The Best Movies of 2016

John Gillen

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Feb 25, 2017 · 4 min read

It’s Oscar weekend, and this year I disagree with the academy more than usual, so I made my own list of the best films of the year.

I’d like to say upfront that with a few exceptions, like Passengers, Collateral Beauty, and Batman v. Superman, I liked almost all the films I saw this year.

There weren’t many great ones, but a large number of good ones, and I’d call that a good year overall.

There are still some good movies from this year that I haven’t seen yet, too many really, but I’ve got copies of about a dozen more that I will get around to watching soon.

Finally, if you disagree with my choices that’s fine. I have my own taste, as do you, and I don’t argue favorites.

My Top Ten

Silence

Everybody Wants Some!!

It was recently published that Richard Linklater is the best director of the last 25 years according to the Internet, and this film may be his best ever.

An absolute masterpiece in every respect and without rival as the most fun movie of the year. I left the theater literally jumping up and down and yelling with elation.

The Neon Demon

This movie is wildly ambitious, exceptional in quality, and visually outstrips every film made this year.

One of the most well composed films I’ve seen in a long time and without question among the best.

The Lobster

This movie is one of the most cogent and succinct critiques of human relationships I’ve ever seen.

Chillingly profound. Imaginatively impressive. Cinematic genius.

La La Land

I enjoyed this movie a lot. I think it’s young director Damien Chazelle is going to have a long and fruitful career, which I’m excited about.

This movie is elegant, seductive, and immensely enjoyable.

Jackie

A beautiful portrait of grief, truth, and coping with the pains of human life and loss. I was deeply moved by this film and found it to be surprisingly intimate and gently brilliant.

Excellent directing, masterful performance, crushingly good film.

The BFG

If you don’t like this movie, I’d like to warmly invite you to go fuck yourself.

Cafe Society

I think this movie was wonderful. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I think it was a great movie, and it was nice to see one more romantic Hollywood genre movie like this before they disappear forever.

Hail, Caesar!

The Coen Brothers are geniuses.

This movie was brilliant and a lot of fun for anyone who is a fan of movies and another example of why the Coen Brothers are among the best writer/directors of all time.

Silence again

There are about a dozen movies I could have easily put in here. Everything from The Nice Guys to Manchester by the Sea.

But I think it’s only fair that since Silence is so far above everything else, it should be included at least twice.

All The Movies I saw in 2016

In no particular order.

1. Finding Dory
2. Captain America: Civil War
3. Deadpool
4. Zootopia
5. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
6. Suicide Squad
7. Doctor Strange
8. Arrival
9. The Accountant
10. Hacksaw Ridge
11. The BFG
12. The Nice Guys
13. Hail Caesar!
14. Hell or High Water
15. The Birth of a Nation
16. Manchester by The Sea
17. The Edge of Seventeen
18. The Light Between Oceans
19. Moonlight
20. Cafe Society
21. Queen of Katwe
22. Swiss Army Man
23. Midnight Special
24. Rules Don’t Apply
25. Everybody Wants Some!!
26. Sing Street
27. The Handmaiden
28. Jackie
29. The Neon Demon
30. White Girl
31. GOAT
32. Silence (four times)
33. Rogue One (two times)
34. Collateral Beauty
35. La La Land (two times)
36. I Saw The Light
37. The Lobster
38. Lo and Behold, Reveries of The Connected World
39. Passengers
40. Nocturnal Animals
41. Dog Eat Dog
42. Sausage Party