Sunday, January 3, 2016

Best films of 2015

1. Son of Saul



Heavy immersion into death camp extermination realized with unprecedented vision by Laszlo Nemes, a first time filmmaker that studied under Bela Tarr. A brave, important exploration of the Sonderkommandos' hell on earth in 1944 Poland. I saw a 35mm presentation with Nemes in person and the man definitely knows what he is doing. Best film in years.


2. Sicario


Probably the best movie about drug wars ever made. The two double climaxes, especially the table scene, were truly thrilling. Immorality reigns supreme. Intense.


3. It Follows


A visionary nightmare in a timeless dream state. An amazing follow up from David Robert Mitchell after his incredible teenage study Myth of the American Sleepover. Brilliant, refreshing and genuinely scary.


4. Eden



An authentic, emotional portrayal of growing up with house music and probably the first film to take the culture seriously. Amazing soundtrack too of course.


5. Jimmy's Hall



Set within a lush Irish countryside, master filmmaker Ken Loach explores a 1939 land rights struggle that rings poingently true in today's climate. The summation on many of Loach's themes- the destructive nature of the church, workers rights and the power community- are all represented here. If this is truly the final film from Loach he has ended on a beautiful high note. Thank you Ken!


6. A War


Moral complexities haunt this timely and relevant film on the human cost of politics. Tobias Lindholm and Pilou Asbaek have done it again.


7. Ex Machina


Concise, intelligent sci-fi with fascinating ideas and a perfectly creepy vibe. Great sets and locations too. 


8. Anime Nere


Authentic Italian mafia story totally gripping from start to finish with the enormity of the film's power emerging in it's final frames.


9. Colt '45



Taut and bleak French crime film brilliantly directed by Fabrice Du Welz and shot by the great Benoit Debie.


10. One On One



The damaging mindlessness of following orders is dissected in modern master Kim Ki-Duk's latest no-budget treatise on spiritual violence.

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