Betsy’s Top 10 Films of 2015

I’m absolutely certain of my enthusiasm for at least 3 things: 1) The turnover of a new year, 2) Movies, and 3) Lists – so this kind of thing is a no-brainer. 

10. Crimson Peak (trailer)

 
6. The End of the Tour (trailer)

This movie left me thinking for days about how important it is – and how hard it can be sometimes – to be a decent, kind person. I’m sure the next time I watch it, I’ll leave it thinking about something totally different but similarly profound, deep into my core, about the complicated lie of success, the unavoidability of loneliness, and how to do a good job living as a human being. Jason Segal is perfectly bruised, transparent and so midwestern as David Foster Wallace, and the conversation between Lipsky and Wallace is mesmerizing both because of the warm sparkle of words and ideas, but also because of the evolving tension in the subtext. Worth watching again and again.

5. Spotlight (trailer)

I didn’t expect that watching a small group of people slowly figure something out would be riveting – but Spotlight is unique. Out of the gate, this film has a great story about a group of investigative journalists, who are committed to the Truth, publishing an article that will begin an international tidal wave of justice. The fact that the story is unraveled by an incredible cast (including Mark Ruffalo, who kills it in typical Ruffalo fashion) and straightforward, thoughtful writing elevates it into an unusually moving experience.

4. The Wolfpack (trailer)

The Wolfpack follows six teenage brothers who have spent all of their lives within the confines of their family’s NYC apartment through the period of their emergence into life outside. One of the things I loved about this film is that the world the wolfpack boys created for themselves inside the apartment isn’t gloomy and dark – it’s a fun, creative place where they make props and costumes to re-enact their favorite movies and sing along to 80’s pop songs. The glimpse of the brothers we get through this film is such a treat – watching them move as a unit, so uninhibited and fearless, embracing so much unknown together. These small acts of courage are really powerful. I left the screening eager to talk, with so many questions, completely inspired.

3. Queen of Earth (trailer)

I don’t know if this movie is for everyone. It’s a quiet, uncomfortably intimate, kind of shocking portrait of a woman slowly losing her mind AND it is one of the most memorable film experiences I’ve had in a very long time. Elizabeth Moss is astounding. As the subtle shifts between her warmth, paranoia, optimism, confusion, fear, etc. occur around the edges of her eyes and mouth, Alex Ross Perry really zooms in and holds still so we get as close to her – as close to understanding her – as we can. And it’s really tense and uncomfortable, very human and real – and pretty scary. A film this rare and interesting shouldn’t be missed. Check this out on Netflix when you know you won’t be interrupted.

2. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (trailer)

There’s no way to describe this movie that doesn’t make it sound kind of sad and sappy. High school girl is diagnosed with leukemia, high school boy is forced to befriend her by his mom – she is quirky, he is awkward – they develop a friendship and she teaches him lessons about life. Do all these things happen in this film? Yeah, they do.  It’s also full of surprises though – a wonderful high school vibe, a smart sense of humor, total disregard for formula, thoughtful writing, and somehow it handles the balance between the fun carelessness of being young and the seriousness of staring down death with genuine grace.  Extra bonus: the hero and his best friend make short film parodies of classic films out of sock puppets and claymation and stuff and they’re delightful!

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (trailer)

This movie blew my face off. Maybe it’s because the first time I saw it we were in the front row… but woah! I wasn’t even expecting to like it really – and holy cow it just blew my face right off. The physical world of this Max is so vast and harsh and beautiful, the stakes of this adventure are so high, and the characters that populate the story are so memorably sculpted and elegantly performed – the film is something totally new, way beyond action and adventure and dystopian scifi. There was no question in my mind about whether/not this was my favorite film of the year – its outlandish power and frenetic pace left me gasping for breath each of the multiple times I saw it in the theater and its gravity attached itself to me for days like a badge of honor. This is a really special movie. If you are one of the five or six people who hasn’t seen it yet, don’t miss it.

Honorable Mentions:

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I hope you check out some of these great films from 2015 if you missed any of them. I’m eager to see many that I missed from last year including Brooklyn, Diary of a Teenage Girl, Magic Mike XXL, Anomalisa, and Room.

Any of your favorites from 2015 not included? Post a trailer link and share with the rest of the group.

Happy New Year, friends!

–betsy midnight