The (global) best (and worst) of 2015
Once again, I got to see around 340 films this year, so I'm making yet another best-off worst off list of 28 titles from around the world.
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28 titles
- DirectorRadu JudeStarsTeodor CorbanMihai ComanoiuToma CuzinSet in early 19th century Romania, a policeman, Costandin, is hired by a nobleman to find a Gypsy slave who has run away from his estate after having an affair with his wife.My favorite film this year tackles the controversial issue of gypsy slavery for the first time, and manages to do so with a dosage of black humor. Read my review if you like.
- DirectorAnna MuylaertStarsRegina CaséHelena AlbergariaMichel JoelsasWhen the estranged daughter of a hard-working live-in housekeeper suddenly appears, the unspoken class barriers that exist within the home are thrown into disarray.My 2nd favorite film is an extremely well written social satire from Brazil reminiscent of Bunuel. What feels forced and boring in European realistic social drama is to the point and entertaining here.
- DirectorRajkumar HiraniStarsAamir KhanAnushka SharmaSanjay DuttAn alien on Earth loses the only device he can use to communicate with his spaceship. His innocent nature and child-like questions force the country to evaluate the impact of religious views on people.My 3rd favorite film of the year is the highest grossing Indian film of all time and a scathing satire of religious fanatics. Which makes it arguably the most important film of the year.
- DirectorAlonso RuizpalaciosStarsTenoch HuertaSebastián AguirreIlse SalasTomas is too much for his lone mother so she sends him to live with his older brother Federico, aka Sombra, in Mexico City.Laconic inner city road movie with excellent black-and-white camera work is already a cult film and has the potential to spark a stylistic revolution in Mexican cinema, as Cuarón did in "Y tu mama tambien".
- DirectorYuriy BykovStarsArtyom BystrovNatalya SurkovaYuriy TsuriloDima Nikitin is an ordinary honest plumber who suddenly decides to face the corrupt system of local politics in order to save the lives of 800 inhabitants of an old dormitory, which is about to collapse.Remarkably open attack on corruption and the death of society in Russia; superior to the prize-winning "Leviathan" but less known.
- DirectorHee-il LeesongStarsKwak Si-yangJae-Joon LeeJun-ha ChoiYong-ju, Gi-woong and Gi-taek used to be best friends in middle school, but in high school, Gi-woong becomes a member of the gang that bullies Gi-taek. As Yong-ju tries to fix broken relationship, he realizes his feelings toward Gi-woong.Best gay-themed film I've seen in a decade. Yet another brilliant Korean film struggling to find an international audience because of its harshness, like "Sea Fog", "Han Gong-Ju" or "Wish".
- DirectorJames Napier RobertsonStarsCliff CurtisJames RollestonKirk TorranceA brilliant but troubled New Zealand chess champion finds purpose by teaching underprivileged children about the rules of chess and life.Biopic of a not-so-famous social hero from New Zealand shines through strong performances of lead Cliff Curtis and James Rolleston, who may get his international break with this.
- 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.It was the most talked about blockbuster film of the year and ended up being by far the best one. 70 year-old Australian George Miller bested almost every Hollywood smash this year (apart from "Star Wars".
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsHenry CavillArmie HammerAlicia VikanderIn the early 1960s, CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin participate in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal organization, which is working to proliferate nuclear weapons.Super stylish adaptation of cult TV series ended up not getting the attention it deserved. Ritchie maintains his status as one of the most underrated directors of our time. Read my review if you like.
- DirectorJafar PanahiStarsJafar PanahiNasrin SotoudehBanned from making movies by the Iranian government, Jafar Panahi poses as a taxi driver and makes a movie about social challenges in Iran.Speaking of directors, Jafar Panahi got more recognition for this latest violation of his ban from filming, even though I felt that "Taxi" loses somewhat compared to his previous work. Read my review if you like.
- DirectorKanu BehlStarsShashank AroraRanvir ShoreyShivani RaghuvanshiTitli, the youngest member of a car-jacking brotherhood wants to escape the family business. He and his wife form a pact to set free from their family roots. But is escape possible?Best independent Indian film I've seen this year, carried by the strength of newcomer Shashank Arora's performance.
- DirectorRonit ElkabetzShlomi ElkabetzStarsRonit ElkabetzSimon AbkarianGabi AmraniAfter a lukewarm marriage of over twenty years, a woman appeals to her husband's compassion to obtain the desirable divorce document in front of a court, which proves to be more challenging than she would expect.Final part of a trilogy focusing on an unhappy marriage features Israeli actress Ronit Elkabetz's strongest performance yet (in my view; I like her better in every new film she makes).
