2016 Films That You Should Have Seen Last Year

Okay let's get it out, 2016 was a shit year. I mean a really shit year. This year sucked, and it sucked hard for a lot of people around the world.

 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

Probably the funniest movie this year. If you don't mind blue humor and when filmmakers go balls to the wall with vulgarities. Another groundbreaking first this year; I'm pretty sure this is the first superhero to be pegged in a major motion picture. End of the day this was probably my favorite Superhero film to come out this year, and the only movie that made me laugh till my sides actually hurt.

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!

4 Horror Movie Opening Sequences So Good They're Better That The Rest of The Movie

Happy almost Halloween everyone!

No I'm not done talking about it. Because I love this season! I think that a powerful movie opening can really set your film up for greatness. However tons of people do lists of greatest movie openings. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the Lion King, and the Godfather being some of my favorites.

However since it's the season of the witch, I thought it would be more fun to look specifically at horror movies. However, I found that tons of websites have done that already as well. So instead of focusing on the amazing intro sequence to Jaws or Scream or The Ring. I want to focus on intro's so good they actually trump the rest of the film. I'm talking about Horror movie intros that are so well done, the movie basically blows its load right at the start of the film.


Darkness Falls

Easily the weakest film on this list. Darkness Falls was a horror movie that was basically about a demented tooth fairy.

No, Not this one. 

It sounds silly but it does a good job of playing on childhood fears. Basically this ghost/demon/creature comes into your room on the night you lose your last baby tooth. This creature hates the light so it waits in the darkest corner of your room. If you're asleep she won't bother you. But if you're awakened by her raspy breathing, then you'd better hide under the covers and shut your eye's tight. Because if you look at her, even for a second, she kills you on the spot. Even if you're fast enough to turn on the lights before she reaches you you're still screwed. You see, she never forgets and will wait for you in the dark until she has the opportunity to kill you again.

The movie starts off with a creepy backstory about this woman who loved to act as the tooth fairy and give children money for their baby teeth.

 She was horribly burned and was basically allergic to the light. So, she stayed cloaked and wore a porcelain Mask so no one would ever look upon her horribly scarred face.

Aside from the fact that no kid would ever hang around an old lady with that fucking creepy ass mask on, it's a cool intro story. After you find out how she was tragically killed you understand why she haunts this town. The story begins with our hero loosing his last tooth. After a retelling of the story he goes to bed and is visited by the ghost. I don't want to spoil the whole sequence but we get to see how deadly and powerful this spirit is. And how pissed she gets when anyone looks at her.  It's creepy, scary and fun all at once. I remember this intro really stood out to me as fantastic.

Unfortunately, the rest of the film is a paint by numbers horror movie full of cliches and stupid fucking characters. It does nothing new or special and it quickly destroys all of that goodwill created by the intro to the movie.

Honestly if this was a short film and only 15 minutes long, I'd say "Look out for this director" or "what an amazing short film, I can't wait to see what they do next." But nope, they follow up a truly creepy opening with a lackluster film that leaves you bored around the halfway mark.

It should have ended after this amazing shot. They boy hides himself in the bathroom with the light on. The thing breaks open the door and shrieks in pain as the light hits it. As the camera pans back from him hiding in the tub you see the creature right above the doorway. Just waiting there, hoping that the kid is foolish enough to get close enough to the bathroom door so it can grab him and drag him off screaming into the darkness.

Friday the 13th Remake

I have my issues with the Friday the 13th remake but it has it's moments. I wasn't really a fan of the way that the kills were pretty boring. And interesting kills are pretty vital to a slasher film. Also the way the white characters kinda just abandon both token minority characters at the same time without a thought. Maybe they were trying to say something profound about race relations but it really seemed like they just straight up ditched them and didn't really seem to give a shit afterward and it's never addressed again in the movie.

But the intro to the film was fantastic. So most people don't know, Jason didn't get his signature look till about the 3rd movie. The first movie didn't have Jason at all. The second movie he was wearing a potato sack on his head. Seriously a fucking potato sack.

The third movie he finally gets his Hockey Mask and Jason's iconic look is complete. The intro to this movie basically runs through the first two movies to get to the third. It starts with Jason's mother having already done her massacre a long time ago. One by one he takes out both kids who are having sex, and others doing drugs. But it's the way he kills that's so effective. he does it quickly and mercilessly. You barely see him it's almost like the forest itself is killing the kids.

The kills are so brutal and so quick its just an awesome scene. Also, he doesn't just come through and stab everyone, which is what he does the rest of the film. The variety of kills and just the pure energy of the scene make it seem like it was filmed by someone other that the guy who did the rest of the movie.


Evil Dead Remake

I love the original series. And I thought the remake was really well done. I loved the horrific practical effects that they used. The only thing negative I can really say about the film is the absence of Bruce Campbell.

Groovy

But while the movie was really well done. That intro was everything I loved about the original movies. It starts off with what looks like it's going to be a nasty human sacrifice with this poor girl crying and begging for her life. I don't want to spoil what happens next but it is disgusting, bloody, awesome, even funny, and it totally sets you up for what sort of film you're watching. I highly recommend you check it out.

28 Weeks Later

I actually liked 28 weeks later quite a bit. It wasn't amazing like 28 days later, but 28 weeks later does provide us with one of the best openings to any horror film. In this sequel we start off after the plague is in full effect and people are hiding in their homes, hoping none of the infected find them. Remember these aren't zombies, these are fully mobile, fast moving, infected. Teeth gnashing and nails scratching. You don't want to fuck with these guys.

