Our top movie picks of 2015

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Our top movie picks of 2015 2015 wasn’t just about Star Wars: The Force Awakens, honest. Here’s the features team’s favourite films of the year STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS OK when we said 2015 wasn’t just about The Force Awakens, we were lying. We had been waiting to see what JJ Abrams was going to do with this for a LONG time now. So did it live up to expectations? Well, after a couple of viewings, yes and no. Visually it was stunning, and the characters both new and old were, without exception, excellent. But how did Finn go rogue so easily? And why so little of Captain Phasma? We can’t wait until 2017 to find out where Kylo Ren, Rey, Luke and Co go from here…   MAD MAX FURY ROAD All the production delays, budget issues and reported feud between the cast paid off if this visually stunning chase film, by original creator George Miller, is anything to go by. Set in a dystopian world, Max (Tom Hardy) and Furiosa (Charlize Theron), defy the tyrannical warlord Immortan Joe by stealing his five wives and braving the desert wasteland as they go in search of that “Green Place.”   JURASSIC WORLD Twenty-two years after the events at Jurassic Park, and it seemed like mankind hasn’t learned its lesson. The island is now a functioning dinosaur park and home to a new breed of fierce and intelligent creature that, of course, escape and wrecks havoc. In comes gritty and charming animal wrangler Owen, played by one of hottest leading men today, Chris Pratt, to save the day.   INSIDE OUT Pixar takes viewers deep inside the mind as we meet the personified emotions of young girl Riley. Joy (voiced by Amy Pohler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear, Disgust, and Anger all chip in as Riley copes with growing up and moving to a new city. Psychology may be complex, but Pixar managed to simplify it with gags, spectacular visuals, adventure and plenty of heart.   THE MARTIAN Ridley Scott’s latest stirred new interest on Mars and space exploration as astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) gets stuck on the red planet after being presumed dead and left behind by his crew. With little supplies left in their hub, harsh environment and no immediate rescue, Watney puts his botany skills to the test and tries ‘to science’ his way out of this catastrophe. This scientifically accurate and funny space odyssey is a joy to watch.   SOUTHPAW Billy Hope’s life is torn apart after an accident sees the rags-to-riches pro boxer lose his wife and childhood sweetheart, Maureen. Billy’s life, and his daughter’s, come unravelled after Maureen’s passing in this story originally written for Eminem. Lucky for the girls, he ended up writing the title track and Jake Gyllenhaal took on the main role. It’s a story of loss, love and redemption, with just the right amount of Gyllenhaal with his shirt off, and plenty of meaty punches for boxing fans. Just the right amount of cliches, the plot-line didn’t drag, and quality acting from Gyllenhaal, make it an enjoyable watch.   BAJIRAO MASTANI An epic historical romance starring Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone, this tells the story of the Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao and his Muslim wife Mastani. It’s been a long time coming – we’ve waited well over 10 years since it was first suggested – but the artistic Sanjay Leela Bhansali has delivered. Expect plenty of his trademark opulent sets and costumes. Not only did he produce and direct but he scored the film too.     Read the original story at: Our top movie picks of 2015