2015: A Year in Review

It's been another fine year for film on Closer to the Edge which included a Rocky resurrection, Tom Cruise proving he is still top of his game in the action genre and Shakespeare being beautiful. The Fantastic Four boomed yet again and was even slated by its director and Terminator: Genisys taught us to basically ignore everything we learned. Despite these blips it was an otherwise great year, here are the highlights.

Top Ten Films of 2015

1. Sicario (CAN/USA Dir: Denis Villeneuve): Tension personified from the very opening frame, Denis Villeneuve brought us 2015's most pulsating and heart-stopping thriller. Aided by Roger Deakin's stunning photograph of barren landscapes, Villeneuve sucks his audience into the dark underbelly of the drug cartel world. The lines between law and order are completely blurred and learn that in the place, there is no coming down on the right side. With star turns from Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and a quietly threatening Benecio Del Toro, this picture is deserved of the top slot. Read Review. 
2. Mad Max: Fury Road (AUS/USA Dir: George Miller): After spending years in development hell, the wait for The Road Warrior's return was worth every minute. The tale of there and back again might have some on the fence, but when you look at the sheer adrenaline and pure thrills from each action sequence- they pay for the ticket price alone. Tom Hardy was a worthy replacement for Mel Gibson, but as Furiosa, this was Charlize Theron picture. Will there be a fifth installment for Max? At this point, we all hope so. Read Review
3. It Follows (USA Dir: David Robert Mitchell) Sporting one of cinema's most clever story ideas and an excellent advertising campaign, David Robert Mitchell delivered the best horror film in years. Its premise of a person being infected with an unknown entity through sex and having to pass it on to survive was chilling. Even more so was seeing star Maika Monroe being pursued by a variety of creepy individuals. The fear of the unknown ensured a tense ride was to follow and both Monroe and Mitchell emerged as real stars. This also taught you the think twice about who you hook up with! Read Review 
4. Amy (UK Dir Asif Kapadia): After delivering big with Senna, director Asif Kapadia did it again with his homage to one of music's lost talents. Conducting over 100 hours of interviews with Amy Winehouse's nearest and dearest, he succeeded in giving another portrait of the woman we saw stumbled about. Showing her a young woman who loved her music but was lead astray by those closest to her was heartbreaking. By the film's climax, you will have wished that she had stayed away from mulish father Mitch. Watcher her shambolic final gig in Belgrade is certain to bring a tear. Read Review.
5. Room (CAN/EIRE Dir Lenny Abrahamson): Winner of the big prize at the Toronto Film Festival, this picture ensured that Brie Larson has finally arrived in the big time. Adapting Emma Donaghue's beloved novel was never going to be easy, Lenny Abrahamson however, was the man for the task. Larson along with stunning newcomer Jacob Tremblay stole audience hearts at the mother/son duo. This tale of two people confined to a room was a rendering one, the movie's second half in outside world was a surreal but life changing one. Read Review.
6. Red Army (USA: Dir: Gabe Polsky): Reflecting one of hockey's greatest teams was a brutal yet entertaining one. Slava Fetisov made for a humorous yet pained commentator, the former Soviet skipper loved the game but hated the pressure. Under ruthless and widely loathed coach Viktor Tikhonov, players were constantly pushed to the limit for glory. The scene of watching this team dominate the ice with skills and precision were mesmerizing. Defecting to the USA however, brought a darker cloud over the movie as players had to deal with all whole new hostile society. Read review. 
7. Carol (USA Dir: Todd Haynes): This year's greatest and most forbidden love story, Todd Haynes has given us two award-worthy performances from Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Set against the backdrop of the repressed 1950's this love is full of pained longing and unspoken words. There was more to this picture than two ladies in love and Haynes gave us a realistic impression of what people go through when picking up the pieces in life and having to forge their own identity. Rich in both story and characters, Haynes delivered one of his finest in years. Read Review.
8. Creed (USA Dir Ryan Coogler): Resurrecting the Rocky franchise was one of 2015 most pleasing surprises. Reuniting Fruitvale Station's Ryan Coogler and Michael B Jordan resulted in a stunning one-two punch. New Creed offspring Donnie has paved the way for an excellent new side project. A hungry and determined presence, he has our attention from the outset and Coogler emerges as a real talent behind the lens during the fight sequences. Sylvester Stallone was the real star and showed us the  Rocky from old and how good he can be out of the ring. Bring on the next episode. Read Review.
9. The Martian (USA Dir: Ridley Scott): Back in the sci-fi saddle again, Ridley Scott delivered his most enjoyable recent effort. Expertly walking the line between drama and comedy, this tale of Matt Damon stranded on Mars never fails to entertain. Character Mark Watney makes a funny yet adaptable lead and his constant use of brains is what keeps things afloat. What could have possibly been Interstellar type heaviness is dealt with the needed light touch thanks to the smart writing of Drew Goddard and a multi-talented cast. Read Review.
10. Wild Tales (ARG Dir: Damian Szifron): Possibly this year's strongest foreign film offering, Damian Szifron's six tales of revenge were a unique mix. An opening sequence to remember as all passengers of a plane to their horror realizes they all know the same man. 'The Bomb' sequence proved the most as Ricardo Darin takes out his frustrations out on a shady towing company. The most offbeat black comedy we will likely see in a long time, it would be fascinating to see Szifron get his hands on a Hollywood picture. Read Review 

Best of The Rest 

11. Macbeth (UK Dir: Justin Kurzel) A barnstorming, violent and hypnotic adaptation, Kurzel breathes new life into Shakespeare. With great lead turns by Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, these two give Macbeth and Lady a wonderful human touch amidst the madness. DP Adam Arkapaw delivers some of 2015 most beautiful cinematography.

