Putting the Spotlight on My Favorite Movies of 2015

What a great year for the movies 2015 was. Yes, I say that every year, because when you’re looking back on your favorite releases, it’s hard not to think positively.

But the fact is, going to the movies brought me a lot of pleasure this year, and not always due to conventionally good films.

To that end, two of the most enjoyable movies I saw, Jurassic World and, especially, San Andreas, delivered exactly what I wanted them to despite (or maybe because of) dubious quality.

Other films were pleasant surprises, like The Peanuts Movie, Ant-Man, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. — and I mention that last film not just because it featured Alicia Vikander’s most adorable, most endearing, and most winning performance of the year.

I saw a lot of excellent documentaries this year, including Sunshine Superman, The Wolfpack, He Named Me Malala, and The Hunting Ground, and I watched as one of my all-time favorite docs, Man on Wire, became a drama: The Walk.

All this is to say, it was fun to be a frequent moviegoer this year. And frequent I was: I saw a total of 85 movies — more than I’ve ever seen in a single year.

Seeing so many movies made it even more of a challenge to narrow them down to my 10 favorites; you’ll notice the ones mentioned above didn’t even make my list. Which ones did make the list? Let’s get to it.

My Top 10 Favorite Films of 2015

1. While We’re Young. The first of Noah Baumbach’s two films this year touches a real chord in me because of the way it portrays 40somethings who aren’t ready to be 40somethings. And yes, on the surface, While We’re Young may appear to be a comedy about generational differences, and about trying to relate to your peers when your lives are taking different paths, but it was about much more. At its heart, Noah Baumbach’s film is about authenticity, and about how easy it is to be something you’re not, or to be fooled by others who aren’t what they say they are. Given how much time I spend on social media, that’s something I could really relate to.

2. Steve Jobs. Aaron Sorkin and Danny Boyle’s adaptation of Walter Isaacson’s massive biography isn’t literal (events and conversations didn’t happen exactly as portrayed), but the film sure is thrilling entertainment. Brilliantly filmed, written, and acted, Steve Jobs shows us the man (and, to be sure, the myth) through the prism of three product launches, and features tense confrontations — such as the one between Jobs and John Sculley midway through — that manage to encapsulate Jobs’ life story while keeping you on the edge of your seat.

3. The Martian. Ridley Scott’s latest space odyssey sure does “science the shit” out of the multiplex, celebrating the power of ingenuity (take that, MacGyver!) in impossible circumstances, and showing everyone how to make a slick, mainstream movie that’s smart but doesn’t talk down to the audience.

4. Amy. This heartbreaking documentary about Amy Winehouse, one of my all-time favorite singers, illustrates in devastating fashion how the destructive powers of fame, love, and drugs can completely overwhelm a person. The film makes brilliant use of home movies and interviews, and gives context to some of Amy’s most well known songs. The end result is you hear her music as if for the first time and appreciate her gifts even more than you probably already did.

5. Inside Out. When are people going to learn that just because a movie is animated, it’s not intended for kids? Pixar’s summer release was definitely aimed more at adults. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or you just know a young kid, Inside Out makes you smile from start to finish — except for those parts when you’re glad the 3D glasses hide your tears. (Bing Bong, we hardly knew ye!) This is an emotional film about emotions. It’s just wonderful … A true gem.

6. Spotlight. Tom McCarthy’s film provides an excellent tribute not just to the reporters and editors at the Boston Globe who, in 2001 and 2002, broke the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal, but to all hard-working journalists everywhere. Dispatching with the typical clichés, Spotlight puts the, uh, spotlight on the job of reporting itself, and via subtle performances by a top-notch cast honors the job these real-life heroes do each and every day to unearth wrongdoing and make us all more informed.

