It’s finally here!
I’ve seen about 70 movies this year and it’s time to round up the best of the best, with a lot of different categories. I’ve got the results, or you can watch the videos if you want some explanations!
Best Fight Scene
Honorable Mentions: Creed, Ant-Man
Winner: The Kingsman: Secret Service
That fight scene in The Kingsman was just crazy town. All of the fight scenes were great but the scene taking place in a church, that overflowed into the town, was mind-blowing (and terrifying).
Best Visual Effects
Honorable mentions: The Force Awakens, Ant-Man
Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road
This was a close call, as Star Wars: The Force Awakens looked so great, but Mad Max was able to seamlessly combine practical and computer effects in a way that was jawdroppingly refreshing.
Best Chase Sequence
Honorable mentions: Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Furious 7
Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road
The whole movie of Mad Max: Fury Road was a chase scene, so it had to win this one. The other two films had some great moments but they just couldn’t compete here.
Best Villain
Honorable mentions: Spectre, Black Mass
Winner: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
While Kylo Ren didn’t get as much screentime as Depp’s character in Black Mass, I found Ren to be captivating and simultaneously really badass. I don’t want to spoil anything but he’s much more complex than you originally think and it was a great portrayal by Adam Driver.
Most Overhyped Movie
Honorable mentions: In the Heart of the Sea, Spectre
Winner: Crimson Peak
I was so excited for Crimson Peak. I’m a huge fan of Guillermo Del Toro and to see his take on the haunted mansion theme was exciting but it ultimately fell really flat and was generally forgettable. I acknowledge a lot of people like it but it undoubtedly underperformed.
Best Supporting Actress
Honorable mention: Raffey Cassidy (Tomorrowland)
Winner: Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)
It’s unfortunate how Steve Jobs performed, as it was ultimately pulled from theaters early because of how little it was making. Fassbender did a great job, as did Winslet, who almost served as the emotional core of the film.
Best Supporting Actor
Honorable mentions: Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies), Benicio Del Toro (Sicario)
Winner: Sylvester Stallone (Creed)
There were some outstanding choices for this category and it has to say a lot about the movie Creed that Stallone comes out over these other two incredible actors. He delivers a performance that is heartfelt and deep and nuanced in a way that we haven’t seen from Stallone in a long time.
Best Actress Performance
Honorable mentions: Charlize Theron (Mad Max), Emily Blunt (Sicario)
Winner: Jennifer Lawrence (Joy)
While Joy isn’t a fantastic movie, Lawrence’s performance is pretty top notch, as she carries this film by herself. We see a lot of different sides of her character here and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her get at least an Oscar nomination for this performance.
Best Actor Performance
Honorable mentions: Christian Bale (The Big Short), Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs)
Winner: Matt Damon (The Martian)
Damon was able to carry The Martian similar to how Tom Hanks carried Castaway. He is able to entertain and enthrall us, overcoming incredible odds with a sense of refreshing optimism.
Best Comedy Movie
Honorable mentions: Ant-Man, Spy
Winner: Trainwreck
Amy Schemer really surprised us with Trainwreck, both as the screenwriter and star. It’s witty, it’s smart, and it’s hilarious.
Best Action Movie
Honorable mentions: Furious 7, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road
Just go see Mad Max if you haven’t already, okay?
****
Check back soon for my Worst Movies of the Year and for my Top 10 Movies of the year list!
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