As with every year, I wasn’t able to see every movie I wanted to see. Some I missed the chance, some I wasn’t in the right place at the right time to see the limited run, and others I didn’t know about at all. I wish I could’ve seen The Hateful Eight, The Assassin, Anomalisa, Carol, Room, and Brooklyn this year but it just wasn’t meant to be. I’ve also been hearing about a VOD movie with a decent amount of buzz called Bone Tomahawk that I’ll try to eventually get to. In 2016, I’m gonna really try to stay away from movies I already kinda know in my heart of hearts will be boring and shitty like Avengers: Age of Ultron. But then again, how would I really know if something is really crappy or not if I don’t give it an actual chance? SIGH...I guess I will be seeing bad and dumb movies again in the new year along with good ones like every year. God PLEASE at least spare me from paying to see Deadpool (that thing really reeks of desperation. Poor Ryan Reynolds).

Anyway, here is my favorite films of the year 2015 starting with five picks for the #11 spot in no particular order.

Ex Machina

I love sci-fi. I love small, intimate character dramas. Ex Machina is both. The first feature by screenwriter Alex Garland excels not on originality but execution. Sci-Fi movies tend to run on big ideas and big scale where Ex Machina works with 3 characters in confined spaces. This is an impressive and satisfying debut not because the ideas are new or the twists are shocking but the moment to moment delivery is given care. It’s good because the director understands, regardless of genre, a movie works when the fundamentals work. Oscar Issac and Domhnall Gleeson play their parts well and their chemistry is great but the ballet dancer-turned-actor, Alicia Vikander sells the show with her subtle performance as Ava, the android with AI. No wonder she was in no less that five films this year (though she wasn’t good in the other one I saw her in, which was The Man from UNCLE).

Sicario

Oh Benicioooo!!! Man I love Benicio Del Toro and man is he good in this joint. Future Blade Runner 2 director, Denis Villeneuve takes us into the world of the Mexican Cartel vs the US of A with his usual confidence and the result speaks for itself. The film is light on its feet, going from tension to humor and back again to tension as quick and swiftly as the violence pop off. Did I mention the ever popular Emily Blunt and Josh “Motto Panakeiku (more pancake)” Brolin is also in the film? They are both good too but yo, Benicio Del Toro. It also happens to be a really pretty looking piece of picture too. Good thing they gave an up-n-coming cinematographer named Roger Deakins a chance. I think that boy’s going places.

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10,000 KM

This is one of those movies I’d never heard of before seeing it. I just went to see it ‘cause I was able to go to the screening and came out not only surprised by the quality of it but quite impressed. The film is about a long distance relationship and I just saw so much in some people I know. A lot of it takes place in a skype chat which was neat ‘cause they make good use of it. I know that might sound like amateur hour but it really works in this context plus the director proves he ain’t no chump by starting the movie off with an exquisite 30 minute long take that not only looks gorgeous but beautifully acted too by the leads. Apparently this movie only made a little over $12,000 in its domestic run. That’s thousand, not million. That is sad. Go see it and support good independent filmmakers.

The Wolfpack

The Wolfpack is actually kinda amateurish. The lighting is bad most of the time and the film feels completely unfinished. It’s frustrating because you see how much potential Crystal Moselle, the director squandered. There is so much story right in her reach just waiting to be flucked but for whatever reason she doesn’t bite. Maybe she’s not cunning enough. Maybe it’s just inexperience. Maybe she’s too scared too. Anyway, I don’t think I’ve said a nice thing yet but that’s only due to the fact of what’s on display. What’s here is terrific and fascinating in every which way, so give this picture a chance (it’s on Netflix).

It Follows

I really remember seeing this ‘cause I had the flu and felt like death. That didn’t stop me from completely enjoying the shit out of this film. Yeah, the metaphor is heavy handed. Yeah, that pool business at the end was stupid. Whatever. What about the rest of it? What about the soundtrack? What about the atmosphere? What about Maika Monroe? They were all fucking pitch perfect. It’s like Undertale. Don’t hate on it ‘cause people like it. Don’t hate on it ‘cause it’s flawed. You know what’s good about it. Now I’m not saying you have to like it but the hype doesn’t make the thing bad or worse. That’s the Internet’s doing. Separate the Internet from the thing. The thing has nothing to do with that.

Okay. On to my 10 favorite films of the year 2015 in no particular order:

Victoria

You may or may not have heard about this one take gimmick but this 2 hours and 18 minute German film was shot entirely in a single take. The gimmick alone, while unbelievably impressive, wouldn’t make the movie worth placing it onto this list. Very few pictures this year had my hands clenched and Victoria had me doing it for the whole second half of it. A night out in Berlin for Victoria turns into a hang out with strangers turns into something I will not ruin but what if we stay with the characters during the whole movie, no cuts, completely in the moment like in real life? It takes it’s time but it’ll suck you in like very few movies, maybe ever.

