Jason Segel gives a career-best performance as the author David Foster Wallace, exploring existential thoughts about love, self worth, and success in the midst of the ever-shrinking and immediate modern technological world. Segel and Jesse Eisenberg mirror each other perfectly as the before and after of "great success." Probably the best film since THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD to explore the thin line between person and celebrity, and the difference of the impact of art on its audience vs. its creator.9. THE HATEFUL EIGHT
Quentin Tarantino clearly had more to say on the topic of racism in America after his last film DJANGO UNCHAINED, so he's back here with a much simpler, but perhaps not less profound, story. The structure of the film is unique in its contradictions: contained to a few small locations but filmed in grandiose 70mm with the widest aspect ratio available (literally), and containing many main characters but no true protagonist. Hero and villain are too simple words to describe these hateful sons of bitches, and that moral ambiguity adds an interesting layer to the debate of racism and sexism in the film. The performances are top notch, delivering QT's fantastic dialogue with aplomb, and Ennio Morricone's haunting score keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entire 3 hour running time.8. JOY
7. STEVE JOBS
6. CRIMSON PEAK
Any award for production design this year going to any other film is a complete sham. Del Toro's gothic chamber drama left me stunned. The film is impeccably designed with amazing sets and an excellent combination of digital and practical effects. The story hearkens back to the golden age of Hollywood in a respectful but not derivative way since Del Toro still finds ways to bring frightening new imagery to such an old and long forgotten genre. The plot device of liquid clay standing in for blood and giving the film its name is one of the most interesting and original plot devices I've seen in a movie in a long time, and works to create some of the best imagery of any film in 2015.
5. INSIDE OUT
The best world building of any original property this year. Pete Docter, who is responsible for my absolute favorite Pixar movie, UP, is back with another smash hit here. The premise seems too simple, that five sentient emotions control everything in a girl's head, but the film manages to start there and expand upon the concepts of personality, memory, and emotion is surprisingly profound yet easily understandable ways. It's a testament to this film's power that it's starting to open up how some children (especially those with certain disorders) view their own emotions, and also reminds even adults that sadness is an important emotion that needs to be fostered and addressed rather than ignored.4. THE BIG SHORT
A film this mature from the writer-director of ANCHORMAN and TALLADEGA NIGHTS was, to use the parlance of this film, a big fuckin' surprise. Adam McKay has taken such a huge leap forward in his filmmaking ability here, and it's a testament to the film's power that McKay was able to assemble the most powerful all-star cast in many years. Carell, Gosling, Bale, and Pitt are all fantastic, but there are about a dozen other actors all doing great work too. The film is hilarious, but with an undercurrent of furious anger over the things that rich, white snobs did to the rest of this country, and that tone is handled perfectly.3. EX MACHINA
Alex Garland has written some of the best science fiction films of the last 15 years (28 DAYS LATER, SUNSHINE, NEVER LET ME GO), and his directorial debut shows that his talents extend beyond his writing. The three leads are terrific, but Oscar Isaac really stands out as the bodybuilding, binge-drinking, giant-beard-wearing tech genius. Garland has crafted an interesting narrative about technology and its ever-increasing role in our lives, but the subtext is just as interesting (men don't understand women). The performances, music, production design, cinematography, and all the other crafts really work together to wholly envelop you into this high tech chamber drama.2. ROOM
The most emotionally affecting movie of the year for me. ROOM's success stems from its ability to seamlessly juggle two genres. The stellar first half plays out almost like a high-concept YA fantasy film, watching mother and son react to a highly irregular situation. As the film hits its stride, it retains some of these elements while transitioning to an even more effective family drama, exploring not only the effects of this terrible abuse but also the curative powers of love, especially from family. Would play as a strange but interesting double feature with THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, providing insight on the great emotional durability of young children in horrible circumstances. The performances add that extra layer of heartwarming goodness that made this my favorite film of 2015 for several months, until...1. STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
Considering my rampant excitement for the successful return to form from the STAR WARS franchise, I would've guessed I was being set up to be incredibly disappointed, no matter how good THE FORCE AWAKENS was. I'm happy to report that I was immensely satisfied with this film beyond my wildest dreams. J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan have essentially created a new franchise out of the old one, providing us with a new cast of characters that pay tribute to the old, but also strike out on their own in an attempt to better represent the world as it is 40 years after the franchise's beginning. Daisy Ridley is a genuine star, Adam Driver's Kylo Ren is a villain second only to Darth Vader, and BB-8 is my new favorite STAR WARS droid, bar none. Skeptics have no fear, STAR WARS is back.Here is a link to all of the 2015 movies I saw, roughly ranked: http://letterboxd.com/greenleaf1/list/2015-movies-ranked/
