But, that aside... There were a lot good movies that came out! Some were blockbusters, some came out under the radar, but lots of really good movies came out this past year. So I though Id make a list of a bunch of films that you might have missed, that you definitely should go back and watch.
Now I want to preface this with a reminder that I don't have the end all be all list. I missed a number of films this year myself (Midnight Special, Loving). And there were a few films that everyone seems to be crazy over that I liked but just didn't love as much as most people did. (La La Land, The Edge of 17)
Point is, there are tons of other lists out there and I really think you should check them all out.
That said, here are the films that are worth going back to if you missed them.
Popular Films
The movies that most likely you've seen because they were huge, but they still are worth mentioning on a best of the year list.Zootopia
A really thoughtful animated film. While people debate what animals represented what groups, it's interesting how this kids film has so many references to racism, sexism, and all different types of isms. If there's any hope for our kids we need more films with positive messages like this.
Captain America Civil War
You know this movie. Do I actually need to talk about it? Unless you were just woken up from a comma, you've heard of it. While I always thought the whole pinning two superheroes against each other was a cheap tactic, they actually did a really good job with this movie. You get why they're fighting and both sides are presented as pretty reasonable. And it has probably the greatest massive superhero melee in film history.
The Jungle Book
This live action remake of the original story, that takes elements from the 1967 film. Disney has another financial and critical hit this year, and it deserves it. The movie was adapted with love and the young actor does a good job acting against a green screen. Furthermore Idris Elba masterfully plays a villain in this, a much more interesting villain than his character in Star Trek Beyond. Which I liked but that film has it's own issues.
Deadpool
Finding Dory
Daaaamn Disney. Another huge movie this year. Finding Dory was a bit cloying at times but it still had a solid heart so we can forgive it. It was fun, beautifully animated and yet despite all that.... it's still only my 4th favorite animated film this year. I know, I know, it's Pixar, but while they did a good job, there were three other animated films that did an amazing job. One was Zootopia, one I'll talk about later, and the other one is...
Moana
I don't say this lightly but this is going to go down as one of my favorite Disney movies of all time. That's right it's up there with Lion King, Mulan, Pinocchio, and Aladdin. This movie had some of the best music I heard all year, the songs are STILL stuck in my head. Some of the best acting we've seen from Dwayne The Rock Johnson. And it's teenage main character is actually played by a 16 year old Hawaiian actress. I'll say it's a perfect film and overall tied with for best animated film with one other movie that I'll get to later on the list. A must see if you like animated family films.
Lights Out
An impressive entry from first time director David Sandberg, who also made the short by the same name. I liked this a lot more that I expected to. It plays on the fears that every human has had as a child; that there's something with you in the dark. Something that can't be seen when the lights are on, but as soon as you turn them off, it's back. The film has interesting characters instead of just cannon fodder which is what most horror movies do. It's fun, got some great scares and it will remind any horror fan why we're all afraid of the dark.
The Conjuring 2
Fantastic second entry to this series. James Wan was done a great job with his ghost stories. Between this and the Insidious movies, you can talk about which is a better franchize but they're all worth watching and somehow always make for a really fun watch with friends in the theater. This is maybe the most fun horror movie I saw all year. It sports our favorite exorcising ghost hunting couple the Warrens as they're pitted against one of the creepiest looking demons I've seen in awhile. If you enjoy a good scare this one is not to be missed.
Rogue One
I wasn't sure what to expect going into this but it was truly a special film. Star Wars seems to really push diverse casts which really means alot to so many people because most film franchises.... well they don't. This is easily the darkest Star Wars film since the Empire Strikes Back. Yet it still has a message of hope. The film has an ensemble cast and every character is actually really interesting, just a well done film. More money for Disney, but you can't be mad at them, they've put out a lot of really solid films this year.
10 Cloverfield Lane
Talk about a film that fucks with your expectations. This movie keeps you guessing as to what's happening, who the bad guys are, and what's going on. And every scene the tension is so thick it almost weighs you down in your seat. It's more of a suspense and mystery movie than a sci-fi flick. What really makes it great are the characters and just how the react to each other. Much like the Original Dawn of the Dead, you don't need a dozen characters, just a few and really draw them out.
The Hateful 8
Quentin Tarantino's 8th or 9th film, and it's another western. The film is sort of a bottle film and a western take on the "who done it" genre. The movie could easily be a stage play as most of it takes place all in the same room. The movie is packed with despicable and shady characters, and as they get knocked off one by one, you have to try and figure out who's doing it, who's lying, and who can you trust. Definitely a fun watch for all of us with a slightly dark sense of humor.
Ouija: Origins of Evil
Don't think I don't hear you. "How can that be good if the first one was lame" Trust me this is one of those times the sequel blows the original out of the water. And what's great is you don't even have to see the first one to see this one. This movie unapologetically pulls from a more successful franchise, the Conjuring films. The movie is set in the 70s, it follows a family instead of teenagers, it's got more down to earth scares and does a lot with negative space. All the characters are relatable and likeable. And the young actress, Lulu Wilson, does a great job and actually carries this movie really well. It's very creepy, very scary, and lots of fun. I highly recommend any horror fans check this movie out.
Smaller Films
Films that many people missed out on. Here are some smaller releases and independent films that didn't hit the mainstream but were absolutely worth watching.Arrival
One of the smartest films I saw all this year. Amy Adams stars in this truly brilliant sci-fi film about our fist contact with aliens. What I love about it is it's really realistic. The aliens look like nothing you've ever seen in any other movie and are damn intimidating when you actually meet them. And it shows just how difficult simply communicating with something from another world would be. Great soundtrack and an ending that might make you tear up. Maybe my favorite film of last year.