When Marnie Was There

We now watch, Studio Ghibli movies post Miyazaki, post flying inventions, post spirit creatures. What does it mean and do we still care? Yes of course because Studio Ghibli is more than Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli is Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli is Hiromasa Yonebayashi. After a decent debut with The Secret World of Arrietty, Yonebayashi brings us his second feature, When Marnie Was There. I felt strange watching it the entire time. Though the director didn’t intend to, the relationship displayed, coming from a children oriented Asian production house felt infinitely progressive. It’s a small film with a big heart as you’d expect, just don’t expect the flare that comes along with a Miyazaki film or the fluid precision of a Takahata film.

Creed

A series from the 70’s on it’s 7th main line entry telling pretty much the same story as the original with an aging star that you might think is just cashing it in and I’m not talking about Star Wars? Whaaaaat?! Creed is fucking shocking man. It’s that good. Who would’ve fucking thought? I’ve almost never seen a movie have an entire audience by the balls like Creed. Yes it’s formulaic but no one expects originality from Hollywood. What people want from Hollywood and this movie delivers ten folds is execution. And Sly, he was amazing. Watch him win an Oscar.

The Big Short

Hollywood, what’s gotten into you? You’ve really changed. This isn’t like you. Are you feeling ok? I’m practically speechless and I fucking can’t believe this thing came from Hollywood. Technically speaking, it feels so fresh, so innovative. That mockumentary style shows like The Office popularize is seamlessly fused with the classical Hollywood style by modern editing. Characters break the fourth wall constantly and the film breaks down the 2008 financial collapse in a way that a dimwit like me can understand. The movie is also entertaining as much it is devastating. It is also quite funny too but watching it hurts so bad that everyone in attendance literally forgot to laugh. Did I mention it also juggles a massive ensemble cast like a clown? Damn you’re a show off.

A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence

Out of all the movies listed in this blog, I would recommend this one the least. Not because it’s bad, I thinking it’s f-ing magical, but because this is exactly the type of work casual film-goers find boring. If you consider yourself really in to the motion pictures and haven’t seen this work by veteran Swedish director Roy Andersson, please check it out, it’s on Netflix atm. Actually this is the first film by him I’ve seen but I am definitely a fan now. A Pigeon likes to have it’s camera on sticks, locked in beautifully composite wide frames and it’s funny and dark. That’s all I can really explain and that’s all that really needs to be said. This is the first movie I seen where the background is as interesting to watch as the foreground. It’s such a great piece of work. He’s a genius!

The Look of Silence

The Look of Silence is the younger, clamer, shorter, and more traditional brother of The Act of Killing. Joshua Oppenheimer proved his filmmaking prowess in his last outing with the brilliantly experimental haunting documentary about the Indonesian massacres of 1965. This time around he doesn’t have to prove anything but shows us there is nothing inherently wrong with talking faces. In fact, what makes most documentaries boring as fuck, this movie makes it look simple and precise. We follow Adi, an optometrist, test the visions of his brother’s killers while also interviewing them about what they remember of the past. It’s that simple but watching this movie felt like getting put into a duffle bag and being stabbed and shot three dozen times and left to bleed out in a ditch, emotional speaking of course.

Tokyo Tribe

This movie is a Japanese hip-hop musical about the different gangs in Tokyo. I know, I know. I’ve probably already sold you. I don’t listen to Japanese rap that much but whenever I do, I always enjoy it. For the same reason I think, I adored this picture. (Korean rap on the other hand? sucks) For the most part, I’ve enjoyed director Sion Sono’s work. I love Noriko’s Dinner Table. I love Strange Circus. I love Love Exposure. I’ve seen a couple others but I won’t mention them ‘cause I didn’t like them that much (Suicide Club is ok). If you know the work of Sion Sono then you kinda know what to expect. His movies are part social commentary, part exploitation but Tokyo Tribe is mostly just fun.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

I think people call it twee? It’s another quirky indie film about young love. You’ve probably decided already whether you’re in or out. Look, I’m not always into this kind of movie but this one is just great. I will not apologize. If it’s too much for you I understand but can we still be friends? The person I saw this movie with literally couldn’t stop crying. This person wanted to cry louder but was holding back from doing that ‘cause we were at a theater. I’ve never seen a person cry because of a movie like that and I’m saying it’s a really fucking touching and moving film.

The Revenant

The Revenant sticks with you. It’s a simple revenge tale shot beautifully. Maybe because the film only allowed for nature light with heavy use of steadicam but Emmanuel Lubezki’s work here is highly reminiscent of his work with Terrence Malick. Anyway, there are some unforgettable scenes worth the admission alone. My guess is that even people that hate Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will come out positive on this one.

Wild Tales

This is probably the best time I had at the movies all year. It’s an anthology film about revenge and karma consisting of six shorts. All of them are fucking great. It’s so funny, so dark, and so moving. Everyone should enjoy some of the shorts if not all. I think it has something for everyone.