slackers for the opportunity to be included in the blog this year – Alex, Nathan, Derek and Andy, I've had a blast. I look forward to more years to come!

15. The Gift

This movie really surprised me. I had no intention of seeing this (at least not in the theater) but my brother asked if I wanted to go, so off I went. And enjoyed it so much. It’s super intense and obviously pretty disturbing, but it’s also so much fun to watch. Though it’s also kind of one of my worst fears realized. To have someone randomly showing up at my house over and over, watching me through windows, bringing me weird gifts…no. I think my biggest complaint about this movie is that the couple being stalked didn’t just move. They’d just moved in, so it’s not like they had a deep attachment to the house. Just get out of there! And maybe find a place that doesn’t have glass walls.

14. Trainwreck

I bumped another movie at the last minute to add this one to my list. I just kept thinking about it too much to not include it. I wasn’t expecting to find it so funny, and I certainly wasn’t expecting it to be as sweet as it was. I really love the added element of Amy’s relationship with her dad. I’m very close to my dad, so most father/daughter stories will hit me right in the heart (Interstellar being the one that did it for me last year). And any movie that can use the song “Uptown Girl” and not make me hate it is something pretty special. That end scene is just the best.

13. The Visit

I am a very, very loyal Shyamalan fan. I’ll defend him to the end. I haven’t liked everything he’s done, but some of his films that everyone loves to hate are some of my favorite of all time (The Village, Lady In the Water). I’d been so worried about him, afraid he’d throw in the towel since everyone seems to hate everything he does so much. And reading through the different behind-the-scenes info he has available on his website (which is super interactive and fun to click through), it seems like he gets really down on himself when his movies don’t do well. So needless to say, I was thrilled when "The Visit" received generally favorable reviews. And I too enjoyed it. It was truly terrifying at times, and I felt like it really just went for it at the end. It surprised me, and I loved that. Not one I could watch all the time due to the subject matter, but one I’m definitely looking forward to own. I can’t wait to see what he does next.

12. The End of the Tour

I was really into how dialogue-heavy the movie was. I share Alex’s love for that. Jason Segel absolutely broke my heart, and not necessarily because I knew what was going to happen to him. Something about the way he spoke, which is how I assume David Foster Wallace actually spoke, really just made me feel so weirdly sad. And when he carries on about how much he loves Alanis Morissette, how meeting her would cause him “a week of absolute trauma,” that’s pretty much how I feel about all the things I love. I love them so much I hate them. They make me too emotional. And apparently he felt the same way. I identified deeply with him in that moment.

11. The Danish Girl

This entire movie was like an Anthropologie catalogue come to life. The set design and costuming were ridiculously beautiful. I liked the story, but I’d watch it again just for the visuals. And Eddie Redmayne was really wonderful, but Alicia Vikander knocked it out of the park. It was heartbreaking to watch her slowly lose her husband, but support him all the while. Both she and Lili were going through the hardest thing, and watching them face it, together yet separate, was incredibly touching.

10. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2

I really loved the first two books in this series. I think I read both of them in two days. But the third and final book took me weeks to get through. I just was not into it (like everyone else, it seems). But somehow this movie followed the book almost perfectly and yet wasn’t a bore, and that pleased me immensely. I think it wrapped up the franchise perfectly and the ending had me in tears. I look forward to watching it again.

9. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

I’m not sure what to say about this one, other than it was sweet and sad and I think of it fondly. I honestly wasn’t very interested in Greg and Earl’s movies, but I loved watching the friendship grow and deepen between Greg and Rachel. The end was my favorite part, when Greg discovers all those book carvings in Rachel’s room. That was pretty special. Also, I’ll watch any movie with Connie Britton in it.

8. It Follows

I can’t find many faults with this movie. It’s scary and strange and something that I find myself being in the mood to watch pretty regularly. I don’t love the pool scene, but I can give that pass. But what I can’t give a pass to is Yara’s shell-shaped flip phone. What even is that? That doesn’t exist. I know invisible monsters don’t exist either, but why put that little phone thing in the movie? I read that director David Robert Mitchell said they included it to keep things feeling “like a dream or something outside of time,” but it still really bothers me. I realize that it’s a dumb and superficial thing for me to focus on, but if something that dumb and superficial is distracting me from the more important storyline, I take issue with it. Weird little nonexistent shell-shaped flip phone aside, I think this movie is nearly perfect.

7. Ex Machina

I’m really freaked out by human-like robots. This is not a contest that I would want to win, ever. I spent this entire movie being completely terrified of Oscar Isaac and also absolutely loving him. Despite not knowing if he was ever telling the truth or what he was going to do next, I always felt myself excited for the Caleb/Ava scenes to end so I could get to the next Nathan scene. Plus, that dance. That dance is everything.

6. Creed

I have zero attachment to the Rocky films. I saw the first one when I was a kid but had no real memory of it until I rewatched it a month or so ago. The others I’ve only seen snippets of. When I was visiting a friend in Philadelphia a few years ago, she drove me past the famous steps of the art museum and I remember just thinking, “Oh, okay.” So my indifference was pretty high. But Creed had me from the moment the title hit the screen. I was immediately involved and excited and by the end my heart rate was through the roof. I felt exactly like Phylicia Rashad looked like she felt, downing glasses of wine while watching Adonis fight on TV. I also love seeing Michael B. Jordan becoming so successful. I first saw him on Friday Night Lights and I’m just so glad he’s starting to pop up everywhere.

5. The Martian

I love a good space/sci-fi movie, and I love that this didn’t feel too far outside the realm of reality. I don’t think I have a single complaint about it. I loved the cast, the story, the humor, the soundtrack. It all worked for me. I think I’ll end up watching this regularly. And now that I’m writing and thinking about this movie, I’m craving potatoes.

4. Inside Out

I wasn’t expecting much from this movie and it absolutely floored me. It was so smart. And from a personal standpoint, I identified with Riley so much. I was a little older than her (13-years-old to Riley’s 11) when my family packed up and moved halfway across the country. Riley left the Midwest for the West, and my family left the West for the Midwest. So I completely understand what it’s like to be a kid who’s torn from everything and everyone she knows and thrown into a totally new environment and culture. I know what it’s like to start at a new school at an age that makes it so hard to fit in and find friends. I know what it’s like to be overwhelmed with sadness, to feel an emotional change in myself. It resonated deeply with me. I still get teary-eyed when I think about it. And Bing-Bong, my goodness. Why you gotta do that to me?

3. Jurassic World

I was miserably sick when I saw this in the theater and the movie was so good I was able to completely forget about the horrible way my body felt. I don’t think a movie has ever really been able to do that for me before. Do we know if John Hammond was alive during the building/opening/initial success of this park? Because whatever you may think about the man, I just kept getting teary-eyed thinking about how proud he’d be of the place. This park was his dream come to life. It finally worked (well, almost). I really wish we would have gotten a great zoom-in on the statue of him, because the park would not be there without him. I love all the nostalgia this movie made me feel, from the t-shirt the command center guy was wearing, to the kids finding the old visitor’s center and seeing that banner still there on the floor. And then throw Chris Pratt and raptors that remind me of my cats and the old T-Rex into the mix and I am just so happy.

2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I won’t even pretend to be as big of a Star Wars fan as most people, but I do love it. And this episode did pretty much everything I wanted it to. I loved seeing a woman kind of take the lead (and what a great role model she is for girls), and who couldn’t fall in love with BB-8? I was so wrapped up in the movie that I didn’t even realize it was ending when it was, and I was genuinely surprised when the end credits hit the screen. Watching it a second time, I realized that the ending was pretty obvious, but I just loved that first experience of being so into it. Also, seeing STAR WARS explode on the screen at the beginning with that loud theme we all know and love is one of my favorite things on this planet.

1. Room

This takes the top spot for me almost entirely because of little Jacob Tremblay’s performance. How on earth is a child that young such an amazing actor? I wish he would have received an Oscar nomination, and I would have been rooting for him to win. I can’t imagine trying to explain the circumstances of this story to someone so young, but it seems like he grasped it all, and deeply. I hadn’t read the book, so I didn’t know how things were going to play out and I was completely wrapped up and emotional and nervous the entire time. And the scene where they say goodbye to Room? Nope. My eyes are welling up just thinking about it. This isn’t a movie you watch very often, but it’s one I’ll be buying as soon as I can.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our group's collaborative Top 15 list of 2015. Thanks for reading, and happy watching!

Andy's Top 15 Films of 2015

2016-02-26T13:54:00.001-07:00

We keep hearing time and time again that this year was a low year for film. Maybe that's the truth, but ultimately I feel that it's a representation of where we, as Slackers, are in our lives. As we grow and shift our interests we become less attuned to the industry surrounding us.

When I look at all the movies that came out I find no lack of subject of interest; nor do I find any particular glaring examples in lack of quality. What I do find, though, is that we age. Every year as we get a year older and leave our childhoods behind us, we enter into a realm less filled with fantasy and mysticism and more filled with bills and salaries. I remember a small handful of years back where all of us Slackers were discussing some of our favorite movies and titles like "Star Wars" and "Superman Returns" were spoken amongst of highly. If you asked our group how many times we watched "Superman Returns" this year I guarantee you'd get a single digit answer from the lot of us. We don't, as a group, seem to dedicate the same kind of wonder or passion that we used to have. I look over the titles from this past year and see things like Star Wars and Jurassic Park, then realize that the only one of us to put both of them in his top three is the guy who's favorite movie is the version of Peter Pan where he accidentally grows up; clearly something has changed. The titles that used to have us talking for days on end are now fringe selections on our lists. So, I bring up once more: has this year truly been a low year for movies or have we simply raised our expectations of what kind of experience we should get out of a movie? I feel the magic is leaving and it pains me, but I must carry on and hope that something out there; some release or some past film I have yet to catch sparks that fantasy in me, in us, once more.

Until then, and without much more yapping about the ails of growing up, here is the list you've all been waiting for...

15. Mustang

This is a great story about growing up in a place and condition I couldn't imagine to connect with personally, but it still comes through with these girls. I know I don't have much in common with the characters here but it feels so easy to extend some empathy and exist where they exist and feel the good times and bad of what they feel. This movie really connects you to these characters in a unique way. If anyone is looking for a great coming-of-age tale for a youngster learning what a conservative lifestyle means, then this is it. This hits the mark.

14. Turbo Kid

A movie I only recently caught which was exactly what I needed in that moment. It's 80's, it's fun, it's flashy, it's honest; It knows all of these things and really runs with it. While some may be turned off by its obvious independent budget, the movie does well enough to pull you in that you don't mind the lack of bells and whistles. There is a ridiculousness happening here to the tenth power; it knows how crazy it is but still manages to deliver some really nice character arcs. You get a real sense of who this kid will become and how he is going to affect the world around him for the better.

13. Inside Out

Bing Bong...why Bing Bong? The thing that always brings me to the edge of tears more than anything else in film is when something that isn't human acts in a way that any human would be proud of. A dog who fights off a tiger; a robot that stops a nuke in his quest to be like Superman, I could go on and on. It's these moments that truly let my emotions pour. When an imaginary friend decides to save the life of the friend who imagined him....that's deep. That's where the heart bullets hit me.

12. Bone Tomahawk

More than anything this is just a full-on solid western. It's Kurt Russell hitting up his mustachioed western self once again! That's all I want life. I can also tell you that I got much more out of this movie than I was honestly expecting. There are some great elements at play here that I wouldn't want to spoil outright, but I can tell you that it can be a bit disturbing for some.

