2015 Films
I'm going to try and rate and rank every 2015 film I see. The hardest would be ranking films with the same number - all 8's, etc. - especially without re-watching all of them.
There are a lot of films categorized as being 2014 that were only shown at festivals, but weren't shown theatrically or released on DVD until 2015. I am going to put these in 2015 according to theatrical date.
There are a lot of films categorized as being 2014 that were only shown at festivals, but weren't shown theatrically or released on DVD until 2015. I am going to put these in 2015 according to theatrical date.
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28 titles
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsLeonardo DiCaprioTom HardyWill PoulterA frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.9/10 - Easily a 9. Will I change it to a 10? Only time can tell. Hard to put it above Force Awakens. Who knows? I hate ranking things. I saw this and Scorsese's Silence in a 24 hour period. Both transport you to their world, both are well made, and both can be very brutal. This transports you to the time in North America before automobiles and when you had to be aware of the possibility of Native American (Indian) attacks. 1/27/2017.
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaOscar IsaacAs a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.9/10 - I enjoyed this and want to see it again. Definitely not perfect, but I'm not sure much more they could have done. Very anxious to see VIII now. Saw this in the theater on 12-18-15. I will probably definitely see it again, and am wondering if I want to try 3D.
- DirectorJared HessStarsSam RockwellAmy RyanJemaine ClementA self-professed biblical archaeologist who has fallen on hard times starts to bend the truth in order to continue inspiring the faithful.9/10 - Forgot to Blog this, so I can't say much more than I enjoyed it. It looks like Jared Hess is back on track after Gentlemen Broncos. What pushes it from an 8 to a 9 for me personally is the way it handles the religious aspects of the film and how it is funny without being overtly crude like many comedies today. I don't think most people will rate it this highly though. 6-18-16.
- DirectorDavid Robert MitchellStarsMaika MonroeKeir GilchristOlivia LuccardiA young woman is followed by an unknown supernatural force after a sexual encounter.9/10 - May be too generous with 9. It has a good idea, filmed in an arthouse way (in the same way Halloween is, I guess) and was an effective horror movie. Some of the logic that I see others complain about bothers me, too, so I will listen to the commentary to see if it is cleared up. In a way, is this basically like if a movie was made starring the bathtub lady in The Shining? The tube TVs were odd. 7-24-15
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsGeorge ClooneyBritt RobertsonHugh LaurieBound by a shared destiny, a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory.8/10 - Redbox freebie. Unfortunately, this disc was scratched and the movie froze at least 5 times. I had to try and fast forward and then find where I could start again. Some of the skips were during scenes that seemed important. So I probably need to see the full thing to really give my thoughts. Disney definitely knew they owned Star Wars while making this - lots of SW props in the toy shop. I could see this movie gaining popularity over the years. 1-30-16
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsJoaquin PhoenixEmma StoneParker PoseyA tormented philosophy professor finds a will to live when he commits an existential act.8/10 - Full Screen on TV. I like the Woody Allen/Emma Stone pairing. I don't know about the sloppy downer having Emma and Parker Posey throwing themselves at him. Lots of narration always reminds me of what is said in Adaptation. The movie brings up some interesting moral ideas. I ended up watching it a 2nd time before deleting it off my DVR. 8/8/16
- DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsTom CruiseRebecca FergusonJeremy RennerEthan and his team take on their most impossible mission yet when they have to eradicate an international rogue organization as highly skilled as they are and committed to destroying the IMF.8/10 - Strong 8, maybe 9. Saw this at Regal Theater in Longview, Tx. Earned a free ticket. Can't remember anything wrong with it. Maybe I should bump it up. Action scenes seemed blurry. Is that how it was supposed to look, or was it an error with theater projection? Can only remember 1 profanity. Is this a requirement of post-Scientology Tom Cruise vehicles? Expected a kiss, but only hugged lead female when they parted. 8-15-15
- DirectorPete DocterRonnie Del CarmenStarsAmy PoehlerBill HaderLewis BlackAfter young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.8.5/10 - Enjoyed this. Full Screen. Liked the piano theme. Couldn't figure out who voiced Sadness, and it turned out to be Phyllis from The Office. 5-13-16.
- DirectorGlenn FicarraJohn RequaStarsWill SmithMargot RobbieRodrigo SantoroIn the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.8/10 - Redbox freebie. Pleasantly surprised. I remember the reaction was tepid for this film. I was reminded of Entrapment, another film I like. Like Zeta-Jones, Margot Robbie is stunning. Liked the cinematography and look, and really liked the soundtrack. Surprised to go to the IMDB board and not see a single thread about the soundtrack. Could have easily cut some language and made it PG-13 at no loss of quality. Entrapment was just fine at that rating. 8-9-15
- DirectorMichael DoughertyStarsAdam ScottToni ColletteDavid KoechnerA boy who has a bad Christmas accidentally summons a festive demon to his family home.8/10 - Redbox 27 cents. It felt like it took scenes/shots from a lot of 80's/90's movies like: Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, Poltergeist, Gremlins, Tremors. The design of Krampus could be inspired by the things in The Village and/or Scrooged. The character of the uncle seemed to be a combination of Uncle Eddie from Vacation and the Thompson's dad in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. The opening credits are a lot of fun. 5-28-16.
