It’s that time of year again: where film critics the world over compile their list of the year’s best films. I am no stranger to this and my return to the reviewing fold prompts a similar list. Let it be known that my final ratings for each film didn’t necessarily denote where it would land on my list. There are a few films with higher ratings ranked lower than those a grade or two beneath it. I grade a film based on its own merits, not comparing it to others. A B+ for one film is stronger in the long run than an A- for another (kind of defeating the purpose of the ratings system in some eyes, but I digress). In some cases, certain films improved from my perspective over time, hence their higher ranking. Not that it really matters. All thirty of the films and the honorable mentions are worthy of a viewing and shouldn’t be judged solely by their ranking. A great film is a great film regardless of where it winds up on a list. It’s just fun to rank them!
There are certain films I didn’t get around to before year’s end, such as “Elle,” “Everybody Wants Some,” “Too Late,” and “Train to Busan,” to name a few. If any films are missing, there’s a good chance that’s the reasoning. Also, some films haven’t gotten a proper wide release yet, such as “Live by Night,” “Paterson,” and “Silence,” so their absence from this list is due to an inability for me to see them just yet. If I get around to them within the next few weeks, I may include them on this list in post (meaning what you’re reading now will be eradicated, so feel special). If not, they’ll be in contention for my Best of 2017 list if applicable. This is why “The Revenant” isn’t on this list, as I seen it in time to place it on my best of 2015 list.
So, without further ado, here are my top thirty films of 2016:
30. The Conjuring 2
“The Conjuring 2” is one of those rare sequels that is every bit as good as the first: just as haunting and just as emotionally engaging. James Wan may not do much new, but he expertly implements familiar tropes and cleverly plays with conventions. A winsome thrill ride!
29. Zootopia
One of the few films I didn’t officially review (it was released before my return), so consider this brief overview that. “Zootopia” is a clever allegory on race relations, as bright and comical as the best Disney offerings! As engaging for parents as it is for children, if not more so.
28. Lion
Saroo Brierley’s memoir is wonderfully brought to the silver screen! His hunt for his family, both as a lost child in Calcutta and a grown man in Australia, are both harrowing and heartwrenching. Garth Davis earns the drama, unlike certain films this year. *cough*Collateral Beauty*cough*
27. Swiss Army Man
There’s no film from 2016 more unique than “Swiss Army Man,” a dark comedy that acts as a commentary on existentialism (possibly even satirizing it). The lowbrow humor mixes well with the high-minded approach, the outlandish concept of a reanimated corpse being used like a Swiss army knife too peculiar to resist!
26. Denial
“Denial” does for legal proceedings what “Spotlight” did for journalism: presents it with precision and reinforces it with humanity. A sterling portrayal of the Irving v. Penguin Books Ltd trial, in which David Irving took author/historian Deborah Lipstadt to court over defamation in regard to his Holocaust denial. As riveting as it is astonishing, bolstered by terrific performances all around!
25. The Fits
Royalty Hightower is one of many child actors shining this year, giving a breakout performance as a troubled youth in the powerful & hypnotic “The Fits.” An ingenious allegory on puberty and loneliness!
24. Baskin
“Baskin” isn’t for the feint of heart. A gruesome detour into Hell that never lets up. Its purpose is to unsettle and Can Evrenol succeeds in spades! Not enjoyable in the traditional sense, but disturbing and downright scary!
Taika Waititi’s follow-up to “What We Do in the Shadows” is just as weird and hilarious! Julian Dennison joins Royalty Hightower and others in the class of terrific child actors, working off of seasoned vet Sam Neill flawlessly! One of the funniest films of the year!
22. Beyond the Gates
Whereas “Baskin” was a disturbing depiction of Hell, “Beyond the Gates” is a highly entertaining one! A throwback to eighties horrors and VHS board games, but with enough flourishes to stand on its own two feet. Fun and engaging thanks to Jackson Stewart’s determined direction, a tight script (credited to Stewart & Stephen Scarlata), and an engaging cast!
One of the B+ films that ranks higher than certain A- ones. My minor grievances over the comedy & structure have all but evaporated, the gripping story of two brothers on the run from the law sticking with me months after my viewing. Boasts some of the best performances of the year and is an intelligent commentary on class warfare!
20. Don’t Breathe
“Don’t Breathe” is a wickedly chilling thriller! The concept of a near-indestructible blind man punishing trespassers is unique and captivating! Even when the film goes over the top, it does so with verve. I’m not sure how a sequel will play out quality-wise, but it’s even half as good as this, we’re in for a treat!
The other film of the year demanding I not do something is Mike Birbiglia’s magnum opus on comedy. Just as he did with “Sleepwalk with Me,” he presents the lives of comedians with raw honesty, touching upon the sacrifice for stardom and the proliferation of comedy. That and it’s an often hilarious film, boosting its commentary tenfold.
