It's officially December! That means it's time for Coca Cola and John Lewis adverts, howling winds and biting cold, and time for looking back over the year that was.
Last week, I started my countdown of my Top Fifty Films of 2015, which you can read HERE, but for now, the list resumes...
Last week, I started my countdown of my Top Fifty Films of 2015, which you can read HERE, but for now, the list resumes...
40. American Sniper
Plot
Based on the life of Chris Kyle, a United States Navy SEAL who became the deadliest marksman in the history of the U.S. military with 255 kills from four tours in Iraq.
Starring
Bradley Cooper (The Hangover), Sienna Miller (Interview)
Verdict
This did so crazily well in America, and I really didn’t see why. The obvious patriotism aside, this is hardly the best work for Cooper, Miller or director Clint Eastwood (Kitchen Confidential / Interview / Gran Torino in case you’re wondering).
The action scenes are
decently shot and it kept my attention throughout, but the script
didn’t really grip me in the way other war films have, such as the
far-superior Jarhead. Whilst it does show the downside of war
through Kyle’s bouts with PTSD and and his troubled family life,
Eastwood focuses too much on him, not allowing other characters to
make an impact on the film.
It felt like Eastwood
wanted to make a pro-War film based on Kyle’s achievements but
settled for an ambiguous one instead. However the remnants can still
be felt, giving it an uncomfortable sense throughout.
39. The Walk
Plot
In 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit became obsessed with attempting to walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on a high wire. This is how he did it.
Starring
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (The Dark Knight Rises), Ben Kingsley (Hugo), James Badge Dale (Iron Man 3)
Verdict
Understandably, this film is all about the titular walk. The scene where JGL walks between the Twin Towers is truly phenomenal and one of my favourite sequences this year. However, the hour leading up to that point has a lot to be desired.
It pains me to say it, but JGL's performance was just cringe-worthy. His French accent was so off-putting and stereotypical, he might as well have been wearing a black and white striped shirt, eating a baguette on a bicycle, all whilst having a string of garlic cloves around his neck.
Understandably, this film is all about the titular walk. The scene where JGL walks between the Twin Towers is truly phenomenal and one of my favourite sequences this year. However, the hour leading up to that point has a lot to be desired.
It pains me to say it, but JGL's performance was just cringe-worthy. His French accent was so off-putting and stereotypical, he might as well have been wearing a black and white striped shirt, eating a baguette on a bicycle, all whilst having a string of garlic cloves around his neck.
Director Robert Zemeckis is renowned for trying to combine amazing visuals with intriguing story. Just look at his past work; Back To The Future, The Polar Express, Forrest Gump. Whilst The Walk doesn't match up to those films in terms of storyline or performances, the visuals are astounding, making me actually breathless at times.
38. Pitch Perfect 2
Plot
Following on from the original Pitch Perfect, Beca is taking the Bardem Bellas to the Acapella World Championships. But the team that fit together so well is showing some cracks, especially with some new members who feel they can bring something new to the competition.
Starring
Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air), Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids), Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
Verdict
You will find it difficult to find a better champion of the original Pitch Perfect than me. It truly came out of nowhere back in 2012 and has remained one of my guilty pleasures ever since. The script is hilarious, the characters are relatable and lovable, and my god Anna Kendrick is beautiful.
So you would think that that would mean Pitch Perfect 2 would be in my Top Ten this year! But alas, this sequel is highly disappointing when compared to it's predecessor. The script is a little lacklustre, the plot points are almost verbatim from the original and even the musical performances aren't as impressive as PP's.
But saying that, just because Pitch Perfect 2 fails to live up to it's original, doesn't mean it's a bad film. On the contrary, it's still better than most of the comedies currently being produced from America, it just isn't a scratch on the original.
You will find it difficult to find a better champion of the original Pitch Perfect than me. It truly came out of nowhere back in 2012 and has remained one of my guilty pleasures ever since. The script is hilarious, the characters are relatable and lovable, and my god Anna Kendrick is beautiful.
So you would think that that would mean Pitch Perfect 2 would be in my Top Ten this year! But alas, this sequel is highly disappointing when compared to it's predecessor. The script is a little lacklustre, the plot points are almost verbatim from the original and even the musical performances aren't as impressive as PP's.
But saying that, just because Pitch Perfect 2 fails to live up to it's original, doesn't mean it's a bad film. On the contrary, it's still better than most of the comedies currently being produced from America, it just isn't a scratch on the original.
37. The Wolfpack
Plot
A documentary about the Angulo siblings, and their life locked away from the outside world in a Manhattan apartment by their tyrannical father. To satisfy their curiosity, imagination and need to explore the world outside their windows, they re-enact scenes from their favourite movies.
