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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Movie of the Year

3/20/2016

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*** NOTE: Before you begin reading, please keep in mind that these are my top 15 favorite movies of 2015, and not necessarily what I think are the top 15 best movies of 2015. Also, if you'd like to see a list of all the 2015 movies I've seen that are eligible, head on over to the 5MMG Awards Introduction page found here. Thanks for reading! ***

And now, we've come to my final award - 5 Minute Movie Guy's Favorite Movie of the Year! I've decided that I'm going to jazz things up a little bit this year, just for this one final category. Rather than selecting 5 nominees and choosing 1 winner, like I've done in all the other categories, I am instead going to countdown my top 15 favorite movies of 2015. It's been a phenomenal year for movies, and what better way to conclude these awards than with a proper countdown. What's the big winner going to be? Let's find out!  Drumroll, please! At long last, here are my top 15 favorite movies of 2015, in order!

5  Minute  Movie  Guy's  Top  15  Favorite  Movies  of  2015


15.)  San  Andreas

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Starting off the list is San Andreas, the summer blockbuster, earthquake extravaganza starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Carla Gugino, Paul Giamatti, and Alexandra Daddario. I legitimately didn't even want to see this movie, knowing how ridiculous and over-the-top it was going to be. However, as it turns out, San Andreas ended up being some of the most fun I had at the theater all year. Sure, the scale of earthquake destruction in the film is literally impossible, but darn if it isn't entertaining. The movie hits the right notes from the get-go and is an enjoyable ride from start to finish. Dwayne Johnson proves his worth as a standalone action star, and leads us through the film's continously escalating danger. What surprised me most though is how much I actually enjoyed and connected with the story and characters. While some may brush it off as being a mindless disaster movie, I thought San Andreas ended up being not only entertaining, but unexpectedly moving and heartfelt too.

14.)  Southpaw

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I knew from the moment I saw Southpaw's powerful first trailer that this one was going to hurt. Watching Southpaw is not unlike getting your emotions pummelled for 12 straight rounds. It's a difficult one to bear as you watch the life of boxing champion Billy Hope crumble away into nothing. It hits you with a near endless barrage of tragedy that makes you wonder how much more a man can take. Jake Gyllenhaal gives an Oscar-calibur performance, and his body transformation from Nightcrawler to this is just astounding. Southpaw has a strong supporting cast with Rachel McAdams (a 5MMG Best Supporting Actress nominee), Forest Whitaker, and the young Oona Laurence as Billy's daughter Leila. This exceptional movie is rough on the tear ducts, but it's so good that any pain it makes you feel is more than worth enduring.

13.)  Chappie

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I think I'm well in the minority with this inclusion on my list, but frankly I found Chappie to be a rather brilliant film. It's developed a bad rap, no doubt thanks to the main characters of Ninja and Yolandi, the crazy, outlandish South African rappers known as Die Antwoord who are essentially just playing themselves. (Imagine if Eminem and Lady Gaga had a son and daughter, and well, you get the idea). Still, I think they add a level bizarreness to Chappie that makes it feel both fresh and unique. These two gangsters wind up kidnapping the mentally-evolving sentient robot Chappie from his creator so that they can use him for their own means. The result is a surprisingly thought-provoking film that explores social injustices through this innocent robot who is being forced to conform to the thug life. In spite of all of its absurdity, Chappie is a fun and interesting film, and Chappie himself is one of the coolest movie robots in recent memory.  Last but not least, I have to give a shoutout to the always terrific Hugh Jackman and his ever-powerful mullet of villainy.

12.)  Bridge  of  Spies

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Tom Hanks. Steven Spielberg. Need I say more? This true story Cold War thriller sees Tom Hanks' playing a lawyer who must defend a captured Soviet spy (played by Mark Rylance in an Oscar winning performance) in court. While Hanks' lawyer isn't really expected to rightfully defend this man, who is an enemy to the United States, he believes that giving him any less than a fair defense would be a disgrace to the principles on which America was founded upon. Being a lover of history, I found myself really drawn into the story of Bridge of Spies. I thought this Best Picture winner was certainly one of the best and perhaps one of the most overlooked movies of the year. It's an important story that implores us to look beyond our narrow-minded black and white mentality of ally and enemy, while recognizing the bravery of an honorable and decent man.

11.)  Furious  7

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Can you believe that I had never seen a single Fast and Furious movie until last year? Despite what my friends and family tried to tell me, I dismissed the whole series as being a lousy lineup of films catered to car junkies. As someone who couldn't care less about the street racing scene, I had no interest in these movies whatsoever. And what a mistake that was! In anticipation for Furious 7, I binge-watched the entire series in a week (something I've never done for any franchise!) and I found that I actually really even liked most of the movies.

My Fast and Furious preface aside, I think Furious 7 is actually my favorite film in the whole series. I may have to watch it again to be sure, as that heart-wrenchingly beautiful ending has possibly made me a little biased, but regardless, it's undoubtedly one of the best ones. While many fans may disagree with me on this, I personally enjoy the action-heavy direction the series has gone in. Sure, it's over the top, but hasn't the series always been? Now they've just kicked it into top gear, and I think that makes it all a lot more fun. I loved the action in Furious 7, I liked the new characters (especially Statham as the villain), the races, the great fight scene between "The Rock" and Statham, the touching moments between Dom and Letty, and of course, that wonderful ending. While the series may never be the same going forward, I still can't wait to see where it goes from here.

10.)  Spotlight

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2015's Best Picture winner Spotlight cracks into the top 10 of my favorites of the year. It's a devastating and tragic true story about the large and long-running Catholic Church child abuse scandal that was uncovered by a small Boston news team. It's an important, powerful film that feels honest and well-executed. I love the film's ability to tightly focus in on the journalist side of the investigation. Rather than stretching out too broad of a reach, Spotlight remains grounded in the facts. It shows all of the hard work and obstacles the Spotlight news team had to go through in order to effectively shine a light on the scandal. It's a really well made and poignant film with strong performances from its entire cast, most notably Mark Ruffalo who gives a scene-stealing performance. Whether it's a film that piques your interest or not, I believe Spotlight is a movie that all of us need to watch.

9.)  Ant-Man

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Some of you may know me as being something of a Marvel movie hater. While that's probably a bit of an overstatement, most of their movies fail to meet my expectations, and they frustrate me with their incessant teasing and over-dramatization of ultimately insignificant things. So when Ant-Man was announced, forgive me for being less than enthusiastic about it. A lesser known Marvel superhero was getting his own movie soon after the highly disappointing Avengers: Age of Ultron, and I had almost no interest in it whatsoever. Fortunately, all of my concerns were pleasantly put to rest when I finally saw Ant-Man.