18. The Wailing
Master of suspense Na Hong-Jin is at it again, subverting expectations with “The Wailing.” I was wrong to be skeptical of the first thirty minutes, as they were not lousy but brilliant. A phenomenal insight into the fallout of mass hysteria coupled with an eerie ghost story. I apologize for ever doubting Hong-Jin!
17. The Lobster
Astute commentary on society’s perception of relationships, Yorgos Lanthimos’ dark comedy “The Lobster” excels on almost every level! A farcical glimpse into a society that transforms the single into an animal of their choosing if they do not wed by a certain age. The odd nature of it all only propels the commentary.
Casey Affleck proves his worth as an actor, superbly portraying a broken man tasked with raising his orphaned nephew. Kenneth Lonergan’s patient direction, coupled with his stoic screenplay, make for an engaging account of loss and heartache.
15. Finding Dory
The long-awaited sequel to “Finding Nemo” is just as bubbly and charming! Dory makes the leap from supporting character to protagonist well, her hunt for her parents just as emotionally absorbing as Saroo Brierley’s. A pure delight from beginning to end!
14. Jackie
“Jackie” bucks the trend of ho-hum biopics thanks to Pablo Larraín’s attention to anguish, not just the facts. More of an allegory on how we deal with tragedy, on both a personal and professional level. Natalie Portman delivers one of the best performances of the year as the titular Jackie Kennedy!
13. Little Men
Wonderful slice of life drama from Ira Sachs that continues the trend of excellent child actors in 2016. This time both Theo Taplitz & Michael Barbieri excel, playing best friends caught in the middle of familiar warfare. The drama is honest, not forced, making for a better experience overall.
12. Sing Street
John Carney continues to create sublime musicals that double as romances. This time it’s in the form of “Sing Street,” a beautiful account of an aspiring band created out of love for both music and a woman. Easily the best soundtrack of the year!
11. Midnight Special
Jeff Nichols’ take on sci-fi is marvelous not just because of its fantastical elements, but because of its heart. At its core, it’s a touching portrait of the love between father and son, augmented by its metaphor on xenophobia.
10. The Handmaiden
Park Chan-wook took one look at “Fifty Shades of Grey,” scoffed, and stated he could do it better. And that he did, crafting a tantalizing thriller that’s just as erotic as it is shocking! Full of twists and turns and arousing performances. It doesn’t get much better than this!
While I liked “Batman v Superman” despite its flaws, there’s no denying in my mind that “Captain America: Civil War” blows it out of the water! Fitting too, seeing as how this ranks just beneath “The Dark Knight” as one of the best comic book films ever made for me! Perfectly balances drama, action, comedy, and social commentary, as well as giving fair time to a bevvy of superheroes. What blockbusters should aspire to be!
8. Green Room
An intense pressure cooker of the highest order! “Green Room” is a tightly-wound thriller thanks in part to Jeremy Saulnier’s compact direction, Patrick Stewart’s icy performance as the antagonist, and a gnarly attitude!
Bewitching thriller perfectly juggles two thrillers: “Nocturnal Animals” the film and the novel within it. A star-studded cast smartly give subdued performances, complementing Tom Ford’s mysterious direction. The ending will upset some, but I loved it!
6. Arrival
Amy Adams’ second inclusion on my list, working with another master filmmaker in the form of Denis Villeneuve. A high-minded sci-fi fable on life and xenophobia, enriched by pragmatic drama and symbolism. A beautiful film through and through!
Good on Netflix for acquiring this film adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic story “The Little Prince.” Mark Osborne’s adaptation is just as magnificent, with arresting visuals bringing the story to life! A divine interpretation of a child’s imagination and the crushing blows of reality!
A strangely cathartic view of broken souls traversing through their despondence. A startling exposé on American culture with the near three-hour runtime breezing by. Andrea Arnold cleverly uses a condensed aspect ratio to highlight the characters’ outlook on life.
3. La La Land
My newfound affinity for musicals reached an all-time high with Damien Chazelle’s loving tribute, “La La Land.” A vivid soundtrack, gorgeous visuals, tremendous chemistry between Stone & Gosling, and an awareness of the vapidness of Hollywood makes for a stupendous treat!
2. Moonlight
Arguably the most important film of the year. A masterpiece of the human spirit! A bold, daring, compassionate, intelligent, thought-provoking, and beautiful dissection of individuality! Three-part structure of Chiron’s development from childhood to adulthood is enthralling!
While “Moonlight” may be the most important film of the year, “Kubo and the Two Strings” is the loveliest! A reminder of why I fell in love with films. Laika’s ability to convey drama with imagination via stop-motion animation is unmatched. A superlative feature that spoke to both my heart and mind!
Honorable Mentions
-10 Cloverfield Lane
-Deadpool
-The Jungle Book
–Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
-Tex Montana Will Survive!