Hey there Flicker Fans….Sorry I missed the famous, “Top Ten of the YEAR!!!!” Podcast, but your boy Jascha was at the happiest place on earth….that’s right folks…..Vegas baby Vegas!!! Ok, I kid. We all know the happiest place on earth is Disneyland, but the second happiest has to be Vegas right? Well, I did both that weekend, and well, it wasn’t the easiest “recovery” I’ve ever, but I’m back and I have my top ten down and ready to be reviewed by you….our faithful flicker fans…..(thanks by the way). So, without further delay, let’s get right into the argument (I’m talking to you Bobby Jackson) about what my favorite films were this year……shall we begin?
10. CREED
While I know this might surprise a lot of you (or maybe not) whether how low I rated it, or that I even put it on the list, but I did. It was a damn good movie. Michael B. Jordan was fantastic, so was Sly. But it was a damn good movie and retelling of part of the story that I think we often forget about; Apollo Creed. His side of the story, or the people in his life were affected by the famous bout between him and Rocky all those years ago, and when we hear it—it works. It just works. Fantastic, fun, exciting and moving story. Congrats to the people who worked on it, you’ve essentially retold a story that we had about 40 years ago. Alright, I realize that might have been a little bit of a cheap shot, but it was, and that’s essentially why I loved it—the movie was just good.
9. DOPE
What is “DOPE”? Well, maybe it’s because I’m a child of the 90’s (particularly the music—half of this soundtrack sounded like it was directly from my playlist), but the movie was about 3 young teens who happen to fall into some trouble that revolves around drug dealing—let the adventure begin. I know it sounds simple enough, but the movie really resonated with me, and I think the audience (the director Rick Famuyiwa breaks the 4th wall at the end of the movie). But the movie was entertaining and rather funny. I enjoyed the hell out of it, and I would honestly watch it again. It had its surprises and that’s always nice because being an avid movie watcher, sometimes these films can get a little predictable.
8. JURASSIC WORLD
What the WHAT?!?!? Did I really just say this movie deserves to be number 8?!?!?!? Yea…that’s right. I said it……WHAT!? Look, it was a fun movie. I don’t think I really need to go into what this was about, because, well, because if you have never heard of one of these movies from the 90’s….well then, I don’t know what to say. Seriously. I’m completely lost with what I should say. The movie was fun and I had a good time watching it. I think that’s why I put it on my list to begin with. I’ve recommended everyone I know to watch it, why? Because I enjoyed the damn thing, THAT’S WHY! Don’t judge me….just don’t judge me.
7. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
This movie was just fantastic. I did have my own personal issues with it once I watched it, but for the most part, it was good. The writing was fantastic, and the actors’ portrayals were really well done also. I was around and listened to this music with it came out (product of 90’s music remember) and to see the breakdown of how things were for them behind the scenes was great. I really just enjoyed the movie, it’s a shame that it’s not getting more recognition.
6. THE HATEFUL EIGHT
Ahhhhhh Tarantino, you silly sick bastard. Talent just pours from this man when he gets rolling. I know it’s not in the top 5 for me, but take it easy….just bare with me ok (talking to David Lott now folks). The movie was just “good”. I know, I’ve said that before, and don’t get me wrong—I enjoyed the hell out of it. I loved it. But…..it was…..a little slow. Yea, when I really think about it, I feel like we had these huge backdrops (the mountains) and it kind of stalled the movie out. I feel like he was really trying to recreate a western from the 50’s or 60’s and it just didn’t really happen for him. Once we got into the cabin, magic happened. It was all but amazing to see so much go on and still be trapped in one small room. The actors were great, the story was amazing and the set was fantastic. I think the idea of “film” got in the way of truly making this movie perfect for me.
Here we are folks, the TOP 5. Know, this is going to shock a lot of you, and I’m prepared for that. Hell, I’m ready to go to WAR for this (talking to you again Bobby Jackson j/k). But this was just the best of my viewing pleasure this year and I loved ALL of these movies and can’t wait to see what is in store for us when this talent really gets rolling again. So, without further delay, here is my pick for the TOP 5 of last year.
5. AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
Alright people. I loved the movie. I really, really enjoyed it……buuuuuuuut it was just number 5 for me this year. I usually rank Marvel movies a little higher, but for whatever reason, other films beat this one out for me. I can’t wait to see what they do next, and I really loved all of the performances, but for me….something was lacking just a little. Not much, but just a little. That’s why I ranked it in my top 5. LONG LIVE MARVEL!!!
4. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (aka Furiosa’s Adventure)
Let’s be real, was this movie really about Max? Well, sort of. He was in it. He was good. But I also think Max said maybe 10 lines throughout the entire film (kidding of course). But I loved this movie. It was exhausting….I mean just exhausting. You barely had time to catch your breath during it. Cause it just…..kept….GOING!!!! Talk about action and imagination. I loved it and thought it was just fantastic. Which is why I ranked it so high. I just loved what this movie was, what it’s opening up, where it’s going and where it’s going to be. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
3. INSIDE OUT
I honestly don’t really know why I ranked this movie so damn high. It was fun, it was good, maybe it was all the emotions that it stirred up (pun intended). But I did. I realize that it’s a kids movie, but it was a damn GOOD kids movie. I have only seen it once, but I can’t wait until I have the opportunity to watch it again. Loved it.
2. TRAINWRECK
This one….well, this one is going to upset some people. I get it. It’s a comedy. A raunchy one, a silly one and an unrealistic one. But that’s just it….that’s what I loved about it. It was over the top and ridiculous and I laughed from start to end. I look forward to MORE from Amy. I hope that she’s just as creative with this, as she will be in the next one. Movies are meant to entertain, for you to enjoy, and fall in love with the characters. That I did. I enjoyed all of this movie and that’s why it was my second favorite of the year.
1. STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
At long last here we are. That’s the feeling that I had when I walked in, and honestly, it hasn’t left. I loved this movie. I thought it was fun, sad, exciting, entertaining, predictable (to an extent) and just a revisit of my childhood. The movie was just fun. I mean honestly, if you liked the ones in the early 80s (and 77) then yea, you should like this movie and enjoy it. But for me, this was my favorite movie of the year. Maybe it was because we’d been waiting so long to see what happens? Maybe it’s seeing all the cast up on screen again….who knows….I just loved it and can’t wait to see what’s next.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
KINGSMAN
I thoroughly enjoyed the hell out of this movie. I wasn’t really expecting it to be quite as graphic as it turned out, but it worked. It was funny, full of action and showed a new side of Colin Firth (which I loved). But that’s just it, it was a fun, popcorn eating movie. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
THE MARTIAN
Honestly, this is probably going to piss off a lot of people. I don’t know, but I thought the movie was just fun. That’s it. It was a damn good movie yes, but I personally kind of always knew what was going to happen. I love Matt Damon, he’s awesome, and the rest of the cast was just as fantastic. But that’s just it. I just LIKED the movie. I didn’t love it and I didn’t really feel like it was the next best thing since sliced bread. That’s pretty much why I just put it as “honorable mention”. It was good, but that’s just it….it was good, and I really enjoyed it. Just not enough for the top ten of my year in the box office.