STACK January 2016 Issue 135

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1 MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
The Road Warrior's belated return
under the direction of George Miller was not
only worth the wait, it was even better than
expected. A masterclass in filmmaking.
2 FOXCATCHER
This true-crime story set in the world of
Olympic wrestling is an intense and disturbing
character drama, anchored by a genuinely
creepy performance from Steve Carell.
3 IT FOLLOWS
Like an arthouse
version of A Nightmare on
Elm Street , David Robert
Mitchell's superbly spooky
indie horror turns everyday
adolescent fears into a new
kind of boogeyman.
4 NIGHTCRAWLER
Jake Gyllenhaal is in career-best form
in this grimy descent into the nocturnal world
of amateur cameramen, who lurk at accident
and crime scenes to get 'money shots' for
news networks.
5 EX MACHINA
Alex Garland's cautionary
tale about the rise of Artificial
Intelligence is chillingly plausible. A
philosophical and thought-provoking
look at what it means to be human.
6 GONE GIRL
David Fincher's take on Gillian
Flynn's best-seller is a blackly humorous
look at a toxic marriage, a commentary on
media manipulation, and a gripping and
unpredictable ride.
7 THE GIFT
Joel Edgerton writes and directs one of
the year's best thrillers – a clever subversion of
the 'mysterious stranger makes life hell for nice
married couple' sub-genre.
8 BIRDMAN
2015's Best Picture
Oscar-winner is both a
backstage satire and an
amazing technical triumph.
It's also a great comeback
vehicle for Michael Keaton.
Art imitates life.
9 BOYHOOD
Richard Linklater's coming-of-age drama is
the same old story, but shooting it over a 12-year
period allows us to watch star Ellar Coltrane grow up
for real. Enthralling and bold.
10 WHIPLASH
The 'inspirational teacher film' is given a Full
Metal Jacket-like makeover in this exhilarating look
at an ambitious jazz drummer (Miles Teller) and his
volatile instructor (Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons).
2015 ST of
Films
26 JANUARY 2016