2016 was an interesting year for film, in that several of the big-budget spectacles came across as disappointments while the independent films really shone. There were a number of good surprises that came out of nowhere and quite a few of the most anticipated movies hit their mark. Before I begin, I should say that this list is based solely on my opinion as to what I think are the best films of the year. Also, I did not see every movie that was released. I saw a total of 60 pictures, and some of the ones I missed out on are Moonlight, Fences, Lion, and Hidden Figures, which are all getting a lot of praise now. With all that out of the way, let us begin with the honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions:
#16 Sing Street: Normally, I only like having five honorable mentions. However, I had to make an exception for this picture because too many people missed out on it. Sing Street carries such a great message about art and desire and its unique charm will certainly find its way into your heart. And the music is a delightful highlight.
#15 The Magnificent Seven: In terms of pure entertainment value, this remake was one of the most fun and enjoyable times I had at the theatre this year. The updated style and technique gives this old story a new feel that fits very well. Though it falls short of matching its two predecessors, The Magnificent Seven fires on all cylinders in every respect.
#14 Zootopia: This animated feature is not only beautiful to look at, but also contains an engaging story that is matched with great comedy. The characters are likable and the message is appropriately told without getting too preachy. I would argue that Zootopia is one of Disney's best movies of the past few years.
#13 Hell or High Water: A modern western and hard-hitting drama, this film takes a quaint approach to a strong story. The majority of the film's strengths come from its characters, especially the conversations they hold with one another. Lacking an abundance of major action set-pieces, Hell or High Water is an emotionally potent picture where the script is the real star.
#12 Sully: It really hurts me not to be able to put this movie in the top ten, but that does not detract from its greatness. Clocking in at about an hour-and-a-half, this biopic tells the remarkable story of the miraculous plane landing on the Hudson River. Clint Eastwood's direction is stunning, Tom Hanks turns out a good performance, and the third act is especially exceptional.
#11 Manchester by the Sea: I would not classify this as a depressing picture, but definitely a heavy one. Casey Affleck's stirring performance defines this movie incredibly well. Shot like a foreign film, Manchester by the Sea is an affecting drama that will seep into your mind and remain there for a good while.
The Top Ten Best Movies of 2016:
#10 Kubo and the Two Strings: Quite easily the best animated film I saw this year (though I missed out on critical hits like The Boy and the Beast and Your Name), Kubo and the Two Strings excels in the storytelling department. The characters are very well developed, as is the world that surrounds them. The mythology is intriguing and the animation is staggeringly impressive. This picture also refuses to pull emotional punches, resulting in a beautiful feature, both visually and narratively.
#9 Arrival: This film harkens back to the science fiction films of the 1960s, which were often more concerned with playing with the viewer's mind than massive explosions (as fun as they can be). The suspense and interest is generated from wanting to learn more about the aliens' language and how we can possibly communicate with them. This is a thought provoking film that will change the way you see things, and the conclusion is one of the best endings to a movie I have ever witnessed. Amy Adams does a phenomenal job, as does the director, Denis Villeneuve, who seems to have a bright future ahead of him.
#8 Deadpool: When it comes to raw entertainment and enjoyment, look no further than this flick. Deadpool not only works as a superhero movie, but also as a comedy, a drama, and a romance. It hits all these marks with tremendous accuracy, all while being a unique film in its own right. The humor never gets old and the action and direction are marvelous. The script is so well realized and Ryan Reynolds was born to play Wade Wilson. Deadpool is one of the funniest movies I have seen, one of the best comic book/superhero movies, and just an overall delight.
#7 Café Society: Woody Allen's latest film is an elegant motion picture that wonderfully depicts the high life of Los Angeles and New York with surprising grace. The star-studded cast is impeccable and the story is endearing. The romance that develops between the two main characters is magnetic and the look, feel, and atmosphere of the movie is magically brought to life. There is a great bit of humor that mixes well with the drama. "Anyone who is anyone should see Café Society."
#6 Captain America: Civil War: There was so much pressure riding on this movie given its insanely huge build-up. However, it delivered in a more spectacular way than I ever could have imagined. This is a culmination of all the previous movies, which is what makes the experience all the more rewarding. The story is thoroughly gripping, the action is beyond satisfying, and the characters are all well represented, with numerous effective emotional beats taking place in the picture. This was a great start to Marvel's Phase 3 and is certainly in the talks of being one of the best comic book/superhero films ever produced.
#5 The Jungle Book: After having walked out of the theatre from this film, had you told me that I would eventually find four movies that I thought were better than this one, I would have deemed you insane. But as it turns out, that is exactly what happened. This reinterpretation is far superior to any of the versions that preceded it. I originally credited The Jungle Book with having the best visual effects I had ever seen, and I still stand by that statement. To be able to create such a vivid and lush environment and maintain it for a two hour running time is unbelievable. The voice cast is also nothing to scoff at, with several powerhouse actors giving perfect performances. The revisions made to the cinematic story propel it far beyond the Disney animation. The Jungle Book was such a wonderful experience and is absolutely the definitive version of the story on film.
#4 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: I will get this out of the way now; Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is my favorite movie of the year. As a Star Wars junkie, this struck all the right chords with me. As of this moment, I have seen the picture four times and it has improved with each viewing. The way it fits into the universe is seamless and I have grown to love all the new characters. The third act alone warrants a watch as it truly lives up to the titular war aspect in fantastic fashion. This movie is better than I could have ever hoped it to be and I like it even more than The Force Awakens, which I loved. I hold these new Star Wars movies to the standards of the original trilogy, and watching Rogue One will enhance your understanding of and improve your experience with the classics.
