The 20 Best Moments From The Films Of 2015

Welcome once again to that time of year when mince pies return to the shelves, overweight men gain extra seasonal work in department stores and critics attempt to round off the year with a million lists. While the most popular of these countdowns are undoubtedly the ones that rank the best films of the year, these articles don't always reflect the movies that are most popular with audiences. Some of the year's biggest hitters are despised by critics, yet they clearly strike a chord with the cinema-going public and deserve recognition, too. Sure, some of the movies counted down on this list aren't perfect - what films really are? - but even those that aren't still contain some of the best cinematic moments seen in 2015. Of course, this is an entirely subjective undertaking and... oh, who are we kidding? Each of these 20 moments are awesome and if you disagree, then you're wrong. Simple as that. Obviously, there will be spoilers galore in the following article, but be particularly mindful of a crucial spoiler from Star Wars: The Force Awakens that you should avoid if you haven't seen the film yet. If that's the case, just bookmark this page until you can return here after the deed is done. 20) Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation - Joining The Mile High Club With each instalment, the Mission Impossible movies strive to out-do themselves further in the 'ridiculously dangerous' stunt stakes. It's hard to imagine how the next film will be able to top the opening of Rogue Nation though, where Tom Cruise actually hangs onto the outside of a plane as it takes off into the sky. And yes, he literally did that. No stuntmen were used. One of the most recognisable stars on the planet decided that doing this for real would be a great idea. Fortunately, Cruise didn't get any finger cramps and ultimately survived the ordeal, creating one of the most impressive action sequences ever depicted on celluloid. Clearly, praying to whatever reincarnated alien gods he's into these days did wonders for Cruise, so if you're thinking about attempting a similar stunt or simply need help on your next exam, Scientology is the way to go my friends. - David Opie 19) Insidious: Chapter Three - The Man Who Can't Breathe Visits Quinn Perhaps disappointing in the overall disconnect it has between the deeply disturbing first two films, Insidious: Chapter Three has enough Lin Shaye badassery and emotional undercurrents laced between the creepy crazy set-pieces that it more than makes up for the pedestrian demonic possession story arc. The prequel also has a cool origin story angle given to the creation of Elise (Shaye), Specs (writer/director Leigh Whannell), and Tucker's (Angus Sampson) ghost-busting business that helped the Lambert clan battle the invasion of scary spooks attempting to embody their young, astral projecting son in the first films. The Lamberts are nowhere to be found in Chapter Three, however, and that's largely okay given Shaye's lead status in simultaneously attempting to overcome the death of her husband and helping a newly haunted apartment-dwelling family, led by Dermot Mulroney. When teenage Quinn (Stefanie Scott) becomes bed-ridden after a traumatic accident (another downfall of the threequel: slight series repetition), she begins to get visits from a gas mask-wearing creep in the middle of the night. And it's that first direct interaction between Quinn and her demon friend-o, dubbed "The Man Who Can't Breathe," that provides the best reason for the series' continued existence. One night, as she is awakened by a noise, the hazy outline of the intimidating specter appears in her bedroom curtains. Jump scares and harsh flinging across her small bedroom ensue, but it's the quiet respite the creature takes once Quinn is incapacitated on the floor that sticks with you the most. As she lies there, tears welling up and staring at the low-lit wallpaper of her laptop screen - a happy family pic before her mother's death - the only sound that can be heard are footsteps nearing her. After a few nerve-wrangling seconds, the laptop shuts, the screen goes black, and she screams. It's short, brutal, and eviscerating in its deft emotional power, succeeding in making you care for its central protagonist in the face of her impending demise. A poignant eye-opener that's also a nifty recurring theme in the otherwise standard fright flick, which gets a similarly affecting payoff come the noisy finale. - Mitchel Broussard 18) Straight Outta Compton - F**k The Police Straight Outta Compton may have descended into cliche at times, but the film's depiction of N.W.A.'s rise to fame was far better than it had any right to be. F. Gary Gray's biopic featured a number of dramatic moments worth mentioning here, but one in particular deserves to be seen more widely for the vital statement. The scene opens innocuously enough, with N.W.A. hanging around outside of a studio they're using to record early