2015’s best in cinema
Olivia Cooke and Thomas Mann star in “Me and Earl and The Dying Girl.”
John Slattery (standing) as Ben Bradlee Jr. addresses his news staff (from left) Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Brian d’Arcy James and Michael Keaton in "Spotlight."
Michael Fassbender stars in the title role “Steve Jobs.”
Pictured are Jeremy Strong (left), Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling in the film “The Big Short.”
Tom Hanks appears in a scene from "Bridge of Spies."
Thomas Hardy has the title role in "Mad Max: Fury Road."
Matt Damon portrays an astronaut lost in space in "The Martian."
A look back at the very best films of 2015:
”The Big Short,” with Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell and Marisa Tomei in a biting R-rated satire about four finance-world wizards who recognize the impending financial collapse of mid-2000 and take advantage while no one else sees it coming. It’s funny, but the humor, which shows the destruction caused by unsound financial practices, stings. Directed by: Adam McKay (“The Other Guys”) (opens Friday)
”Bridge of Spies,” with Tom Hanks, Amy Ryan, Alan Alda and scene-stealing Mark Rylance in a factual PG-13 Cold War drama about an American insurance lawyer ordered to exchange a Russian spy for an American pilot. Even though most viewers know how the narrative ends, they remain on the edge of their seats. Directed by: Steven Spielberg (“Schindler’s List”) (in theaters)
”Carol,” with Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara and Kyle Chandler in an R-rated drama about a same-sex relationship between a wife and younger woman in a stylish and seductive nostalgic tale. It’s based on the book “The Price of Salt” (1953) by Patricia Highsmith. Directed by: Todd Haynes (“Far From Heaven”) (in theaters)
”Mad Max: Fury Road,” with Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy in an outrageous R-rated reboot of the Australian post-apocalyptic import that features some of the most fantastic old-school, non-digital effects that generate gasps from viewers and set the screen ablaze. Directed by: George Miller (the “Mad Max” franchise titles) (in stores)
”The Martian,” with Matt Damon, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristen Wiig, Donald Glover and Jeff Daniels in this thrilling PG-13 ensemble sci-fi thriller about an astronaut who is stranded on Mars and must communicate with his NASA team to find a way to return to Earth. Directed by: Ridley Scott (“Alien”) (in theaters)
”Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” with Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler and Olivia Cooke in a PG-13 gem that was overlooked at the box office but deserves to be celebrated for its combination of emotional delicacy and thoughtful humor. It’s not to be missed. Directed by: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (“The Town That Dreaded Sundown” reboot) (in stores)
”The Revenant,” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy in a primitive R-rated outdoor epic that supports a stereotypical revenge-tale plot with stunning cinematography that elevates the material to another level. Directed by: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (“Birdman”) (in theaters)
”Sicario,” with Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin in a chilling and unforgettable R-rated drama about the Wild West-like drug war between the United States and Mexico. Directed by: Denis Villeneuve (“The Act of Killing”) (in theaters; in stores Jan. 5)
”Spotlight,” with Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Brian d’Arcy James, John Slattery and Liev Schreiber in a powerful R-rated drama about how the Boston Globe won a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the Catholic Church’s hiding thousands of abuse claims from youngsters against priests. The film, which quite correctly spreads around the blame for the crimes, is perhaps the best movie about how journalism works since “All the President’s Men.” Directed by: Tom McCarthy (“The Visitor”) (in theaters)
”Steve Jobs,” with Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen and Jeff Daniels in a strikingly edited, creatively insightful biography of the genius behind Apple. Film fans never warmed to this picture, which features brilliant performances and deserves to be discovered. Directed by: Danny Boyle (“Slumdog Millionaire”) (in theaters)
Other 2015 films worth celebrating include:
”Cinderella” (in stores); ”Concussion” (in theaters); ”Creed” (in theaters); ”The Danish Girl” (in theaters); ”Fast and Furious 7″ (in stores); ”The Hateful Eight” (in theaters); ”Straight Outta Compton” (in theaters); ”Run All Night” (in stores); ”The Walk” (in theaters); and ”Woman in Gold” (in stores)