We look back on the film and musical highlights of 2015 – a year that saw a resurgence of movie blockbusters and the return of Adele, the Queen of British Pop.
By James Lee-Tullis
0/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
Putting Theory Into Practice
Putting Theory Into Practice: Eddie Redmayne’s Oscar-winning performance as Stephen Hawking rightly drew acclaim in The Theory of Everything, but Felicity Jones was every bit as impressive in the role of Jane Hawking on whose book the film was based, delivering a perfectly nuanced performance. amazon.co.uk[Photo: Anthony Figueroa/Flirkcr]]
1/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
Calm Before The Storm:
Calm Before The Storm: James Bay’s powerful debut album Chaos And The Calm confirms him as the breakthrough musical artist of 2015. The songs were recorded in Nashville with Tom Waits and Kings of Leon collaborator Jacquire King. Next up for Bay is that notoriously difficult second album… amazon.co.uk
2/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
Ad Break:
Ad Break: Mad Men might have seemed like the saga of Don Draper, but as the series evolved it proved to be just as much if not more so the story of Peggy Olson. Peggy finally found love with copywriter Stan Rizzo in the final episode, but we’ll never know if Don found inner peace after the cryptic final episode. amazon.co.uk
3/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
Winter Is Coming:
Winter Is Coming: Game of Thrones continued to draw controversy and an ever-growing number of fans in equal measure. Its success seems tied to viewers’ fascination with which characters will live or die. Of those that died, producers have confirmed that Jon Snow is dead – still, however, hinting at the possibility of his return at the head of an army of undead… amazon.co.uk [Photo: Duncan Hill/Flickr]
4/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
Shaken To Their Core:
Shaken To Their Core: Alabama Shakes’ second album Sound & Color saw them return in fine voice – what else would we expect with lead singer Brittany Howard onboard? While many early fans will prefer their stellar debut Boys & Girls, it is this gutsy second album that has seen them break through to the mainstream. amazon.co.uk
5/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
Jurassic Parks and Recreation:
Jurassic Parks and Recreation: Who would ever have imagined that Parks and Recreation’s slow-witted Andy Dwyer would emerge as a bonafide action hero? Chris Pratt’s evolution from supporting sitcom star to Hollywood lead continues apace. What next after Guardians of the Galaxy and a triumphant Jurassic Park reboot in Jurassic World? amazon.co.uk [Photo: Miguel Angel Aranda/Flickr]
6/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
Stuck On You?
Stuck On You? The year’s most unlikely comeback – not to mention surprise festival highlight – was the appearance of Lionel Richie at Glastonbury, which even overshadowed the unlikely pairing of Patti Smith and the Dalai Lama. The crowd-pleasing, crowd-singing results proved that Mr Richie of Commodores and solo fame remains a musical guilty pleasure. amazon.co.uk
7/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
cate blanchett
Oh, Carol: Book- and movie-lovers are familiar with the works of Patricia Highsmith from Strangers on a Train through to The Talented Mr. Ripley. Many though will be less familiar with Carol, her tale of forbidden love set in 1950s New York. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are directed by the ever impressive Todd Haynes in one of the year’s most acclaimed films. amazon.com
8/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
Oh, Carol:
Bond was Back: And back with a bang. SPECTRE brought arguably the most action-packed James Bond film yet as well as the longest. Critics, however, were divided by an outing that saw every imaginable stunt and plot twist thrown at audiences. amazon.co.uk
9/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
A Voice Silenced:
A Voice Silenced: All the acclaim rightly given to Adele makes one wonder even more what Amy Winehouse might have gone on to achieve. Award-winning director Asif Kapadia (best known for Senna) shone a light on this rare talent in Amy and the factors that contributed to her tragic death. amazon.co.uk
10/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
Endgame:
Endgame: Serious acting credentials? Check. Box office appeal? Check. Jennifer Lawrence’s unstoppable rise to the Hollywood summit continues in the conclusion to the popular Hunger Games series, which also featured a final performance from the magnificent Philip Seymour Hoffman. amazon.co.uk
11/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
“Hello, it’s me”:
“Hello, it’s me”: After the global success of 19 and 21, Adele Laurie Blue Adkins returns with 25 and an album that affirms both her growing maturity and the timeless appeal of her songwriting and soulful voice. Adele is an artist that music fans from 8 to 80 are seemingly happy to acclaim. amazon.co.uk
12/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
“There Has Been An Awakening”:
“There Has Been An Awakening”: The prospect of Star Wars returning with all its original characters and under the aegis of director JJ Abrams and Disney makes Star Wars: The Force Awakens a landmark cultural event as much as ‘just’ a new movie.
13/15
Culture
This Was 2015.
The Game’s Afoot:
The Game’s Afoot: Yes, we do realise that the long-awaited Sherlock special The Abominable Bride won’t be broadcast until New Year’s Day 2016, but how could we resist including the return of Messrs Cumberbatch and Freeman in an episode apparently set back in Victorian times. Or is it? That is a mystery worthy of the master detective himself. amazon.co.uk
To watch or to read? That is the question when it comes to these 15 compelling TV shows that made the leap from the page to the screen – some of which might surprise you
More than fresh popcorn and cushy seats, these picture palaces around the world offer a blend of fascinating history, stunning architecture and, yes, top-notch films
From nail-biting thrillers to steamy romance and twisted short fiction, these books were made for devouring on a plane, in a beach chair or wherever your summer takes you
From blockbuster biennales to captivating retrospectives and celebrations of famed creatives, these art exhibitions deserve a spot on your cultural bucket list this year
Once the purview of children, animated films have come into their own. From the funny to the heartfelt, we look at the most memorable animated characters of the past years
Sometimes we watch TV to explore our world, and sometimes we watch to escape it entirely. We look at 15 fantasy shows that swept us off our feet and into realms unknown
This Pride Month, queue up the best movies that celebrate LGBTQ+ joy – and reveal the happiness that comes from being your unapologetically authentic self
As we prepare for a summer box office full of fierce female action heroes, we look at the fictional women who have burst through the screen and into cinema history
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.