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| Brie Larson could look a little more excited to see these movies. |
*Of those forty, four have clearly stood above the others. "Inside Out," Pixar's latest masterpiece, "The End of the Tour," a beautifully nuanced two man show between Jesse Eisenberg & Jason Segel, "It Follows," already one of my favorite horror movies, & "Ex Machina," a clever sci-fi thriller that was my introduction to the astounding Alicia Vikander as well as a reminder that Oscar Isaac is the best actor working today. All of these films can be found on DVD or some form of streaming.
A few notes about this list. All of the movies listed have yet to debut in Tucson, if you live in a larger city you may have already seen a couple of them. The list, also, only includes movies that will play in Tucson before the New Year, so The Revenant & The Hateful Eight didn't make the cut as their wide releases aren't until January 6. Lastly, if a film's release date includes the "limited" qualifier it means that unless you live in L.A. or New York you'll have to wait a little longer to see it, for Tucson you generally need to add two to four weeks, & if you don't live in a city you may not get the opportunity to see such films in theaters at all. As always, if you click on a film's title you can see its trailer. Now, without further ado...
Honorable Mention
The Foreign Films: Victoria (Nov 20 at The Loft) stands out as the rare film to have been filmed entirely in one 138 minute take (on the third try) & beyond that technical feat its story of a young woman who gets involved in a bank robbery & its aftermath promises plenty of thrills. Meanwhile Mediterranea (look for it at The Loft this December) is notable for how well it covers its timely subject matter, the fictional journey of two refugees from Africa to Italy & the violence & hostility they continue to face in Europe.
The Comedies: Yes, The Night Before (Nov 20) & Sisters (Dec 18) both failed to make the list. Don't get me wrong, I want to see the latest from Seth Rogen & the Fey/Poehler combo, but they both seem likely to be hilarious, but uneven, comedies that ultimately fail to challenge this year's reigning mainstream comedy champion, Spy.
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| Tina & Amy are bummed to be left off the official list. |
The Big Short (Dec 23) Writer/director Adam McKay (Anchorman, Step Brothers) pivots from broad comedy to the true story of the guys who predicted the financial crash of 2008 & got rich besting the banks whose greed helped cause the recession. With Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, & Brad Pitt all in leading roles it boasts one of the most impressive casts of the year & if McKay's film can be nearly as effective a take down of the greed run rampant in our financial sector as his credits for The Other Guys were the movie will be a resounding success.
The Top Twelve:
12. Krampus (Dec 4)
What it's about: When a young boy turns his back on Christmas, thanks to his overly dysfunctional family, he accidentally summons Krampus, the Christmas demon intent on punishing non-believers. As formerly beloved holiday icons turn into monsters the family must fight together to survive the holiday.
Why you should see it: With all of its good tidings and cheer the holiday season can feel oppressively happy, unless you work in retail, so this film could be the perfect escape. It helps that writer/director Michael Dougherty previously made the underrated horror anthology Trick'r'Treat, & this time he's wrangled a great cast (Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, & Allison Tolman) to wring out all of the dark humor to be found in the premise.
11. The Good Dinosaur (Nov 25)
What it's about: In a world where an asteroid never wiped out the dinosaurs, a young dinosaur, who loses his father & finds himself far from home, makes an unlikely human friend & together they must undertake a journey of both survival and self-discovery.
Why you should see it: While it's unlikely to reach the amazing heights of Inside Out this is still a Pixar movie without "Cars" in the title, making it a must see. Plus the landscapes in the film are said to be the most impressively rendered in Pixar's storied history.
10. Macbeth (Dec 4 – limited, Dec 18 at The Loft)
What it's about: Shakespeare's classic tale of a Scottish warrior who becomes consumed by ambition, with some help from his wife, & murders his king to take the throne for himself. As in all of Shakespeare's work, everything works out in the end.
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| Michael Fassbender only plays well adjusted characters. |
Why you should see it: However difficult the Bard's English can be his stories remain compelling & Macbeth is one of his best. That said, the film is not on this list because I'm dying to see Macbeth on the big screen, though the battles depicted in this version may change my tune, but rather I'm dying to see Michael Fassbender in the titular role with Marion Cotillard as his wife. When two people that talented, & beautiful, take on such iconic roles it would be a shame to miss it. As a bonus it will also serve as a sort of preview for next year's Assassin's Creed adaptation as that film will reunite director Justin Kurzel with Fassbender & Cotillard.
9. James White (In limited release since Nov 13)
What it's about: The tale of a troubled twenty-something slacker crashing through life in New York City whose path to self-destruction is interrupted when he's forced to care for his ailing mother.
Why you should see it: Can you imagine a story that's more fun?! Seriously, I know that's a tough sell, but I'm willing to wade into the darkness if that's where true emotion can be found & by nearly all accounts this movie achieves that, which makes sense since first time writer/director Josh Mond says parts of the film were inspired by his own mother's sickness & eventual death. Christopher Abbot, formerly Charlie on Girls, plays the lead & he along with Cynthia Nixon (Miranda on Sex and the City) have earned rave reviews. Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi also gets the rare chance to flex his dramatic muscles.
8. Joy (Dec 25)
What it's about: The story of a family across four generations, focusing on the woman who rises to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty.
Why you should see it: Writer/director David O. Russell's previous collaborations with Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, & Robert DeNiro, Silver Linings Playbook & American Hustle, netted a combined 17 Oscar nominations including a win for Lawrence in Best Actress. Based on that track record there's no reason to believe this won't be a very good movie, so why is it only at eight? There are no reviews to confirm they've succeeded in making another Oscar worthy film, as there are for a number of the films ahead of it on this list, & while I enjoyed them I didn't quite love either Silver Linings or Hustle.
