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

The Weight of Your Love: Review of Carol

Carol

Director: Todd Haynes

By Alex Watson

Lauded at Cannes, Todd Haynes has brought us a love story like no other with Carol. Excellently channelling the repressed feel of love in the 1950's, Haynes lifts the lid on what hidden desire lurk below in ourselves. Aided by two stunning central turns by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, this film takes on a measured feel where the longing for a forbidden romance is the most painful aspect. Through this restraint a beautiful picture emerges that makes us question what love truly is?

Therese (Rooney Mara) is a budding photographer and shop girl at a Manhatten department store. One day completely by chance she meets Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), a socialite going through a bitter divorce with husband Harge (Kyle Chandler). As the pair become acquainted, a mutual attraction soon follows. But in their current society, their romance cannot take flight leading to some difficult choices for both.

Opening on a shot of a subway grille on the street, Haynes expresses his intentions for Carol early on. This is a powerful picture about two women who are trapped by the society they live in. This convention sees the pair living lives they are not entirely comfortable with and by revealing what's underneath, we see the true desires. Therese is a confused young lady who works an unsatisfying existence in a job she doesn't care for and is stuck in a loveless relationship. Carol is a lonely and isolated woman trying to find her own identity outside of the social circle she is still obliged to hang on to. Early conversations although stilted have a powerful passion hanging overhead. However, there is more to this story that just longing glances, Haynes also brings forward the pain of divorce and someone having to go back to square one to understand their own life.

Carol's separation from Harge makes up some of the movie's key moments as his behaviour grows increasingly irrational. Thankfully this man is not made out as the movie's villain and Haynes shows him more as a desperate and bewildered individual who cannot come to terms with what has happened. Her relationship with Therese is scrutinized from the get-go and is seen as a danger to her chances to gain custody of her child. When the relationship builds there is a fine line drawn between what people will say and the true meaning behind the words. Frequently there are heavy pauses where the audience waits for our characters to fill the gaps but secretly knows they cannot. This anticipation and wonder of what these characters feel provide Haynes' film with a feeling of enticement.

The real driving aspect of Carol is the sheer power of love. This picture has many tender and heartbreaking moments on display such as Carol whispering "My angel flung out of space." to Therese. We yearn for love to find a way forward, but Haynes remind us that sometimes life isn't too kind. Beats pass with such pining that it feels almost unbearable and in the midst of her problematic divorce, the outcome looks bleak. The movie's third act sees Therese attempting to find a shred of something to hold in life. What transpires is a final shot that is both heartfelt but also mighty rebellious for the time period. Love may be forbidden, but desire never fades.

Winner of Best Actress at Cannes, Rooney Mara is excellent as Therese. Given a more difficult part to play with, Mara excellently pushes this character from repressed young girl to wiser woman. Her underplaying of this role works wonders and she effortlessly carries to film more weighted content. Blanchett is equally marvellous as Carol and this character is more like a buttoned-down version of her Oscar glory in Blue Jasmine. Barely conceiving her characters grief and alienation, Blanchett strikes a powerful chord. Both are firm favourite for nominations come awards time- expect both names to appear frequently.

Todd Haynes has produced one of the pictures of 2015. Carol is rendering and deeply affecting portrait of love in a time gone by. Best get a new heart afterwards because your old one will be torn to shreds.