I usually do a video for this but I never gave myself time to do one and I actually didn't see as many movies as I usually do for this year. So, the list is going to be shorter.
Also, maybe I should just mention that the movies that end up as being my favorites are usually the ones that I have something interesting to say because it resonated with me in some way. So, maybe a movie like Creed could be better than most of the movies I liked from last year, but they were movies that I just simply liked better or movies that I have something a little more interesting to say about them. This isn't some sort of definitive list where I calculate the best movies that'll be remembered as classics. This is just simply a list of movies that I remembered liking.
But, other movies I did like that aren't on this list for completely arbitrary reasons are Creed, Mad Max: Fury Road, A Bridge of Spies, and Inside Out.
So, here we go!
5. Antman
After Marvel proving that they can properly do an Avengers movie, still give Iron Man fresh air even after two movies, and make the biggest blockbuster summer hit from a bunch of characters nobody's ever heard of, it seems like the second Avengers movie would just be a safe bet that it would be as great as we secretly hoped it would be. And, while good, the big surprise came from making a good movie out of a superhero character that people probably knew but nobody cares about. Maybe due to ideas that Edgar Wright had that were taken after he left the project, but the overall enjoyment came from being a light, simple, fun action romp after what felt like that the Avengers 2 may not have been as great as we'd hope it'd be.
Antman isn't exactly Guardians of the Galaxy and it's nowhere near the excitement that was the first Avengers, but it was exactly what we needed.
4. The Martian
How much of an achievement can it be that they made an exciting film from hard science fiction that also manages to be a fun space adventure? It's pretty great that it's not only just a good film that advocates science and space travel, but that it does so in a way that can entertain anyone.
I'm not sure if I'm as high on The Martian bandwagon as others may be, but it's definitely worth a mention especially after Christopher Nolan's last attempt at whatever he was trying to do with Interstellar.
And I guess the big takeaway that I can get from this movie is that it's, apparently, possible to live off of potatoes...something that I don't want to test.
But, Jesus Christ, Matt Damon, CHEW WITH YOUR FUCKING MOUTH CLOSED! DON'T GOD DAMN CHOOSE TO START YOUR RECORDINGS AROUND THE TIME WHEN YOU DECIDE TO EAT! I WAS ROOTING FOR THE GUYS TO LEAVE YOU ON MARS DUE TO THIS CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY!
Still, it's pretty good.
3. The Hateful Eight
Are there any bigger, broader messages at play in this film? Perhaps about racism, sexism, and maybe the way this country is tearing itself apart due to hatred? Was a bit too on the nose when they were all stuck in the cabin and decided to pretend that each section is a part of the US that a person can stay in so they could leave each other alone?
Answer: Yeah, probably.
But, with all of that said, it's also just a great and engaging flick. Honestly, probably my new favorite Tarantino movie that stands up with Reservoir Dogs and Inglourious Basterds. Mostly because it has all of the things I like from a Tarantino movie. He does conflict through dialogue well, it's sharp witted and darkly funny, and, even if you know that the characters are just the most fucking despicable people you'll ever see on screen, I couldn't help but be engaged.
What makes it interesting is that it's more like a staged play than anything else in Tarantino's filmography. The entire movie basically takes place in a cabin that everybody is stuck in. That doesn't sound all that engaging, but Tarantino's masterful eye towards cinematography and editing as well as his keen ear towards unique dialogue makes makes this nearly three hour epic go by in a blink of an eye.
And, in regards to what this movie might be trying to say...well, I read Tarantino's original script after I saw the movie. Tarantino went back to rewrite it after it got leaked on the internet. I'm glad that I didn't read the script before seeing the movie but I'm really glad that Tarantino not only came back with a better script, he came back with a message. Most movies come out better and memorable when they have more to say. So, in that way, I'm kind of glad that whole incident happened.
2. Ex Machina
Pretty much the good "feel-bad" movie of the year. It's a movie that uses the Turing Test as a basis and it shows why we might be a little too overly excited in having AI robots indistinguishable from Humans. It's interpretation isn't exactly an optimistic answer and it'll definitely make some people feel bad about the turn of events the story eventually takes, but it will definitely stick with the viewer for a long time.
Without spoiling anything, the movie isn't against science or messing with things humans may not be capable of understanding(thank god), but it uses the whole device to explore a part of humanity that will make people feel uncomfortable. Sometimes, people's painfully human desires will get the best of them, especially if we live in a world where nobody wants to understand that.
1. Kingsman: The Secret Service
Matthew Vaughn is definitely one of the best action directors working today, but there's nothing quite like having a film go through whiplashes between cartoony, extreme violence while balancing some heavy drama and some more subdued action scene only to come around to a fancy dinner movie involving food from McDonalds.
I always have to feel like I really have to justify why I think this movie is as special as it is. Sure, it's a sort of parody on James Bond and points out all of the silly things that Bond is known for, but those kinds of movies are a dime a dozen. Except that this movie somehow manages to embody all of Bond's tropes to not just criticize them, but to excel at them. Sort of showing that James Bond isn't as fun as it could be(which is honestly a bold statement to make).
But James Bond never really amounted to much as far as "great art" is concerned. Even if the better Bond movies are some of the better action movies to ever come out. How about a movie that has some audacious things to say about the upper class? A movie that points out that the rich would happily leave everyone to die so long as they're guaranteed protection. Maybe a bit preachy, maybe a bit much, but the pay off is an absolute roar.
The point of comparison I have with this movie is The LEGO Movie of all movies. Sharp in wit, highly self aware, yet incredibly fun, engaging, and smart. There isn't exactly a movie I enjoyed more than Kingsman for this year and I had a blast.
Hell, if nothing else, I hope the people behind Spectre can look at this and rethink their lives.
It's also worth noting that this is kind of a really weird movie. The opening scene is played so straight only to have it bounce around from "holy crap, look how fun it is to be James Bond" to "but this is still serious stuff." The fact that it all works and remains engaging is mind boggling.
So, no, I really have no problem in saying that, yes, Kingsman: The Secret Service is that good.
