| Title |
Year |
Rating |
Rank |
Review |
| Room | 2015 | 93 | 1 | (full review) - One of the things that impressed me most about the film was it doesn't lose momentum or make a wrong turn once the pair are freed; nor does it feel like the confinement is just a build up to their freedom; instead, in my opinion, it's evenly paced and really good storytelling! Actually, the best thing I've seen all year! |
| Spotlight | 2015 | 88 | 2 | (full review) - It's another great role for Keaton following up last year's Oscar winning hit "Birdman" (click for T&T post). In "Spotlight" he plays a super likable guy with important contacts who treat him like he's a star quarterback. Except in this case he starts to hit too close to home and a couple of higher ups involved in the scandal try to convince him to "be a team player." |
| The Martian | 2015 | 88 | 2 | (full review) - I got to attend a panel discussion to promote The Martian in Philly at Fels Planetarium at the Franklin Institute moderated by Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts. The participants: were two cast members from The Martian, Sebastian Stan (Mars crew) & Mackenzie Davis (Mission Control), retired NASA astronaut, Nicole Stott and Dr. Jim "Mr. Mars" Green - Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA, also the film's consultant, and lead scientist on the announcement this past week on the discovery of streaks of water on Mars. |
| The Revenant | 2015 | 80 | 4 | (full review) - Unlike "The Hateful Eight", which relies on a complex network of masquerades to generate suspense, "The Revenant" is driven less by narrative than the pure thrill of immersion. |
| Joy | 2015 | 75 | 5 | (full review) - I've read some of the criticism of "Joy", most critics feel it's messy, unfocused and falls way short of Russell's "The Fighter" which brought great drama with equal humor. "Silver Linings Playbook" (set in Philly)which had such unexpected charm and romance. "American Hustle" which created a definitive look and feel with wonderfully off kilter pacing and humor, so I can't argue the "Joy" criticisms entirely. But of the four, I most identify with Joy. |
| Trainwreck | 2015 | 75 | 5 | (full review) - About 6 months ago I heard my sister cracking up and figured she was watching Comedy Central - which when the day that Comcast is finally forced to allow us the ability to pick and choose channels, CC will be one of her 10, although, without Jon Stewart on the Daily Show, it will no longer be her top choice. So anyway, I went to see what was so funny and it was an Amy Schumer standup special "Mostly Sex Stuff" (2012), but I didn't know that at the time cause I'd never heard of Amy Schumer. Next thing you know ... |
| The Big Short | 2015 | 65.6 | 7 | (full review) - The movie doesn't talk down to the audience. At times they use easily understood analogy devices involving celebrities to explain the finer points of the game - like cutting to The Wolf of Wall Street's Margo Robbie in a bathtub, drinking champagne to explain sub-prime loans. But basically you either catch up and get the gist or you don't, and I like that. |
