Top 13 Movies of 2016
The Only List That Matters More Than The Oscars
The Oscars are coming! The Oscars are coming!
True to form, another pre-Academy Awards year review has arrived.As a self-proclaimed amateur cinephile, it’s my societal responsibility to share my cinematic voice with the world; whether it’s writing or podcasting.
Traditionally, I list all the films I see each season challenging myself to rank ‘em. What you see below is the best I could put together in terms of meaningful discoveries the movies offered us.
That said, 2016’s body of work was vastly superior to last year’s.
AND
Returning for a third consecutive year is, ‘Wife’s Words’!
Marissa, my wife, drops in to give her hysterical and honest feedback. Don’t worry, she hates most of my movies…it’s exhausting.
For the sake of context:
I saw 45 new movies this year; Marissa saw 3.
Without further ado, allow me to unveil…
2016’s Top 13 Films:
13. The Neon Demon
Nicolas Winding Refn is cinema’s best director you probably haven’t heard of. A master of creating intentional and breathtaking works of art within every frame — Refn has brought “less is more” to Hollywood in refreshing fashion. The Neon Demon is a deeply unsettling masterpiece exploring the sinister underbelly of the mainstream modeling industry. Reminiscent of Hitchcock and Carrie — TND is unconventionally visceral force unlike any other this season. And it’s brilliant.
WIFE’S WORDS: “What a way to waste glitter. Glitter and blood should never be combined! Nor do knives and glitter go together. I’m not even sure what this is move is supposed to be about, but it looks creepy as hell.”
12. The Little Prince
Among the lauded mist of Moana, Kubo and the Two Strings, & Zootopia — a truly innovative and remarkable inspirational animated film flew a bit too under the radar. The Little Prince is, by leaps and bounds, the best animated film of the year. A stunning take on the classic childhood storybook — Netflix resurrected the distribution of this project and pretty much saved 2016 along with it. Imaginative, bold, and heart-stirring — The Little Prince is the animated film we all needed.
WIFE’S WORDS: “That one looks so sweet! Why didn’t I see it?”
11. American Honey
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The coming-of-age film has been re-invented, and never looked this disturbingly awesome before.
Also, let’s welcome Shia LeBeouf back to the fold. Dude electrified the screen in this turn. Newcomer Sasha Lane is a force to be reckoned with carrying the film on her shoulders. American Honey is the most honest exploration of Americana we’ve seen this century. In an era of teen-films boasting mediocre adaptations of futuristic utopia or shimmering vampires — AH is a gritty, stripped-down, near three hour epic of filthy — yet — beautiful illumination of the misfits we often ignore. Watch the trailer and tell me you’re not compelled to dive-in — I dare you.
WIFE’S WORDS: “Already no. Indie film…Was that Shia LeBeouf? No.”
10. Silence
Martin Scoresese’s passion project of nearly 30 years.
The most beautifully shot film of the year.
Andrew Garfield’s career-defining performance. (Suck it, Hacksaw Ridge!)
Arguably 2016’s the most difficult to watch.
Silence is a landmark achievement, and has been criminally underrated. 10 years from now we’ll look back and realize how wrong we were not to give it deserving respect.
WIFE’S WORDS: “A minute into the trailer and I’m already bored, I don’t want to finish it. And the second I heard Andrew Garfield talking — all I could think about was how badly I want to watch The Social Network right now.”
9. Deadpool
WHERE’S DEADPOOL’S BEST PICTURE NOMINATION?!
Seriously, the only film of 2016 to successfully re-imagine its genre (outside Arrival). Even an avid comic book fan like myself has grown a little weary of the formulaic installments Marvel & DC are tossing out in rapid fashion. Ryan Reynolds crafted a deliciously fowl, and hilariously violent romp with DP.
For defying convention, for brilliantly written dialogue, and for entertaining us more than arguably any other movie this season — Deadpool deserves a seat at the table with the big-boys.
WIFE’S WORDS: “I’m not really into superhero movies — especially this one — too much blood and action and violence for my liking. BUT, looked like this one had some laugh-worthy moments.”
8. Hidden Figures
The season’s best source of inspiration, and the finest overall performance of a cast. An important story alongside a perfectly timed release. Certainly 20th Century Fox had no idea going in that our country would be divided to this degree, but here we are. Hidden Figures not only embodies all we hope to discover in a mainstream film — it illuminates unsung heroes and reminds us of what is right, and good, and true. Additionally, Taraji P. Henson straight-up brought it! She packed a brilliantly nuanced and authentic portrayal and carried the film. Hers is the most overlooked performance of the year.
Hidden Figures is a healing dose of hope.
WIFE’S WORDS: “You saw this movie without me? When did you see it? Looks like I would like this one — women kicking-ass and takin’ names!”
7. Captain Fantastic
A damn near perfect independent film.
This year’s Little Miss Sunshine, celebrating the quirkiness of a broken family striving to pave its own path. Captain Fantastic is a darkly comedic tour-de-force of what it means to become and a thoroughly wounded examination of the choices we make for the sake of children. Viggo Mortensen gives arguably the finest performance of his careers as the intelligent-hippie-patriarch of the clan. If not for Casey Affleck, he’d be my vote for Best Actor.
CF is as much honest as it is a journey of the off-kilter.
WIFE’S WORDS: “When you show me these trailers, I’m not sure what you’re looking for; I’m not sure what to tell you. Young, wild, and free? I got nothing.”
6. Fences
Pulitzer-Prize Winning words from August Wilson.
Denzel in brilliantly rare form as both leading man and director.
