Opinion Battles Year 3 Round 3
Favourite Film From 2015
Hitting the year 2017 we can now start looking back at films from 2015 and think what was our favorite without solely looking at the most recent watch. We had a brilliant list of Oscar contenders, the return of classic franchises with nearly all being great or better in their own way but just what do we call our favorite from this year?
If you want to join Opinion Battles our next question is returning to the Oscar winners as we pick our LEAST Favourite Oscar Winning Performance from an Actor in Leading or Supporting Role. To enter send your choices to [email protected] by 19th February 2017.
Darren – Movie Reviews 101
Mad Max Fury Road
Mad Max Fury Road came from nowhere because nobody thought we were going to get too much from this sequel with such a gap between the last film, yes this does have a reboot feel to it but the film showed us just how we can still use practical effects in action films and we don’t need superpowers or CGI to make us go wow. I will say I don’t think this is the best film but it will be the one I watch the most from this year where I could easily have go with The Force Awakens for repeat viewing or Room for pure quality. I think it is safe to say Mad Max Fury Road will be the film people will still talk about from this year of release.
Star Wars Episode 7 The Force Awakens
What’s my favorite film from 2015? That’s an easy one – it’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens. No contest. Well, almost… I’m a little torn between that one & the kick-ass Mad Max: Fury Road. But nothing beats Star Wars! The Force Awakens truly captured the magic of the original trilogy. I still love it. 🙂
Kira – Film and Tv 101
Sicario
I absolutely loved Denis Villeneuve’s 2015 thriller, Sicario. There was so much that this film had going for it – the performances, the storyline, the director. I thought it was an abomination that the film got totally snubbed for all the big awards at last year’s Oscars, especially Benicio Del Toro for his tremendous performance as the mysterious Alejandro. For me though, the biggest sign that this was a gem of a film lies with the fact that we are due a sequel, and I’m not sure about whether I want to see it for fear it will ruin what I have already seen.
Kim – Tranquil Dreams
Spotlight
Tough choices all around in 2015 with so many strong contenders however rare as it is for me to choose the Best Picture winner, I am. Spotlight is a film with not only brilliant performances all around but based on a true story that really punches the audience over and over in the gut. Its a drama and mystery and as the truth reveals itself, it is so emotionally traumatic to watch. One that isn’t made for frequent rewatches but packs a lot of effectiveness and thought about the horrifying things that happen in the world.
Tom – Plain Simple Tom Reviews
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Well, what’s not to love? It’s a fun, exciting film full of wonderful characters both old and new, brought to life by an amazing bunch of actors.
Maybe a bit too similar to A New Hope but still an excellent continuation of the Star Wars universe.
Rob – Movie Rob
Inside Out
This film is still my favorite film from 2015 because it is such an inspiring film where all the pieces are put together so well.
They do an amazing job of taking the complexities of how our minds work and try to make it a simple, mechanical well-oiled machine.
When one thinks about it, the way they have mapped out the functions of the brain and personality seems to make so much sense.
The tone of the film is quite perfect and they still manage to give an intuitive message to both kids and adults alike, each to their own understanding.
Daniel – Dellens Diary
Inside Out
I think perfection is quite an overused word. Doesn’t everything have flaws? Well, I would agree with you, but there’s one film that truly deserves the title of perfection, and that is…..
well, you’ve already read it so there’s no point trying to create suspension, it’s Inside Out. Why? Well you already know. It’s because the animation’s cartoony, but in the best way. It’s because it manages to represent emotions in a film. Have you ever tried thinking about how fucking hard it is to represent the very things we have inside our mind. I mean it’s one thing representing cars or something but emotions? Good god.
In fact, I could go on about this film for hours but to be frank most of you aren’t gonna read this and you’re going to skip through the picks. But if you don’t waste one minute of your life reading this, then let me just say that the best way of seeing how good this movie is is to watch the movie. So yeah, do that.
Rachel – 54 Disney Reviews
Inside Out
My favorite movie from 2015 is Inside Out. I literally watch it most weeks. I love both Riley and Joy’s journeys and the overall message of embracing sadness. I love the humor, heart and everything else. The animation is stunning and I just love watching it
Allie – Often Off Topic
Star Wars the Force Awakens
As much as my head is telling me to pick a hard-hitting, awe-inspiring drama from 2015, I just can’t deny the fact that my favorite movie was Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Up until 2015 I hadn’t seen a single Star Wars movie, but forced myself to sit through both trilogies (in the wrong order, I’m told) before seeing Episode VII so that I’d at least have a clue what was going on. I didn’t expect to fall head over heels in love with the franchise! The Force Awakens is my favorite Star Wars movie so far, mainly because of the characters. I can’t wait to find out more about Rey, and I’m fascinated by Kylo Ren. December can’t come soon enough!
