My Top 10 Favorite Movies Of 2015

Marty: Hey Doc, you better back up. We don't have enough road to get up to 88.

Doc: Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads!

That was dialogue from a scene both at the end of Back to the Future (1985) and Back to the Future Part II (1989), which predicted what 2015 would be like.

2015 is coming to a close... And we still need roads. I guess that's what happens when you mess with the space time continuum too much.

But even without hover boards and flying cars, 2015 was still an unforgettable year. It was a year full of highs and lows. It was the year that same sex marriage became legal in the United States. The year when the Pope visited America. It was the year when Shia Leboeuf made a motivational video that, let's be honest, you still can't stop watching. It was the year when some injustice was brought to the light. It was also a year of great civil unrest and paranoia. Full of uncertainty and fear. And sadly, we even had to say goodby to some legends, including the great Leonard Nimoy.

Whether it was a good year, or a bad one, it was one to remember. Especially for movies. Sure, there was no Jaws 19. But there were countless other sequels. But also some original work as well. We went everywhere from the far reaches of space to the inside of an 11 year old's mind. It was full of dinosaurs, superheroes, and spies. We saw old friends, but also made new ones. There was a little of something for everyone this year. Everyone has made their Top 10 Favorite Films list, so I might as well make mine. And please keep in mind, there are some films I haven't had the chance to see yet. I haven't seen The Revenant, The Big Short, or The Hateful Eight. And remember, this is MY opinion! Film is subjective. This is a list of MY favorite films of the year, not yours. So if you have any disagreements, feel free to leave a comment below as long as it's friendly. 

 So before I say goodbye to 2015 once and for all, and say hello to 2016,  here are my Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2015!

10.) Paddington

Based on the books by Michael Bond, Paddington is a charming story of a marmalade sandwich eating bear who is swept away from his home in the jungles of Peru to the city of London with the Browns. When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I had very low exceptions, especially considering it was a January release. My Dad remembers reading the books when he was a kid, so we both saw this movie together. Not only was the movie really funny without the need for pop culture jokes, but it was also really touching. Ben Whishaw plays Paddington with such sincerity and charm. You instantly connect with him, even though he's a bear. Movies with talking animals rarely work, but director Paul King and producer David Heyman, who helped bring another popular children book series Harry Potter to the big screen, made a film that will delight audiences of all ages. And it's just as tasty and nutritious as a marmalade sandwich.

9.) Trainwreck

From director Judd Apatow, the genius behind two of my favorite comedies Bridesmaids and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and starring the bold and fearless Amy Schumer, Trainwreck tells the story of a girl named Amy who grew up believing that monogamy is a myth, and has spent her whole life in shallow relationships. Until one day, on an assignment for her magazine company, she meets a sport doctor Aaron Connors (Bill Hader), and the two form a connection, causing Amy to rethink her whole philosophy on relationships. On the surface, this sounds like your typical romantic comedy. And in some ways it is. But it is so funny, edgy, and entertaining, not to mention it has a lot of heart, that the familiar topes can be forgiven. The cast has such great chemistry together. Even LeBron James has some really hilarious scenes. There are so many other great celebrity cameos, I don't even want to spoil them. Before seeing this movie, I had little knowledge of who Amy Schumer was. But after seeing this movie, and looking up some of her stand up and clips of her show Inside Amy Schemer, you can now call me a fan! All aboard the Amy Schumer Train!

8.) Fast and the Furious 7

Sorry for making you cry again. With the tragic death of Paul Walker, one of the biggest stars of the franchise, Fast and the Furious 7 had a big challenge. Not only did it have to live up to the success of the last two movies, but it also had to be a perfect farewell to the late Paul Walker. And it more than excelled in both cases. Not only was Fast and the Furious 7 a highly entertaining adrenaline rush, with each stunt eclipsing the last, but it also had a lot of heart to it. It took the best of an unfortunate situation and gave us one of the most touching, moving ending scenes ever. It's an emotional high speed roller coaster of a movie from start to finish. One last ride.

7.) Creed

I have a confession to make. I have only seen one Rocky movie in its entirety. The first one. And I thought it was an emotional, inspiring tale of perseverance and never giving up. It resonated with audiences so much that it led to six sequels, and a spin-off. As someone who only saw the first Rocky, I can tell you that Creed was a every bit as good as that movie. It had all the elements that made me love the first movie, but also gave us something new. Even my Dad, who lost interest in the series at some point, loved this film! The performances from everyone were sensational. But the best actor was the Italian Stallion himself, Sylvester Stallone. Reprising the role that made him famous, Stallone plays an older, wiser, broken down Rocky. And he play sit with so much depth and emotion. It will be upsetting if Stallone does not get an Oscar nomination for this movie. Just like the main character himself, Creed respects its predecessor's legacy, but also creates its own. It's knockout of a movie!

6.) Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Just like Fast and the Furious, Mission Impossible just gets better with each installment! From director Christopher McQuarrie, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation follows Ethan Hunt on the run again, this time from the CIA. The film is loaded with far fetched stunts, and non stop thrills. Tom Cruise has made it clear that this is HIS franchise. And it's doubtful we'll see anyone else playing the role of Ethan Hunt anytime soon! And Simon Pegg never fails to make the audience laugh with his dry British wit. I look forward to more missions with Ethan Hunt and company soon!

