The Best & Worst of 2015 So Far

We’re halfway through 2015 – and so it’s time to rank the Best and Worst Movies of 2015 so far. A few notes to begin:

– “Paddington”, which opened in the US on January 16, was released overseas in 2014 and is copyrighted as a 2014 film. It was also nominated for two BAFTA Awards (the British version of the Oscars). Therefore, it will not be on my Best List, though it’s clearly one of the best films I’ve seen this year.

– “Mad Max: Fury Road”: I STILL haven’t seen it! I’ll take care of that this week, and will let you know if it makes either list.

THE BEST

1. “CINDERELLA” – Disney’s live-action version of their animated classic is a sweeping, sweet and surprisingly serious adaptation. Credit goes to director Kenneth Branagh. Lily James is an excellent Cinderella, and Cate Blanchett makes a terrific evil stepmother.

2. “TED 2” – I laughed so hard and so often watching this all-star comedy sequel to the 2012 hit. Director, star and co-writer Seth MacFarlane throws so much at the screen and nearly all of it works. Yes a lot of it is vulgar, but no more than any of the other recent raunchy comedies – and this one is actually funny.

3. “EX MACHINA” – This sci-fi thriller from writer/director Alex Garland (“28 Days Later”) is unique and bold, with the year’s smarter script. Oscar Isaac (“Inside Llewyn Davis”) gives a standout performance.

4. “SAN ANDREAS” – This disaster film about a catastrophic earthquake mixes fun action and serious themes extremely well. Dwayne Johnson and Paul Giamatti are great, and the visuals are Oscar nomination-worthy.

5. “THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER“ – It’s not as funny as it should’ve been, but the second big screen adventure starring TV’s animated titan is unpredictable, daring, completely wacky and, most importantly, entertaining.

Honorable Mention: “ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST” – Based on the life of ruthless drug lord Pablo Escobar. Benicio Del Toro is captivating as Escobar and John Hutcherson gives a career-best perfomance as a Canadian surfer who gets drawn to the dark side.

THE WORST

1. “GET HARD” – A Will Ferrell/Kevin Hart comedy should’ve been gold. Instead, this film (which feels like it didn’t have a script) often doesn’t even try to be funny.

2. “MORTDECAI” – Another disaster for Johnny Depp, this time as a bumbling Brit who gets caught-up in a poorly-constructed and executed caper.

3. “JUPITER ASCENDING” – Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis make a terrible pair. And It’s fortunate this film didn’t cause co-star Eddie Redmayne to lose the Best Actor Oscar for “The Theory of Everything”.

4. “CHAPPIE” – A sci-fi A.I. flick that’s both sappy and really crappy.

5. “HOT PURSUIT” – Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara’s over-the-top action comedy is a hot mess.

Honorable Mention: “BIG GAME” – Samuel L. Jackson plays the President saved by a kid in this cornball action film from Finland. At least, like the hero, it’s really short.