You notice the little bit of normalcy these people having making dinner, living in a house with all the windows and cracks blocked off so their's no chance of one of the monsters seeing them. You also hear the fear when they think they hear a person outside.



What's crazy is how in just a few minutes you feel that these people are totally secure in their home and that they are safe. All it takes is for one person to look out through a tiny crack and get spotted. A whole horde of them break the house into splinters and send everyone running for their life. It's such a tense and terrifying sequence that it's impossible to watch without your heartrate being jacked up by the end of it. You can feel the terror, and  it's bad enough that you can understand how it could make a man abandon his family as pure panic take over his system.

It's just a great sequence to see, and the music is perfect. It's so unnerving every time I watch I can feel my heart rate rising. While I don't think the rest of the movie is bad, but this is easily the most memorable part of the whole film.

Poltergeist Review / Insidious Chapter 3 Review

We constantly get hit with a slew of subpar ghost movies. I know, I'm a huge sucker for horror movies about ghosts. However in the past few years we've been hit with a pretty impressive group of horror films, the Insidious films included.

Some are kinda weak and boring. They really aren't worth your time unless you're a devout Horror fan.
Ex.

 

Some are still pretty crappy but are still fairly fun anyway. Worth the watch if you just wanna see a few good scares.
Ex.

 

Every blue moon, a choice few that cross that line and become truly amazing and some even deconstruct the genre or dealing with issues so much larger than your average horror film.

Ex.

And some that are just good old fashioned Horror goodness. Solid movies with great scares. The sort of films you want to show your friends.

Ex.

 


So where does this summer's horror duo come into play.



Poltergeist is a remake of a classic horror film.

With easily one of the most memorable theme songs of all time. 

The credited director is Tobe Hooper.... buuuuut really it was directed by Steven Spielberg.
So before we go any further we have to go in knowing that this isn't going to be as good as the original.

That said it's above average but more or less forgettable. Don't get me wrong it's worth the watch but if there was no original poltergeist and this film stood on it's own I doubt it would get as much Press as it did.



The movie still gets a lot right. It builds the characters of the family and lets you know them as people and you're honestly concerned about them. Sam Rockwell is clearly giving it his all, bringing so much character to a role that would have never come through with a lessor actor.  I also thought it was interesting that it spent more time developing the character of the little brother as well as the Ghost Expert they call in. I also like that they invented new scares and put them in different places because the movie is smart enough to know that we've mostly likely seen the original.

The downside is it feels like this movie is rushing. Because it follows the beats of the original I kept comparing it to that, and 80's horror movies has such a different pace then modern horror. We like cheap thrills, get us in, make us scream, get us out. The original movie, much like Jaws, Jurassic Park, The Exorcist, or  Halloween, is a slow burn and focuses on ambiance and storytelling. They focus on being more thrilling than scary. This movie feels pretty rushed at points.

They certainly made the clown creepier, I'll give them that

Overall it's a good watch. But trust me you have to view it as a separate film and it's own thing. It has some solid scares, and is a fun horror film. It's absolutely worth a rental.


Now speaking of things that take liberally from the OG Poltergeist.

If we're talking spiritual successor to Poltergeist. I think the original Insidious was probably the best evolution of that story. And while some people hated it, I thought Insidious 2 was a fantastic sequel.

But what about the 3rd film in the franchise.

I'm a huge fan of this mythology, especially its theme music. Seriously it's like a violin is moaning in agony. Try listening to this alone in the Dark.

This movie us fun, but it's unfortunately a shadow of it's previous two films but it's still very creepy. It sets up great ambiance and it's terrifying at points. What I love about these films is that they do so much with so little.

They don't use huge CG effects, or smoke monsters or anything. They just flash an image of a man standing in the corner or the sounds of footsteps when someone thinks their alone. It's incredibly effective what you can do with lighting, shadows, and skulking dark figures.

This story is a prequel involving one of the strongest parts of the series, Elise played by Lin Shaye.

Elise is the spiritual expert. She acts as a guide to the main characters in the first two films. She acts as a sort or ray of sunshine when the family is in a really dark place. You just have to love her character, she's so dedicated and nobel yet so approachable and charismatic.

  At this point in her life she's given up being a medium because it's just getting too dangerous for her. And I'm guessing in an attempt to build on their audience they introduce... cute teenagers!!!

Stephanie Scott plays Quinn, a young girl who tries to make contact with her recently past mother. Though she wanted to reach her mother, something else, something evil responds.

While the movie had some great ambiance and scary moments, it also drags at points as well. It doesn't stand alone as well as the first two did, and it could have used more Lin Shaye!!!


Both Stephanie and her father (Dermot Mulroney) do a great job in the movie but they don't have enough to do.

 Also the new threat isn't quite as well rounded as the other threats from past movies. All three movies prominently feature The Black Bride.

A malevolent spirit they refer to as a parasite.

And then there's the Lipstick Face Demon

Who was the main threat in the first and was hinted at in the other two.
Both of these characters were more interesting and scarier than the new one.

To be honest the creature in this one is pretty terrifying in the beginning of the film, but without giving too much away the ending of the film kinda defuses him as a threat. Personally, as scary as a ghost is, demons are just more threatening to me.

 I think that if they're going to do more films they should consider deepening the mythology. Who says it's just ghosts and demons in the further. What if there are even more insidious things lurking out there.




This film was a step above most horror flicks because of the specific Insidious style, and because I love the series. But outside of that, its not a super memorable ghost story. It's absolutely worth the watch and it's fun, but it doesn't quite live up to its predecessors.

That's it for now!