5.) Kingsman: Secret Service

Directed by Matthew Vaughn, Kingsman is what happens when you mix James Bond and Quentin Tarantino in a blender. You get a delicious smoothie full of action, violence, quotable dialogue, and an irresistible self awareness charm. It's a movie that knows what it is, and does everything it can with it. The action scenes were all creative, explosive, and even gory. The Church scene alone could possibly be the most brutal, and unforgettable scene of 2015. The cast could not be better. Featuring greats such as Collin Firth, Michael Caine, and Samuel L. Jackson, to newcomers like Taaron Egerton. There's even a cameo from Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill! In a year that included Spy, Spectre, and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Kinsman: Secret Service  was the most entertaining of the bunch. Manners... Maketh... Man...

4.) The Martian

From director Ridley Scott, the director of some of the greatest science fiction films of all time, The Martian tells a story of survival set in the future on Mars. It has more plot that Gravity, and more levity than Interstellar. It's a movie that makes math interesting! How many movies can do that? Matt Damon, proving once again his abilities as a leading man, is very relatable and very likable as the main character. He acts exactly how most of us would act in his situation. He takes a far fetched concept, and makes it believable. The entire cast is great, from Jessica Chasten to Kristen Wiig to Jeff Daniels to even Sean Bean. But what really makes this film stand out for me is its sense of optimism. All the countries of the world setting aside their differences to help bring a man back home to earth. It seems unrealistic, sadly. But Science Fiction isn't about what is real, but what is possible. In a time like now, when there is so much terrorism and racism in the world, we need a movie with a message like this more than ever.

3.) Mad Max: Fury Road

Of all the movie going experiences I had this year, NONE of them gave me an adrenaline rush quite like Mad Max: Fury Road. George Miller returns to the Mad Max film series, but with a different actor, and a much bigger budget. Mad Max: Fury Road doesn't feel like a movie, but an experience. Featuring real, practical effects and explosions, it's a film that restores faith in modern cinema. Tom Hardy proves a worthy successor to Mel Gibson in the title role. But it's Charlize Theoren as Furiosa who steals the show. She's tough, brutal, and fierce, but also broken and vulnerable. She's not a one-dimensional action hero. She's so interesting and complex as a character, I want to see more of her in a sequel. Whether you're a die hard fan of Mad Max, or someone who is just getting exposed to the series, this film will not just entertain you. It will rock your whole world! What a film! WHAT A LOVELY FILM!!!

2.) Inside Out

From the brilliant minds at Pixar, Inside Out asks the question "What is going on inside someone's head?" It follows the story of Riley, who is trying to cope with moving from Minnesota to San Fransisco. Her central emotion Joy (Amy Poehler) tries everything she can to keep Riley happy, and prevent Sadness from getting anywhere near the control panel. Inside Out has funny moments, but at its core it's a dramatic story about growing up, moving on, and facing the reality of how you really feel. It takes so many risks, pulls no punches, and does not talk down to its audience at all. I believe every kid should watch this movie. They will love it, and even learn something form it. Even adults will learn something from it. It's a movie that plays with all your emotions, both literally and figuratively. "Who's your friend who likes to play?"

Because this was such a great year for 2015, there are some gems I forgot to mention. Here are...

The Honorable Mentions of 2015:

Spotlight

An intriguing drama directed by Todd McCarthy based on a true story about the exposure of child molestation in the Catholic Church. Spotlight is powerfully acted, and well paced. I was not bored for a second. Michael Keaton definitely deserves another Oscar nomination.

Amazing performances from the cast, great music, and a provocative message about our generation, Straight Outta Compton is one of the most important films of the year , and for good reason. 

Ant-Man

Small scale, big heart. Ant-Man is one of Marvel's simplest, most entertaining movies yet!

The Walk

Beautifully directed by Robert Zemeckis. It takes filmmaking to new heights.

And my Number 1 Favorite Movie of 2015 is...

1.) Star Wars: The Force Awakens

For some, Star Wars is a movie. But for others, it's a way of life. I fall in the latter. I have been a Star Wars fan for as long as I can remember. I have waited years to have my questions from Return of the Jedi answered. And it was more than worth the wait! Star Wars: The Force Awakens has it all: Action, Adventure, Excitement, Drama, Humor, and Heart. JJ Abrams uses practical effects and puppetry to make this feel like a real world just like the Original Trilogy. But it's not just the effects that make it believable, but also the acting. Daisy Ridley and John Boyega give star making performances. And Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher return to their iconic roles with grace. If there is one flaw with the film, it's that it sometimes feels a little too similar to A New Hope, with the main character coming from a desert planet, a cantina full of aliens, a super weapon the scan destroy planets, etc. But the film is so well made and so entertaining, that the familiar elements can be forgiven. JJ Abrams and everyone else involved bring so much love and passion to this project. Just like Creed, it takes everything we loved about the original, and adds something new. It entertains us, and also makes us excited for what's next. There are so many unanswered questions and so many endless possibilities from this film alone. This is the first of many new Star Wars films from Disney and Kathleen Kennedy. And judging by this film, it's safe to say that George Lucas' Saga is in good hands. I look forward to many more adventures in that galaxy far, far away in the future.

And that is my list of my favorite films form 2015! What are your favorites? Are they on this list? Are they not on this list? Comment and let me know! I hope you all have a safe, healthy 2016! May the Force be with you!

And as Doc Brown would say, the future is what you make it! :)