The Rest of 2015, Part 4

I've taken a little more time in prepping my year-end wrap-up this year, mostly because I was making sure I had seen everything I wanted to in theaters before publishing. Like last year, I've written mini-reviews on all the films that I either saw too far into their theatrical run to do a full review on or after their home video release. Without further ado, I present to you Part 4 of the Rest of 2015...

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation - Buy it. 

How can a franchise be this good in its fifth installment? M:I shows no signs of stopping with Rogue Nation, and neither does Tom Cruise, as he performs some of the most dangerous stunts of his career. The rest of the returning and new cast members make sure we don't lose the team dynamic that was so essential to Ghost Protocol. McQuarrie also has some great helming of the many action scenes, particularly the motorcycle chase. This is a thrill ride that keeps you on edge the whole time. Grade: 92
The Martian - Buy it.

The Martian is not your typical sci-fi survival film. Ridley Scott takes this standard concept and breathes a ton of new life into it. There's a lot of comedy that actually works here too, which is a little surprising given the bleak premise. The visual direction from Scott is among his best, particularly his use of practical effects, and Damon's performance is among the best of his career. This is definitely a film I loved watching and want to watch again and again and again. Grade: 97
Sicario - Buy it. 

 Sicario is definitely not a film based on action. It is an incredibly cerebral experience due to its more deliberate pace that makes the supposed black and white War on Drugs a grey area in quite an effective way. Roger Deakins's cinematography makes this film incredibly effective in combination with its on-location shooting. Emily Blunt and Benicio del Toro turn in some of the best performances of their respective careers to make this one of the more unflinchingly tough films of this year. Grade: 88

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