BEST OF 2015 – Best of the Techs

The 2015 movie year is over.  Overall, I would say it has been a pretty great year for movies.  The first half of the year was a little rough, but the second half really picked up and was filled with some amazing films.  This is the first of a few lists that I will be making covering the 2015 movie year.  This first list will cover the technical and writing categories.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY – “Inside Out” by Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley

Runner Up – “Straight Outta Compton” by Jonathon Herman and Andrea Berloff.

+ It was a relatively weak year for original screenplays, but the good ones were great.  “Straight Outta Compton” is a sprawling, decade long saga that keeps us captivated the entire two and a half hours.  But, “Inside Out” is awe-inspiring and one of the most creative movies of 2015 and the Pixar filmography.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY – “Steve Jobs” by Aaron Sorkin

Runner Up – “The Big Short” by Adam McKay and Charles Randolph

+ Adam McKay deserves almost all the credit for how good “The Big Short” is.  His screenplay, which could have been confusing or too much about numbers, makes it easy for the viewer to watch and enjoy the movie while also staying compelling.  “Steve Jobs” though, in terms of dialog, is some of the best work of Aaron Sorkin’s career and is the best part of the film.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – “The Revenant”

Runner Up – “Son of Saul”

+ “The Revenant” is a jaw-dropping film to watch.  It is visually amazing and that has a lot to do with the cinematography and the mixing of natural lighting and extremely long, uncut takes.  The first person view of “Son of Saul” gives the viewer one of the most haunting and personal perspectives of a film all year.

BEST EDITING – “The Big Short”

Runner Up – “Straight Outta Compton”

+ This was a close battle.  One of the reasons “Straight Outta Compton” is so great is because, at a running time of almost two and a half hours, the editing and pace makes the film move smoothly and fast that it doesn’t feel that long.  “The Big Short” has a pulse to it that keeps you on the edge the whole time and reminded me of Scorsese with the cuts and shot placements.

BEST COSTUMES – “Brooklyn”

Runner Up – “Mad Max: Fury Road”

+ “Brooklyn” defines classic cinema in every way and the costumes are a big part of that.  They bring us back to an era and define our characters.  It’s classically perfect.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

Runner Up – “Mad Max: Fury Road”

+ Nothing put a bigger smile on my face than hearing the great John Williams score another “Star Wars” film.  This is yet another perfect score from the master that made my heart race and my eyes water.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG – “See You Again” from “Furious 7”

Runner Up – “Simple Song #3” from “Youth”

+ “See You Again” is not only just a great song, but it was a perfect sendoff for the late Paul Walker and was used in “Furious 7” perfectly.  “Simple Song #3” is a powerful, heartbreaking opera that haunts you days after hearing it.

What do you think of this list?  Would you change any categories?  Comment below or hit me up on Twitter @kevflix or on the Facebook page, Kevflix, and stay tuned for more Best of 2015 lists coming soon.

Images courtesy of YouTube.