Starring
The Angulo family
The Angulo family
Verdict
A truly interesting documentary that really endears it's subjects to the audience through candid talking-head segments and simply documenting their day-to-day life whilst being essentially trapped in this prison of their father's.
It is truly fun to see the Angulo brothers reenact scenes from films such as Reservoir Dogs and The Dark Knight, as well as heart-breaking to see how much talent is being wasted due to their father's tyrannical rule.
The only issue I had with the documentary is that it is presented in such a boring and uninspired way. The film's director and editor seem to be so unimaginative that the subjects of the documentary are more exciting than the film makes you believe. Whilst still an interesting and mind-boggling documentary, the siblings deserved a better filmmaker to document their story.
36. The Gift
Plot
A newly married couple move back to the husband's old hometown and run into one of his old schoolfriends, Gordo, a friend who had a reputation for being an oddball.
After he oversteps the boundaries of friendship, by constantly leaving gifts on their doorstep, they decide to ask him to leave them alone. However, Gordo holds a shameful secret from his past, one that threatens to blow the couple's happy life apart.
Starring
Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses), Rebecca Hall (Iron Man 3), Joel Edgerton (The Great Gatsby)
Verdict
I was genuinely surprised by The Gift, especially since it is Joel Edgerton's directorial debut. I had very low expectations, but they were easily outdone by this quirky little claustrophobic thriller. There is a lovely amount of dread and tension throughout the film as you are never aware of Gordo's true intentions, causing a whole heap of scary moments.
Rebecca Hall and Jason Bateman do a fantastic job as the central couple, having their precious suburban life threatened by the potential secret lying in the shadows. Props especially go to Bateman, playing against type as a manipulative and bullying jerk who will do anything to get his way. Very unlike the 'typical everyguy' he has almost been typecast since Arrested Development and Horrible Bosses.
Definitely worth a watch on Netflix if you're in the mood for a chilling thriller that uses brooding tension and hard-held grudges to their fullest.
I was genuinely surprised by The Gift, especially since it is Joel Edgerton's directorial debut. I had very low expectations, but they were easily outdone by this quirky little claustrophobic thriller. There is a lovely amount of dread and tension throughout the film as you are never aware of Gordo's true intentions, causing a whole heap of scary moments.
Rebecca Hall and Jason Bateman do a fantastic job as the central couple, having their precious suburban life threatened by the potential secret lying in the shadows. Props especially go to Bateman, playing against type as a manipulative and bullying jerk who will do anything to get his way. Very unlike the 'typical everyguy' he has almost been typecast since Arrested Development and Horrible Bosses.
Definitely worth a watch on Netflix if you're in the mood for a chilling thriller that uses brooding tension and hard-held grudges to their fullest.
35. Everest
Plot
The true story of two expeditions making their final ascent toward the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. With little warning, a violent storm strikes the mountain, engulfing the adventurers in one of the fiercest blizzards ever encountered by man. The teams must overcome the harshest conditions imaginable to survive against the impossible odds.
Starring
Jason Clarke (Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes), Josh Brolin (No Country For Old Men), Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler)
Verdict
A visually-spectacular film that left me more breathless than any other film I've seen. Genuinely, I had difficulty breathing watching this film and that's only happened once before.
Similar to Touching The Void or Vertical Limit, there are some heart-in-mouth moments during Everest that will have you on the edge of your seat, but it is best not knowing as much of the real life events that occurred. Great performances from Clarke, Brolin and Gyllenhaal make the film even more heart-wrenching at certain points, even if the film doesn't do that great of a job of rounding out most of the other characters.
Absolutely fantastic visuals on an IMAX screen, but unsure how well it will look on a television or laptop. Either way, still worth a watch.
34. The Intern
Plot
Getting a bit bored with his day-to-day routine after his wife dies, a pensioner gets an internship at an up-and-coming fashion company, run by a highly-strung but well-intentioned boss. Will his old-school business methods help this fresh, young company?
Starring
Robert de Niro (The Godfather Part II), Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada), Rene Russo (Nightcrawler)
Verdict
A warm and pleasant surprise, mainly due to deNiro’s charm and chemistry with the highly-strung Hathaway.
Not as acerbic or witty
as The Devil Wears Prada, but still an entertaining fish-out-of-water
story that provides a lot of heart-felt moments. A few plotlines
could be improved and streamlined as especially Hathaway’s story
leaves a lot to be desired.
It's fluff, but harmless fluff; perfect for a Sunday
afternoon whilst doing the ironing.
33. The Program
Plot
The true story of Lance Armstrong, an American cyclist who survived a bout with cancer and won the French cycling competition, the Tour de France several years in a row. A suspicious Irish journalist investigated Armstrong's history with performance-enhancing drugs, unwilling to believe he did this all on his own.