11. Straight Outta Compton

There are a few movies on this list that I feel need little explanation, this is possibly one of those. We know the players and we have heard the stories. This movie does such a great job of portraying a point in time that was a turning point for an entire genre of music. The characters here really come through in great ways; in ways that are so believable that at times you may forget you are watching a movie and not a true section of real life.

10. Kingsman: The Secret Service

Just a full-on fun fest! You get guns and explosions and all the suits you could ever ask for. This movie knew what its tone was supposed to be and kept it right in that sweet spot. If you enjoy action and over the top James Bond types of stories then you will absolutely love this movie. It may not have a ton of substance but it more than makes up for it with sweet fights and tons of guns.

9. Creed

A great addition in the tale of Mr. Balboa. This really opens up the series to a whole new generation - if they even feel the need to attach it to Rocky; it stands on its own pretty well. It feels like a great solid classic Rocky movie with a twist that doesn't feel out of place in any way. Whether it's the end of something or the beginning of something else, we have yet to see.

8. Spotlight

A dialogue-heavy drama based on a true story with one of the best casts around. You couldn't ask for a better situation going into this type of movie. It has all the thrills of a good detective story while keeping out most of the camp. It works for all the reasons it was meant to work.

7. Mad Max: Fury Road

A darn solid movie for a two-hour picture that has maybe 200 words in total. I enjoyed the characters here quite a bit as well as seeing the world surrounding them. There aren't many detractor for this if you enjoy the genre. It's a great action movie that really holds its own. The only fault I will place on it is that I'm unsure if there's much of a desire to re-watch this one on my own. While it was great, it is very much one note. If you like action movies, great; if not, too bad because that's about all you're getting here. But that can be said for many genre flicks.

6. We Are Still Here

This is a great horror flick with some really interesting plot devices coming into play. But other than that, I truly am not sure I could tell you the reason this movie is so high on my list. What I can tell you for sure is that the very first thing that drew me in was the poster itself. I'm a real sucker for vintage-style horror art. Once I was hooked, I just let the ride keep happening and it ended up really resonating with me. It felt like a good ol' fashioned fun watch. If there are any horror fans out there looking to check out a movie they might have otherwise missed, this one would be one of my higher recommendations.

5. Jurassic World

As Derek so perfectly put it: "We grew up being fed that the T-Rex is the most hardcore dinosaur to walk this earth". This is what I love about "Jurassic World". It reconnects children with the love of a franchise that lost its way. It opens up a love of dinosaur movies for a whole new generation. I liked a lot about this movie and I think there are only a few things that drag it down for me, but the finale of this film is the thing that will keep it alive in my mind for years to come. You point out some of the better film finales of 2015 and don't include "Jurassic World"? I will aptly call you a liar and know that my assessment is correct.

4. The Martian

My favorite genre is and may always be a good sci-fi drama - and if they decide to throw in a touch of comedy, even better. This movie feels to me like real people put in this situation with a lot of luck on their side. It gives a good amount of hope and heart all while dangling the correct amount of despair and dread just around the corner.

3. What We Do in the Shadows

The "official" release date for this film is pretty muddled - it started showing way back in 2013, hit the international market in 2014 (it is a New Zealand production), but finally came to the states last year. So while Alex was perfectly justified having it on list last year, I also feel so having it this year. Plus, another plug for this film isn't a bad thing. It's truly a great watch. It is hilarious in all the right ways; a fantastic premise. This movie must have been great to work on because you get all of the slightly awkward moments of a comedy movie and all the cool special effects work for a monster movie. I walked away knowing that it would be a comedy I keep around for the ages.

2. It Follows

I wish more people saw or cared about this film. The things it did to rekindle the way people can view a horror movie are astounding. It brought a true seriousness in all the right ways back to the genre. It really proved to me and hopefully to some newer generations that you can still make a horror movie that has some meaningful qualities!. I love the old classics, but sometimes you need to legitimize the story you are trying to tell with a real vision and someone with a passion for expanding the genre. This film is a true masterpiece among the terrifying and I hope it is able to stick with people the same way movies like Halloween and Friday the 13th still do. Plus this is just one of my favorite horror movie posters ever.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I know that in my forward I said that movies like this seem to fall farther and farther down the totem pole, but some things I just can't bring myself to let go of. Star Wars as a franchise is something I believe will stick with me until forever. I think it's so ingrained in who I am that it is safely secured in my state of being. The Force Awakens literally awoke that spark in me that I had for the franchise. It reminded me of watching Luke Skywalker battling the forces of the darkside and triumphing for the side of good! I felt that with this movie, too. It felt classic while being original and it updated only the specific things that needed updating. It was a true and honest notch in the Star Wars timeline!

There we have it; that's my year in a nutshell. I didn't dedicate as much time to watching movies this past year as I normally like to, but I honestly have no one to blame but myself. I hope that somewhere out there a group of friends are reading these posts and decide they want to pick up the torch and continue in what we've started - we need more avid watchers out there! As I said before, I wasn't going to yap on about growing old, so I wont. Have a happy Oscar season and 2016, moviegoers!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Elisabeth's list, I know I'm pretty stoked for it!

Nathan's Top 15 Films of 2015

2016-02-25T10:32:00.004-07:00

I was worried for the majority of the year that 2015 was going to end up as one of the weakest years in recent memory. I'd say it took a good nine months for me to really start putting together a list that seemed respectable. But once that started happening, it was like the floodgates opened. Film after film kept jockeying for a top spot. Part of that was due to seeing a couple notable films well after they were released, but mostly it boiled down to a continuing trend over the last five years or so of the post-summer lineups matching up with my interests.

That was another notable observation I made in 2015: I'm just not into most summer blockbusters anymore. Fewer and fewer summer tent poles have shown up on my end-of-the-year list over the last several years, but this was the first year where I really had trouble even mustering up the energy to see the majority of the them in theaters. A good reason to point to would be the stranglehold that superhero films have on the middle of the calendar. That, my friends, is a fad that I have mostly grown tired of. Superhero films have just gotten too damn goofy for me to get into them at this stage in my life. That's not to say I don't like goofy movies - you'll find a good chunk of them on my list below - but there's a time and a place for goofy and superhero films doesn't seem like the best spot. When so many superhero films center around the fate of the world being at risk, would there really be so many jokes being thrown around? If I'm watching the world being threatened in a film, I want it to be more than a rumor that things might go bad. Yet that is something Marvel - who dominates the market at the moment - has totally lost their grip on. How can I think of the characters of these films as heroes if it never feels like they're in danger?

But enough about the films that don't do anything for me, I'm here to tell you about the films that hit the mark - and there were a great number of them. You'll find a pretty good split between well-known titles and under-the-radar gems. Hit the jump to get started!

15. Black Mass

I consider myself a Johnny Depp apologist. I hate that I have to use that term to describe my appreciation for him as an actor, but the guy seems like one of the most popular guys to hate on these days. While I can understand the someone like Michael Bay getting the heat he gets from critics - who I'm also a fan of - I've never understood why Depp gets such a bad reputation for playing the characters he does. It's just all jealousy right? He gets to play all these weird characters and makes millions of dollars doing it. To me, it just seems like the guy has life figured out. Enjoy the thing. Because of that, I was glad people judged his performance in this film objectively - other than the obvious Best Actor snub, of course. This performance was brilliant. Depp just totally transformed into another human without the aid of much makeup. He's so scary in this film, mainly because of those cold blue eyes. The dinner scene where Depp's character is talking about a family recipe just seemed like it was destined to be playing during the Oscars when they were listing the Best Actor nominees. Apparently all the hate isn't gone because that was arguably the best performance this year and got no award recognition. What a shame.

14. Creed

I'm far and away the biggest Rocky fan in this group. The Rocky anthology sits at number four on my Top 10(ish) All Time list, so I was very skeptical about how much I could get into a film that I knew wouldn't involve Rocky fighting. The film completely exceeded my expectations, however. From a technical and tonal standpoint, Creed matches up with Rocky I more than any of the sequels. That was easily the most refreshing quality of the movie. Kudos to Michael B. Jordan for nailing the title role. His character was really easy to get behind, but in a way where you didn't feel manipulated into getting behind him. Ultimately though, my love for seeing Stallone fight kept it from being higher on the list. The main thing the film did was make me want to go watch the Rocky films.

13. Jurassic World

If this film was only judged on the experience I had at the theater, it would rank much higher on this list. If I hadn't seen the film in theaters, it probably wouldn't have made the list at all. This was a rare example of when a summer blockbuster did exactly what you wanted it to do. It had great effects, a soundtrack that just sounds wonderful in a theater setting, and tense dino action. A lot of that would've been lost had I not seen this on the big screen. One aspect that would've shined like a diamond regardless of the screen size was the brilliantly bad-ass dinosaur fight scene. I will argue that was one of the greatest fight scenes in the history of cinema. Allow me to elaborate. It helps if you are a fan of professional wrestling (which I am; WWE Attitude Era, mainly), because essentially that fight was the greatest professional wrestling match of all time. I would be willing to bet that whoever planned that scene was influenced by wrestling because it used all the elements that have made for the best matches: a major underdog, a seemingly unbeatable villain (heel), an epic team-up, and the pop (more wrestling lingo) that comes when the crowd favorite (The raptor Blue) makes a triumphant return. Basically all that stuff is so much more effective when it's animated dinosaurs fighting and not big dudes you know are following a script. If that scene doesn't get you jacked up, check for a pulse.

12. Legend

Tom Hardy is one of my two favorite actors right now. The other will show up later. The guy just owns the screen when he's on it. Literally everything he does is money. It would be easy to think that he's just a quiet mean guy who scowls a lot based on some of his most recent films, but if you've followed his whole career, you know the man has tons of range. This film perfectly captures how much range he has. The biggest reason for that is he plays twins with drastically different personalities. There's the quiet, intimidating, suave twin; and there's the funny, odd, loose cannon twin. He plays both characters flawlessly. I never for a second thought I was watching one actor play two characters, it just felt like two completely different actors who happened to look alike. Without Hardy's brilliant dual role, the film doesn't carry nearly as much weight, but that's what a great performance can do.

11. The Final Girls

I like watching a good horror flick. I love watching a good horror comedy. So this was right up my alley. It took some of the biggest weaknesses that go with standard horror plots and turned them into strengths. I don't want to discuss the plot too specifically because it really benefits from going into it not knowing what direction the film ends up going, but I will say that one of the biggest strengths of the film was how much heart it had. I have zero issue showing emotion while watching a film if it's done well, and this might have been the closest I've ever come tearing up in a horror film. This is easily one of the lesser known films on the list but genuinely deserves a watch.

10. The Revenant

I mentioned in the "Legend" description that Tom Hardy is one of my two favorite actors, so you can imagine how excited I was when I learned he would be paired alongside my other favorite actor, Leonardo DiCaprio. There isn't a better duo you could've given me, other than maybe that Stallone/Schwarzenegger - in their prime - action film we never got. DiCaprio, who has been almost comically under-appreciated by the Academy, finally seems primed to take home the hardware he should've taken home on multiple occasions before. It's definitely a deserving performance - you can practically feel his pain through the screen - but it's not his best role in my opinion. Both Depp and Hardy had more to do in their leading roles in my opinion, but DiCaprio clearly had one of the most physically challenging roles of all time and is so long overdue that I'm happy to finally put this discussion to bed (hopefully). I really believe we could hear boos if he doesn't win again.