#3 Hacksaw Ridge: As much as I love Rogue One, I cannot deem it the best war film of 2016. That honor goes to Hacksaw Ridge, which tells the fascinating true story of a soldier who refused to use a gun during the war. The performances all around are magnificent, with Andrew Garfield, Hugo Weaving, and Vince Vaughn giving career-bests. I believe Mel Gibson's direction of this picture is the best directing effort I have seen all year. The way he shot the battles in such a visceral and primal way is brilliant. There is no word in the English language that can properly describe the emotions you feel as you watch Desmond Doss rescue countless soldiers simply because it is the right thing to do. Hacksaw Ridge receives my highest recommendation.
#2 La La Land: "They don't make 'em like they used to." That phrase is certainly true if this film is anything to go by. By going to extreme lengths to recreate the technique and style of the musicals of old, Damien Chazelle has crafted a masterpiece of music, passion, and love. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone star in this spellbinding musical, both giving great performances that will captivate you. The romance is completely engrossing and the message about being passionate for your art is touching. The music is lovely, the cinematography is inspired, and the story is relatable. La La Land reminds us why the musical genre is so integral to our culture; it makes us happy.
#1 The Nice Guys: Coincidentally, the phrase "They don't make 'em like they used to" also applies here. Not only do I think The Nice Guys is the best movie of the year, but also one of the most under-appreciated. Not enough people saw this film, and what a shame that is. Though Deadpool was the funniest film of the year, The Nice Guys is a solid second. The buddy-cop aspect has not been this successful since, perhaps, the 80s. The pairing of Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe seems odd, but it works so well. The young Angourie Rice is very impressive also. The mystery is very intriguing and the 1970s atmosphere gives the picture a special, added flavor. The witty humor, absorbing plot, and sporadic action blend together gloriously, resulting in a hilarious yet suspenseful thrill ride that more people should have experienced. The Nice Guys is my pick for the best film of 2016.
#9 Arrival: This film harkens back to the science fiction films of the 1960s, which were often more concerned with playing with the viewer's mind than massive explosions (as fun as they can be). The suspense and interest is generated from wanting to learn more about the aliens' language and how we can possibly communicate with them. This is a thought provoking film that will change the way you see things, and the conclusion is one of the best endings to a movie I have ever witnessed. Amy Adams does a phenomenal job, as does the director, Denis Villeneuve, who seems to have a bright future ahead of him.
#8 Deadpool: When it comes to raw entertainment and enjoyment, look no further than this flick. Deadpool not only works as a superhero movie, but also as a comedy, a drama, and a romance. It hits all these marks with tremendous accuracy, all while being a unique film in its own right. The humor never gets old and the action and direction are marvelous. The script is so well realized and Ryan Reynolds was born to play Wade Wilson. Deadpool is one of the funniest movies I have seen, one of the best comic book/superhero movies, and just an overall delight.
#7 Café Society: Woody Allen's latest film is an elegant motion picture that wonderfully depicts the high life of Los Angeles and New York with surprising grace. The star-studded cast is impeccable and the story is endearing. The romance that develops between the two main characters is magnetic and the look, feel, and atmosphere of the movie is magically brought to life. There is a great bit of humor that mixes well with the drama. "Anyone who is anyone should see Café Society."
#6 Captain America: Civil War: There was so much pressure riding on this movie given its insanely huge build-up. However, it delivered in a more spectacular way than I ever could have imagined. This is a culmination of all the previous movies, which is what makes the experience all the more rewarding. The story is thoroughly gripping, the action is beyond satisfying, and the characters are all well represented, with numerous effective emotional beats taking place in the picture. This was a great start to Marvel's Phase 3 and is certainly in the talks of being one of the best comic book/superhero films ever produced.
#5 The Jungle Book: After having walked out of the theatre from this film, had you told me that I would eventually find four movies that I thought were better than this one, I would have deemed you insane. But as it turns out, that is exactly what happened. This reinterpretation is far superior to any of the versions that preceded it. I originally credited The Jungle Book with having the best visual effects I had ever seen, and I still stand by that statement. To be able to create such a vivid and lush environment and maintain it for a two hour running time is unbelievable. The voice cast is also nothing to scoff at, with several powerhouse actors giving perfect performances. The revisions made to the cinematic story propel it far beyond the Disney animation. The Jungle Book was such a wonderful experience and is absolutely the definitive version of the story on film.
#3 Hacksaw Ridge: As much as I love Rogue One, I cannot deem it the best war film of 2016. That honor goes to Hacksaw Ridge, which tells the fascinating true story of a soldier who refused to use a gun during the war. The performances all around are magnificent, with Andrew Garfield, Hugo Weaving, and Vince Vaughn giving career-bests. I believe Mel Gibson's direction of this picture is the best directing effort I have seen all year. The way he shot the battles in such a visceral and primal way is brilliant. There is no word in the English language that can properly describe the emotions you feel as you watch Desmond Doss rescue countless soldiers simply because it is the right thing to do. Hacksaw Ridge receives my highest recommendation.
#1 The Nice Guys: Coincidentally, the phrase "They don't make 'em like they used to" also applies here. Not only do I think The Nice Guys is the best movie of the year, but also one of the most under-appreciated. Not enough people saw this film, and what a shame that is. Though Deadpool was the funniest film of the year, The Nice Guys is a solid second. The buddy-cop aspect has not been this successful since, perhaps, the 80s. The pairing of Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe seems odd, but it works so well. The young Angourie Rice is very impressive also. The mystery is very intriguing and the 1970s atmosphere gives the picture a special, added flavor. The witty humor, absorbing plot, and sporadic action blend together gloriously, resulting in a hilarious yet suspenseful thrill ride that more people should have experienced. The Nice Guys is my pick for the best film of 2016.
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