Carl Wonders – Listening to Film
Ex Machina
Amidst a year full of big-budget action blockbusters and films with strong social commentaries, my favorite film of 2015 is the relatively small-scale directorial debut of Alex Garland, EX MACHINA. This film is one of the most beautifully photographed films I have seen and features three incredible performances from Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, and Oscar Isaac. EX MACHINA explores nothing less than the question of what does it mean to be alive and does so in a way that is gripping throughout and, on more than one occasion, had me squirming in my seat but unable to look away. Vikander in particular gives a standout performance as the android Ava (aided by some of the most convincing visual effects I have ever seen), while both Gleeson and Isaac are completely convincing as two geniuses who happen to be on the complete opposite sides of the same coin. With a mere four major roles, EX MACHINA could very well work as an incredible stage play, but instead finds itself as my favorite film from 2015.
Ben – Views From The Sofa
The Martian
In a year full of amazing movie releases like Inside Out, Mad Max: Fury Road and that other space movie set in a Galaxy Far Far Away, The Martian managed to fit many different types of movies in one great film. It was drama, comedy, action and suspense. It had emotion, conflict and at the heart of it one of the best performances by at that time, still quite underrated actor. Matt Damon was a superstar before The Martian but apart from Good Will Hunting, had hardly put in any performances that were considered “great.” The Martian showcased his comedy talent, his dramatic talent and tapped into what he was becoming better known for – an action star. Not to mention the fact he did this practically alone on-screen for most of the run-time. There were a lot of great films in 2015 but none felt as much of the “complete package” as The Martian did.
Emma – Emma Explains It All
Amy
I know everyone was probably expecting me to say The Hateful Eight. Hell, even I expected me to say The Hateful Eight. But when push came to shove I had to be truthful and choose the amazing Amy Winehouse documentary – which was indeed my favorite film of 2015.
I wasn’t really an Amy Winehouse fan before. Indifferent is probably the best way to describe it, though I always knew she had talent. It wasn’t until I watched Amy however, that I realised just how talented and how great and how darn likable she was. It made me sad I wasn’t a fan prior to her untimely death.
Though I enjoyed a few films of 2015 (The Hateful Eight being one of them!), Amy had the most effect on me. I found it the most mesmerizing and wanted to watch it for a second time very soon after (which I did). A fantastic, honest and absorbing documentary.
Drew – Drew’s Movie Reviews
Star Wars Episode 7 The Force Awakens
There are many great movies from 2015 to choose from but I would kick myself if I didn’t pick the entry from my favorite film franchise. I will admit, I didn’t like Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens as much as many others did but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the hell out of it! The new characters were great, especially the kick-ass Rey and everyone’s new favorite droid, BB-8. Kylo Ren is looking to be one of Star Wars’ most complex characters yet and I can’t wait to see where is story arc goes in the future sequels. With the prequel trilogy heavily leaning on CGI effects, it was good to see a return to more practical effects, bringing out a greater sense of realism in the film. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a good start to another trilogy from the Star Wars universe that is also one of the best films of 2015.
J – Film & Nuance
Room
Room is this year’s most touching film. The movie is an experience that doesn’t try to shake off its disturbing undertones. Left bare for all to see, Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay capture their characters struggle to hold on to life, and their growing strength in hope. It’s ultimately a universal expression of undying and unfailing love. Provovative, delicate, charming, lovable, touching and triumphant; Room is all of it. By embracing the intimate connections between mother and son that transcends all boundaries, Room is the most heartfelt thing I’ve ever seen. It is for all these reasons and more, that this epic story of love is the best film of 2015. I must say I loved Tangerine,Ex Machina and Beasts Of No Nation and Anomalisa as much, but Room spoke to me the most.
S.G. Liput – Rhyme and Reason
The Martian
While I suspect that this round will go to Inside Out or Star Wars, my favorite film of 2015 has to be The Martian. Not only is it Ridley Scott’s best work in years, it’s a film that is full of science, math, dates, and technical jargon and yet manages to be surprisingly engaging and watchable. Matt Damon is perfect as the marooned astronaut with a wry sense of humor, and he’s backed by a collection of ideally cast supporting roles, notably Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Jeff Daniels. Thanks to the clever and above all intelligent script, transportive visuals, and classic ‘70s soundtrack, The Martian is a work of grounded science fiction that is both realistic and entertaining.
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