9. The End of the Tour

I hadn't heard about this film until I was sitting there watching it. The film mostly takes place in a town that's like 45 minutes from where I grew up as a kid and have been to on numerous occasions, so I liked that added element to begin with. That quickly became insignificant because the writer that Jason Segal is playing in the film completely demands that you listen to what he is saying. The entire film is pretty much a long conversation between Segal's character and a journalist played by Jesse Eisenberg. I don't pretend to relate to all of his opinions, but you can't help but be captivated by someone who was brilliant as he was complicated.

8. The Martian

I've never been a huge fan of the outer space sub-genre of sci-fi. Mainly, I don't like watching films where the actors are confined to such small spacecrafts. I'm not claustrophobic but I do get that feeling a little when I watch films mainly set in space. But give me a film where the characters have room to move around and the film becomes much easier for me to enjoy. Plus throw in Matt Damon - another favorite of mine - and it's definitely easier for me to get on board. Damon has been involved in two of the best sci-fi films in recent years, "Interstellar" being the other (Side Note: "Interstellar" has become my favorite film of 2014). I also loved the humor that was added to "The Martian". Most of the time, people in space seem really depressed, so it was nice to have Damon lightening the mood with the comedic presence his character had.

7. Inside Out

I've really grown to respect animated films the older I get, oddly enough. I think the genre allows you to portray things in ways that you never could with live actors. Take this film: it portrays human emotion in a way that wouldn't have been possible in a live-action film. I said earlier in my post that I love films that bring out emotion in you, and so the fact that "Inside Out" explored emotion as its central plot easily clicked with me. The animation is also great, but overall it's the theme that will make this film enjoyable for adults. The witty dialogue will be easy for people of all ages to enjoy. I think this is one of the smartest films I've seen this year, and one of the smartest animated films I've ever seen.

6. Sicario

I love films about crime. I love films about the drug industry; they've always been incredibly fascinating to me. "Sicarrio" is one of the most tense and real portrayals of that genre in a long time. I can't really imagine having to deal with that as a career every day. More so, I can't imagine being one of the people trapped in the areas where the drug cartels are so prominent. They have to constantly live in fear, right? I don't blame people for wanting to get the hell away from places like Juarez. It seems like one of the worst places on the planet to live. The main highlight of the film is the captivating performance turned in by Benecio Del Toro. I'll say it right now: him not getting a nomination for Best Supporting Actor is the biggest snub of the year. Not just a nomination, he should've won by a landslide. His performance is that good; brilliant, in fact. I know people have slammed the Oscars for their lack of diversity, but the quality roles they overlooked overall this year is pretty alarming.

5. Spectre

I'm the biggest James Bond fan here. "Skyfall" was one of the best James Bond films ever. From a technical standpoint, it's easily the best. So when I heard that "Spectre" was bringing back the longest running plot line the organization that shares the name of the film, and which was prominently featured in most of the early Sean Connery films, I immediately got worried. The Spectre organization was set up over multiple films before they really got into what it was and the main characters who ran it. Yet none of the previous Daniel Craig Bond films mentioned it. I was worried that it would be impossible for the story to not feel rushed. I didn't think it would be possible for them to make the organization feel as important as it was in the early Bond films. The critical reviews only strengthened those thoughts, as they mirrored most of my concerns. So much to my surprise, I loved it from the opening scene until the final credits rolled. This was easily the most "James Bond-like" movie that Daniel Craig has done. They had a good mix of the darker tones that made all the other Craig films work for today's modern audiences, yet the set pieces and action scenes were much more bright and flashy. They achieved a perfect balance of new and old. Did the Spectre plot and villain feel rushed - yes - but the movie was so damn fun to watch if you had seen all the older Bond films. So is this film more difficult to enjoy if you haven't seen the older ones? Sure; but luckily I've seen them all so I got all the references. Even though this film is lower on this year's list than "Skyfall" was the year it came out, "Spectre" is my favorite Daniel Craig outing as James Bond.

4. Freaks of Nature

If "Spectre" was a fun film, "Freaks of Nature" was a total blast from start to finish. Like I said earlier, I like horror comedies more than straight horror films and this film is such a perfect example of why. Every single person in this film has a scene where they really get to shine. I know we never talk about films that we may have seen in the coming year but I have to bring up "Deadpool" since it ties into why I love "Freaks of Nature". "Deadpool" was pretty fun, and it's nice to see a superhero unrestricted by the PG-13 rating, but the swearing in "Deadpool" came across as really juvenile. It was like listening to a guy who just learned all the curse words and decided to go nuts. Same for the audience that we sat in the theater with. It's like none of them had ever heard the F-word before. Now go back to "Freaks of Nature"; the vulgarity of this film flows so much better, and is far more funny. There are some rants that happen in this film where my stomach was hurting from laughing so hard. Plus, this is another horror comedy that really sneaks up on you and hits you in the feels. There's so much heart in this movie - miles and miles of heart, in fact. I hope more people discover this little gem. It deserves an audience.

3. Staten Island Summer

Here's another film that flew under most peoples' radar. I don't pretend to understand much about marketing; why some films get wide releases and other films basically have to hope to get discovered mostly via word of mouth - this was a film that really didn't get any theater play, but if it had I'm positive it would have been on a lot of peoples' best-of lists. It's a coming-of-age tale that almost everyone can find some nostalgic tie to. There's nothing complicated about the plot: a bunch of lifeguards at a public pool enjoying their summer and are gearing up for the end of the summer blow-out party. All the characters are likable, even the characters you know you're not supposed to like. It's light, but it's very easy to watch.

2. Kingsman: The Secret Service

I love all of Matthew Vaughn's films. He's one of my three favorite directors at the moment. I don't know that there's a director out there right now that consistently delivers movies that are just plain fun to watch. He blends action and humor perfectly, and Kingsman is his latest home-run. The guy just doesn't make anything other than great movies. It doesn't help that there were so many James Bond vibes going on. Plus, nobody can put together a soundtrack better than this guy. I didn't think anyone would top "The Devils Rejects" use of Free Bird but after seeing Kingsman, I stand corrected.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road

The last few years have been hard picking my #1 film, and most of them have changed since I made those lists. That wasn't the case this year. Mad Max was #1 from the moment I saw it, and nothing ever came close to topping it. As far as action goes, this film is perfect, folks. It knows what it is, and it doesn't deviate from that path. It's an action film, that's it. There's no sub-genre that so many films these days try to stretch themselves into. It's pure, adrenaline-pumping, non-stop action. The set pieces are perfect, the stunt work is some of the greatest ever, and the use of so many practical effects sets it apart from almost every other action film over the better part of the last two decades. All of the casting worked to perfection, too. Does it benefit more from being on the big screen, obviously - who wouldn't chose to see a movie on a screen 100-times bigger than their home TV? But that doesn't take away from how great of an accomplishment this film is. And the 9 Academy Award nominations it received is just further evidence to support my statement that this is one of the greatest action films of ALL TIME! How many other action films can sport those credentials? Even if action films aren't your thing, respect the craft, care, and passion that oozes through the screen when you watch it. It's a special film that I fully believe will continue to resonate and be talked about for years to come when people mention the all-time greats of the action genre.

Thanks for reading. Andy will be revealing his picks tomorrow, so make sure to check back then!

Derek's Top 15 Films of 2015

2016-02-24T11:05:00.001-07:00

I’ve come to accept that the responsibilities of adulthood make it so I can’t watch as many movies as I used to. Last year, this lack of free time jaded me a bit towards movies. Fitting movies into adult-ness felt like a chore. It was a major life adjustment. I’ve now come to grips and the stresses have melted. First world problems, amirite?

It may be the acceptance of limited time coursing through my body, but I enjoyed this year of movies quite a bit. Interestingly, I think the most impressive thing about this year is how many great “Part 7s” there were. There’s no way that’s normal.

As usual, the following list is more a reflection of my favorite movies than what I feel was the best of the year. However, there is a blending of those two ideas when making any subjective movie list. Through my comments I think you will be able to find if my view is more subjective or objective for each individual film. Have a look below!

15. A Very Murray Christmas

I contemplated on this one for a while. Is this even a movie or is it a just a Netflix special? I eventually tipped in favor of movie. I realized, realistically, there’s a great possibility that I’ll end up watching this more than any other title on my list. I think I can guarantee that I’ll watch this at least once every year for the rest of my able life. That importance...that future importance, is what secures a place for this movie on my best of 2015.

14. Straight Outta Compton

I was very much a peripheral fan of this music during the later portion of this time period. My mom’s boyfriend (now my step-dad) was into that scene and would occasionally provide me with the music. I’d listen to some of it, but I was more interested in the poppy stuff, (KrisKross, MC Hammer, Tag Team). Regardless, the music brought back some good memories from a simpler time in my life.

13. Furious 7

The plots of the 4th,6th, and sad to say 7th installment of this franchise all sort of run together for me. I can’t really recall what events belong to which movie. So why does it make my list? Furious 7, while mostly forgettable, has a great send off to Paul Walker. What I remember most of this movie, and what will mostly likely continue to stick with me, was the emotional ending. We weren’t only saying goodbye to a character, we were saying goodbye to person.

12. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

I like the idea of film fans making low-grade or “sweded” versions of movies. That’s really what places this movie on my list. I’ve done similar things with friends and have only really enjoyed the acting portion. The rest of the process isn’t really for me. I definitely prefer watching movies, not making them. Perhaps that will change someday, but right now, I’ll continue spending my time looking at the screen.

11. Spotlight

I love the blanched look of the journalist’s headquarters and their costuming. It serves as a strong contrast to the subject matter of the film. Also, I hate to repeat some of what I said in our Ruffalo list, but I truly think this is his best performance to date. The way he alters his face and voice are always what I come back to when I think about this movie. Finally, I’d love to see Michael Keaton be in back-to-back best picture winners. I have my fingers crossed for this one.

10. Mad Max: Fury Road

I’ve found this movie isn’t as successful on repeat viewings, though I believe screen size is to blame. This movie has so much activity it must be seen on a theater screen. The home environment doesn’t suit it well. If you missed out seeing in theaters, make sure you have a large TV with great sound. The movie sort of requires it.

9. The Visit

In many ways, this is a return to form for M. Night Shyamalan. I like seeing him apply some of his classic trademarks to the almost exhausted found-footage trope. This along with Willow Creek and As Above So Below have reinvigorated my interest in found-footage style filmmaking; I think it’s finding its footing again.

8. The Big Short

It’s surprisingly fun considering how little of subject matter I understood (Ha! Pretty much the opposite of what Alex spoke of the film yesterday). Plus it featured one specific line that had me literally falling out of my seat. I think a lot of people will compare this to "The Wolf of Wall Street". I know I did. Wolf has only gotten better with each viewing, I assume and hope this will do the same.

7. Ex Machina

I’ve only seen this once, but I remember the visuals being flawless. I’ve probably said this about now-dated effects, but I feel like we were seeing a perfect blend of CG and life imagery. I really should revisit this to ground my excitement a bit. I loved exploring the conflicting ideologies of our two main male characters. I’m Team Nathan all the way.

6. It Follows

This and Ex Machina are basically tied. I think this is more extraordinary than Ex Machina, giving it the upper hand, but I had more problems with this film, as well. Pretty glaring problems. So it sets them on a pretty even plane. You’ll love the score and the horror.

5. The Hateful Eight

Tarantino has skill. His ability to turn a restricted setting into such a cinematic experience had me in awe. There are a group of diverse personalities on screen, each one very unique. I think each character will become a favorite for somebody out there. Samuel L. Jackson’s character stood out to me. Like his character in Sphere, he’s the smartest man in the room. And with that comes a lot of interesting dialogue and wit. It’s a shame he wasn’t nominated for Best Actor. I’d definitely be pulling for him.

