5. Selma. The first great film to follow in the footsteps of Lincoln and uses one incident in history to explore more in depth one individual. This allows one of the best looks into Martin Luther King ever committed to film. Yet the greatness of the film is to also show how many quality leaders were involved in the civil rights movement, not just King.
4. Carol. The sexual tension is so high I had to exhale a few times as I was forgetting to breathe. Of course a lot of that is due to the performances of Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett. But even more it is a testament to the direction of Todd Haynes, who also delivers (as usual) one of his gorgeous postcard-ready movies then explores what's underneath that gorgeous surface.
3. The Hateful Eight. Allow me to be the contrarian about writer-director Quentin Tarantino. Inglourious Basterds was vastly overrated, as the title characters were the least interesting in the film -- a major flaw. While this film simply sets several well-drawn characters in one setting and lets them bounce off each other. This allows his dialogue to be featured, which is what makes Tarantino worth following. Great score and cinematography, too.
2. Brooklyn. This film following an Irish immigrant portrayed by Saorise Ronan sounded like homework. It is one of the purely joyful film experiences of the past few years. Its not to say that her struggles are not emotional, but that the light touch of the film in showing the immigrant experience in a mostly positive light is a true reward for the senses.
1. Mad Max: Fury Road. I can defend this choice with evidence on the acting, the incredible technical expertise, the inventive script, the propulsive score, and other stuff. But what it gets down to this: I staggered out of my screening like no film since Terminator 2. It delivers what an action film is supposed to deliver. The other stuff just makes it easier to justify as the best film of the year.
4. Carol. The sexual tension is so high I had to exhale a few times as I was forgetting to breathe. Of course a lot of that is due to the performances of Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett. But even more it is a testament to the direction of Todd Haynes, who also delivers (as usual) one of his gorgeous postcard-ready movies then explores what's underneath that gorgeous surface.
3. The Hateful Eight. Allow me to be the contrarian about writer-director Quentin Tarantino. Inglourious Basterds was vastly overrated, as the title characters were the least interesting in the film -- a major flaw. While this film simply sets several well-drawn characters in one setting and lets them bounce off each other. This allows his dialogue to be featured, which is what makes Tarantino worth following. Great score and cinematography, too.
2. Brooklyn. This film following an Irish immigrant portrayed by Saorise Ronan sounded like homework. It is one of the purely joyful film experiences of the past few years. Its not to say that her struggles are not emotional, but that the light touch of the film in showing the immigrant experience in a mostly positive light is a true reward for the senses.
1. Mad Max: Fury Road. I can defend this choice with evidence on the acting, the incredible technical expertise, the inventive script, the propulsive score, and other stuff. But what it gets down to this: I staggered out of my screening like no film since Terminator 2. It delivers what an action film is supposed to deliver. The other stuff just makes it easier to justify as the best film of the year.
No comments:
Post a Comment