For the first time ever we’re bringing you the best movies of 2015! This list is a bit different from our comic section in that we’re just picking the top five movies of the year and ever writer is getting their own pick. Without further ado, here’s the #2 movies.
DAVE: The Martian
After the recent missteps of Prometheus and Exodus: Gods & Kings, Ridley Scott reminded everyone why his name is so revered with The Martian. Based upon the novel of the same name by Andy Weir, The Martian has hard science to go with its fiction, a rarity these days. The film stars Matt Damon as astronaut Mark Watney, a botanist who is stranded on Mars when a mission goes awry. Presumed dead by his mission commander Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain), Watney is forced to use his intelligence and ingenuity to survive on the hostile dead planet while awaiting rescue by NASA. Scott’s film is a cerebral, tense, sometimes funny and always hopeful look at humanity’s need and will to survive against the odds. It’s also a timely reminder to those who may have forgotten that, with the right material, Ridley Scott remains capable of great things.
CAMERON: The Peanuts Movie
Originally when I saw this film I thought I was going to be disappointed, but I left the theater jaw dropped at how amazing this film was. The Peanuts is the classic story of Charlie Brown and the gang, and when a new girl moves into town, Charlie Brown is head over heels for her and will stop at nothing to try to impress her. The Peanuts movie is so genuine and captures everything great about being a kid. So many times films get caught up on nostalgia or paying tribute to previous films in a series, that they forget why we loved the films in the first place. The new Peanuts film felt brand new, but felt like previous films before. This movie is AMAZING and a must see and why it takes my #2 spot.
DUSTIN: Mad Max: Fury Road
I went back and forth with myself on where to put this on my list. Is it the best and deserving of my number one spot or was it more of a second best? I’ll probably never be happy with my choice, but at the end of the day it lost out to my first pick because of replay value. I don’t know if I’ll ever really sit down and watch this film again or at least more than once. I loved it. I think it’s incredible filmmaking and shows the balance between practical and special effects. It also proved that movie audiences are interested in crazy characters that aren’t all glammed out on the screen. Really if I could cheat my own system I would put it at a tie for first, but I can’t. Gorgeous fucking movie though.