February 13, 2016
jmunney
Best in Film 2015, Best of 2015, Cinema, Television
Best of 2015, Brooklyn, Creed, Furious 7, Krampus, Mad Max: Fury Road, Room, Sleeping with Other People, The Peanuts Movie, The Visit, Unfriended
I already posted my top 10 list, but wouldn’t you know it, there were plenty of other great movies. Here are three less than a baker’s dozen worth:
11. Mad Max: Fury Road – Charlize barks at the moon, giving us our most iconic image of 2015.
12. Krampus – The tricks are a treat, as is the teamwork among a dysfunctional family.
13. Creed – Adonis unapologetically forges ahead to be true to his identity and establish his family.
14. Sleeping with Other People – The question this time isn’t, “Can men and women be friends without wanting to sleep with each other?” but “Why wouldn’t they if they like each other enough?”
15. The Visit – Right at home on the corner of creepy and hilarious.
16. Brooklyn – Even when Eilis Lacey’s life is hard, there is so much love in her world.
17. Unfriended – The most formally ingenious movie in years, perhaps decades even.
18. The Peanuts Movie – Charlie Brown is preternaturally neurotic; ergo, this one’s a thinker.
19. Room – Tight corners promote empathy.
20. Furious 7 – The first F&F movie in which I actually remembered some of the plot aftewards.
December 5, 2015
jmunney
Cinema, Movie Reviews, Television
Brooklyn, Brooklyn (Movie)
Brooklyn is a film about decision-making. After returning to her homeland for her sister’s funeral, Irish immigrant Eilis Lacy (Saoirse Ronan) has two fine choices for how her life should proceed: return to New York to start a new life with Italian-American beau Tony (Emory Cohen), or remain with her family and childhood friends and possibly explore a romance with a lad named Jim Farrell (Domhnall Gleeson). Though she agonizes over the decision, as both options offer the promise of personal and professional happiness, her story progresses such that there is really only one right choice. It is small-scale, but infinitely relatable. Making any major life decision means that different major decisions have not been chosen. Eilis is lucky enough to know what she really wants, even when it overwhelms her. That said, it still takes a lot of effort to put those desires into action. It requires devoted acting to demonstrate the power of these moments – Ronan conveys a world of wonder as she looks ahead.
Jmunney's Blog 