Best Movie of the year

Rating: 10/10 (15 January 2016)

I have seen them all now. I saved "Room" for last because quite frankly I was afraid of the subject matter. I almost did not watch it.
I was afraid to see some sort of exploitation of the ordeals suffered by the three Cleveland girls. Their stories touched me very personally, as for so long when I would stop at the gas station or the 7-11 to buy smokes (so long ago now) I would see their "missing" posters. And as time went by, those 8x11 paper posters began to fray at the edges, to become ripped at the tape holding them up, and then to disappear; just like the girls on them. I do not recall noticing when the posters disappeared... and that makes me feel guilty. Especially after they were freed, and I remembered that I had forgotten them.
So I put off "Room" for last. I didn't want to feel guilty all over again. (No escaping Catholic upbringing.)
I am pleased to report that after 10 minutes I felt no guilt watching "Room". I am even more pleased to report that I felt many other emotions: fear, revulsion, despair, hope, patience (is that an emotion?), sympathy, and empathy. That last is surprising, since nothing in my life could prepare me to empathize with a 5 year old boy who only knows the inside of a back yard shed, then suddenly must deal with the world. The real world.
Most of all, I felt astonishment. At this late date it is hard for me to imagine discovering the world. But it was so easy to share Jack's astonishment. I felt like a five year old who knew nothing but the inside of a small room then suddenly must deal with the world. I felt what Jack was feeling. And for me, that makes it the best movie of the year.
A tender, thoughtful movie. The one that touched me, instead of just entertaining me.
My choice for Best Movie. I know it will not win. But what do the voters know?