Best 20 of 2016
Even though 2016 was a year full of disaster headlines (let's just say that we'll be seeing a lot of movies featuring oafish American Presidents in the coming year) and misdirected fanboy rage (Ghostbusters), there was certainly enough to enjoy in cinemas, and a lot of darlings to kill for my annual list of favorite movies. Sorry Spotlight, Finding Dory, Sully, Hell or High Water, X-Men Apocalypse and Hacksaw Ridge: here are the final 20 contestants.
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- DirectorTim MillerStarsRyan ReynoldsMorena BaccarinT.J. MillerA wisecracking mercenary gets experimented on and becomes immortal yet hideously scarred, and sets out to track down the man who ruined his looks.Witty, zany, crazy, perverse and self-referential to the point of being almost meta-physical, this super(anti)hero movie shows that the inspiration in the genre isn't necessarily depleted. In fact, superhero action was never this much fun, and if every shortcoming in the screenplay or production value can be creatively explained away by breaking the fourth wall, this opens up a whole new way of filmmaking. Ryan Reynolds was never cooler or funnier. Can we please have at least two more so that he can badmouth the studio for milking the success?
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonPolitical involvement in the Avengers' affairs causes a rift between Captain America and Iron Man.Marvel can finally harvest the fruits from all the clever writing and characterizations in its earlier installments. My favorite Marvel film to date manages to go a bit easier on the widescale destruction, without us hardly even noticing it, because the central conflict between our favorite superheroes is so exciting. And since we sympathize with both parties, that makes it equally tragic. The Russo brothers manage to present an ensemble cast where everyone gets his or her time to shine (thank you Spidey and Black Panther!), and balance out hilarious fights that resemble big tickling contests with some of the more grim twists in the series. If anyone doubted whether the MCU could have substance underneath its witty exterior, here it is. Good luck with the two-part Avengers finale, Mr Russo & Russo.
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsLeonardo DiCaprioTom HardyWill PoulterA frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.Expect a lot of 2015 titles, because we didn't get to see them until January. The Revenant was well worth the wait: what a feast for the eyes. Man versus man versus nature was never put on screen so lush and dangerous at the same time. This is cinema as it should be experienced on a big screen, but the great performances of both the actors and the crew will also hold up in the living room. Fortunately, Leonardo DiCaprio didn't have to wait too long for his overdue Oscar.
- DirectorTravis KnightStarsCharlize TheronArt ParkinsonMatthew McConaugheyA young boy named Kubo must locate a magical suit of armour worn by his late father in order to defeat a vengeful spirit from the past.In a somewhat disappointing summer blockbuster season (most of the good titles had already been released in the winter and spring, apparently), this little gem unfortunately had a bit of a hard time to get notices by the masses. Please let great word of mouth correct this injustice! Laika studios produces some of the most beautiful stop-motion scenes I have ever seen, in an exiting and touching mix of mythology, family and destiny. Someone called it "the Legend of Zelda movie adaptation we never got", and that's pretty accurate.
- DirectorLenny AbrahamsonStarsBrie LarsonJacob TremblaySean BridgersA little boy is held captive in a room with his mother since his birth, so he has never known the world outside.An incredible story of the frailty and flexibility of the human psyche, and the infinity of a mother's love. Seeing a little boy experiencing the big world outside his small room for the first time is a very harrowing cinematic experience, and the rest of the films deals with all the guilt and frustration of a life that is changed forever in a very humanistic way. Kudos for Bree Larson's Oscar-winning role, as well as for Jacob Tremblay for giving her a great counter-performance.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsSamuel L. JacksonKurt RussellJennifer Jason LeighIn the dead of a Wyoming winter, a bounty hunter and his prisoner find shelter in a cabin currently inhabited by a collection of nefarious characters.There was somewhat less love for Tarantino's second western than for his previous 3 movies. Too bad, because he masterfully uses the premise and the exchanges between the ensemble cast to comedic, violent and claustrophobic effect. Of course, Tarantino can't help dragging out the second act a bit too long, but he can add another couple of great dialogues and philosophies to his resume. And congratulations Mr Ennio Morricone for finally winning your very first Oscar for a great score.
