Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Best and Worst of 2015...so far


This is the time of year when professional movie critics and hack bloggers like me all do the same thing. We put out a list of the year's best movies. A good number of us also put out a list of the worst. I may as well follow suit. However, I do so with the caveat that this is only a preliminary list. After all, I just put out my "official" list of 2014's best and worst about a month ago (read the best here and the worst here).

I'm working from a pool of about forty of this year's releases. If things work out as they have over the last decade or so, I'll see anywhere from 70 to 100 more by the time I get comfortable to make my "definitive" list for 2015. That means don't get too caught up in the order. Most of the ones in my top 10 have a good chance of not being there when I do this again. If they are, they'll likely be in a different spot which could be higher or lower.

Click on the titles where appropriate for reviews. However, I've been watching films at a much faster clip than I can write about them over the last few weeks so many of the reviews are still upcoming.

The Best

2. Creed
4. Mad Max: Fury Road
5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
6. Dope
7. Spy
8. Ant-Man
9. Inside Out
10. Straight Outta Compton


The Worst

5. Fantastic Four
8. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water


Once again, I'm sure this list will look drastically different, at least on the best side, after I watch lots more of that "critically acclaimed" stuff that gets released to theaters this time of year. Just give me some time.

33 comments:

  1. Can't disagree with any of your choices here, although I would argue that Unfriended is hardly as bad as The Gallows, for example. So glad to see 50 Shades up on the Worst list too - that was an atrocious film.

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    1. Thanks! Haven't seen The Gallows so I can't really speak to that. And 50 Shades had to make it. Had to.

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  2. Here's my best of 2015 list so far as it's far from perfect but we do share 6 films that are among the best.

    As for the worst, Fifty Shades of Grey, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, and what I saw of Get Hard, The Wedding Ringer, and Insurgent are all bad but.... none of them are as bad as.... Aloha.

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    1. Lol, I haven't seen Aloha, but I've heard bad things about it. On my way to check out your list.

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    2. Saw your list. Lots of good stuff from what I've seen. I need to watch that Superman Lives doc ASAP! By the way, you had the most comments on my site this year. Thank you so much for supporting this place!!!

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  3. I've only seen one movie on your worst list, but intentionally skipped all of them. As for the best list we have 5 films in common though my list won't be out until next month. Glad to see Kingsman: The Secret Service get some love - being released early in the year it might have been drowned out by other movies.

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    1. I'll be looking forward to your list. Like I said with this one, this is a very early take on things for me so I'll have another one at some point in the coming months. And Yes to Kingsman.

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  4. Awww Get Hard? I actually liked that one. Haven't seen The Spongebob Movie properly so I'll wait before commenting. Fully agree with the best list except Straight Outta Compton but I seem to be in the majority with my indifference for that one.

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    1. I actually love the SpongeBob TV series, and really enjoyed the first movie. This one just didn't work. It committed the worse sin it possibly could for a kiddie-flick. It was boring. As for Straight Outta Compton, That's one I don't expect to be in my top 10, maybe even 20 when it's all said and done. I really like it, but I've got a lot of thinking to do on how to properly place it. Haven't written the review just yet. That will help me sort out my feelings, I'm sure.

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  5. The only one I'd disagree with for Best (that I've seen) is Inside Out but I know I'm in the very small minority of that. I love that you included Kingsman, I was really hoping that would get a Globe nomination in the comedy category. I actually liked it a hair over Fury Road.

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    1. I really liked Inside Out. Admittedly, I don't think it's pure Pixar magic like everyone else seems to, but I enjoyed it. I can see it falling out of my top 10 very easily as I keep seeing 2015 movies. Kingsman is awesome.

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  6. I need to see Ex Machina already!!!

    Also...50 Shades of Grey...because everyone should at least once, right?

    Also...LOVE that Inside Out is there!!!!

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  7. I'm so behind on new releases I haven't seen any of your best yet but eagerly reading/bookmarking these lists, especially from people like you who have similar taste. Most curious about Ex Machina, Kingsman and of course Fury Road.

