It's almost the end of the year and we're putting together some of OUR Top 5 movies of 2015. Don't forget YOU decide our movie of the year by voting in our annual poll. Click here to vote.
It's been a great year for The Movie Bit this year, not only did we hit the number one spot on the iTunes TV & Film Charts numerous times with our podcasts, but we also won the Best Arts and Culture site in the Blog Awards Ireland. So onwards to some of our Top 5s
Vic
5. Kingsman: The Secret Service
Echoing the awesomeness of another Matthew Vaughn movie, Kick-Ass, Kingsman was non stop balls to the wall madness and Colin Firth was absolutely insane in a role that was most definitely, different for him
4. Jurassic World
It made tonnes of money at the box office, it had great set pieces and it managed to bring the nostalgia back for fans all over the world. I loved it. It's just a pity the Blu-Ray transfer was a crock of shit
3. NWA Straight Outta Compton
Epic story, Epic soundtrack, Epic performances. Epic.
Tom Cruise proves that his balls are bigger than all of ours combined. While not as good as Ghost Protocol, Chris McQuarrie brought a classic vibe to the franchise all while showcasing the insane level that Tom Cruise will go to, to entertain an audience. Hanging off a fucking plane was one thing, holding his breath for 6 minutes was something else altogether. Watch the extras on the Blu-Ray.
1. Star Wars The Force Awakens
The first time I saw it, I cried in lots of places. J.J. brought my childhood back in serious big punches. The second time I saw it, I didn't cry as much, but when I did cry, holy shit, I was like a new born baby. Non-stop wailing. An incredible cinematic experience!!!!!
Tom
5. Kingsman: The Secret Service
The spy genre was well represented this year, but it was Matthew Vaughn’s energetic and down right insane love letter to old school James Bond movies that proved to be the most memorable and fun. Proving once again that Vaughn works best when left to his own devices, this reunion with his Kick-Ass collaborators, screen writer Jane Goldman and comic creator Mark Millar, is hugely entertaining from start to finish, delivering one of the greatest action set pieces of the year, and proving that Colin Firth can do much more than trot out variations on his Mr. Darcy routine.
4. Jurassic World
Colin Trevorrow could have just left his finger on the nostalgia button, just rehashing everything we loved about the world Steven Spielberg brought to the big screen in 1994. But no, instead he delivered an absolutely thrilling adventure movie that pays homage to the past but surges forward on its own merits. No movie brought a bigger smile to my face, whether it is hearing a reprise of John Williams iconic score or the dinosaur on dinosaur (on dinosaur) smackdown that out does the movie’s incredible set pieces.
3. Beasts of No Nation
Netflix’s first step into the world of film distribution proved to be an absolutely beautiful and uncompromising look at the horrors of war. Cary Fukunaga pulls no punches in telling us the tale of a young boy’s innocence ripped away as he is forced to become a child soldier for Idris Elba’s charismatic Commandant. Couple the towering central performances of Elba and newcomer Abraham Attah with Fukunaga’s stunning cinematography, and Beasts of No Nation proves to be a immensely powerful piece of cinema, regardless of the platform it’s presented on.
2. Big Hero Six
Disney Animation did it once again, adding a liberal dose of their patented magic to an obscure Marvel Comics title, and creating a rousing adventure with plenty of heart. The story of a boy and his robot, Big Hero Six makes you laugh, cry, cheer, and cry again with a surprisingly grown up story that still doesn’t speak down to the kids in the audience. And Baymax is the most lovable animated robot since Wall-E.
1. Mad Max: Fury Road
In a year that nostalgia ruled from on high, George Miller returned to the property that made his name and proved that even at the age of 70, the director had not missed a step, even if his last two movies were about singing, dancing animated penguins. With a pace that never really drops below high gear, Miller delivered the most jaw dropping, heart pounding action movie of the year, with spectacular practical effects proving that the old school approach still trumps CGI, no matter how advanced it is. On top of that, Fury Road delightfully subverted the usual action tropes, making Tom Hardy’s Mad Max a side character in his own story as he played second fiddle to Charlize Theron as the bad ass Furiosa.
5. The Queen of Ireland
A cracking documentary about a fascinating woman and her creator. Moving, funny, and uniquely capturing the campaign that stirred a nation to the ballot boxes and the moment we heralded in marriage equality. Powerful and essential viewing.
4. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
A stunning debut from writer/director Ana Lily Amirpour. An Iranian vampire western gorgeously shot in black and white with a terrific lead performance from Sheila Wand. An instant vampire classic.
3. Steve Jobs
A film unlike any other to be released this year - superbly crafted, beautifully shot, expertly written and brilliantly played. Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay is flawless and as Jobs, Michael Fassbender has never been more magnetic and charismatic.
2. Brooklyn
One of the most powerful, emotional films of the year that brilliantly showcases our home-grown talent in front of and behind the camera. A beautifully made, gorgeously written story with a stellar performance from Saoirse Ronan.
1. Inside Out
The most important film of the year and also one of the most enjoyable. A film capable of opening up a conversation between parents and their children about how we deal with life’s obstacles and how our emotions respond to change. Very clever work from Pixar genius Pete Docter and cute and funny as anything.