material. Out of nowhere, a police car suddenly pulls up and before the audience can even register what's happening, the officers have forced the group down to the ground and begin to degrade them both verbally and physically, simply because of the colour of their skin. Straight Outta Compton may be set over twenty years ago, but the racial tension depicted throughout is just as prevalent as ever, making this a film of vital importance for people of all backgrounds - David Opie 17) Trainwreck - He's Our Future Flash, People! If you're a fan of awkward sex scenes, then we have a doozy of one for you, all thanks to the comedic timing of Amy Schumer and a disturbingly brilliant performance from Ezra Miller. After Schumer's character breaks up with Aaron, the man she's clearly perfect for, Amy does what anyone in their right mind would do and decides to go home with a weird intern who works at her magazine. Things start out innocently enough, but the entire encounter quickly descends into the most excruciatingly painful sex scenes I've ever had the misfortune to suffer through. Traditional foreplay is quickly cast aside as Miller's character orders Amy to grab his pierced "tits" and slobbers all over her, getting a few cheeky slaps in for good measure. Just as things couldn't get worse, the boy's mum then bursts in, screaming that her son is only 16 years old. Don't worry Amy. We've all been there. - David Opie 16) Me, Earl And The Dying Girl - A Sockwork Orange If you haven't heard of Me, Earl And The Dying Girl, we're still going to maintain that it's one of the biggest movies of the year... but only if you're an indie kid. Hey, they're people too! Me, Earl And The Dying Girl is a surprisingly upbeat take on the story of, yep, you guessed it, a dying girl, but one of the best things about the movie is the short parody films that Greg and Earl have shot over the years. Senior Citizen Cane and Rosemary Baby Carrots are clear highlights, but the best short they filmed by far was titled 'A Sockwork Orange,' following a bunch of socks dressed in futuristic garb. The whole thing is so absurd that it shouldn't work, but watch the video here and judge for yourself. A sequel to Me, Earl And the Dying Girl is extremely unlikely, so let's hope that A Sockwork Orange and its ilk have inspire others to devise their own spoof shorts filmed in a similar vein. Sure, we already have porn parodies, but they're less about being cute homages to classic cinema and are more about cheap fancy dress costumes and bodily fluids. - David Opie 15) The Good Dinosaur - Circle Of Family Let me get this out of the way right now: I think The Good Dinosaur is the best Pixar movie of 2015. Gasps over? Okay, let me try to explain. On a purely storytelling perspective, I get that Inside Out is running circles around Arlo and Spot, no doubt there. But Inside Out left me somewhat cold back in June (yeah the finale still got me, and yeah subsequent viewings are slowly winning me over), but the minute I left The Good Dinosaur I was in love. That's probably mostly due to the fact that I have a soft spot for animated movie characters that aren't dogs, but act like them (How To Train Your Dragon, Lilo and Stitch, too many others). I appreciated The Good Dinosaur's slower pace and simpler tale after the amount of explanation Inside Out needs to successfully win you over. And it's that aspect of the film that's at the center of my top moment of 2015 here. Once Arlo and Spot have braved a few prickly situations together, the two take a reprieve on a beach. Arlo talks about missing his family, while dialogue-free Spot looks at him confusingly. In an attempt to bridge their language barrier, the baby apatosaurus uses stick figures, knocking over the one for his dead dad. It connects, and the toddler does the same, burying both of the taller parent figures, leaving lonely Spot alone in the circle in the sand. It extends the wordlessness of Wall-E's opener in a targeted emotional wave of devastation and culminates in the story's second-to-last scene (bonus top moment of 2015!), where Arlo uses that sequence on the beach to give an Iron Giant-esque you stay, I go, no following order that, call me crazy, trumped the death of any imaginary cotton candy creature. - Mitchel Broussard 14) Avengers: Age Of Ultron - The Ultimate Pissing Contest Arguably the most powerful Avenger, Thor has everything going for him. Not only is he next in line for the Asgardian throne, but Thor's rippling physique and long flowing locks set him far apart from the rest of us mere mortals... which is why it's so funny when the other Avengers try to pick up his hammer and nearly succeed in doing so. After the team have had a few drinks at a party, Earth's Mightiest Heroes compete to see who's worthy enough to lift Mjolnir. Surprisingly, each in turn fails to lift the enchanted hammer until only Captain America remains. For a moment, it seems like Steve Rogers may actually have a chance, and the look that