Written by: Kevin Berge
Come on, guys, 2016 hasn't been so bad we can't fist-bump to its successes. (Image Courtesy of: variety.com)
No one will sing the praises of 2016 when it has passed for many reasons. When it comes to film, it was the blockbusters that failed to hit their mark. From bad sequels to unfortunate missteps by DC to more video game movie failures, many top movies failed.
Luckily, there were many under-the-radar films this year to pick up the slack from quality animation to indie comedy. It was a year where the less heralded made the most impact, leaving this a good but underappreciated year for cinema.
Note that this is only the top ten movies that affected me the most. My original grades do not wholly reflect how I rated them now with time to reflect, and I will only be able to include the movies I had a chance to see before the year was up.
Luckily, there were many under-the-radar films this year to pick up the slack from quality animation to indie comedy. It was a year where the less heralded made the most impact, leaving this a good but underappreciated year for cinema.
Note that this is only the top ten movies that affected me the most. My original grades do not wholly reflect how I rated them now with time to reflect, and I will only be able to include the movies I had a chance to see before the year was up.
Best of 2016: TV Seasons | Acting Performances | WWE Matches
Movies I Have Not Seen That May Have Been Included: Manchester by the Sea, Moonlight, La La Land, The Edge of Seventeen, Nocturnal Animals, Sully, Loving, Hacksaw Ridge, Lion, Fences, Silence.
***Note: There will be no spoilers on any movies in this list, and all review links are for spoiler-free reviews.***
Movies I Have Not Seen That May Have Been Included: Manchester by the Sea, Moonlight, La La Land, The Edge of Seventeen, Nocturnal Animals, Sully, Loving, Hacksaw Ridge, Lion, Fences, Silence.
***Note: There will be no spoilers on any movies in this list, and all review links are for spoiler-free reviews.***
I will always think of this as your last film, Alan Rickman. What Alice in Wonderland sequel? (Image Courtesy of: nerdist.com)
Honorable Mentions
Eye in the Sky - Initial Grade: B+
The political scene today is rife with quality stories, and Eye in the Sky tells its story better than most. It is intelligent and quiet in its commentary with some great actors in thankless roles that come together to tell a complete tale.
Don't Think Twice - Initial Grade: A-
It is clear how personal this story is for Mike Birbiglia who gives this simple tale of improv actors honest drama. It is not wholly exciting, but it is certainly affecting with performances that stand with their director's sincerity.
Eye in the Sky - Initial Grade: B+
The political scene today is rife with quality stories, and Eye in the Sky tells its story better than most. It is intelligent and quiet in its commentary with some great actors in thankless roles that come together to tell a complete tale.
Don't Think Twice - Initial Grade: A-
It is clear how personal this story is for Mike Birbiglia who gives this simple tale of improv actors honest drama. It is not wholly exciting, but it is certainly affecting with performances that stand with their director's sincerity.
On the other hand, we could all use a few good drinks after this year. (Image Courtesy of: bkmag.com)
10. The Nice Guys - Initial Grade: B+
The Nice Guys is hilarious, delightful, and filled with great moments. Shane Black is in his element with this movie, and he hardly lets up with a pair of actors in Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe who need to be working together more often.
While The New Guys has no memorable plot, it does have many memorable moments that resonate long after watching the film. Few movies were this delightfully exuberant and funny in 2016.
The Nice Guys is hilarious, delightful, and filled with great moments. Shane Black is in his element with this movie, and he hardly lets up with a pair of actors in Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe who need to be working together more often.
While The New Guys has no memorable plot, it does have many memorable moments that resonate long after watching the film. Few movies were this delightfully exuberant and funny in 2016.
My hope for the New Year was just that we'd need a lot fewer barrels and get a lot fewer bodies. My childhood can't take these losses. (Image Courtesy of: birthmoviesdeath.com)
9. 10 Cloverfield Lane - Initial Grade: A-
As a claustrophobic thriller, 10 Cloverfield Lane is perfect. The acting from John Goodman and Mary Elizabeth Winstead sell mystery and terror in equal portions, driving a story that strikes fear as often as it thrills.
