Top 7- Best Films of 2016
2016 is thankfully coming to an end now and it has not been the greatest year for anything, films included. There have still been some gems though, even if they haven't quite hit the highs of last year. I would be remiss to say that there were no fantastic films this year and that means a hefty list of honourable mentions to start.
Captain America: Civil War
One of the greatest Marvel films in years, Civil War proved that superhero fatigue isn't a real thing, as long as you have films made well by truly talented people who care about what they are doing and then gave us one of the best fight scenes in any superhero movie.
Zootopia
In one of two Disney animated hits, Zootopia manage to address racism, sexism and the general toxicity of society while still having time for hilarious jokes, an interesting plot and a Shakira song to remind people she has had work after Hips Don't Lie.
The Nice Guys
Having seen some of his other films since, The Nice Guys does feel like more of a copy of Shane Black's previous work but considering the quality of them, what you end up with is still a romp with action, comedy and more style than any other film this year.
The Hateful Eight
For me, Tarrantino continued his streak of great Westerns with what I think is one of his best. It's low key, written to be sharper than the knives the despicable characters wield and when the tension does explode, it does so in typically and literally explosive gore.
Creed
As someone who doesn't care about sports movies and has never seen anything from the Rocky franchise, Creed made me interested in sports movies and buy a Rocky box set. A pure adrenaline rush with surprising heart to boot.
The Little Prince
One of only two films that made me cry this year, The Little Prince is pure beauty. It is animated wonderfully, voiced so sweetly and all to tell an incredibly touching story. If this Netflix hidden gem doesn't touch your heart, you are a monster.
Swiss Army Man
The most inventive film of the year somehow manages to be more than just that. It's sweet, it warms your heart, it often makes you laugh, yet between that it makes room for the best score of the year and Daniel Radcliffe's farting corpse.
The Neon Demon
Farting corpses may be weird but this cannibalistic thriller about models in LA proved weirder still. I feel it's Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn's best film and one that oozes beauty from each pore, be that from the vapid faces of the story or the stunning shot composition.
Moana
For me, the best Disney film of the year, Moana is also one of the best Disney princess films in over a decade. The voice acting is great, the animation stuns and each song hits. Many will say the film is just for kids but they are missing out on pure fun.
Midnight Special
Midnight Special was the first of two films this year that really pushed the smart sci-fi genre and did so in beautiful fashion. The story it told was touchingly human, there was a slow burn tension to really be appreciated and the shots where the vehicles swing in and out of frame are some of the best looking shots I have ever seen.
So now that the extensive list of honourable mentions is done, I can get into the actual seven best films, this time ranked.
7. The BFG
It may seem odd that a film that is both made for children and was one of the biggest flops of the year makes the top seven but such was the magic of The BFG. In fact, not only those things, I also saw it in 3D and it still touched me. What is great about this film is it takes the story of Roald Dahl's beloved novel and the charm of Steven Spielberg's family movies and combines the two into something that is as magical as the BFG himself. This is a film that balances laugh out loud moments (anyone familiar with the book is aware of the joy of whizz-popping) with what may actually be the most beautiful moment in cinema this year when Sophie and The BFG share a moment under the dream tree. You missed this film, the box office numbers confirm that but you have to go back and check it out.
6. Anomalisa
Being the writer of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I am fairly partial to Charlie Kaufman's weird and wonderful work and the best animated film of the year is no exception. Anomalisa is a story of a man who is totally disconnected from society until he finally sees a woman who changes his life. The true beauty of the film comes in how all encompassing that theme is and how it travels into every aspect of the film. The script is melancholic, the voice acting is melancholic and the way the film is animated to have each character have one of three faces shows is melancholic beyond belief. Anomalisa is not a film for everyone but if you risk it (and it is now on Netflix so why not?) you will be heavily rewarded by beauty that cripples.
5. 10 Cloverfield Lane
I did not see myself loving this film as much as I did coming, mainly because this time last year, I had no idea it even existed. When the first trailer was released in January though, I was instantly interested despite having never seen the first Cloverfield. Turns out though, that didn't matter as by taking a chance on the film, I was heavily rewarded with the most thrilling film of the year. I haven't seen tension like this since Whiplash and that is high praise. By putting three characters in a tiny locked bunker and letting Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman, in an especially terrifying role, give career best performances, Dan Trachtenberg (who also dabbled in Black Mirror this year) made a thriller that no other this year bested. Sure, the ending was initially jarring but after consideration, it felt like the right step for the film.
4. I, Daniel Blake
Now we are into heavy hitters. From here onward, these films are all 10/10 films, films that proved that 2016 did have great films if you were willing to search for them. In particular, I, Daniel Blake is probably the most essential film of the year. It is a stark and brutal portrayal of the benefits system in Britain and how it cheats those that need it of support but equally, it shows warmth and even humour with how humans can and do come together to look after each other in times of need. This was the second film this year that made me cry but when I did, boy did I weep. The film isn't utterly bleak, it has humour and it has moments that will warm your heart, only to break it later. I haven't seen any Ken Loach films before but after this masterpiece, I am seeking out as many others as I can.
3. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Without a shadow of a doubt, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is the best comedy of the year. In fact, it might even be the best of the decade, it works on that many levels. I took a chance on it, being warm to director Taika Waititi's last film What We Do in the Shadows and settled down into a shockingly packed cinema for what I assumed would be a pleasant time. Walking out of the cinema, I was beaming. It's a phrase I've already overused here but this film will warm your heart. There are tender moments from a superb Sam Neil, there are superb punchlines from newcomer Julian Dennison and Taika Waititi directs each singular frame with unparalleled passion. There are few films that will leave you smiling as much as Hunt for the Wilderpeople and if we judge the film just on that and ignore the charm, humour and knockout performances, it is still easily one of the year's greatest.
2. Arrival
I've felt since last year that Denis Villeneuve, director of Arrival, has gotten progressively better with each of his English language films. Prisoners was good, Enemy was great, Sicario was superb and I am delighted to say, Arrival is my favourite of all of his yet. It is an initially simple story of first contact with an alien species and how we should communicate with them. With this simple start however, the film takes off and unfurls a complex and sprawling plot that examines humanity and the way we choose to communicate with each other. The first time I saw this film, my jaw dropped and I was utterly blown away. It was something so unexpected yet so needed that it just worked with me. Due to this experience, I returned to the cinema to rewatch it, something I did for no other film this year, and while the experience wasn't as spectacular as the first, it still showed me new and fascinating things. Arrival is a movie that will be talked about for years and deservedly so. It is the film that smart science fiction needs and gives me a great deal of hope for Villeneuve's upcoming take on Blade Runner.
1.Hell or High Water
For a while, it seemed like Arrival would be my film of the year but after the second viewing, I started to spot more holes in it. I only saw Hell or High Water once but I regret that decision. Sure, it means I haven't had the chance to poke as many holes in it but I really feel like there may not be an actual flaw in it. Hell or High Water is a genuinely simple story. Two brothers are robbing banks to make ends meet while the state policeman and his buddy hunt them down. That's it. With the story boiled down to that, it gave screenwriter Taylor Sheridan the chance just to nail the dialogue and he did just that, creating one of the more quotable films in years. There is also a great deal of highly impressive restraint by director David Mackenzie as he very much returns to the style of old fashioned cinema. There are takes that he just allows to run on, keeping you in the scene and there are also moments of such exquisite beauty when the brothers escape. Honestly, this film has just about everything. Three superb lead performances, tension that drips into every scene and direction that deserves recognition. For me, Hell or High Water is the best film of the year. My only worry about the film is that it will not get the awards recognition it deserves.
Captain America: Civil War
One of the greatest Marvel films in years, Civil War proved that superhero fatigue isn't a real thing, as long as you have films made well by truly talented people who care about what they are doing and then gave us one of the best fight scenes in any superhero movie.
Zootopia
In one of two Disney animated hits, Zootopia manage to address racism, sexism and the general toxicity of society while still having time for hilarious jokes, an interesting plot and a Shakira song to remind people she has had work after Hips Don't Lie.
The Nice Guys
Having seen some of his other films since, The Nice Guys does feel like more of a copy of Shane Black's previous work but considering the quality of them, what you end up with is still a romp with action, comedy and more style than any other film this year.
The Hateful Eight
For me, Tarrantino continued his streak of great Westerns with what I think is one of his best. It's low key, written to be sharper than the knives the despicable characters wield and when the tension does explode, it does so in typically and literally explosive gore.
Creed
As someone who doesn't care about sports movies and has never seen anything from the Rocky franchise, Creed made me interested in sports movies and buy a Rocky box set. A pure adrenaline rush with surprising heart to boot.
The Little Prince
One of only two films that made me cry this year, The Little Prince is pure beauty. It is animated wonderfully, voiced so sweetly and all to tell an incredibly touching story. If this Netflix hidden gem doesn't touch your heart, you are a monster.
Swiss Army Man
The most inventive film of the year somehow manages to be more than just that. It's sweet, it warms your heart, it often makes you laugh, yet between that it makes room for the best score of the year and Daniel Radcliffe's farting corpse.
The Neon Demon
Farting corpses may be weird but this cannibalistic thriller about models in LA proved weirder still. I feel it's Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn's best film and one that oozes beauty from each pore, be that from the vapid faces of the story or the stunning shot composition.
Moana
For me, the best Disney film of the year, Moana is also one of the best Disney princess films in over a decade. The voice acting is great, the animation stuns and each song hits. Many will say the film is just for kids but they are missing out on pure fun.
Midnight Special
Midnight Special was the first of two films this year that really pushed the smart sci-fi genre and did so in beautiful fashion. The story it told was touchingly human, there was a slow burn tension to really be appreciated and the shots where the vehicles swing in and out of frame are some of the best looking shots I have ever seen.
So now that the extensive list of honourable mentions is done, I can get into the actual seven best films, this time ranked.
