2016 has been filled with many great films, but, these are the best! Though I try to be as objective as possible, these are my opinions on the best films of 2016, so, don’t get upset if your favorite movie isn’t on the list or isn’t placed where you want it to be. Try to enjoy my analysis as it was difficult to cut the first half of 2016 down to only 10 movies:
10. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
My Score: 77/100
Why it’s so good: Michael Bay’s best film to date, this is a very political-centered action movie, but, at the same time was never politically biased. Based on eyewitness accounts, 13 Hours is an intense action thriller. My personal favorite aspect was that the American soldiers constantly had to distinguish between enemy civilians trying to kill them and friendly civilians trying to help them; it keeps us completely on edge throughout the film wondering who is the good guy and who is the bad guy. My only issue of the film was the dialogue, while it was good and fits the genre, it certainly was very generic army movie type dialogue. John Kraskinski was great in the film and certainly held his own, coming from a comedic background, it was nice to see him shine in his dramatic skills.
Why it deserves to be on the list: This is a great thriller with great action sequences. You get exactly what you want from it and even a bit more than you expected. Definitely a more superior war movie with amazing special effects. Compared to other Michael Bay films, this is a much more emotionally subtle action film, it is not over the top and it does its best to be emotionally honest to pay respect to the fallen soldiers.
What Award(s) does it deserve: Best Special Effects, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Design
9. Deadpool
My Score: 78/100
Why it’s so good: Ryan Reynolds is perfect for this role and this is, obviously, a story heavily based on his character and that is why it works so well. The storyline is a generic superhero origin story, but, it offers hilarious dialogue and fun action scenes and a, surprisingly, emotional and dark backstory. Definitely redeeming themselves from the Wolverine Origins film, this is a strong film that shines in classic Deadpool fashion.
Why it deserves to be on the list: Deadpool has singlehandedly opened the doors to big-budget rated R films, quickly becoming the highest grossing rated R film of all time.
What Award(s) does it deserve: None from the major award ceremonies.
8. Zootopia
My Score: 84/100
Why it’s so good: Zootopia is a brilliantly symbolic story which reflects modern politics, political corruption, and a powerful allegory of racism and sexism in society. The characters are brilliant and each animal in Zootopia is intelligently used to symbolize some greater meaning in our reality.
Why it deserves to be on the list: During such a heated and passionate political season, this film fits perfectly into current circumstances in society and offers an intriguing story to people of all ages and all cultural backgrounds.
What Award(s) does it deserve: Best Animated Feature Film
7. The Conjuring 2
My Score: 85/100
Why it’s so good: In my opinion, this is the greatest Supernatural-Horror film since The Exorcist, and yes, even better than the first Conjuring film. It does everything you could want from a sequel: the stakes are higher; the main characters are in danger of losing their lives, the family being haunted is being publicized in every news story, the church and psychologists and paranormal investigators from all over are involved etc. And… the Nun *cringe face* That Nun demon is terrifying and beats the Annabelle doll on every level of debilitating horror. In fact, that Nun demon is so scary that I refused to put a photo of it on this article. That thing is scary.
Why it deserves to be on the list: It is, arguably, one of the best sequels of all time. It is very rare to find a film that ups its predecessor on every level and offers an emotional story of love and family underneath a terrifying front. We aren’t just in it for the scares, though most will flock exclusively for that reason, the relationships and the fact that it is based on true events adds a deep spiritual connection between the audience and the material that is translated on screen.
What Award(s) does it deserve: Best Makeup Design, Best Cinematography
6. Captain America: Civil War
My Score: 86/100
Why it’s so good: Well, first of all, the Russo brothers are the best treasure that Marvel/Disney has discovered. Coming back from their brilliant Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the Russo Brothers again have captured what it would mean to really BE a superhero in our world. The heroes face repercussions, personal battles, and a much better resolution than “Martha.” Needless to say, RDJ is amazing as Iron Man and, in a moment of crisis, portrays a very emotionally moving and powerful performance that no one was expecting. Might as well call it Iron Man 4…
Why it deserves to be on “the list”: In my opinion, this is the greatest Superhero movie to date. It offers the same Marvel style of equal parts of laughs and seriousness and action but on a much bigger scale boasting a dream team, all-star cast.
What Award(s) does it deserve: Best Special Effects, Best Sound Design, Best Sound Mixing
5. Finding Dory
My Score: 88/100
Why it’s so good: Ellen Degeneres is, of course, brilliant with her voice acting and brings a very touching emotional side to Dory with a humor that is equally as powerful. Also, baby Dory is freaking adorable! Another humanitarian-centered film, much like Zootopia, Finding Dory offers a great story which opens us to the depth of the characters we already love while offering to shed some light on how fish, and animals in general, play a role in society through aquariums and zoos.