appears on Thor's face is priceless. For a movie that many chastised as too serious, this remains one of the funniest moments yet in the MCU. What we don't realize at the time is that the banter also has serious plot implications, setting up a scene later in the film when the team learn to trust the Vision, Ultron's android creation. - David Opie 13) Spy - It's The Bulgarian Clown In You Since the worldwide success of Bridesmaids made Melissa McCarthy a leading lady in the world of comedy, subsequent films like Tammy and Identity Thief have been somewhat hit and miss. All of that changed though when Spy hit cinemas earlier this year, finally showing off McCarthy's true potential in a gut-busting parody of classic spy movies. The real surprise of the movie though was Rose Byrne, whose performance as the spoilt daughter of a criminal mastermind stole every scene. To repeat the film's best jokes here would do you a disservice, so instead, just sit back and watch the scene embedded above. All you need to know is that McCarthy's character is working undercover as Rayna's bodyguard and so has to endure every barbed insult that Byrne's character can throw at her. Trust us. You'll never look at Bulgarian clowns the same way again. - David Opie 12) Krampus - Attic Attack There's merit to the somewhat mixed reaction that Michael Dougherty's Krampus has received since it debuted earlier in December. Although the film is by turns fitfully humorous and essentially the stuff of nightmares, those two sides don't always mix as well as Dougherty's trippy ode to Halloween, Trick 'r Treat. There are plot holes aplenty here (why did the other home down the street get attacked if Krampus came for Max's family? What's the reason that hidden snow worm had for eating the elf? Where the heck did the gingerbread men get a nail gun?!), and still the demented little movie totally worked enough for me that I've since seen it twice. The creative height of it sits firmly in the film's middle section, in a sequence where Dougherty's humor and horror blend in a couple minutes of transcendent glee, unlike other sections where the two tones war for dominance. When the under-siege, dysfunctional clan hear a noise in the attic, Tom (Adam Scott), Sarah (Toni Collette) and Linda (Allison Tolman) venture to the creepy hideaway to investigate the disturbance, with an axe and handgun between the three. What they find there is indelibly traumatizing, even for this 25 year-old, as mother Linda witnesses the feet of her tween sticking out of the gaping maw of a carnivorous, over-sized jack-in-the-box. As if that wasn't enough, the trio gets hit from all angles by a demonic, Bride of Chucky-esque Christmas angel, a teddy bear with a bloody maw and a shank-equipped robotic doodad straight out of Small Soldiers. It sounds over-the-top (and it is), but Scott, Collette, and Tolman treat the wacky attack with such appropriate exasperation ("You've gotta be kidding me!" dad Tom yells as the little knee-biter of a robot begins stabbing him in the back), that it's spookily easy to fear for their lives when things start going downhill for the perpetually arguing brood. - Mitchel Broussard 11) Ex Machina - Saturday Night Fever Ex Machina may not be the most original sci-fi film ever made, drawing its inspiration from a number of classics including Stanley Kubrick at his most iconic, but Alex Garland's first foray into feature film directing will undoubtedly wind up on many of this year's best film lists by the time January rolls around. Themes of consciousness and what it means to be human will stick in your mind long after the credits have finished, but the one scene that really stands out the most is also the strangest. Oscar Isaac's character seems a little off from the moment we meet him, but nothing could prepare audiences for a bizarre dance interlude that puts both the lead character and the viewers at distinct unease. The scene shouldn't work, but it somehow fits the detached tone of the film in an incredibly eerie way that builds the tension further. That open vest though... - David Opie 10) Ant-Man - Death By Thomas Ant-Man was always going to be a tough sell. How do you build respect for a character named after a small insect? Sure, we already have Spider-Man, (yes, I'm aware he's an arachnid), but after audiences became used to thunder gods and super soldiers, a guy who can shrink to the size of an ant doesn't exactly demand respect. Despite the directorial changes made midway through the filming of Ant-Man, Marvel managed to rectify this by carefully balancing the inevitable comedic elements with scenes that featured genuinely thrilling action. Those worried that Edgar Wright's departure would ruin Ant-Man had nothing to fear, as the hilarious final showdown between Scott Lang and Yellowjacket proved. The scene depicted above had audiences in stitches, although I would now think twice before showing the Thomas The Tank Engine Show to children. - David Opie 9) It Follows - Everything's Gonna Be OK... It's rare for a horror movie to be original these days, let alone feel genuinely scary, but David Robert Mitchell's indie film manages to achieve both, guaranteeing that It Follows will be regarded as a classic for generations to come. Soon after Jay realizes the extent of the curse placed on her, she begins to freak out when someone tries open a door in her house. Relief washes over her as the door opens to reveal one of her friends, calmly stating that everything is ok. As we know in horror though, that's the worst thing anyone could say, a fact that is categorically proved moments later when a tall, pale man emerges from behind her in pursuit of Jay. Not only does the guy look creepy as f**k, but Mitchell allows the scene to unfold in a quietly discerning manner that catches audiences entirely off guard, effectively making us jump without the scare feeling cheap or obvious. - David Opie 8) Inside/Out - Take Her To The Moon For Me The reason why Inside/Out is universally loved by all is that the film never once talks down to children, yet still holds genuine adult appeal. A pink fluffy character who goes by the name of Bing Bong shouldn't possess the power to break adults into an emotional wreck of a human, but that's exactly what happens when Riley's imaginary friend sacrifices himself to save Joy. You know it's coming, but this only makes Bing Bong's death even more painful to watch. Inside/Out is the type of film you should recommend to people you hate, just so you can catch their eye when you've broken them down to their most emotionally vulnerable point. That's the perfect time to strike with whatever twisted revenge you've devised... or you could just watch Inside/Out with your family and enjoy all the feels. Your call. - David Opie 7) Cinderella - "Have Courage And Be Kind" No one would call Kenneth Branagh's 2015 re-telling of the classic fairy tale unconventional. The modern Cinderella acts and speaks largely like the one of yesteryear, with an appropriate dollop of some forward-thinking feminism and cozy charm. Those themes are useful in an age where every fantastical hero is given a sword and metal armor and told they're the savior of the realm/world/universe. This Cinderella (Lily James) is just a girl with a dead Disney dad, evil Disney stepmother, and bitchy Disney stepsisters who would really rather if she didn't attend the Ball at the palace. You know where all of this is going, and yet every minute is thrilling - Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother, gorgeous direction, late-night midnight dash home and all. But every piece of it builds off of the opening scene wherein Ella's mother (Hayley Atwell, aka Agent Peggy Carter) imbues her with a life message all impressionable kiddos watching, girl and boy alike, would do well to live by. "I have to tell you a secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer," she whispers to Ella on her deathbed. "Have courage and be kind. For where there is kindness, there is goodness. And where there is goodness, there is magic." That's it. Quietly unassuming and straightforward yet mentally striking, it's a mantra that perfectly encompasses the time-honored film it finds itself wrapped in: don't be afraid to make your mark on the world, the film encourages by its reliably classic finale, but it's never worth doing so at the negative expense of another. Not exactly mind blowing, but altogether laudatory - a quality most other kid's movies don't even come close to achieving. - Mitchel Broussard 6) Jurassic World - Work Those Heels! The heels were necessary guys. Come on. It was either that or go barefoot in a jungle populated by dinosaurs. Hell, I know what I'd rather wear... Anyway, despite the film's many flaws, it's hard to deny that Jurassic World was one of the most entertaining blockbusters released this year, one filled with many iconic moments, including that first sweeping shot of the park and the controversial death of the babysitter. However, my favourite scene by far had to be that pivotal moment towards the end when Claire takes control and lures the T-Rex into a final battle with the Indominus Rex, effectively saving the day. Claire running away from the T-Rex against the lighting of the flare is blockbuster filmmaking at its most thrilling. Those who denounce her character for wearing heels during the chase need to consider how powerful this image truly is. Claire is undeniably feminine in this moment, remaining sure footed despite her ridiculous footwear, but most importantly, she still holds all the power. Let's just hope Claire takes the time to buy some sneakers before the sequel eventually rolls round. - David Opie 5) Furious 7 - A Touching Tribute In 2013, Hollywood was shocked by the sudden death of Paul Walker, a young actor who had risen to fame in the Fast & Furious franchise. As the accident occurred during filming of Furious 7, questions began arise regarding how to deal with the