My Top 5 Movies of 2015

Well 2015 has come and gone. And since everyone else seems to be making a top 10 list of their favorite films of the past year, I figured I'd get in on it too. However you probably noticed from the title that this is a top 5 list not a top 10. And the reason for that is that I only saw about 12 films last year (that were released in 2015 that is). So a top 10 least didn't seem like it would really make that much sense. But a top 5 list? That I can do.

So for starters, this is a list of my favorite films of 2015. I realize these might not necessarily be the best (and best is a very subjective thing anyways) but these are the films I enjoyed the most this past year. Basically what I'm saying is that I know that most of these films aren't going to win a best picture Oscar or anything like that, but they do win a place on my list. Also I've only seen most of these films once, so the order of my list might change later on. Rewatchability can be an important factor to consider. Also I'll try and be as vague as possible, so no spoilers here if you haven't seen these films!

Side note, I know the Oscar nominations came out today but I'm still processing my thoughts on the snubs and surprises, so look for that rant in the next couple of days!

Anyway, on to the list!

5. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

I love the MI movies, they always have great action and amazing stunts (mostly because Tom Cruise is a crazy person, but that makes for some unforgettable stunts!)! And this one was no exception, in the first 10 minutes Cruise is hanging of the back of a plane while it takes off (that's not a spoiler, you see that in the trailer!)! While I did think the last MI movie was slightly better, this one was still fun and I enjoyed it immensely. And there is an underwater scene that is AMAZING!! Plus Simon Pegg had more screen time than the last film and when is that ever a bad thing?

4. Cinderella

For those of you that know me, this should come as no surprise. I'm a HUGE fairy tale geek and a TOTAL Disneyphile. Plus it had Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother, I mean COME ON!! Also Sir. Kenneth Branagh directed this, and he did a fantastic job! Lily James was superb as the title character (I've loved her since Downton Abbey so I'm very pleased she's getting big movie roles!). Richard Madden was a terrific prince (I'm totally in love with him now btw). To sum up: it has an incredible cast and it is wonderfully directed. It takes elements from the Disney animated version, the fairy tale, and it manages to show a fresh new take on the classic tale. It's so good I saw it twice in the theater! The music is also amazing (it has a little bit of singing but nowhere near as much as the animated film). Overall a great new version of Cinderella that both kids and adults can enjoy!

3. The Martian

This is where it starts getting really tough, this film and the number 2 film were neck and neck for me. But for the moment my number 3 film is Ridley Scott's amazing film: The Martian. Let me start out by saying that I have read the book (and LOVED it btw) so I went in to this film with HIGH expectations. And I was not disappointed. While I would say the book is better (surprise, surprise) it is only slightly better. Matt Damon was the PERFECT choice to play the lead character, a astronaut stranded on Mars. The film was directed beautifully and all the supporting actors were amazing! And there is a scene that was funny in the book but was 10 times funnier in the film! I laughed so hard my sides hurt! That's really what people need to remember when watching this film, it has dramatic subject matter (man vs. nature) but it is really funny! I know Damon probably won't win the Oscar for this performance (the Best Actor category is really stacked this year) but that shouldn't detract from what an INCREDIBLE job he did. Especially considering the majority of this film is just him all alone on a desert planet. It's basically Cast Away meets Apollo 13, and why wouldn't you want to see that? To sum up: WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!

2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I know some of you just died of shock: a Star Wars film is ON my list of favorite films of the year?! And not just ON my list, it's NUMBER 2?!! Look I've always been very upfront about my dislike of Star Wars (other than Han Solo and R2-D2 there's not much I like about Star Wars). But I was actually hopeful about this film, J.J. Abrams directed it, and he's one of my favorite working directors right now. It had Andy Serkis and Lupita Nyong'o in it, and they're awesome. So I had my fingers crossed. And honestly I was just hoping it would be better than the Prequels (a low bar I know). But I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie! It introduced great new characters (I totally want to be best friends with Rey and am in love with Finn!), was really funny, and had Harrison Ford in it (and he wasn't phoning in his performance for once!). There were great action sequences, amazing dialogue, and terrific performances. All things that I need to really enjoy a film. So yes, hell has officially frozen over, I like a Star Wars movie! The end of days is probably just around the corner. But who knows? Maybe the next one will suck.

Drum roll please!

1. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Look I realize that not a lot of people actually saw this film, and that's a real shame, because it's AMAZING!! I just LOVED this movie sooooo much!!!! It has a great director (Guy Ritchie), a great cast (I want to be BFF's with Alicia Vikander after seeing this film!), and the best soundtrack since Guardians of the Galaxy!! The film is full of action, humor, and amazing outfits! It's a spy film set during in the 60's so you know the costumes and music have to be pretty awesome!! I remember watching this film and halfway through thinking "I can't wait to watch this again!" And that to me is why this film is my number 1!!! I saw it twice in the theater and made my family buy it for me for Christmas!! So yeah, I really, really, really liked this movie!!! A side note: it was based on a cheesy 60's television show, and yes I have seen many episodes of that show. This film managed to take the cool elements from the show, disregard the cheesiness, and infuse it with Guy Ritchie's unique style. I just wish this film did well enough to get a sequel. But you never know, stranger things have happened!!

So there you have it, my favorite 5 films of 2015. Some films that I really enjoyed but that didn't make this list were: Age of Ultron (just barely missed the cut, but still really liked this film), Inside Out (a really nice new Pixar movie, just not as good as Up or the Incredibles, if it was it'd be on my list!), and Jurassic World (not a great movie, but a really fun one!). Anyway, that's all for now, stay tuned for my reaction to the Oscar nominations!!