Perhaps this year's slew of movies can't boast any sort of cinematic innovations similar to last year. I recall being blown away by Birdman cinematographer's "one shot" magic show. I also adored Linklater's patience in developing last year's Boyhood which fictionally documented a boy's life through the course of twelve years.
Still, despite this year's mostly run-of-the-mill offerings, there have been a few movies that have dealt with the mysteries of the mind.
1. Inside Out
After a few recent commonplace features, Pixar is once more back on the radar by delivering compelling and original content that speaks to both children and adults alike. This time around, Pixar has decided to conquer the most complex and fascinating realm: the brain. In Inside Out, we have the luxury of meeting pint-size characters portraying an eleven year old's primal feelings as they learn how to function in accord.
2. Steve Jobs
Danny Boyle's Steve Jobs plays like a three-act on-stage performance focusing on three crucial product demonstrations. Though hardly any character is remotely likable, screenplay superstar, Aaron Sorkin, knows how to build momentum with his heated wordplay. Although Michael Fassbender doesn't share many physical traits with Steve Jobs, his performance is truly mesmerizing and deserves to be recognized this award season.
3. Love and Mercy
Love and Mercy chronicles Beach Boy genius Brian Wilson long after The Beach Boys' early successes. This film knows how to defy rock bio-pic expectations by focusing, not solely on the 'rock n roll' lifestyle, but the mental illness he possessed and the love story that ultimately grounds and rescues him.
4. Mad Max
Remakes, reboots, sequels and other brand-based franchises have definitely frustrated me within the last decade or so. However, with Miller's latest Mad Max upgrade, I was pleasantly surprised. Perhaps I had little running on the film since I've never even seen the original trilogy. However, Mad Max knew how to galvanize me with its beautifully electrifying cinematography and its apocalyptic and female-spirited wasteland chase.
5. Ex-Machina
Just because we may have the capability to perform technologically advanced innovations, doesn't mean that it's necessarily a good idea for the nature of mankind. Nathan, a young scientist whom lives in an isolated home/research lab, has toyed with the notion of playing God. By creating astronomical strides with his collection of artificial intelligence, he has nominated a well-meaning programmer, Caleb, to test his latest concoction's self-awareness. This cerebral sci-thriller contemplates what happens when both man and machine become too smart for their own good.
Films I Still Need To See: Brooklyn, Hateful Eight, Joy, Amy, The Revenant, Star Wars, Spotlight, etc. etc.
Honorable Mentions: Trainwreck, What Happened Nina Simone, The Wrecking Crew
Which movies did you enjoy this year?
See also: Top 5 Films of 2014
Which movies did you enjoy this year?
See also: Top 5 Films of 2014
