The Films I've seen in 2015 From Best to Worst
List activity
1.3K views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
301 titles
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsKeir DulleaGary LockwoodWilliam SylvesterAfter uncovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to find its origins: a spacecraft manned by two men and the supercomputer HAL 9000.2001 isn't a film you watch like almost every film made,it's a film you experience...it takes you on a journey like no other...that you may not fully understand this film is one of the things that makes it so special because you don't care but you come back again and again trying to understand all it's symbolism and truthfully I'm not sure anyone really understands it fully maybe not even Kubrick himself and that's what makes it such a mystical experience...it's a film about life,death,rebirth,god,aliens,technology and the unknown and with every viewing I marvel at the hold it has on me...there was nothing before it that could compare to it visually and I'm not sure there's been anything since-"Star Wars I love you but even your not in 2001's league and even in the era of CGI there's nothing that compares,sorry "Gravity"...I'm not sure there is a film that has used music as effectively as Kubrick has in this film,from the opening scene to the final credits it is as much a part of the film as the visuals and how could I forget about HAL who acts more human than the real humans and may just be the greatest villain in movie history.Needless to say 2001 isn't just one of my all time favorites,it is my all time favorite...for me it really is in a league all it's own.
10++ - DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.Another one of those rare instances where the sequel is just as good if not better than the original and for 35 years I've always given the edge to Star Wars but after seeing Empire again my opinion has shifted in it's favor...the original brought the Star Wars universe to life and created some of the most memorable characters in movie history but the sequel solidified it all with a more thrilling and dramatic story line...one of the greatest Sci-Fi films ever made and one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.There was a time when I would watch Star Wars at least once a year if not more and is the film I've seen more than any other but it's been at least 20 years since I last saw it and I've always felt that as I grew older this film would lose it's appeal but to my surprise it's magic still works...the special effects are still impressive and the musical score is one of the most memorable of all time but I think it's the beloved characters brought to life by perfect casting and the whole Star Wars universe that George Lucas created that makes the original films so special. One of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroRobert DuvallThe early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.Narratively speaking this film may not flow as smoothly as the first but aside from that I think this is a far more absorbing and compelling film that's just as well made and acted...Pacino comes into his own with one of his greatest performances...this is Greek Tragedy at it's best.
10 - DirectorNorman FergusonT. HeeWilfred JacksonStarsDickie JonesChristian RubMel BlancA living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy.Probably my favorite animated film...The early Disney films were far darker and more adult then their modern contemporaries and this just might be the darkest of all..I can still remember as a kid being scared by the kids turning into jackasses and of course the scene where they're chased by the whale Monstro ,it's tale of right and wrong resonated with me strongly and still does...another classic Disney film that should be much higher than it is on IMDB.
10 - DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsEllar ColtranePatricia ArquetteEthan HawkeThe life of Mason, from early childhood to his arrival at college.Richard Linklater has made some terrific films but this is his masterpiece...a film that will bring back memories of your own childhood both good and bad and maybe some that you'd forgotten about...the performance's if you even want to call them that seem real and natural and add a certain realism that you just don't get with most Hollywood movies of this type but, that is Linklater's specialty,from "Dazed and Confused" to the Before films he creates characters that we can all relate to...The best film I've seen from 2014.
10 - DirectorDon SiegelClint EastwoodStarsClint EastwoodAndrew RobinsonHarry GuardinoWhen a man calling himself "the Scorpio Killer" menaces San Francisco, tough-as-nails Police Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan is assigned to track down the crazed psychopath.This brilliantly made cop film stands the test of time,it shot Clint Eastwood to super stardom in what has become his most iconic role and is probably director Don Siegel's best film and Andy Robinson stands out as well as one of the great psycho's ever put on film...the film does explore interesting themes about rights of the criminal vs the rights of the victim and how far a cop is allowed to go in the pursuit of justice which has made this film controversial but as far as I'm concerned just adds to it's greatness...John Wayne,Frank Sinatra and others were offered this role before Clint got it and I for one just can't imagine anyone but Clint in this role,it really is one of those rare instances of perfect casting.
10 - DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsJack NicholsonFaye DunawayJohn HustonA private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.One of the best film noir's ever made,Jack Nicholson channels Bogart and gives one of his best performances,Dunaway also stands out but it's Polanski's brilliant direction and the way he lovingly creates the feel of 40's noir that is the real star of the film and he also has the best scene in the movie.
10 - DirectorSam PeckinpahStarsWilliam HoldenErnest BorgnineRobert RyanAn aging group of outlaws look for one last big score as the "traditional" American West is disappearing around them.This great western is without question the high point of Peckinpah's film career...it's as much about brotherhood and loyalty as it is about the passing of an era...the performances are terrific especially William Holden and Robert Ryan and is filled with memorable scenes( I especially love the final walk where they pretty much know what's coming)...the violence which this film is renowned for may seem tame to what you see today but very few directors made it almost an art form the way Peckinpah did.
One of the best westerns of the last 50 years.
9 - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenOrlando BloomA meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.When I first saw The Fellowship I came away admiring it more than liking it...I felt that the actors never really fit their roles properly and that it was at times overly melodramatic but Jackson did succeed in bringing the story and Middle Earth to life and there were scenes that were quite thrilling...for me the sequels made this film better because the actors grew into their roles the more time you spent with them and because of that seeing this film again gave me that emotional connection to these characters that was lacking the first time I saw it...I have to say I watched the extended version which is almost 4 hours long and was never bored which in itself is quite an accomplishment.