If not for the extra act in this movie, it might have been my favorite the year, but the difference at this point in the top ten is fairly small. Dan Trachtenberg showed his talent here and hopefully won't need the Cloverfield name to produce another hit.
As a claustrophobic thriller, 10 Cloverfield Lane is perfect. The acting from John Goodman and Mary Elizabeth Winstead sell mystery and terror in equal portions, driving a story that strikes fear as often as it thrills.
If not for the extra act in this movie, it might have been my favorite the year, but the difference at this point in the top ten is fairly small. Dan Trachtenberg showed his talent here and hopefully won't need the Cloverfield name to produce another hit.
Mr. Deadpool would like to be known he does not condone this list as it does not list him at number one as he deserves. (Image Courtesy of: wired.com)
8. Deadpool (I did not review Deadpool, but I did include my thoughts on Paul's great review here)
Deadpool is both the best and worst of concepts to bring to the big screen. It takes a full dive to write a movie like Deadpool, yet it worked, better than could have been imagined. This is as good as a Deadpool origin story could have been.
It's intentionally generic, and that's about all that could hold it back. This is a laugh-out-loud adventure with a pitch-perfect performance from Ryan Reynolds that includes all the gore, language, and sex needed to adapt a character this crass.
Deadpool is both the best and worst of concepts to bring to the big screen. It takes a full dive to write a movie like Deadpool, yet it worked, better than could have been imagined. This is as good as a Deadpool origin story could have been.
It's intentionally generic, and that's about all that could hold it back. This is a laugh-out-loud adventure with a pitch-perfect performance from Ryan Reynolds that includes all the gore, language, and sex needed to adapt a character this crass.
Every now and then I still see that beetle's dead eyes in my nightmares. (Image Courtesy of: youtube.com)
7. Kubo and the Two Strings - Initial Grade: A-
Rarely do more than a couple animated films come out that are truly great. This year, there was barely a bad outing, and it almost feels wrong to only have two animated movies on this list. Still, the two that made it are well worth the spots.
Kubo and the Two Strings is the best work yet from Laika with an adventurous feel and humorous edge mixed with a story that builds upon itself with easy pacing and a great cast of voice actors that knew the great movie they were signing on for.
Rarely do more than a couple animated films come out that are truly great. This year, there was barely a bad outing, and it almost feels wrong to only have two animated movies on this list. Still, the two that made it are well worth the spots.
Kubo and the Two Strings is the best work yet from Laika with an adventurous feel and humorous edge mixed with a story that builds upon itself with easy pacing and a great cast of voice actors that knew the great movie they were signing on for.
This movie helped teach me I should reconsider my plans to flee to New Zealand in 2017. (Image Courtesy of: threerowsback.com)
6. Hunt for the Wilderpeople - Initial Grade: A
No movie this year was funnier than Hunt for the Wilderpeople which knows exactly what it is saying yet says it with understated impact. From its silly premise to its wild culmination, there is no movie that was quite like Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
As a final message from Taika Waititi before stepping behind the reigns of a blockbuster, this was as quiet and as powerful as you can get, proving the director has the kind of talent that will hardly be ignored for long.
No movie this year was funnier than Hunt for the Wilderpeople which knows exactly what it is saying yet says it with understated impact. From its silly premise to its wild culmination, there is no movie that was quite like Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
As a final message from Taika Waititi before stepping behind the reigns of a blockbuster, this was as quiet and as powerful as you can get, proving the director has the kind of talent that will hardly be ignored for long.
It still wasn't Hawkeye's year but maybe soon. (Yeah right.) (Image Courtesy of: indiewire.com)
5. Captain America: Civil War - Initial Grade: A
Marvel was the one studio to avoid the blockbuster slump this year, pulling out of its best movies yet. Captain America: Civil War is proof that Marvel can take a more dramatic angle without losing the light air of the universe.