Personally, I would go so far as to call Ant-Man the best Marvel movie since Iron Man (my personal Marvel favorite). It was a breath of fresh air that reinvigorated my interest in superhero movies. It's funny, it's smart, and it's a whole lot of fun. Ant-Man's ability to change his size gives the movie an exciting and unique perspective, while opening up a plethora of new possibilities. It really adds a new dimension to Marvel's tired and typical formula, and its used to such creative and comical effect. Ant-Man is the funniest Marvel movie yet. It also has the best fight scene, the most touching story, and the most likeable hero to date. Not too shabby for a hero most of us knew hardly anything about this time last year.

8.)  Mad  Max:  Fury  Road

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Mad Max: Fury Road is one of the craziest and coolest movies I've ever seen. The level of skill and creativity required to pull this movie off is unbelievable. I don't know how George Miller did it, but man am I glad he did! This movie is straight up nuts in the best of ways. It's an endless barrage of offroad, apocalyptic, vehicular mayhem, and it's a blast! It's visually stunning with great art direction, excellent special effects, and top-notch costume design. It has one of the best characters of the year with Charlize Theron's Furiosa, and one of my favorite villains as well with Immortan Joe. It probably would have scored higher on this list had it's rare slower moments been a little more emotionally effective, but all things considered, Fury Road is one hell of a ride!

7.)  American  Sniper

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Based on the autobiography of Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in American history, Clint Eastwood's American Sniper gives a powerful portrayal of the life of this national hero. An expert marksman, Kyle had over 160 confirmed kills during his four tours in Iraq. The film follows Kyle's incredible journey from his early days as a bull rider, his eventual recruitment in the US Navy Seals, and all the way through his service in Iraq where he molded his legacy, and concluding with an unnerving look at the emotional and psychological aftermath of war. Bradley Cooper gives a remarkable performance as Kyle. He convincingly balances Kyle's courageous character with his psychologically-scarred psyche, making him a very compelling and sympathetic protagonist. I admire the way in which American Sniper takes one of our most storied war veterans and instead of glorifying his many accomplishments, it uses him as a prime example of the tragic cost of war.

6.)  The  Revenant

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From the moment I first read about The Revenant and the conditions of its grueling shoot, I had it penned for Best Picture of the year. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, and directed by Birdman's Academy Award winning director Alejandro González Iñárritu, The Revenant was sure to be a work of art, and it instantly became of my most anticipated movies of 2015. It may not have taken home the big prize at the Oscars (even if it should have), but it's nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece. It's an artistic film that not everyone will have the patience for (nor the stomach for - it is brutal), but there's no denying it's quality. DiCaprio and Hardy are both outstanding. The story is minimalistic, but beautifully refined and effective. Leo leads us on a bleak and painful journey, that is loosely based on an unbelievable true story. At times, The Revenant is difficult to watch (that bear scene is no joke!) but it is a thoroughly beautiful and complete film that ranks among the all-time greats.

5.)  Sicario

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With all the praise I've given Sicario throughout these 5MMG Awards, I'm surprised to find it here at the #5 spot. It just goes to show how strong of a year 2015 was for movies. Sicario is a smart, tense thriller that leads us deep into Mexico where violence and corruption reign supreme. Drug cartels control the land, murder is rampant, and not even the police can be turned to. The film stars Emily Blunt as FBI agent Kate Macer who is enlisted in helping fight the war on drugs by targetting the crime lords of Mexico. Together she's joined by Josh Brolin's Matt Graver and Benicio Del Toro's Alejandro Gillick, who both secretly have their own agendas. Simply put, Sicario straight up blew me away. It had the best twist of the year, leading to an unforgettable and oh-so-awesome conclusion. It's one of those rare films I haven't been able to stop raving about, and that I recommend at every chance I get. If you haven't seen it yet, make sure you put it at the top of your movie pile! It's just awesome!

4.)  Creed

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I'm a huge fan of the Rocky movies, and of Sylvester Stallone in general. So as you might imagine, I was all in favor of a Creed spin-off so long as Stallone would be around to reprise his most beloved role. Not only did he return, but Stallone even landed his first Oscar nomination since the original Rocky forty years ago! The prospect of making a new Rocky film without having him fight in the ring is a pretty daring move, but it ends up paying off wonderfully thanks to a heavyweight performance from Michael B. Jordan and the great direction of Ryan Coogler. Stallone excels in his supporting role, adding a whole lot of humor and heart. Creed is a thoroughly moving triumph that had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation and excitement. I for one will be eagerly awaiting the return of Adonis Creed. He's a perfect fit to carry on the great legacy of Rocky Balboa, while creating a worthy legacy all of his own.

3.)  Selma

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I can vividly recall the night I saw Selma. Usually I'm the first person out of the theater, and I hurry all the way to my car and head home. But this night was different. I was so moved by this movie that I stayed in the theater throughout the credits so I could soak in what I just experienced and compose myself. This is really a rare thing for me to do, and it takes a truly special film to get me to stay through the credits. Of course, John Legend and Common's amazing song "Glory" did make it a little easier to keep me seated. All in all, though, I think Selma is nothing short of an incredible. Dare I even say a masterpiece? It's a film that I love dearly. It pulled me right into the fight for civil rights alongside the King. I found myself so heavily invested in the struggle, and so in awe of the perseverence and courage, despite knowing full well what the ultimate outcome would be.

Selma is an emotionally stirring and inspiring work of art. David Oyelowo is perfectly cast and comes to fully embody the spirit of MLK. As a lover of history and a believer in equality for all, I've always had a fascination with the Civil Rights Movement and particularly Martin Luther King Jr. whose humble resolve and determination moved a nation and inspired necessary change. I love the way Selma engages us in an important historical moment without ever being boring. I love the way it shows that while this an African American struggle, they're not alone in the fight, and we see people of all races joining the march. I love the film's tight focus that avoids turning this important story into a biopic about Martin Luther King. Most of all, I love that Selma made me feel something deep inside. Something pure and righteous. Something optimistic. Something inspired. And yet even deeper, something unsatisfied. Something yearning for a tomorrow that would see Martin Luther King's dream truly come to be.

