The 2015 Top Ten List (10-6)

10. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. Those criticizing the main character for being self centered miss the point. That's what sets up the conclusion of the film, and why it hits so hard. The film title sets it up: that's why Me is first. There's plenty of humor for those of all who love the Criterion collection, and real chemistry in the new friendship between the Me played by Thomas Mann and the Dying Girl embodied by Olivia Cooke.

9. Love and Mercy. How does one approach the musical genius of Brian Wilson? By splitting it in two. Paul Dano captures the genius of Brian in the 60s: doing amazing work while losing his mind. The film contrasts it with the 80s Brian played by John Cusack trying to find his way back to sanity. Two elements really responsible for placing this film on this list: The way the score works off of Beach Boys music and the outstanding sound design give a sense of Brian's struggles in a way I had never experienced before.

8. Inherent Vice. The first film that gave me a contact high. Of course it is confusing and convoluted. This is a detective film seen through the eyes of a perpetually high detective, so it is a bit hazy. While there are parts of the mystery that still have me confused, the reactions of Joaquin Phoenix trying to process it all and some truly wacky plot twists entertain me every time I revisit. 

7. Spotlight. A valentine to the quickly disappearing art of investigative journalism, showing how the Boston Globe uncovered the horrifying sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. SAG got it right: this is the most impressive work by an ensemble cast. This is a testament to how good director Tom McCarthy always is with actors. (Don't believe me? check out The Station Agent or Win Win sometime.)

6. The Big Short. I've always wondered when writer-director Adam McKay would get political. His website Funny or Die has had some good political material over the last several years. And here it is, a scathing indictment of the greed of Wall Street wrapped in a feel good comedy of a few outsiders who gamed the system. This might not be the funniest film of the year (I'd vote for Trainwreck, which just missed my top 20) but it may be the most important.

The 2015 Top Ten List (The Runners-Up)

Yes, I am finally getting to my list for 2015. I stubbornly insist on keeping to my criteria of what plays in my general area in 2015 -- Dayton and Columbus, Ohio. If it did not get here until 2016, it is eligible for next year's list. There are few films that effects this year -- especially since The Revenant had no chance to make this list anyway due to quality issues. But two films that were 2014 films on the coast are in my 2015 list because they did not get here until then.

Without further ado, here are my ten runners-up, in alphabetical order:

Creed. All those surprised at how good this Rocky sequel is must not have seen Fruitvale Station, with the same director (Ryan Coogler) and the same star (Michael B. Jordan).

Ex Machina. Alicia Vikander's performance has you wondering what is going on with the robot she is portraying all film long.

Grandma. Nice to see writer-director Paul Weitz back to the form of About A Boy and In Good Company.

Inside Out. Nice to see Pixar return to form.

The Last Five Years. I am a sucker for any musical starring Anna Kendrick.

The Martian. Definitive proof Matt Damon is a star. He carries this film by merely talking to the camera.

Room. Bree Larson gets my vote for the best acting work of any film this year.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Pretty much ticks all the boxes of that a blockbuster popcorn movie should be.

Steve Jobs. Great writing by Aaron Sorkin and great directing by Danny Boyle kept me riveted in a biography of a guy I really don't care much about.

Z For Zachariah. A fascinating look at survival during an apocalypse anchored by great performances by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Margot Robbie.

Right now my best friend is trying to figure out how I could rate ten films ahead of Inside Out and Room. Which films are they? To be continued soon.

Congrats Leo!

Leonardo DiCaprio won his Oscar for suffering in the cold. It wasn't really acting, per se. Don't get me wrong. I think he's an excellent actor, and he was overdue an Oscar. But he now joins his Titanic costar Kate Winslet for winning an Oscar for one of the weakest performance of his career.

Here's a list of performances in DiCaprio's career I would rate as more impressive, in chronological order: This Boy's Life, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Romeo + Juliet, Titanic, Gangs of New York, Catch Me If You Can, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island, Inception, Django Unchained, The Great Gatsby, The Wolf of Wall Street. So congratulations, Leo! You win for what might be about your 14th best career performance!

Hmm, Kate Winslet's better than The Reader performances include: Heavenly Creatures, Sense and Sensibility, Hamlet, Titanic, Hideous Kinky, Holy Smoke, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Romance & Cigarettes, Little Children, Carnage, Contagion, Labor Day, Steve Jobs.

I really need to see Revolutionary Road some day.