- DirectorRon ClementsJohn MuskerDon HallStarsAuli'i CravalhoDwayne JohnsonRachel HouseIn ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the demigod Maui reaches Moana's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out Maui to set things right.It was a good year for animation, no less than 4 titles making my list. It seems that Disney no longer needs to be afraid of Pixar. This road movie on the sea is both funny and heart-warming, and is also nice to look at with all the vibrant colors and spectacular action. But it would mean nothing without an underlying quest that brings out the best in its characters. Special thanks to the funny animal characters that steal the show at times.
- DirectorByron HowardRich MooreJared BushStarsGinnifer GoodwinJason BatemanIdris ElbaIn a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy.Movies featuring talking animals always make for a good allegory. A bit less prejudice and a bit more celebration of our differences is the clear message here, but Disney wouldn't be Disney if this didn't come with a lot of jokes (those sloths crack me up every time, can they please get a bigger role in the sequel, or a spin-off?). Even the plot is pretty well-constructed, so fun for the whole family.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsNeel SethiBill MurrayBen KingsleyAfter a threat from the tiger Shere Khan forces him to flee the jungle, a man-cub named Mowgli embarks on a journey of self discovery with the help of panther Bagheera and free-spirited bear Baloo.Please let all those who still doubt that compter-generated special effects will never be as realistic as the real thing forever hold their peace. A life-action version of Disney's beloved classic didn't seem like a very good idea, but this is a re-imagination that works for a change. There are enough visual treats and tender moments in this immersive cinematic world, but luckily the makers also dare to increase the stakes by not trivializing the dangers. With a lovable bear, a fierce tiger and a boy in between, this story has been successfully updated for a few new generations.
- DirectorGareth EdwardsStarsFelicity JonesDiego LunaAlan TudykIn a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction.I always love a prequel when it so neatly and seamlessly follows into its original. Of course, there are shortcomings: the characters are completely in service of a rigid plot, it takes itself very serious and there is a fair amount of recycling of old ideas and iconography. But it also has one of the best and most exiting finales in all Star Wars history, inspired cameos by some familiar faces, a badass Darth Vader, and a bittersweet ending that we never thought any studio would allow.
- DirectorChris RenaudStarsLouis C.K.Eric StonestreetKevin HartThe quiet life of a terrier named Max is upended when his owner takes in Duke, a stray whom Max instantly dislikes.Animated movies with fuzzy animals are almost a genre in itself, but this one stole my heart with its nifty characterization of pet behavior, as well as the high density of jokes. Crazy rabbits, obsessive-compulsive eagles, and party-loving dogs make for one crazy trip through New York.
- DirectorAdam McKayStarsChristian BaleSteve CarellRyan GoslingIn 2006-2007 a group of investors bet against the United States mortgage market. In their research, they discover how flawed and corrupt the market is.As a financial illiterate, I initially steered clear of this one, but that was unnecessary. A great cast and director break the fourth wall in explaining us how economics should work, and how they really work. There is hardly any necessity for exaggeration: the financial world was really built on ridiculous constructions that make no sense, and had to collapse at some point. And kudos for the makers for finally making me understand how.
- DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsIsabelle HuppertLaurent LafitteAnne ConsignyA successful businesswoman gets caught up in a game of cat and mouse as she tracks down the unknown man who raped her.Paul Verhoeven found a new home in France, and surprised us with a sophisticated thriller that also works as a character study. Some fans may be put off by the lack of robotic cops and giant insects, but this is a finaly crafted study into the mind of a woman who doesn't seem fazed when she is brutally raped at home; on the contrary, she casually suggests to put a more explicit rape scene in the new software of her company. Slowly, the pieces of her history and her motivations are revealed, which again shows that Verhoeven does not shy away from a bit of controversy. A big round of applause for his leading (or suffering) lady, Isabelle Hupert, for providing sympathy for this enigmatic character.
