On January
1st, I will be publishing my Top Ten of 2015 over at Why So Blu? and on this site as well. Leading up to
the Top Ten, I will be posting a number of lists reflecting my thoughts on the
films from this year. The following post features my Top 30 through 21.
As usual, I am always pleased with how these runner-up lists essentially
look like a great top ten list of their own. These picks may not have been in
my Top Ten, but I still really appreciated what they had to offer. Anyway, here
is the first batch of my favorites from 2015 (with links to the review for
each).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eJm_-9B_saIRW6cU3GU5bHET7vJcvvOMQ2TXbDMOJki9iUPURSBN7otQdJH86-z1LTHuuZzi5CXQgFOxD8RVdeTvF1_Q2X77814GgnJDho2x15P3KivkbTA3PLmxVnSPF19UyZOddjwH/s640/Thegift1.jpg) |
Joel Edgerton's directorial debut is a terrific thriller and it makes another case for how strong a dramatic actor Jason Bateman can be. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSAeWOMEZbL7aDwOyBT_cV4q-nXnZCSrU6Phb3LRSvsCJd3qwqkl6FU3VZl0RrCNTRit2dlyX9YgxRZXXyfVsMeAadnPP7ZBfRb58WlYzRZKae5J9NReI9QidbWHvvHX83YKqxgP3i-e_/s640/avengers.jpg) |
It is likely that I like Avengers: Age of Ultron more than you do and so be it. I had a blast with this film that very much represents all that Joss Whedon continues to bring to his work on the largest scale possible. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsna2u9x1vtF5jbbycyM28iEIh5IdfgCtT-R1Ppc81iMtqkxdmPYs1Ic8wacfNg-jLz4Yo9VzpJmtb_-1LCfj69Ca_IWsjXurar4-Vt8xU1aom3oOzzFkvk7xEFLa700qhnZvqUQzgFbFj/s640/beasts.jpg) |
Idris Elba and newcomer Abraham Attah both deliver in this incredibly bleak, but very effective drama that examines the African youth forced to be soldiers. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgWPP3HDdCCHcLKLtnvPvDRlar27xXQpVV6I2acjc8WZsJRysZDyNOr1Ja3qr__yH-NhIPmxhy2PaXU3lSbuLHcO-tYiG-yl_f_3VEzBP2GVQB7fLoULDnKYdkq8ZFLXCIai5sKuRqlb9/s640/the+revenant+7.jpg) |
While straightforward in terms of narrative, Alejandro G. Innaritu puts together a stunningly beautiful depiction of the harsh realities faced by frontiersman. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlDSsYls8NIObajO-jbygMkJ9CJFavB4VXpceeClnN45JrdWDZuEIuIL-hIR0YsvGiNvYGfSFYJYUkS5q6c0Nu4flqTWjOAbwgD0mulHlHRwvlw1J0GajmOA6IxReywQvY1xPQ76UJcMt/s640/o-CLOUDS-OF-SILS-facebook.jpg) |
An intriguing drama that examines the life of an actress, with superb performances from both Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGKUNo7QXEHdpZnBJqghtfiIxjeqFwf5JARZpj3r02bWCdcBVPoFXUF6nQL6BZOtzE4yeMF3SrfB9IcllUV3a9FRl6z5U48iX-epdV82ZIH0kC5x2J9WVidnrcrhlJynonRSHk1HQvvT1/s640/MISSION-IMPOSSIBLE-ROGUE-NATION-11.jpg) |
The best Mission: Impossible yet comes alive with Christopher McQuarrie delivering one of the best blockbusters of this past summer. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbWwugfFKaXrkf2SpyZnoWJRLgnjmODgpUqCN0vbUJvYaRoQdVSzMJl5hr7KHmynkvouWXJl5iHfErc7n4ZKFmutG-qB-jvy9QJHCfktKKERv-3oF5ub9mEu3RzM9XUXMJ132dP-kbs7L/s640/madding.jpg) |
A wonderful period drama that does great justice to the Thomas Hardy novel, with fine performances and a great look. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5zqe3sEpc6w2HUmcjhoUQWoMue18M2-hrPr-e9VBvlq63S3Rjfimg05gNXocNQ8sQYXT3mTNhAEa12iNzYldKEETkxJjl82mxFWzUUINvJZG7tzs0dFUcVsz0cEwfRZCiaVN7Nwo5ZUS/s640/straight-outta-compton-15.jpg) |
Director F. Gary Gray takes the standard biopic formula and makes it work his advantage in this compelling look at the story of NWA. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJgHN7OzM-_gTSwAdVMTs6WnwIfpcoPvx1cNnD6z6HljTrhYR5iuiVkHJ3VuQdQfj3RUBkpMf6YNxC-NpCSCjPDFhN_xcVDJRnHxu9NncMQ4lqdHKHFmvGvEWQN_4qdkcTLuEW1MmIWhC/s640/end-of-the-tour-01.jpg) |
A strong two-hander between Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg as writers who become friends and foils over the course of a book tour coming to an end. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvnjsmomdfPagQjA6Tp32Qs-qhsujzvx_rEGXg5VvbKdMOx414kXdEOpg1iQpHkQiI_cGPr_BBOPvDHWTGNL8XsycVNE8lm6LR2bW45lsjHiLg310QdWVglXPHUXUvoyQ_9kc2raCUcaX/s640/saoirse-ronan-in-brooklyn-009.jpg) |
Saoirse Ronan delivers a fine lead performance in a wonderful drama about the immigrant experience that delivers a message concerning what it means to be kind. |
***
Stay tuned for the continuation of this list, disappointments, surprises and more throughout the week!
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