My Favorite Movie Of 2016 (So Far)
Start writing a post
Entertainment

My Favorite Movie Of 2016 (So Far)

And I bet you'll like it, too!

19
My Favorite Movie Of 2016 (So Far)
Indie Wire

June 1 - what does that date mean to you? Summer vacation, the start of an internship or just another Wednesday? Universally, if your date keeper of choice is the good old-fashioned Gregorian Calendar, June 1 means day 182 (3, if a leap year) of our 365 day solar cycle. It is betwixt our seasons as the year's midway point, and that means nearly half the inventory of this year's films have been released for our prospective pleasure. With this article, I will reveal to you my pick for what I feel is this half-year's best film.


The qualifications

Just to be clear on what is being considered, there is a set criteria. The films must have each received a wide theatrical release across America. This includes indie-films given a wide release and major blockbusters.

My pick

The past six months have been full of animated animals ("Zootopia", "The Jungle Book"), superheroes ("Batman v. Superman", "Captain America: Civil War", "Deadpool"), and the Coen Brothers ("Hail Caesar"). Surprisingly enough, despite some heavy hitting names, my choice for best film of the first half of 2016 does not fall under any of these categories. In my opinion, the best movie so far this year is "10 Cloverfield Lane."

This is such a fantastic movie. Not only is it a thrilling suspense film, but it is also makes for an excellent study of film making technique, all the while managing to be great fun and excitement. Yes, I very much enjoyed the action-packed sequences of "BvS" and "Civil War," but I found much of what built up both their plots somewhat convoluted. "Deadpool" was fun but at the end of the day it was too grotesque for my taste. "Zootopia" did a nice job walking the tight-wire act of dealing with social issues while presenting itself as a kids movie. But overall, I found "10 Cloverfield Lane" to be the standout flick of this years releases.

Technically taking place in the same time as "Cloverfield," "Cloverfield Lane" indirectly picks up after the alien attacks on earth as it follows the lives of three survivors living (held against their will?) in a rather home-sweet-home-y underground bunker. The setting may help distract the characters, played by John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and John Gallagher Jr., from the extraterrestrial turmoil above ground, but the real tension comes from the unreliability of the younger two's impromptu, and overbearing, caretaker Howard (Goodman). His benevolence tentatively becomes malevolent as Michelle (Winstead) and Emmett (Gallagher) slowly unravel the real truth behind the aliens, the bunker itself, and Howard's past. Mayhem quickly turns to mystery in the underground safe-house, and I never found myself far from the edge of my seat.

This film, directed by Dan Trachtenberg and produced by sci-fi specialist J.J. Abrams, is worthy of Hitchcock-ian comparison in terms of character development (self-destruction?), suspense, string-based score by Bear McCreary and overall tone of film. And although the quality of this thriller begs for the comparison to its predecessor, it still manages to find unique ways to stand apart. I thoroughly enjoyed my this film, so much so that, in my mind, it stands out against the likes of culturally colossal names such as Batman, Superman, Ethan & Joel Cohen, and Disney itself. If you get the chance and enjoy a good thriller, I highly recommend you check out this movie. It will be well worth your time to see that Alfred Hitchcock does indeed live, on 10 Cloverfield Lane.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55803
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35973
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957965
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

186983
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments