Silver Screen Favorites of 2015: Of Princes and Yellow Creatures
Each year one of the things I look forward to with great anticipation is putting together my list of “favorites” from the year. Today, my topic of choice just happens to be favorite films and the new television shows I either discovered in 2015 or were new shows for the year. In other words, my silver screen favorites of 2015.
Silver Screen Favorites of 2015: Of Princes and Yellow Creatures #fromthearchives Share on XIn looking back I’m surprised by how many entertaining films did appear at the box office. There weren’t a lot that “blew me away” (keeping in mind I have yet to see several blockbusters – lots of which showed up under my tree, and period dramas I was interested in see) akin to films that are truly great, but nonetheless, I’m a simple girl who is easy to please when it comes to a trip to the movies. The artsy movie scene, which usually has more to them aren’t my cup of tea. This is why the blockbusters are most often my brand of happy.
TV writers on the other hand, well, they did impress me this year. True there may be only one show that I consistently gushed over this is really no different from every new TV season. There’s always something that seems above and beyond “better” than the rest of the new shows. Fortunately the one I most enjoyed this year involved brilliant web-tangling and a pair of leads who enjoyed vibrant chemistry. Without further preamble, let’s begin looking back at 2015’s favorite in cinema – on the small and big screen!
SILVER SCREEN FAVORITES OF 2015
one THE AGE OF ADALINE
Classy and beautiful are words to describe this Blake Lively time-twisting romance.
two THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
Hands down, the best MCU film to date.
three BEFORE WE GO
I found this Indie film really interesting. It’s not the traditional romance and yet for the genre, it was never boring not to mention its an Indie film that had Story and plot and character. Plus, it helps that Chris Evans co-stars and directs.
four CINDERELLA
Seeing this one make the list is a given. And if the little girl in me were honest, this would probably be my most favorite
of the year.
five FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
six INSURGENT
seven THE INTERN
eight JUPITER ASCENDING
I know this film was treated badly. On one hand I can understand this because there are some far out prompts, but on the other, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thoroughly entertained. This is just a “favorites” list after all. Not an academy award “best” in cinema who’s who.
If you’re reading through this list, and at this point going, “really… you added THAT to the list?” what can I say: these were fun. I opt for entertainment over artsy films – which usually, I’m sorry make absolutely no sense. Hence this is why we’ll forge ahead with the inclusion of fluffy blockbusters (and my pride at excluding The Longest Ride, a film that usually would have made the cut because well, it wasn’t my favorite Sparks adaptation).
nine MOCKINGJAY
ten THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E
eleven MINIONS
Seriously there was NO WAY I wouldn’t add this one. Because, look at those faces!
twelve NOT ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING
Those of you looking for something different in their rom-coms might want to try this one. It’s not for everyone (it’s a typical British comedy), but I quite liked it. Plus, it has 11’s companion, Amy (Karen Gillan).
thirteen PITCH PERFECT 2
fourteen SPECTRE
TV SHOW FAVORITES OF 2015
one BLINDSPOT
two CHUCK
Just started this one this fall and it’s too cute! It’s my go-to “happy place” show.
three EMILY OWENS, M.D.
four THE HOUR
Forged ahead with this one and the following show (A Place to Call Home) thanks to my work on Silver Petticoat. I had been curious about both, but something held me back. The Hour is crazy good. Warning: the taunt writing and brilliant storytelling makes it addicting.
five A PLACE to CALL HOME
This could sort of be described as the Australian version of Downton Abbey only it’s set in the 40s if I’m not mistaken. I’m not really very far into this one, but so far, I’m liking it quite a lot.
six POLDARK
seven NIKITA
Think Alias if you’ve been curious about this one. Overall, I do think I’m enjoy this show’s progression more.
eight STALKER
Another show starring Nikita‘s Maggie Q, who is really a great actress. She is comfortable in both roles which is a plus.
nine STITCHERS
If you’re still here, thank you for sticking with this rambling post. I know, it got long! I’ll try and make “part two” (favorite books) shorter. Let me know your silver screen favorites of 2015. I’d love to chat them up.
I watched a lot of the same movies this year and really enjoyed them as well! I actually liked Jupiter Ascending too – and for the same reasons, it just really entertained me. ;)
YAY for another Jupiter Ascending fan! I thought it was, plain and simple, fun and that's why it made my favorites list! :) Glad you thought so too, Faith. :D
Star. Wars.
walking in the air.
I hear LOTS of people gushing about Star Wars nowadays, Hannah. I've never been a junkie of the fandom, but I'm SO glad everyone who is likes the new film. That's the best result of an anticipated event. :)
Several of these made my favorites list, too! (Which should be going up in the next few days.) And I have to read Far From the Madding Crowd as soon as possible because I really want to see the film. :)
Hi, Kristin! Happy New Year – and yay for your list! I'll be by to read it and comment later today. Always enjoy reading yours. Hope you are able to read "Madding" soon because, yes, the film is gorgeous. I bought the book but haven't read it, which for me and classic lit, is normal. ;)
I loved #10! Could of edited it a tad, but still enjoyed it.