Starring
Ben Foster (30 Days Of Night), Chris O'Dowd (Bridesmaids), Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad)
Verdict
A pair of brilliant performances from Foster and O'Dowd make the film move at a steady pace, especially the ever-reliable Foster who truly embodies Armstrong's drive and obsession.
Whilst the race scenes are filmed incredibly well, making you feel like an actual spectator, the best scenes are those that Armstrong hid from the public eye. His backstabbing, bullying and creeping belief in his own lies. All personified expertly by the under-appreciated Ben Foster.
According to a friend who followed Armstrong's career and eventual downfall, the film gives some poetic licence to some events, but the film still manages to capture the rise and fall of one of this generation's biggest sporting icons. And manages to lay the blame mainly with the public, those who held him so high.
A pair of brilliant performances from Foster and O'Dowd make the film move at a steady pace, especially the ever-reliable Foster who truly embodies Armstrong's drive and obsession.
Whilst the race scenes are filmed incredibly well, making you feel like an actual spectator, the best scenes are those that Armstrong hid from the public eye. His backstabbing, bullying and creeping belief in his own lies. All personified expertly by the under-appreciated Ben Foster.
According to a friend who followed Armstrong's career and eventual downfall, the film gives some poetic licence to some events, but the film still manages to capture the rise and fall of one of this generation's biggest sporting icons. And manages to lay the blame mainly with the public, those who held him so high.
32. The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water
Plot
After the top-secret recipe for Krabby Patties is stolen from The Krusty Krab, Spongebob must team up with the evil Plankton to help save Bikini Bottom from tearing itself apart.
Tom Kenny (Spongebob Squarepants), Antonio Banderas (The Mask of Zorro)
Verdict
Any fan of the show will know what they're gonna get with a Spongebob Squarepants film; chaos, surrealism and a whole lot of laughter. And Sponge Out Of Water truly delivers on every aspect.
Whilst the background plot of Antonio Banderas stealing a magical storybook might feel a little childish and immature, it allows Spongebob and Plankton an opportunity to team up and show a hilarious dynamic not often visited on the show.
Filled with movie references and risque humour for the adults, and slapstick comedy and silly toilet jokes for the kids, it really is a film that will make the whole family laugh.
Any fan of the show will know what they're gonna get with a Spongebob Squarepants film; chaos, surrealism and a whole lot of laughter. And Sponge Out Of Water truly delivers on every aspect.
Whilst the background plot of Antonio Banderas stealing a magical storybook might feel a little childish and immature, it allows Spongebob and Plankton an opportunity to team up and show a hilarious dynamic not often visited on the show.
Filled with movie references and risque humour for the adults, and slapstick comedy and silly toilet jokes for the kids, it really is a film that will make the whole family laugh.
31. Kingsman: The Secret Service
Plot
The son of a former spy is wasting his potential, until he is recruited to be a trainee in the same organisation by a dapper agent to save him from being behind bars. Meanwhile. a villainous tech-billionaire begins to launch a diabolical plan to spark a worldwide killing-spree.
The son of a former spy is wasting his potential, until he is recruited to be a trainee in the same organisation by a dapper agent to save him from being behind bars. Meanwhile. a villainous tech-billionaire begins to launch a diabolical plan to spark a worldwide killing-spree.
Starring
Colin Firth (Mamma Mia!), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), Michael Caine (The Dark Knight)
Verdict
An exciting and interesting twist on the spy genre, with it's tongue firmly planted in it's cheek. Directed and written by the same team behind Stardust and Kick-Ass, it manages to combine stylish action with an interesting, sassy and self-referential script.
However similarly to my issues with Kick-Ass, Kingsman seems to have an over-dependence on childish humour and over-the-top graphic violence to make the action seem more exciting, but eventually becomes dull and repetitive.
That not withstanding, it is fun to see Colin Firth and Mark Strong back with a strong script behind them, and Taron Egerton seems to be quite the prospect for the future.
An exciting and interesting twist on the spy genre, with it's tongue firmly planted in it's cheek. Directed and written by the same team behind Stardust and Kick-Ass, it manages to combine stylish action with an interesting, sassy and self-referential script.
However similarly to my issues with Kick-Ass, Kingsman seems to have an over-dependence on childish humour and over-the-top graphic violence to make the action seem more exciting, but eventually becomes dull and repetitive.
That not withstanding, it is fun to see Colin Firth and Mark Strong back with a strong script behind them, and Taron Egerton seems to be quite the prospect for the future.
And that's twenty, thirty to go! Come back this time next week for the next instalment in my
Top Fifty Films of 2015
Until next time folks, thanks for reading!
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