9 - DirectorWilliam A. WellmanStarsCarole LombardFredric MarchCharles WinningerAn eccentric woman learns she is not dying of radium poisoning as earlier assumed, but when she meets a reporter looking for a story, she feigns sickness again for her own profit.Carole Lombard was one of the greats in her day and really is one of those talents who died before her time but as great as this film is,it's another one of my favorite films that seems to have lost something...Fredric March is fine and Carole Lombard is at her absolute best but the film just wasn't as laugh out loud funny as I once thought it was.
9 - DirectorOtto PremingerRouben MamoulianStarsGene TierneyDana AndrewsClifton WebbA police detective falls in love with the woman whose murder he is investigating.Laura is one of those films that seems to work in spite of itself...it's not as dialogue rich as some of the best in the genre although it has it's moments,Andrews is passable as the detective,Tierney is just there and doesn't really add much as Laura other than being beautiful and both Price and Anderson are kind of weak as side characters,I often wonder if that's by design and is the reason that Clifton Webb who is the real star of the film stands out so much and steals every scene he's in...this is a grade B film noir that somehow manages to transcend it's material and rather weak story and become something special due to Preminger's direction and one star turning performance.
9 - DirectorJohn HustonStarsHumphrey BogartMary AstorGladys GeorgeSan Francisco private detective Sam Spade takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar and their quest for a priceless statuette, with the stakes rising after his partner is murdered.One of Bogie's definitive roles and certainly one of his best...this film noir ranks among the best in the genre due to great directing and perfect casting.
9 - DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsSandra BullockGeorge ClooneyEd HarrisDr Ryan Stone, an engineer on her first time on a space mission, and Matt Kowalski, an astronaut on his final expedition, have to survive in space after they are hit by debris while spacewalking.When it comes to films I've seen from the last 5 years or so,Gravity was at the top of my must see again list...visually it blew me away and after seeing it again it still is a marvel to look at and there are very few films if any that truly capture the vastness and emptiness of space and how vulnerable one is in that environment like Gravity, but I think the performances stood out for me more this time around,Clooney is at his most endearing but it's Bullock,who for much of her career played the kind of parts Julia Roberts would always get and even though she was charming and likable in some of those films there really wasn't much depth to her characters until now...it just might be the best performance I've seen her give.
9 - DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsMiles TellerJ.K. SimmonsMelissa BenoistA promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.Wow...maybe it's the subject matter but even with all the praise this film has been receiving it never seemed like it would be something special but to my surprise it really is one of the great films of 2014 and a lot of the credit has to go to the 2 lead actors especially J. K. Simmons who's performance I believe is the best I've seen from 2014 and the director who manages to create such drama and tension from the relationship between student and teacher and their love for their craft and lets not forget the wonderful jazz music...a part of me thinks this is even better than Boyhood but while I probably enjoyed this film more I respect and admire what Linklater was able to accomplish more with his film.
9 - DirectorAlexander PayneStarsBruce DernWill ForteJune SquibbAn aging, booze-addled father makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million-dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize.Beautifully shot in black and white this engaging road movie is filled with wonderful performances and a real sense of small town life but it's the great Bruce Dern who towers over everyone else with what is the performance of his career...a nice little gem of a movie.
9 - DirectorTerence YoungStarsSean ConneryRobert ShawLotte LenyaJames Bond willingly falls into an assassination plot involving a naive Russian beauty in order to retrieve a Soviet encryption device that was stolen by S.P.E.C.T.R.E.Robert Shaw,Lotte Lenya,a gypsy catfight to the wonderful quips throughout the film and of course Sean Connery are just some of the reasons why this just might be my favorite Bond film.
9 - DirectorJohn SturgesStarsYul BrynnerSteve McQueenCharles BronsonSeven gunfighters are hired by Mexican peasants to liberate their village from oppressive bandits.American remake of "The Seven Samurai" is a rousing western with a terrific cast and a memorable score...Yul Brynner surprisingly outshines a bunch of up and coming stars like McQueen,Bronson and Coburn and gives what might be his best performance( I have yet to see "The King and I") and Eli Wallach is a natural playing a Mexican bandit...This would make a terrific double bill with "The Wild Bunch"
9 - DirectorBlake EdwardsStarsPeter SellersClaudine LongetNatalia BorisovaA clerical mistake results in a bumbling Indian film star being invited to an exclusive Hollywood party instead of being fired.As far as I'm concerned this is one of Blake Edwards and Peter Sellers best films...it's a charming,amusing and at times hilarious comedy of errors that always manages to leave me with a smile on my face.
9 - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodViggo MortensenIan McKellenGandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.In many ways Return is the best in the series...technically it's as brilliant as the first 2,it's also more thrilling,exciting and at times reaches moments of emotional power that was quite surprising but what stops me from giving it a higher rating than I do is that towards the end it starts to feel anti-climatic and moments that should be dramatic or emotional are closer to melodrama or kitsch(those moments exist in all the movies)still as a lover of the books I never would of thought it possible to turn them into a live action film and do such an amazing job of it...as much as I enjoy these films it's what Peter Jackson accomplished that I think is truly remarkable and for that I would give him a 10.