2.)  Jurassic  World

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Speaking of dreams, Jurassic World is pretty much my inner-most childhood dream come true. It doesn't stray very far from the original, instead paying homage to it at nearly every turn, and yet it still feels fresh, exciting, and new. I was absolutely giddy with excitement throughout most of Jurassic World, and nearly jumping out of my seat over the awesomeness of its finale. My elated emotion was even just as enthusiastic when I enjoyed the movie in theaters for the second time. For me, Jurassic World is essentially the ultimate fanboy service. It was everything I could have ever dreamed of and still so much more. It takes us back to where it all began twenty years ago, but it reinvents itself with modern twists on familiar ground. Some will say it sticks to closely to the first film, and while that may certainly be a valid point, I feel that if anything, in my experience, it helped draw me more into this film and its new characters. Jurassic World is filled with an abundance of fun, tongue-in-cheek allusions to the original movie, and considering that the story itself is drawing upon the park's history, I think it works out wonderfully.

Those of you that read my dinosaur-themed blog over the summer may recall that I was obsessed with dinosaurs as a child. Young actor Ty Simpkins perfectly channels my own childhood obsession and enthusiasm through his character, while contrasting his older brother's awkward  but too-cool-for-dinosaurs attitude. Chris Pratt is an excellent new lead for the franchise and he proves that he's the real deal now that he's starred in two awesome back-to-back summer blockbusters in a row. I also enjoyed the transformation of Bryce Dallas Howard's business woman turned heroine character.

As far as I'm concerned, Jurassic World is every bit as good as the original Jurassic Park. While it may draw plenty of references to the original, it does so without depending on it. The film is filled with creativity and brought more than enough new ideas to the table to keep me interested and entertained. The newly added dinosaurs are as cool as you could want them to be, and the return of old favorites is as exciting as ever. It's Jurassic Park modernized for a new era, and that's just fine by me!

1.)  Room

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Room
Favorite  Movie  of  2015

Room is a movie I approached with equal parts eagerness and trepidation. It tells the story of a woman forced to live in captivity, confined to a single room, where she must raise her young son while trying to shelter him from the horror of their dire situation. For me, it quickly called to mind the tragic kidnapping of those three girls in Ohio who were held captive for ten years before they finally were able to escape some years ago. Although it shares similarities to that real-life event, it's purely coincidental as Room is actually based on a novel by Emma Donahue that was released years before their escape, but it does make the story feel all the more relevant and troubling.

Knowing the disturbing details of that real life kidnapping, I was worried Room would be far too disturbing for me to endure. Fortunately however, as unpleasant as the subject matter may be, Room takes a pretty mild approach to its underlying horror by telling the story through the sheltered eyes of a child. It's an interesting and unique perspective that is done brilliantly and to great emotional effect. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced before. It's something of a transcendental journey back to our own youth, where we're experiencing our world for the very first time, and it's a powerful and lovely thing to behold. That may sound strange considering the film centers around so much cruelty and sadness, but Room still manages to be a remarkably beautiful and honest piece of cinema.

It is with great pleasure that I announce Room as my Favorite Movie of 2015! It's a magnificent film that elicited so many different emotions out of me. It really had a hold on my heart, and I am in awe of just how well thought-out and imaginative it all is. From it's heartbreaking circumstance and heart-poundingly tense scenes, Room opens the door and transforms itself into something insightful, wonderful, and real. Brie Larson gives the performance of a lifetime, and young Jacob Tremblay has forever won the hearts of all those who watch this film (I swear I have legitimately never seen a child actor give such an outstanding performance). Room's a movie that will always stay with me, and one that I hope you all will watch yourselves if you haven't already. Just a minor heads-up though! Don't watch the trailer! In fact, I recommend that you to go into this one knowing as little as possible. You'll get the most out of it that way, and as amazing as it is, you don't want to sell this one short!
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...And that concludes the 2015 5MMG Awards! I hope you enjoyed it! 2015 was a really fantastic year for movies. One of the best in recent memory for sure. Now let me diverge for a moment to get to the pressing matter at hand; the lack of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on this list. Blasphemy, right? Well, truth be told, I have some beef with that the latest Star Wars, so it fell just short of making the cut. So did a lot of other good movies that I would have liked to have included, namely Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, The Hateful Eight, and Spectre. The fact of the matter is there was an abundance of great movies in 2015, so the real winner this year was each and every one of us! As always, thanks for reading! Feel free to comment below on my list or to even share your own! I'd love to read your own top picks from this unforgettable year in film!
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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Actor

3/9/2016

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Let's get to the question you've all been eagerly awaiting. "Will Leo win?" Well, this might just be his year, but you'll have to keep reading to find out! Or you know, you could just look at the pretty pictures and scroll down to the bottom to see the winner, as I know most of you do anyway. (You think I don't know?! I know!!) Haha it's all right, no hard feelings. Before I get to the nominees, allow me to be brutally honest for a moment and admit that overall this year's supporting actors impressed me more than the lead actors. (That's gotta be a pretty rare occurence!) And lastly, allow me to also remind you that the picks throughout the 5MMG Awards are for my own personal favorites and not necessarily for what I thought was the overall best. Now here are my 5 favorite lead actors of the year!

Favorite  Actor  Nominees:


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Chris  Pratt

as Owen Grady in Jurassic World
Already a 2-time 5MMG Favorite Actor nominee, Chris Pratt is as enjoyable to watch in Jurassic World as he was in last year's Guardians of the Galaxy. He has a great skill for connecting with the audience through his humor, sarcasm, and approachability. Last year was no fluke, Chris Pratt is destined to be a fan favorite for years to come!

Tom  Cruise

as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible 5
The legendary Tom Cruise is a personal favorite actor of mine, and he's now also a 2-time 5MMG Favorite Actor nominee. He's as suave and cool as ever in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, and this is also probably his funniest performance in the popular spy series to date. Factor in the insane real-life stunts he did for this movie and he's a legit contender for the big win!
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David  Oyelowo

as Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma
A lot of people criticized David Oyelowo's casting by saying that he didn't look enough like Martin Luther King. On the contrary, I would argue that in Selma, he was Dr. King! He did such an unbelievable job transforming himself into the great Civil Rights leader that he had me in tears. He captured the soul of MLK like no one has or likely ever will.