4. Room

A lot of times with pacing in film, I’m noticing editing, dialogue, or compositional patterns. Something different stood out to me in Room. I found the pacing of expressed emotions through the actors to be profound. The points where one would expect specific emotions to show through weren’t there. The choices on when to express emotions carry more sophistication than what is normally produced cinematically. The movie is very unique in that regard.

3. Creed

This movie sat at number one up until a day before our deadline to turn in our lists. I don’t even know where to begin. There are so many things I could discuss. I think I’ll talk about a series of performances/artworks I began making in grad school and how this movie may have ended (still yet to be determined) that series. The work consisted of positioning myself where a character is located in a projected and paused movie, and then documenting the performance through photography- putting me “in” the movie. The work stemmed from people telling me I looked like Orlando Bloom characters during my long hair days and through the inspiration of discussions with installation/projection artist Jutta Strohmaier. Basically, people told me I looked like Legolas, so I figured how about I just become Legolas. There’s a scene in Creed where Adonis projects a boxing match between his father and Rocky on a wall. Eager to prove he can make a name for himself, he positions himself against his father. Shadowboxing the shadow that will be cast over him (you can see a still from the scene above). As soon as I saw this scene I thought, “Whelp, it’s been mastered. It’s been perfected. Time to throw in the towel on this series of artwork.” But who knows, maybe my days with that series of work aren’t over. Rocky kept coming back. It looks like Adonis will. I probably should too.

2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Years down the road, when VIII and IX are released, I can see myself shifting this to the number one spot on my 2015 list. I can’t justify it right now because the story is so unfinished. It just doesn’t feel right for me to place it at number one, regardless of how much I enjoyed it. There are a few issues I have with the film, but as a fan ready to defend the franchise I can easily find ways to fill any gaping problems through delusional reasoning or denial. It was great to meet new characters and emotional to see old friends again.

1. Jurassic World

Your childhood, my childhood; we grew up being fed that the Tyrannosaurus Rex is the most hardcore dinosaur to walk this earth. We accepted this truth. This truth was continued and solidified with Jurassic Park and The Lost World. Then comes along Jurassic Park 3 and this dinosaur called the Spinosaurus, and it’s droppin’ a T-Rex like it ain’t no thang. This was not acceptable to me. Not in the slightest. I won’t even allow Jurassic Park 3 in my house. The movie is a waste. I’m happy to say Jurassic World fixed this mess. Jurassic World made, once again, the T-Rex the most badass dinosaur to ever exist. Though we’ve always known, faith in the T-Rex has been restored across the world. This movie adapts the franchise to fit firmly in today’s blockbuster tonalities and does so while fixing my only problem with the franchise. For that, I owe it the number 1 spot. T-Rexes Rule! Spinosauruses and Indominus Rexes Drool!

Nathan will be posting his list tomorrow. Be sure to check his out, as well.

Thank you for reading!

Alex's Top 15 Films of 2015

2016-02-23T10:21:00.002-07:00

I’ll be honest: this post really got away from me this year. With a job that demands far more of my time than in years past, just getting those weekly Top 5 Movie Guides up in time felt like an accomplishment — I still can’t believe there was a period when we posted six to eight times a week. That feels impossible now. And with less free time comes fewer movie nights, less time to sit with the films I did see, and fewer chances to let them breathe and marinate in my head. That creates a snowball effect — less immersion means less excitement, which means a less passionate list overall.

Because of that, I’ve struggled a bit to gauge how strong this year really was. Maybe it was a great year and I just missed too many gems. Maybe it was more middle-of-the-road. Only time will tell. But that’s also the beauty of these lists: they’re not about being definitive. They’re a snapshot — a record of what resonated with me at the time and a way to share some titles you might otherwise overlook.

And at the end of the day, lists like these don’t really mean anything. They’re subjective and deeply personal. Whether I saw a lot or a little, whether I was passionate or exhausted — you’re going to form your own opinions. My hope is just that a few of the films below spark your curiosity or push you to finally watch something you missed. Because good movies don’t always have to be “important.” Sometimes they’re fun, or thrilling, or weird, or just plain satisfying — and that’s reason enough to celebrate them.

15. Crimson Peak

This one had a strange journey on my list. After seeing it, I slotted it here — then it dropped — then it crept right back up as the year settled. Guillermo del Toro’s gothic horror tale isn’t about jump scares or shocks; it’s a slow-burn ghost story steeped in atmosphere, craft, and mood. The production design is stunning, the effects beautifully realized, and the sense of creeping dread perfectly calibrated. The problem was the marketing — it promised a much more traditional horror film. But if you knew what you were walking into, Crimson Peak delivered on nearly every front.

14. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

I didn’t expect this to land on my list at all — but I had a blast with it. I went in anticipating a dull, stiff spy movie and instead got a stylish, witty, fast-moving caper. The chemistry between Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer was fantastic, and Alicia Vikander — who also shined in Ex Machina — brought sharpness and charisma to every scene. The film never takes itself too seriously, and that playful tone is exactly what made it work.

13. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I wanted to love this movie. Sitting in the theater, hearing that iconic score, watching the crawl roll across the screen — for a few fleeting moments, I felt the same spark I had as a kid. But it faded. The movie is well-crafted and true to the spirit of the originals, yet I realized something deeper: that part of me that used to be so enthralled by fantasy storytelling just isn’t there anymore. I still enjoyed the ride, but it didn’t reignite the flame I hoped it would.

12. Jurassic World

Jurassic Park was once my favorite movie of all time, so I was braced for disappointment here — and instead got a film that made me grin ear to ear. The reveal of the park still gives me chills, and that climactic T-Rex and raptor team-up is pure cinematic joy. It’s not as grounded as I tend to prefer these days, but it’s undeniably fun, and sometimes that’s all a movie needs to be.

11. Staten Island Summer

This indie coming-of-age dramedy was a wonderful surprise. It’s scrappy and sincere, with likable characters and a tone that reminded me of my own summer working at a movie theater during college. Yes, the comedy can be sophomoric, but it’s also genuine and heartfelt. These kinds of passion-driven indie projects — where a group of creatives makes exactly the movie they want to make — often resonate most with me.

10. Sicario

From its gripping opening sequence to its unrelenting sense of dread, Sicario had me hooked. Denis Villeneuve crafts tension like few others, and that convoy scene into Mexico is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Emily Blunt’s performance grounds the chaos, but it’s Benicio Del Toro who truly commands the screen. He deserved far more awards attention than he got — this was one of the year’s most quietly powerful performances.

9. Steve Jobs

I’m a sucker for dialogue-driven films, and Aaron Sorkin’s writing hits me right where I live. This script is a symphony of words — sharp, layered, relentless — and watching the verbal chess matches unfold was a joy. It’s the kind of movie I could’ve watched for hours. Sorkin’s style isn’t for everyone, but for me, this was writing at its most compelling.

8. The Revenant

This one started near the top of my list and slid a bit over time, mostly due to its low rewatchability. But that first experience was unforgettable: stark, brutal, and visually breathtaking. Emmanuel Lubezki’s cinematography is stunning, and Leonardo DiCaprio gives one of his most raw, committed performances. It’s not a film I’ll revisit often, but it’s one I deeply admire.

7. Kingsman: The Secret Service

I’m not usually an “action-spy” guy, but Matthew Vaughn might have changed my mind. Kingsman is clever, irreverent, and wildly entertaining — equal parts homage and parody, with stylish set-pieces that never overstay their welcome. The now-legendary church sequence alone is worth the price of admission. It’s just a blast from start to finish.

6. Spotlight

I really wanted Spotlight to land even higher, because it’s exactly the kind of smart, meaningful filmmaking I love. It’s a slow burn — not flashy, not stylized — but the story is so gripping that you’re glued to the screen as the investigation unfolds. The film shines a harsh light on systemic abuse and institutional failure, and I’m grateful it exists. I love newsroom stories, so that element gave it an instant boost, and the ensemble cast is excellent. The scene where they reflect on past opportunities to act is devastating. Heavy? Absolutely. But essential viewing.

5. The Big Short

The Big Short is my favorite kind of history lesson — one that’s enraging, enlightening, and surprisingly entertaining. It takes something as complex and frustrating as the 2008 financial collapse and makes it accessible without dumbing it down too much (though at times, I did feel like they were patting themselves on the back for being smarter than the audience). I loved watching the puzzle pieces click together as the teams realized what was coming and wrestled with how to act. It’s a sharp, angry, oddly funny film that peeks behind the curtain of greed — and exposes how little we’ve learned.

4. The End of the Tour

I could have watched The End of the Tour go on for hours. There’s something so satisfying about a movie built almost entirely on conversation — just two people talking, debating, wondering aloud about art, loneliness, and what any of it means. Jason Segel’s take on David Foster Wallace is thoughtful and vulnerable, and Jesse Eisenberg nails that mix of admiration and quiet envy. I love “tortured genius” stories, and this one hits all the right notes for me. By the end, it feels like you’ve eavesdropped on something rare — an honest, human connection most people never get to see.

3. Ex Machina

This is exactly the kind of science fiction that keeps me up at night — sleek, precise, and unsettling in all the right ways. Ex Machina digs deep into what it means to be human and who gets to define consciousness. I loved how small and contained the story was, but how big the ideas felt. Oscar Isaac is magnetic — part villain, part visionary — and Alicia Vikander’s AI performance is mesmerizing. And that dance scene? Pure brilliance. It’s weird, hilarious, and oddly perfect. This movie stuck with me long after the credits rolled, as the best sci-fi always does.

2. Creed

I didn’t expect Creed to hit me the way it did, but it’s one of the most emotionally satisfying sports dramas I’ve seen. Michael B. Jordan gives a powerhouse performance, full of fire and vulnerability, and his dynamic with Stallone is surprisingly moving. The boxing sequences are so intense I was dodging punches in my seat, and the film captures everything I love about underdog stories — legacy, identity, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Sure, I wish the ending had broken from the “moral victory” trope, but even without the belt, Adonis’ journey is inspiring and unforgettable.

1. The Martian

From the moment I first saw The Martian, I knew nothing else that year could top it. It’s clever, funny, and endlessly watchable — a movie that celebrates ingenuity, optimism, and the human instinct to solve problems. Watching Matt Damon “science the hell” out of every obstacle was such a joy, and the film captures that rare combination of humor and tension that keeps you fully engaged.

What I love most is how possible this story feels. Unlike the far-off ideas of Interstellar, this future feels just around the corner — and that makes the triumphs feel even more meaningful. It’s hopeful, inspiring, and pure cinematic comfort food for anyone who’s ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what’s next.

Final Thoughts

And that’s a wrap on 2015. Even if I wasn’t as immersed in film this year — even if the excitement wasn’t quite what it’s been in the past — there’s still so much here worth celebrating. From small, character-driven dramas to sweeping science-fiction epics, this list captures the range of stories that resonated with me in the moment.

More than anything, it’s a reminder of why I do this every year. These lists aren’t meant to be definitive rankings or critical verdicts. They’re a record — a snapshot of what I loved, what moved me, and what I’ll carry with me. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll help someone else discover a film that becomes a favorite of their own.

So here’s to another year of stories worth sharing — and to the ones we haven’t seen yet.

Top 5 Movie Guide: Michael Fassbender

2016-02-20T11:33:00.002-07:00

We wind down this year's Top 5 Movie Guide series with an actor who was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in 2015's "Steve Jobs", Michael Fassbender. Fassbender was born in 1977 in Germany, though mostly raised in Ireland. After appearing in plays in high school, he knew he wanted to be an actor. He continued pursuing that passion over the next few years, ultimately attending Drama Centre London for guidance. Once there, however, he did not feel it was for him and shortly after dropped out. While there, one of his classmates, Tom Hardy, said Fassbender was easily the best actor in the school. That assessment might have been pretty accurate.

