My Top 10 Favorite Films of 2015

I haven't reviewed a movie on this blog in months. Life kind of caught up with me and I wasn't able to get back in the rhythm of reviewing all the films I saw. But, I'm here now to lay out the best movies that I saw that came out in the past year. I did not see all the films that were released in 2015, and this list may change once I do see some more. However, as of right now, these are the ten best films of 2015 according to me, myself, and I.

#10 - The Gift 

This movie came out of nowhere in the dog days of August and blew me away. Joel Edgerton directed, wrote, and starred in this film, excelling at all three roles and proving he's a talent to keep an eye on. Jason Bateman gave his best performance in years and Rebecca Hall was excellent as well. It was a suitably unsettling and intense psychological thriller that concluded with one of the most effective endings I've seen in years. 

#9 - Spectre 

While many found Daniel Craig's fourth outing as James Bond to be frivolous and bereft of substance, I was satisfied with Sam Mendes' decision to hearken back to the old days of the Bond franchise. He brought back the bombastic action spectacle that once defined the series without forgetting about the core characters and their arcs. While it doesn't match the heights of Craig's best efforts as 007, Spectre was a solid entry in the 50-year old franchise that may very well wrap up the Daniel Craig era.

#8 - Creed

Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan injected energy and life back into the Rocky franchise with this film. The pair that brought us the powerful Fruitvale Station once again prove that they are perfectly capable of crafting entertaining and believable human stories that pack an emotional punch. Creed is a real heavyweight of a boxing movie (sorry, I had to) with knockout performances and flawless direction. Sylvester Stallone also came out of nowhere and delivered one of his best performances to date, one that may get him recognition come awards season. 

#7 - Bridge of Spies

This Cold War drama starring Tom Hanks shows us once again why Steven Spielberg is one of the best of all-time. Every shot that Spielberg uses feels flawlessly thought out and purposeful. He is a masterful filmmaker and a top-notch storyteller to boot. Despite there not being much action in the film, there is not a moment that feels boring or superfluous. With engaging performances from Hanks and Mark Rylance, expertly placed moments of humor and levity, and Spielberg's steady hand behind the camera, Bridge of Spies delivers in every way, shining a light on a fascinating piece of history in a satisfying and resonant manner. 

#6 - Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation 

As a huge fan of the franchise, I was greatly anticipating Rogue Nation, and it delivered in every way I could've hoped for or imagined. Christopher McQuarrie crafted some of the best action sequences in recent memory, including a breathtaking motorcycle chase that just might be my favorite sequence in any movie from 2015. Tom Cruise was in top form with a terrific supporting cast that included Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson, who was an absolute revelation. This very well might be the best of the Mission: Impossible films so far, which is saying quite a bit considering this is the fifth entry in a franchise that is showing no signs of letting up. 

#5 - The Martian 

Ridley Scott proves that he can still make a great film with this masterful sci-fi gem that will probably go down as one of the genre's best entries in quite some time. Matt Damon gives a wonderful performance that is able to keep the audience engaged throughout the run time despite the fact that he's just talking into the camera for the most part. But it's not just Damon doing the heavy lifting; his fellow cast members all do amazing jobs in one of the best ensemble efforts I've seen in years. It's thrilling, emotional, surprisingly funny, and just an all-around great film that I look forward to watching many times in the future. 

#4 - The Hateful Eight 

Tarantino's still got it. His eighth film has all the elements that have made him one of the most popular and influential directors in recent memory. Snappy, ingenious dialogue, a top-notch ensemble cast, and of course plenty of gory violence populate this irresistibly fun and pleasantly old-fashioned movie that once again proves Quentin Tarantino is a visionary auteur. And Sam Jackson gives his best, most engaged performance in years. 

#3 - Mad Max: Fury Road

The film I was most surprised by in 2015 was George Miller's action masterpiece, Mad Max: Fury Road. This spectacular showcase of eye-popping practical effects and raw suspense does not let up during its entire run time, delivering one of the most exhilarating 2-hours of film you'll ever see. Tom Hardy takes on the titular role with engaging conviction, but it's Charlize Theron's Furiosa that really stands out, providing an emotional backbone for all the insane, glorious action set pieces. This is a film that will be remembered as one of the greatest action movies of the decade - and perhaps of all-time. 

#2 - Inside Out

Pixar has made some truly outstanding animated pictures in the past. However, I'm not sure I've ever seen them create something quite as ingeniously clever and complex as this. Inside Out may not be their best film yet, but it might be their most important film. It provides a message that should be heard by people of all ages and walks of life. And it does it by way of a hilarious and deeply heartfelt animation that, admittedly, made me tear up on many occasions, and only improved with a second viewing. It's a suitably emotional movie that will hold up for generations to come. 

#1 - Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

What else could hold my top spot other than the return to a galaxy far, far away? J.J. Abrams has crafted a magical continuation to the Star Wars saga that met any and every expectation I had for it going in. It is truly remarkable how well this film holds up to the massive, unprecedented amount of hype it experienced pre-release. It masterfully blends new characters and plotlines with the old stuff we love and grew up on. Some of the best action sequences and moments of humor the franchise has seen only help to augment the extraordinary experience of once again encountering the thrilling magic of Star Wars. The force has awakened, indeed.