Michael  B.  Jordan

as Adonis Creed in Creed
Although I had heard a lot of good things about Jordan, Creed is the first time I've seen him act, and he certainly didn't disappoint. Not in the slightest. Jordan gives an electrifying performance as Adonis Creed, and does a great job putting his own stamp on the character. He did more than just bulk up for the part. He learned to fight, and made Adonis a very interesting and unique fighter.
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Leonardo  DiCaprio

as Hugh Glass in The Revenant
I've always said the reason why Leo hasn't won an Oscar is because he never transforms himself. Even with all the acting talent in the world, he never takes on the physical part of it. That's all changed now as Leo gives an incredibly raw and physically demanding performance in The Revenant. He endures so much for this role, and that effort truly shows.

And  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Actress

3/8/2016

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What a year it's been for bad ass, independent women! Feminists rejoice! It's admittedly a pleasant change of pace to see so many strong, self-sufficient female characters for once. Hollywood's very much a male-dominated industry, but if this year is any indication of things to come, women need not worry about that much longer. The most remarkable thing about this list of women is that 4 of them are newcomers who are now sure to be breakout stars. Here are my top 5 favorite women of 2015 who proved the women are worthy of equal pay and recognition.

And  the  Nominees  Are...


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Rebecca  Ferguson

as  Ilsa in Mission: Impossible 5
It's a pretty fascinating and rare phenomenon to see a woman upstage an industry leading legend like Tom Cruise, but that's precisely the mission that Rebecca Ferguson accomplished in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation. Her incredibly physical performance instantly catapults her towards the top of the list of the all-time best female movie spies.

Charlize  Theron

as Furiosa in Mad Max
Theron is majestic as the desperate, battle-worn woman warrior Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road. She exudes a longing and desperation for a better life, away from the dreaded reach of her master Immortan Joe. Furiosa may be emotionally and physically depleted, but she's not without hope. Theron gives us a character we can root for, as we sympathize with her struggle.
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Daisy  Ridley

as Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
I didn't expect Rey to have such a substantial role in The Force Awakens, nor did I anticipate her being such a fighter. Instantly a breakout star with her performance as Rey, Daisy Ridley has won the hearts of movie fans across the globe. She possesses intelligence, skill, and integrity. All fitting qualities for a future jedi. I have a good feeling about this one!

Brie  Larson

as Joy in Room
Brie Larson puts herself on the map for good with her riveting performance in Room. She brilliantly portrays the psychological and emotional trauma of being the victim of her terrifying and tragic situation. She must fight to keep herself together so she can give her son the best life possible despite them both living in captivity, while trying to devise ways for them to escape.
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Bryce  Dallas  Howard

as Claire in Jurassic World
What I admired most about Bryce Dallas Howard's performance as Claire was her believable transformation over the course of the film (well, that and outrunning a T-Rex in heels). She is able to break free from her unlikable inhuman first impression and evolve into a woman who is willing to own her mistakes and attempt to make up for them.

And  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Supporting Actor

3/8/2016

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These guys might not be the top dogs in their movies, but they're all still exceptional in their own right. I was really impressed by all 5 of these nominees, and there's many other candidates I wish I could have given some recognition to as well (sorry, cast of Star Wars), but there can only be 5! Here are my top 5 favorite supporting actors of the year!

And  the  Nominees  Are...


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Benicio  Del  Toro

as Alejandro Gillick in Sicario
If you're reading the awards from bottom to top, as would be ideal, then you've already seen me thoroughly praising Benicio Del Toro's  Alejandro in Sicario. He gives a passionate and enthralling performance as a patient man looking for vengeance. From the start, Benicio had my attention. By the end, he had me in complete shock and awe.

Josh  Brolin

as Matt Graver in Sicario
The more often I see Josh Brolin in movies, the more I really like the guy. He's one heck of an actor, and he demonstrates his remarkable talents so well in Sicario. He plays an imposing but likeable CIA agent who trains Emily Blunt's Kate in preparation for going after the drug cartels in Mexico. Together, Brolin and Del Toro, end up stealing the show despite their smaller roles.
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Mark  Ruffalo

as Michael Rezendes in Spotlight
Ruffalo is a sensation as real life journalist Mike Rezendes in Spotlight. He's the one member of the crew I most closely resonated with, as he's annoyingly persistent, and passionately determined to unravel the truth for the greater good of the victims. I can't give enough praise to Mark Ruffalo's outstanding and thorough performance.

Tom  Hardy

as John Fitzgerald in The Revenant
Leo has been all the rage this awards season for his role in The Revenant, but I will dare to say that Tom Hardy's just as good, if not even better as John Fitzgerald. Hardy takes over the movie any moment he's on screen. He gives such an intimidating and despicable presence to his character that he demands both your attention and your disgust. Hardy is the real deal.
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Sylvester  Stallone

as Rocky Balboa in Creed
I am a huge Sylvester Stallone fan. No other actor inspires me the way that he does, and performances like this one in Creed certainly are a big part of that. This time Rocky heads ringside as everybody's favorite boxer, Rocky Balboa, to train the son of Apollo Creed. Stallone's funny, lovable, and still one of Hollywood's most underrated underdogs.

And  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Supporting Actress

3/8/2016

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For the 2nd year running, we have a double nominee in the Favorite Supporting Actress category. Last year, it was Emily Blunt who went on to win the award after being nominated in both Edge of Tomorrow and Into the Woods. This year, Rachel McAdams has earned the double honor, and double the chance of winning it big. The 5 nominated actresses listed below all gave great big performances in their smaller roles. Read on to find out which one was my favorite!

and  the  Nominees  Are:


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Jennifer  Jason  Leigh

as Daisy in The Hateful Eight
The role of Daisy Domergue is a daring and difficult endeavor for any actress to undertake, but Jennifer Jason Leigh does an extraordinary job as this diabolical, doomed damsel. She transforms from a character that you can sympathize for into one that you can comfortably despise. For good measure, Leigh even shows off some of her singing talent.


Evangeline  Lilly

as Hope in Ant-Man
Lilly gives a pleasant and memorable performance as Hank Pym's daughter Hope in Ant-Man. She's not just your typical romantic interest. She injects humor and heart into the film as she helps train the new Ant-Man, Scott Lang. I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty excited to see her suit up herself in the sequel.
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Rachel  McAdams

as Sacha Pfieffer in Spotlight
Rachel McAdams provides a sensitive and empathetic side to the investigation of sexual abuse by the Catholic Church in the movie Spotlight. She gives us a relatable character who helps us engage with the victims, while being a strong independent woman herself. She's thoroughly convincing as a go-getter journalist who seeks the truth.