9 - DirectorTom McCarthyStarsMark RuffaloMichael KeatonRachel McAdamsThe true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.This captivating and absorbing fact based drama ranks right up there with All the Presidents Men as being one of the best films about the newspaper business with all the major players giving stand out performances and if your like me reliving this story again can't help but make you angry at all those involved in covering it up.
9 - DirectorMalik BendjelloulStarsRodriguezStephen 'Sugar' SegermanDennis CoffeyTwo South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.Absolutely fascinating and captivating documentary that's almost beyond belief and filled with Rodriguez's terrific music,which is on my must buy list.
9 - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMarlon BrandoAl PacinoJames CaanThe aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.I've always felt that "The Godfather" is a great film but not the masterpiece that most think it is...personally I think Part 2 is superior but I have to admit after seeing it again it's hard to find fault with it...it's brilliantly made and exceptionally acted at least by the male stars, I do think Diane Keaton and Talia Shire are in thankless roles and add nothing to the film( my one criticism) and than there's Brando who can command the screen and outshine everyone else with a performance that I have never thought was among his best which is a testament to how great an actor he is.
9 - DirectorKevin MacdonaldStarsSimon YatesJoe SimpsonBrendan MackeyThe true story of two climbers and their perilous journey up the west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.One can argue that this isn't a true documentary because it uses re-enactments and I myself have mixed feelings about it but I can't deny how compelling I found this film to be and what a testament to the human spirit it is and this is one of those times where the re-enactments I think enhance the story and make it such an unbelievably absorbing and thrilling experience...I'm still amazed he survived this ordeal.
9 - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenViggo MortensenWhile Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.Gollum makes this second chapter almost as good as the first...Andy Serkis should of gotten Oscar recognition for his terrific performance in creating one of the most memorable characters in recent memory and as a whole this film was more exciting and thrilling than the first but I'm still not sure what I think about the Ents.
9 - DirectorBennett MillerStarsPhilip Seymour HoffmanClifton Collins Jr.Catherine KeenerIn 1959, Truman Capote learns of the murder of a Kansas family and decides to write a book about the case. While researching for his novel In Cold Blood, Capote forms a relationship with one of the killers, Perry Smith, who is on death row.Philip Seymour Hoffman deservedly won an oscar for his mesmerizing and spot on performance as Capote in this flawed yet captivating bio pic.
9 - DirectorChris BuckJennifer LeeStarsKristen BellIdina MenzelJonathan GroffFearless optimist Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven in an epic journey to find Anna's sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.The story isn't all that original but a more feminist approach to the material is,which makes this far more rewarding than most animated films of this type and I for one enjoyed most of the musical numbers...this beautifully animated film is probably the best I've seen from Disney since " Up"
9 - DirectorGarry MarshallStarsRichard GereJulia RobertsJason AlexanderA man in a legal but hurtful business needs an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets... only to fall in love.A film that manages to overcome it's predictable and unsavory story line with winning performances and charm...Julia Roberts channels Audrey Hepburn and gives her most likable performance.This film shouldn't be this good but it wins me over every time I see it.
9 - DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsWilliam H. MacyFrances McDormandSteve BuscemiMinnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.Frances McDormand is so memorable in the lead that you almost forget how good some of the other performances are in this highly entertaining film...2nd viewing as good as the first and this is certainly one of the Coen's best films.
9 - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordSean ConneryAlison DoodyIn 1938, after his father goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones finds himself up against the Nazis again to stop them from obtaining its powers.Adding Sean Connery as Indiana Jones's father was a stroke of genius and makes this third installment in the series almost as good as the first but I have to admit like Raiders my enjoyment of the film wasn't as great as it used to be.
9 - 20141h 37mNot Rated7.5 (4.4K)DirectorDavid GregoryStarsRichard StanleyKier-La JanisseMichael GingoldA behind the scenes chronicle of how clash of vision, bad creative decisions, lack of interest and really bad weather plagued the disastrous production of the infamous The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996).I think this is one of the most entertaining and fascinating films about the movie industry I've ever seen...studio execs,Val Kilmer's prima donna behavior and his disdain for Stanley,a lot of bad luck and Stanley's own weird behavior ruined his chance of creating his vision of Moreau and got him fired from the film, but Frankenheimer taking over created his own problems with his disdain for some of the actors and film crew and Brando's own eccentric behavior and contempt for the studio heads made things even more difficult... like Jodorowsky's Dune this documentary makes you wonder what Stanley's version of the film would of looked like but I don't think it would compare to this outstanding documenetary.
9 - DirectorSydney PollackStarsDustin HoffmanJessica LangeTeri GarrMichael Dorsey, an unsuccessful actor, disguises himself as a woman in order to get a role on a trashy hospital soap.It's been 33 years since I last saw Tootsie and even though it's not quite the classic comedy I once thought it was, it's still great fun,filled with terrific performances,especially from Dustin Hoffman who gives what just might be his best performance, but this is yet another film that was once top 100 and now may not even make my top 1000.