Viola Davis, as always, enveloping us in her visceral presence.
A film rich with poetically damaged dialogue.
Watch this film, and Viola her Oscar already!
WIFE’S WORDS: “Intense. I don’t know what the point is, but I kind of want to smack him…That’s Denzel, right?”
5. Swiss Army Man
2016’s most likely title to become a cult-classic.
The most original film of the year.
Yet ANOTHER award-worthy performance from Paul Dano going unnoticed.
Best soundtrack of any film this season.
Only film to be filled with fart jokes and still manage to move me to tears. An unapologetic commentary on social convention, sexual fluidity, and our common desire to connect to another.
(SIDE BAR — The fact that Dano still hasn’t been nominated for an Oscar is both a crime and tragedy. Give the dude some love already!)
We need more films like Swiss Army Man.
WIFE’S WORDS: “What the actual hell is happening, Harry Potter?! What kind of special effects were those? Because they were terrible — I hated it.”
4. 13th
This should be required viewing for every single white-person living in the United States. By far, 2016’s most important film.
Ava DuVernay captures a gut-wrenching and multi-faceted array of creative conventions; holding a mirror up to our society and says: “Look what we’ve done. Now fix it.”
If nothing else, watch this documentary.
WIFE’S WORDS: “This looks like a documentary everyone should see.”
3. Manchester by the Sea
This. Film. Broke. Me.
One of the most subtly emotional and heart-breaking films of recent memory. Manchester by the Sea is, in every sense of the word, a masterpiece. Featured on Hollywood’s 2014 Blacklist — most liked unmade scripts of the year — the screenplay boasts the finest crafting of any this season. Give Casey Affleck all the awards as he so deserves.
Near operatic in musical and emotional approach; understated in its inevitable destruction; and swelling in its brittle battle against things unsaid — Manchester is a truly human experience.
WIFE’S WORDS: “I could see that one and like it! Yeah, I feel like this year you’ve got some actual decent movies on your list. Glad to see you’re learning from me. Don’t get me wrong — we got a long way to go; you’ve got some down-right-garbage on this list also.”
2. Arrival
Science Fiction’s Shawshank Redemption.
That’s right. Arrival crafted a film about an alien invasion, and gifted us multi-layered exploration of humanity and life trajectory capturing an inspirational level most films only dream to achieve. This film gives me hope for the future of big-budget movies. Immediately jumping to my all-time top ten list, Arrival is a testament to the idea that strong story and powerful performances can mold nearly any subject into something profound.
As always, Amy Adams is stop-you-in-your-tracks good.
We’re reminded — once again — Denis Villeneuve is one of Hollywood’s finest and most innovative directors.
I did a whole podcast episode on Arrival’s brilliance alongside my friend, Matt the Barista.
WIFE’S WORDS: “Would this be considered Sci-Fi? I hate Sci-Fi.”
1. La La Land
When people saw titles like Casablanca and West Side Story in cinemas — were they aware of the then modern history they experienced?
Because that’s the way I felt while beholding La La Land; marveling at the beauty of a magical experience had at the theatre. Rarely are we gifted an artistic slice of perfection equaling such entertainment. La La Land is a refreshing creative approach to a medium that’s thirsty for innovation while managing to homage stunning classic cinema. 50 years from now, we’ll look back on Gosling and Stone the way we do Bogart and Bergman.
Damien Chazelle’s wonderful work reminds us that it’s still possible to have a stunning and magical experience at the cinema. La La Land is why we go to the movies.
WIFE’S WORDS: “The only one I actually saw out of thirteen. I like it more than I didn’t. Some parts were very slow moving, and I did not enjoy that. But it was a fun film, and I’d watch it again.”
* * *
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
War Dogs, The Witch, Mascots, & The Light Between Oceans.
STILL NEED TO SEE:
Moonlight, Jackie, Edge of Seventeen, A Monster Calls, & Nocturnal Animals.
EVERYTHING ELSE I SAW:
Hell or High Water; Captain America: Civil War; Batman v Superman; Suicide Squad; Doctor Strange; Hail, Caesar; Other People; Star Trek Beyond; Ghostbusters (Remake); X-Men Apocalypse; The Girl on the Train; The Birth of a Nation; Kubo and the Two Strings; Allied; Kung Fu Panda 3; Amanda Knox; Hacksaw Ridge; Midnight Special; Batman: The Killing Joke; The Fundamentals of Caring; Tallulah; Rogue One; Blue Jay; The Invitation; Moana; Sully.
Best Acting: Casey Affleck, Manchester; & Viola Davis, Fences
Best Year: Amy Adams — Arrival, Nocturnal Animals, & Batman v Superman
Best Director: Denis Villenueve, Arrival; & Damien Chazelle, La La Land — Please don’t make me pick between these two!
Best Use of Music: Manchester By the Sea & Arrival
Best Soundtrack: Swiss Army Man
Most UNDERrated: Blue Jay — Sarah Paulson being awesomely tragic in one of the most emotionally-intimate indie-films I’ve seen. Find it on Netflix.
Most OVERrated: Hacksaw Ridge
Worst Film of the Year: Suicide Squad
Biggest Snubs: Taraji P. Henson getting overlooked for Best Actress; Scorsese shut-out of Best Director; Deadpool not getting a Best Picture Nom — yes, you read that right.
Don’t Care What You Say This Movie Was Awesome: Batman v Superman
* * *
That’s it — that’s the list.
What’d I miss?
— — —
→ Subscribe to Starving Critics Podcast on iTunes
→ Follow on Twitter