Rachel  McAdams

as Maureen in Southpaw
This much-too-brief role in Southpaw still gives Rachel McAdams enough opportunity to absolutely shine. She is the heart and soul of the movie, and is her husband Billy Hope's rock. *SPOILER ALERT* When Maureen is killed early on, Billy falls into an almost-endless spiral of self-destruction and despair. Even with a 1st round exit, McAdams still packs one impressive punch!
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Nicole  Kidman

as Claire in Secret in Their Eyes
Nicole Kidman remains rather reserved throughout most of Secret in Their Eyes, yet her turn in one pivotal scene in the movie, which saw her interrogating the suspected murderer of her colleague's daughter, landed her right on this list. Nicole portrays herself as an adept and honorable assistant district attorney, even amidst so much injustice.

And  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Character

3/8/2016

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This award goes to my overall favorite movie character of 2015. Naturally, this category is favored more towards fresh, new characters, but returning characters are still eligible even though none of them made the cut this year.  Overall, it was a tough field to narrow down with so many great contenders, and I feel a little bad that more of them couldn't get the recognition they deserve. But alas, there can only be 5 nominees, and here they are!

Favorite  Character  Nominees:


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John  Fitzgerald

Tom Hardy in The Revenant
Hardy's Fitzgerald is a fascinating foil to DiCaprio's Hugh Glass, and is actually even a whole lot more interesting. Driven by fear and greed, Fitzgerald acts towards only his own selfish means. He's haunted by his near-fatal encounter with Native Americans which has sculpted him into a vile, cowardly person with a twisted worldview.

Alejandro  Gillick

Benicio Del Toro in Sicario
The most fascinating thing about Alejandro is how reserved he remains throughout most of Sicario's story, despite being such an integral character. When he finally flips the switch and turns the tables, you'll be left picking your jaw up off the floor. He's an intense, merciless hitman determined to have his justice and avenge his fallen family, and he'll let no one stand in his way.
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Furiosa

Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road
Imperator Furiosa is one bad ass chick. She's the sole female warrior and driver in Immortan Joe's army, and yet she proves she can clearly hold her own amongst all the men. In fact, Furiosa leads the way in Mad Max: Fury Road, even seizing the spotlight from the film's title character Max. Furiosa is the true star here, and she's enthralling throughout.

Marquis

Samuel L. Jackson in The Hateful Eight
I honestly didn't expect much from Marquis Warren, seeing him only as a side character in a star-studded film. Shame on me for ever underestimating Samuel L. Jackson! Marquis is the most bad ass bounty hunter since Django (possible blood relative?). What makes him most endearing though are his means of survival in a racist world, and his pleasure in enacting justice on those racists.
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Mark  Watney

Matt Damon in The Martian
Mars-stranded astronaut Mark Watney is an immensely likeable guy. He's funny, he's relatable, and he's a real fighter. Determined to survive and get back home, Watney takes his intelligence, his optimism, and his determination and he gets to work. He's admirable and entertaining despite facing near-impossible odds of survival.

And  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Movie Moment

2/28/2016

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***SPOILER WARNING*** - This award contains spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Movies are perhaps best defined by their moments. Those special instances that draw us in even closer and that will forever remain etched in our minds. They are what truly engage us in a film, whether through laughter, terror, excitement, or even by pulling out the rug from under us. These kind of moments are what make the movie, and here are my top 5 choices for the year.

Favorite  Movie  Moment  Nominees:


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Sicario

The Dinner Scene
Sicario takes some wild turns down the stretch, and it all leads to this intense and pivotal moment of revenge for Benicio Del Toro's Alejandro. He's calm, cold-blooded, and precise in this brilliantly staged scene, where he fully emerges as the film's lead character while demonstrating he's not someone to mess with.

Rogue  Nation

The  Plane  Stunt
I don't think it's possible to properly describe the marvel of this scene and do it justice. It is a moment that simply must be seen, and the bigger and louder the better. Seeing Tom Cruise literally hang from this monster of a plane is unmistakably one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life. Good God, Tom Cruise, you are one bad dude, and your insane stunt paid off big time!
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Jurassic  World

The Final Showdown
This climactic finale was everything I could have ever dreamed. I found myself giddy with glee as the film set up this moment. It was as if it evoked my ultimate childhood fantasy right before my eyes. Watching the T-Rex team up with raptors to face off against the genetically superior Indominus Rex was unbelievably epic and amazing.

The  Force  Awakens

The Millennium Falcon
Returning to the Millennium Falcon was like reuniting with a childhood friend. It was everything I hoped it would be, with even a few great new twists. It has so many great moments wrapped up into one, such as Rey and Finn piloting the Falcon through a fallen Star Destroyer, the hilariously perfect BB-8 thumbs up, and the long-awaited return of Chewie and Han.
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Mad  Max:  Fury  Road

The War Rig Finale
Fury Road has so many outstanding action sequences that any one of them would have been worthy of a nomination here, but George Miller saved the best for last. With pole-vaulting acrobats, a flamethrower guitar, and radical stunts, I guarantee you that you've never seen anything quite like it. It's as outrageous as it is impressive.

And  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Fight

2/28/2016

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*** SPOILER WARNING*** - This award contains spoilers.

What a year this has been for movie fights! We saw Iron-Man battle The Hulk, and Ant-Man fight Falcon. James Bond duked it out with Bautista, while Ronda Rousey rumbled with Letty. Dwayne Johnson rock bottomed Jason Statham, and Leo battled Tom Hardy and a bear! Not to mention we got a new lightsaber battle as Kylo Ren fought both Finn and Rey. This award category is so stacked, however,  that none of those fights even cracked the top 5! With so many good choices, this was a challenging list to narrow down, but behold, 5 Minute Movie Guy's top 5 favorite fights of 2015!

Favorite  Fight  Nominees:


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Kingsman:  The  Secret  Service

Church Brawl
What a wild and unexpected scene this was! Set to Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird, this crazy, violent, zombie-like brawl sees Colin Firth's Harry Hart killing a church full of crazed, brainwashed, cult churchgoers in a massive brawl. It's one hell of an action sequence that's wonderfully orchestrated and finds just the right mix of fun and ridiculousness.

