My top films of 2015.

These lists are always hard to compile, particularly the order. It’s a matter of personal taste, of course, and sometimes it’s hard to explain exactly why a film moves someone. I’ve added links of my reviews for most of the films below, in which I attempt to do so. Those with no links I watched after their release and therefore didn’t publish written reviews.

Some of these titles did badly at the box office but were great films. Some were little known indie releases. Others were blockbuster hits, but critics shouldn’t turn up their noses at these. When I review and rate I films, I try to do it considering “what it is”, that is,  taking into account its genre and intended audience (even if this might not always include me). Thus, an action film and cinema nouveau drama can end up with the same rating out of five.

The films are rated in order from top to bottom, and I’ve included a “best of” for various genres as well, although genres tend to be fluid. This is why Birdman, my number one film, is not best drama, as it’s classified as a comedy musical/drama.

1. Birdman

2. Best drama: Carol

3. Boyhood

4. The Theory of Everything

5. The Imitation Game

6. Whiplash

7. Best South African film: Dis ek, Anna

8. Best Indie movie: The Diary of a Teenage Girl

9. Best thriller: Nightcrawler

10. Best animated film: Inside Out

11. Brooklyn

12. Steve Jobs

13. Grandma

14. Bridge of Spies 

15. Best science fiction film: The Martian

16. Best action film: Mad Max: Fury Road

17. Straight Outta Compton

18. Best horror film: Crimson Peak

19. Best superhero film: Antman

20. Sicario