2015 Year-End Recap: Top 30 Through 21 Favorites


On January 1st, I will be publishing my Top Ten of 2015 over at Why So Blu? and on this site as well.  Leading up to the Top Ten, I will be posting a number of lists reflecting my thoughts on the films from this year.  The following post features my Top 30 through 21.  As usual, I am always pleased with how these runner-up lists essentially look like a great top ten list of their own. These picks may not have been in my Top Ten, but I still really appreciated what they had to offer. Anyway, here is the first batch of my favorites from 2015 (with links to the review for each).



Joel Edgerton's directorial debut is a terrific thriller and it makes another case for how strong a dramatic actor Jason Bateman can be.



It is likely that I like Avengers: Age of Ultron more than you do and so be it. I had a blast with this film that very much represents all that Joss Whedon continues to bring to his work on the largest scale possible.



Idris Elba and newcomer Abraham Attah both deliver in this incredibly bleak, but very effective drama that examines the African youth forced to be soldiers.



While straightforward in terms of narrative, Alejandro G. Innaritu puts together a stunningly beautiful depiction of the harsh realities faced by frontiersman.


26. Clouds Of Sils Maria

An intriguing drama that examines the life of an actress, with superb performances from both Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart.



The best Mission: Impossible yet comes alive with Christopher McQuarrie delivering one of the best blockbusters of this past summer.



A wonderful period drama that does great justice to the Thomas Hardy novel, with fine performances and a great look.



Director F. Gary Gray takes the standard biopic formula and makes it work his advantage in this compelling look at the story of NWA.



A strong two-hander between Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg as writers who become friends and foils over the course of a book tour coming to an end.



Saoirse Ronan delivers a fine lead performance in a wonderful drama about the immigrant experience that delivers a message concerning what it means to be kind.

***

Stay tuned for the continuation of this list, disappointments, surprises and more throughout the week!

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