#2015films

45Years (2015, Dir: Andrew Haigh)  

31 Days of Great Horror Movie Scenes - Day 13  How to Lure Out a Killer - The Final Girls (2015)

Horror comedies work best when they really know the genre they are parodying -Shaun of the Dead, Scream- and The Final Girls puts a hilarious spin on the whole Jason Voorhees camp killer. 

A group of teenagers are thrown into the movie projection of a ‘classic’ 80s slasher horror that starred one of their mothers, and they find themselves in a world of outdated cliches and cheesy characters. There's also a strong emotional hook in the girl's quest to save her mother in the film, something she couldn't do in real life.

170 - Silver Linings Playbook (2012) - ★★★★½

Honorable Mentions:  Housebound Sicario Predestination The Visit Jurassic world The Skeleton Twins Misses: Avengers Age of Ulton  Despite some nifty character moments and golden Joss Whedon dialogue, i felt this was an overstuffed, mostly unmemorable Marvel entry. > Spectre The opening Mexico sequence I thought was espectacular, but overall I though the story was thin and veered way to close to some ugly old bond stereotypes.  Still to see Carol, Goodnight Mommy, Ant-man, Girlhood, Mommy, that animation by the Secret of Kells people, A girl walks alone home at night, lots more!  But of the films I did see, these are my Favs.  10.  Crimson Peak  I geared myself up for the ultimate haunted house film with the new Del Toro. And despite some major initial disappointment with the story (misleading marketing department strikes again), the every-frame-could-be a-painting quality of this gorgeous film is enough of a reason to recommend it . And though te narrative was a bit soggy For me, the rich symbolism and subversive characters will bring me back for more . Still not scary though :(

9. Tale of Tales

Deliciously dark and visually stunning Italian fantasy. Salma Hayek munching on a giant heart and John C Reilly fighting an eerily realistic sea creature are images I won’t get out I my head anytime soon.

8. Welcome to me

What I thought was going to be a high-concept silly comedy (A bi-polar woman wins the lottery and buys her own talkshow) completely caught me off guard, as the superbly written Welcome to me proved to be a most human and relatable drama above all else. It also happened to be bloody hilarious too, especially in the scenes where Wiig hires actors to play her childhood bullies, then on air spectacularly fails to make a distinction between them.  Kirsten Wiig expertly creates a pretty annoying and dislikable character who still manages to hold audience sympathies throughout. You really do want her to be able to figure it all out. And the supporting cast, including Joan Cusack, Wes Bentley and Tim Robbins, although a little underused, are all fab.  7. Spring

Before sunset meets a little bit of American warewolf in London, in beautiful Italy. All you need to know!

6.Star Wars: The Force Awakens> Pure nostalgic force meant that Star Wars was always going to have a place on this list (unless JJ really messed it up). Luckily, I thought the new film was a blast that really nailed down the appeal o the old films (although they could have followed a slightly different narrative….) . Some dodgy CGI effects work aside, I thought the largely practical approach with real sets and props worked a charm and a couple of really bold story choices keep me interested for the sure/to-be darker sequel. p>

5. Whiplash

Epic intense face off between two determined characters. Excellent.

4. Inside out

I was not convinced at all by the trailers or look of animation o Pixars latest. But I shouldn’t have doubted them.

3. It Follows 

Literally the best horror film I’ve seen this decade, and I’ll tell you why.  1. I crapped my pants. 2. It really preys on the insecurites all of us know from adolesecence and twists them into a scary threat.  3. As soon as it as was, over I couldn’t stop recommending it to people, and immediately wanted to watch it again.  2. Birdman

Two hours of immersive, funny, literate and profound cinema. Had to see it twice on the big screen .

1. Mad Max: Fury Road

163 - It's A Wonderful Life (1946) - ★★★★★

159 - Water For Elephants (2011) - ★★★★½

158 - White Christmas (1954) - ★★★★★