Ten + One Important Films of 2015

At the end of each calendar year, critics, publications, and cinema websites choose the best films of the year and present various lists. The final weeks of the year and the beginning of the new year mark the time for awarding ceremonies, most of which serve as precursors to the Oscars. The films discussed below are not necessarily the author's personal favorites but rather those that have gained the most acclaim among critics and cinema experts throughout the year and have appeared on most lists and selections at the end of the year. These works have artistic significance and have managed to attract public attention, aligning closely with mainstream cinema. This list includes ten + one films: the ten important films of 2015 plus one highly publicized film that broke audience and sales records in cinema history; the new installment of the 'Star Wars' series, which shattered opening weekend sales records within two weeks of its release and is expected to soon claim the global sales record in cinema history as well. (The list of films is in no particular order) 1- 'Carol' Director: Todd Haynes A story of a forbidden love in 1950s New York City. Todd Haynes' film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, tells the story of a love affair between a thirty-something girl played by Rooney Mara and an older married woman played by Cate Blanchett. 'Carol' is adapted from Patricia Highsmith's controversial book 'The Price of Salt,' published in 1952, which caused quite a stir. Addressing a same-sex relationship in the society of that time in America was a taboo, leading to difficulties in subsequent printings of the novel. It took about ten years for the film adaptation rights to be granted to Todd Haynes. In 'Carol,' Haynes successfully captures the feminine essence of the book and reconstructs the 1950s atmosphere in great detail. The film received the most nominations at the Golden Globes, interestingly with both lead actresses nominated for the award. 2- 'Mad Max: Fury Road' Director: George Miller When 'Mad Max' was screened out of competition on the second day of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, few expected critics to welcome a noisy Hollywood action film. George Miller's madcap film, made thirty years after the third installment of the series, was a full-blown challenge to Hollywood blockbusters. In the previous three 'Mad Max' films, Mel Gibson played Max, but this time George Miller chose Tom Hardy for the role, who has become a prominent actor in recent years. However, the notable aspect of 'Mad Max,' apart from its energetic action and top-notch rhythm, is the female lead, Charlize Theron. 'Mad Max' was nominated for Best Film and Best Director at the Golden Globes and is expected to have a strong chance at the Oscars in technical categories. Most of its special effects were executed practically rather than digitally. 3- 'The Revenant' Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu Few expected that just a year after 'Birdman,' Iñárritu would return with a film that was much harder and had a larger production than his previous one. 'The Revenant' is different from the entire oeuvre of the creator of '21 Grams' and 'Babel.' The film's story takes place two centuries ago, entirely in the heart of the Wild West. Iñárritu's new film tells the story of man's confrontation with nature and the struggle for survival. It is a dialogue-light film with a fluid, moving camera and captivating imagery. 'The Revenant' features a top-notch DiCaprio, who has yet to win an Oscar, and perhaps this time with Iñárritu's film, he will break that curse. The sequence of the main character, Hugh, facing off with a bear is one of the most gripping and alive scenes in recent cinema. Iñárritu's film was nominated in major categories at the Golden Globes and will likely be a main contender at the Oscars. The film had a limited release in late December 2015 to compete with other films for the Oscars. 4- 'The Hateful Eight' Director: Quentin Tarantino Tarantino's eighth feature film was controversial even before it was made. Early in 2014, it was announced that the screenplay for his new project, 'The Hateful Eight,' had leaked, and he no longer intended to make it. Tarantino stated he was dissuaded from making the film and wanted to read the script only once with his actors and then archive it. However, after some time, he could not let go of his screenplay and began production in a Colorado location. From the surface of 'The Hateful Eight,' it appears to be a dynamic and action-packed western set in snow and blizzards; however, if you expect another 'Django,' you are mistaken. 'The Hateful Eight' is a dialogue-heavy film, with more than 80% set in a cabin and an indoor location. The film resembles 'Reservoir Dogs' more than 'Django,' presenting viewers with a semi-crime-mystery film featuring characters from the Wild West. Tarantino's new film will have both staunch supporters and opponents. The slow rhythm and dialogue-heavy first half may be somewhat tedious, while the second half is lively and bloody. The form and features of 'The Hateful Eight,' which is based on two-way dialogues, resemble a theater, and this aspect could become the Achilles' heel of Tarantino's film. 'The Hateful Eight' also had a limited release in late 2015 to compete for awards this year. 5- 'Inside Out' Director: Pete Docter, Ronnie del Carmen Another masterpiece from Pixar and the most popular and highest-grossing animation of 2015. Pete Docter, who previously achieved great success with 'Up,' once again attracted audiences of all ages to the cinema with his new film, leaving them satisfied. 'Inside Out' has a seemingly simple and understandable story for children but contains very complex layers for adults. The film tells the story of various emotions such as anger, fear, and happiness existing in a girl's mind. Amidst events, joy and sadness separate from the other emotions, leading to adventures for the girl. 