Catholic News Service
The following are the top 10 movies and top 10 family films for in 2015, as chosen by Catholic News Service’s Media Review Office.
The selections in each category are listed below in alphabetical order. Except as indicated, the CNS classification for films under the first heading is A-III, adults, and their Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13.
For movies in the second group, unless otherwise noted, their CNS classification is A-II, adults and adolescents, while their MPAA rating is PG.
The top 10 overall:
“The Big Short” follows Wall Street outsiders (including Christian Bale, Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling) as they stake everything on a downturn no one else foresees. The film merrily berates greed and folly without forgetting the human cost of corruption (R — restricted.).
In “Bridge of Spies,” a corporate lawyer (Tom Hanks) defends a KGB agent (Mark Rylance), then negotiates his exchange for a downed American pilot (Austin Stowell). The decency of its main character makes this balanced, well-crafted retrospective a valuable experience.
“Brooklyn” is the understated story of a young Irishwoman (Saoirse Ronan) who, with the help of a priest (Jim Broadbent), emigrates to the United States in the early 1950s and falls for an Italian-American plumber (Emory Cohen). (A-II, adults and adolescents).
A surprisingly gentle reboot of the “Rocky” franchise, “Creed” finds the ex-champ (Sylvester Stallone) coaching the illegitimate son (Michael B. Jordan) adversary-turned-ally, Apollo Creed. The underlying message is that the cherished values of self-sacrifice and discipline can prevail.
In “Far From the Madding Crowd,” an independent-minded heiress (Carey Mulligan) is pursued by three suitors. A top-rank cast, lush cinematography and drama combine for a treat that’s suitable for most viewers (A-II).
The documentary-like biography “Love and Mercy” is a profile of Brian Wilson, the driving force behind the Beach Boys. The movie adopts an intelligent approach to its gifted but troubled subject — played in youth by Paul Dano, in later life by John Cusack.
Ridley Scott’s screen version of Andy Weir’s novel, “The Martian,” centers on a NASA botanist (Matt Damon) who’s stranded alone on the Red Planet after a space mission gone awry. This compelling sci-fi epic uses its protagonist’s plight to examine the human spirit.
A profoundly moral drama, “99 Homes” examines the toll taken by the recent financial crisis via the story of two bit players on the Florida, real estate scene (Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon) as each struggles to weather the maelstrom of forces unleashed by the meltdown (R).
Viewers of faith will appreciate the biblical overtones of the “Room,” a study of the love between a mother (Brie Larson) and her young son (Jacob Tremblay) as both are held captive by a predator (Sean Bridgers) (R). (See review in Feb. 5 issue of The Dialog.)
“Spotlight” is a hard-hitting look at how a new editor at the Boston Globe inspired a group of dedicated reporters (led by Michael Keaton) to uncover their hometown’s clergy sexual abuse scandal. The painfully accurate film will educate mature viewers even as it grieves them (R).
The top 10 family films:
Kenneth Branagh’s live-action retelling of the “Cinderella” story, which stars Lily James and Cate Blanchett, is a delightful fantasy (A-I, general patronage).
Peter Sohn’s “The Good Dinosaur,” a young Apatosaurus with human characteristics (voice of Raymond Ochoa) is separated from his family, and
must find his way home, with only a Neanderthal boy (voice of Jack Bright) as his companion. Their journey is wholesome and hilarious (A-I).
“Inside Out” is a splendid animated comedy in which a young girl’s personified emotions help her cope with an upsetting family move.
The life of Marie Heurtin (Ariana Rivoire), often called the “French Helen Keller,” is dramatized in Jean-Pierre Ameris’ joyous “Marie’s Story.” At a special-needs school, one idealistic nun (Isabelle Carre) gives her deaf and blind student a master class in unconditional love, patience and perseverance (not rated by the MPAA).
The fact-based drama “McFarland, USA” follows a high school coach (Kevin Costner) to an impoverished community where he organizes a cross-country team. This faith- and family-friendly tale honors education and self-improvement.
“Monkey Kingdom” is an enjoyable documentary recording the exploits of Maya, a female toque macaque disadvantaged by her low rank within the rigid hierarchy of her species. (A-I; G. general audiences.).
Steve Martino is faithful to the spirit of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in the animated comedy “The Peanuts Movie.” Top-notch values prevail as hapless Charlie Brown pines for a classmate while Snoopy also pursues romance (A-I, G).
“Shaun the Sheep Movie” is an endearing feature centered on the madcap adventures of the eponymous little lamb. Despite some questionable jokes,
the inventive goings-on make suitable viewing for most of the family.
A blockbuster series gets a fresh start in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The “Star Wars” saga rejuvenated by a lucid plot, abundant humor and two dynamic new heroes (Daisy Ridley and John Boyega. (PG-13).
Set in 1973 Alabama, and based on the true story of football star Tony Nathan (Caleb Castille), the drama “Woodlawn” makes inspirational viewing. With integration causing team tension, a coach hires a chaplain (Sean Astin) who challenges the athletes to live the Gospel message.
Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.