9 - DirectorDavid FincherStarsBen AffleckRosamund PikeNeil Patrick HarrisWith his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.This twisted,fun and at times nasty thriller plays out at times like a trashy giallo with a convoluted plot and strange characters but it works brilliantly with some great performances...one of my favorite David Fincher films.
9 - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsEmily BluntJosh BrolinBenicio Del ToroAn idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.This tense crime thriller grabs hold of your attention right from the opening and holds it all the way to the end and is filled with terrific performances from Brolin,Blunt and Del Toro.
9 - DirectorMike NicholsStarsMelanie GriffithHarrison FordSigourney WeaverWhen a secretary's idea is stolen by her boss, she seizes an opportunity to steal it back by pretending she has her boss' job.Melanie Griffith is perfectly cast in this highly entertaining romantic/comedy that manages to be as good as when I first saw it 27 years ago...Sigourney Weaver as her nemesis is almost her equal and Harrison Ford is at his most appealing.
9 - DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsMichael KeatonZach GalifianakisEdward NortonA washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.The parallel's to Michael Keaton's own career are one of the things that makes this film as much fun as it is and the performances from all the major players are terrific,especially Keaton himself who ironically will probably get the respect his character was seeking come Oscar time...I was wrong.
9 - DirectorHal AshbyStarsRuth GordonBud CortVivian PicklesYoung, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.Quirky black comedy/love story that will either work for you or not...I found it to be funny,touching and strangely enough life affirming with 2 standout performances.
9 - DirectorRon ClementsJohn MuskerStarsScott WeingerRobin WilliamsLinda LarkinA kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.Highly entertaining Disney film with what I consider one of Robin Williams most engaging performances and most of the songs work.
9 - DirectorKevin LimaStarsAmy AdamsSusan SarandonJames MarsdenA young maiden in a land called Andalasia, who is prepared to be wed, is sent away to New York City by an evil Queen, where she falls in love with a lawyer.Amy Adams is absolutely infectious in this wonderful live action fairy tale that's marred only by the climax which seemed totally unnecessary to this delightful film.
8 - DirectorDon HallChris WilliamsStarsRyan PotterScott AdsitJamie ChungA special bond develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who together team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.Satisfying and at times original Disney animated film that works because of it's charm and likable characters.
8 - DirectorPaul GreengrassStarsTom HanksBarkhad AbdiBarkhad AbdirahmanThe true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.At times riveting matter of fact retelling of the 2009 hijacking with standout performances expertly directed by Greengrass.
8 - DirectorTiller RussellStarsMike DowdKen EurellWalter YurkiwMeet the dirtiest cop in NYC history. Michael Dowd stole money and dealt drugs while patrolling the streets of 80s Brooklyn.The real life characters in this documentary feel like they belong in a Martin Scorsese film,so I don't know if that's life imitating art or the other way around...you do wonder at times if these people are for real or if they're playing to the camera with the way they act but there's no denying that I was enthralled by it all.
8 - DirectorRichard FleischerStarsKirk DouglasJames MasonPaul LukasA ship sent to investigate a wave of mysterious sinkings encounters the advanced submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo.Probably the most famous and best version of the story...James Mason and Kirk Douglas are perfectly cast in this very entertaining adventure film,even the SFX hold up pretty well.
8 - DirectorClaire DenisStarsVincent LindonChiara MastroianniJulie BatailleMarco returns to Paris after his brother-in-law's suicide, where he targets the man his sister believes caused the tragedy - though he is ill-prepared for her secrets as they quickly muddy the waters.This is a dark,brooding,disturbing and ugly film that's presented in such a way that it may turn off many viewers but I found it quite compelling.
8 - DirectorJ.C. ChandorStarsOscar IsaacJessica ChastainDavid OyelowoIn New York City 1981, an ambitious immigrant fights to protect his business and family during the most dangerous year in the city's history.For those who need a little action in their crime films,this will probably be a bit of a bore but for me this was a smart and very satisfying film that relies on the intelligence of it's audience to figure out what's going on...the performances from Isaac and Brooks are first rate.
8 - DirectorSteve JamesStarsRoger EbertChaz EbertGene SiskelThe life and career of the renowned film critic and social commentator, Roger Ebert.As a kid growing up,one of my favorite shows to watch was "Sneak Previews", which later became "At the Movies" and than "Siskel and Ebert" and part of the fun of watching those shows wasn't just to watch them review movies which as a movie lover I thought was pretty cool even if I didn't agree with them a lot of the time( I always felt that Roger overrated a lot of films and Gene underrated a lot of films) but to see the two of them get under each others skin and the nasty retorts they would throw at each other when they violently disagreed on the others review and this documentary shows that love/hate relationship and much more... For good or bad Roger Ebert was probably the most important film critic of his generation simply because he brought film criticism to the masses even if it was with just a thumb up or down and on that aspect I think the film shows both sides of that argument,although I do wish it would have dealt a little more with his friendships of many directors and actors(Scorsese,Herzog,Russ Meyer etc...) and whether or not his reviews for their work was clouded by the personnel relationships he had with them ...his own journey towards the end of his life is both heartbreaking and touching but there's no denying that this film is hard to watch at times because it doesn't shy away from showing the struggles he's had to endure,it also shows the loving relationship he has with his wife Chazz who I grew to admire...Since the director himself was a friend of Ebert's one might consider this a puff piece but I think overall it's a well balanced film that doesn't always show Ebert in a favorable light.
