2016 Films, Ranked.

10/10

This might be the most intellectually stimulating film of the past few years. The writing is something to marvel over. The way the story is structured, it brings out the best aspects of mystery and intrigue without putting too much emphasis on putting the pieces together. In that regard, it's the special scenario where your mind is at work figuring it all out, while your senses are taking in the experience. The characters and story brought out a unique type of emotion that I have never felt in a science fiction film. Not even close. The score was my favorite of the year, and the composer deserves a round of applause. Amy Adams does an impeccable job delivering this complex character, from her dialogue to her facial expressions. I'm not the biggest Villeneuve fan, but he manages to break genre conventions in the best way possible, and I don't think I can assign a bigger compliment than that.

Sometimes you watch a movie and it connects with you on such a level that it's difficult to comprehend. Arrival isn't perfect, but it's perfect to me.

9/10

An incredible Polanski-esqe experience. The acting was tremendous and got better as the film progressed. The atmosphere is haunting and serious. There are a few unforgettable scenes that, while intense and very difficult to watch, never feel out of place to get a rise out of the audience. The score is amazingly atmospheric and raised the tension to a whole new level. I was genuinely pleased with this horror film. The one thing I found is that it was difficult to understand the characters at times because of their thick accents, but thankfully this is a film I plan on re-watching in the near future. It seems like we get one truly masterful horror film a year, and this may be it. People don't realize that films like this almost never work because the person behind the camera doesn't get it. The Witch does and there's absolutely nothing like it.

9/10

What truly amazing work from such a young director. It combines a score and aesthetic from musicals of the 50s and 60s but modernizes it for a new generation. The acting is wonderful and the story is memorable. I do feel as though the films' freshest ideas are in the first half, and the 3rd act falters in that it has to make the tough decision of either rushing through the story or telling too much of it, and it did feel a bit overlong with a sense of wanting more. With that said, with music that surely everyone will fall in love with, and a couple of scenes that will almost certainly become iconic, La La Land is pure cinematic bliss for musicals and film lovers alike.

9/10

I found this film to be absolutely stunning. Portman gives by far the best acting of the year in my opinion, from anyone male or female. This is quite possibly her best performance to date. She completely loses herself in this role and the direction really showcased her facial expressions. I think it's absolutely ridiculous some of the criticism that has come her way for this performance. She doesn't simply impersonate Jackie, but gives a deep and layered performance that can be seen as a character study in its own right.

The score is memorable and the direction is overall fantastic. There was very little I did not like about this film, and although there was something near the end I did not initially agree with, over time I realized it fit the structure of the story and it worked. The mixture of old footage thrown in there made me appreciate how much attention to detail the filmmakers made. Jackie is a must watch and an unforgettable experience.

8/10

You rarely see a film so effortlessly combine different genres. Elle is comedic, frightening, romantic, thrilling. Isabelle Huppert is absolutely masterful in this role. Her character is so complex, so unpredictable and she played her role brilliantly. This is such a unique story, in the way it is told and how it concludes. The direction isn't flashy, which makes it all the more impressive how multi-layered everything is. These characters will not be forgotten anytime soon, and its originality is something to admire. Truly outstanding.

9/10

As honest a film as you're going to see. I loved the way the storytelling is structured. The acting is tremendous, and there are two scenes in particular that will emotionally shake you. The story and characters are unique and unforgettable. I loved the score as well.

8/10

A very wonderful time. It uses the same formula Disney has been using for decades now, but the story itself is unique and interesting. The music is fantastic and the story has its heart warming moments as well. It hits all the right notes for a Disney Animation and, honestly, there's not much to dislike here.

9/10

Easily the best zombie film since Zombieland. I was a bit awe struck on how well-made this was. Large in scope, but feels confined and personal. It features the best child performance of the year, and also one of my most despised characters. These characters are so memorable, they nearly reach Rio Bravo territory. I can see myself re-watching this film just to spend more time with these characters. Fantastic score as well. I honestly can't find a single thing flaw. See it immediately.