production in light of this tragedy. Fortunately, director James Wan found the perfect way to pay tribute to Walker without changing the focus of what's typically been a fun, light-hearted franchise. Walker's character was finally given the happy ending he deserved and audiences worldwide shed a tear as the cast all paid tribute to their fallen friend. The song "See You Again" was the perfect epitaph and became a huge hit in its own right, thanks in large part to the poignant way Wan included it in the films final scene. Whether you enjoy the Fast & Furious franchise or not, this tribute easily stands among the best moments of the year, simply because of the genuine emotion behind it. - David Opie 4) Kingsman: Secret Service - Wot You Doing 'Ere? Colin Firth has made a name for himself over the years as a bumbling British stereotype in the vein of Hugh Grant, but unlike that prostitute loving sonovagun, recent movie choices have caused us to re-evaluate Firth's acting persona in the best way possible. A key aspect of this was Firth's casting in Kingsman: Secret Service, Matthew Vaughn's British action thriller. As agent Harry Hart, Firth completely reinvented his onscreen persona, becoming a kick ass secret agent while still retaining his dapper mannerisms. In a film of many standout moments, the first time Firth's fighting skills are unleashed is easily the best, leaving our jaws dropped as he proceeded to take out a gang of thugs with nothing more than a pint glass and a hi-tech umbrella. Not since Rihanna drilled her way into our heads has an umbrella kicked so much ass. - David Opie 3) Big Hero 6 - "Balalalala" Inside/Out may have stolen some of its thunder, but Big Hero 6 did something truly remarkable this year. In a marketplace overcrowded with superhero ventures, the makers of Big Hero 6 combined the thrilling fight scenes of Marvel's live action counterparts with the emotional heft of the finest that animation has to offer. As Hiro grew closer to his android Baymax, we too began to care for him, so the sacrifice that his caregiver makes at the end is truly heart wrenching, even though he's 'just' a robot. Those unwilling to recognise animation as a legitimate form of cinema should be forced to watch moments like this. This is not just for kids, people. Trust us. - David Opie 2) Mad Max: Fury Road - If You Want Something Done Properly... Choosing one standout scene from Mad Max: Fury Road is the ultimate Sophie's Choice of film criticism, but amidst all of the insane action sequences and that flamethrower guitar, the highlight of the movie has to be when Max and Furiosa work together to use the sniper rifle. After Max realizes that Furiosa is a better shot than him, the warrior hands his rifle over to her and even offers his shoulder as a base for Theron's character to fire from. Could you imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger handing over his gun to Linda Hamilton? Or Bruce Willis relying on his wife for help in Die Hard? Mad Max: Fury Road is an astonishing achievement on every level; emotionally, thematically, aesthetically... and scenes like this are hugely progressive. However, the fact that such a moment is so surprising to see shows that Hollywood still has a long way to go in terms of gender equality. - David Opie 1) Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Chewbacca Goes Solo Ever since the first trailer for The Force Awakens appeared online, fans worldwide have frantically tried to figure out details of the plot, theorizing endlessly about the fate of each character. Now that the film has finally been released, many of those same people are desperate to avoid even the slightest hint of a spoiler until they see the movie for themselves. If you're one of those unfortunate people who still hasn't seen J.J. Abrams' incredible take on the Star Wars mythology, this is your last chance to leave before seriously big spoilers head your way. Ok, ready? Early on, we discover that the new big bad, Kylo Ren, is the offspring of Han Solo and General Leia. Throughout the film, the two ex-lovers mourn the loss of their son to the dark side, yet hold out hope that he may still one day return home to them. Near the end, Han and Chewbacca split up to plant explosive devices throughout the First Order's weaponized base. Sure enough, Solo soon encounters his son and the two share a heartfelt exchange where Kylo appears to consider joining his father on the side of good. The two hold onto Kylo's lightsaber together, seemingly reunited once and for all... Until Kylo suddenly impales Han and throws him off the side of the platform into the chasm below. Chewie, Rey and Finn all watch on in horror, screaming out the pain of an entire generation robbed of their favourite hero. Some may feel that this moment was telegraphed for some time before it actually happened, but nonetheless, the death of Han Solo is by far the best, yet emotionally gut-wrenching scene contained in any film this year. - David Opie