Top 10 Films of 2015

Carol is one of 2015's finest.

I've already posted my personal awards, but here are my ranked favorites from last year. Also, my top 50 performances list should be posted soon.

Note: I still need to see films like Mustang, Arabian Nights, The Tribe, Saint Laurent, Hard to Be a God, Taxi, Boy and the World, Eden, The Forbidden Room, Horse Money, By the Sea, Tokyo Tribe, Li’l Quinquin, Yves Saint Laurent, In Jackson Heights, and Black Coal, Thin Ice.

25 Honorable Mentions: (in no particular order)

Testament of Youth, Amy, Victoria, The Revenant, Inside Out, Bridge of Spies, The End of the Tour, Far from the Madding Crowd, Sicario, Brooklyn, 99 Homes, Room, Mistress America, Beasts of No Nation, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, ’71, Steve Jobs, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Anomalisa, Mississippi Grind, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Black Sea, Lost River, Everest, and Tomorrowland

10. Chi-Raq (dir. Spike Lee)

Bold, abrasive, witty, and rough around the edges - a fine joint from Lee.

9. Spotlight (dir. Tom McCarthy)

An important story told with passion and precision through a terrific acting ensemble.

8. Maps to the Stars (dir. David Cronenberg)

Largely forgotten, it would make an interesting double feature with Mulholland Drive.

7. Phoenix (dir. Christian Petzold)

Nina Hoss is fantastic as a Holocaust survivor in this compelling melodrama.

6. Son of Saul (dir. László Nemes)

An arresting tale of Holocaust horrors, with a beautiful performance by Géza Röhrig.

5. Ex Machina (dir. Alex Garland)

Featuring a wonderful ensemble, it’s small-scale AI sci-fi at its most captivating.

4. The Wonders (dir. Alice Rohrwacher)

A lovely, quiet family comedy-drama with immense charm.

3. 45 Years (dir. Andrew Haigh)

Haigh’s film is intimate, devastating, and features rich lead performances.

2. Carol (dir. Todd Haynes)

Impeccably crafted and beautifully performed, it’s just about perfect.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (dir. George Miller)

A visionary spectacle full of non-stop, glorious action sequences.