'Inside Out,' aside from its psychological theme, also attempts to resemble animations from the past few decades, particularly the works of renowned Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. This film, which has also been nominated for a Golden Globe, is a strong contender for the Oscar in the animation category. 6- 'Bridge of Spies' Director: Steven Spielberg A classic espionage thriller about the Cold War from Steven Spielberg. Tom Hanks collaborates with Spielberg for the fourth time, and the screenplay is written by the Coen brothers. Everything is set for a full-fledged thriller, but the outcome did not meet expectations. The film has many detailed and precise elements and an attractive shape, but it falls somewhat short of a top-tier Spielberg work. 'Bridge of Spies' tells the story of an American lawyer hired by the CIA during the Cold War; he is tasked with rescuing an American pilot detained in the Soviet Union. 'Bridge of Spies' is unlikely to achieve the same success for Spielberg as 'Lincoln,' but it will certainly be an engaging film for fans of espionage films set in the Cold War. A noteworthy aspect of Spielberg's film is Mark Rylance's performance, who has also been nominated for a Golden Globe. 7- 'Room' Director: Lenny Abrahamson Another adaptation of a successful novel. Lenny Abrahamson's film is one of the surprises of 2015. Based on a book of the same name by Emma Donoghue, interestingly, the screenwriter is also the novelist. The film's story, like the book, is narrated from the perspective of a 5-year-old boy. The boy, whose mother was raped two years before his birth, has been imprisoned in a room for seven years. The subtleties of the story are beautifully depicted in the film. The boy's world is limited to the enclosed environment he lives in, and he has no conception of the outside world. A notable aspect of Lenny Abrahamson's film is its avoidance of exaggerated storytelling despite the story's potential for such. The performances of the mother and son in 'Room' are among the film's main features, and Brie Larson, who has also been nominated for a Golden Globe, will have a chance at the Oscars as well. 8- 'Brooklyn' Director: John Crowley 'Brooklyn' was one of the surprising films of the year. A film about love, immigration, and new experiences in life. An Irish girl emigrates from her country in the 1950s and settles in the Irish neighborhood of Brooklyn. Now in love with an Italian boy, she is forced to choose between love and her new life and her homeland due to events that have occurred in her native land. John Crowley's film, in addition to narrating its romantic story, also takes a glance at the conditions and events following World War II, depicting that historical period. 'Brooklyn,' like many other significant works this year, is an adaptation. John Crowley brought his film to the screen based on a novel of the same name by Colm Tóibín. 'Brooklyn' is a classic tale with a theme of love for life and living, which is also accompanied by melancholy and sadness. 9- 'Spotlight' Director: Tom McCarthy A film based on a true story and reminiscent of 'All the President's Men.' McCarthy's work, as the name suggests, is an exposé about a group of journalists from the 'Boston Globe' investigating a moral scandal. The film's story revolves around events that occurred in 2001, where a group of reporters exposed sexual abuses within the Catholic Church in Massachusetts. 'Spotlight,' like 'All the President's Men,' directed by Alan J. Pakula, which took place in the Washington Post newsroom, unfolds its story in the 'Boston Globe' office, focusing on the journalists' discovery of the truth. In that film, 'Watergate' was the main subject, while here, a sexual scandal within the Catholic Church is the focal point. McCarthy's film was nominated for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay at the Golden Globes and will undoubtedly be a main contender at the Oscars. The only overlooked aspect from the Golden Globe judges' perspective is the cast of 'Spotlight.' The film does not have a single lead actor; instead, it features a strong ensemble cast, including Michael Keaton and Mark Ruffalo. 10- 'Sicario' Director: Denis Villeneuve Another suspenseful and gripping film from Canadian-born Denis Villeneuve, the creator of 'Prisoners' and 'Enemy.' Despite the Oscars and Golden Globes overlooking Villeneuve's films in recent years, critics have welcomed them. 'Sicario' is no exception; Villeneuve's new film, like his previous two, has a dark and bleak atmosphere, which may be why it has been overlooked. 'Sicario' tells the story of a female FBI agent (played by Emily Blunt) who infiltrates a group of Mexican criminals. In this film, viewers are faced with action filled with fights that do not follow conventional Hollywood formulas, dominated by the filmmaker's preferred cold and dark atmosphere. In Villeneuve's films, the line between good and evil is thin, and in his new film, this boundary is blurred and intertwined. 'Sicario' is a special event for cinema lovers and, as they say, 'film lovers.' 10+1- 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Director: J.J. Abrams Although critics did not show much enthusiasm for the new installment of 'Star Wars,' and the seventh part of this series did not make it onto many lists, one important feature of this work makes it a significant event in 2015. 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' has surpassed all sales records in cinema history since its release and is expected to soon become the highest-grossing film in American cinemas and worldwide. This record was previously held by James Cameron's two films, 'Avatar' and 'Titanic.' The new 'Star Wars' was taken over by J.J. Abrams, one of the original creators of the series 'Lost,' when Disney bought the rights from George Lucas. The new 'Star Wars' is not expected to offer a fresh perspective to viewers like Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. The film attempts to blend beloved characters from the original three films with new characters, aiming to be both nostalgic and provide new elements for the audience.