Fassbender started his professional career splitting time between London and Los Angeles. He worked mostly on the stage in London while grabbing television roles in America. He continued with this pattern until 2006 when he landed his first film role in "300". Smaller film roles continued from there until 2011, when he broke out in a big way. In that year alone he appeared in "A Dangerous Method", 'Haywire", "X-Men: First Class", "Jane Eyre", and "Shame". And he hasn't stopped since. 2013 earned him his first Academy Award nomination for his role in "12 Years a Slave", which was also his third collaboration with good friend and director, Steve McQueen.

He hasn't yet appeared in 30 films for his career, but his upcoming slate looks ever-more promising and exciting. He's regarded as one of the strongest "new" (he's almost 40) actors working today, and probably one of the best we're seeing on film right now. In a few years I'm sure Fassbender's list will be one worth revisiting, but for now...

Alex Schopp

Looking through Fassbender’s filmography, it’s neat to see how many correct choices he’s made in his short career. His Rotten Tomatoes page is littered with high marks. He hasn’t yet had a performance/role that’s blown me away, but he’s had a lot of good ones. This is a guy who will be around for a long time. Side Note: I love “Inglourious Basterds”, but for the life of me I can’t remember Fassbender’s character in the film. I feel like that has to say something about the importance of his role; that’s why I omitted it.

1. Prometheus (2012)

I just can’t pass up an entertaining sci-fi flick. There are a few aspects of this film that I dislike, but the overarching concept of “where did we come from/what else is out there?” is so intriguing to me. I want so badly for this film to be real and to be on the journey with them across the universe looking for more clues that lead to the origins of life.

2. X-Men: First Class (2011)

My top choice on the Jennifer Lawrence list, it falls one spot here in favor of my love for the futuristic sci-fi genre. I already explained why this film is one of my favorites of the superhero genre, and Fassbender’s character is one of the best in the film (the best?).

3. Steve Jobs (2015)

I often try to avoid including films on these lists that are the reason for the post to begin with, but I couldn’t pass up one of the better individual performances of 2015. Fassbender does a great job tackling some really lengthy scenes with emotion and depth. I’ve never been a big Apple/Mac fan, but I still appreciate Jobs’ artistic integrity. Even though I lean more towards the Google/Android open-source platform when it comes to technology, I understand his point of view and don’t completely disagree with it.

4. Haywire (2012)

Now we get to a point on the list where it’s more about entertainment than anything else (not saying it makes for a lack of quality, but I passed up some other, more technically sound films and roles because they aren’t very fun to watch). “Haywire” was an entertaining action flick with a great cast, and Soderbergh adds enough artistic style to make it feel superior to other genre pieces.

5. Frank (2014)

I could have went with a few different options in this spot, but ultimately went for a film that was creative and probably under-seen by many people. Fassbender plays Frank, a musician/artist who always wears a giant cartoon-looking, papier-mâché head. The story is very loosely based on a true story, which makes this character even more fascinating. Again, like “Steve Jobs”, Fassbender plays someone who was adamant about his artistic integrity and not willing to sell out, even if it meant less of a following. The tone of this movie is a little slow and some parts aren’t incredibly exciting, but nonetheless it’s an interesting story about individualism that features some pretty unique characters.

Derek Clem

1. X-Men: First Class (2011)

Of the X-Men films Fassbender is featured, I feel he most shines in this one. He is a man of principle. I find it endearing that his quest for revenge is not broken due to the ideology he shares with his enemy.

2. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

The prison break scene with his assumed son was the highlight of the film.

3. Prometheus (2012)

I enjoy the de-saturated palette this film offers. That palette has caused this movie to grow on me as time passes. I have quite a few issues with this film, but none of them involve Fassbender. He provides a uniqueness to the film through a variety of ways, but what interests me most is how he stands out visually. I’m excited to see how the story of the Lawrence of Arabia-obsessed android continues in the sequel.

4. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

I think this is when I first noticed Fassbender. He took control of the screen when he was on it. It was clear this guy was going to be a star.

5. A Dangerous Method (2011)

I really like when Freud (Viggo Mortonsen) shuts Jung (Fassbender) down when he tries to get all ESP supernatural. Freud’s just looking for that credibility.

Nathan Hinds

I consider Michael Fassbender one of the most talented actors working today. And to that point, it was to my surprisement that his filmography was so limited. Just as was the case with last week's Jennifer Lawrence list, this would be a list easier to put together a few more years down the road.

1. 300 (2006)

This will be a tough film to not write a novel about. In fact, I'm surprised I never wrote about "300" before now. You won't find "300" on my All Time Favorites list anymore, but for a brief period this was my favorite film. And it still remains a highly significant film for me. I'm a person who will gladly see films multiple times in theaters - I couldn't begin to tell you the number of films I've seen more than once in theaters. And of all those movies, "300" is easily (and always be) the film I've seen the most. Now, before I say the number, it's important to note that when "300" was released, I worked at a movie theater so most of my viewings were free. I did pay to see it at several other locations though. In total, I saw it 57 times in theaters. And that's only the number of times I've seen it from start to finish - working at a theater, there were countless other partial viewings. I know it seems exaggerated, but I promise you it is not. That's an exact count. Clearly, it's safe to say I was obsessed with it. There were so many elements of the film that just worked perfectly - elements that haven't worked for other films (case in point: "Sucker Punch". That movie is so similar in style to "300" but is complete and total garbage. I take shots at that crappy film anytime I can).

2. X-Men: First Class (2011)

Unlike "300", I've had plenty of chances to write about this film. Since it was prominently featured on last week's list, I'll just add that Michael Fassbender's portrayal of Magneto has been the best aspect of this rebooted franchise.

3. Prometheus (2012)

This movie had such a big time feel to it. From the moment the first trailer dropped, it felt like it would be a special film (as far as the sci-fi genre goes). I thought the movie achieved that when I watched it but I feel like it has mostly been forgotten. It's magnificent in a lot of ways yet it's not the type of film you bring yourself to revisit often.

4. Inglorious Basterds (2009)

This is the film that made me stop hating Quentin Tarantino, and man did I hate that guy before I saw this film. I hated the Kill Bill films and I hated how the people involved seemed to gush over Tarantino any time they were in front of the camera. It always felt disingenuous to me. It was similar to how I feel with Lee Daniels and "The Butler". Both are cases where the director seems to feel like they were more important than the film(s).

5. Shame (2011)

This film makes the list because I didn't want to use two X-Men films. This isn't a film you need to see twice and it's based on subject matter that's definitely not for everyone. I personally love films that look at addiction and this is a great depiction of how addiction can take over someone's life.

Andy Schopp

1. X-Men: First Class (2011)

I feel like this is an obvious choice. This movie continues to show up on multiple Slackers lists, which makes me remember every time how awesome it is.

2. Prometheus (2012)

I know this movie is generally disliked but I enjoyed a lot of things about it. I know it "messes up canon" or whatever but that's fine with me. It gave a great story to something only vaguely connected to the alien universe and I enjoyed that.

3. Shame (2011)

I thought Fassbender really nailed this role and made me feel some good feels for a character I really didn't have much in common with.

4. Fish Tank (2009)

An oddity of a movie but I generally enjoyed disliking some of the characters and found myself rooting for the redemption of the protagonist as much as she maybe didn't want to redeem herself.

5. 300 (2006)

This movie is really just a fight scene for a plot and an excuse for a bunch of neat-looking slow motion effects. I don't really find myself wanting to watch it that often anymore, but I have to admit that it's a unique film and will always stand out to me in that regard.

Elisabeth Clem

1. Jane Eyre (2011)

Fassbender is such a perfect Mr. Rochester. Dark and mysterious and harsh and gentle and beautiful all at once. I tend to watch movies based on the weather or season and this movie’s spookiness and coziness are so perfect for a rainy autumn day. It’s one I’m sure I’ll always return to in the fall. And the composer, Dario Marianelli, is one of my favorites.

2. Prometheus (2012)

I know a lot of people hate this movie, but I enjoy it quite a bit and can watch it often. Fassbender is such a weirdo in it. Who can watch "Lawrence of Arabia" that many times? I don’t care if you’re an android. Though his repetition of “The trick…is not minding that it hurts” (from Arabia) is a pretty useful thing to remember. It’s legitimately come in handy in my life at times.

3. X-Men: First Class (2011)

I think I’ve actually only seen this movie twice, but I enjoyed it immensely both times and Eric Lehnsherr was my favorite part of it.

4. Steve Jobs (2015)

I keep forgetting about this movie. But while I was watching it, I loved it. I remember thinking that I couldn’t wait to get it on DVD, so I could watch it while working. I think the pacing and dialogue-heaviness of it will lend themselves well to my productivity. I think I had an immediate fondness towards it too because I grew up on Apple computers. I don’t remember ever not having one in our house, and I’m writing this on one now.

5. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Honestly, I don’t remember Fassbender in this movie at all. I’ve only seen it once, and it was a while ago. But I’m including it because I know I liked it a lot, and I still think about some of those famous scenes from time to time. I should probably pop it back in and refresh my memory.

So there we have it. The final grouping of films from a Top 5 Movie Guide for the year. It's always sad when we come to the end of our run, but at least we still have each of our Top 15 Films of 2015 lists to come (next week).

As for the films on this list, it was actually a pretty great grouping. Overall there were 12 different films listed - for a guy who's only been working in film for a decade, that's a pretty impressive collection. There were six films that appeared on multiple lists, and two, "X-Men: First Class" and "Prometheus", that appeared on all five. It's not surprising that either of those were so prominent amongst this group; two films that not only helped Fassbender break-out commercially, but also have thematic elements that generally appeal to The Slackers. Outside of those two, "Inglourious Basterds" was the only film to hit on three lists, while "Steve Jobs", "300", and "Shame" each made their way onto two different lists.

As always, thanks to all who read these posts - hopefully you're getting at least a little value out of them. We love composing them and, even if sporadically, will probably continue to do so throughout much of our lives.

Happy watching!

Alex's Top 15 Over-Looked & Under-Appreciated Films of 2015

2016-02-17T11:55:00.001-07:00

Now in year two of this surprisingly annual post, I’m quite pleased that I decided to start writing it. As I mentioned in last year’s inaugural installment, it provides a nice opportunity to showcase a few films from the year that I really enjoyed but that realistically (for the most part, anyway) aren’t making most peoples’ best-of-the-year lists. I love having a space to showcase obscure films that may have come and gone so quickly that you never even had the opportunity to give them a watch.

In review of the films on this year's list, it seems that last year’s list contained a few more genre films than this year’s, though my love of horror and horror-comedies again shines through strongly. That genre has - and will always have - a soft spot in my heart. But there was definitely a bit more balance this year with a good number of dramas making the cut.

We’ll get to this year's films in just a second, but there are a few things I want to make sure to reiterate before we get there. First, think of the rankings more as block sections - they aren't random, but outside of grouping them into tiers, and some slight preferences here and there, they are fairly arbitrary. I enjoy ranked lists, so that's why I will continue to do so, but I'm not obsessing over the order as much as I might for my big list on the year. Second, this also isn't a straight "favorites" list - I tried putting weight into both how enjoyable they were PLUS how accessible I felt they were. The joy in this list is the discovery, not always the "best" titles. Even calling it an inexact science would be giving the system too much credit. Third, to that last point, I realize that determining which films I felt were under-appreciated was such a personal matter of perspective - it's just my best guess trying to assess someone else's awareness. And look, these are still mostly movies that had some studio backing; I'm not trying to find uber-obscure offerings that won't resonate with anyone. It's not to say those movies aren't or can't be good, but that's not the point of this list. I could go deeper, but I wanted to showcase accessible movies that you've probably heard about, but that might have been missed. There are obviously still films out there that are surely better than some of these, but this is a start, and all of the films below have something great to offer. If even just one person watches one film on this list that they weren’t otherwise familiar with, it did its job.

