2016 Best Movies

10/10, a masterpiece and gut-wrenching. Really appreciate the chance to see this multiple times as it gets better with each watch. The beginning is transfixing and so is the rest of the film. In one word: satisfying. The directing, composition and acting were grade of a high caliber filmmaker. Not to mention the writing which is divine and feels like a novel itself. This film will eat at your heart btw and will shock first time viewers so buckle up. TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE.

10/10, another great one from the old boy director and is just as good. Of course the shots are gorgeous but so is the rest of the film when it comes to all of its aspects. It has so many twists that's it's fun when looking back on a second time and knowing what those are. And there will probably be a second time for you because this movie is worth it. The lighting to set and beyond is perfect to the point if I didn't like Nocturnal Animals more then this would be top dog. Also I like how the porn scenes actually make sense with the context and is not just there to give you a boner (which it did :(). Again what could you ask for? This is story-telling at its finest. There isn't a detail in filmmaking that is missing. If you were asked about the pinnacle of movies and what are examples of the perfect film then this would be somewhere on that list. Specifically on this one it's placed at number 2. I trust this director. He's just makes 10 after 10 and this is no different. Check it if you somehow haven't on your journey on the 2016's best...

lowtosolid10/10, I actually like this wayyyy more than Last Temptation of Christ. Both are phenomenal religious movies that aren't pretentious or shove their beliefs down your throat but this approach spoke to me more as it's more subtle and believable (I don't mean what you think I mean, I just mean in the form of a entertaining movie). It had better cinematography and direction; the lack of music meshed well with the "silence" of the film, adding to the thick atmosphere of it all. You can almost feel the fog and moist air it shows. The quietness also has this foreboding view someone is watching (makes sense) but they do not help aka the "silence" the title talks about. It's about having faith despite not hearing anything from God (or whatever you believe in). Give it a watch religious or non religious viewers or cinema buffs, it's definitely worth it. My favorite of the new Scorsese movies. He's never lost his touch and I appreciate him always trying something new through his style. This is not only an awesome religious movie but a great history based one too. TBH you don't even need to be religious to like this.

low10/10, somehow better than whiplash (only slightly). Super cozy most of the time and is about the false hollywood dream which I think it succeeded at portraying without demonizing the people in it with stupid stereotypes of which the movie satirizes. A very colorful film with love that doesn't feel fake and nor does the music. The onners will really impress you as they had to had a lot of thought in them and some have this incredible organic feeling like "yeah any top craftsman would put that scene here" type beat. The same goes with the costumes and how they shot LA. Feels like a dream come to life and was filmed in a once-in-a-lifetime type way. The songs not only catchy really capture the character and the themes they were going for and create this atmosphere of newfound love and nostalgia. This and whiplash are hard to pick between considering they both just reach the mark for perfect. This to me actually reaches that bar of a 10 while whiplash barely scrapes that but remains a 9 (though I rewatch whiplash personally more). Damien knows his way around a camera and I can see him going down as one of the best if he just continues this streak (which he seems to be doing with First Man and Babylon). If you somehow haven't see this, it has the SAUCE.

low10-high9/10, a great in-depth look into everyday struggles like addiction, poverty and others like dealing with your sexuality/race in a society where it's put underneath the surface or put on as a source of entertainment. But this time it has more pronounced directing and more risky decisions that end up paying off super well because the director fleshed them out instead of cardboard cutouts they usually put out. The kid actors performance was phenomenal and honestly some of the best acting a kid has done and ever will do, that's because of the vulnerability and introspection he brings compared to later when he bottles that down as an adult (great just as well.) It proves the effect it has when the people directing actually care about the child performances. This is structured wonderfully too. The pace never really slows down or at the very least is consistent with what it has set up. Noteworthy side characters, realistically written. A director you should always look out for and this guy has only made two movies really. Beale street is worthy checking out and definitely worthy of making you anticipate what this guy makes next. I have a feeling this guy will go down as one of the best and this was ones of his beginnings. Sad yet poignant. Like a novel come to life. Would give a 10 besides this one nitpick, otherwise this is as perfect as they come.

