As we look back on 2015, there have been great cinematic moments that have dealt with profound human stories, complex moral dilemmas; historical biographies and some films that were just good escapist entertainment.
Our list is by course not in any order of recommendation and if you want to see these on DVD please note the classification warnings within the full reviews at http://www.catholic.org.au/film-reviews-2015. In some of these movies there is subject matter, sex scenes, violent language and simulated violence that would disturb some Catholic viewers.
You will have your own list, but here are our office’s best films for 2015.
Best Films of 2015:
- ‘71
- A Most Violent Year
- Amy
- Birdman
- Citizenfour
- Ex Machina
- Far From Men
- Foxcatcher
- Inside Out
- Iris
- Leviathan
- Love and Mercy
- Mad Max Fury Road
- Macbeth
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
- Selma
- Sicario
- Straight Outta Compton
- The Lobster
- The Martian
- The Theory of Everything
- Truth
Most Entertaining Films of 2015 (more than worth a look)
- Ant-Man
- Black Sea
- Creed
- Dope
- Dinosaur
- Fast and Furious 7
- It Follows
- Kingsman: The Secret Service
- Last cab to Darwin
- Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
- Spectre
- Spy
- Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- The Dressmaker
- The Martian
- Top Five
- Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago
- Wild
In January keep an eye out for the cinematic release of:
- Carol
- Steve Jobs
- The Revenant
- The Hateful Eight
- Spotlight
Worst Films of 21015
I can remember when I was a boy and read catholic films reviews the ones I wanted to go and see were those which my predecessor, Dean Fred Chamberlain, labelled as “condemned,” So at the risk of encouraging our most contrary readers please stay away from our worst films of 2015:
- Fifty Shades of Grey
- The Gallows
- She's Funny that Way
- Love the Coopers
- Chappie
- Get Hard
- Jupiter Ascending
- Mortdecai
- Paranormal Activity: Ghost Dimension
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2
- Ted 2
- Terminator: Genisys
- The Fantastic Four
- Unfinished Business
- Unfriended
Have a blessed Christmas and a happy new year.
Fr Richard Leonard SJ is the director of the Australian Catholic Office for Film & Broadcasting. Compiled with the Office associates: Fr Peter Malone MSC; Professor Peter Sheehan; and Mr Callum Ryan.