Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched for My Challenge (December 2015)

This is the last top 5 Thursday of the year 2015, and the last list for my 100 Movie Challenge 2015. I saw some new one and some really good ones. Many of the films I watched this month ended up in my favorites 2015 movies list. Here is my top 5 of films I watched for my challenge in December.

5. Moon

Especially a great one man show by Sam Rockwell. I knew I was going to like this, it’s a really good film.

 

 

 4. The Lobster

A bit weird, but maybe that’s why I love it so much. It’s definitely not for everyone, but you should give it a try.

 

 

3. Ex Machina

You except a certain thing, but you get something completely different. A surprising film, great performances, worth your time.

 

 

2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I have been waiting for this movie for so long, we all have. And it was exactly what we hoped for. Great balance between nostalgia and an interesting new story. And that scene on the bridge, we all know it…… nooooooo!

 

 

1. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

I loved everything about this movie. Such a heartfelt, realistic and honest film.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Krampus, Rollercoaster, Mean Creek, Some Kind of Wonderful

Top 10: Favorite Movies of 2015

It’s that time of the year. Ranking all the movies from 2015 that I saw. Off course I cannot see every single movie, so there are probably some films you will be missing. And some movies that I know I will love, like “The Revenant”, “Spotlight”, “The Hatefull Eight” and “Creed” aren’t on this list because they haven’t been released yet in The Netherlands. This list is based on the Dutch theatrical releases, which also explains why there are possibly movies on the list that officially came out in 2014. Here are my 10 favorite films of 2015 (also check out my honorable mentions)!

10. Inside Out

Okay, just when we thought Pixar and Disney were running out of ideas, they brought us “Inside Out”. A smart and bold movie, with a great message. Exploring the inner emotions of a child combined with a race-against-time adventure. Great!

 

 

9. The Martian

“The Martian” is a movie I had expectations for, but I got even more than I expected. It was heartfelt, interesting and really funny. Matt Damon gives away a great performance and Ridley Scott finally directed another great film.

 

 

8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

This movie is probably on the list because I’m a fangirl, I love the books. And this final chapter gave me exactly what I wanted. This is my second favorite film of the franchise and a good ending to the movie series.

 

 

7. The Lobster

It’s a weird story: single people are taken to a hotel, where they have to find a partner within 45 days. If they fail, they are turned into an animal. Colin Farrell’s character choses a lobster. And it’s exactly this unconventional story that I love. Farrell is an actor I either love or hate in a movie and in “The Lobster” he is phenomenal. Definitely not a movie for everyone, but at least give it a try.

 

 

6. Ex Machina

I can best describe “Ex Machina” as a mix of “Blade Runner” and “Her”, but then I would still not do it justice. It’s such a strong film, with only three characters. Oscar Isaac and Domhnall Gleeson are great, but Alicia Vikander is the star. This is a movie where you expect one thing and get something completely different.

 

 

5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The movie we’ve all been waiting for. We were all afraid that it was going to be bad, but it was AWESOME! J.J. Abrams found the perfect balance between nostalgia and a great new story with both old and new characters. Off course Han, Leia and Chewbacca, but also newbie heroes Rey, Finn and Po, droid BB-8 and villain Kylo Ren. And that scene on the bridge…… Nooooooo!

 

 

4. Sicario

After “Enemy” and “Prisoners” I had high expectations for “Sicario”. And director Denis Villeneuve did it! “Sicario” is a terrific thriller, with Emily Blunt as the big star. She is amazing in this film.

 

 

3. Birdman

Unfolding across two hours of backstage theater drama that play as a single take, it’s an almost impossibly complex technical achievement. And then Michael Keaton’s big comeback as actor Riggan, who once played a superhero and is now aiming for something higher. A cinematographic masterpiece.

 

 

2. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

This movie was great for us movie lovers, because of all the pop culture references. But this is also a movie that comes straight from the heart and ends up in our hearts as well. Such an honest, real film that grabbed me and touched me.

 

 

1. Mad Max: Fury Road

When I saw “Mad Max: Fury Road” in theaters it totally took my breath away. More than 30 years after leaving Max in the wasteland, George Miller returns to his signature series. I didn’t expect much at first and I left the theater overwhelmed. “Mad Max: Fury Road” is an incredible cinematic experience. A ride everyone has to take at least once in their life.

 

 

Honorable Mentions: Big Hero 6, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Jurassic World, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Straight Outta Compton

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 168: Ex Machina

Director: Alex Garland

Genre: Drama/ Science Fiction

Runtime: 108 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Alica Vikander

Description: A young programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) is selected to participate in a groundbreaking experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I.

Review: We meet computer programmer Caleb. He wins a competition to spend a week in the house of boss Nathan. What starts as a great week in a futuristic house in an idyllic environment, turns out to me so much more. Caleb is asked to test Ava, a robot made by Nathan. the start of an interesting relationship.

One of the central themes is the human emotion. Emotions can blind you and that’s what happens in “Ex Machina”. It makes you think about a combination of “Blade Runner” and “Her”.

“Ex Machina” is more a psychological thriller though. Nobody can be trusted and that makes sure of an interesting starting point. The acting is also great, especially by Alicia Vikander. Her role is very convincing and director Alex Garland couldn’t gave chosen a better actress for the part. Domhnall Gleeson and Oscar Isaac also give away great and solid performances. Isaacs is so diverse. “Ex Machina” has a great buildup, strong acting, topical themes, good visuals effects and a strong story. Definitely a movie to check out.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (162)

Here are this weeks trailers.

Furious 7

Description: Ian Shaw (Jason Statham) seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew for the death of his brother.

Director: James Wan

Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Kurt Russell, Djimon Hounsou, Tyrese Gibson, Dwayne Johnson

Trailer: Trailer "Furious 7"

Comment: Seriously, cars with parachutes? Come on! When is this series going to end?

Ex Machina

Description: A young programmer is selected to participate in a breakthrough experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I.

Director: Alex Garland

Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Alicia Vikander

Trailer: Trailer "Ex Machina"

Comment: A pretty creepy trailer...

Before I Disappear

Description: At the lowest point of his life, Richie gets a call from his estranged sister, asking him to look after his eleven-year old niece, Sophia, for a few hours.

Director: Shwan Christensen

Starring: Shwan Christensen, Emmy Rossum, Ron Perlman, Paul Wesley, Fatima Ptacek

Trailer: Trailer "Before I Disappear"

Comment: Looks good.

Dying of the Light

Description: Veteran CIA agent Evan Lake (Nicolas Cage) has been ordered to retire. But when his protégé uncovers evidence that Lake's nemesis, the terrorist Banir, has resurfaced, Lake goes rogue, embarking on a perilous, intercontinental mission to eliminate his sworn enemy.

Director: Paul Schrader

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Anton Yelchin

Trailer: Trailer "Dying of the Light"

Comment: Does Nicolas Cage take just any job now?

Comet

Description: Set in a parallel universe, Comet bounces back and forth over the course of an unlikely but perfectly paired couple's six-year relationship.

Director: Sam Esmail

Starring: Emmy Rossum, Justin Long

Trailer: Trailer "Comet"

Comment: I will probably love this film, but many people won't even see it.