By Dalton DeStefano ’16, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Many movie critics have put 2015 down in the books as a  “weak year” for cinema. Many of the “prestige directors” (think Steven Spielberg or Ron Howard) released films to a lukewarm response. Unlike last year with Boyhood being lauded by everybody, there isn’t as much passion among film critics this time around. In the absence of larger movies, though, this year produced a ton of independent gems. At least half of my top 10 list is comprised of low-budget independent films that succeed on the quality of their direction, acting, and writing – not just on high production value. I thoroughly loved all of these movies and encourage everyone to check at least one of them out. Without further ado, here are my top 10 films of 2015:

10. The End of the Tour (dir. James Ponsoldt)

Featuring fantastic performances and remarkably intelligent dialogue, The End of the Tour is one of the more quietly powerful films of the year. Reporter David Lipsky (played by Jesse Eisenberg) is sent to a remote Midwestern town to interview revered author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) as he embarks on a book tour for his wildly popular book, Infinite Jest. Segel effortlessly transitions from his commonplace comedic persona to a much more dramatic, dark character—he tackles this material head-on and gives one of the best, most natural male performances of the year. It may not be the most action-packed film, but it is still a fascinating examination of how humans connect with each other.

9. Amy (dir. Asif Kapadia)

Amy Winehouse is possibly the most vocally talented musician to pop up in my lifetime. This documentary effectively details her rapid rise to fame and subsequent struggles with substance abuse and mental illness. Bursting with home videos and interviews, this film creates a heartbreaking portrait of a tortured artist—all while providing a scathing indictment of media and celebrity in the modern day. Both informative and moving, Amy is a haunting examination of one of the decade’s brightest stars.

8. Brooklyn (dir. John Crowley)

With theaters filled with explosive action movies and cynical cash grabs, it’s a wonderful surprise to find a movie so pure and innocent. Brooklyn tells the love story of two young immigrants to New York in the 1950s. Fantastic production and costume design flawlessly drop us into this setting, and a fantastic performance by Saoirse Ronan anchors the film with an emotional center. Homesickness is a universal feeling, and this movie portrays it so honestly that it remains relatable and touching throughout.

7. Ex Machina (dir. Alex Garland)

Ex Machina gives us the most interesting original premise of year. A tech company employee is invited to the elusive CEO’s home in a remote forest, and he finds out that he has been selected to test out the man’s newest attempt at creating a sentient robot. Like most of the best sci-fi movies, this film plays on the audience’s fears about futuristic technology. Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Alicia Vikander play the only three characters in the movie, and the isolated location adds to the atmospheric tension. Featuring one of the most shocking endings of the year, this is a film that you should know as little as possible about before seeing it—but definitely go see it.

6. Spotlight (dir. Thomas McCarthy)

One of the most nuanced films of the year (and the current frontrunner for the Best Picture Oscar), Spotlight tells the fascinating true story of a Boston journalistic team that unearthed a massive scandal of sexual abuse being committed by priests in the Boston area. There are few loud dramatic moments in this film; director Tom McCarthy opts instead for a more subdued and procedural tone—this creates a real sense of immediacy and realism. A fantastic ensemble cast, featuring Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, and Rachel McAdams, brings grounded performances and lets the story itself be the star of the movie. Though it focuses solely on journalists doing investigative work, this is one of the most compelling films of the year.

5. Steve Jobs (dir. Danny Boyle)

Aaron Sorkin is one of the more divisive screenwriters working today. His rapid-fire intelligent dialogue is thrilling to some, insufferable to others. His script examines the life of Steve Jobs by letting us into three separate product launches and showing us what was going on backstage. Jobs’ former colleagues, ex-wife, and child congregate to work out their conflicts with him, and the result is one of the most kinetic movies of the year. Danny Boyle’s frenetic direction pairs wonderfully with Sorkin’s snappy script and creates a rollercoaster ride of a film. Michel Fassbender gives a bold performance as Steve Jobs, and Kate Winslet is brazenly confident as Jobs’ dutiful assistant. The impressive ensemble cast creates a tapestry of relationships with Steve Jobs as the lynchpin bringing them all together. It is an intricate film and an extremely exciting one, featuring some of my favorite performances of the year (and a dynamic, interesting electronic-sounding score).

4. Diary of a Teenage Girl (dir. Marielle Heller)

It is so refreshing to see the standard coming-of-age blueprint being applied to a young woman. Not only does this film fearlessly tackle issues of female sexuality, but it also manages to be a funny, dramatic, sweet, and earnest film about growing up. Bel Powley gives a starmaking performance as the titular character, while Kristen Wiig and Alexander Skarsgard give solid supporting performances. This film cements Marielle Heller as a director to watch and reminds us how imperative it is to have female directors telling honest and meaningful stories about women.

3. Mad Max: Fury Road (dir. George Miller)

This movie is exhilarating from start to finish. Director George Miller flawlessly directs this epic story of a post-apocalyptic world, and though he is 70 years old, he possesses a keen eye for filming action scenes. Every frame of this movie is explosive and revelatory, with practical effects meshing with gritty production design and a dramatic score to create a thrilling viewing experience. It gets extra points for endorsing a feminist message, as Charlize Theron plays one of the most fiercely independent female action stars in recent memory.

2. Room (dir. Lenny Abrahamson)

It’s rare that I find a film genuinely moving, but Room is far and away the most emotional film I saw all year. Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay star as a mother and son who have been kidnapped and live in a single room. Larson gives a fantastic performance; her constant struggle between dealing with her circumstances while also giving her son a happy life is gut-wrenching to watch. Tremblay gives one of the most mature and controlled child performances I have ever seen, and loving moments between him and his mother feel so real. Despite its dark subject matter, the film remains hopeful and demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit.

1. Carol (dir. Todd Haynes)

Every single component of this movie comes together to create a symphony of exquisite detail and aching emotion. From the score to the cinematography to the costume design to the stellar performances, Carol is masterfully crafted by meticulous director Todd Haynes. This film tells the story of a young woman (played by Rooney Mara) in 1950s Manhattan who crosses paths with an elegant affluent woman (played by Cate Blanchett). The two cautiously build a romantic relationship, which was certainly taboo for the time period. Rooney Mara (who notably won the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival) has drawn comparison to a young Audrey Hepburn; her wide inquisitive eyes demonstrate an array of emotions with a single glance. Blanchett gives a powerhouse performance as the statuesque titular character—she is opulent yet vulnerable, mysterious yet mesmerizing. Carol is the film that completely stunned me in 2015; it is immaculately crafted and tells a beautifully poignant story.