8 - DirectorLisanne PajotJames SwirskyStarsJonathan BlowBrandon BoyerRenaud BédardA documentary that follows the journeys of indie game developers as they create games and release those works, and themselves, to the world.I think even if your not a gamer you'll find this documentary into the lives of some Indie gamers quite compelling...trying to get their game made and whether or not it's a success is life changing and you can understand the emotional toll it has on them.
8 - DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsTom CruiseRebecca FergusonJeremy RennerEthan and his team take on their most impossible mission yet when they have to eradicate an international rogue organization as highly skilled as they are and committed to destroying the IMF.Tom Cruise delivers again with another highly entertaining film in the series that's almost as good as the last one.
8 - DirectorPete DocterRonnie Del CarmenStarsAmy PoehlerBill HaderLewis BlackAfter young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.There's no denying this is an original and at times wonderful animated film that deals with a child's emotional trauma of moving to a new city in a very adult and realistic way and I appreciated it on that level but it never really pulled me in emotionally the way it should have to be something truly special.
8 - DirectorRidley ScottStarsMatt DamonJessica ChastainKristen WiigAn astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and can survive until a potential rescue.What makes this film work is that it seems plausible even if at times it might be a little to technical for me and Matt Damon's winning performance helps a lot.
8 - DirectorGiuseppe TornatoreStarsGeoffrey RushJim SturgessSylvia HoeksVirgil Oldman, a wealthy art auctioneer, takes the help of a young artificer, Robert, to understand and woo Claire Ibbetson, a young heiress, who hires him to auction off an antique collection.Geoffrey Rush is terrific in this thoroughly intriguing little film that held my attention all the way through,even with an ending that makes you begin to question just how plausible the whole thing is.
8 - DirectorPaul MazurskyStarsJill ClayburghAlan BatesMichael MurphyA wealthy woman from Manhattan's Upper East Side struggles to deal with her new identity and her sexuality after her husband of 16 years leaves her for a younger woman.Jill Clayburgh gives a magnificent performance in this slice of life drama that works extremely well for the first 90 minutes or so but I did feel when Alan Bates showed up things seemed to happen so fast with their relationship that the movie became less believable...still Clayburgh is so good that the film is worth watching just for her performance.
8 - DirectorAdam McKayStarsChristian BaleSteve CarellRyan GoslingIn 2006-2007 a group of investors bet against the United States mortgage market. In their research, they discover how flawed and corrupt the market is.The unorthodox way that the story is told at times may infuriate some and I wasn't really a fan of some of the performances but it didn't really bother me because I found this film about the 2008 financial crisis very entertaining.
8 - DirectorAsif KapadiaStarsAyrton SennaReginaldo LemeJohn BisignanoA documentary on Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna, who won the F1 world championship three times before his death at age 34.While this documentary does a great job showing Ayrton Senna's Formula One racing career using primarily archival footage I do think it fails in showing us the man himself...still the rivalry with Prost is compelling and reminded me of the Lauda/Hunt rivalry years earlier and I have to admit that even though I was a casual observer of the sport back than I don't recall the tragedy that occurred even though I knew who Senna was.
8 - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansMark RuffaloWhen Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it's up to Earth's mightiest heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plan.I have mixed feelings about this film...the best thing about the original Avengers was the humor and the wonderful repartee between the characters and sadly those are the moments that don't really work in the sequel,the dialogue which seemed so natural in the first now seems forced and only occasionally do you get those moments that work and the new characters introduced don't really stand out but I was entertained and I did find the story more interesting in this film and Ultron for a while was quite compelling...as comic book movies go it's far from the best and if I think to much about it I'd probably give it a lower rating but despite it's flaws I enjoyed it.
8 - DirectorGlenn FicarraJohn RequaStarsSteve CarellRyan GoslingJulianne MooreA middle-aged husband's life changes dramatically when his wife asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend, Jacob, learning to pick up girls at bars.Relationship dramedy that doesn't really offer anything new but works due to the likable cast...Moore and Gosling stand out.
8 - DirectorRichard DonnerStarsMel GibsonDanny GloverGary BuseyTwo newly paired cops who are complete opposites must put aside their differences in order to catch a gang of drug smugglers.This was one of my favorite action films of the 80's but this is another film that seems to have lost something with time,whether it's because Mel Gibson doesn't appeal to me like he once did or not I'm not sure,it certainly didn't change my view of "The Road Warrior" although the star of that movie was the great car chases and stunts...The chemistry is there between Glover and Gibson and Busey makes a great villain and it's still entertaining but not as much as it once was.
8 - DirectorEdward F. ClineStarsW.C. FieldsGloria JeanLeon ErrolA filmmaker attempts to sell a surreal script he has written, which comes to life as he pitches it.Comes across like a Marx Brothers film with musical interludes and no discernible plot but it's a lot of fun.
8 - DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsLeonardo DiCaprioTom HardyWill PoulterA frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.Impressive adventure/survival movie enhanced by one of DiCaprio's better performances and some truly amazing scenes but there is one moment in the story that defies belief and may change your opinion of the whole experience.