Why it deserves to be on the list: Its Disney, does it need any other qualification to be critically acclaimed? Disney never disappoints and this is a strong sequel that scores on par with its predecessor.
What Award(s) does it deserve: Best Animated Feature Film
4. The Meddler
My Score: 90/100
Why it’s so good: As you can tell from my previous explanations, emotional honesty is a key aspect to filmmaking, in my opinion. Being able to create a story that all can connect to while remaining true to the writer is a very difficult skill to master, but it is mastered here. Susan Sarandon completely immerses herself as the meddling mom whose husband recently passed away. Sarandon is charismatic and perfect as Marnie, who feels guilty that she has acquired so much money from her husbands passing and often spends it on others impulsively to help others she feels less fortunate than herself. Marnie is truly a good person, but, she is stuck, she is afraid to open up to anyone and reluctant to get into another relationship due to her guilt. It is overall beautifully written, funny, and touching family drama that takes a very optimistic view on life and moving on.
Why it deserves to be on the list: This is indie filmmaking at its finest, you really couldn’t ask for more here and it is a heavily character-driven story as nothing much really happens story-wise, but, it is the actors’ charming chemistry and character growth that makes it all worth while.
What Award(s) does it deserve: Best Actress (Susan Sarandon)
3. The Jungle Book
My Score: 92/100
Why it’s so good: The Jungle Book doesn’t try to be different than the original animated feature film, and that is why it is so good, it simply improves upon the original film and doesn’t try to change the classic story in any way. The child actor, Neel Sethi, who plays Mogli is amazing; to be able to carry an entire film by yourself with no actors to react off of is impressive in itself, but to do it at such a young age with little experience is even more awe-inspiring. And Idris Elba, as Shere Khan, is a surprisingly terrifying and unpredictable villain for a family film.
Why it deserves to be on the list: The Jungle Book is the first big budget film to be filmed completely with all blue screen/green screen and absolutely no practical sets. It boasts beautiful CGI and offers the very best of modern digital filmmaking.
What Award(s) does it deserve: Best Special Effects, Best Director (John Favreau), Best Film
2. The Lobster
My Score: 95/100
Why it’s so good: Collin Farrell and Rachel Weisz’s best film roles to date, this Science Fiction-Romance-Comedy-Drama is about a dystopian future where single people have 45 days to stay in a hotel to find a mate, or, they are turned into an animal of their choosing; David (played by Farrell) chooses to be turned into a lobster if he is not able to find a mate, hence the title of the film. This film surprised me as it offered a very stylistic deadpan comedic tone and a very satirical criticism of modern society with an underlying feeling of sadness, yet, hope in a divided world where true love is no longer prevalent. As you can see, it really put me through a rollercoaster of emotions. There are times when it is just hilarious, and other times where it terrifies me emotionally to think that our world has come to a loss of romance and a shows how many relationships are based on a lie just to simply survive.
Why it deserves to be on the list: While is offers a deeply emotional philosophical analysis of society, the screenplay/dialogue is what really stands out. It isn’t every day that you find such an original film idea and then is played out near-perfectly on the big screen where most would fall short.
What Award(s) does it deserve: Best Actor (Collin Farrell), Best Supporting Actress (Rachel Weisz), Best Director (Yorgos Lanthimos), Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography
1. 10 Cloverfield Lane
My Score: 98/100
Why it’s so good: This is one of the best written films I have ever seen. It creates a dense character conflict from the first frame and only builds off of that foundation continuously and never loses its perfect pacing. This is a very simplistic film, but, as my screenwriting professor tells me: it is always best to do more with less than it is to do less with more. A woman is leaving her marriage and her current husband and runs away only to be in a car accident and taken captive by a senile, emotionally disturbed old man (played by John Goodman). What more could you ask for when it comes to conflict? A woman who feels stuck in her marriage and always runs away from her problems ends up kidnapped with a broken leg and no way of escaping and has no choice but to adjust to this man’s systematic, cold, and calculating rulebook until she finds a way to escape. There’s nothing more I can say without spoiling the film, so, GO SEE IT! NOW!!!!!
Why it deserves to be on the list: This is the most effective Thriller I have ever seen… ever! The story is a non-stop thrill ride and is relentless, to say the least.
What Award(s) does it deserve: Best Supporting Actor (John Goodman), Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Musical Score, Best Director (Dan Tratchenberg)