Moonlight
A fascinating look at a young man coming of age, and realizing his sexuality. I think we really need more films depicting how hard it can be as a person of color and someone in the lbgt community. Many minority communities aren't very accepting, and on top of that living in a bad part of town and having a father figure in a criminal... your life is going to have many ups and downs. It's a powerful powerful film. One of the best this year.
Manchester By The Sea
I have always liked Casey Affleck. I thought he was great in Gone Baby Gone and after that he didn't get too many starring roles. He's always good in whatever he's in but he rarely gets to play the lead. he truly got to stretch his acting legs in this film. But his character isn't over the top. He's actually a guy who doesn't seem to be able to show many emotions. It's a role played with brilliant subtlety. But everyone's great in this film. You absolutely need to check this one out.
Weiner
This documentary is a perfect sum up of this year. Things are so fucked up and so insane you have to keep asking yourself if this's real. At the same time things are so bad you have to laugh and cry at the same time. Absolutely well directed, fascinating and one of those documentaries you just won't be able to stop watching.
Kubo And the Two Strings
Here's the movie that tied with Moana for the best animated film this year. Laika has gotten so good at stop motion, they create these incredibly sprawling beautiful stop motion animated films that are just marvels to watch. I've been a fan of them for a while and this is absolutely my favorite film from them. This, much like Moana, is the story of the rise of a hero. It's all about how a young boy facing real danger and some terrifying enemies, but through bravery, cleverness, and guidance from his family, saves the world. A truly fantastic movie and a great achievement.
Miss Sloan
So many people missed the point of this film. They seem to think it's about gun control, probably because anytime you say those words it's like setting off a bomb. But this is decidedly not about gun control. It's a film about lobbyists. It's trying to explain what a fucked up system it is and just how it controls politics. On top of that it's also a pretty interesting character study into Jessica Chastain's character. It's another one of the smartest films I've seen this year. If you enjoy things by Aaron Sorkin, you might like this. It's not quite on Sorkin's level but it's damn good.
Jackie
This movie has it's issues but if you're watching this it's for one reason and one reason only: Natalie Portman's portrayal of Jackie Kennedy. She's fantastic. Definitely worth watching if you want to see her act her ass off.
Nocturnal Animals
Amy Adams stars in another fantastic movie this year. Nocturnal Animals is not a happy film, and it's not for happy people. It's a pretty messed up movie and harsh criticism of our society. Basically it calls out people for being fake, just pretending to be a thing of beauty when really we're hollow. So hollow that when we are met with someone who is genuinely good, we take it as them being weak, we take advantage of them and we hollow them out just like we are. If you're feeling like watching something dark, check it out.
The Witch
This film came out in some places in 2015 but most of us saw it in 2016. The witch is a really dark, disturbing and just an ugly film about a family living alone in the woods who're terrorized by something evil. One reviewer described it perfectly "You feel like you're watching something that you shouldn't be seeing" the movie isn't scary as much as it's disturbing and just leaves you feeling like you need a bath afterward. Seriously, be sure to have a light and fluffy comedy to watch after this one or it will leave you depressed. Still it's a fantastic film for those who don't mind visiting the darker sides of their soul.
Hell or High Water
Just a goddamn fantastic film. It's honestly maybe a perfect movie. Great performances, great dialogue, great characters. It's a modern day western about a pair of brothers about to be screwed over by the bank so they decided to rob a number of banks in that chain to save his house. Meanwhile they're being pursued by a pair of detectives. It's a simple story but what makes it so great are the characters and their performances. And to top it all off it has a fantastic ending that will leave you guessing. Absolutely worth the watch if you can find it.
Green Room
One of the last films from Anton Yelchin. Truly one of the most horrifying films this year as a punk rock band finds themselves locked in a greenroom in a neo-nazi bar after they witness something they weren't supposed to. These guys have to try and fight their way out but they find themselves surrounded by knife wielding skinheads who intend to chop them to pieces. The violence is brutal and they don't shy away from it at all. This movie is so tense I honestly thought I might have given myself an ulcer watching it. If you like thrillers, then this is not to be missed.
Don't Breathe
A pleasant surprise. I didn't expect a whole lot from this film and I was really surprised how much I enjoyed this thriller/horror flick. Much like people under the stairs this movie is about some burglars breaking into the wrong fucking house and finding themselves trapped inside. I don't want to spoil all of what they find inside but needless to say, much like that other movie, this one gets more and more fucked up as they journey deeper inside to find a way out.
The Shallows
Truly a pleasant surprise. Since JAWS which is THE killer shark movie, most movies about sharks have been pretty dumb. But this one was really well executed. A very simple story about a girl stuck on a rock in the shallows being terrorized by a shark who makes it clear it has no intention of leaving until it gets her. During the whole movie the clock is ticking because she knows that the tide will go back up eventually and she'll find herself underwater. For a film that takes place almost entirely on a single beach it's never boring, and has real butt clenching climax..... okay that came out wrong.... you know what I mean.
I know I know I forgot about ..... movie. Well I'm sorry, I missed a number of films this year. I haven't seen Fences yet, and I'm pretty sure it will be on my 2017 list. Anyway that's my list, lots of great films this year. And if anything I'm excited to see what movies we get next year.
As always, keep ya head up!
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