- DirectorScott DerricksonStarsBenedict CumberbatchChiwetel EjioforRachel McAdamsWhile on a journey of physical and spiritual healing, a brilliant neurosurgeon is drawn into the world of the mystic arts.With the plots of the origin stories in the Marvel Cinematic Universe starting to look alike (arrogant guy gets a lesson in humility and starts to use his talents for good), the real points are obtained in the execution. Benedict Cumberbacth, usually gloomy and enigmatic, is surprisingly funny, and the movie marries eye-popping action with some light-hearted humor. Special mention for the awesome destruction-in-reverse scene.
- DirectorJustin LinStarsChris PineZachary QuintoKarl UrbanThe crew of the USS Enterprise explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a new ruthless enemy, who puts them, and everything the Federation stands for, to the test.Although J.J. Abrams is unfortunately missing to add a bit more brain to the story, this third installment in the rebooted series is a pleasant throwback to the Original Series' good-old fun and spectacle, as well as disregard for logic. I am still unsure whether using the Beastie Boys to defeat an armada is brilliant or ridiculous, but it certainly is fun. With Idris Alba as supervillain and Sofia Boutella as power lady, the guest appearances are well taken care of, and with Scotty on board, we can rest assured there will always be another adventure to boldly go to.
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsAmy AdamsJeremy RennerForest WhitakerA linguist works with the military to communicate with alien lifeforms after twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world.Denis Villeneuve dares to show us a Close Encounter in a original way: non-humanoid aliens with an incomprehensible language and an unnown mission arrive at Earth, necessitating the intervention of a linguist (my girl Amy Adams), who finds out that this first contact changes herself for good, and for bad. I would have loved to see a much longer version of this movie, as there is no shortage of good ideas that beg to be explored, but Villeneuve is hopefully conserving his energy for the long-awaited Blade Runner sequel.
- DirectorPeter BergStarsMark WahlbergKurt RussellDouglas M. GriffinA dramatization of the disaster in April 2010, when the offshore drilling rig called the Deepwater Horizon exploded, resulting in the worst oil spill in American history.A harrowing experience where you can almost feel the heat of the raging fires that lead to one of the biggest environmental disasters in history. Luckily, Peter Berg (no stranger to enhancing emotional effects) films this in a matter-of-fact style, and doesn't create unnecessary heroics, keeping the film as realistic as possible to great effect.
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsRyan GoslingEmma StoneRosemarie DeWittWhile navigating their careers in Los Angeles, a pianist and an actress fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future.Boy meets girl, boy wants to have his own jazz club, girl wants to be a famous movie star. Pretty standard stuff, but thanks to the colorful musical numbers, a cute couple and an unexpected ending, we find out that sometimes, it is necessary to let go of one dream in order to obtain another. Musicals aren't necessarily believable, but fortunately, the makers were realistic enough to end it on that bittersweet note.
- DirectorTom FordStarsAmy AdamsJake GyllenhaalMichael ShannonA wealthy art gallery owner is haunted by her ex-husband's novel, a violent thriller she interprets as a symbolic revenge tale.Whatever Nocturnal Animals is going to do at the Oscars, it already gets two awards from me: for the most bizarrely original opening scene, and for the most abrupt, thought-provoking ending since No Country for Old Men. Tom Ford presents us with a emotionally unfullfilled leading lady who receives an ambiguous gift from her former lover. It is up to the viewer to decide what the gift constitutes, and if she deserved to get it. Definitely food for thought, and maybe finally an Oscar for Amy Adams?
- DirectorDavid YatesStarsEddie RedmayneKatherine WaterstonAlison SudolIn 1926, magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York during his worldwide tour to research and rescue magical creatures as something mysterious leaves trails of destruction in the city, threatening to expose the wizarding world.A grand re-introduction into a familiar cinematic universe, with a lot of familiar elements, but also a lot of new ones. What to think of a kleptomaniac platypus, a snake that changes size depending on the room, and J.K. Rowling even managed to invent something scarier than a Dementor. Eddie Redmayne was simply born to be in this universe. Although the plot is not the most interesting factor this will serve as a fine set-up for a new series that will undoubtedly darken with each installment.