Each year, critics all over the world come up with lists of what they feel are the best movies that came out the previous year. My list is just a little different. First off, there aren’t any ‘art-house’ movies on my list, which means you’ve probably heard of most of them. Second, you’ve probably even seen some of them. And most importantly, you’ve probably enjoyed some of them. So, now, here in no particular order are my picks for the best commercial films of 2015.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Since Disney bought the Marvel comics group, they have diligently worked to create quality films designed to bring those heroes to life for movie audiences. And they have succeeded brilliantly. The first Avengers movie was a tour de force. The second upholds the quality and even makes the characters more compelling. My rating: 5 Stars
Inside Out
Only Pixar would dare tackle the inside workings of the human mind and create something so brilliant and vibrant and couple it with living emotions that help to guide us through our day to day lives. Almost makes me think that these characters might actually exist in each of us. My rating: 5 Stars
Jurassic World
This franchise was desperate for a major reboot and it got one in a spectacular way. The movie is nicely respectful of the movies that came before yet it takes the story in a completely new direction that will probably spawn at least a couple of good sequels. And the addition of Chris Pratt as the star doesn’t hurt either. That kid is on a meteoric rise. My rating: 5 Stars
Ant-Man
Yet another Marvel superhero makes his debut on the big screen and we haven’t seen the last of him either. The miniscule mite will return in this summer’s sure-to-be blockbuster hit “Captain America: Civil War.” I won’t doubt it will also spawn its own sequel too. My rating: 4-1/2 Stars
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
A lot of people, myself included, think that Tom Cruise was miscast as the leader of the new IMF team, but he keeps proving me wrong with installments like this. The stunts keep getting bigger and the stories keep getting wilder but that’s what movie audiences love. Just look at the James Bond series for your proof. My rating: 5 Stars
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Critics either loved or hated this movie. As an occasional fan of the original series, I liked the fact that they kept the era intact and stayed true to the original characters. I’d love to see a sequel someday, but with the modest success this movie had on the big screen, I suspect there isn’t much of a chance for that. My rating: 4-1/2 Stars
The Martian
Coming from Ridley Scott, you would have expected this science fiction space adventure to have aliens and explosions galore. Instead, you have a thought provoking incredible adventure about the resolute nature of man and survival. I’d say this was one of the finest movies of the year! My rating: 5 Stars
Bridge of Spies
Steven Spielberg is a film making genius and Tom Hanks is just plain brilliant in this story based on the true life exchange of American and Russian spies in Germany back in the 1960s. In lesser hands, this could have fallen flat. Instead, it’s compelling and visually spectacular. My rating: 4-1/2 Stars
Spectre
And speaking of Bond, James Bond, I don’t know if it’s just me, but these movies are getting better and better all the time. Another riveting adventure starring Daniel Craig in what could almost be a retro scenario that reintroduces us to his cold war nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld and the sinister organization he runs known as SPECTRE. Hopefully, there’s more to come. My rating: 5 Stars
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Now come on! You knew this one was going to make the list. I’ve been a huge Star Wars fan since the beginning and there was no way I was going to miss this one. J.J. Abrams did it right and we have at least two more installments to look forward to and several spin-offs are also in the works. I can’t wait. My rating: Six out of five stars
So there it is – my list of the most entertaining movies of 2015. Hope you enjoyed this list. There are a lot of great movies ahead of us this year too. Next week, I’ll let you know the titles that I’m looking forward to. Until then, dim the lights, pass the popcorn, I’ll see you at the movies!