high9/10, a deep, relatable and subtle look into a life in Britain nowadays. Precisely directed and well written, this movie sets out to show what the average life is and why it's so hard to even maintains one being and their family in modern day England. Insurance, bills, kids and food become the forefront and background. Despite these qualms, the main actor is distracted by what's life actually worth living for: other people. He comes with so much love and adoration for others he forgets himself when it effects him. The acting was extremely gratifying and so was the set and directing. Very sad and real, to the point one would probably forget they are watching a movie instead of a crew following a real-life person. There would just be quirks that you'd see in every day life yet forget because they aren't important that add to these characters and really put you in their shoes for a change. My favorite one being Daniel putting the computer mouse literally on the screen and trying to move it. I've literally witnessed that with my grandpa and grandma so seeing that immortalized on screen made me feel incredibly seen and vindicated. This director is more hit than miss so you'll probably like this or any other work he has done if you check his catalog. This out of everything he has made will probably make you love it most as it's his more conventional. It definitively hit for sure.

solidtohigh9/10, strong bonding movie and has a heartbreaking plot. This director always strikes a cord with emotions and real human connection that he doesn't reel back here when it's needed. Reminder he (Cristian Mungiu) made a film about a girl getting a backdoor abortion in Romania during the 90's when it was still an outspoken topic so that naturally means you should prepare for an always wild but realistic ride that challenges conventional world views. (that film is 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days btw and is FANTASTIC just like this one). This honestly feels more documentary than film like his others yet works because it doesn't treat the people as stereotypes for the message to work. The characters then feel authentic and also as result: the placed feels lived in. They match what the setting was setting up. The father-daughter dynamic also adds to the grimy and claustrophobic Russia they live in and that makes more quality movie making when you learn how much and what was made during. If you loved this directors other movies, then you'll most likely love this. He's often slept on and as long as I'm here, I'll try to make that reality not as real as it sounds. Check this and 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. I need to personally check R.M.N before I recommend that but you can check on the lists when I do to make sure (if you and I have similar tastes) where you stand.

9/10, a documentary that probably needs the same warning as above and even more so because of the reality and aftermath that was filmed. What starts off absurd and funny turns into an infuriating chaotic character study inside the mind of a psychopath/sociopath (some sort of not good path lol). As this plays out it goes into lots of directions. The editing and music which accompanied it were also great glue and helped the tone and feel stick together like adhesive. Like the best documentaries, it feels like a great movie all the while presenting facts and truth to light in a entertaining way that doesn't feel antagonistic. A real rollercoaster with real life consequences. If you can't stand entertainment where you can't punch the main person it's about then this isn't for you. Despite using another movies soundtrack, this docu managed to feel like it was mostly just made for this. That takes talent. If for some reason you were just choosing one documentary to see from 2016 then choose at least this, Ratfilm, or Tower. All of those at least has heart for the matter they are discussing. Personally, this was my fav docu this year.

high8-low9/10, a very disturbing psychological horror that's beautifully shot (some of the shots have this water-colored Chinese aesthetic that contains foreboding and mystifying imagery), magnetic directing and slow-burn boiled up plot that eventually shows it's hand as a demon trying to seem quaint and helpful. Some of the acting really punctuates what is happening and as it happens; makes your soul weep trying to cope with what's happening just like some of the characters. The child performance makes me so sad and mad meaning they did a good job. They made ME worry about the kid and I am not even a parent yet. Sometimes the action is too choreographed (if I were to choose the weaker elements of the film) but the effects are so stellar and so is the story that it makes ignoring that so much easier. It get's better and better as it keeps going too to the point that the tension really racks up and you feel for the people and wish they wouldn't die when it came time for them possibly to suffer that fate. Maybe, just maybe it could have been cut here and there but I felt most scenes were appropriate and filled the time and context they were supposed to when it came time to appraise it. Not like this has the most complex plot or characters put to film but it did take me two times before realizing what the whole picture was and what it was trying to say. Please know this is a quality movie and also a quality time period-piece. Horror since 2016 has been going up and this was just one of the precursors.

