Hello All,
Well, it’s now officially drawing to the end of the first day of 2017. With 2016 now going to be officially one full day behind us, it’s time to start looking back and trying to find any good bits of the previous year, and trying to focus on those more than the negatives. Sure it was a cruel, and heartbreaking year, but even 2016 had some diamonds in the rough. This was a really hard list to trim down, I had to make some absolutely painful cuts, and I hope you all take this list as on opportunity to look back on some positive aspects of last year, no matter the capacity.
As with the last two lists, this list also has one disqualification
Best Films Disqualifications
- Lazer Team (9/10) - I really hate to do this, but I backed this film on Indiegogo, and while I don’t mind giving it an honest review, to put it on my year end lists in any capacity feels like dishonesty no matter how much I argue it. What I will do is recommend you see the film regardless, as it is an amazing film that I was proud to have contributed to.
So with that out of the way, Ladies and Gentlemen, let us pay our respects to……
The Top Ten Best Films of 2016.
10. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Plot Summary - Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) is drafted by the rebellion to find her father, the designer of a new federation weapon, one that poses a great threat to the galaxy.
I was hesitant about the standalone films at first, even with them talking about how this film was about the rebellion getting the Death Star plans. I didn't think it was going to be bad, but I didn’t think it was going to be as cool as it was. You got to see a lot more of the galaxy, and along with it you got to see Darth Vader has some awesome moments as well. The last third of the film is easily the best, but admittedly as a Star Wars fan, it was cool to kind of see how all the pieces lined up for the original trilogy. I really do hope they can keep up this kind of quality with the standalone films, especially with Han Solo up next.
Final Score - (10/10)
9. Shin Godzilla
Plot Summary - When Kaiju Monster Godzilla shows up in Tokyo Bay and starts terrorizing the residents of Japan, a young Government Deputy Chief must lead the fight against the creature, and save Japan in the process.
A new godzilla film straight from Japan, and it just happened to be awesome to boot. As much as I liked the previous american version, it did lack having more than just a few great Godzilla moments. Overall, the film is amazingly awesome, if a touch hyper kinetically edited. It basically dives straight in, and manages to both have great human elements, as well as action scenes, and you get to see Godzilla do the shit he does best. It’s a definite recommendation for anyone who loves fun cinema.
Final Score - (10/10)
8. Deadpool
Plot Summary - When Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is diagnosed with fatal cancer, he undergoes a radical treatment to cure himself. When he realizes what his healers are up to however, he escapes, and plans his revenge.
Hey look, an R rated (in the states, it was 14A in Canada because we're not pussies) that actually did really well. The Deadpool film I think surpassed all of our expectations, being a great mixture of funny, self aware, and touching all at the same time. This was the role Ryan Reynolds was born for, he does with such gusto, and it’s amazing. The best of the Fox owned Marvel films in quite some time, it stands as a great example as to how it’s okay to take chances once again. There was also a moment while formatting this film, when I seriously considered using the version of this poster that made it look like a romantic comedy, because of how funny it was. I just love this movie so much for that kind of thing.
Final Score - (10/10)
7. 10 Cloverfield Lane
Plot Summary - Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) awakens in a cellar after a car crash, and is told by its owner Howard Stambler (John Goodman) that the world outside is no longer the one she knows.
So this is the one I didn’t expect to make the list, but goddamn if this one hasn’t been growing on me. I hated the first Cloverfield movie, so it’s honestly really cool to me to see this one take such a drastic turn in terms of the narrative and it’s presentation. The cast is amazing as well, and I’m seriously hoping John Goodman gets some serious recognition for his work in this film, because he was easily the best thing about it. A tense, and creepy film, it’s a must watch if you want to be on the edge of your seat.
Final Score - (10/10)
6. Kubo and the Two Strings
Plot Summary - When Kubo (Art Parkinson) finds himself on the run from his evil grandfather’s forces, he teams up with two guardians in order to find a set of mystical armor that will help him in the fight.
It was a really close call between this, and Zootopia, for animated films, but I Kubo won out in the end because I simply loved the adventure of it all. It’s also got a really good message for kids, that death is a part of life, and that it’s okay. The stop motion animation was on point as well, as the whole film was just beautiful to look at because of it. I was really bummed out that not a lot of people saw it, but I say nows the time to right that wrong.
Final Score - (10/10)
5. Captain America: Civil War
Plot Summary - When the UN threatens to take control of the Avengers, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) clash over the idea, leading the team to fragment and battle over their ideals.