7. The BFG
It may seem odd that a film that is both made for children and was one of the biggest flops of the year makes the top seven but such was the magic of The BFG. In fact, not only those things, I also saw it in 3D and it still touched me. What is great about this film is it takes the story of Roald Dahl's beloved novel and the charm of Steven Spielberg's family movies and combines the two into something that is as magical as the BFG himself. This is a film that balances laugh out loud moments (anyone familiar with the book is aware of the joy of whizz-popping) with what may actually be the most beautiful moment in cinema this year when Sophie and The BFG share a moment under the dream tree. You missed this film, the box office numbers confirm that but you have to go back and check it out.
6. Anomalisa
Being the writer of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I am fairly partial to Charlie Kaufman's weird and wonderful work and the best animated film of the year is no exception. Anomalisa is a story of a man who is totally disconnected from society until he finally sees a woman who changes his life. The true beauty of the film comes in how all encompassing that theme is and how it travels into every aspect of the film. The script is melancholic, the voice acting is melancholic and the way the film is animated to have each character have one of three faces shows is melancholic beyond belief. Anomalisa is not a film for everyone but if you risk it (and it is now on Netflix so why not?) you will be heavily rewarded by beauty that cripples.
5. 10 Cloverfield Lane
I did not see myself loving this film as much as I did coming, mainly because this time last year, I had no idea it even existed. When the first trailer was released in January though, I was instantly interested despite having never seen the first Cloverfield. Turns out though, that didn't matter as by taking a chance on the film, I was heavily rewarded with the most thrilling film of the year. I haven't seen tension like this since Whiplash and that is high praise. By putting three characters in a tiny locked bunker and letting Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman, in an especially terrifying role, give career best performances, Dan Trachtenberg (who also dabbled in Black Mirror this year) made a thriller that no other this year bested. Sure, the ending was initially jarring but after consideration, it felt like the right step for the film.
4. I, Daniel Blake
Now we are into heavy hitters. From here onward, these films are all 10/10 films, films that proved that 2016 did have great films if you were willing to search for them. In particular, I, Daniel Blake is probably the most essential film of the year. It is a stark and brutal portrayal of the benefits system in Britain and how it cheats those that need it of support but equally, it shows warmth and even humour with how humans can and do come together to look after each other in times of need. This was the second film this year that made me cry but when I did, boy did I weep. The film isn't utterly bleak, it has humour and it has moments that will warm your heart, only to break it later. I haven't seen any Ken Loach films before but after this masterpiece, I am seeking out as many others as I can.
3. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Without a shadow of a doubt, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is the best comedy of the year. In fact, it might even be the best of the decade, it works on that many levels. I took a chance on it, being warm to director Taika Waititi's last film What We Do in the Shadows and settled down into a shockingly packed cinema for what I assumed would be a pleasant time. Walking out of the cinema, I was beaming. It's a phrase I've already overused here but this film will warm your heart. There are tender moments from a superb Sam Neil, there are superb punchlines from newcomer Julian Dennison and Taika Waititi directs each singular frame with unparalleled passion. There are few films that will leave you smiling as much as Hunt for the Wilderpeople and if we judge the film just on that and ignore the charm, humour and knockout performances, it is still easily one of the year's greatest.
2. Arrival
I've felt since last year that Denis Villeneuve, director of Arrival, has gotten progressively better with each of his English language films. Prisoners was good, Enemy was great, Sicario was superb and I am delighted to say, Arrival is my favourite of all of his yet. It is an initially simple story of first contact with an alien species and how we should communicate with them. With this simple start however, the film takes off and unfurls a complex and sprawling plot that examines humanity and the way we choose to communicate with each other. The first time I saw this film, my jaw dropped and I was utterly blown away. It was something so unexpected yet so needed that it just worked with me. Due to this experience, I returned to the cinema to rewatch it, something I did for no other film this year, and while the experience wasn't as spectacular as the first, it still showed me new and fascinating things. Arrival is a movie that will be talked about for years and deservedly so. It is the film that smart science fiction needs and gives me a great deal of hope for Villeneuve's upcoming take on Blade Runner.
1.Hell or High Water
For a while, it seemed like Arrival would be my film of the year but after the second viewing, I started to spot more holes in it. I only saw Hell or High Water once but I regret that decision. Sure, it means I haven't had the chance to poke as many holes in it but I really feel like there may not be an actual flaw in it. Hell or High Water is a genuinely simple story. Two brothers are robbing banks to make ends meet while the state policeman and his buddy hunt them down. That's it. With the story boiled down to that, it gave screenwriter Taylor Sheridan the chance just to nail the dialogue and he did just that, creating one of the more quotable films in years. There is also a great deal of highly impressive restraint by director David Mackenzie as he very much returns to the style of old fashioned cinema. There are takes that he just allows to run on, keeping you in the scene and there are also moments of such exquisite beauty when the brothers escape. Honestly, this film has just about everything. Three superb lead performances, tension that drips into every scene and direction that deserves recognition. For me, Hell or High Water is the best film of the year. My only worry about the film is that it will not get the awards recognition it deserves.
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