Below is a list of my ten favorite movies of 2015. Since my movie attendance was pretty low during that year, I missed a great deal of films. (List subject to change in near future): TOP TEN FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2015
1. "Jurassic World" - In the fourth movie for the JURASSIC PARK franchise, a new dinosaur created for the Jurassic World theme park goes amok and creates havoc. Directed by Colin Trevorrow, the movie starred Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
2. "SPECTRE" - Daniel Craig returned for his fourth movie as British Agent James Bond in which the late "M" (portrayed by Judi Dench) reaches out from the grave to send him on a mission to go after a sinister organization behind his former nemesis, Quantum. Sam Mendes directed.
3. "Ant-Man" - Convicted thief Scott Lang is recruited to become Ant-Man for a heist in this new entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Peyton Reed, Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lily and Michael Douglas starred.
4. "The Hunger Games: Mockinjay - Part 2" - Francis Lawrence directed this fourth and last entry in "THE HUNGER GAMES" movie franchise, an adaptation of the second half of Suzanne Collins' 2010 novel. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth starred.
5. "Tomorrowland" - Brad Bird directed this imaginative tale about a a former boy-genius inventor and a scientifically inclined adolescent girl's search for a special realm where ingenuity is encouraged. George Clooney, Britt Robertson and Hugh Laurie starred.
6. "Far From the Madding Crowd" - Thomas Vinterberg directed this surprisingly satisfying adaptation of Thomas Hardy's 1874 novel about a young Victorian woman and the three men in her life. Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Tom Sturridge and Michael Sheen starred.
7. "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." - Guy Ritchie directed this adaptation of the 1964-1968 television series about agents for the C.I.A. and KGB working together to fight neo-Nazis in the early 1960s. Armie Hammer, Henry Cavill and Alicia Vikander starred.
8. "Bridge of Spies" - Steven Spielberg directed this account of the 1960 U-2 Incident and the prisoner swap that followed. The movie starred Tom Hanks and Oscar winner Mark Rylance.
9. "Kingsman: The Secret Service" - Matthew Vaughn directed this adaptation of Dave Gibbons and Mark Millar's 2012 comic book, "The Secret Service". The movie starred Colin Firth, Taron Egerton and Samuel L. Jackson.
10. "The Avengers: Age of Ultron" - Earth's Mightiest Heroes are forced to prevent an artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner from destroying mankind. Joss Whedon wrote and directed this second AVENGERS film.
Honorable Mention: "The Hateful Eight" - A motley group of stagecoach passengers find refuge at a stage station during a blizzard in the Wyoming Territory. Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Oscar nominee Jennifer Jason-Leigh and Walton Goggins starred.
The year 2015 seemed to be filled with some very memorable screen villains. I am certain that many have their own opinions of what constituted their favorite villains. Well . . . I have mine. Below is that list of my favorite movie villains from 2015:
FAVORITE MOVIE VILLAINS OF 2015
1. Samuel L. Jackson as Richmond Valentine ("Kingsman: The Secret Service") - I have to say it. Samuel Jackson has created some very memorable characters throughout his career - both heroic and villainous. But his portrayal of high tech tycoon, Richmond Valentine, has to be very high on the list. Not only was his goal - to decimate the majority of mankind in order to save the Earth - diabolical, but his lisp and aversion to violence made his character extremely memorable. Extremely.
2. Corey Stoll as Darren Cross aka Yellowjacket ("Ant-Man") - It is a pity that Marvel Studios seemed incapable of maintaining its gallery of villains. One of the best Marvel villains I have come across in quite a while was Corey Stoll's interpretation of Darren Cross aka Yellowjacket, scientist and CEO of Hank Pym's company. Stoll's Cross projected daddy issues with a style that rivaled Loki from the THOR movies, thanks to the actor's performance.
3. Elizabeth Debicki as Victoria Vinciguerra ("The Man From U.N.C.L.E.") - Elizabeth Debicki gave a deliciously entertaining, yet subtle performance as the cool and cruel Victoria Vinciguerra, the leader of a neo-fascist criminal organization and co-owner of a shipping company, who harbored plans to build a nuclear weapon for her own personal use.
4. Donald Sutherland as President Coriolanus Snow ("The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part II") - For the fourth time, Donald Sutherland did an excellent in creeping out movie audiences as the cruel and manipulative leader of Panem, as his character resorts to extraordinary methods to put down a rebellion.
