#5 My (Half) Decade In Movies

Originally Posted December 30th, 2015

And so, 2015 has been and (pretty much) gone. Those of you who’ve been my friend on Facebook for a while now know that I periodically post FB notes (yes, these still exist) when the mood takes me, usually about something that I consider important, and which I’d like to think have a bit of a deeper meaning to them.

This is not one of those posts.

The end of the year inevitably brings with it a variety of countdown lists, and so I’ve decided to create one of my very own. I realised today that I’ve seen a lot of great films this year, and with that in mind I thought it might be kinda fun to compile a list of my top movie picks from not just this year, but from the past five (’cos, y’know, why not?). Here we go…

2011:

My Must Watch: “Drive” – a superbly entertaining, achingly cool drama, with a charismatic central turn by Gosling; also features one of the best film soundtracks you’ll probably ever hear.

Honourable Mentions:

• “The Next Three Days” – a brilliantly tense drama, anchored by Crowe’s sympathetic leading role; it’s a genuine shame that this went by pretty much unnoticed on its release.
• “Fast And Furious 5” – this incredibly fun film injected a much needed shot of adrenaline (as well as The Rock!) into the arm of the “Fast” franchise, and helped to make it the global juggernaut it is today.
• “Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes” – an engaging story and fantastic CGI helped to make this one of the best films of 2011.
• “The Inbetweeners Movie” – a near perfect, hilarious end to the genius TV series (sadly later slightly undone by 2014’s funny but unnecessary sequel).
• “Crazy, Stupid, Love” – one of the best romantic comedies I’d seen in a long time. Smartly written, featuring great performances, and – crucially – very very funny!

Avoid Like The Plague: “Little Fockers” – a disappointing and unfunny end to a comedy series that clearly just ran out of ideas long before.

2012:

My Must Watch: “Argo” – tense, taut, and engaging from start to finish, with Affleck excellent in his dual acting/directing roles. If the film wasn’t based on a true story, you’d never believe it!

Honourable Mentions:

• “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” – complex, pacey, and uncompromising, with a cast and director all on top form.
• “The Avengers” – I still tip my hat to Whedon for this. He pulled off what seemed at the time like the impossible: to take these disparate superheroes, and put them in a movie together with flair and panache. The movie admittedly takes a bit of time to get going, but once it does it’s fantastic fun all the way.
• “The Dark Knight Rises” – up there with “The Bourne Ultimatum” as that incredibly rare beast: a threequel that can proudly stand alongside Parts I and II (even if it can’t quite match them). Despite its flaws it’s a film that’s undeniably epic in scope, and a brilliant way to end one of the best superhero trilogies of all time.
• “Skyfall” – not just one of the best Craig-era 007 films, but one of the best Bond movies, period. It can’t quite rival “Casino Royale”, but it’s still an expertly crafted (and surprisingly emotional) tour-de-force, with a brilliant villainous turn from Bardem.
• “Jack Reacher” – largely overlooked upon its release, this is actually a surprisingly well-crafted and enjoyable action flick, with Cruise on great form.

Avoid Like The Plague: “Total Recall” (2012) – another pointless (and infinitely less fun) remake of a vastly superior, Arnold Schwarzenegger starring original.

2013:

My Must Watch: “Gravity” – bold, gripping, and a visual triumph; be sure to watch it in IMAX one day if you can!

Honourable Mentions:

• “Life Of Pi” – the first Ang Lee film I’ve seen that I’d actually be happy to recommend (and that’s saying something). A bit too long, but visually stunning and emotionally poignant right up to the end.
• “Cloud Atlas” – this remains the most unique, ambitious, and downright weird film I’ve seen in a very, very long time…
• “The Place Beyond The Pines” – engrossing, audacious, and never less than surprising, with Gosling and Cooper both on top form.
• “Prisoners” – smart, gripping, and superbly acted (though admittedly not the easiest of watches!).
• “Captain Phillips” – exciting, suspenseful, and filled with excellent performances – Hanks and newcomer Abdi chief amongst them.

Avoid Like The Plague: “Only God Forgives” – a huge disappointment, and a classic example of a film that’s all style and no substance. And to think Gosling and Refn made “Drive” just 2 years earlier…

2014:

My Must Watch: “Boyhood” – a hugely ambitious, emotionally resonant, and wonderfully acted movie, like no other you’ll have ever seen (and possibly ever will again).

Honourable Mentions:

• “12 Years A Slave” – a brutal, powerful, and tragic film, with Ejiofor and Fassbender especially on great form.
• “The Wolf Of Wall Street” – not quite classic Scorcese, but undeniably immense fun; imagine “GoodFellas” meets “Wall Street”.
• “X-Men: Days Of Future Past” – entertaining and tense, with an inventive story more than carried by its brilliant ensemble cast; most definitely the best “X-Men” film since “X2”. I hope that 2016’s “Apocalypse” can live up to this.
• “Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes” – every bit as intelligent, engrossing, and entertaining as its fantastic predecessor.
• “Guardians Of The Galaxy” – wonderfully weird and hugely enjoyable, it takes a wacky premise and makes it work surprisingly well!

Avoid Like The Plague: “Robocop” (2014) – this just felt like such a wasted opportunity; a few good ideas, but an ultimately mishandled and pointless remake of an 80’s classic. Why, Hollywood, why? Well, money, presumably…

2015:

My Must Watch: “Whiplash” – an intense and engrossing watch, with both Miles Teller and (especially) JK Simmons on top form; it even made an unlikely catchphrase of the line, “Not quite my tempo”. It’s a must for Jazz lovers too, and I say that as someone who’s never been more than a casual fan of Jazz music.

Honourable Mentions:

• “Kingsman: The Secret Service” – ridiculously OTT, but undoubtedly one of the most exuberantly fun films I’d seen in ages.
• “Ant-Man” – funny, inventive, entertaining, and different; in other words, everything you’d expect from a Marvel movie. Can’t wait for next year’s “Captain America: Civil War”.
• “The Martian” – intelligent and gripping, anchored by a fantastic turn from Damon. Think “Castaway” meets “Gravity”, and that’s what you’re in for (or, if you prefer, ‘Bourne On Mars’).
• “Steve Jobs” – a fascinating look at an undoubtedly brilliant yet flawed man, with Sorkin’s script as expertly crafted as you’d expect from the man who gave us “The Social Network”. Why it did so poorly at the box office I shall never know (though I suspect that the Ashton Kutcher starring 2014 film “Jobs”, may have something to do with it).
• “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. How could this not be on here? I so, so wanted this film to be good, and was relieved beyond words that JJ hit all the right notes, and in a way that the prequels never quite did. Is it derivative in parts? Sure, but it’s still a great thrill ride. It’s wonderful to see all the old faces back, but the newbies to the franchise certainly more than hold their own as well; Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren in particular is a fascinating and brilliant addition to the SW universe. The film has a great, highly poignant ending too. I officially can’t wait for Episode VIII, though I would like to now see Rian Johnson perhaps take a few more risks…

Avoid Like The Plague: “Selma” – I don’t think I’ve ever seen such worthy and important subject matter dealt with in such a dull, anaemic way.

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to sound off below.

See you in 2020 for Part II!

Possibly.