1. "MAD MAX FURY ROAD"

The benchmark on which all action films will be judged for the forseeable future. George Miller created poetry with this action classic, and absolutely redefined what it means to be a blockbuster.

 

2. "THE GIFT"

Joel Edgerton steps into the director's chair for the first time, and delivers one of the best thrillers in years, complete with two of the best jump-scares in a long, long time. Jason Bateman also shines as Simon, and it's nice to see him playing against type here.

 

3. "STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON" Biggest surprise of the summer. F. Gary Gray makes a movie that breaks the conventional biopic tale and fires back with a gritty drama of sorts. Credit to O'Shea Jackson Jr. and Jason Mitchell, both of whom deserve Oscar nods.

 

4. "MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION" I thought they couldn't top "GHOST PROTOCOL". Then "ROGUE NATION" happened to my life. Tom Cruise's fifth outing as Ethan Hunt is the best, with some of the best action the series has boasted, as well as a villain who finally feels like a threat. An edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that reignited fun blockbusters.

 

5. "AMY"

I never much cared for Amy Winehouse. This film made me appreciate who she was and what her music stood for. Winehouse is presented as a tragic figure, a woman who could sing with the best of them, but just couldn't handle the pressures of celebrity. A touching, yet heartbreaking documentary.