2016
Movies From 2016
2016
The Top 10
#1 La La Land
Score: 10
This film takes you on a journey with two characters with different goals and different backgrounds, balancing careers with their relationship. The music in this film fits its themes so well as you see how difficult it is to build up your dreams and stay true to them, especially when you can find success another way. This film also makes you think about how important those dreams are in the grand scheme of dying music.
#3 Sing Street
Score: 9 ½
Something about this film makes you think back to when you were growing up and what you might have done if you were just a little more daring and impulsive. It makes you think about all the chances you could have taken and what might have become of them. The story and music in this film feel timeless and nostalgic.
#5 Zootopia
Score: 9 ½
Zootopia is the best thing Disney has put out in a long time, easily outstripping Frozen, Wreck-it Ralph, and Big Hero 6 in every aspect. The script is tight, the humor is on point, the characters are fantastic, and the message is powerful. I have seen this film about four times already and it has remained as funny and fresh with each watch.
#7 The Jungle Book
Score: 9
I have made it no secret that I hate the animated The Jungle Book, so my expectations for this one were fairly low. And it blew me away. The special effects are the best of the year, the score is great, and the story is genuinely good. Characters are actually fleshed out, and some of the imagery in this film is breathtaking. Definitely see this and forget that there was ever anything that preceded it.
#9 Captain America: Civil War
Score: 9 ½
The one thing I wanted from Marvel films that I wasn’t getting was real stakes and character-driven conflict. I got that and then some. This film was moving, suspenseful, and downright brutal towards the end. I’ve discussed the film’s inherent conflict and even had my opinion swayed; the arguments are that split. While others may find the character debate to be a bore, I was thoroughly engaged.
#2 Hell or High Water
Score: 8 ¾
#4 Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Score: 9
#6 10 Cloverfield LanE
Score: 9 ¼
#8 Hacksaw Ridge
Score: 9 ½
#10 Nocturnal Animals
Score: 9
This film gets better and better the more you think about it. It features fantastic performances from its four leads, features gorgeous cinematography and music, and actually means something. This film really gives its characters motivations and sets about a fantastic atmosphere in which the characters operate. I scored this film too low. Please go see it.
This is probably the most underseen film of 2016. What a shame! The hilarity and stylism of this film make me excited for future films from director Taika Waititi. Sam Neill and newcomer Julian Dennison are terrific and have great chemistry. This is a great comedy that I can see myself watching many times. Definitely check this one out. Not enough people did.
The premise of this film alone and its execution are fantastic. Add in great performances, haunting music, fantastic cinematography, and unrelenting suspense and you have one of the best thrillers I’ve ever seen. This film came out towards the beginning of the year, and I think a lot of people have forgotten about it. The ending doesn’t quite fit the rest of the story, but this is definitely worth seeing for all that came before.
I shed a single tear while watching this film. It’s relentless depiction of war after all that its main character went through is so well-executed that I was rendered speechless. You feel for this man as he faces troubles at home and in the field, trying to stand for what he believes in. It is one of the best war films I’ve ever seen.
A riveting story within the main story, featuring brilliant performances from Michael Shannon and Aaron Taylor-Johnson elevate this film. The music and layered writing make it even better. I am so glad I was able to catch this one at long last. It really deserves a watch!
