Star Wars’ Named 10 Films of 2015 AP’S Entertainer of the Year by the Associated Press by DERRIK J
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Thursday, 12.31.15 ON THE WEB: www.yankton.net homestyle NEWSROOM: [email protected] PAGE 8B PRESS&DAKOTAN AP Critics Year In Review Pick Top Forceful: ‘Star Wars’ Named 10 Films Of 2015 AP’s Entertainer Of The Year By The Associated Press BY DERRIK J. LANG Associated Press film AP Entertainment Writer writers Jake Coyle and Lindsey Bahr’s favorite LOS ANGELES — “Star Wars” isn’t just strong. movies of the year span It’s unstoppable. blockbusters, art house The revival of the nearly 40-year-old space and, yes, even “Star saga has already dominated the box office and toy Wars.” shelves. Now, it’s also been selected as The Asso- JAKE COYLE ciated Press Entertainer of the Year and is amass- 1. “Carol,” Todd ing support for Academy Awards consideration. “Personally, it’s been three years of feeling Haynes’ gorgeous 1950s privileged to be part of something that’s bigger film with a dreamy score than all of us,” filmmaker J.J. Abrams told the AP about hidden romance. in an interview. “This accolade is very much ap- 2. “About Elly,” an preciated and no exception to that feeling.” Iranian psychological “Star Wars” won the AP’s annual Entertainer thriller from Asghar of the Year contest with a volley of votes from Farhad set at a Caspian members that would rival the firepower of the Sea resort. First Order. 3. “Phoenix,” a haunt- The sci-fi series bested Adele, Taylor Swift and ing, Hitchcockian drama Amy Schumer as the top vote getter. Others up set in post-World World for the honor included streaming services, Jon II Germany, directed by Stewart, Jennifer Lawrence, Taraji P. Henson, Viola Christian Petzold. Davis and the Kardashians. Voters were asked to 4. “Spotlight,” Tom consider who had the most influence on entertain- McCarthy’s workmanlike ment and culture in 2015. procedural about the Bos- “In a year full of sequels, reboots and returns, ton Globe’s investigation none have recaptured the zeitgeist like ‘Star Wars: into the Catholic Church. The Force Awakens,’” wrote Nick Dutro of The PHOTO: LUCASFILM/TNS 5. “Chi-Raq” and “99 Advertiser-Tribune in Tiffin, Ohio. Adam Driver in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The latest entry in the space saga reached $1 bil- lion worldwide faster than any movie in history and shows no sign of slowing down. Homes,” issue films from The initial impact of a “Star Wars” resurgence Spike Lee and Ramin first began reverberating across the pop-culture Bahrani that bristle with landscape in 2012 when Disney acquired Lucasfilm for more than $4 billion, plotting a pair of movie critics, despite not being screened for them ahead emy’s short list for a visual effects nomination palpable rage. spin-offs and a new trilogy merging veterans Luke of the film’s mammoth Dec. 14 premiere in Hol- with 9 other films, and O’Neil is hopeful that it 6. “Stray Dog,” a Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Leia Organa (Carrie Fish- lywood. The American Film Institute selected it will be among the best picture candidates when documentary by Debra er) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) with newcomers as one of its 10 best movies of the year, and the the Oscar nominations are announced Jan. 14. Granik about a haunted, Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) and Kylo Critics’ Choice Awards added it as an 11th best He also wouldn’t be shocked if Harrison Ford is motorcycle-riding Ren (Adam Driver). picture nominee, leading many to have faith in recognized for reprising his role as Han Solo and Vietnam veteran with In the year leading up to the December release “The Force Awakens” as a viable Oscar contender. composer John Williams earns his 50th nomina- American history written of “The Force Awakens,” Disney and Lucasfilm “The ‘Star Wars’ franchise is holding an IOU tion for the film’s score. all over him. unleashed a barrage of “Star Wars” merchandise, that it could cash in this year,” said Tom O’Neil, “It’s funny,” said Abrams. “I’ve spent the last 7. “Anomalisa,” comic books and video games that fueled anticipa- editor-in-chief of Gold Derby, a site that handicaps few years with everyone asking me how I am deal- stop-motion animation tion for the film. Hollywood awards and other events. “The Oscars ing with the pressure. The truth is that anything from screenwriter Charlie When the movie opened in theaters, “The owe major love to the ‘Star Wars’ franchise. It’s that happens at this point is icing on a cake that Kauffman that captures Force Awakens” lit up screens — and fans’ one of the most successful and beloved franchises I’m just happy came out of the oven.” “Star Wars” joins the list of previous AP En- more soulful emotions