2015 in Film

Hey there, here's my list of scores and quick reviews for all the films I have seen this year. If you want more of my scores you can always check out my 2014 in Film page

Ex Machina - Alex Garland 
Rating: 8/10 
Theatre Viewing: No 
Watch Again: Maybe 
"I was pulled out of it near the middle, but its intriguing content hooked me right through the second and third acts. It's a thriller that uses atmosphere and character to hook you, rather than cheap scare tactics. Oscar Isaac was awesome, and I think I'm in love with Alicia Vikander." 

Jupiter Ascending - The Wachowskis  
Rating: 4/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: No 
"There were many interesting visuals and concepts, but the story was just terrible. It's all over the place and doesn't go anywhere. It's disappointing because it could have been good."

Cinderella - Kenneth Branagh 
Rating: 6/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes 
"A simple retelling of the classic tale. There was nothing too special about it, but it was enjoyable and that's a quality that makes it re-watchable."

Chappie - Neill Blomkamp 
Rating: 3/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: No 
"Once again, a disappointing film due to its poor execution. Creativity can't save a film when it has bad actors who aren't even actors playing leads! I don't care how much you like their music. THEY SUCKED!"

Furious 7 - James Wan 
Rating: 6/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Maybe 
"Normally I wouldn't have gone out to watch a Fast and Furious movie, but my return to franchise left a good impression. This is a good and fun action movie. Just turn off your brain and enjoy it!"

Avengers: Age of Ultron - Joss Whedon 
Rating: 7/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes 
"This movie was so satisfying. It pummelled through my inner fanboy with all the thrust of a roaring hype train. However, upon repeat viewings the film doesn't really do anything other than satisfy the 'Big Marvel Movie' urge. It's not extraordinary, but serviceable to all geeks and fanboys that wanted their hit of Marvel goodness."

Pitch Perfect 2 - Elizabeth Banks 
Rating: 6/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes 
"I think Elizabeth Banks has something special with this cast. This film delivers on its promise of an aca-tastic time. However, I'm sure my brother liked this film a lot more than I did."

Mad Max: Fury Road - George Miller  
Rating: 8/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: No 
"The sheer rawness and grit of this movie really sunk deep into my mind. Never before have I seen such a good use of CGI to enhance amazing practical effects. Striking performances and flawless pacing keep you constantly engaged."

Tomorrowland - Brad Bird 
Rating: 5/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: No 
"This movie wasn't inspiring. Our leading lady made me feel as if I was being acted at rather than getting me engaged in the story. Constantly bashing the theme of saving the future into my face every other scene certainly did not help."

Inside Out - Pete Docter 
Rating: 9/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes 
"Quite possibly the best pixar film I have ever seen. I loved the look of the emotions, as well as the design of the inner landscapes of Riley's mind. The story kept me so emotionally invested that it almost made me cry. Almost."

Jurassic World - Colin Trevorrow  
Rating: 7/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes 
"I thoroughly enjoyed this film. You've got dinosaurs fighting other dinosaurs. What's not to love? That's all I remember though, so maybe a low seven?"

Southpaw - Antoine Fuqua 
Rating: 7/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes 
"A knockout performance by Gyllenhaal. Puns aside, this movie has problems in its second act. It's cliched and disjointed. However, it really knows how to build into the third act, delivering an energising and engaging final fight."

Terminator Genisys - Alan Taylor 
Rating: 6/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes 
"This film was fun, action heavy, and turn-off-your-brainy. Yea sure it totally destroys the meaning of the other films in the franchise, but this can be like The Prequels! A guilty pleasure you don't want to admit you like."

Ant-Man - Peyton Reed 
Rating: 7/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes 
"This was better than Age of Ultron. It was funny without being too quippy, and the story shone through the heist film format. The characters were loveable, but the villain was dull. That's the Marvel formula isn't it?"

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation - Christopher McQuarrie 
Rating: 7/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes 
"While it was definitely a fun flick, the story seemed all too convenient for my own expectations of a spy movie. The plot moved along smoothly, but only because everything fell into place when it needed to. It was almost clinical."

Fantastic Four - Josh Trank 
Rating: 4/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Maybe 
"The fact that you could see the film falling apart as it progressed speaks for how bad it is. The actors eventually don't care about acting well. The story goes to crap, which in turns leads to terrible pacing, which in turn leads to a bad time waiting for the movie to end."

Straight Outta Compton - F. Gary Gray 
Rating: 8/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Maybe 
"This movie was energetic all the way through the opening and second acts. While there were minor problems in the final act, the performances by some of the leads more than make up for it. I was very pleasantly surprised with this movie, as I know nothing about rap or the culture in America."

The Martian - Ridley Scott 
Rating: 9/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes 
"If there were two things that would always interest me, they would be our will to survive and science. This film combines both aspects in stunning fashion. You get to experience wonderment, comedy, and struggle all in one beautifully directed film. Ridley Scott you have been redeemed."

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials - Wes Ball 
Rating: 6/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: No 
"This was actually pretty fun. The original cast shone as their respective characters, but the new cast didn't see much development. The film felt overly extended, especially in the third act. What started so good didn't manage to finish well."

Spectre - Sam Mendes 
Rating: 6/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: No 
"This was a Bond movie, and for those of us who liked the new direction of Daniel Craig's Bond, well it didn't sit so well. With the ridiculous Bond movie tropes aside, this film lacked purpose. I wasn't invested in our villain, or our Bond girl, or even James Bond himself. This movie just exists, and nothing more."

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2  - Francis Lawrence 
Rating: 5/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: No 
"Man this movie was boring. Sure they had a thrilling scene down in the sewers, but that's just horror movie tactics. It takes a lot of effort for me to invest my interest in a two part movie, and this film did not deliver at all. It always felt like I was missing something because I hadn't read the books, which is a failure in my perspective. Movies should be able to tell themselves!"

The Good Dinosaur - Peter Sohn 
Rating: 7/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes-ish 
"This movie would get a ten out of ten for visuals and environmental design. However, the plot, story, and characters reek of formulaic film making. It's a crazily funny film, but it's also pretty violent. I question whether this content is truly suitable for children." 

Victor FrankensteinPaul McGuigan 
Rating: 6/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: No 
"I guess James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe performed well. Nothing else was too spectacular though."

In the Heart of the Sea - Ron Howard 
Rating: 6/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: No 
"While there were good performances by our leads and supporting crew, the story didn't go anywhere. We spend a lot of time watching our characters doing nothing. Which also lends to this movie's slow pacing. I loved it when stuff was happening, but every other moment was pushing my patience."

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - J. J. Abrams 
Rating: 7/10 
Theatre Viewing: Yes 
Watch Again: Yes 
"I was not a Star Wars fan before this film, but I certainly am now. The action is raw and gritty. This movie is actually funny. Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver did amazing jobs with their characters. This movie satisfied the hype it was building up, and it makes me want to watch Episode VIII right now! However, it's not perfect, but it didn't need to be." 

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