Creed

Creed vs. Conlan
The final bout in Creed packs an emotional and powerful punch. Adonis "Donnie" Creed, the son of Apollo Creed, takes on his father's name for this title shot match-up against "Pretty" Ricky Conlan. The scene is set up brilliantly. Never have I been more moved and pumped up for a fight, and the end result is a heart-pounding 12 round battle that dares Donnie to go the distance.
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Jurassic  World

T-Rex vs. I-Rex
After escaping its containment, the Indominus Rex wreaks havoc across the newly opened Jurassic World as the staff is helpless to stop it. Enter the Tyrannosaurus Rex. This climactic battle pits the iconic T-Rex against this new genetically modified beast. It is the ultimate battle of dinosaurs and I loved every single second of it!

MAd  Max:  Fury  Road

Mad Max vs. Furiosa
When Mad Max and Furiosa first cross paths, it's a battle for survival, and both fighters find themselves at a disadvantage. Furiosa's battling without her mechanical arm, while Max is still chained to Nux. To make matters worse, Immortan Joe's forces are closing in on them. It's a refreshing and intense fight scene that shows how horribly desperate things are in the wasteland.
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Ant-Man

Ant-Man vs. Yellowjacket
This three-part battle between Yellowjacket and Ant-Man is one of the most impressive and elaborately staged fight scenes in Marvel's cinematic history. It continuously jumps back and forth between micro and macro sizes, giving it a very interesting and unique dynamic. The level of creativity in this fight scene is staggering, and it's so much fun.

And  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Bad Ass

2/28/2016

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*** SPOILER WARNING *** - This award contains spoilers. Read at your own risk!

Time to celebrate the biggest bad ass of the year. Last year, the award went to Keanu Reeve's highly productive killing machine John Wick. Who will take home the honors this year?

Favorite  Bad  Ass  Nominees:


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Marquis  Warren

(Samuel L. Jackson in The Hateful Eight)
I've always liked Samuel L. Jackson but he just seems to be getting better with age. If you thought he was a bad mother F'er in Pulp Fiction, just wait until you get a load of his character Major Marquis Warren in The Hateful Eight. He's a clever, cunning, no-nonsense, racist-hating, gun-slinging bounty hunter who quickly takes control of the film.

Furiosa

(Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road)
There's a reason this one-armed warrior woman is a favorite of the Citadel's warlord Immortan Joe. She's a great driver and an exceptional warrior to boot. In fact, she's the only female soldier in all of Joe's army. Imperator Furiosa is one of the strongest female leads in recent years. She's captivating as she fights to free Joe's enslaved Five Wives, as well as herself, from his rule.
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Ilsa

(Rebecca Ferguson in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation)
It's no small feat that Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust has landed this nod over fellow co-star Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt, but she's genuinely the more worthy candidate. Ilsa is a quintessential female bad ass, who steals every scene she's in. Her fight scenes are just incredible. I've truly never seen a cooler female spy. Here's to hoping she'll be back!

Chris  Kyle

(Bradley Cooper in American Sniper)
Chris Kyle was a real life ultimate bad ass, who ended his four tours in Iraq with the highest confirmed kill count in U.S. history. Known first and foremost as the deadliest American sniper, Kyle also shows he's adept in other areas of combat. His skill level is nothing short of extraordinary, but his devotion to his duty and to saving lives is what makes him a real hero.
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Alejandro

(Benicio Del Toro in Sicario)
Benicio Del Toro's Alejandro plays most of the film as a shadowy, intimidating presence, who knows first hand the dangers of Mexican drug cartels. He keeps mostly to himself, never exposing his true intentions for revenge until he strategically pounces on his prey. He's a true lone wolf who takes over the film with his focus and ferocity.


And  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Movie Trailer

2/28/2016

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2015 had a ton of top-notch trailers. In fact, the movie that's about to win this award is actually my new favorite movie trailer of all time! (Don't ask me what movie previously held that title. I have no idea what it might have been!) There's nothing better to get us pumped up for a film than an exciting trailer, and fortunately, all 5 of these nominees delivered and ended up being great films overall. Now, here are the nominees!

Favorite  Movie  Trailer  Nominees:


Mad  Max:  Fury  Road

What a trailer! What a lovely trailer! The official trailer for Mad Max: Fury Road is outrageously cool in so many ways. It is a wild spectacle of a movie and this trailer gives a nice glimpse of all of it's unique, crazy, wasteland mayhem. After seeing this trailer, Fury Road instantly became one of my most anticipated movies of the year.

The  Revenant

This trailer for The Revenant is an outstanding tension builder that raises the intensity with each added breath. I love the use of breathing in the trailer, as it ends up being such an integral concept in the film. Just like Leonardo DiCaprio's character Hugh Glass says in the movie, "As long as you can still grab a breath, you fight. You breathe. Keep breathing." When I saw this trailer, I was convinced The Revenant was going to win the Oscar for Best Picture of the year. I guess we'll find out soon enough!

Mission:  Impossible  -  Rogue  Nation

Holy crap! Did Tom Cruise just literally hang from an airplane? As if that wasn't enough to get me excited, the rest of the trailer is excellent as well. It briefly highlights the best moments of the movie without detracting from the final cut. I really dig the use of The Fugee's "Ready or Not" in the trailer, which compliments it so well. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation scored the #2 spot on my most wanted list of 2014 after this trailer went live, and for good reason!

The  Martian

I knew when I saw this trailer that The Martian was going to be one of the must-see movies of 2015. It's a fascinating trailer with a wonderful introduction containing a moving speech by the film's title character, stranded astronaut Mark Watney. I was wholly invested in the movie and the rescue mission to Mars just from the trailer alone. I love this trailer from beginning to end, from its opening message of hope to it's closing shot of Jeff Daniel's hopeless face of shame. Tractor beam! Wooo. Sucked me right in!

Star  Wars:  The  Force  Awakens

Like so many hundreds of millions of you, I had been waiting for this moment ever since the film was announced, and let me tell ya... it didn't disappoint! In fact, it completely blew me away. I don't want to sell it short in any way, so I'm going to stop trying to hide my enthusiasm here. This trailer is outstanding. It's nostalgic, it's beautiful, it's totally exciting, and it does a perfect job of blending in the old with the new. I don't know if I've ever been as excited for a movie as I was for The Force Awakens. Now is that simply my inner fanboy talking or was the trailer really that good?

And  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Song

2/28/2016

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This award goes out to my favorite movie theme song of the year. While I certainly haven't heard all of the songs out there, I must confess that I had a hard time coming up with even 5 solid contenders.  Still, I think all of these songs are well done, with two of them in particular standing far and away ahead of the rest of the competition.

