Another year has finished and it's time to list my favorite movies of the year. 2016 was, in many ways, a god awful year. But as far as the year in film, it was mostly pretty good; a little less impressive than last year, but better than the year before that. As per usual, below you'll find the 25 movies I loved the most this year, plus some extra ones and the ones I didn't enjoy so much.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
25. KRISHA
25. KRISHA
The smallest budgeted film on this list; a tense family drama that keeps you in a state of never-ending dread.
24. THE NEON DEMON
The most purposely provocative film on this list and also, inexplicably, one of the lushest and most hypnotic of the year.
23. UNDER THE SHADOW
Starting off a great year for horror films, this war-torn ghost story goes deep with its layers and slowly builds to a terrifyingly effective final act.
22. ZOOTOPIA
The smartest Disney picture in ages and a standout among the growing mundanity of animated blockbusters.
21. THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
A loving and surprisingly dark high school dramedy that proves how effective the genre can be in a time where most studios have sadly abandoned them.
20. JULIETA
The world's greatest living filmmaker takes another female-centric melodrama and somehow makes it as memorable as the rest of his storied catalogue.
19. PATERSON
A warm and nurturing small town parable from Jim Jarmusch that brings immense pleasure from its quiet ambition.
18. SILENCE
Martin Scorsese's best film in a decade and a surprisingly jolting meditation on religion and colonialism.
17. THE LOBSTER
Another provocation from Yorgos Lanthrimos that took a huge gamble and delivered on the year's strangest plot line.
16. KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS
Laika continues their streak as the most innovative American animation studio with their most beautiful film yet.
RUNNERS-UP
15. THINGS TO COME
The first of two stunning Isabelle Huppert performances in a touching slice-of-life drama that quietly devastates you.
14. WEINER
The year's most difficult watch in the form of a political documentary that somehow became even more tragic at the end of the year than it was at the beginning.
13. AMERICAN HONEY
An epic odyssey of Americana with the year's best soundtrack and a tour-de-force directorial turn from the always great Andrea Arnold.
12. LITTLE MEN
Another great indie drama from Ira Sachs that uses a tiny parable to smartly tackle issues of family, class and companionship.
11. AQUARIUS
A towering central performance and the ending of the year make this immensely moving and quietly political Brazilian character study.
THE TOP TEN
10. THE HANDMAIDEN
A visual stunner from Park Chan-wook with magnificent costumes and camera work as well as the year's most satisfyingly twisty plot.
09. ARRIVAL
Denis Villeneuve continues a great directorial streak with this carefully crafted science fiction drama that is deceptively smarter than you'd expect.
08. ELLE
A towering Isabelle Huppert performance perfectly balances this tawdry, provocative thriller and dark sexual comedy.
07. TONI ERDMANN
One of the year's most ambitious comedies with multiple of the most hilarious scenes of the year and one of the most touching endings.
06. THE WITCH
A horrifying gothic period piece and another strong addition to the growing list of 21st century feminist horror films.
05. LOVE & FRIENDSHIP
The year's greatest comic treat and a delightful ensemble make for the most endlessly rewatchable film I encountered all year.
04. MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
A devastating melodrama that doubles as one of the most lovingly rendered portraits of New England life you'll see.
03. JACKIE
A stunning central performance and a remarkable, powerfully cold look at an American icon that takes great risks and reaps immense rewards.
02. 20TH CENTURY WOMEN
The year's most overlooked gem, a beautiful coming-of-age story that loves each of its characters enough to make you fall in love with it.
01. MOONLIGHT
The triumph of the year. A visual masterpiece, an unforgettable experience and a story that we are incredibly fortunate to have exist.
To add some more recommendations to the list, you could also take a look at: 13th, A Bigger Splash, Certain Women, Closet Monster, Don’t Breathe, Fire at Sea, Hell or High Water, Hidden Figures, The Invitation, Moana, The Meddler, Mountains May Depart, Neruda, Other People, The Red Turtle, The Salesman, Sing Street, Southside With You, Tower, and Your Name.
And as always, with the good we must take the bad, so here are my Worst of 2015:
01. Hacksaw Ridge
02. Suicide Squad
03. The Sea of Trees
04. Patriots Day
05. Deadpool
No comments :
Post a Comment