7/10

This film has a lot of things going for it. The score feels like it was stripped right from the 90s. It is at times satirical. The performances here are truly top-notch, as are the sets and makeup. Shannon and Johnson stole the show in my opinion, while Gyllenhaal and Adams are outstanding as well. This film really features a mixture of peculiar aspects that don't make you feel at ease, combined with the story structure and it's quite the experience. The modern timeline felt fresh and unique, while the story in the book was more standard but thrilling. For now, based on my first viewing, I'll say that it lives up to the high expectations set by A Single Man, which was one hell of a debut from the director.

Update: on my second viewing, I felt it was even better. I noticed a lot of parallels between the main character and the book, that was written for the main character.

7/10

Certainly well-made. Not flashy, solid choice of music, great performances. It feels like you're watching a Coen Brothers film but if all the artistic measures were toned down. I don't think it'll amaze the viewer, but I can't see how anyone can dislike a film this safe and entertaining. Behind the thrilling heists and robberies, there is a very modern and respectable story that allows the audience root for these anti-heroes.

8/10

This is a perfect example of indie horror intelligently written and directed. You know what to expect from the plot line, but the film manages to exceed those expectations numerous times throughout. It's not particularly scary, so it's more of a taunt thriller in that regard, but it's wonderfully intense and will have you on the edge of your seat. The leading lady gives memorable facial expressions and the killer is perfectly written. Loved it.

7/10

I'm a huge fan of Alvarez. I think Evil Dead is a masterpiece. To say I was excited for another horror film from the same director and star is an understatement. Don't Breathe is intense, short and sweet. It doesn't have the same artistic merit that Evil Dead has, but it's still wonderfully directed. Jane Levy has damn-near iconic horror facial expressions. I loved certain shots and techniques used from the director. The story is simple yet effective. There are a few times where the story could have used more polish. A lot of "really?" moments, where I think the writers couldn't think of other ways to move the story along.

Am I disappointed? Maybe a little. I had very, very high expectations, and Don't Breathe turned out to be a memorable, flawed little film, but one that I'll watch every Halloween season.

8/10

Nowadays it's rare to see these types of action/Sci-Fi films, ones that take their time to tell their story without feeling that the audience demands action every 5 minutes. I absolutely loved this film. It delivered on its promise and it was thoroughly entertaining and memorable. The acting was terrific. Sometimes the story felt a little too "neat", too perfectly placed together, with an ending that may have your eyes rolling, but that's a minor nitpick in an otherwise flawless picture. A must watch.

8/10

By far the best Captain America film yet. It does a nice job of maintaining the tone of the other Capt. films while mixing in a little bit of The Avengers in there. I will still criticize this film, and most MCU films, for lacking in interesting human elements. Simply put, when the action stops and these heroes act like normal people, it gets dull. Thankfully, the story here is quite interesting, and the action is beautifully paced and worth the wait. This is a must see, and the best Marvel film since Guardians of the Galaxy.

7/10

An energetic, vibrant and clever animation. It might seem like another generic talking animal kids' story, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. The way the film speaks on race and living with different individuals is timely and important. It does so in an effortless, inoffensive way. The story has its fair share of issues, and its structure is far from unique, but this is a wonderful animation that everyone should see.

8/10

You don't see these types of films very often, ones that have an extremely niche audience and plays that to its strength. Green Room is exactly what you would hope to see from the plot description. It's thrilling, fast-paced and edge-of-your-seat entertainment. It combines different aspects rather well, accumulating to something that's unique in itself. The acting never feels phoned-in and the writing is surprisingly strong. You care about these characters even in the short run time, which is difficult to pull off in these types of stories. All in all, a great film.

7/10

This is a tonally original film that is quite outstanding in certain areas. Those expecting a story told neatly with a beginning, middle and end will surely be disappointed. This is almost experimental filmmaking. The story is told in a haze-like way, where the viewer guesses certain plot elements with trust that the filmmaker will fill in the blanks before the credits roll.

I'll boil it down to this, if you're looking for a film with an outstanding score (might be my favorite of the year), incredible acting from the lead, and impressive long takes, this might be your favorite film of the year. If you're looking for a story that has emotional impact, or one that's original, you may be disappointed. I fall somewhere in the middle. I think the story here is good but not great, where the writing could have been more original and had more impact, while other elements of the film are masterful. In other words, if you're a fan of filmmaking style and technique, watch this immediately. If you're looking for story, you may be disappointed.