Favorite  Song  Nominees:


Glory

as performed by Common and John Legend in Selma
*** In case you missed the 2015 5MMG Awards Introduction, allow me to clarify that "Glory" is eligible for best song because it is featured in the film Selma which was officially released on January 9th, 2015, and this is why I did not include it in my 2014 awards show last year. I regret the mistake and have corrected it so it will not happen again with other movies next year. ***

"Glory" may be John Legend's best song, and that's saying a lot. Common is superb in this song as well. These two guys owned this performance. I love the lyrics, the message, and the music. This is a song pumped full of so much raw emotion that it makes my hair stand up and my eyes water every time I hear it. It's a beautiful and powerful song with a message that's still relevant today, even as it pertains to the Civil Rights Movement fifty years ago.

Crazy  In  Love  (2014  Remix)

as performed by Beyoncé in 50 Shades of Grey
Beyoncé puts a slow and seductive spin on her classic song "Crazy In Love" for the 50 Shades of Grey soundtrack. The result was a perfectly fitting tune to accompany the film's debut trailer last year. While I didn't see the movie and have no intention of doing so, I personally consider this version of "Crazy In Love" to be superior to the original.

See  You  Again

as performed by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth in Furious 7
Oh man. If you've seen Furious 7 like I have, you're going to need to grab some tissues and fight back the tears when this song starts playing. This song was so beautifully used in the touching ending of Furious 7 that paid tribute to the late Paul Walker. It's a great, heartfelt song that was completely snubbed by the Academy Awards this year, where it somehow didn't even score a nomination. But worry not, my friends, the 5MMG Awards are here to fix that injustice!

Writing's  on  the  Wall

as performed by Sam Smith in Spectre
This boy can sing. I recall a lot of people criticizing Writing's On The Wall when it was first released many months ago, but I think that criticism is completely unfounded. It's an exceptional song, and I find it perfectly fitting as a James Bond theme. It just has the misfortune of following in the footsteps of Adele's "Skyfall". Regardless, it's sung beautifully by Sam Smith.

So  Long

as performed by Leon Bridges in Concussion
I just discovered Leon Bridges for the first time this week, and I am in love with his music. Once I discovered he had a song featured in the movie Concussion, I bumped another nominee (Tessa Thompson's "Grip" from Creed) to make room for this one. Bridges is a contemporary artist who is reminiscent of the great soul singers of so long ago. His nominated song "So Long" is a soulful, slow-paced, emotional ballad that's more than worthy of a listen or two.

and  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Movie Quote

2/28/2016

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*** SPOILER WARNING *** - This award contains spoilers. Read at your own risk.

I'm the kind of guy that likes to quote movies at any available opportunity. I try to squeeze them into casual conversations, or insert them as jokes, all for my own amusement. Sure, it may be a little pretentious, but clearly I can appreciate a good quote. In the year of 2015, these quotes were my top 5 favorites!

Favorite  Movie  Quote  Nominees:


The  Hateful  Eight

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“Move a little strange, you're gonna get a bullet.
Not a warning, not a question... A bullet!”


-- Major Marquis Warren
(Samuel L. Jackson)


The  Revenant


“It turns out Jesus is a squirrel. A big fat meaty one.
And I shot
and ate that son of a bitch.”


-- John Fitzgerald
(Tom Hardy)

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Sicario

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“You should move to a small town, somewhere
the rule of law still exists. You will not survive here.
You are not a wolf, and this is a land of wolves now.”


-- Alejandro Gillick
(Benicio Del Toro)


The  Martian


“In the face of overwhelming odds,
I’m left with only one option,
I’m gonna have to science the shit out of this.”

-- Mark Watney
(Matt Damon)

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Creed

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“Bring back everything that’s ever hurt you,
all the pain you had inside. They don’t know
what we’ve been through. You belong here!”


-- Rocky Balboa
(Sylvester Stallone)


and  the  Winner  is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Movie Poster

2/28/2016

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Not many things can entice you to a movie like a great poster. Long before any trailers come out, they can effectively pique your interest in a movie, or contrarily they can shatter it altogether if poorly executed. Good or bad, they'll be synonymous with their movie forever. There's truly an art to making memorable and iconic posters, and these here are my top 5 favorites from 2015!

Favorite  Movie  Poster  Nominees:


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Ant-Man

Marvel's marketing campaign for Ant-Man was hilariously brilliant, and this ant-sized teaser poster for the film perfectly demonstrates that. This simple poster shows nothing but the film's logo and a microscopic first look at Marvel's newest hero. Well played, Marvel. Well played.

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The  Walk

Warning: This poster may cause some serious vertigo! This extraordinary poster gives us a beautifully illustrated and terrifying top-down perspective of Philippe Petit as he attempts to walk along a tight rope across the World Trade Center towers. I get the chills just looking at it!

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In  the  Heart  of  the  Sea

Holy mother of Pearl! Look at the size of that thing! Here we have another simplistic poster that perfectly emphasizes the scale of the whale (sick rhyme, 5MMG!) that inspired Moby Dick. It's a scary and beautiful piece of art. I don't know about you, but I'm sure glad I'm not in that boat!

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Jurassic  World

I love the way this poster eloquently touches on our human obsession with entertainment as well as the thrill of violence and danger. This isn't a trip to your local aquarium, but is one of many grandiose attractions featured at Jurassic World. The Great White is a nice added Jaws joke.

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Star  Wars:  The  Force  Awakens


Star Wars is known for it's iconic posters, and this one is undeniably among the best of them. It's a busy poster but man if it isn't beautiful. I particularly love the contrast of Rey and Kylo Ren, as well as seeing the return of old favorite characters. It's well-balanced and just awesome!

And  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Worst Character

2/28/2016

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Whether featured in a great film or a terrible one, these characters undoubtedly make their movies worse. You can blame it on poor writing or bad acting, but whatever the case may be, their movies suffer as a result. Here are the year's 5 worst characters!

Worst  Character  Nominees:


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Quicksilver

(Aaron-Taylor Johnson in Avengers: Age of Ultron)
Two years in a row, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has found himself nominated for Worst Character in the 5MMG Awards. In Age of Ultron, he wasn't only an annoying pest for the Avengers, but also for the audience, with his poor acting and even worse accent. He may have cool powers, but otherwise I found him unlikeable in every way.