1. The Final Girls

I'm going with this movie in the top spot because I love when clever mechanisms are created to provide new angles to old tropes - especially within the horror genre. And this one hit a home run. The premise is brilliant but in a very simple way: a group of modern-day teenagers are transported into a cheesy 80's slasher movie and have to find a way to escape the killer. It's so meta and still provides all of the classic techniques and styles of a traditional B-horror film. This movie is a lot of fun and still has a lot of heart. If you're not a horror fan, you'll still find some enjoyment in it, but if you are a fan of the genre, the nostalgic homages will satisfy you greatly.

2. Freaks of Nature

I had been looking forward to this film for a long time. Unfortunately, because of that, I feel I might have been building it up a little too much in my mind (had I seen this knowing nothing about it, I wonder how much more I might have loved it?). But still it was enjoyable, and the premise alone is sooo good: in a mundane small town where vampires, zombies, werewolves and humans live regular lives amongst each other (it's basically a play on social cliques), they must overcome their differences and band together to defeat the attacking aliens. I mean, if there's a premise out there that's better than that, I haven't heard of it! The movie has so much fun with itself and it generally moves fast enough to make it entertaining from start to finish. And while the film centers mostly around a group of high school kids, it's the adult-actor cameos that make for the best laughs (Keegan Michael Key, in particular, crushes it).

3. Deathgasm

Headline: Kiwi filmmakers continue to dominate the horror comedy genre. I'm telling you, those New Zealanders really know how to make this genre work. Another quality entry here. And yes, I'm aware this is the third straight horror comedy on this list. I promise there's more to come! But of the three so far, this movie probably has the most inspired content of the lot, though I relate to it the least. The heavy metal elements and appreciation in the film feel very genuine; you can tell these filmmakers didn't just use it as a plot device but truly cared about the art. And the content adheres perfectly to the well-greased New Zealand model: off-the-wall content, tons of blood, grotesque humor, and plenty of energy. Of the three films on my list so far, I imagine this one will require the most passion for the horror comedy genre. Non-fans might lose interest, but I still implore you to give it watch. Just in case.

4. Staten Island Summer

Hopefully you remember my saying last year that the ranking for this list won't directly correlate to any titles that might find themselves on or off my best-of-the-year list. This is a prime example. This title does show up on that other list, but the three films above do not (spoiler alert!). It ties into my inexact science of how accessible/known these films might have been, plus how strongly I want you to see them. My love for the horror-comedy genre also plays a big role on a list like this. Staten Island Summer is a great coming-of-age teen comedy that actually has a very similar feel to The Way, Way Back, one of my favorite films from a few years ago (the biggest difference is that film focuses more on the process of summer break while this one is more about an end-of-summer blowout). Though the humor is juvenile at times, it's still pretty great, and like most everything else on this list, actually feels inspired. Plus it really makes me miss the parties in my 20's where we'd stay out until 5 am without a care in the world. This film captured that feeling very well.

5. The End of the Tour

Unfortunately, for reasons unbeknownst to me, The End of the Tour never got the national respect it deserved. There were a few long-shot possibilities for different Oscar nominations early on, and I really hoped it would nab one and bring a little spotlight to the film, but that never happened. And due in part to that, sadly, I think this film went mostly unnoticed. This is a greatly-acted film and character study on a very complex man. It centers around a real life interview between the author of Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace, and a Rolling Stone journalist, David Lipsky. The banter between the two is great and very realistic, and I also really felt for DFW - though not nearly as pessimistic about it, I can relate greatly to some of his thoughts on society and the world around him. I get it. Also, it doesn't hurt that the story takes place in Bloomington, IL, my own backyard!

6. All Things Must Pass

This documentary examines the rise and fall of Tower Records, the first true record store(s) in America. The film is incredibly nostalgic, even if you didn't live through the era (which I did not). The first store opened in California in the late-1950's and the chain grew to hundreds of locations worldwide by the 1990's. Tragically, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2006 due in large part to digital music. What I loved about the film was seeing the culture Tower Records instilled. Its founder, Russ Solomon, just loved the music. He hired people who loved music. His stores were hotspots where people of all ages gathered to hangout, enjoy life, and listen to music. They created a corporate family that just worked, even if incredibly unconventional by today's business standards. Even though I don't feel I'm a major music aficionado, I really wish I could have been a part of this. The movie tells a great story about a facet of media in our culture and is relatable to our generation because you can basically replace "Tower Records" with "Blockbuster" and tell the exact same tale a few decades later.

7. Cooties

Back to the horror-comedy genre. This one is a bit less entertaining than a few of the titles above, but it's still a fun watch. It centers around a virus outbreak at a grade school that basically turns the students into rabies-crazed zombies. It doesn't affect the adults, so the teachers band together to survive the epidemic. The special effects for the film are actually pretty good, and the kids are satisfyingly insane, but it's Rain Wilson (The Office) as the abrasive ex-athlete gym teacher who steals the show in this one. "Nap time, motherfuckers!"

8. It Follows

This was the toughest film for me to rank and I debated even having it on this list. In some ways, it's the best film on here; in others, it probably had the most exposure and most significant wide release of anything. This is a true horror/suspense film, and one I feel will stand the test of time. It's deep and layered and thankfully relies much more on the psychological elements than cheap thrills. The soundtrack was easily one of the best on film this last year, and I loved that you can't tell in which decade it takes place. You can come up with a whole variety of themes and metaphors this film represents, which I think only adds to its intrigue. Maybe you were exposed to this film and don't feel like it should be on here - but just in case there's one reader who wasn't, here's your chance.

9. The Lobster

This movie had a great first half, but an awkward second half that kind of lost me. Still, the concept alone was too strange and unique to pass up, and I've become something of a fan of Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth, Alps). Starring Colin Farrell, John C. Reilly, Rachel Weisz, and Lea Seydoux, the film takes place in a world where, if you're single, you're mandated to go to this hotel where you then have 45 days to find a new mate or you'll be turned into an animal of your choosing for the rest of your life. Pretty weird, right? And it really is exactly how it sounds. The first part of the film - the part that takes place in the hotel - is super intriguing. There's a very unsettling feel to it and some really strange characters/situations. The second half, however, changes way too much and turns into something of a guerrilla anarchist film with this group trying to take out the government. It just loses a bit of steam and focus on what I felt was the most fascinating aspect of the film. Even still, it's such a unique premise that I'd love for anyone to give it a watch.

10. Spring

This film is the opposite of the previous film. I don't necessarily want to give plot/genre details away, but the first half is really just a standard low-budget tourist movie about a guy who has basically lost everything and goes on a trip across the world to escape it all. He meets this girl and fixates on being with her even though she continuously tries to keep him at a distance. Eventually, he discovers some secrets about her that change their relationship entirely. The ending annoys me a little because he's kind of selfish, but it creates for great discussion/debate on the concept of love. This gets kicked down the list for its slow start and low production values, but the third act of the film really is pretty neat and unexpected.

11. The Nightmare

The second documentary to make this list, this film centers around those who experience the phenomenon of sleep paralysis. The people who get interviewed are all pretty weird people that I mostly don't like, but some of the stories they tell and some of the images/scenes that are depicted are pretty scary. I really wish there would have been ~~mor~~e any science provided from experts on sleep paralysis and not just testimonials from those who suffer from it, but it was still an interesting look into that world. And really it just makes me so thankful that I've never experienced anything like that in my life.

12. The Rewrite

This is another pretty regular character dramedy that isn't incredible in any way, but that I felt a need to plug nonetheless. Hugh Grant stars as a screenwriter who fails in Hollywood and is forced to move to a small town and become a college professor to make a little money. Begrudgingly, he decides to teach a script-writing class and eventually learns to embrace this new role and help these kids achieve their dreams. It's not a story we're unfamiliar with, but I really enjoyed the journey Grant's character takes. And anything that has to do with the film industry - writing, in particular - usually works for me. Plus Marissa Tomei shines in a supporting role, and I just love her.

13. Backcountry

I can't figure out if I'd be ruining any of the story by talking about the plot or not, so I will mostly avoid it. This is a thriller about a couple that ventures into the deep woods (maybe of a giant national park or something?) for a hiking and camping excursion. The trip doesn't go quite as expected and we follow along as they try to find a way through. I wouldn't classify this as a horror film - it's purely a thriller - but I will say the film does a great job of conveying that aspect throughout.

14. Truth

We'll wind this list down with a few more serious dramas. This one tells the true story of the news team at CBS in 2004 that reported on the validity of then-President George W. Bush's military records. The questionable accuracy of the report led to station-wide controversy and ultimately resulted in the resignation of Dan Rather and producer Mary Mapes. I love a good news story, and I also love Cate Blanchett (who stars as Mapes). The film paints a nice picture of the entire process, though I do feel the script was a bit lacking. I kept wanting it to hit me just a little bit harder. Also, if you're a fan of Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom, this actually lines up very similarly with the show's second season; I'd be curious to see if Mapes' memoir had much influence on Sorkin's show. I bet it did.

15. Pawn Sacrifice

This final film makes my list more for the story than the actual quality of the film - I didn't feel the writing or direction were exceptionally great. However, I loved the content. This tells the (general) life story of chess phenom Bobby Fischer. I've watched and read a lot about him already, so this was mostly a condensed re-telling of much of the same material, but it was nice to finally see a film tell the story from start to finish. I felt that Tobey Maguire did a great job of portraying the paranoia that Fischer demonstrated, as tragic as it was. You watch something like this and wonder what he could have been had his mind been right; but then you also wonder if he ever would have accomplished the things he did if it were. Really, it just makes me so fascinated with the brain. Whether you're very familiar with Fischer's story or not, this is worth a watch for the content alone.

So that's where we stand. There's not really a need for a recap here, other than to simply say that I hope when you get the chance, you give most of these films a watch. I think, in their own ways, they were all great examples of filmmaking in 2015.

Our Top 15 Films of 2015 lists will be coming out starting next Monday, so be on the lookout for those!

Top 5 Movie Guide: Jennifer Lawrence

2016-02-13T10:28:00.002-07:00

For this edition of the Top 5 Movie Guide, we continue our series with another actress nominated this year for an Academy Award, Jennifer Lawrence, star of 2015's "Joy". Lawrence was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, and lived a life like any other kid. She didn't do any acting and frankly didn't have an interest in it. But as fate would have it, at age 14 (2005), a trip to New York with her mother changed everything. While visiting, she had a chance encounter with a photographer, which led to a meeting with an agent who asked her to read - she did it cold and her mother was told it was one of the best cold-reads they'd ever seen. The agent convinced her to remain in New York that summer and continue to audition.In that summer, she booked a variety of commercials and bit film roles. Shortly thereafter, she moved with her family to Los Angeles to further pursue her newfound talent.

In 2007 she was cast in "The Bill Engvall Show", which provided her national exposure. Momentum continued to build with small film roles until her eventual breakout role in 2010's "Winter's Bone". Her first starring role earned her an Academy Award nomination, and led to roles in two prominent franchises: Mystique in "X-Men: First Class" and Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games". Since then, her legacy has only continued to grow. In a now six-year span as a Hollywood star, she's already earned four Oscar nominations, winning one in 2013 for her role in "Silver Linings Playbook". She's the youngest actress to ever receive two such nominations (or three, or four), and the second-youngest to ever win one.

