Can you believe that 2016 is coming to a close? In just a few days, we’ll abolish that dreaded six for ten more years, and a cool, clean, sexy seven will take its place.
2016 has been an incredible year for everything aside from presidential candidates and celebrity deaths, so as always, we wanted to share our favourite games, movies, moments and more of 2016.
Adam shared his favourite things yesterday, and today longtime critic MCDave is here to share his favorite films of the past year!
#10. Arrival
My top ten list begins with Denis Villenueve’s sci-fi drama, Arrival. This Oscar hopeful deviates from the stereotypical sci-fi structure by offering majestic cinematography and an artistic vision from its filmmaker. After 12 alien spacecrafts appear across the globe, the U.S. military reaches out to a linguistics expert (Amy Adams) to form a line of communication and determine if their motive is peaceful or violent. This cerebral effort works in opposition to some punishingly sluggish pacing which, admittedly, concludes in a remarkably clever fashion.
#9. The Nice Guys
One of the year’s most entertaining features came from Iron Man 3 director, Shane Black, and jump-started the summer blockbuster season. The Nice Guys stands as a successful twist on the buddy-cop genre as two private investigators (Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe) look into the disappearance of a teenage girl. There are countless laugh-out-loud moments scattered throughout this hilariously scripted story that’s bound to get the sequel treatment.
#8. Remember
One of the only upsides to this year’s middling crop of releases is it allows me to offer praise to some lesser-known titles. One such film is the early-year release, Remember, from director Atom Egoyan. Christopher Plummer stars as Zev, an elderly man living in a retirement-home and experiencing early stages of dementia. He is reminded of his gruesome childhood in the Auschwitz internment camp where a Nazi guard killed both his and a fellow resident’s families. With nothing left to live for, Zev sets out on a vengeful mission to find the prison guard and kill him. Remember is a wildly engaging thrill ride that’s elevated by an explosive final scene you won’t want to miss.
#7. Nocturnal Animals
Tom Ford’s stylish sophomore effort isn’t everything you’d expect it to be, but it’s still quite good. Amy Adams stars as an art gallery owner who receives a manuscript of her ex-husband’s new novel. The book is dedicated to her and, as she becomes consumed by its grisly story, she reflects on the emotional torment she caused her former lover (Jake Gyllenhaal). I expected a more brutal and twisted affair, but what it lacks in physical anguish is made up with psychological misery. Michael Shannon and Aaron Taylor-Johnson offer fine supporting work while Tom Ford’s direction is on-point.
#6. Don’t Think Twice
The modern evolution of the comedy genre is actually quite sad. Character development in such a setting has become a lost art and cleverly-crafted humor is a dying skill. Thankfully, Mike Birbiglia’s personal indie comedy, Don’t Think Twice, represents a return to the glory days. The film follows a tight-knit improv comedy group who begin to experience fierce competition between one another when the world’s most notable sketch-comedy show scouts them for new talent. This wonderfully told story draws the audience into each of its characters and is highlighted by hilarious situational humor.
#5. Manchester by the Sea
Kenneth Lonergan’s emotionally charged Oscar contender is by no means an easy watch. Casey Affleck, who stands as the Best Actor frontrunner for his unmatched performance, plays a brutally scarred handyman who returns to his home town to care for his nephew after his brother passes away. Deeply immersed in feelings of hope, heartache and uncertainty, Manchester by the Sea absolutely pushes the dramatic envelope.
#4. Captain Fantastic
There’s something so euphoric about Captain Fantastic. On the surface the film’s central characters appear to be a crazed family who shut themselves off from the world by living deep in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. But at the same time, to have the fortitude and survival instincts to actually pull it off are impressive and convincing. There are countless controversial elements scattered all throughout this captivating story and artistically shot film that make Captain Fantastic a movie unlike any other.
#3. Hell or High Water
David Mackenzie’s tale of bank-robbing brothers is the perfect blend of the classic Western genre with a modern day flair. Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges all provide phenomenal performances that catapult this slow-boiling and often witty screenplay into a completely well-rounded piece of filmmaking.
#2. Moonlight
I had heard all of the lofty praises for Barry Jenkins’ indie drama, but a familiar premise left my expectations extremely tempered. However, Moonlight was this year’s biggest surprise. It delivers the finest ensemble of 2016 and tells its powerful coming-of-age story with a level of tenderness and humanity that will leave you craving for more long after its credits roll.
#1. La La Land
In a year overrun with grim storylines from its major awards season contenders, Damien Chazelle’s whimsical musical is a fresh breath of upbeat originality and a bona-fide Best Picture selection. La La Land comes with its own roller coaster of emotions, but the film tells a deeply passionate story using a deliberate nod to classic cinema all while injecting a modern touch.