8 - DirectorChad StahelskiStarsKeanu ReevesMichael NyqvistAlfie AllenAn ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters who killed his dog and stole his car.I'm not really a fan of Keanu Reeves but this action flic is one of the best movies I've seen from him...a role that suits his brooding personality and a film that I found to be surprisingly pretty cool.
8 - DirectorCharles BartonWalter LantzStarsBud AbbottLou CostelloLon Chaney Jr.The Wolf Man tries to warn a dimwitted porter that Dracula wants his brain for Frankenstein monster's body.Probably my favorite of their movies...the blending of horror and comedy works surprisingly well especially if your a fan of those Universal horror films like I am but I wish Boris Karloff would of been able to play Frankenstein.
8 - DirectorRuben ÖstlundStarsJohannes KuhnkeLisa Loven KongsliClara WettergrenA family vacationing in the French Alps is confronted with a devastating avalanche.We all like to think that when something terrible is about to happen we'll do the right thing,especially when it involves our loved ones but until one is put in that type of situation we really don't know and this clever film shows us how a relationship is affected by a man who does something cowardly...a film about gender roles in our society and how our perception of someone changes when they don't live up to what we perceive their role to be.
8 - DirectorJohn BadhamStarsJohn TravoltaKaren Lynn GorneyBarry MillerAnxious about his future after high school, a 19-year-old Italian-American from Brooklyn tries to escape the harsh reality of his bleak family life by dominating the dance floor at the local disco.I never thought I would like this film but John Travolta's magnetic performance and the music and dancing make this film much better than it should be.
8 - DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsOscar IsaacCarey MulliganJohn GoodmanA week in the life of a young singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961.The life of a starving artist in the 1960's is surprisingly captivating and filled with wonderful music and dry humor...probably not everyone's cup of tea and as far as I'm concerned far from the Coen's best work but it's still well worth seeing.
8 - DirectorClint EastwoodStarsBradley CooperSienna MillerKyle GallnerNavy S.E.A.L. sniper Chris Kyle's pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home with his family after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind.While I wouldn't consider this among Clint's best work,I do think it's an effective and at times compelling film that works more because of Bradley Cooper's terrific performance than Clint's direction.
8 - DirectorGeorge MillerStarsTom HardyCharlize TheronNicholas HoultIn a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper and a drifter named Max.First the bad news-Tom Hardy is a great actor but he seems totally lost in this film and the story itself didn't really do much for me...now the good news-Charlize Theron is quite good in what in many ways is the lead role and the action is almost non-stop and there were certainly times when I was in awe at what I was seeing.Overall it can't compare to "The Road Warrior" but it's still quite good but I have to admit that I missed Mel Gibson in what I consider his signature role.
8 - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanSamuel L. JacksonThe lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.My second viewing of what is probably the most influential film of the last 20 years and certainly in many eyes the greatest as well but I still feel the same way about it as when I first saw it...the first hour is terrific and Jackson,Travolta and Thurman shine but than it switches to Bruce Willis and the movie literally falls apart for me but than manages to pick itself up again in the last act.
8 - DirectorPeter YatesStarsRobert MitchumPeter BoyleRichard JordanAfter his last crime has him looking at a long prison sentence for repeat offenses, a low level Boston gangster decides to snitch on his friends to avoid jail time.Well made low key crime film with a pretty good Mitchum performance...These are the type of films the seventies did well.
8 - DirectorAndrew AdamsonVicky JensonStarsMike MyersEddie MurphyCameron DiazA mean lord exiles fairytale creatures to the swamp of a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest and rescue a princess for the lord in order to get his land back.When Shrek first came out it was a refreshing animated film that adults probably enjoyed even more than kids because of the jokes which at times were rather dark and twisted...I remember the wicked grin I had when the gingerbread man was being tortured but after seeing it again the enjoyment level just wasn't there like it was when I first saw it...I think there were just to many sequels and one just got tired of these characters and the freshness just isn't there like it once was...it's still fun but not the great film it once was.
8 - DirectorLynne RamsayStarsTilda SwintonJohn C. ReillyEzra MillerKevin's mother struggles to love her strange child despite the increasingly dangerous things he says and does as he grows up. But Kevin is just getting started, and his final act will be beyond anything anyone imagined.This is an uncompromising,disturbing and to be honest difficult film to watch but Tilda Swinton's absolutely astounding performance makes it worthwhile...I will say the ending may seem improbable after everything that's happened but who can judge a mother's love or maybe it's her guilt.
8 - DirectorJaume BalagueróPaco PlazaStarsManuela VelascoFerran TerrazaJorge-Yamam SerranoA television reporter and cameraman follow emergency workers into a dark apartment building and are quickly locked inside with something terrifying.Second viewing as good as the first...this effective and scary shaky cam horror film is among the best of it's type.
8 - DirectorAlex GarlandStarsAlicia VikanderDomhnall GleesonOscar IsaacA young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a highly advanced humanoid A.I.Intelligent,thought provoking Sci-Fi film that certainly holds your attention,although I'm not sure it offers anything we haven't seen before,but it does manage to stay with you and is worth another viewing.
8 - DirectorPeter HedgesStarsSteve CarellJuliette BinocheDane CookA widower finds out the woman he fell in love with is his brother's girlfriend.It's formulaic and predictable and far from reality but the cast is likable and I've always had a soft spot for Juliette Binoche...what can I say this is one of those movies I enjoyed in spite of myself.
