I've checked in at the movie theater 79 times this year and have seen over 100 films. You're doing the math and it doesn't make sense. Well, that's because occasionally I'll see up to 5 films in a single day and then when you consider how many films I've seen multiple times, 100+ becomes a fairly reasonable estimate. I average about 8 films per month but in some cases, will see every film currently playing at the box office that week. For example, I'm seeing 10 films this week alone.
I thought I'd take a look back and what 2015 has given us and have chosen to write brief reviews on the films I've given a full 5 stars to and also those who have received less then 3 stars. I try not to be overly critical about films, I rate them based on a wide variety of things. And considering how many genres of film there are available, obviously I can't rate everyone equally across the board. I try to be nice and remember that most of you see movies in the theater once every month or even once every six months. Or in the case of my cousin, once every decade. So if you think my reviews are soft, understand, I'm writing for everyone; all tastes, all fans. Yes, there are some films that I love that you will truly hate, that's just the nature of things.
So, with that in mind and in no particular order, here are my top films from 2015:
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Age of Adeline
Jurassic World
Inside Out
Trainwreck
Mr. Holmes
Souhpaw
Man from U.N.C.L.E
Straight Outta Compton
American Sniper
Kingsman: The Secret Service
McFarland, USA
Furious 7
Fury
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay I & II
Paddington
The Theory of Everything
Penguins
When the Game Stands Tall
Grandma
The Martian
Sicario
Spotlight
Secret in Their Eyes
The 33
Brooklyn
Paddington
Woman in Gold
Trumbo
Creed
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Remember, dear readers, I rate films on a number of different things. Do they give you the feels? Do they give you chills? Are they visually stimulating? Do they shock you? How's the acting? How's the story presented? And the writing, is it any good?
Each of these films falls short in one of those categories, they do. But I watched each of these films and left the theater thinking, "Man, I can't wait to see that again!" In most cases, I went back a second time. In the case of the Avengers and Jurassic World, 5 times.
Now, sadly, there always has to be a worst list too. These films received less than three stars from me:
Fantastic 4
(I'm showing the trailer simply because it's better then the actual film)
Exodus: Gods & Kings
The Seventh Son
Hell & Back
Jem & the Holograms
I'm telling you right now, don't even bother seeing these. I'm serious, you're going to want those two hours of your life back.
Here's to an incredible 2016!
Happy watching!