I need to remember to watch #5 & #12…
As did I, Amanda! Hope you enjoy those you'd still like to see… in particular, I thought 'Happy Ending' was really cute albeit quirky. :D
I LOVED Cinderella and I'm pumped for Beauty and the Beast! My sisters and I are already planning to go see it whenever it comes out, and I hope it's as good as Cinderella!
I kinda want to watch Hunger Games even though I really wasn't a huge fan of the books.
Great post!
Blessings,
Kara
P.S I replied to your comment on my blog – sorry it took so long! I was away with family and wasn't on the internet world. =)
I'm right there with you, Kara; seeing Cinderella was a highlight of my cinematic outings of 2015. It was beautiful, and like you, I'll for sure have to see Beauty and the Beast in theaters. Must be the little girl in me.
I wasn't a big fan of THG books either – I'm glad to meet someone else who didn't care for them. I do "enjoy" the films though. They're well made, the cast is dynamite and the stories "feel" better to me because the lead actress gives Katniss more reason to connect with her.
Thanks so much for reading – and no worries! Apologies for my delays also; I know it can be more challenging to get to blog stuff this time of year. Family is always the important priority. Happy New Year. :)
Well, I've seen 11 out of 14 of those movies! What a GREAT list! Glad to see UNCLE and Adaline on it. Plus some other awesome ones! I'm continually a fan of the Avengers saga. I'd have to add Bridge of Spies, the latest Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, and Star Wars (yes, I'm a fan :).
<3 Poldark. Also, Grantchester and Turn (AMC) were fantastic series.
Three cheers for UNCLE and Adaline. They're two of my faovirtes. I love the sassy caper fun of the former and the romantic, elegant beauty of the latter. Avengers are always fun, I agree. Oh, yes! I saw 'Impossible' a few days into 2016, so that one will have to go on my 2016 list… in the meantime I will be publishing a review to give me an outlet to gush. :D
I've not seen Turn but did hear it was amazing! Thanks for the reminder, Courtney. :)
Great list! Somehow Before We Go was completely off my radar, so I'll definitely be watching that one.
Spectre I haven't seen yet, but will be. Love James Bond.
I really enjoyed The Age of Adeline even though it made my bawl my head off in the theater because I went to see it within a week of our little dog being put to sleep after being with us for twelve years. Still good.
I do think Star Wars should have been on there. :)
Thanks, Tressa – and I hope you enjoy Before We Go if/when you see it. It's quiet, but really good too.
Yay for Bond. I've only seen this and the one prior to it. Both were good though.
Aw, I can see how that scene would affect you. Poor Adaline only had her dog for a constant companion. And what a sweet one it was. :)
I'll confess… I haven't seen a single Star Wars. I know. ;)
I love your TV and film reviews. I always find something I haven't seen and several that I enjoy as well! Blindspot has been a favorite of mine this year. I love the way they puzzle out the clues in her tattoos. And Cinderella! I have got to see that! :D
Thank you, Rachel – I appreciate the kind words. I so enjoy writing these book and film reviews. Gives me a fun outlet to fangirl AND most of all, I so enjoy having met all of you. :) Thank YOU for being a reader.
Blindspot is epic. I'm just in "awe" of its TV brilliance. Here's hoping it can keep that pace. Yay for Cinderella. That one is absolutely darling – enjoy! :)
Um, how in the world did I miss this amazing-ness?!?! This list = perfection.
High five to Avengers, Cinderella, Adaline, Insurgent, Intern, Mockingjay, UNCLE, Minions, and PP2…basically the whole list lol!!! I still have to watch Spectre, which is weird because I'm always at the movies but I missed that one. And OMG! Your fave tv shows of the year is almost identical to mine, except for The Hour and Place to Call Home, which I haven’t yet seen (but now will since our tastes are so similar). Also, YAY for Chuck!! Still on my all-time faves list. :)
I feel like that too, Bekah: HOW DO I MISS SO MANY AMAZING POSTS!? Now, I'm skippy about visiting blogs because I seem to be "busy," but I do usually take a day or two during the week when I binge visit favorite blogs. It's awesome. ;)
All of those films were MUSTS for 2015. So fun, thrilling and in some cases, thought-provoking. Enjoy Spectre; it's one of my thriller faves! And yay for British and Australian TV shows. "Home' has its content issues, but so far, I'm hooked.
As for Chuck, I'm WAY late… and even still, it's sooo cute! Plus, it's the perfect kind of show to enjoy when you need nothing more than a laugh. :)
Some great pics up there! Age of Adeline is a beautiful movie, definitely a favorite of mine. And Cinderella!!! Just YES. LOVED that one. :) Plus Minions is just adorable. Watched that one with my nephew and we laughed and laughed.
Am very curious about A Place to Call Home. Must check further into it.
Ditto! "Adaline" is a stunner of a film. Cinderella, nearly a year later and I'm still swooning over that one. Yay for Minions. I'm glad you and your nephew liked it. It WAS terribly cute!
A Place to Call Home is really quite good albeit not without its flaws. Makes me sad, but the good (so far) overwhelms the bad. :)