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| Alicia Vikander in "Ex Machina" Photo Credit: Imdb.com |
5) Ex Machina - We’ve seen many films over the years dealing with artificial intelligence, but none quite as unsettling as writer and director Alex Garland’s sci-fi thriller. The film tells the story of Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) a young programmer who gets invited to spend a week at his CEO’s (Oscar Isaac) getaway home/laboratory. While there, Caleb is given the opportunity to interact with his CEO’s latest creation, a humanoid female robot named Ava (Alicia Vikander), in an experiment that will lead to unforeseen consequences. The exchanges between Gleeson and Isaac are involving and thought provoking, but it’s Vikander’s eery and brilliant performance that makes this film a startling prediction of the future. As a robot who may be capable of more than she’s letting on, this is a performance that introduced audiences to who may be one of our best new actresses. As far as the story goes, just when you think it’s heading where you expect, you’re taken in a direction with much more disturbing implications, and after the cut to black at the end, you’ll want to immediately watch the film again to peel back the many layers even further.
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| Amy Winehouse in "Amy" Photo Credit: Imdb.com |
4) Amy - Before I viewed Asif Kapadia’s documentary on the late Amy Winehouse, I hadn’t listened to much of her music, so I took some time to do so before seeing the film, and I’m very glad I did. Becoming familiar with her music resulted in much richer viewing because you then have a greater understanding of the experiences Winehouse uses to write her songs. With in-depth, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews from Winehouse’s family and friends, we are given a thorough view of her journey to becoming one of the most soulful singers to grace the music industry. Winehouse’s life ended much too soon, but this film is a moving and respectful tribute to her. Although it may be better to listen to her music before seeing the film, you can still appreciate it even if you haven’t. In fact, if you see this film without having listened to much of her work, I’m confident you will become a fan of her afterwards. With the beautiful contributions Winehouse made to music, this is the cinematic chronicle she deserves.
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| Emory Cohen and Saoirse Ronan in "Brooklyn" Photo Credit: Imdb.com |
3) Brooklyn - Romantic dramas are very common in cinema. But, once in a while, we are given one that separates itself from the pack to present moviegoers with something truly special. This year, one such film is director John Crowley’s “Brooklyn.” Believe me, this movie gives your tear ducts a workout; not through emotionally manipulative scenes, but with scenes that truly earn the audiences’ tears. The film takes place in 1952 and tells the story of a young Irish immigrant named Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), who leaves her home to pursue a new life in Brooklyn. Although she feels very homesick, she finds a steady job in a department store and begins dating an Italian-American boy named Tony Fiorello (Emory Cohen). But, after a death in Eilis’ family, she must return to Ireland to settle some affairs, and is then faced with circumstances that may influence her to stay there. Saoirse Ronan offers a radiant and emotional performance, encapsulating what it meant to be an immigrant in the time period depicted in the film, and she has wonderful romantic chemistry with Cohen. This is a story that has a very classic feel to it, and it will certainly become a classic in the years to come. If you want to know what it’s like to be swept away by a film, “Brooklyn” will show you.
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| Michael Keaton (left) and Mark Ruffalo in "Spotlight" Photo Credit: Imdb.com |
2) Spotlight - Director Tom McCarthy’s film is a story as eye-opening as it is tragic. The narrative focuses on the “Spotlight” investigative journalism team at “The Boston Globe” in 2001, who was tasked with exposing the child sex-abuse scandals concealed by the Catholic Church in Massachusetts. As the team begins their research, they will realize there is much more being covered up then they expected. In a cast that includes Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Stanley Tucci, and several other acclaimed performers, this is the greatest ensemble in a 2015 film. What’s remarkable about the cast is there isn’t a performance that standouts from the others because everyone is given nearly the same amount of screen time, and each actor is provided with the opportunity to make an impact in the film. This movie is a team effort for the cast, and it shows. The detail with which McCarthy goes into the scandal makes it feel as though we are reading the actual Pulitzer Prize-winning article as the film plays out, providing us with the rage-inducing specifics as to what was done to the victims of the scandal. “Spotlight” will leave you aghast at what transpired behind the church’s closed doors, but also thankful for the news team’s dedication that made sure the victims were given the justice they were owed.
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| From left: Anger, Disgust, Joy, Fear, and Sadness in "Inside Out" Photo Credit: Imdb.com |
1) Inside Out - Despite a few movies that didn’t reach their usual imaginative heights, Pixar Animation Studios has the power to impress us with their ability to craft an idea and present audiences with something they have never seen before. This year, they have done it again with one of their finest films, which tells the story of an 11-year-old girl named Riley who moves with her parents from Minnesota to San Francisco, and we see the personified emotions in her head as they try to help Riley process this huge change in her life. With voices provided by Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, and Richard Kind, among others, Pixar’s latest creation offers one of the funniest voice casts of any animated film in the past few years, and everyone is a perfect fit for their part. But, that is just one of many factors that make this film something to be cherished by adults and children alike, due to its originality, wit, emotion, and beautiful animation. Leave it to Pixar to venture into deep territory that’s uncommon for a children’s film and have it result in them giving us, once again, one of the best movies of the year.
Come back in February to see my predictions for the 88th Academy Awards!
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