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    1. I think Ex Machina is a must-see. That's one that will engage your brain and is not the sci-fi action flick it appears to be. The other two are just flat-out fun. I will issue a warning for Kingsman, though. It is a rather gory film for a big action flick. Thanks so much for the compliment!

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  8. I've generally avoided all the movies on your worst list. The only one I've been suckered into was Insurgent. What a piece of shit! Love seeing Ex Machina so high. Still need to see Creed, Dope, Straight Outta Compton, and Ant-Man. Stoked about all of those.

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    1. Yeah, having a 13 year old daughter meant I was definitely going to see Insurgent...and will see the next one whenever that happens. Keep avoiding the others. Can't wait to see your thoughts on the others...hell, I'm still writing my own reviews of them.

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  9. I nearly backed out of doing a list like this because I've only seen about 40 new releases this year too, but now I may have to do what you've done! Really glad to see Inside Out get some love, that's going to be in my list for sure.
    - Allie

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    1. Figure I might as well. Plus, it's always interesting to go back and see how my opinion changed over time.

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  10. Fun stuff and a good mix of films I like and stuff I still need to see. Looking at my list I see we share two films in our Top 10s. One made it into my Top 20. I love the diversity you have.

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    1. Thanks. And there is plenty of stuff I still need to see.

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  11. ooooh. We have the same number one and I also have Mad Max in my unfinished top 10 list. I hate making lists like this but I'll make my list in February so I can include all Oscar nominess but so far my worst 10 is:

    United Passions
    Fantastic Four
    Jupiter Ascending
    Hitman: Agent 47
    Hot Tub Time Machine Two
    Infernal
    Seventh Son
    Mordecai
    Hot Pursuit
    Child 44
    Taken 3

    Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 should be in here but I only watched it for 15 minutes so I didn't feel it was fair.

    Anyway, I can't really argue with any of the films on list except Unfriended which I really liked.

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    1. Taken 3 was really close to making my worst 10. Other than that I haven't seen any of the ones you listed that didn't make it.

      PBMC 2...ugh.

      Unfriended seems to be a polarizing film. Either you love it or hate it.

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  12. Glad to see Creed so high up on your list. Wasn't it such a pleasant surprise??? Loved it.

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    1. It was indeed a pleasant surprise. Really enjoyed it.

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  13. I haven't seen any of the movies on your "worst" list, so I dodged that bullet. :-) I've only seen 3 on your best list so far: Ex Machina, Mad Max, and Inside Out. Ex Machina is a great pick for #1. By the way, I just got Dope from Netflix. Hoping to watch it tomorrow.

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    1. Yes, you've dodged lots of bullets. Can't wait to see what you think of Dope.

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  14. Great choices on both lists mate! I've just posted my Top 10 of 2015 if you're interested, and I gotta say, I'm glad we share a love for Ex Machina!

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    1. It's a wonderful movie! On my way to check out your list.

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  15. I'm in the same boat in that I've not seen everything I want to from 2015 yet. Loved the return of the Star Wars and glad to see it crack your top 5! Inside Out and Mad Max I also have praise for. I see you finally watched Straight Outta Compton and good to see it was to your liking.

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    1. I still haven't gotten around to writing about SOC jusy yet, and will probably watch it again before I do. It's weird in that I did like it, but I'm not sure if it's going to get better or worse as I reflect on it.

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  16. Yeah, I enjoyed Ex Machina too. Very inventive film and one that rewards multiple viewings. I must see Creed (looking forward to it.). I'm surprised to Kingsman make the list, it isn't one that I've seen appear on anyone else's but I haven't seen the film yet. Mad Max, Star Wars and Ant Man - all faves of mine too.

    On the bad side, I'd agree that Insurgent was a huge disappointment after the excellent Divergent.

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    1. Yay! More love for Ex Machina! You must see Creed. And Kingsman is just flat out fun. I would disagree that Divergent is excellent, but that's another discussion. Thanks, Dan!

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