Let's get started:
#10: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
It was, once again, a hard decision for #10. But, in the end, I decided to give it to this very fun film. One of a few nostalgic trips for me this year, The SpongeBob Movie was also the first movie I saw in 2015. In addition to that, its one of the rare sequels that improves on its predecessor. Tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, a couple of fun songs, a nice live-action ending, and several references to some of my favorite early episodes of the TV show make for a movie that matched, if not slightly surpassed my expectations (it was at #8 on the anticipated list for 2015). I'm excited to see a third movie (which is set for 2019).
#9: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Another reboot, but on a series that I'm not the biggest fan of. Regardless, thanks to my cousins, I still remembered Star Wars very much, and this new installment is a terrific resemblance of what Star Wars is. Great cinematography, fantastic visual effects, memorable characters, and some daring twists make The Force Awakens not just a great sci-fi film, but a very good movie. Comparing it to other live-action franchise continuations, Star Wars winds up in between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and The Hobbit trilogy. Unlike Spongebob before it, we won't have to wait very long for more movies (Rogue One is set for next December, while Episode VIII is in pre-production for May 2017).
#8: Cinderella
Among the growing library of live-action Disney fairy tales, Cinderella is not a twisted up tale, but a refreshingly traditional retelling of a classic story (and the story shouldn't be twisted up to begin with!). Beautiful cinematography and Oscar-worthy costumes and production design, great acting from Lily James, Cate Blanchett and a memorable turn for Helena Bonham Carter, plus appreciative culture-bashing themes of kindness and forgiveness. The overall result lands in the upper half among Disney's live-action fairy tales so far.
#7: Avengers: Age of Ultron
One of the most entertaining and exciting superhero films made to date, Avengers: Age of Ultron concludes Phase 2 on a creatively-high note. Ultron ups the ante from its predecessor by giving the main characters a little more depth and characterization than what you'd might expect from an action blockbuster. Ultron was a great villain, and director Joss Whedon did a fantastic job setting up the characters for what will hopefully be a fantastic Phase 3.
#6: Do You Believe?
It was a surprisingly competitive year for Christian films in 2015, and this is the only one that landed on both the anticipated list and the end-of-year list. A great cast, clever screenplay, and an inspiring message on faith and action make for a movie that is actually more enjoyable and better from a production standpoint than God's Not Dead.
#5: Tomorrowland
My most-anticipated film of 2015 winds up in the fifth position at the end of the year in what was a tough decision between who would slot first through sixth. But save for a slightly disappointing third act, Tomorrowland just about lived up to my expectations in delivering an original, thrilling, and extremely fun adventure. The brief visions of Tomorrowland are breathtaking, and the journey is a hoot. Brad Bird is one heck of a director, as this almost matches The Iron Giant and The Incredibles. And, it also has one of Michael Giacchino's best music scores to date, delivering music pieces reminiscent of classics such as E.T. and Star Wars.
#4: McFarland, USA
An early-year surprise, McFarland, USA delivered a sports film that played on familiar riffs and made them both enjoyable and inspiring. Kevin Costner gives a fantastic lead performance, and the film benefits from some solid humor and great supporting performances. And, the true story basis is perhaps even more unbelievable than most other true story-to-screen stories I've seen so far (in comparison, this ranks favorably alongside Secretariat). Here's to hoping Disney churns out more of these in the future.
#3: Woodlawn
Another fantastic sports drama, but twists on the usual resolution for a sports drama in both a clever and fantastic way. Pure Flix and the Erwin Brothers have crafted a faith-based drama that entertains, uplifts, and inspires. Woodlawn was the first movie I got to see in a pre-screening, and it is one of the most inspiring sports movies and faith-based movies I've seen to date.
#2: War Room
It was so close, but in the end, I gave the edge to the Kendrick Brothers' latest. War Room is the filmmaking duo's most inspiring and authentic effort yet. And it gives its message in a thoroughly-impressive and soul-convicting way. Production-wise, its also one of the best-written and better-produced faith-based films of recent memory. I'm already wildly anticipating what they will do next!
#1: The Peanuts Movie
It was so hard to make a decision, but in the end, out of all movies in 2015, there hasn't been one that has made me laugh, almost tear up, and smile as this movie did. The Peanuts Movie lived up to my every expectation and may have surpassed them. I saw it twice, as its incredibly respectful of Charles Schulz's comics (in both spirit and voice talent), as well as the TV specials of the 60s-80's (and those are referenced many times). I also loved how The Peanuts Movie still stuck to an older, simpler time (no iPhones or computers in sight). An animated classic that comes very close to the heights of Pixar and Disney, I have my fingers crossed for a sequel.
HONORABLE MENTION OF THE YEAR:
Inside Out
It was an incredibly close decision between this and my #8, #9 and #10 choices for the last 3 spots on the list, but in the end, this fell just short of the list. Inside Out is still a very good film, by all means, even if it may be a little too complex for its own good. Pixar has still crafted a creatively-ambitious and successful film that hits almost all of the right emotional notes. Overall, this is in the upper half of Pixar movies and is still worthy of some Oscar attention for sure, particulaly in the Original Screenplay and Score departments.
Other Honorable Mentions
Goosebumps
Batkid Begins
Spare Parts
Faith of Our Fathers
Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation
90 Minutes in Heaven
Max
Hotel Transylvania 2
Ant-Man
Minions
And that's it for 2015 ladies and gents! See you all in 2016! 2015 end-of-year box office report coming on Saturday night.
