This is our last edition of the year, and our tradition here at the Sun Day News is to take a look at the best and worst films of the year, giving you the opportunity to compare notes and let me know what you think.
The publication schedule precludes me critiquing the new Star Wars movie, as it premieres tomorrow, and despite all efforts on my part the Executive Editor chose to go forward with his pre-determined schedule. While I intend to see Star Wars the holiday break pushes our next edition to January 14, at which time the movie will have been out a month, most likely ruling out a published review.
Our assessment of the world of film for 2015 is, of course, limited to the movies I have seen, about 35 a year, not all reviewed in this column. The main stream media pundits see over 100, so I no doubt miss some good ones and just as likely, lots of bad ones.
Category One: My five favorite films.
These are listed in no particular order.
Cinderella: the best version ever, Lily James is fabulous as the downtrodden one, and the scenes of her arriving at the Princeās ball are unforgettable. Regardless of your age this is worth seeing.
Love and Mercy: the amazing story of the āresurrectionā of Brian Wilson, the heart and soul of the Beach Boys. The music and acting are great and the insight into composing and recording songs was not only educational, but mesmerizing as well, particularly to someone with a ātin earā like me.
The Martian: Everybody loves Matt Damon, especially when he is stranded on Mars with no way home. This is an exciting, colorful and creative story. If you like adventure this one is for you.
Bridge of Spies: a ācold warā thriller starring Tom Hanks whose performance was stellar. This highly unusual, but true story, walks us through the return of Gary Francis Powers, the U2 spy plane pilot shot down over Russia in 1960.
Spotlight: the true story of five reporters at the Boston Globe who broke the story about the cover up of Priests who molested young people. This expose shook the very roots of the Catholic Church and the story is ongoing even today. Superb acting throughout.
Category Two: Biggest disappointments.
Mr. Holmes: A weak script and a sleepwalking performance by Ian McKellan leaves much to be desired in this story about an ageing Sherlock Holmes. This is one of those films designed to put you to sleep, and it did.
A Walk in the Woods: Robert Redford and Nick Nolte are two old curmudgeons attempting to walk the Appalachian Trail. The scenery is great and in all fairness there are some moments, but I expected much more from these two. I left the theatre realizing I might see future Redford films, but not any with Nick Nolte
Category Three: Worst films of the year.
Kingsman: this is the one film I walked out on this past year. Terrible plot and the language was so severe I couldnāt hang around.
Grandma: Lily Tomlin gives an Oscar level performance, but the story line and the profanity leave too much to be desired.
Iāll See You in My Dreams: Blythe Dannerās and Sam Elliottās best efforts could not rescue this one.
Category Four: My favorite performances of the year, in no particular order.
1) Lily James, Cinderella. 2) Helen Mirren, Woman in Gold. 3) Paul Dano, Love and Mercy. 4) John Cusack, Love and Mercy, 5) Paul Rudd, Ant Man, 6) Meryl Streep, Ricki and the Flash, 7) Tom Hanks, Bridge of Spies. 8) Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies. 9) Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams (tie), Spotlight. 10) Michael Keaton, Spotlight.
No doubt some (maybe all) of you disagree with me. Let me know your favorites and weāll publish the results in a future column.
