Check out the Top 5 Underrated Movies of 2015 HERE
Well Schmoes, as 2015 draws to a close we reflect on a year of ups and downs at the movies, both critically and financially. There were some surprises in regards to which highly anticipated movies lived up to their trailers and marketing as well as some dark horses that came out of nowhere to really steal the show. But, if there is one thing for certain, there are always movies that are highly overrated and underrated by critics and fans alike.
As the UnPopular Opinion Guy, I felt it was only fitting to issue my list of the movies I felt that the masses got wrong. Some of these may shock you and some may just piss you off, but these are my honest to goodness perspective of the movies of 2015. If you disagree with any of the choices, please voice your own opinion in the talkback below. After all, the only opinion that really matters is yours, I am just here to share mine.
#5 – THE WALK
Robert Zemeckis has become quite the wizard at utilizing 3D and special effects to drive stories home. While his motion capture phase may have given him too much reliance on the use of 3D, he seemed to bounce back with the excellent FLIGHT. But, THE WALK falls into the same hole as THE POLAR EXPRESS and BEOWULF in that it feels more gimmicky than cinematic. The astounding tale of Phillipe Petit's walk between the World Trade Center towers was already told masterfully in the documentary MAN ON WIRE which essentially makes this movie pointless. For as good as Joseph Gordon-Levitt is in the lead role, the rest of the movie feels like it exists only to showcase the final walk in spectacular 3D, an effect that renders the film impotent when viewed in 2D.
#4 – STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
The real impact of NWA on the music industry was a game-changer that brought hip-hop and rap into the mainstream. It is a shame that the film that tells their story is as mainstream as it gets. Musicians have always made great subject for biopics, but F. Gary Gray's movie feels as formulaic and generic as RAY and WALK THE LINE. There is a lot missing from this story that leaves out the rags part of this rags-to-riches story. There really is a lot missing from this story that focuses too much on the music and not enough on the men behind the music. For a movie that runs well over two hours, this feels simultaneously too long and short on material.
#3 – EX MACHINA
Alex Garland's science fiction thriller has been lauded as one of the smartest films of the year. While the performances from Alicia Vikander and Oscar Isaac are quite enthralling, the film hinges on Domhnall Gleeson as our entry into this world. Gleeson isn't given too much logical to do and there are a few red herrings that should lead us to a stunning and frightening final act. Instead, the film becomes very predictable and weakens the strong first half of the film. Garland shows great promise as a director but it copmes at the cost of having his duties split between writing and helming duties.
#2 – BRIDGE OF SPIES
Steven Spielberg was away from the director's chair for three years before directing BRIDGE OF SPIES and it feels more like a warm-up for his next films. Knocking the rust off, this movie feels very safe compared to other Spielberg historical films. As entertaining as the pairing of Tom Hanks and Spielberg has been in the past, this doesn't really feature the best work from either of them. Mark Charman's screenplay was co-credited with Joel and Ethan Coen, whose voices are barely heard outside of the negotiation scenes which are the best part of the film. If this was helmed by anyone but Spielberg, it would have faded from memory more quickly than it did.
#1 – BLACK MASS
Lauded as Johnny Depp's comeback performance, BLACK MASS is bound to be one of those movies everyone talks about as being a good movie despite them not seeing anything more than the trailer. The movie is more about Joel Edgerton's character with Depp serving in a supporting capacity. When he is on screen, he soon devolves into what seems to be a caricature rather than a character. The ensemble cast is great overall but as you reach the end of the movie, it feels as if nothing really has happened. The movie just flows as a string of scenes and conversations that do not amount to a coherent film. Depp is good but not that good.