- DirectorJoel EdgertonStarsJason BatemanRebecca HallJoel EdgertonA married couple, Simon and Robyn, run into Gordo, an old classmate. Things take a turn when Gordo begins to drop in unannounced at their house and inundates them with mysterious gifts.8/10 - Redbox freebie. Maybe more 8.5. Thought it was a solid film. One Hour Photo is the first film I thought of. It goes to some uncomfortable places...11/9/2015
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom HanksMark RylanceAlan AldaDuring the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers.8/10 - Redbox 27 cents. Solid Spielberg drama. Hanks' daughter played by the daughter of Bono of U2 ha! Jessie Plemmons gets yet another cool job. Well done, just not something I will be aching to watch again. 3-26-16.
- DirectorAlex GarlandStarsAlicia VikanderDomhnall GleesonOscar IsaacA young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a highly advanced humanoid A.I.8/10 - Redbox freebie. This seemed like an interesting movie. I almost went to see it in the theater. It is a well crafted Sci-fi film. At the same time, it did not blow me over or anything enough to push it to a 9. I'm not even sure why. 7-18-15
- DirectorAnthony BurnsStarsKatherine HeiglPatrick WilsonMadison WolfeDon Champagne seems to have it all, but when his wife, Mona, learns of his affair with a pretty new salesgirl, she will stop at nothing to maintain their storybook life.8/10 - I think this was an enjoyable dark, black comedy. For some reason I keep thinking of Ed & His Dead Mother. Both can get zany at times. Surprised at such low ratings. Jim Belushi dancing after Jordana Brewster gives him a high five is too funny. Main thug looks like Shia LaBeof with a fatter face. Heigl does well. Wilson is very funny. The final meeting at the store is very memorable. 10-8-15
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsMatt DamonJessica ChastainKristen WiigAn astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and can survive until a potential rescue.8/10 - Redbox credit from damaged Tomorrowland. Well done movie, but I just didn't love it. The Fx must have been phenomenal as I don't think they ever brought attention to themselves. I don't know what else they could have done, but it probably will have no replay value for me. I am curious about the 3D version though. When I think of the film title I want to say it like the Martin TV show theme. 2-10-16
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsSamuel L. JacksonKurt RussellJennifer Jason LeighIn the dead of a Wyoming winter, a bounty hunter and his prisoner find shelter in a cabin currently inhabited by a collection of nefarious characters.8/10 - Another well crafted film by Tarantino. I just didn't enjoy this as much as some of his prior work. 4-19-16.
Addendum to Hateful Eight - This is the first Tarantino film I did not see in the theater since pre-Kill Bill Vol 1. I may have liked it more if I saw it on the big screen. It didn't stay in theaters as long since it did not get the Oscar boost of some of his prior films. 4-11-16. - DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsOlivia DeJongeEd OxenbouldDeanna DunaganTwo siblings become increasingly frightened by their grandparents' disturbing behavior while visiting them on vacation.8/10 - Redbox freebie. I was really close to seeing this at the $1.50 theater on Halloween night, but my granny had a fish fry. The movie kept me on edge. The boy rapping was a poor choice. I grew up an AYAOTD? fan, so maybe my standards are low? Ha. 2-13-16
- DirectorRyan GoslingStarsChristina HendricksIain De CaesteckerMatt SmithA single mother is swept into a dark underworld, while her teenage son discovers a road that leads him to a secret underwater town.8/10 - Redbox freebie. Probably a light 8, mostly because Ryan Gosling took a chance on making a film like this for his directorial debut. David Lynch is the easiest comparison. Really like the poster. Favorite part: when the lights come in in the lake. Christina Hendricks in the clear plastic thing is cool. Not perfect by any measure, but I am interested to see what Gosling does next. 7-11-15
- DirectorColin TrevorrowStarsChris PrattBryce Dallas HowardTy SimpkinsA new theme park, built on the original site of Jurassic Park, creates a genetically modified hybrid dinosaur, the Indominus Rex, which escapes containment and goes on a killing spree.7/10 - Redbox freebie. 1x viewing. Trying to look at it like a B/Monster Movie. Some dumb stuff here, but also some dumb fun. Vincent D and the weapons thing seemed pretty stupid - was wondering if that was really him. Liked the little nods to JP. Starting the movie with completely CGI hatching was a bad call imo. Wanted to add - the first time the helicopter is shown landing, it looks like a toy. It looked so bad. 11/17/2015
