My top 10 from 2015:
-45 Years (UK) - A revelation threatens to destroy a 45 year marriage. Strong performance from Charlotte Rampling. My pick for best actress.
-Dheepan (France) - Sri Lankan "family" flee to France and struggle to adapt. From the director of Rust and Bone.
-Inside Out (USA) - Surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did but I liked the concept. Something in it for both kids and adults.
-Land of Mine (Denmark) - Predictable but well acted film about German POWs, mostly teens, being used to defuse landmines along the Danish coast.
-Last Days of Vietnam (USA) - Documentary about the chaotic period leading up to the Viet Cong taking Saigon and the American evacation.
-Rams (Iceland) - Who knew that I wouold enjoy a film about the strained relationship between two sibling sheep farmers
-Room - Very different feel from the book but still very moving. Brie Larson carries the film.
-Son of Saul (Hungary) - A concentration camp prisoner desperately attempts to give a young boy a proper burial. Love the use of film and tight framing.
-Spotlight (USA) - Well acted, with a pretty good ensemble cast. Even though the ending is known, still kept me interested.
-The Witch (USA) - Witchcraft in colonial America. Creepy and very atmospheric.
Honourable mentions: Sicario, Mad Max Fury Road, The Russian Woodpecker, Steak (R)evolution
Still need to see Revenant and I missed When Marnie Was There, which is likely the final true Studio Ghibli film.