5. Haley Joel Osment as Travis McCerdle ("Entourage: the Movie") - I never thought in a million years that I would see Haley Joel Osment portray a truly unpleasant character, let alone make this list. But he proved to be the sole gem in an otherwise entertaining, yet mediocre film as the son of a Texas billionaire, who is given authority to oversee his father's investment in Ari Gold's film. Osment's performance struck me as so spot-on that he almost resembled a living embodiment of excrement. He has come a long way.
6. James Spader as Ultron ("The Avengers: Age of Ultron") - Another Marvel villain bit the dust this year. But before he (or it) did, audiences were treated to a superb voice performance by actor James Spader as the self-aware artificial intelligence bent upon decimating humanity. Not only was Spader's performance a joy to hear, he had one of the best lines in the movie.
7. Jennifer Jason-Leigh ("The Hateful Eight") - In a movie filled with villains, the most memorable for me turned out to be Daisy Domergue, an outlaw being escorted to her execution by ruthless bounty hunter John Ruth. What made Jason-Leigh's Daisy so memorable was her penchant for sadistic humor, vengeful nature and more importantly her patience. Despite being smacked around throughout most of the movie, the actress superbly conveyed just how ruthless Miss Domergue could actually be.
8. Hugh Laurie as David Nix ("Tomorrowland") - Hugh Laurie gave a subtle, yet sardonic performance as David Nix, the mayor of Tomorrowland, who valued technological achievement over scientific originality. Laurie did an excellent job in conveying the character's paranoia and willingness to resort extreme methods - including murder - in order to maintain the status quo - something he strongly supported. His rant against humanity is a must-see for any moviegoer.
9. Julianne Moore as President Alma Coin ("The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part II") - Julianne Moore gave a very subtle performance as the leader of Panem's District 13 and the rebellion against the Capitol. At first glance, her efforts to free Panem from President Snow's rule seemed very genuine. But Moore did an excellent job in occasionally conveying Coin's manipulative and patient personality, along with a penchant for bloodletting that rivaled Snow's.
10. Christoph Waltz as Ernst Stavros Blofeld ("SPECTRE") - Christoph Waltz became the fifth actor to portray British agent James Bond's biggest nemesis, Ernst Stavros Blofeld, head of criminal/terrorist organization SPECTRE. And he gave a memorable performance, project the character's ruthlessness, intelligence, sadism and . . . dare I say it . . . charm? Waltz's Blofeld made a very charming sadist, only rivaled by Telly Savalas' portrayal in the late 1960s.
"THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE" (2013) ReviewDespite my enjoyment of the 2012 movie, "THE HUNGER GAMES", I must admit that I had regarded its sequel, "THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE" with a wary eye. One, the movie franchise had replaced Gary Ross with a new one, Francis Lawrence. And two, a relative who had read all three of Suzanne Collins' novels expressed a less-than-impressed opinion of the second installment, which this movie is based upon. But enamored of the first film, I decided to give this second one a chance. "CATCHING FIRE" picked up not long after the ending of the first installment. The winners of the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, have returned to their homes in the impoverished District 12. But due to their winnings, both now reside in upscale neighborhoods. Before they are scheduled to embark upon their victory tour of Panem, Katniss receives a visit from the tyrannical President Snow, who reveals that her actions in the recent Games have inspired rebellions across the districts. He orders her to use the upcoming tour to convince everyone her actions were out of genuine love for Peeta, not defiance against the Capitol. The victory tour goes off well, aside from an emotionally difficult and violent visit to District 11, the home of the deceased tributes, 12 year-old Rue (whom Katniss had befriended) and Thesh (who had saved Katniss). Despite the tour and the installment of violent Peacekeepers in District 12 to crack down on any signs of rebellion, President Snow remains fearful of Katniss being used as a symbol of any possible upheavals. The new Head Gamekeeper, Plutarch Heavensbee, proposes a special Hunger Games called the Third Quarter Quell (the 75th Hunger Games), in which the tributes will be selected from previous victors. He believes the Games would either ruin Katniss' reputation, or kill her. As the only female victor from District 12, Katniss is naturally selected. However, her mentor Haymitch Abernathy is chosen as the male tribute. Peeta immediately volunteers to take his place. Haymitch informs the pair that most of the tributes are angry over being forced to participate again and suggests they make alliances. Although Katniss is against the idea, she and Peeta adhere to Haymitch's advice and find themselves in competition that ends with surprising results.Despite becoming a fan of "THE HUNGER GAMES", I continued to resist watching Suzanne Collins' novels. Perhaps one day I will read them. But due to my unfamiliarity with the plots, the end of "CATCHING FIRE" pretty much took me by surprise. And this is a good thing. The movie's first third hinted of a growing rebellion