high8-low9/10, damn does this movie put a smile on my face. You think you've seen this movie before until it actually plays out. While being an imitation it does pull off it's own style and chemistry that hollywood has forgotten of, especially when it comes to the buddy cop genre (aka CHIPS). What puts this above the trite are the hilarious performances of Ryan Gosling and the more muted straight guy Russel Crowe and the impeccable writing that also brings life to these often broken and purposeless people. I think what makes it so great is they know that. They may bicker as an old couple yet when they are together they bring a charisma that swallows them with charm and experience of living with each other. The set design and makeup also brought their A game to replicate a bygone period perfectly and the story does provide a direction than rather have two guys go to point A to point B without much thought. How these characters deal with unresolved trauma is not to go unnoticed too! The writing is punchy and witty and the kid performances don't blow (a much more hacky and lazy person would just hire who ever was most cheap to fill in those creases if they were so inclined ). Definitely the funniest and most rewatchable of the year. Nixon would be proud and that's apparent as he's in this. See this at parties or by yourself: it's that good.

high8-low9/10, a great drama. This kept my attention the whole time and kept me thinking about the themes and characters well after it was over. Of course have stupid nitpicks but overall this is pretty perfect. Don't want to spoil as this could be a very different experience if I did that. Just know the acting is sublime and the directing is very subtle, the whole show don't tell rule.

high8-low9/10, an awesome movie by itself and a fantastic film for godzilla fans as well. Those don't come often and when they do I love to show my appreciation like with the original. The humans actually have a purpose in the story and godzilla isn't just some hero for the kids. Here he is truly terrifying just like the og and is a constant threat to the world he is in. And while I say the characters have purpose they also accomplish nothing due to red tape laws by the government and it's power. This makes it an anti-establishment anti-bureaucratic art piece movie kind of like Ikiru but with more Kaiju's. There are no protagonists either, making this a one of a kind film. If I were to have some irks it'd be with some problems pertaining to the CGI in the beginning. But as it goes on it does get better (the practical effects do too). The music is as great as ever but here they knock it out of the park. The first time he breathes his ray and the song kicks in I was in awe. I wish the american godzillas consistency stayed after the 2014 mark but instead we got marvel like godzilla popcorn filler instead of what japan is doing here: which is just showing us why he even gained anything in culture. I also like the spin of this being a message stemming from the 2011 Japanese Tsunami and nuclear meltdown. Mirroring what the original was in reaction to the bombs.

low9-high8/10, a very good poetry like movie. Kind of has that Big Lebowski lounge type feel. It's well shot and acted but the best part is the writing. It really comes to life and feels like reality. Each character is pronounced and doesn't feel two dimensional. Very memorable despite anything really happening so I know that means it did something right at least to me. The music not being there added to the ambiance. Check it out if you love slow-paced art films that delve into daily life.

high8/10, Robert Eggers really knows his craft as this low budget horror feels more than it could have been. And what I mean by that is if a least competent director was at the helm we wouldn't have seen as much as is shown. His writing to me feels impeccable and the fact he studied the language they used and used it here means a lot and I really appreciate it. It really helps sell the story, plot, location and characters. It shows me horror is so much more when the characters matter and so does everything else that makes a great film. Here you truly see the making of an incredible director.

high8/10

8/10

8/10

8/10

8/10, a scrambled experimental documentary filmed by the main person behind the camera as they travel across the globe featuring real history as it is happening, as it happened and it's survivors. Play's a pivotal role in showing what a camera can do and what its purpose is. Very interesting and doesn't stagnate in one area. Little exposition and powerful stories. See this if you're interested in showing not telling documentaries.

low8/10

low8/10

low8-high7/10, a very somber and sorrow filled film. Powerful performances and subtle directing. The color tone fit and so did the location. very masterful in terms of a slow burn as each pit in the turn deserve it's needed payoff. The cinematography was fine enough in the sense it matched what the movie was going for. Not quite misery-porn but on the cuff of it, not a bad thing really imo. The kid acting was the weakest but not bad, just compared to what the others did. Sad but engaging

low8-high7/10

low7/10

strong7/10

high7/10