Top Films 2015: Best Movies at the Halfway Point in the Year
The year 2015 is at the halfway mark and there have already been a number of disappointing films released. However, there have been a number of great films that are sure to make end of the year lists.
At this point, Sundance, Berlin and Cannes have all taken place, and out of these festivals, a number of strong films have opened to great reviews and many theatrical releases have also proven strong.
The beginning of the year saw the highly acclaimed film "Mommy" by Xavier Dolan, about a widowed single mother raising her violent son alone and finds new hope when a mysterious neighbor inserts herself into their household. The movie is beautifully acted with a blazing soundtrack and a raw aesthetic. It proves that Dolan is one of the most talented young filmmakers out there.
The Argentine film "Wild Tales" is another gem that is made up of six intricate short films that show chaotic circumstances and the extremes of people. It is riotous, violent but most of all hilarious. It also brings to life a new voice in cinema -- Damian Szifron.
Two festival winners that are likely to make year-end lists are "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" and "Krisha." Both films are very different but unforgettable. "Me and Earl," which won Sundance, is a heartwarming story about a boy, whose life changes when he befriends a cancer patient. The film by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon is quirky but ultimately touching.
Trey Edward Shults' "Krisha" brings forth a promising new voice in independent cinema. "Krisha" is a harrowing story about a woman who returns for a holiday gathering and the only things standing in her way are family, dogs, and turkey. It is a hypnotic experience that took SXSW by storm and later screened at the Cannes Film Festival.
Sean Baker's "Tangerine" is another film that surprised in many ways. The story about a working girl who tears through Tinseltown on Christmas Eve searching for the pimp who broke her heart is wild but at the same time incredibly entertaining and adventurous. The film was shot on an iPhone 5 but what makes this film so compelling is its story and performances.
George Miller's "Mad Max: Fury Road" revitalized the blockbuster and brought storytelling to the bare minimum. He created a captivating and detailed world filled with strong visuals. The film also features Charlize Theron in one of her best roles to date.
"It Follows" demonstrated that horror films can still be unique and also terrifying. The Spanish film "10,000 Km" finds ways of telling a story in enclosed spaces while still making a beautifully written love story.
The science fiction genre saw "Ex Machina," a film about a young programmer who is selected to participate in a breakthrough experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I. The film is filled with a number of twist and turns that will keep audiences guessing. Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson and Alicia Vikander also give incredible performances that show why they are some of the best in the business.
"Inside Out" also showcased Pixar's best in four years while "The Riot Club" was an entertaining dramatic feature.
While there are a number of films that are missing on this list, these are some of the highlights that have made 2015 an incredible year in film thus far.