against President Snow's rule over Panem in scenes that included Katniss and Peeta's harrowing visit to District 11, the beating of Gale Hawthorne (Katniss' closest friend and possible lover) at the hands of the Peacekeepers, and Snow's growing paranoia over Katniss. Even the scenes featuring Katniss' participation in the 75th Hunger Games continued hint the growing rebellion against Snow's administration and the Capitol through the characters like Haymitch, Katniss' friend and costume designer Cinna, and those serving as tributes. Characters like Beetee Lasnier and Johanna Mason expressed their dismay or anger at being forced to participate in another Hunger Game during their pre-Game interviews with Caesar Flickerman. Even Peeta tried to manipulate Snow into stopping the Game with false hint that Katniss might be pregnant. And during the Game, I found it interesting that Katniss and Peeta ended up forming an alliance with Lasnier and his District 3 counterpart Wiress, Johanna, and the two tributes from District 4, Finnick Odair and Mags - the only tributes to express any hostility toward the Games and President Snow. I had figured that all of them would eventually openly defy Snow by getting out of the Games. But thanks to some very good writing from Suzanne Collins, along with screenwriters Simon Beaufoy and Michael deBruyn; the circumstances behind the beginning of the rebellion really took me by surprise.Another aspect of "CATCHING FIRE" that took me by surprise, turned out to be its cinematography. With the change of director, the franchise acquired a new cinematographer, Jo Willems. And I liked the way Willems expanded the look of Panem in the film. I suppose one could thank the movie's plot, which allowed viewers a look at the exclusive neighborhood of District 12, into which Katniss and Peeta moved following their victory at the 74th Games; the other country's districts, and the tropical environment that served as the 75th Games' new setting. But more importantly, Willems expanded the visual style of the Capitol . . . especially in a scene that featured Katniss and Peeta's arrival. This expanded visual really took me by surprise. The movie also acquired a new costume designer, Trish Summerville. I have to be honest. I found her costume designs similar to the ones created by Judianna Makovsky. I really do not see the differences . . . especially for those costumes worn by the cast for the Capitol sequences. Mind you, they are just as imaginative and beautiful as the ones featured in the first film. I simply cannot see the differences. There was one outfit - worn by Elizabeth Banks - that I found very original:
I understand that the song "Atlas", written and performed by the group Coldplay have earned both Golden Globe and Grammy nominations. Congratulations to the band. However, I do not remember the song. Sorry. I simply did not find it memorable. I was also a little disappointed in how Lawrence (the director) seemed to rush the first third of the movie - namely the sequence featuring Katniss and Peeta's victory tour and District 12's problems with the so-called Peacekeepers that culminated in Gale's beating. It seemed as if he was in a hurry for the movie to focus on the 75th "Quarter Quell" Hunger Games. And if I may be blunt, I was also not that impressed by Alan Edward Bell's editing. It struck me as a little choppy - especially in the movie's first half.The performances by the cast struck me as first rate. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson did superb jobs in continuing the development of their characters, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mallark. I noticed in this film that Lawrence conveyed a great deal of realism in Katniss' growing difficulty in containing her emotions regarding those she cared about. This was especially apparent in the scene following Gale's public whipping, Peeta's near death experience during the first day of the Games and the visit to District 11. Someone once described Peeta as a saint. I never could view him in this manner. He strikes me as a rather manipulative individual, who can also be a very good liar. What is amazing about Hutcherson's performance is that he perfectly balanced Peeta's manipulative skills with his near all consuming love for Katniss and willingness to do anything for her. Liam Hemsworth got a chance to develop his portrayal of Katniss' childhood best friend, Gale Hawthorne. Hemsworth, like Hutcherson, did an excellent job in balancing the different layers of Gale's personality - namely his love for Katniss and his ever-growing obsession with rebellion against President Snow and the Capitol. Woody Harrelson continued to knock it out of the ballpark as Katniss and Peeta's alcoholic mentor, Haymitch Abernathy. I think this is the first time moviegoers got a real look at Haymitch's hostility toward President Snow, especially in the scene which featured the announcement of past winners participating in the Quarter Quell. Harrelson portrayed that small moment with such intense anger. Donald Sutherland continued his brilliant portrayal of the brutal, yet manipulative politician, President Coriolanus Snow. Sutherland perfectly captured Snow's quiet machinations that could rival Palpatine from the STAR WARS franchise. Yet, the actor also did a subtle job in conveying Snow's growing paranoia over Katniss' popularity and growing role as a symbol of rebellion. I had greatly enjoyed Elizabeth Banks' performance as Effie Trinket in the