Lawrence's career is still so new that she hasn't had a lot of time to make mistakes or have regrets. She did audition for the role of Bella Swan of 2008's "Twilight", but ultimately lost out to Kristen Stewart. She still ended up getting her tween franchise a few years later, and I think most would agree that's an outcome that worked much to the benefit of Lawrence and her career.

Alex Schopp

This is the list I’m least excited about in our latest series. Not because I have any problems with Lawrence as an actor, she just hasn’t done enough to provide the content that makes these lists fun. But we’ve now started something of a tradition in doing lists on filmmakers from each of the four acting categories ahead of the Oscars, and Lawrence was the logical choice this year. We’ve already done a list on Cate Blanchett; Ronan and Larson both feel like they have even less significant filmographies at this point in their careers; and Rampling hasn’t generally done the kind of work we gravitate towards at this site. So Jennifer Lawrence it is!

1. X-Men: First Class (2011)

An easy #1 for me, and the only superhero film that I’ve continued to really love in subsequent years after its release. In my opinion, this is about as good as the genre gets. I love the era (costumes, music, historical significance) and how the superhero elements are so seamlessly woven into an alternate history. The relationship between Xavier and Magneto is so great in this movie – I love origin stories as it is – and it actually makes the older X-Men films more layered and significant. Enjoyable film, great cast, fun premise.

2. Winter’s Bone (2010)

The film that introduced us to Jennifer Lawrence. This was one of my favorite Best Picture nominees of 2010 (overall, I still consider 2010 to be my favorite year in film over the last decade). I really liked the setting and the tone of the film, and thought Lawrence did a great job in this role. She brought equal amounts of strength and vulnerability to the character, a balance she's already mastered quite well in her young career. Plus, John Hawkes, who was great in this film, is one of my favorite under-the-radar actors. I usually look forward to his performances.

3. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Everyone in this cast is great in this film, but Lawrence especially does a phenomenal job. The story is sweet yet awkward, and even though it took me a bit to buy into the relationship between Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence (notable age difference), it actually worked quite well and they have pretty great chemistry. Also I love that Robert De Niro’s character is such a superstitious sports fan. While it’s not the same crippling addiction for me, I can relate.

4. American Hustle (2013)

This is one of those movies that you remember the overall tone and personality more than the specific elements. Good soundtrack, great acting by everyone involved, and the fact that it was (at least generally) based on true events only helps make the silliness even more enjoyable. I also feel really bad for Jeremy Renner. When recalling this film, you think of the four actors who were nominated for Oscars – though I actually feel that Renner was one of the best parts of the film. It's a shame he didn't also get a supporting nod.

5. The Hunger Games Saga (2012 – 2015)

I really do not care about this franchise that much (that's why I lumped them all together; not sure I could pick a favorite). I can recognize that these films have decent production values and quality acting performances (part of the reason this makes my list; the other is, what else would I put here?), but the story just doesn’t do anything for me. It’s just like the Harry Potter films – I cannot get into stories about children saving the world. I just don’t buy it. I still understand the significance for the tween audiences and that films like these make them feel like they have a voice, but as an adult, it’s just not my thing. And I know that statement will earn me great criticism from a lot of people, but I accept that.

Derek Clem

1. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Seeing the X-Men hit the big screen was a childhood wish come true. This is my favorite superhero franchise out there. I even find ways to defend the terrible "X-Men United" and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", which is very hard to do. It’s clear that this movie is making the most out of JLaw because of her star factor. Like, it’s soooo obvious. But I’m okay with that. Mystique was always present in the early films but her role was pretty minor. It’s nice to finally see her get some strong character development. I have to hand it to this movie; it succeeds in rebooting the franchise a second time and does it without making any of the previous films obsolete. Unfortunately it’s pretty clear Lawrence’s heart isn’t in this film. It feels very phoned in. Regardless, I like the X-Men, so it tops my list.

2. X-Men: First Class (2011)

Some of the X-Kids could have used a little work, but this was a great way to reboot the franchise via prequel. This is the first time we see Jlaw in franchise cinema. It’s pretty cool to revisit this movie knowing what a force she’s become.

3. Winter’s Bone (2010)

Such great wintery rural gothic vibes coming from this movie. Quite chilling.

4. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

This was tough. I wanted to put the first film in the franchise on my list because of its tone and… I guess sense of realism. The sequels are all very shiny, slick, and blockbustery - but that blockbuster element is what elevates the games in this installment. The events feel big, urgent, important, and most of all, exciting.

5. The Beaver (2011)

She plays such a small role in this film. Most of my interest in this movie revolves around it being Mel Gibson’s re-entry into acting after his controversies - a very daring gesture from his friend and director, Jodie Foster.

Nathan Hinds

Jennifer Lawrence is not only one of my personal favorite actors, but arguably one of the best overall actresses in the business right now. She has great range and really excels at playing real-life characters. She still has a very small filmography since she hasn't been around very long, and a huge chunk of her time over the last few years has been devoted to 'The Hunger Games', which is a franchise I never found the least bit interesting. That's not me hating on young adult films - the 'Harry Potter' franchise ranks as my third favorite set of films; I just thought 'The Hunger Games' was too vanilla. Still, it's a really safe bet that she will be a major player in Hollywood for years to come.

1. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

This is such a great film. I don't think it has a single weak spot. All the actors in this film are at the top of their game - and it helps that they had such a strong script to work from. The characters are normal(ish) people but every one of them is interesting. The film has a lot of chaos that leads to a great payoff at the end.

2. X-Men: First Class (2011)

If you're gonna pick a series Lawrence has been involved with, this is easily the better of the two. For me, First Class is one of the few films to come out in the current superhero era of film that continues to hold up well. The casting was perfect for this film, and the Cold War setting works wonderfully. This is easily the best X-Men film and possibly my favorite Marvel film to date.

3. Winter's Bone (2010)

Not many actors or actresses turn in performances like this in their first leading role. I loved the tone of this movie, and the tension is great. The people and region of the film had a lot of similarities to where my grandparents lived so it was easy for me to get drawn in.

4. Joy (2015)

I had fairly low expectations going into this one. I thought it would be too similar to Silver Linings Playbook. In a lot of ways it is, but then again, being comparable to a movie I love isn't a bad thing. It has enough differences to stand on its own and its another performance that Lawrence nails.

5. American Hustle (2013)

Now with this film, I had super high expectations and it didn't live up to them. The tone never clicked with me and I never connected with most of the characters. Lawrence's performance was my favorite part of the film, though; I thought she was great.

Andy Schopp

I guess I didn't realize how limited her filmography was... I'm not saying that as any sort of condemnation of her career - I mean look at all she has accomplished in just a handful of years - she just hasn't been around as long as it feels like she has. Even still, she's already a household name and clearly isn't slowing down!

1. X-Men: First Class (2011)

This movie nailed it! It captures all the necessary emotions and plot devices I want to see in an origin story for the X-Men. I also remember this as one of the first roles I noticed Jennifer Lawrence in; I think it was the first real step to her being a household name in my house.

2. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

This role showed some real range. She proved to the world that she isn't held back by type-casting in any way. She is versatile and now the world knows it.

3. The Hunger Games (2012)

This movie captures a good balance of tone in its severity while still keeping it "friendly" enough for families. You get a great sense of the hopelessness the people in this world are feeling and it really works.

4. Winter's Bone (2010)

Her real and true breakout role. I remember not knowing who she was at all but being pleasantly surprised by what I saw. She showed real character and grit in this movie. The only reason it's lower on my list is that it isn't the most watchable. There just isn't much this movie gives you on a second or third viewing.

5. The Beaver (2011)

What, no "American Hustle"!? You're a lunatic! (or so I imagine some people are saying). The truth is, I just plain ol' enjoyed "The Beaver" more. Is it because I'm a real sucker for Mel Gibson? Maybe. Is it because the movie was just silly enough and just dramatic enough to hit that sweet spot? Could be. Am I watching it every day? No, but you know what I'm watching a tiny bit less? "American Hustle".

Elisabeth Clem

My list makes it seem like I’m some kind of crazy Hunger Games fangirl, but I assure you, I’m not. I enjoy the movies and the books were pretty good, but that’s about the extent of my interest. I wanted to include one or both of the X-Men movies she’s in, but she’s nowhere near my favorite part of either of those films, so I just couldn’t. Side note: I lived in Louisville, Kentucky when Jennifer Lawrence was rising to fame in Winter’s Bone, and they talked about her every single night on the local news. They were so proud of their hometown girl. It’s fun to remember that when I see where she is today.

1. Like Crazy (2011)

I love this movie so much. Jennifer's role is pretty limited in it, but I really feel for her character, Sam. She’s in love with a boy who does love her, but is truly *in* love with someone else. He strings her along for years, and it's so unfair. I’ve never really been in a situation like that but I certainly feel for her, especially because she seems like such an awesome girl. She’s not the “other woman” you hate. You can’t hate her, even when you really are rooting for the two main characters to be together.

2. The Hunger Games (2012)

This is my favorite of the franchise. Maybe it’s because I got to wander around District 12 a few days after they finished filming, so I feel kind of excited when I see it in the movie, but the overall feel of it (the score especially) really works for me and makes me want to return to it frequently. I was initially pretty dubious about Jennifer being cast as Katniss, but she proved me wrong.

3. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

I swear I don’t seek out Hunger Games filming locations to travel to, but I happened to go to several of them in this movie as well, so watching it is also super fun for me.

4. Winter’s Bone (2010)

To be honest, I don’t remember a whole lot about this movie. But I do remember that I liked it, and that Jennifer was so great in it. I remember being struck by the scenes at her high school, how it was the first time I’d seen a high school on screen that resembled the small town high school I went to. I also love John Hawkes and Dale Dickey, so the cast really does it for me overall.

5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)

I thought the last film in this franchise did such a great job at making a somewhat lackluster book much more enjoyable. Jennifer really turns it out for her last run as Katniss. I’m looking forward to watching this one again on DVD.

Not a bad group of films for an actress with such a new and budding filmography. There isn't a clear top pick from Lawrence's filmography, and I think strong cases can be made for multiple films - something that only shows how strong she's been from the start. Overall, 11 different films were listed above, though two franchises, The Hunger Games and X-Men, featured multiples films (so only eight total different characters). There were six total selections from The Hunger Games saga, though no more than two for any specific entry. If we're being purists, "Winter's Bone" led the way with five selections, the only film to appear on every list above. This breakout performances still remains one of the best of her career, and a worthy title to be the best represented on this list.

"X-Men: First Class" was the only film that appeared on four lists, and "Silver Linings Playbook" the only one on three. "American Hustle" and "The Beaver" rounded out the bunch, each receiving two votes above.

As always, happy watching!

Top 5 Movie Guild: "Best Original Song" Oscar Winners

2016-02-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

For this edition of the Top 5 Movie Guide we decided to take a look at some of our favorite winners of the Academy's Best Original Song category. We were originally going to stick to our four actor-specific posts, but a recent discussion about this year's nominees generated interest in this specific list - one that none of us could believe we never looked to do in the past. I won't get into specifics about the conversations we had, and I definitely don't want to speak for all of the writers associated with this post, but in general I don't think any of us are too happy that Sam Smith's James Bond theme, Writing's On the Wall, got a nomination and is considered by some to be the front-runner to win the award. It's not a great look for the category and for the Academy as a whole for a few different reasons. But in this section, we'll leave it at that. If you're curious about our more specific thoughts, sound off in the comments section and I'm sure most will be happy to chime in.

