2015- Top 5 Films

If there was one thing to characterise film in 2015 for me it would be the return to old territory. In this year alone we have seen the successful return of franchises such as Star Wars, Mad Max and Jurassic Park (and less successful ones like Terminator: Genysis), it acted as a way for fans old and new to join together to share these exciting cinematic experiences. Aside from that there has been a wide range of fantastic films that excelled in their own respects, which makes it safe to say that 2015 has been a great year for film. This has made it very difficult for me to narrow it down to just 5 films but I've managed to do so. So here's my pick for the top 5 films of 2015.

5. Macbeth (Justin Kurzel)

I'm not the biggest Shakespeare fan to be honest so normally I wouldn't be that hyped over an adaptation of one of his plays. However I am a Michael Fassbender fan so seeing him as Macbeth gave me a bit of an interest in this film, and oh was I satisfied. I came for Fassbender but what I got was so much more, everything about this film is visually stunning, the beautiful locations, the gloomy cinematography from True Detective's Adam Arkapaw and the whole grittiness of it all. Marion Cotillard also excelled as the cunning Lady Macbeth and her and Fassbender really made the roles their own. Along with a fantastic score from director Justin Kurzel's brother Jed, the film is extremely captivating from start to finish even if you hate Shakespeare. It has gotten me extremely excited for the trio of Kurzel, Fassbender and Cotillard returning next year for the film adaptation of Assassin's Creed.

4. Sicario (Denis Villeneuve)

It took me a while to get around to this one but I was so glad when I did as French-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve gives us a remarkable thriller in Sicario. The film follows FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) as she is recruited to join a team to take down a powerful Mexican drug dealer, what ensues is a tale of deception, revenge and betrayal. I was really impressed with Sicario, from its chilling score by Jóhann Johánnsson to its beautiful cinematography from the acclaimed Roger Deakins and to top it all off, its stellar cast. Benicio Del Toro especially stands out as the mysterious Alejandro Gillick while Emily Blunt is quite successful in giving us a strong female lead. It is a suspenseful film from its grizzly opening scene to its tense climax and along with some beautiful shots and an excellent story, Sicario is one of the best thrillers I've seen in a while.

3. The Gift (Joel Edgerton)

Joel Edgerton is a man you may recognise from his roles in films such as The Great Gatsby, Warrior and Black Mass, this year the Australian actor showed that he was equally as talented behind the camera as he is in front of it. Edgerton both wrote and directed The Gift while also starring in it and it was one of the most impressive debuts since Reservoir Dogs. The film follows Simon Callum (Jason Bateman) as he runs into a figure from the past in the form of Gordo Moseley (Edgerton) who proceeds to leave gifts for him and his wife Robyn (Rebecca Hall) which bothers Simon. Gradually as the film progresses we learn more about the characters' past and whats really going on with the mysterious Gordo. The film is a slow burner but keeps you guessing right up until its shocking climax which literally had me on the edge of my seat and by the time it was over I was thoroughly satisfied. The film has more twists and turns than a country road and along with its dark tone and talented cast it is one of 2015's most underrated films and I hope to see Edgerton in the directors chair again soon.

2. Mad Max: Fury Road (George Miller)

Australian filmmaker George Miller has had quite a diverse career from his original Mad Max trilogy to the Babe films and Happy Feet, so to see a director who is capable of making such differing films is great to see nowadays. Fury Road however, sees a return to his roots as he continues the story of Max Rockatanksy in this insane post-apocalyptic action film. The film boasts some of the best practical effects in years while sticking to minimal CGI and it is extremely effective, combined with the cinematography of previously retired John Seale, Fury Road is a visual marvel and is a pleasure to watch. Tom Hardy is mad as ever in the titular role, following in the footsteps of Mel Gibson, however this film is not about Max. The film is essentially a feminist movie and focuses on Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) as she helps to liberate the young brides of the villainous Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) with the help of Max. You know a film is going to be good when it features a man on a moving vehicle playing a flaming guitar, but Fury Road is more than just good. I dare say that it is perhaps the best action film of the decade so far and shows that despite Miller's age, he has definitely not lost his touch.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (J.J. Abrams)

I was so conflicted between this and Fury Road for the top spot but I chose this mainly because it was one of the best experiences I've ever had in the cinema. The sheer hype and excitement around this film already made it the most anticipated film of the year and although many feared it would be another Phantom Menace, director J.J. Abrams did not disappoint. The film is set approximately thirty years after Return of the Jedi and sees the return of old faces such as Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) along with new faces such as Finn (John Boyega) and Rey (Daisy Ridley) as they combat the sinister First Order in the race to find Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).  The film is full of nostalgia for fans of the franchise while also bringing in new characters and stories to help bring it into the next generation and although at times it feels like a remake of A New Hope, it has enough new material to establish it as its own film. Abrams' decision to use practical effects over CGI really pays off and along with its beautiful locations, it is a stunning film to watch. Never have I been at a film where there was so much applause and admiration, watching the film felt like being a part of some historical event and was an amazing experience. There is so much I can say about The Force Awakens which you can read in my review here, but trust me when I say it is an excellent film that caters for fans both old and new and for me, was one of the highlights of 2015.

Some honourable mentions include Ex-Machina, Jurassic World and all of the films in my top 5 horror films list, but those 5 were my personal favourites this year that really stood out for me. With just hours until 2015 is over I would just like to thank everyone who reads this thing along with my fellow film fans and bloggers and with 2016 looking just as promising in the world of film I can safely say that I will be continuing this blog. I hope you've all has a great year and I wish you all the best in 2016, until next time!