7. Creed. In a year with multiple series relaunches, Ryan Coogler’s film goes the extra round, revisiting many of the same familiar tropes from the original Rocky movie, but to satisfying effect. Unlike, say, The Force Awakens, Creed doesn’t just set the table for a new series; it stands on its own because it does so much more than worship at the altar of nostalgia, it begins a brand new story — albeit one informed by the films that have come before. As the aged Italian Stallion, Sylvester Stallone gives his best performance in decades, showing he can knock you out just with words and emotions, and as the next-generation fighter, Michael B. Jordan (reteaming with his Fruitvale Station writer/director) is someone we want to root for — and will hopefully get the chance to root for in multiple more films.

8. Mad Max: Fury Road. What a movie. What a lovely movie! High octane almost from start to finish, Fury Road did more than relaunch the Mad Max series. It schooled all those CGI-laden summer blockbusters on how to infuse a movie with testosterone, visual and aural excitement, and intelligence. (Yes, even the Doof Warrior, aka the blind flame-throwing guitarist, was a stroke of genius.) In short, George Miller’s film raised the stakes and standards for what an action movie could and should be — summer or not.

9. The End of the Tour. Jason Segel gives a moving performance as David Foster Wallace, and Jesse Eisenberg matches him as David Lipsky, the Rolling Stone reporter assigned to cover his Infinite Jest book tour, in this intimate tribute to the author, which also provides an insightful look at ego, competition, and the effects of depression on writers.

10. Carol. Todd Haynes’ utterly transporting film about a forbidden romance between two women in the early 1950s says all it has to in silences and subtleties, making you feel every last longing. Cate Blanchett and, especially, Rooney Mara are excellent, portraying the mutual insecurity of realizing someone sees you as your best self, even though you may not always see yourself that way. It’s beautiful to watch.

My 10 Least Favorite Films

The less said about each one of these, the better. They are listed alphabetically.

Aloha

Blackhat

The D Train

Fantastic Four

The Intern

Love the Coopers

The Overnight

Self/Less

Tomorrowland

True Story

So, there you go. It was a great year for the movies. If you haven’t seen any of my favorites, definitely add them to your must-see list.

What were YOUR favorite — and least favorite— movies of 2015? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

By the way, here’s the full list of every movie I saw this year:

1. Blackhat
2. The Wedding Ringer
3. Fifty Shades of Grey
4. The Last Five Years
5. The Hunting Ground
6. Kingsman: The Secret Service
7. Danny Collins
8. Furious 7
9. While We’re Young
10. True Story
11. Ex Machina
12. The Age of Adeline
13. The D Train
14. The Avengers
15. Adult Beginners
16. Pitch Perfect 2
17. Mad Max: Fury Road
18. Tomorrowland
19. San Andreas
20. Entourage
21. Aloha
22. Sunshine Superman
23. Inside Out
24. Love & Mercy
25. Spy
26. Jurassic World
27. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
28. Dope
29. The Overnight
30. Live from New York!
31. The Wolfpack
32. Ted 2
33. Magic Mike XXL
34. Terminator: Genisys
35. Infinitely Polar Bear
36. Self/Less
37. Amy
38. Batkid Begins
39. Trainwreck
40. Ant-Man
41. Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation
42. Fantastic Four
43. The End of the Tour
44. The Man from U.N.C.L.E
45. Straight Outta Compton
46. We Are Your Friends
47. Mistress America
48. Ricki & the Flash
49. Pixels
50. Grandma
51. Everest
52. Black Mass
53. Sleeping with Other People
54. The Intern
55. Freeheld
56. The Walk
57. The Martian
58. Bridge of Spies
59. He Named Me Malala
60. Steve Jobs
61. Sicario
62. Room
63. Our Brand Is Crisis
64. The 33
65. Truth
66. The Peanuts Movie
67. Spotlight
68. Spectre
69. All Things Must Pass
70. Love the Coopers
71. Trumbo
72. Brooklyn
73. Creed
74. The Night Before
75. Legend
76. The Big Short
77. In the Heart of the Sea
78. The Danish Girl
79. Sisters
80. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
81. Carol
82. The Hateful Eight
83. Concussion
84. Joy
85. The Revenant