eyeballs — brighter than a lightsaber. With an in Hollywood history. It’s criminal that Oscar vot- astronomical $248 million debut at the box office ers have never historically taken sci-fi seriously.” tertainer of the Year winners who in recent years than most films even While previous “Star Wars” films garnered have mostly included female performers, includ- contemplate. in its first weekend, the newest “Star Wars” entry trampled over the record for biggest debut in 22 nominations and seven wins at the Academy ing Adele, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lawrence, Lady 8. “Creed” and “Star Awards, only the original “Star Wars” earned a Gaga, Tina Fey and Betty White. The animated Wars: The Force Awak- North America, set earlier in the year by “Jurassic World.” best picture nod. It lost to “Annie Hall” in 1978. Disney juggernaut “Frozen” captured the prize in ens,” fun yet respect- “The Force Awakens” is already on the acad- 2014, and Stephen Colbert was honored in 2007. ful restorations of the “The Force Awakens” also has won over most durable American myths “Rocky” and “Star Wars,” born six months apart in the late 1970s. Year In Review | Television 9. “45 Years,” Andrew Haigh’s disquieting drama about a long-together couple. 10. “Diary of a Teen- age Girl” and “Testament ‘The Affair,’ ‘Mad Men’ And ‘Frontline’ of Youth,” two tender coming-of-age stories, worlds apart, led by tre- mendous newcomers. BY FRAZIER MOOREAre Amongconstant surprise. Year’s— “MAD MEN” (AMC).10 ness.Best Happily for viewers, On that TV range from Chicago to Honorable men- AP Television Writer — “FARGO” (FX). A For anyone who was there, there’s more evil to come Seoul, from Mexico City to tions: “Heart of a Dog,” second season of doing the the ‘60s felt all-inclusive from Escobar, with “Narcos” Mumbai. The visuals are daz- ‘’Bridge of Spies,” “’71,” NEW YORK — Sure, 10 is impossible — reimagining the yet passed in a flash. Same renewed for a second sea- zling, the soundtrack score is ‘’Mad Max: Fury Road,” an arbitrary number. If we 1996 film classic — this cycle for “Mad Men,” whose saga son. Until then, a warning: haunting, and the interlock- ‘’Kumiko, the Treasure were to add an 11th show, has, if anything, improved began at the dawn of the ‘60s One taste of this first season ing storylines may tax your Hunter,” ‘’Going Clear,” it might very well be HBO’s on Season 1 with its com- and closed out that decade could lead to a 10-episode understanding — that is, until ‘’Inside Out,” ‘’It Follows,” sublimely shrewd comedy pletely new tale and slate of when its final season aired binge. you submit. After that, if you ‘’The Salt of the Earth.” “Silicon Valley,” or ABC’s characters. Once again, it’s a last spring. Surprisingly, — “SENSE8” (Netflix). A hear thunder on a bright, LINDSEY BAHR unbridled melodrama “Scan- bizarre melange of heartland nearly everyone involved fluid narrative takes viewers sunny day (as does one of dal,” or Fox’s noir thriller propriety, steely violence and lived happily ever after, to eight cities where eight the characters), no worries. 1. “Mad Max: Fury pitch-black humor. And once characters are somehow Somewhere, it’s storming and Road,” “Gotham.” It might even be including the wily but often George Miller’s “CBS This Morning,” which again, the cast (including self-destructive ad man Don linked by an ability to share you might be there soon. riveting, post-apocalyptic continues to offer early Kirsten Dunst, Patrick Wilson, Draper (played by series star thoughts, feelings and vi- ——— action film. risers a smart diet of news Jean Smart, Ted Danson and Jon Hamm). Most viewers sions they can’t explain to EDITOR’S NOTE — Frazier 2. “Clouds of Sils as opposed to the empty Jeffrey Donovan) is delicious. were happy, too, with its themselves or anyone else. Moore is a national television Maria,” Olivier Assayas’ calories of its rivals on ABC — “FRONTLINE” (PBS). slyly appropriate conclusion, Viewers are invited to embark columnist for The Associated brilliant and atmospheric and NBC. Airing for more than 30 but also sad to bid farewell on this enchanting sci-fi thrill Press. He can be reached at drama about art, life and But 10 it is, so here, in years, winner of more than to a TV masterpiece. ride from the Wachowskis [email protected] and at http:// aging. two dozen Peabody Awards, (“The Matrix”). Daryl Hannah www.twitter.com/tvfrazier. alphabetical order, are this — “NARCOS” (Netflix). Past stories are available at 3. “Ex Machina,” year’s Big 10: it kept on keeping on this This serialized, true-to-life and Naveen Andrews (“Lost”) season with reports on the join a sprawling cast of http://bigstory.ap.org/content/ a thrilling and intense — “THE AFFAIR” (Show- thriller follows the exploits frazier-moore sci-fi spectacle from Alex time).