It’s been another strong year for independent film, music, and original TV production. As with every year, this list is compiled of films, TV shows, and albums, that I’ve experienced for the first time this year. However, there may be overlap from the previous year. “Overrated / Disappointing” sections do not consist of the titles I consider to be the worst of the year (‘Jurassic World’ anyone?), they are simply those which were given far too much credit, given their good-but-not-greatness. If you don’t see a title from this year, it has been omitted because I’m yet to watch or listen to it (S3 of ’Hannibal’, ‘Tangerine’, or S2 of ‘The Knick’, for example) or because I felt very little in the way of enjoyment or disappointment – simply meh about them (‘Bridge of Spies’, for example, was more than capable, but easily forgotten).
As with last year, TV is giving us the most surprising, memorable, and satisfying moments now (don’t worry, no spoilers below), and this is most likely due to the surge in money and competition between Netflix, Amazon and HBO. In all areas of the media this year we saw money thrown at franchises, and “BIG” things – all but one (‘Star Wars’) was disappointing. It was the year of the flop, but as these bigger projects were grabbing headlines, those who were looking, saw a fantastic year of original voices, in mid-range productions.
All my favourites this year gave us a skewed perspective of the world, through unique characters – each filled with humour, heart, and something important to say. Without further ado, here they are:
FILM
1 – Duke of Burgundy
2 – 45 Years
3 – Mommy
4 – Whiplash
5 – Birdman
6 – Inherent Vice
7 – Ex Machina
8 – A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
9 – The Lobster
10 – Beasts of No Nation
Honourable Mentions
Macbeth, Room, Listen Up Phillip, Carol, Most Violent Year, Slow West, A Syrian Love Story, While We’re Young, Northern Soul, It Follows
Overrated / Disappointing
Mad Max: Fury Road, Amy, The Tribe, Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, Enemy, Foxcatcher, Spectre, Entertainment
TV
1 – Fargo
2 – Mad Men
3 – House of Cards
4 – Mr Robot
5 – The Leftovers
6 – Rick and Morty
7 – Silicon Valley
8 – Halt and Catch Fire
9 – Togetherness
10 – Master of None
Honourable Mentions
Transparent, Inside No.9, Review, Broad City, Peep Show, Game of Thrones, Bloodline
Overrated / Disappointing
Better Call Saul, This is England 90, Doctor Who, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, True Detective, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Downton Abbey
MUSIC
1 – Father John Misty (I Love You, Honeybear)
2 – Kendrick Lamar (To Pimp a Butterfly)
3 – Sufjan Stevens (Carrie & Lowell)
4 – Tame Impala (Currents)
5 – Viet Cong (Viet Cong)
6 – Bjork (Vulnicura)
7 – Protomartyr (The Agent Intellect)
8 – Ought (Sun Coming Down)
9 – Panda Bear (Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper)
10 – Youth Lagoon (Savage Hills Ballroom)
+ Meow the Jewels (because it exists)
Honourable Mentions
Destroyer, Mbongwana Star, FKA Twigs, Godspeed, Joanna Newsom, Battles, The Libertines, Beach House, Deerhunter, Girl Band, Mac Demarco, Courtney Barnett, Julia Holter, Kurt Vile
Overrated / Disappointing
Jamie XX, Sleater-Kinney, Deafheaven, Drake, Muse, Adele, Mumford & Sons, Coldplay, Frank Turner
So there we have it – a fine year. If you’ve not checked out any titles listed in those top ten lists, I highly recommend all of them. Looking ahead, 2016 is set to be even greater than 2015 – with the release of ‘The Revenant’, ‘Hateful Eight’, ‘Vinyl’, more ‘Louie’, ‘Girls’, and ‘House of Cards’, and brand new LPs from ‘The National’ and ‘Radiohead’.
Have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and feel free to discuss this years top ten lists!
by Michael Henry