8 - DirectorBaltasar KormákurStarsJason ClarkeAng Phula SherpaThomas M. WrightOn May 10, 1996, mountain guides Rob Hall and Scott Fischer combine their expedition teams for a final ascent to the summit of Mount Everest. With little warning, a storm strikes the mountain and the climbers must now battle to survive.Despite the fact that most of the characters don't resonate at all with you this still manages to be a pretty compelling film about the 1996 disaster.
8 - DirectorPierre CoffinChris RenaudStarsSteve CarellKristen WiigBenjamin BrattWhen Gru, the world's most super-bad turned super-dad has been recruited by a team of officials to stop lethal muscle and a host of Gru's own, he has to fight back with new gadgetry, cars, and more minion madness.I enjoyed the first one a lot but I didn't think it needed a sequel but to my surprise it turned out to be more enjoyable than I expected,especially the first hour but it does run out of steam by the end.
8 - DirectorRich MooreStarsJohn C. ReillyJack McBrayerJane LynchA video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.The story isn't that original but putting it in a video game environment is and makes this animated film a lot better than I thought it would be.
8 - DirectorAndrew AdamsonKelly AsburyConrad VernonStarsMike MyersEddie MurphyCameron DiazShrek and Fiona travel to the Kingdom of Far Far Away, where Fiona's parents are King and Queen, to celebrate their marriage. When they arrive, they find they are not as welcome as they thought they would be.Like the first the humor,much of which is aimed at adults still works and is the reason this sequel is almost on par with the original,however there's no denying these characters just don't resonate with me like they once did.
8 - DirectorSteven KnightStarsTom HardyOlivia ColmanRuth WilsonIvan Locke, a dedicated family man and successful construction manager, receives a phone call on the eve of the biggest challenge of his career that sets in motion a series of events that threaten his carefully cultivated existence.The premise is kind of gimmicky but when you have a performance as mesmerizing as Tom Hardy's who cares...this film is all him and his tour de force performance makes this terrific viewing.
8 - DirectorJohn CurranStarsMia WasikowskaAdam DriverLily PearlA young woman goes on a 1,700-mile trek across the deserts of West Australia with four camels and her faithful dog.Even though I think the film has it's flaws,Mia Wasikowska gives a wonderful performance in this true story about Robyn Davidson's trek across the Australian outback and along with the scenery is the reason to watch this leisurely paced adventure film.
8 - DirectorJim MickleStarsMichael C. HallSam ShepardDon JohnsonWhen a protective father meets a murderous ex-con, both need to deviate from the path they are on as they soon find themselves entangled in a downwards spiral of lies and violence while having to confront their own inner psyche.Say what you want about this crime/thriller but it's certainly not predictable...the 3 stars are quite good,especially Don Johnson.
8 - DirectorPaul FeigStarsMelissa McCarthyRose ByrneJude LawA desk-bound CIA analyst volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer and prevent diabolical global disaster.Entertaining spy spoof helped greatly with some enjoyable supporting performances and Melissa McCarthy, who gives what might be her best performance to date.
8 - DirectorRichard DonnerStarsSean AstinJosh BrolinJeff CohenA group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate's long-lost treasure.For some reason I thought I wouldn't like this film as much as I did when I first saw it 30 years ago but to my surprise I was wrong...it's a fun,thrilling and entertaining film with a very likable cast.
8 - DirectorCheh ChangStarsTien-Chi ChengTien-Hsiang LungMeng LoA Chinese martial arts school is infiltrated and destroyed by ninjas. Tian Hao survives the massacre and seeks to uncover the trickery of ninjutsu in order to beat the Five Element Ninjas and avenge his family.This martial arts flic at times is silly and to be honest doesn't have much of a story but some of the action scenes are so well choreographed,especially in the last half hour that I found myself surprisingly entertained by it.
8 - DirectorTodd Strauss-SchulsonStarsTaissa FarmigaMalin AkermanAdam DevineA young woman grieving the loss of her mother, a famous scream queen from the 1980s, finds herself pulled into the world of her mom's most famous movie. Reunited, the women must fight off the film's maniacal killer.The premise is far from original but very few of these types of films are as character driven as this one and that's what makes this horror/comedy work so well...there are some good performances here with Malin Akerman being the standout...this was a nice surprise.
8 - DirectorJerry LewisStarsJerry LewisHelen TraubelPat StanleyA clueless, recently-single graduate unwittingly takes a job as a servant in a mansion inhabited by dozens of young women.Starts of badly but gets better as it goes and to my surprise this turns out to be a very likable and enjoyable film where even his shrilling didn't bother me much and at times was even amusing...one of Lewis's best films.
8 - DirectorS. Craig ZahlerStarsKurt RussellPatrick WilsonMatthew FoxIn the dying days of the old west, an elderly sheriff and his posse set out to rescue their town's doctor from cannibalistic cave dwellers.What we have here is a nice surprise...a western/horror film that works despite it's length with a first rate cast and moments of violence that is quite shocking.
8 - DirectorRudolph MatéStarsWilliam HoldenNancy OlsonBarry FitzgeraldA sharp-eyed woman spots a man with a gun on a train and her alert to the railroad police helps them in their search for a ruthless gang who have kidnapped a blind heiress.Entertaining crime film with a solid cast.