Okay so it’s not the greatest description, but of the three big superhero team up films that we got this year, this was the only one that exceeded expectations in a good way. It just got the right mix of story, humour, and getting to see every hero have their own moments. It also introduced us to the MCU Spiderman, and man did that just seal the deal for me personally. Yeah, it was basically a third avengers movie, but we did get to see Steve and his best friend Bucky team up, so much so that is spawned the give Captain America a boyfriend hashtag on twitter. Any film that can inspire that kind of passion in people is doing something right.
Final Score - (10/10)
4. Hacksaw Ridge
Plot Summary - Following the true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) as he went to fight in World War 2, but without carrying a rifle into battle.
We haven’t had such a brutal war film in quite some time, and it’s interesting that it would come in the form of a story of a man who deplored violence. It also has possibly the best performance of Andrew Garfield's career, as he’s also surrounded by an amazing supporting cast. The film is also hauntingly brutal, even managing to get in a few jump scare moments as well. It marks a tremendous return to directing from Mel Gibson, who can hopefully capitalize on this, and make more awesome films as well.
Final Score - (10/10)
3. The Nice Guys
Plot Summary - When down on his luck Private Eye Holland March (Ryan Gosling) teams up with enforcer Jack Healy (Russell Crowe), to solve the disappearance of a politician's daughter, the duo embark on a trail of conspiracy.
It’s rare to see these type of Private Eye films anymore, and it’s disappointing to me that this didn’t get more attention, but The Nice Guys is just an amazingly awesome film. The story is amazingly funny and well structured, Gosling and Crowe work well together, and even the supporting characters are great as well. I really hope they manage to do more with these characters, and I encourage you all to seek out this film and discover it for yourself.
Final Score - (10/10)
2. La La Land
Plot Summary - When struggling actress Mia Dolan (Emma Stone) meets aspiring jazz pianist Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling), they struggle to balance their love for each other while reaching for their dreams.
You know, I’m usually not big on musicals, but goddamn if this one didn’t win me over. Not only did it surprise me with it’s modern day setting, but the performances by Stone and Gosling are amazing in the film, doing all their own singing, dancing, and gosling even learning the piano. The story is beautiful, well told, and simply one of the best I’ve seen all year. When it comes out to wider release in January, I encourage you all, whether you’re a fan of musicals or not, to take a look.
Final Score - (10/10)
And now, before we reveal the best film of the year, let’s take a look at…..
Honourable Mentions
- Ouija: Origin of Evil (9/10) - I like sequels/prequels that can surpass the original film, mostly because it still proves that even the worst of original ideas can be given great ideas and a good treatment if in the right hands. Ouija takes a premise that was badly mishandled in the first one, and sets up a creepy as hell origin to it so good, you wish they had done more on the original.
- The Neon Demon (8/10) - I’ll admit, I like really good visual films sometimes. Neon Demon is a great example of one, especially since it’s got a really weird, and creepy story to back it up with. Elle Fanning’s performance as well is great, as we see a great arc of her character over the course of the film. Sure it’s one we can kind of see coming, but the way they do it is so weirdly cool it’s hard not to be drawn in a bit.
- Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (10/10) - It’s weird to say that the best film DC made all year is an animated film based on the Adam West Batman show, but truth be told it’s just an insane amount of fun. I definitely recommend this film to any Batman fan.
- Manchester by the Sea (9/10) - The film that will probably be on everyone’s list in one way or another, for me, it’s a few steps short of being a tremendous film. Honestly though, I can really see the appeal though, and it’s a refreshing change of pace from other types of films like it.
- Hardcore Henry (10/10) - Consider this the official number 11 on the list, but as much as I loved this film and the way it plays out, it is kind of a touch thin on plot, but it works for what the film is trying to do. This was really hard to put here instead of on the main list, but I got to go with my heart.
And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, without further ado, I present to you……
The Best Film of 2016!
- Swiss Army Man
Plot Summary - Just as Hank Thompson (Paul Dano) is about to commit suicide on a deserted island, a dead body washed up ashore. When Hank realizes the body has powers that he can use to stay alive, it comes to life and takes the name of Manny (Daniel Radcliffe) as the pair journey back to civilization.
Okay, so I kind of basically decided that this one was my favourite film quite some time ago. I really don’t know how to describe this film in a way that would truly capture just how strangely beautiful it is. I loved every single moment of this film, and the way it just plays out is probably one of the greatest things I may have ever seen on screen. As much as I mean this for every film on this list, this one especially you should go out and watch, if only to discover for yourself just how oddly amazing this film really is.
And with an irrefutable score of (10/10) I am proud as hell to award……
The Best Film of 2016 Award:
Swiss Army Man
The strangest, and yet most amazing film I’ve seen all year.
Next: The Most Anticipated Films of 2017! - We got one more list, but this one might take a day or two.
Links:
Last Review is Here: The last post of 2016 talked about the biggest film let downs of the year. You can read that here.
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Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.
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