We are a bit past the halfway point, and the lists of what are so far the best movies of 2015 are already popping up. Here’s a good one by a friend on WordPress: Humanizing the Vacuum (and inspiration behind this post). If you prefer something more popular, take a look at these lists by the critics of Variety, though I would disagree that some films are worthy (White God and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl stand as some of this year’s worst films, in my view).
As for my list, for now, below are the top 10 contenders for this best films of 2015. There’s a hint to my preferences in their order, but it could change by Dec. 31. Note: many link to reviews on Independent Ethos, so click through the titles for deeper thoughts on these titles:
- Clouds of Sils Maria
- Flowers (Loreak)
- Love & Mercy
- Theeb
- Inherent Vice
- Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem
- Mr. Turner
- Voice Over
- Girlhood
- Mad Max: Fury Road
Some facts about these films: Three of them premiered in my neighborhood at Miami Dade College’s Miami International Film Festival (Flowers, Theeb and Voice Over), and one premiered at the Miami Jewish Film Festival (Gett). A couple came out a year earlier but didn’t hit theaters in Miami until this year (Inherent Vice and Mr. Turner).
I never found the time to write reviews for two of these. Let me just say Girlhood is an amazing French film following a group of girls from the projects of Paris who have more in common with American girls that you would imagine. There’s a very universal need to physically connect, and it’s depicted with incredible grace in the film by French director Céline Sciamma.
Mr. Turner deserved more recognition at the end of last year. Watching it, you will not have to second guess why it was nominated for a cinematography Oscar. It should have won over Birdman. It’s less about flash yet incredibly transporting. It also deserves notice for its lead performance by Timothy Spall. You might as well throw in production design, and heck, even editing. I literally yelled “Oh my God!” and broke out laughing between cuts of Turner spitting on a painting and a close-up of a mountain. If you never experienced it on the big screen, woe unto thee. The second best thing you can do is purchase it on blu-ray (buy it here and you’ll be supporting the Independent Ethos).
To see some contenders that are trailing behind these films, check out my list on Letterboxd (that’s a hot link). If you don’t already follow me there, you should. There’s where you will get my most intimidate reactions to films I catch — in almost real time.
Do you have a list of favorite films of 2015? Let us know in the comment section.
The eternal mystery, right – what fealty do we owe release dates? Not much.
Here in Miami we gotta at least consider films from a year and a half.
Dear Hans,
Would you have any idea where the Basque movie Flowers could be seen ?
Thank you !
Arielle
You have one last day to see it today in Coral Gables, Florida. Either this afternoon or tonight at the Coral Gables Art Cinema. Here are the details: http://gablescinema.com/filmpage.php?ID=250
Great review of a great movie. I recently bought the bluray. Outstanding. https://instagram.com/p/26d2yvMo8Y/
Thanks! It’s one of the rare films I did watch twice before writing my review. It is most definitely worth repeat viewings.
I agree. I watched it the first time together with two friends. They left the room after an hour leaving me there ending what I already thought was a masterpiece. Then watched it again alone. Very rewarding. I’d like to talk about that disappearance (very Michelangelo Antonioni in L’Avventura) but no spoilers are allowed. ????????
You should look for my friend’s review on the WordPress blog Humanizing the Vacuum. Search for Clouds of Sils Maria there. I think in the first sentence or first paragraph he makes a wry reference to that without giving anything away yet speaking to its relevance. It’s quite smart.
Woohoo! Fury Road!!!! Okay, that’s the only one I’ve seen. I’m so mainstream! Lol 🙂
Maybe sometimes I go too alternative, but these are the films that are full of surprises, not unlike Fury Road! 🙂
That’s okay – too much mainstream gets boring! I really should check some of these out. 🙂
Let me know if you catch any, then. Put Clouds at the top of your list, though.
Added to my list! 🙂