7/10

A visual treat for fans of the classic. It doesn't really offer much of an improvement in terms of storytelling, but the score is absolutely wonderful and all the classic songs are here which was a huge surprise for me. The animation is jaw-dropping and it allows this film to flow without any hiccups. It's a must watch because it's an unforgettable experience, but it does play it safe in the storytelling department.

7/10

What a fine film this was. While the first act sets up an intriguing story, the second act is a bit dull once you figure out where the story is going. The always outstanding Mads carried a majority of this film. It does have its fair share of flaws, from an inconsistent story, unearned character development, to CGI characters that threw me a bit off (still much better than recasting actors, though). What made this film for me is the final 40 minutes of a non-stop mixture of heist and war. This might be my 4th favorite Star Wars movie, after episodes 4, 5 and 7. It's very well made, with a climax unrivaled by any in the series, and is a worthy chapter in the saga. Like the best Star Wars movies, this one is highly re-watchable, although you may see yourself fast-forwarding the middle hour.

7/10

What it lacks in originality, it makes up for in atmosphere. It's short and has a few intense moments in there. A couple of jump scares also. Story is worthwhile. It's sort of a cross between Paranormal Activity (things go down at night), Babadook (main character's psyche) and Dark Water (a lot of similar story elements). It's recommended, but it's not a must-watch. I would say the setting of the film is highly original and very realistic to the time period. That is the one thing that stood out for me.

6/10

I don't think I've ever had this big of a disconnect with a film so highly praised. Moonlight is a superficial mess. In theory I would love the structure, but it's so poorly executed. Character arcs are almost non-existent. You see these characters grown up by their appearance, but their attitudes and lives move along as if though no time had passed. This severely hurts the impact of the story. The cinematography is wonderful, but it's another big problem I had with Moonlight. It's stylistic approach to storytelling did not mesh well with the film's desire to illicit emotion. My biggest criticism is with the story itself. Much of it was unrealistic. First off, the main character, Chiron, through the first two acts feels almost inhuman. I realize that he is put in a difficult position, but it's difficult to empathize with a character when he's written as if he has a mental illness. Sexual orientation does not correlate with mental illness, and I would have preferred a more, I guess, realistic and relatable character. A bigger problem with the story, as I said, is a lack of character progression. The third chapter in the film takes such a jarring change, it was difficult for me to believe the plausibility of it.

I don't mean to be overly negative, and I know I'm in the very small minority, but I do not understand what the intention of this film is. The acting is great, the cinematography is beautiful, and the structure is admirable. When it counts, though, it does not work on numerous levels. If you want a much better film dealing with a similar subject matter, watch the recent Blue is the Warmest Color. I want to give this film another chance, and I will, but as it stands, Moonlight is this decade's Crash.

7/10

Rob Zombie's very own The Hunger Games. I must say, I am quite surprised. This is his best film since The Devil's Rejects, and honestly, his second best work to date. There is a lot to love. The cinematography is filmic and reminded me of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The structure of the movie lends it self to repeat viewing. The killers are all unique and memorable, akin to video game boss fights. The choice of music is wonderful, fits the film, and I imagine being Rob Zombie gives you a bit more options in that department. It's not perfect by any means, and the third act has a couple of issues, but overall I am thoroughly impressed with this effort.

If you are not a Rob Zombie fan, don't waste your time. Even though I dislike most of his films, I think he always offers something unique to the genre, which is why I always look forward to his next work. If you go into this without an open mind, with a preconceived intention to hate it, then don't bother.

7/10

Possibly the weakest in the trilogy, which isn't saying much since I love those films. Beyond pays more homage to TOS than I was expecting, and it was a nice surprise. The action is quite good. The acting at times felt a little off and phoned-in, which made the film feel rushed and less focused. There are a couple of continuity issues that irked me. The story was serviceable, nothing memorable but introduced a couple of new characters to the franchise. It's a nice adventure with characters you love, and it does deliver.