7. Creed (Nov 25)
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| Are you as pumped for Creed as Sly & Michael B? You should be. |
Why you should see it: If you're a Rocky fan this should be a no-brainer, the movie is getting the best reviews since the original & Stallone's performance is getting Oscar buzz, & even if you're not there's a lot to entice you. Michael B. Jordan is arguably the best actor under 30 & he did his best film work with writer/director Ryan Coogler in their previous collaboration, Fruitvale Station. We also need a great sports film every few years & after Southpaw seemingly failed (I haven't seen it yet) to succeed 2011's Warrior* perhaps Creed can.
*I'd also accept 2011's "Moneyball" & 2012's "Goon," but since they all came out within six months of each other I just went with the best one.
6. In the Heart of the Sea (Dec 11)
What it's about: As the trailer makes clear, it's the true story of the men of the New England whaling ship Essex that would inspire Herman Melville's classic novel "Moby Dick." The true story, however, goes beyond just the ship's battle with a giant whale as the survivors of the whale's attack attempt to make their way back to civilization.
Why you should see it: The story is epic. The trailer is epic. Ron Howard is directing it. It was adapted by the guy who wrote Blood Diamond. Chris "Thor" Hemsworth, Cillian "Scarecrow" Murphy, & Tom "the new Spiderman" Holland all star. Warner Brothers moved the film from March 13 to December 11, a sign of great confidence in the film's quality. What's not to love?! I might have this too low.
5. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (Dec 18)
What it's about: How racist people get when they see a black storm trooper. Honestly, there's not a lot known about the plot except that it's not written by George Lucas so we can all rest easy. Instead the first draft was written by Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine & Toy Story 3), & the final product came courtesy of Lawrence Kasdan, who wrote Episodes V & VI, & director J.J. Abrams. If you're keeping score at home that's replacing the guy who wrote this scene with an Oscar winner, a multiple nominee, & the guy who revived Star Trek. That's a pretty big win.
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| You know this gets you excited. |
4. Carol (In limited release as of Nov 20)
What it's about: Based on the groundbreaking 1952 novel, The Price of Salt, it tells the story of a young woman working as a department-store clerk who dreams of a better life & falls for an older, married woman.
Why you should see it: Through twenty-five reviews compiled by Metacritic it's the second best reviewed movie of the year*, & actresses Cate Blanchett & Rooney Mara are not only, deservedly by all accounts, guaranteed Oscar nominations but are two of the biggest contenders for wins. It doesn't hurt that Kyle "Coach Taylor" Chandler lends a supporting hand as Blanchett's husband as well. And as far as progressive love stories go this is the one to see over The Danish Girl, both because it's supposed to be the better movie & it doesn't come with the messiness of casting a man as a trans woman.
*Charlie Kaufman's ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind") claymation "Anomalisa" is the best, but it won't hit wide release till January. "Inside Out" sits at #3 so "Carol" is the best reviewed live action film of the year.
3. Brooklyn (In limited release since Nov 4)
What it's about: A young Irish immigrant finds love in 1950's New York but when her past calls her back to Ireland she's faced with a decision between two countries & the lives that exist within.
Why you should see it: Everyone loves this movie, it's gotten only one negative review out of 129 on Rotten Tomatoes. Do you know how hard that is? Up got five negative reviews, & you have to be demon spawn not to love that movie. Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, The Grand Budapest Hotel), who was nominated for an Oscar when she was only thirteen, is being praised for her best performance yet & Emory Cohen (The Place Beyond the Pines) & blog favorite Domnhall Gleeson (About Time) are supposed to be excellent as her suitors. Acclaimed writer Nick Hornby's adaptation of Colm Tóibín's novel of the same name is joining Ronan in the awards discussions as well. This is basically the Oscar worthy version of The Notebook, who wouldn't want to see that?
2. Room (At The Loft now, likely expanding soon)
What it's about: A five-year-old boy, Jack, & his mother escape the shack Jack's spent his entire life in. As Jack discovers the outside world he continues to hold onto the most important thing in his life, his bond with his mother.
Why you should see it: If you've seen Short Term 12* you understand what an incredible actress Brie Larson is, & that it was a travesty she didn't earn an Oscar nomination two years ago, so I shouldn't have to sell you on seeing her in a film that's supposed to be as emotionally rewarding as any you see this year. I would be remiss if I did not mention that eight-year-old Jacob Tremblay is also earning heaps of praise, & the film as a whole is being hailed as an achievement that should see awards recognition across the board. I'm seeing it tonight.
*If you haven't seen "Short Term 12" it's streaming on Netflix so stop what you're doing & watch the best movie of 2013. Shit, I just teared up watching the trailer, that movie is too damn good.
1. Spotlight (Out now)
What it's about: The true story of the Boston Globe's Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation that uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, rocking the city & shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
Why you should see it: If you're Catholic, as I am, this feels like required viewing in the same way Calvary was. If this movie comes close to the quality of Calvary that requirement will be one of the most worthwhile two hours I spend in a theater in 2015. If you're not Catholic & simply like to keep up with the best cinema has to offer that requirement remains as this currently sits as the Oscar front runner. Writer/director Tom McCarthy has made a number of good films over his career, & he was nominated for his story work on Up, but he seems to have graduated into the upper tier of filmmakers with this one, aided by an absolutely loaded cast. Michael Keaton continues his career revival joined by Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Liev Scheiber, John Slattery, Stantley Tucci, & others. In an age where the media is constantly lambasted for its lack of substance, this film covers reporters who did their job, & in doing so changed the world for the better, that's a story worth seeing.
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| The cast of Spotlight is just waiting for you to go see their movie. |
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