My Favorite Films of 2016
10. 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE — Dir: Dan Trachtenberg
Now, I want to preface that if it weren’t for the final 10 minutes of this film, which completely disconnected me from the rest of it, 10 Cloverfield Lane may have very well been closer to my top 5. The setting in combination with the phenomenal performances from our lead characters (of which there are only three) make this one riveting, suspense-filled, claustrophobic romp.
9. THE NEON DEMON — Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn
Nicolas Winding Refn is on my white-list of director’s who’s work I will see no matter what. From Bronson(‘08) to Drive(‘11), I love the guy. While The Neon Demon suffers from a bit of a shaky final act, and drops a few subplots that I hoped would’ve been expanded upon — the fact still remains that it’s a beautifully shot and carefully directed piece of sleazy, pulp-horror. Oh, and the soundtrack…
8. NOCTURNAL ANIMALS — Dir: Tom Ford
Can’t say much about this one without giving away most of the stomach-turning trills it has to offer, but I will say this: It’s got three terrific lead performances from Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Michael Shannon. As well as a nasty desert landscape with endless interpersonal terror. Genuinely moving, and at times hard to watch, I will be remembering this one.
7. THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE — Dir: Andre Ovredal
Wow, what a nice little surprise this was! While I haven’t taken it upon myself to see Ovredal’s previous film Trollhunter, I sure do want to now! Let me re-assure you, this is definitely one you don’t want to know squat about going in. In competition for possibly my favorite screenplay of the year, it finds Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch at their scenery-chewing best. A must see for fans of body horror everywhere.
6. THE CONJURING 2 — Dir: James Wan
When it comes to popcorn munching fun, not many directors out there know how to build up to, and then deliver a scare quite like James Wan. Simply put, The Conjuring 2 does what many modern horror sequels fail to do: build upon their predecessor — and that’s about the highest compliment I can give to Mr. Wan.
5. MIDNIGHT SPECIAL — Dir: Jeff Nichols
Take Shelter, Jeff Nichols’ sophomore feature, is my pick for best film of the 2010’s thus far, so there should be no surprise that Midnight Special ended up on my list somewhere. Yet another film from this past year featuring a textbook perfect performance from Michael Shannon — as well as Nichols’ trademark sixth sense for writing moving father-son drama. I was invested upon first viewing, and have stayed invested every time I have seen it since.
4. GREEN ROOM — Dir: Jeremy Saulnier
Machetes. Mohawks. Box Cutters. Swastikas. Shotguns. Duct-Taped Mutilated Arms. Patrick Stewart. Green Room is hardcore to the BONE, BABY. A brutal, locked-room standoff between a punk band and a group of very angry white supremacists, this movie will quite literally rock you to your core. Nazi Punks, F*ck Off.
3. THE VVITCH — Dir: Robert Eggers
The fact that this movie even exists in a year like 2016 shocks me. Harking back to feelings that you might get watching a film like The Shining, Robert Eggers’ feature debut The VVitch is one grim, disturbing fairy tale. I say fairy tale because that’s what it is, not a horror film, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. Not only do Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, and the rest of the cast give larger than life performances, but it’s imagery is sure to haunt your dreams for days on end. “Black Philip says that you are wicked!”
2. SILENCE — Dir: Martin Scorsese
Rarely does a film come along that actively challenges my beliefs, and nudges me to pursue them further. Silence has done just that. Beautiful yet harrowing, gentle yet vicious, absent yet oh-so present… I still have feelings that I know won’t be fully fleshed out until I have seen it multiple times. Marty, I will keep your film close to me wherever I go. Thank you.
1. SWISS ARMY MAN — Dir: Daniels
I have trouble picking a point to begin when talking about Swiss Army Man, so I don’t think I’ll start at all. Just see it. It made me cry, and I’m sure it will make you too.