7/10

A surprisingly good thriller. It's well directed and has a really great score. If you've been looking for an on-the-road thriller/horror film, this should fill that void. It's nowhere near perfect, especially with a plot that sometimes doesn't fit together very well, but this is a genre film and this is my favorite genre. Thus, if you enjoy these types of movies, you'll be entertained.

7/10

You can immediately tell this wasn't going to be one of Pixar's top films because of the pacing. Similar to Monsters University, it's non-stop action. The best Pixar films need downtime, and typically spend more time developing a story. Finding Dory is fine, though. It's memorable and funny, with fantastic animation and a well-told story. It won't win any awards, but it's not bad by any means.

6/10

This film has a serious problem of identity crisis. I'm a big fan of Ti West, and now he's ventured into the western genre with good intentions. There is a lot to like here. First and foremost, the music itself is outstanding. Even though it doesn't fit the film at all, isolated it is wonderful (albeit maybe a bit similar to western score's of the past). The story is simple and I think that increases rewatchability. I think down the line this has a chance to become a cult favorite western. My biggest problem with the film is that the ingredients don't mix. The story is serious in tone, but some of the situations are comedic. The main villain looks the part, but the delivery of the dialogue (and the dialogue itself) is at times amateurish to say the least. The writing needed a lot of fine-tuning, and these characters sound more 21st century than 19th. The characters reminded me of the game Red Dead Redemption, they're ALL different, all have a certain theatricality to them. The cinematography feels cheap and claustrophobic, while the score makes everything feel epic and grand, and... I think you guys get my point.

I did enjoy the movie, when I wasn't cringing, and I think Ti West did a nice job at creating a western that's for all fans of the genre, spaghetti or not. If he were to ever make another one, I hope he sticks to one style, preferably a more original one.

7/10

It's tough to find criticism in these types of films. It's a shark movie. You know what you're getting when you decide to see it. It's short, sweet, with a little heart, rather good acting, and most importantly it's entertaining. Is it going to change the shark thriller genre? No, but that's a difficult task in itself.

7/10

Disappointingly, this felt like every other low budget, rated R super hero film out there (with your typical voice over narration). The amount of 4th wall breakage is way too much. I know that's Deadpool's signature style, but I personally rarely enjoy it in film as it hurts the flow of the narrative. When your main character repeatedly acknowledges that you're watching a movie, it kind of breaks some of the immersion. I felt it was too raunchy, to the point the dialogue became repetitive and I just wanted them to get on with the story. What makes it enjoyable, though, is Ryan Reynold's performance and the character itself. You'll have tons of fun with this film; it's more interesting than your typical origin story, the direction is immaculate, and it has a few laughs to boot. It's not crazy good, but it is a crazy fun time at the cinema.

6/10

I have been dying to see this ever since the first trailer released. It looked absolutely outstanding. To say I was letdown is a big understatement. Unfortunately this is a severe case of style over substance, with the director making some misguided decisions along the way. First of all, this film is breathtakingly beautiful. Everything from the cinematography, the camerawork, and several shots look like they came right out of a 60s horror film. The style is perfect. Now for the substance. The first 30 minutes show the film has so much potential, then it absolutely becomes mediocre and monotonous. The story becomes repetitive and certain story elements completely take the horror out of the film. The forced campy moments do not work whatsoever. Subtle use of camp, or completely unintended camp are the best kind of camp. Here it just doesn't mesh well with the story at all. Many of the characters are so uninteresting that the film became a bore. Above all, this film has zero replay value. Absolutely none. I can't imagine ever wanting to watch this again. An absolute shame.

6/10

I really like Jeff Nichols, but to be brutally honest this is a very dull film. You can't really fault it for much, but it's just not very interesting or eventful. It has great cinematography and the acting is pretty good. The story is very repetitive, the revealing of mysteries isn't all that surprising, and by the end I knew this was an okay film that I'll probably never watch again.

6/10

This film is tough to hate but also difficult to love. The acting, minus the two leads, is god awful. The writing is exposition-heavy and the dialogue is very weak. With that said, it's entertaining and moves along fast at 89 minutes short. Mel Gibson's character is very memorable and he gives a very good performance. The action is also good. If you're looking for a decent action film that hits all the important points, this is it.