Well, December has truly come and gone, and with it some excellent times in the form of Christmas and New Year’s. I’ve already done my 2015 recap post, so feel free to have a look to see my highlights and lowlights in the year’s film and television offerings over there. As for this post, here is another collection of my favourite posts from WordPress and beyond from December of 2015. There were so many excellent things to look at this month, so I hope you enjoy!
First off, I love looking at photography, and I really loved Alex Raphael‘s post showing a selection of eight of his photos of Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, Ireland. It looks like the creepiest and most interesting place. Alex also compiled some pretty amazing Christmas jumpers for English football teams. Super cute.
Over at Moss & Fog, there were a number of awesome posts this month, but I really enjoyed two in particular. ‘Racing Extinction + The Vatican’ details a really beautiful art project, huge photos projected onto St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Gorgeous images considering the Paris Climate Talks that occurred this year and their significance for the world’s ongoing climate wellbeing. Also regarding the Paris Climate Talks, a clever artist named Olafur Eliasson planted a whole bunch of ice blocks in the middle of Paris and documented their melting process. A very poignant message indeed.
I’m a bit of a nutter for cinematography, and as a result, I loved this post over at lostVHS – an examination of the cinematography of Stoker (2013), a film which I haven’t actually seen yet, but now absolutely have to. lostVHS also ranked the films of David Lynch and I think it’s a pretty excellent ranking according to my own Lynchian tastes as well.
I love watching films (obviously), but lately I’ve also lately been loving watching films that are not overly long due to the general exhaustion of work. Luckily, Table9Mutant of Cinema Parrot Disco has compiled a top ten list of best movies which are 90 minutes or less. There are some awesome films on this list to watch if you’re strapped for time! Plus the lists are separated into animated and non-animated films for your convenience. So good.
One of my favourite things about new films coming out, is looking at all the new posters that are released. I really loved looking at all the particularly aesthetically pleasing posters over at B+ Movie Blog. Mike compiled his top thirty favourite film posters of 2015 for us to enjoy, and he definitely has good taste in nice posters. Here’s part one, and here’s part two.
December was also the month of Star Wars. There were so many awesome Star Wars: The Force Awakens posts, which were a nice mix between reviews and fun posts. I’ve compiled a list for you to enjoy:
- Durnmoose Movie Musings reviewed the film before he had even seen it. Now that’s skill.
- Hard Ticket to Home Video compiled all of their best Star Wars posts. The absolute best.
- Also at Hard Ticket to Home Video, Brian and Brad nitpicked the everliving mess out of the Star Wars franchise, and it’s hilarious.
- Back to the Viewer posted a magnificent spoiler-free review of The Force Awakens, with some killer puns.
- Bradscribe is a huge Star Wars fan, so of course his review of The Force Awakens is also excellent, and also posted a nice introduction to amazing new character Rey.
- Sati of Cinematic Corner‘s review of The Force Awakens also reflects the excitement and enthusiasm that I felt whilst watching the film; a lovely write-up.
I also loved John Michael’s essay over at The Sixth Station where he discusses falling back in love with films in 2015. Never a better year to fall back in love with history’s greatest art form. But at the same time, it is easy to become jaded by all the excellence we see regularly. 2015 was a year filled with so many amazing, powerful films, and I know 2016 will be even better.
Happy Festivus everybody for December 23rd!
Hope you enjoyed the above links! Did you have any favourites for the month of December? What are you looking forward to in January 2016? Feel free to share below!
FILM GRIMOIRE 
Thank you so much Anna, this means a great deal! Great selection here, you rock! Have a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, you filthy animal
You’re welcome James, loved your post! Hope you had an excellent Christmas and New Year’s as well, ya filthy animal!
Double shoutout!! Thank you so much!
Double shoutout, all the way across the sky!
Thanks for all the Star Wars links. I avoided all of them since I hadn’t seen it. Now that I have, I want to read them all. This is a great place to start. And if you love cinematography, then definitely see Stoker. It is likely loaded with beautiful shots. Then start working your way through that director’s filmography, Park Chan Wook). Great post!
Hope you enjoyed the Star Wars links! I do need to see Stoker, it sounds like something I would really enjoy!
A double link 🙂 Wow, what a cool feeling. Will check out the other Star wars stuff later. Always love these posts.
Thanks Alex! Hope you enjoy the Star Wars smorgasbord!
Thank u so much for this, Anna!
Had trouble w my writing this past few days so this has given me a lift
Cheers, u made my day!
You’re welcome, loved your posts! 😀
Happy New Year! 🙂
And a very happy 2016 to you also! 😀
Thanks for the link, Anna! 🙂 That 90 minutes or less list was a more popular list than I was expecting. I think we’re all short on time! I’d be interested to hear what you think of Stoker. It does have lovely visuals, which I know is your kind of thing. Great post! I always love seeing the stuff you link to. 🙂
You’re welcome! 😀 Loved that post. And I’m really looking forward to seeing Stoker!
Thanks so much for the link and you do need to see Stoker! It’s magical
You’re welcome Sati! I’m escalating it on the to-watch list!
I know a lot of people didn’t enjoy Stoker but I LOVED it. I hope you get to see it and enjoy it as much as I did.
It did receive some quite mixed reviews! I’m looking forward to giving it a go.
Hope you had a great Christmas Anna, I love these roundups, you introduce me to so much cool stuff!
Thanks heaps Mikey! 😀 Hope you had an excellent Christmas and New Year’s too!
Great links, thanks a lot 🙂
You’re welcome Zoe! 🙂