Bill's Top Ten Lists for 2015 - Number 10

In yesterday's BLog entry, I listed those books, movies, etc that I had experienced in 2015 which received Honourable Mentions. Today's list are the Number 10s from 2015. So without further ado, here they are.

BOOK

10. The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie - Originally published in 1930, this was the first Agatha Christie mystery to feature the wonderful Miss Marple. It's only been in the past couple of years that I've begun trying Agatha Christie's mysteries, after a very long hiatus. As a youngster, I recall reading Murder on the Links and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, but I could never figure out the crime and probably for that reason, left Christie behind until recently. I'm so glad that I have decided to give her writing a try again because her stories are so enjoyable. The characters are wonderful and the plots move along nicely and the mysteries are obscure and interesting. This was my review of The Murder at the Vicarage - "A most enjoyable introduction to the Miss Marple series of mysteries. I particularly enjoyed how the story was presented, with the Vicar being the story teller. Miss Marple is almost in the shadows, as the Vicar wanders around town on his own or with the police inspector, chatting with people, hearing the ideas and thoughts. Miss Marple is a watcher, a wise lady, who observes and figures things out. The Vicar meets with her regularly, discussing ideas, clues and gaining her insight. I loved the story, loved trying to figure things out (for the most part, unsuccessfully) and I loved the main characters, the Vicar and his lovely young wife, Griselda and Miss Marple especially. The story was fun and a pleasure to read. I was even happy with the ending, more than satisfied as Miss Marple presented her findings and solution. Loved it!"

SONG

10. Mirror Man by Ella Henderson - I've featured Ella Henderson previously. She is an English singer / songwriter who was a contestant on Britain's X-Factor in 2012. She's had hits with Ghost and Glow. This song was released in 2015 and once again features her wonderful voice. (Click on the song title in bold to hear the song). The song was written by Ella and is Mirror Man. I heard it first on BBC Radio 2's Jo Whiley show in February.

TV SHOW

10. Miss Fisher Mysteries - Jo and I have been watching this series since we discovered it on our local British Columbia PBS-equivalent network, Knowledge TV. It was one of those little treasures. The Miss Fisher mysteries are an Australian drama series based on the books of Kerry Greenwood. I've since read the first four books in the series and enjoyed those too. The series is set in post-WWI Australia and features the irrepressible and sexy Phryne Fisher who has returned from the UK and finding herself somewhat bored, decides to become a Private Detective. And that's the gist of the series. Phryne helps Detective Inspector Jack Robinson and his Constable Hugh Collins, at first against their will, but then pretty well automatically solve the murders and mysteries they experience in Melbourne Australia. The mysteries are fun and interesting, the period well-described and portrayed and the costumes that Essie Davis, as Phryne, gets to wear are sexy and luscious. Essie Davis is fantastic, full of life and oozing with sexiness. It's such a good series and this past season has been no different. You have to watch it. You will be entertained.

MOVIE

10. Now You See Me - Oddly enough, this was released in 2013, so why did it take me so long to actually watch it? Well, I don't know, but I'm glad that I did as this is a fun, entertaining movie. If you like a caper movie, with lots of action and full of magic tricks, this is the one. It stars Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson and Morgan Freeman and is a thrill ride of magic. Most entertaining. A sequel is planned for 2016. Maybe I'll see that one a bit sooner.

ACTRESS

10. Angelina Jolie - The missus persuaded me to watch Maleficent, which came out in 2014, this year, when we got it on our movie channel and I enjoyed her performance very much. Besides being a comfortable and talented actress, she has matured into a fascinating person. She and Brad Pitt are one of those power Hollywood couples, who really don't have to flaunt anything. They seem to be what you see, comfortable within themselves, taking on roles they enjoy and also doing fantastic charitable things without seeking praise or publicity. Angelina is now experimenting with directing, her movie Unbroken was very successful. She can pick and choose her projects nowadays; she directs and stars in By the Sea with her husband, a movie that came out in Nov; she's got Kung Fu Panda 3 coming out in 2016. The world is her oyster. :0)

ACTOR

 10. John Hamm - I'm adding John Hamm to the list for two shows, firstly, of course, the final season of Mad Men. It took awhile before I started watching this show. Jo was watching before me and she got me hooked, as she does with many of the shows we enjoy. In 2015, Mad Men wrapped up an 8 year series. It was an excellent, period piece on AMC about the life of New York admen. Excellent series with a fantastic cast. The other piece that we saw Hamm in this past  year, although the movie was released in cinemas in summer 2014, was Million Dollar Arm. In this movie, Hamm portrays a sports agent looking for the new baseball star and decides to run a competition in India to try and open up a potential new market. It's a super movie, lovingly told and funny and sad at the same time. Hamm is excellent in this role. With Mad Men finished, Hamm is free to explore new roles; was in the Minions movie in2015 and is currently filming Keeping Up with the Joneses.

So there you go, the Number 10's in my 2015 Top Ten List. I hope you enjoy. I'm sure you have your own choices. Tomorrow it's the Number 9's.