Every New Years, I like to look back and reflect. Not on my life, but rather, on the year’s entertainment. Specifically, the movies. What was good? What was terrible? Instead of just doing a boring list, I figured I would do some superlatives. I’m going to put out the disclaimer that while I watched a LOT of movies this year, I couldn’t watch them all. So if I missed your favorite, feel free to point me towards it.
Best Superhero Movie: Deadpool 
This was a close one between Deadpool and Captain America: Civil War. Both excellent films, but I’m giving the edge to Deadpool for a couple reasons. First, the budget was shoestring and they still managed to make it great. Deadpool had $58 Million, while Captain America had $250 Million. You could also really feel the passion going into Deadpool, as well as its dedication to staying true to the heart of the material.
Worst Superhero Movie: Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice
Ugh. You all knew this was coming. Even the extended version is a hot pile of garbage. Zack Snyder is so concerned with making sure he creates memorable moments, that he forgot to make a memorable movie. Say what you will about Suicide Squad, but at least I had fun while watching it.
Best Animated Movie: Kubo and the Two Strings
Animated by the company who did Coraline, this stop motion film tells an amazing story of a young man with incredible powers. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a real story to go along with their beautiful animation.
Worst Major Release: Jason Bourne
This movie made me sick… literally. I walked out of the theater nauseous from the shaky cam, the story is terrible, the action isn’t much better. Its only redeeming scene is the car chase at the end, but I’m beginning to think I hate Paul Greengrass.
Best Movie That No One Saw: Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Popstar is the movie that no one asked for, but god damn if it’s not hilarious. It’s smart and stupid at the same time, and the Lonely Island is at the top of their game. The fact that it has an awesome soundtrack that I have legitimately been listening to in the car doesn’t hurt either. Honorable Mention: The Nice Guys.
Weirdest Movie: The Lobster
If you told me there was a movie that would be weirder than a farting corpse being someone’s companion on an island, I would have laughed in your face. But then we got the Lobster. This movie is dark, beautiful, funny, sad, and above all, bizarre. It explores the fear of loneliness, and reminds us why Colin Farrell is so respected.
Gold Star Movies: Sing Street, Hail, Caesar, and War Dogs
These are movies that stood out to me this year as being excellent, but didn’t fit in anywhere else. Sing Street is about an Irish boy in the 80’s starting a band to impress a girl. Hail, Caesar is the newest Cohen Brothers movie (which is enough for you to know if you’ll like it). Jonah Hill puts on a great performance in War Dogs, which is basically The Big Short, but for arms dealers. Check em out.