That aside, let's dig into some history on this award. It was first introduced at the 7th Academy Awards, recognizing the best in film from 1934. While most of the rules have been tweaked over the years, the general guidelines to be considered for the award are this: the song has to be written specifically for the film (not released prior), can't be remixed from previous compositions, and can't be a song adapted from a musical. Today, if your song meets those requirements, it goes to the committee to vote for their favorites, which then become the nominees. Up until 2012 there was a really terrible points system method for selecting the nominees - basically, if the voters all selected the same couple of songs at the top of their ballots, only those few songs would get a nomination. This process really showed its flaws in 2011 when only two songs were nominated for the award amid dozens of quality entries. After that year, the system was changed. Now, though still possible, it's almost assured that five nominations will be given each year.

Of all the nominees in previous years, Sammy Cahn is the most prestigious. Doing most of his work in the 1950's and 1960's, Cahn has been nominated for 26 Academy Awards and won four. That is by far the most total nominations by one person ever in this category and tied for the most wins. Alan Mankin, who's tied Cahn with four wins in this category, has probably been the most influential to our generation. He's been nominated for this award 14 times and some of his credits include "Little Shop of Horrors", "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin", "Pocahontas", "Hercules", and "Tangled". I would venture to guess that his songs will be well represented below.

Alex Schopp
Full disclosure: I'm not familiar with even most of the songs that have won this award over the years. Luckily, there was still so much to choose from. And while I'm not strongly tied to most of my selections, it was still tough narrowing this list down. Plus, was it more important to pick songs that I most enjoy listening to or songs that I feel best captured the spirit of the film they were featured in?

1. Under the Sea (The Little Mermaid, 1989)

If you come from the same generation that I do, how could you not have a Disney song at the top? This gets top billing for me because not only is "The Little Mermaid" one of my favorite animated films, but this song is one of the most entertaining to come from a Disney film – it's so catchy and fun to sing with. Plus, what a party that erupts when Sebastian gets into it! If anything, I hate that Ariel is so disinterested in the performance. Sebastian puts on a spectacle and she couldn't care less. That really bothers me. Still, of all the Disney songs that have won, this is easily my favorite.

2. Can You Feel the Love Tonight (The Lion King, 1994)

If Friend Like Me from "Aladdin" had won in 1992, that might have been in this spot. But since it was the inferior A Whole New World, which does nothing for me, it’s “The Lion King” getting the recognition here. When I was younger I obviously thought Hakuna Matata was the superior song from “The Lion King”, but now that I’m older I appreciate this one more. It’s so emotional. Elton John did a great job with it.

3. My Heart Will Go On (Titanic, 1997)

I'm surprised this ended up so high on my list because overall I feel I love "Titanic" much less than the other writers at this site. But it just kept climbing. I feel like this song has to make every list, if for nothing other than the cultural impact it had on society. Actually, it would be hard to make the case against this being the most culturally significant song to come from a film. And boy, when she hits that chorus the final time through – if you don’t belt it out with her and get chills when you’re listening, there’s something wrong with you.

4. Skyfall (Skyfall, 2012)

Another thing I'm not an expert on: James Bond theme songs. But my lack of expertise has never stopped me from making bold proclamations before, and it won't again today! Even with my very limited knowledge of these theme songs, I feel like this is the best James Bond song ever recorded. I listened to this song so much when it was released. Adele has an amazing voice and this song really showcased her abilities. It’s incredibly catchy, strong, and so fitting for the film. Maybe the reason I dislike Sam Smith’s Writing’s On the Wall so much is because Adele set the bar too high.

5. Over the Rainbow (The Wizard of Oz, 1939)

A beautiful song from a beautiful movie. Everyone knows this song. I feel guilty having it so low on this list (surely it’s still an honor just making the list at all), but it’s not like I’m tapping my foot to this tune on a regular basis. But if you’re making an argument against My Heart Will Go On as being the most culturally significant, this has to be the main contender. In ways it probably is far superior, but I feel like the definition of pop culture changed dramatically in the 80’s and 90’s with mass media consumption and over-indulgence. It’s to that point that I feel My Heart Will Go On saturated our culture to a greater extent.

Derek Clem
I’m kind of upset that songs from animated movies dominated my entire list. Nostalgia is one hell of a drug.

1. Under the Sea (The Little Mermaid, 1989)

This is my sister’s favorite Disney movie. While growing up, this VHS had VIP access our VCR. It’s pretty common to be into the Disney sidekicks, and with "The Little Mermaid", Sebastian was my main man…er, crab. When it came to singing along, my sister took care of Ariel’s songs and I’d take on Under the Sea; little me, bouncing around the apartment, singing along with a hot crustacean band. And once I was worn out, I’d lay my head on my Sebastian bed pillow and finish the movie.

2. A Whole New world (Aladdin, 1992)

Of the Disney movies I grew up with, this is the one I bought into the most. Like, I had a lot of the movie merchandise – stuffed Genie, stuffed Abu, etc., etc. So, I know the context doesn’t work, but A Whole New World was the perfect song for me and my sister to duet. I’d take on Aladdin’s part, my sister would sing Princess Jasmine’s. You really feel like you can sing when you’re belting this one.

3. Can You Feel the Love Tonight (The Lion King, 1994)

Both the in-movie and end credit (Elton John) versions are great. They were great when I was a child, and today they make my body ache with nostalgia as soon as the first note hits. And again, you really feel like you have some skills when you’re singing this one out loud.

4. Beauty and The Beast (Beauty and The Beast, 1991)

I’m not sure if they’re both considered the Oscar winner or just one, but I mostly prefer the Mrs. Potts version over the Celine & Peabo version. Angela Lansbury has such a soothing voice – both singing and speaking.

5. When You Believe (The Prince of Egypt, 1998)

The nostalgia for this movie isn’t so strong, so I’m sort of surprised a song from a DreamWorks animated film made my list. However, one of my favorite childhood memories is watching my sister being called to sing this in church to the congregation. She did it with no prep and completely from memory. She nailed it.

Nathan Hinds

1. My Heart Will Go On (Titanic, 1997)

For me, this was a pretty easy choice to be number one. I've loved the song ever since the movie came out. I'm a big time sucker for love ballads, and in my opinion, this is one of the best examples from the genre. Also, there are few songs that are as fun to lip-sync to, right?

2. Over the Rainbow (The Wizard of Oz, 1939)

It's not a song that I care for that much, but I think it's probably the most iconic song to ever win and I absolutely love the movie as a whole. I think from a technical and historical standpoint it's the best film ever made.

3. Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, 1969)

I had no idea this song won an Oscar nor that it was originally from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", which is one of my favorite westerns. The reason it makes my list is because for as long as I can remember - long before I ever saw the movie - it will randomly pop into my head and I will sing it to myself. For reasons unknown even to myself, I always tend to sing it with a really deep southern drawl.

4. Lose Yourself (8 Mile, 2002)

I went through a short rap phase when this came out; I thought I was so cool for listening to rap, mainly because I knew my mom hated it. While the phase was short lived, and now I think the genre as a whole is mostly garbage, I've always liked this song and think it's about as good as it gets for rap.

5. Can You Feel the Love Tonight (The Lion King, 1994)

You could make an entire list of purely Disney winners. This is my favorite classically-animated Disney film so the song wins for that. What stood out the most among all the Disney songs that won was that I almost always thought there were better selections than what ultimately won.

Andy Schopp
Ok. This was the hardest list I think I've ever had to assemble. I actually ended up making multiple lists over various days and averaging it out via a points system to find my selections. It was the only way I could narrow it down. Interestingly, as I was composing the different lists over the week, the version you see below never once showed up on a previous list. For that reason, I'm glad I did this one this way - each list was so different simply based on my current mood. This was the best way to get to the core of my feelings, I think. Obviously, there were so many others I wanted to give credit to, but I really am pretty darn happy with how this turned out!

1. The Way You Look Tonight (Swing Time, 1936)

2. Over the Rainbow (The Wizard of Oz, 1939)

3. A Whole New World (Aladdin, 1992)

4. Skyfall (Skyfall, 2012)

5. You'll Be in My Heart (Tarzan, 1999)

Elisabeth Clem

1. My Heart Will Go On (Titanic, 1997)

I was twelve when "Titanic" came out, the perfect age for Titanic Mania to take over my life. So naturally, this has to be my number one song. I already liked Celine Dion (my very first CD was a Celine CD) and you’d better believe I bought the "Titanic" soundtrack as soon as I could. I wore that thing out. I also remember a radio station advertising exactly when they were going to play the special version of the song that included dialogue from the film; I sat at my stereo armed and ready with a brand new blank cassette tape to record it and I treasured that tape for years. This song still has the ability to cause tears to well up in my eyes, so I’d say that for me, it stands the test of time.

2. You’ll Be In My Heart (Tarzan, 1999)

I never got super into "Tarzan", but I did love the soundtrack. I love Phil Collins. Years ago I was at a dolphin show at a zoo (kind of depressing, I know), and one of their dolphins had just had a baby. They were going to debut the baby to the public for the first time during this show, and as they released the mama and baby into the tank, they started playing this song. Dolphin show or not, I was crying and crying and still think of that moment whenever I hear it. Baby animals, man. What can you do?

3. Can You Feel the Love Tonight (The Lion King, 1994)

I grew up listening to Elton John (he’s my mom’s favorite) so Elton + Disney was a perfect combination. Who didn’t love this movie and this soundtrack and this song? Still one I like to listen to now and again, and it always makes feel wonderfully nostalgic and emotional.

4. Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast, 1991)

"Beauty and the Beast" is my favorite animated Disney movie, so this had to make my list. There’s really no other reason. I love the movie, I love Celine, I love this song.

5. Streets of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, 1993)

This is probably the actual best song on my list, but it places last because it doesn’t hold any nostalgic feelings for me. I really only truly discovered it a few years ago. I was never into Springsteen until I saw the director’s cut of "Mask", with the restored Springsteen soundtrack (instead of Bob Seger). For some reason watching that made his music click for me, and I started downloading loads of his songs, this being one of them. It’s such a beautiful, sad song, and one I can put on repeat while I’m working or writing and never really get tired of it. It creates such a lovely, slightly melancholy atmosphere. My favorite kind of feeling to get from a song.

So there we have it. Quite the list. And as expected, a good amount of Disney songs in the mix. Of the 25 total selections above, more than half of them (13) came from Disney animated films. If nothing else, it shows not only how dominating Disney was in the 1990's, but that we're clearly a group who's youth was impacted by them. For a site that promotes and encourages nostalgia, this was the perfect list.

Overall, we had eight different ~~films~~ songs that were featured on multiple lists. There wasn't a single song that hit on all five lists this week, and only one, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, that appeared on four. Equally emotional and easy to sing along with, Can You Feel the Love Tonight is a great achievement in cinematic music. It could be argued that when Elton John collaborated on "The Lion King", music in animated films took a step forward in production quality and credibility.

Of the other seven titles that appeared on multiple lists, two of them, My Heart Will Go On and Over the Rainbow, appeared on three. It's funny that these two ended up paired together, because they're both equally significant to their cultures of the time. Two iconic songs that totally defined the films they came from and in some ways surpassed their films altogether. Otherwise, Under the Sea, Skyfall, A Whole New World, Beauty and the Beast, and You'll Be in My Heart all appeared on multiple lists, each hitting on two.

Happy ~~watching~~ listening!