first movie. I loved her performance in this film, as the actress allowed filmgoers a deeper look into the chaperone's persona, beyond her usual shallowness. I am also happy that Lenny Kravitz reprised the role of Cinna, Katniss and Peeta's stylist for the Games. As usual, the actor/musician gave a warm and beautiful performance as Katniss' emotional solace before the Games. One particular scene in which Cinna endured a brutal beating over a dress he had created for Katniss proved to be a very painful one to watch, thanks to Kravitz and Lawrence's performances, along with the other Lawrence's direction. Stanley Tucci was marvelous as ever in his continuing portrayal of Caesar Flickerman, the Games' announcer and commentator. Toby Jones reprised his role as Flickerman's fellow commentator, Claudius Templesmith. But his role had been reduced considerably.The movie also featured some newcomers to the franchise. Philip Seymour Hoffman gave a sly and subtle performance as the Games' new Head Gamemaker, who schemes with President Snow to destroy Katniss' reputation and possibly, her life. Sam Claflin continued to surprise me at how charismatic he could be, in his engaging portrayal of Finnick Odair, one of the tributes from District 4, during the 75th Games. Jena Malone was a hoot as the outspoken and aggressive female tribute from District 7, Johanna Mason. The strip scene inside the elevator is one that I remember for years to come. I was surprised to see Jeffrey Wright appear in this film. He gave a subtle, yet intelligent performance as the male tribute for District 3, Beetee Latier. Wright also clicked very well with Amanda Plummer, whose performance as Latier's fellow District 3 tribute Wiress, struck me as deliciously off-center. Lynn Cohen nearly stole the show as Finnick's fellow tribute from District 4, Mags. I thought she did a pretty good job, although I am at a little loss over the fanfare regarding her performance.Many seemed to regard "CATCHING FIRE" as superior to the original 2012. I cannot agree with this opinion. I am not saying that "CATCHING FIRE" is a disappointment or inferior to "THE HUNGER GAMES". But I certainly do not regard it as better. I would say that it is just as good. And considering my very high opinion of the first film, one could assume that my opinion of this second film is equally positive, thanks to an excellent screenplay written by Simon Beaufoy and Michael deBruyn, first rate direction from Francis Lawrence, and a superb cast led by Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson.
Below is a list of my favorite movies released in 2012:
TOP TEN FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2012
1. "The Avengers" - Joss Whedon wrote and directed this superb blockbuster in which S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury forms a team of superheroes to save Earth from Asgardian villain Loki and alien invaders. The cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Samuel L. Jackson.
2. "Django Unchained" - Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed this first-rate film about a slave-turned-bounty hunter, who searches for his enslaved wife in antebellum Mississippi, with the help of his mentor. Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington and Samuel L. Jackson star.
3. "Lincoln" - Steven Spielberg directed this excellent look at President Abraham Lincoln near the end of his presidency. Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones star.
4. "The Hunger Games" - Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson starred in this first-rate adaptation of Suzanne Collins' novel about two teenagers who participate in a televised fight to the death in the post-apocalyptic future.
5. "Men in Black 3" - Barry Sonnenfeld directed this highly entertaining third entry in the "MEN IN BLACK" franchise, about Agent J's attempt to stop the assassination of his partner back in 1969. Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin star.
6. "Argo" - Ben Affleck directed and starred in this excellent account on the CIA's attempt to rescue six fugitive Embassy personnel from the Canadian ambassador's home during the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979-80, using a fake Hollywood production. John Goodman, Alan Arkin and Byran Cranston co-starred.
7. "The Bourne Legacy" - A CIA assassin and a government scientist are on the run from the government, due to the consequences from "THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM". Written and directed by Tony Gilroy, the movie star Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz.
8. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" - Peter Jackson returned to the universe of Middle Earth in the first of a three-movie adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's 1937 novel. Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage star.
9. "Cloud Atlas" - The Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer wrote and directed this excellent adaptation of David Mitchell's novel about how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future. Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Jim Broadbent star.
10. "Looper" - Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt starred in Rian Johnson's unusual science fiction thriller about a hired gun, who clashes with his future self when the latter sets out to find the boy who will be responsible for his wife's death in thirty years. Emily Blunt and Jeff Daniels co-star.
