My Top 10 Movies of 2016
Once again, I'm later than usual in posting my picks for the past year. Nevertheless it's finally here. Here are my Top 10 Movies of 2016:
- Moonlight – No Oscar-envelope mess-up here. This is #1 for 2016. It’s similar to Boyhood, but it has a plot. And a love that was meant to be.
- La La Land – A completely original musical for the big screen needed to have the right stuff to win us over. And it did!
- Fences – Right adaptation from Broadway to the big screen. Anyone else notice hints of Death Of A Salesman?
- Silence – Scorsese’s most overlooked masterpiece. I’m glad I’m one of the lucky ones to see it on the big screen.
- Deadpool – Who would have thought one of the best films of 2016 was a ‘superhero movie’ that actually wasn’t?
- Manchester By The Sea – It’s a film that might make you want to slit your wrists, but it ends with a ray of hope.
- Kubo And The Two Strings – 2016 was a year where animated movies were some of the most winning movies of the year. This film was the masterpiece.
- Hidden Figures – An empowering movie that lifts your spirits.
- Hell Or High Water – One thing we’re lacking on the big screen is a good crime drama. This is no Pulp Fiction, but it’s an excellent story.
- Arrival – A film you first think is about aliens, but it’s a lot more.
Honorable Mention:
- Loving – It’s not simply about the couple that made history, but their love that made it happen.
- Lion – This is an against-all-odds film that gets you hoping Saroo wins in the end.
- Hacksaw Ridge – You could call this the redemption of Mel Gibson. Also a reminder to all those who think that a conscientious objector is a ‘coward.’
- Zootopia – A Disney story that’s both fun and entertaining.
- Finding Dory – Usually sequels to a great animated film get lame over time. Remember the Shrek sequels? This one brings back the magic of Finding Nemo.
- Sing Street - The most overlooked comedy/musical of the year. Perfect for anyone who wants to start a band.
OTHER BESTS:
- Best Animated Feature: Kubo And The Two Strings – See above review.
- Best Sci-Fi Film: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – When you have a Star Wars movie, you expect the best action scenes of the year. And it delivers.
- Best Foreign-Language Film: The Salesman (Iran) – If you remember 2011’s A Separation, the director returns with another drama that has a lot to say.
- Best Popcorn Movie: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – This isn’t simply Star Wars fanfic to the big screen. This story captures the spirit of Star Wars very well.
- Best Superhero Movie: Doctor Strange – Marvel comics introduces another one of their heroes to the big screen. Very entertaining.
- Morally Redeeming Film Of The Year: Hacksaw Ridge – We live in a time people are so obsessed with their personal freedoms, some could pass as ‘valuesophobic.’ This film reminds us that having values is not a weakness at all.
And there you go. Those are the top films of 2016. I'll have to wait until late into 2017 to see the best of this year.