12. Crimson Peak (USA Dir Guillermo Del Toro): Mexican maestro Guillermo Del Toro delivered his strongest American offering yet. Suitably creepy along with being hauntingly lovely, Mia Wasikowska had her hands full with any number of vengeful spirits. Let's not forget the weird brother and sister combo of Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain either.

13. Goodnight Mommy (AT Dir: Veronica Franz & Severin Fiala): Any person who has ever considered having children may want to reconsider. The eerie ambiance of the lakeside house is disturbing from the get-go as two twins believe their heavily bandaged mother (Susanne Wurst) is an imposter. A growing malice takes over in the movie's second half and things take a nasty turn. 

14. Ex Machina (UK Dir: Alex Garland): Writer Alex Garland showed his directing credentials and gave us a thought provoking film on what is means to be human. Three-way tug of war between Domnhall Gleason and reclusive inventor Oscar Isaac for the affection of lady AI Ava was scintillating. With a star turn from Alicia Vikander, this movie proved a rare beast. 

15. Brooklyn (EIRE/CAN Dir: John Crowley): All movie tipping its hat to anyone who has ever moved to a strange new land, Crowley's film was a delight. Saoirse Ronan shone brightly as an Irish girl lost in homesickness in 1950's New York. Fitting into a new society is never easy, but sometimes life teaches us strangers are the best cure.

Male Star of 2015: Michael Fassbender

By far this year's stand-out figure, Fassbender has captured the screen with force in each of his efforts. Bold and stubborn in Steve Jobs, mysterious in Slow West and a mad wonder as Macbeth. Fassbender is now officially among the finest talents of today.

Female Star of 2015: Alicia Vikander

The Swedish beauty has been an effortlessly gracefully presence in each of her movies in 2015. An ambiguous but lovely robot in Ex Machina, a butt kicking vixen in The Man From UNCLE and now Oscar-tipped for the Danish Girl. This may have been a career year, but Vikander hasn't even got started.

Best Director: David Robert Mitchell: It Follows

Directing this year's most original work, Mitchell delivered a movie with such raw scares that it made walking down the road impossible. Showing a real eye for the fears of real people along with the spookiness of the unknown, Mitchell is a director with an exciting future ahead. 

Scene of the Year: Macbeth: Battle Scene

Justin Kurzel showed that battle sequences as almost be as entrancing as they can be savage. Cutting in and out of this slo-mo scene is simply glorious and the power of Adam Arkapaw's work is brought forward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puV69CWPfP8

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Review of Wild Tales

Wild Tales

Director: Damian Szifron

By Alex Watson

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Based around theme of vengeance, Argentine director, Damian Szifron has created something utterly unique in his movie Wild Tales. Boasting some of the most unexpected raw humor to grace in our screens in a long time- the result is one of pure shocks followed by intense laughter. Nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar (eventually losing to Polish movie Ida), Szifron's movie deserves its critical plaudits and is by far one of the strongest and most unexpected movies of the 2015.

Six different stories blend this film together as we see an airline full of people who all seem to coincidentally know the same person. Meanwhile a young waitress (Julieta Zylberberg) notices a familiar face enter her restaurant and plots revenge. A wealthy man Diego (Leonardo Sbaraglia) engages a 'Duel' style battle with Mario (Walter Donado). Engineer Simon (Ricardo Darin) has his life destroyed by parking fines. A rich family must deal with their son causing an awkward death and set up an unlikely fall guy and a couple's (Erica Rivas & Diego Gentile) dream wedding soon becomes a living nightmare.

Wild Tales unique sense of humour becomes apparent from the get go as up in the air, a simple meeting between and attractive man and woman, soon becomes something far more hilarious as it seems that everyone around appears to know a man called Gabriel Pasternak! What follows is both stunning but intensely hilarious. All throughout, Szifron effortlessly makes each story magnificently stand out by itself. Simon's story is by the far the most affecting as by being continually frustrated by unhelpful and apathetic towing company and government employees- his life is turned upside down!

What is most impressive about each segment is the variety of locations and scenarios that are thought up. The highway based battle between Mario and Diego best demonstrates this as it will make you think twice about who you tick off on the desert roads! Romina and Ariel's wedding is at first a picture perfect affair, but after an 'awkward confession' comes forward it descends into something resembling a horror film as the bride loses all sense of public conscience. By the end its a wonder they haven't murdered one another on the spot!

The theme of middle class frustrations is gleefully reflected by a mixture of unlikely violent and vengeful scenarios. In doing this, Szifron has created an magnificent anthology film that sticks with us long after and will succeed in making us think about the people we know and what could be bubbling below surface. It may have lost out on the big prizes, but it will always be considered one of the more remarkable pieces of South American cinema in years to come!

Performance wise, Ricardo Darin shines brightly as Simon and his repressed frustrations are exploded onto screen with such power. After watching his life being continually sucked down the drain- his revenge on his former tormentors is one to saviour! Erica Rivas and Diego Gentile also deserve immense credit as the doomed pair Romina and Ariel. The horror on Gentile's face is priceless as his perfect wife turns into a monstrous bridezilla. Rivas is stunningly horrifying as the unhinged wife, but eventually we figure that through everything they are perfect for one another!

Wild Tales is a movie that deserves your time and attention because in 2015, you will not see another movie that is quite like this one. Just remember that next time you board a plane, drive a car or attend a loved ones wedding-  do not count anything out!