The Best Movies of 2015… So Far

With June behind us, we’re officially halfway through 2015. As far as movies go, it’s been an increasingly strong year with a welcome mix of original titles, nostalgic blasts from the past, thrilling blockbusters, and indie treasures. If this streak of quality continues, 2015 should go down as another great year for cinema. For now, however, let’s take a look at my ten personal favorite films of these past six months.

 10. Pitch Perfect 2: While the story is basically a retread of the 2012 hit, that’s not what really matters here. What does matter is that Pitch Perfect 2 doesn’t let up in the humor, music, or character departments, ultimately remaining fresh. The result is one of the most enjoyable comedy sequels of recent memory that’s nothing short of aca-awesome.

9. Dope: Set in the 2010’s and largely borrowing from 90’s culture, Rick Famuyiwa has made an enormously entertaining coming of age story that any generation can relate to. Dope refreshingly speaks to African American youth with intelligence, style, and originality. It all comes complete with strong performances, a wise screenplay, and one of the year’s best soundtracks.

8. Spy: Director Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy hit it out of the park once again with the year’s funniest movie thus far. They’re further helped by wonderful supporting performances from Jason Statham, Miranda Hart, and Rose Byrne. It’s a spy comedy that truly deserves comparison to The Naked Gun and Austin Powers.

7. Kingsman: The Secret Service: Here’s yet another spy satire of sorts, although Kingsman is truly more of a loving homage to James Bond’s glory days. Director Matthew Vaughn of Kick-Ass once again proves that he’s a master of humor, action, violence, and everything badass. Plus, how can you go wrong with Samuel L. Jackson as a lisping big bad?

6. Ex Machina: In his directorial debut, Alex Garland fashions a new sci-fi classic that will keep you guessing throughout and thinking long after leaving the theater. Alicia Vikander’s mesmerizing portrayal of Ava and those utterly convincing special effects must not be forgotten come Oscar time.

5. Paddington: Although it technically came out last year, Paddington didn’t see its American release until early 2015. US audiences were at last treated to a charming, humorous, and visually stunning family picture that feels positively perennial. It’s a film you just want to eat up like a marmalade sandwich.

4. Jurassic World: Nothing is ever going to top Jurassic Park, but Jurassic World comes as close as any sequel possibly can. The box office champ accomplishes this through clever throwbacks to its predecessor as well as inspired new ideas, technology, and action set pieces. It’s the perfect demonstration of how to make a nostalgic blockbuster and hopefully Star Wars: The Force Awakens follows the same success formula in December.

3. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl: Any young person suffering from cancer, has suffered from cancer, or knows somebody suffering from cancer needs to see this breakout Sundance favorite. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl will have you laughing in delight one second, and sobbing in grief the next. It goes to show that life is full of difficult ordeals with no easy answers, but anybody who has a loved one to hold their hand throughout should consider themselves lucky.

2. Mad Max: Fury Road: George Miller deserves serious Best Director consideration for crafting one of the fastest, most exhilarating, and most visually interesting action pictures in years. Despite being a nonstop roller coaster ride, Mad Max: Fury Road still manages to be dramatically compelling and artistically unmatched. By the time the credits roll, you’ll feel like smoking a cigarette and asking, “Was it good for you?”

1. Inside Out: Anybody who was starting to think Pixar had lost its touch can rest easy as Inside Out is among the studio’s funniest, saddest, and of course most emotional movies ever. Like the best films marketed to children, Inside Out is truly an adult picture with identifiable drama and unique life lessons. It’s hard to imagine another animated feature topping this, although we still have Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur to look forward to.