Kylo  Ren

(Adam Driver in Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
Will someone explain to me how everybody hates Anakin in the prequels for being a whiny teenager, yet they love Kylo Ren for being an even bigger, whiny teenager? Worse is that Kylo is an adult! This 30 year-old man child redefines what it means to be emo, and he's a crappy dark side warrior to boot. As if he wasn't awful enough, Abrams lets him do the unforgivable. Ugh! Why?!
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Jane  Bodine

(Sandra Bullock in Our Brand is Crisis)
Sandra Bullock's "Calamity Jane" Bodine really tested my patience. She bounces back and forth between serious and silly so much that I could hardly stand her. She'll go from being an amazing political strategist one minute to being a totally quirky oddball the next. Bullock's comedy act stinks. It's frustrating, it's irritating, and most of all,  it's NOT funny!

"Pretty"  Ricky  Conlan

(Tony Bellew in Creed)
Rocky movies are known for their memorable opponents. Conlan however, won't be one of them. While it may seem convenient to cast a real-life boxer in the role of the opposing boxing champ, it becomes problematic when they can't really act. Outside of the ring, Conlan's a cringe-worthy bad character who failed to make any impression or impact on me other than annoyance.
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James  "Whitey"  Bulger

(Johnny Depp in Black Mass)
I don't think Whitey Bulger in Black Mass is supposed to be laughable, but that's what he was to me. The film tries so hard to villainize him that he practically becomes a caricature of evil. He's made to look so demonic that he ends up looking inhuman and completely silly. Plus the way the film contrasts his brutality with sensitivity makes him feel disingenuous.

And  the  Winner  Is...


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The 2015 5MMG Awards - Worst Movie of the Year

2/28/2016

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Starting from the bottom and working our way to the top, we begin with the dreaded Worst Movie of the Year award. A dishonor that distinguishes a film as being wholly unworthy of your money and time. Although in fairness, the first 4 of these 5 nominees were movies I actually wanted to see. With that considered, I'm sure there are plenty of worse films that are more worthy of being nominees in this category, but in my own personal experience, these were the 5 worst movies I saw in 2015.

Worst  Movie  of  the  Year  Nominees:


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Black  Mass

While the story of the notorious Boston crime lord "Whitey" Bulger is an interesting one, I find that Black Mass does it little justice. This broody film reduces Bulger to an over-the-top evil caricature with a contradictory sensitive side that feels disingenous and downright silly. A weak script turns this boring movie into a largely forgettable mess.

Run  All  Night

Liam Neeson is milking his action star run down to the last drop, and Run All Night is another mediocre cash-in to add to the list. It has a premise similar to Taken, only now Neeson's an ex-hitman turned deadbeat drunk father who must protect his son from his old crime lord boss. It has decent dynamic between Neeson and Ed Harris, but this act is getting old. No pun intended.
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Tomorrowland

Director Brad Bird really missed the mark with this Disney feature film. What should have been an exciting and imaginative adventure ends up being dull and lifeless. Even the star power of George Clooney and Hugh Laurie couldn't redeem it. I'd rather spend two hours in line for a ride at Disneyland's Tomorrowland than ever watch this movie again.

Paper  Towns

After being surprisingly pleased by last year's cancer-ridden teenage romance The Fault in Our Stars, I was excited to see Paper Towns. I even read the book in anticipation of the film, but unfortunately this adaption leaves much to be desired. The film sugarcoats the dark mystery that drives the story, and the fun teenage hijinks are less effective and even annoying at times.
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Our  Brand  is  Crisis

Based on a true story, political strategist "Calamity Jane" Bodine is hired to help the former Bolivian President Castillo return to power.  Castillo's story is solid, but Sandra Bullock's quirky take on Jane coupled with Billy Bob Thorton's pervy performance really grated my nerves. If I could, I'd gladly back those 2 hours of my life.

And  the  Winner  Is...


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Introducing the 2015 5MMG Awards!

2/21/2016

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Greetings, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 2nd annual 5 Minute Movie Guy Awards! Now that 2015 is long gone, I'd like to take some time to look back at my favorite and least favorite movies of the year. Before I get started, can I just say that it has been a FANTASTIC year for movies? I thought I started the website on a good year in 2014, but 2015 just blows it away in every way imaginable! We saw the triumphant return of Star Wars with The Force Awakens, the revival of Jurassic Park (literally!) with Jurassic World, the resurgence of Mad Max with Fury Road, and the conclusion of The Hunger Games with Mockingjay Part 2! We saw box office records being smashed by American Sniper to start off the year, only to end the year with Star Wars: The Force Awakens becoming America's highest grossing movie of ALL TIME! On a global scale, four 2015 films cracked the all-time top 5 at the worldwide box office, beginning with Furious 7, then Avengers: Age of Ultron, Jurassic World, and finally The Force Awakens! What a year it's been for movies! And to top it all off, Tom Cruise hung from outside of an airplane in real life for a stunt in Mission: Impossible because he loves you!

Now please join me in honoring the best and the worst from 2015's historical year in movies!
This year there are have 15 award categories, each with 5 nominees. In order for a movie to be eligible for nomination, obviously it has to be a movie that I've seen (Favorite Movie Poster and Favorite Song notwithstanding). Being a one-man rodeo, this means that inevitably some great films won't be represented here, so I apologize if I've excluded some of your favorites. In all, I've seen 36 films in theaters this past year, although 2 of them (American Sniper and Selma) are throwing me for a bit of a loop, and that's because they opened in limited release in 2014, therefore making them eligible for the 2014 awards season despite being 2015 films. Last year, I deemed them ineligible for my 2014 5MMG Awards for this reason, but in hindsight I suppose that was a pretty foolish idea. Since I won't be making that mistake again, Room and The Revenant are indeed eligible this year.

For your convenience, here's a list of all 36 eligible films that I saw in theaters in 2015:
American Sniper (2014)
Ant-Man
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Black Mass
Bridge of Spies
Burnt
Chappie
Creed
Everest
Focus
Furious 7
Jurassic World
 Kingsman: The Secret Service
Mad Max: Fury Road
Minions
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
Our Brand is Crisis
Paper Towns
Pixels
Room
Run All Night
San Andreas
Selma (2014)
Sicario
Southpaw
Spectre
Spotlight
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Taken 3
Terminator Genisys
The Hateful Eight
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Pt. 2
The Martian
The Revenant
The Secret in Their Eyes
Tomorrowland

Now let's get this show on the road!
Thanks for reading, and remember, comments and participation are always appreciated!
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    5  Minute  Movie  Guy

    Here are the nominees and winners in the 2nd annual 5MMG Awards!

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