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsJessica BielRay BrownJenny GulleyA small town waitress gets a nail accidentally lodged in her head causing unpredictable behavior that leads her to Washington, D.C., where sparks fly when she meets a clueless young senator who takes up her cause - but what happens when love interferes with what you stand for?7/10 - Redbox freebie. This movie has an interesting history. I saw the odd cover art on Redbox and started reading up on it. It's not a total disaster like IMDB commentators say. I don't think those people have seen a French New Wave film. There is a really unique love scene - the camera pans the room and you see different body parts. Any footage of Jessica Biel is a positive imo. She makes out with a TV. What more do you want? I do want to see it again to try and wrap my head around it. 7-21-15
- DirectorJustin ReardonStarsChris EvansMichelle MonaghanTopher GraceUnrequited love motivates a guy to write about his experiences.7.5/10? - Kinda like a Zach Braff movie. There is intelligence behind the movie/writing, but it's little too sure of itself? It has some nice moments - the charity/race edits, Ashley Tisdale cameo - but feels familiar at the same time. If it was shot more classically and the pop music was replaced with jazz, would it be kinda Woody Allen-ish? Poster artwork is horrendous. 3-9-16
- DirectorCameron CroweStarsBradley CooperRachel McAdamsEmma StoneA celebrated military contractor returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs and reconnects with a long-ago love while unexpectedly falling for the hard-charging Air Force watchdog assigned to him.7/10 - Redbox freebie. There were brief flashes of goodness, and I like pretty much all of the actors, but something just did not gel. Purposefully destroying a billion dollar satellite - there has to be some repercussion. I think I read that there were major reshoots, so maybe there is a better version of the movie somewhere.
*Edit* Started the movie again to see if I missed some things early on and enjoyed it more. I think important info is given in the VoiceOver and it's hard to understand. 9-12-15 - DirectorBrad PeytonStarsDwayne JohnsonCarla GuginoAlexandra DaddarioIn the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey with his ex-wife across the state in order to rescue his daughter.7/10 - Redbox freebie. It was mom's bday & she has been wanting this. My expectations were low, but I enjoyed it for what it was. I'm not sure the Rock's employers were cool with him abandoning his duty to rescue people by using their helicopter just to save his own family. It is also funny to go to the IMDB boards and see all the posts about all the actresses being well endowed and bouncy. 12/9/2015
- DirectorAnthony C. FerranteStarsIan ZieringTara ReidCassandra ScerboA monstrous tornado unleashes ravenous sharks from Washington, D.C., all the way down to Orlando, Florida.7/10 - I give it a 7 just because it knows what it is and it's enjoyable. Saw it on TV a few days ago.
- DirectorJoel SouzaStarsWill SpencerCade SuttonPhillip WamplerThree unpopular friends accept a dare to spend Halloween in a haunted house. They encounter a mischievous ghost dog intent on tormenting them, leading to a night of terrifying chaos as they struggle to survive the supernatural encounter.7/10? - Surprised at how little info there is on this movie. I just caught it on TV. It was refreshing to hear no profanity. Kinda felt like a Nickelodeon movie. Still, I had to see it in Full Screen, but I assume it was shot in Widescreen. If I see the DVD cheap I might get it. 3-5-16
- DirectorDustin MarcellinoStarsBlake RayneRay LiottaAshley JuddTwin brothers are unknowingly separated at birth; one of them becomes an iconic rock 'n' roll star, while the other struggles to balance his love for music and pleasing his father.6/10 - Redbox freebie. This movie got a lot of bad reviews which made me want to see it for some reason. A lot of it didn't work, but I didn't hate it. It is supposed to be a Christian movie (or at least seems to want to appeal to that crowd), but it has an odd message. It is also has actors like Seth Green in it, someone I am sure makes fun of Jesus/religion on Robot Chicken. Not sure of his angle for doing this movie. Most of the music/music sequences are pretty laughable. 7-18-15
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsAdam SandlerKevin JamesMichelle MonaghanWhen aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth in the form of the video games.6/10 - Full Screen on TV. This had a lot of potential, but the writing was horrible. Very awkward dialog that makes no sense in any real life situation. I did like Josh Gad getting punched out of the van for some reason. 2-23-16
- DirectorJohn Francis DaleyJonathan GoldsteinStarsEd HelmsChristina ApplegateSkyler GisondoRusty Griswold takes his own family on a road trip to "Walley World" in order to spice things up with his wife and reconnect with his sons.5/10 - Have free extra movie channels for a while, so I recorded several 2015/2016 movies. Wow, this was pretty painful. Not sure how it gets a 5. I did laugh some, but not much. The really filthy mouthed younger brother was extremely annoying. A lot of the jokes were ruined by the trailers back when it was in theaters. Way to start off the new year! 1/1/2017.