- DirectorChristian PetzoldStarsNina HossRonald ZehrfeldNina KunzendorfAfter surviving Auschwitz, a former cabaret singer has her disfigured face reconstructed and returns to her war-ravaged hometown to seek out her gentile husband, who may or may not have betrayed her to the Nazis.Easily best German film in a while with Nina Hoss at a career best. "Phoenix" turned out to be critically and financially successful in the US, but was passed over for the next Academy Awards in favor of the pedestrian "Labyrinth of Lies".
- DirectorCarlos VermutStarsJosé SacristánMarina AndruixRaimundo de los ReyesThe father of a terminally ill girl is determined to grant his daughter's last wish, a ridiculously expensive collectors' costume from a Japanese TV series. The request will drive him into a journey within his city's dark underbelly.Probably the darkest film of the year, slowly gaining festival recognition after a cold initial reception, would be my recommendation for those looking for an unusual story.
- DirectorDave BoyleStarsAyako FujitaniPepe SernaKazuki KitamuraA mystery outside of San Francisco brings together small-town sheriff Paul Del Moral, Japanese author Aki Akahori, and a traveler from Reno who soon disappears, leaving behind his suitcase and a trail of questions.My favorite US film this year is this Kickstarter campaign funded independent noir with an excellent script.
- DirectorRick FamuyiwaStarsShameik MooreTony RevoloriKiersey ClemonsLife changes for Malcolm, a geek who's surviving life in a tough neighborhood, after a chance invitation to an underground party leads him and his friends into a Los Angeles adventure.My other favorite US film of the year is kind of a black L.A. "Goonies" but very entertaining as such.
- DirectorSean BakerStarsKitana Kiki RodriguezMya TaylorKarren KaragulianA hooker tears through Tinseltown on Christmas Eve searching for the pimp who broke her heart.And my other other favorite US film of the year is a naturalistic look at Trans street workers, pretty much the first which manages to avoid almost all cliché.
- DirectorSebastian SchipperStarsLaia CostaFrederick LauFranz RogowskiA young Spanish woman who has recently moved to Berlin finds her flirtation with a local guy turn potentially deadly as their night out with his friends reveals a dangerous secret.Heir to the throne of "Run Lola Run" as the most innovative German film in ages, this was famously shot in one take (it took them 3 attempts). Passed over for the next Oscars as its English dialog didn't qualify it as a foreign film.
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsColin FirthTaron EgertonSamuel L. JacksonA spy organisation recruits a promising street kid into the agency's training program, while a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.If "Mad Max" was the king of action movies for visual opulence, drive and characters, "Kingsman" was probably the most stylish and well choreographed, albeit extremely over-the-top.
- DirectorTomm MooreStarsDavid RawleBrendan GleesonLisa HanniganBen, a young Irish boy, and his little sister Saoirse, a girl who can turn into a seal, go on an adventure to free the fairies and save the spirit world.Best Western animated film in at least a decade, I would say. Because it is not Disney, pretty much the opposite. Read my review if you like.
- DirectorHiromasa YonebayashiStarsSara TakatsukiKasumi ArimuraNanako MatsushimaAnna, a shy 12-year-old girl, is sent to spend time with her aunt and uncle who live in the countryside, where she meets Marnie. The two become best friends. But Anna gradually discovers that Marnie is not quite who she appears to be.With the veterans of Japanese animation giant Ghibli retiring, this may be the last of their classic features. Very much an antidote to Disney.
- DirectorKornél MundruczóStarsZsófia PsottaSándor ZsótérLili HorvátThirteen-year-old Lili fights to protect her dog Hagen. She is devastated when her father eventually sets Hagen free on the streets. Still innocently believing love can conquer any difficulty, Lili sets out to find her dog and save him.Most audacious film I have seen this year. Even though much more could have been done with a bigger budget, the film manages to be utterly chilling and thought-provoking.
- DirectorAna Lily AmirpourStarsSheila VandArash MarandiMarshall ManeshIn the Iranian ghost-town Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, the townspeople are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire.Most creative horror film of the year, even though I think people read too much into it and should just allow themselves to be spooked.
- 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.Most over-hyped film of the year. To me it doesn't remotely come close to previous Pixar classics because of superficial characters and a premise that doesn't make any sense.
- DirectorSam MendesStarsDaniel CraigChristoph WaltzLéa SeydouxA cryptic message from James Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover the existence of a sinister organisation named SPECTRE. With a new threat dawning, Bond learns the terrible truth about the author of all his pain in his most recent missions.Most disappointing film of the year and worst Bond ever. In spite of a ridiculously overblown budget, the story is a complete mess, and most action is rehashed from older films so it's not very entertaining.