7 - DirectorJim AbrahamsDavid ZuckerJerry ZuckerStarsRobert HaysJulie HagertyLeslie NielsenAfter the crew becomes sick with food poisoning, a neurotic ex-fighter pilot must safely land a commercial airplane full of passengers.This has always been a hit and miss comedy that as a whole I found more amusing than laugh out loud funny but there's no denying how influential this film was(more for the bad than good as far as I'm concerned) because I'm not sure anybody did these types of films better than the Zucker's.
7 - DirectorDavid Robert MitchellStarsMaika MonroeKeir GilchristOlivia LuccardiA young woman is followed by an unknown supernatural force after a sexual encounter.While the premise was a good one,it never grabbed me the way I thought it would...I liked it but I expected more...Maybe my expectations were to high for this film and because of that it probably deserves another viewing one day.
7 - DirectorMike LeighStarsSally HawkinsAlexis ZegermanSamuel RoukinA look at a few chapters in the life of Poppy, a cheery, colorful, North London schoolteacher whose optimism tends to exasperate those around her.Another film that I expected more from...Sally Hawkins gives a good performance but I found her character to be both likable and annoying and in the end this dramedy of sorts just didn't appeal to me as much as I thought it would.
7 - DirectorJohn Cameron MitchellStarsNicole KidmanAaron EckhartDianne WiestLife for a happy couple is turned upside down after their young son dies in an accident.It's well acted especially by Kidman but I never got emotionally involved in the story the way one should.
7 - DirectorRoy William NeillStarsBasil RathboneNigel BruceGerald HamerWhen a gentlewoman is found dead with her throat torn out, the villagers blame a supernatural monster. But Sherlock Holmes, who gets drawn into the case from nearby Quebec, suspects a human murderer.When I was younger I used to love watching the old Rathbone/Bruce Sherlock Holmes films and this was my favorite but for whatever reasons this time around I just didn't find it as enjoyable as I once thought it was...Rathbone is still good as Holmes but Bruce as bumbling Dr. Watson added nothing at least to this film.
7 - DirectorMorten TyldumStarsBenedict CumberbatchKeira KnightleyMatthew GoodeDuring World War II, the English mathematical genius Alan Turing tries to crack the German Enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians while attempting to come to terms with his troubled private life.The story itself is fascinating but the film fails to deliver the way it should despite a good performance from it's star...after 2 hours I felt that it dealt with the breaking of the code well but not so much when it came to his personnel life.
7 - DirectorBernardo BertolucciStarsJean-Louis TrintignantStefania SandrelliGastone MoschinA weak-willed Italian man becomes a fascist flunky who goes abroad to arrange the assassination of his old teacher, now a political dissident.To be honest I'm not really sure how I feel about this film...I didn't find the film very compelling and some of the symbolism was lost on me but it held my interest and I thought it ended well...another film that deserves to be seen again.
7 - DirectorRichard MarquandStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side.Even though I never thought Return was in the same league as the first 2 in the series I still thought it was great entertainment and was a fitting end to the original series...after seeing it again things that never bothered me before bothered me now...the Ewoks were annoying and the stars themselves seem to be going through the motions as if they themselves were tired of it all and just wanted it to be over and because they didn't bring their characters to life like in the first 2 some of the scenes and even the dialogue were almost laughable...it's not that I hated this film because I didn't,there are exciting moments and for the most part I enjoyed it, it's just that after watching the first 2 and being thoroughly entertained by them this came as a bit of a shock...the magic just wasn't there.
7 - DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsLily JamesCate BlanchettRichard MaddenWhen her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her scheming stepsisters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger.Nothing special but this is an enjoyable live action version of the story with Cate Blanchett standing out as the stepmother.
7 - DirectorGeorge LucasStarsHayden ChristensenNatalie PortmanEwan McGregorThree years into the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi pursues a new threat, while Anakin Skywalker is lured by Chancellor Palpatine into a sinister plot to rule the galaxy.What the first 2 films of this trilogy of the Star Wars franchise had failed to do was give us an emotional connection to the classic original series until now...the last 30 minutes or so brings it all together and works quite well and makes this the best of the trilogy,but there's no denying there's very little as a whole from this installment of the franchise that's memorable.
7 - DirectorMelville ShavelsonStarsCary GrantSophia LorenMartha HyerA widower, his three young children, and an Italian nanny get to know each other better when circumstances have them living together aboard a badly neglected houseboat.Sophia Loren is very appealing and Cary Grant as always is charismatic and charming and they make this a fairly enjoyable romantic comedy but it's certainly no classic.
7 - DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsJames SpaderAndie MacDowellPeter GallagherA sexually repressed woman's husband is having an affair with her sister. The arrival of a visitor with a rather unusual fetish changes everything.The film that put this director on the map but I have to admit being a little disappointed by it... it's well acted and the first hour or so is quite captivating but it starts to fall apart at the end.
7 - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsJames StewartJohn DallFarley GrangerTwo men try to convince themselves they've committed the perfect murder by hosting a dinner party after strangling a former classmate to death.What I once thought was a taut and suspenseful Hitchcock film now seems stagey and clunky...not without interest but far from his best work.
7