Big Mike’s 2 Cents: Best Films of 2016
I didn’t see every film that came out last year, but I saw quite a lot of them. It does seem like each year, there are fewer and fewer films motivating me to make it to the theater, but these films were worthwhile outings.
They really might not be the 9 “best” movies that came out last year, but they’re the ones I found to be most entertaining. In no particular order:
Deadpool
One of the best comic book translations to date. Deadpool looked and behaved like the character from the comics. Colossus has never looked better.
The Witch
Deliberate pacing. Expert tone. Satisfying story. I’d like to see more period, supernatural horror like this.
10 Cloverfield Lane
Smart script. Crazy good performances.
Green Room
Visceral suspense done right.
Captain America: Civil War
The second and third Captain America films are my favorite Marvel movies. Best plots. Best characterizations. Best villains.
The Lobster
Surreal allegory about socialization.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Might be sacrilege to some, but this is my favorite Star Wars film to date.
Don’t Breathe
I was a bit apprehensive about the concept for this one, but it turned out to be a fun taught thriller.
The Handmaiden
Erotic, psychological drama from visual master, Park Chan-wook.
Honorable Mentions:
Captain Fantastic
Entertaining and fun.
Kubo and the Two Strings
Beautiful visuals and I loved the journey… up until the climax and resolution.
I also enjoyed, I am Not a Serial Killer.
Are there any that I missed? Am I nuts?
What were your favorite movies from last year?
Cheers!
Big Mike
Did you see Train to Busan? I’m not normally a big zombie film fan but that film was something special. Intense til the very end, loveable characters, it sets its own rules and plays into them ridiculously well.
I also heard pretty good things about Girl with all the Gifts.
I missed both of those. I’ll have to investigate further.
Thank’s for the tip!
Can second Girl With All the Gifts. Not perfect, but worth watching for the opening scene alone.
Rouge One: Night Life of the Imperial Elite?
Sorry, little typo there?
Ha! ?
Thanks.
10 Cloverfield Lane. Worried at first about the loose connection to the original Cloverfield & possible nausea-enducing shaky handcam footage, but this movie was well done.
Moana: Think it’s not dark? Consider this: Maui stole that heart and got his butt kicked for it. Then he was stuck on that island for a loooooooooong time. Something like 1000 years have passed from his glory days when he did anything useful. Then, when he is finally rescued, he must eat crow and help put that heart back–instead of the praise and gratitude he sought. Topping it all off, he was dished this humiliation by a pre-pubescent girl. In the end, spent a millennium doing nothing but learning one lesson.
I was frankly wondering how sane he could be at that point. What he did after he left–well, I have lots of dark ideas.