Introducing a host of new characters and great dynamics among the Marvel stars, this film improves on rewatching thanks to excellent direction from the Russo brothers and a powerful story that feels like a true culmination of what has come before.
Marvel was the one studio to avoid the blockbuster slump this year, pulling out of its best movies yet. Captain America: Civil War is proof that Marvel can take a more dramatic angle without losing the light air of the universe.
Introducing a host of new characters and great dynamics among the Marvel stars, this film improves on rewatching thanks to excellent direction from the Russo brothers and a powerful story that feels like a true culmination of what has come before.
You ever watch a movie, and it suddenly makes you realize you're getting old. Yeah... (Image Courtesy of: apple.com)
4. Sing Street - Initial Grade: A
There are more coming of age stories released each year than any other type of movie, but few make a lasting impression like Sing Street. This fun, whimsical tale of a boy discovering his talent for music and place in a new school is simple and fun.
I can still remember many of the songs from just a single viewing, and I find myself often reflecting back on this movie. It is not complex, but it is well made and affecting with great acting and writing to back up its foundations.
There are more coming of age stories released each year than any other type of movie, but few make a lasting impression like Sing Street. This fun, whimsical tale of a boy discovering his talent for music and place in a new school is simple and fun.
I can still remember many of the songs from just a single viewing, and I find myself often reflecting back on this movie. It is not complex, but it is well made and affecting with great acting and writing to back up its foundations.
Zootopia would like us all to know that we're all very racist. (Image Courtesy of: fandango.com)
3. Zootopia - Initial Grade: A
There may not have been a more important movie released all year, speaking to all ages about the fundamentals of racism and consciencious discussion. Without getting into political arguments, this movie's message was likely still not widely internalized.
More that that, this is just a funny and delightful movie that feels like old school Pixar even though it is coming from new school Disney. If it is picked apart, the movie has faults, but they hardly hurt a movie so exubert and honest.
There may not have been a more important movie released all year, speaking to all ages about the fundamentals of racism and consciencious discussion. Without getting into political arguments, this movie's message was likely still not widely internalized.
More that that, this is just a funny and delightful movie that feels like old school Pixar even though it is coming from new school Disney. If it is picked apart, the movie has faults, but they hardly hurt a movie so exubert and honest.
But that's okay because we all are trying to get better. I think. (Image Courtesy of: theepochtimes.com)
2. Hell or High Water - Initial Grade: A+
Only a few movies come out each year that are perfect in what they do. Hell or High Water is so exceptional in every aspect that it could not be improved in portraying its story. Moreover, this movie helped to solidify both of its leads as great actors.
Looking back on 2016, I may immediately think on Zootopia or Civil War first, but none match up to Hell or High Water in construction or execution. This is tight suspense that never falters. Still, one movie left more of a lasting impression on me.
Only a few movies come out each year that are perfect in what they do. Hell or High Water is so exceptional in every aspect that it could not be improved in portraying its story. Moreover, this movie helped to solidify both of its leads as great actors.
Looking back on 2016, I may immediately think on Zootopia or Civil War first, but none match up to Hell or High Water in construction or execution. This is tight suspense that never falters. Still, one movie left more of a lasting impression on me.
Now be free to walk into the light, hoping that 2017 can be better than 2016. (Image Courtesy of: nytimes.com)
1. Arrival - Initial Grade: A
Perhaps this comes from just recently seeing the movie, but no film has caught me thinking this year as much as Arrival. While not perfect particularly in its character development, this is science fiction as its finest with well layered cerebral storytelling.
Thanks to a deep performance from Amy Adams and engrossing visuals unlike anything else this year, there was no movie that invested me in its whole arc like Arrival did. I cannot wait to watch it again.
Perhaps this comes from just recently seeing the movie, but no film has caught me thinking this year as much as Arrival. While not perfect particularly in its character development, this is science fiction as its finest with well layered cerebral storytelling.
Thanks to a deep performance from Amy Adams and engrossing visuals unlike anything else this year, there was no movie that invested me in its whole arc like Arrival did. I cannot wait to watch it again.