Movies seen in 2016
This is my attempt at listing and ordering (from best to worst) all the recent movies I've seen in 2016. A few notable exceptions:
- The Big Short and Demain, both released in late 2015 and finally seen in the first days of 2016, are not appearing here.
- Fatima, released in mid-2015 and finally seen during its rerun in March 2016, is present on this list.
- Your Name and Diamond Island, both released in late 2016 and finally seen in the first days of 2017, are present on this list.
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- DirectorMaren AdeStarsSandra HüllerPeter SimonischekMichael WittenbornA practical joking father tries to reconnect with his hard working daughter by creating an outrageous alter ego and posing as her CEO's life coach.Starting with this one, these are the movies I label "exceptional".
I can't quite express how insane that movie is, any more that I can describe how good it made me feel. That movie is so phenomenal that Jack Nicholson is getting out of retirement to act in the remake. That's how good this is. - 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.Every shot is a masterpiece in its own. You feel Di Caprio's pain in every scene and you can't wait for it to be over. But in a good way. :) This was *intense*.
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsAmy AdamsJeremy RennerForest WhitakerA linguist works with the military to communicate with alien lifeforms after twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world.Dem feels.
Thank the maker for Denis Villeneuve!! Now we know he can do sci-fi, bring on Blade Runner and Dune! - 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.Brie Larson was excellent, and that Tremblay kid was unbelievably good. Need I say more?
- DirectorJohn CrowleyStarsSaoirse RonanEmory CohenDomhnall GleesonAn Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.Starting with this one, these are the movies I label "very good".
The movie starts off okay, and gradually becomes better, then falls off a cliff in its third act. Until you understand what it was all about, and then it clicks and it's *beep* brilliant. That it didn't get more recognized kills me. - DirectorTom McCarthyStarsMark RuffaloMichael KeatonRachel McAdamsThe true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.It sounded boring and classic Oscar bait, but it was so well done, so thrilling, with great performances, that I couldn't resist enjoying it.
- DirectorBruno DumontStarsFabrice LuchiniJuliette BinocheValeria Bruni TedeschiIn the early 20th century, at the Pas de Calais, people mysteriously disappear as Ma Loute, son of the local fishermen family, and Billie, daughter of the snobbish Van Peteghems, fall in love each other.This is too bizarre and unpleasant for words, but for all its quirks, it's also very entertaining.
- 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.I know, it should be lower, but how funny was that? Huh?
For once, the marketing was as good as the movie, even though the villain paled in comparison to the anti-hero. - DirectorMatt RossStarsViggo MortensenGeorge MacKaySamantha IslerIn the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a father devoted to raising his six kids with a rigorous physical and intellectual education is forced to leave his paradise and enter the world, challenging his idea of what it means to be a parent.I was laughing for like half the movie. I loved it.
- 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.I know, I know, a Disney animation film? In your Top 10? Really man? Yup. Because the movie actually had a fairly clever and adult message, behind all its cuteness overload.
- 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.Tarantino's latest entry wasn't on par with his two previous movies, but his whodunnit was truly captivating. And I'm glad he's doing something a bit different.
- DirectorAndrew StantonAngus MacLaneStarsEllen DeGeneresAlbert BrooksEd O'NeillFriendly but forgetful blue tang Dory begins a search for her long-lost parents and everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family along the way.I knew that movie couldn't beat Finding Nemo which is one of my favorite Pixars, but they didn't half-assed it, and made it all about Dory's mental problems. And it was really sweet and hilarious.
- DirectorDanny BoyleStarsMichael FassbenderKate WinsletSeth RogenSteve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution, to paint a portrait of the man at its epicenter. The story unfolds backstage at three iconic product launches, ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac.While it's a bit thin on the biopic side, the lengthy conversations are mermerizing. I'm know sure how much Danny Boyle brought to the table here, but Sorkin is a natural when it comes to write dialogue.
- DirectorRyan CooglerStarsMichael B. JordanSylvester StalloneTessa ThompsonThe former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.I wasn't really expecting the seventh movie in the Rocky franchise to be this high up in my list, but it was very well filmed, with surprisingly touching performances. Oh and the fight in the middle of the movie was just crazy.
- DirectorShane BlackStarsRussell CroweRyan GoslingAngourie RiceIn 1970s Los Angeles, a mismatched pair of private eyes investigate a missing girl and the mysterious death of a porn star.Who knew that these two guys would have such chemistry? No, seriously, who knew? It was just pure fun from the first shot and that didn't stop until the credits. A smart script also helps.
- DirectorSébastien MarnierStarsMarina FoïsJérémie ElkaïmJoséphine JapyHaving been fired from her old job as a real estate agent, 40 years old Constance thinks her former boss will hire her in a vacancy, but he chooses a younger and prettier woman. Constance can't take that and starts her stalking.I can't stand the actress but she was terrifying here. The movie is very minimalistic but it works wonders.
- DirectorEmmanuelle BercotStarsSidse Babett KnudsenBenoît MagimelCharlotte LaemmelDr. Irène Frachon from Brest discovers, that Mediator pills cause heart valve problems/deaths. In 2009, she starts an uphill battle against the producer and the French health authorities.Great director, great actors, great underdog story. What more do you want?
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonPolitical involvement in the Avengers' affairs causes a rift between Captain America and Iron Man.Finally, a Marvel movie with a story that's not the same one copy-pasted for the 20th time. The mid-movie battle was serious fun and a good counter-measure to the overall gloominess.
- 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.Stop motion is still alive (who'd have thought that?), and it kicks ass. The animation is gorgeous and the characters rule, even though the story is a bit thin.
- DirectorRoschdy ZemStarsOmar SyJames ThierréeClotilde HesmeThe rise and fall of the famous clown Chocolat, the first black circus performer who revolutionised the stagnant circus acts and conquered Paris of the Belle Époque with his exuberance and originality.The main story is very moving, but what really took the cake for me was the side story of Footit, played by a dude who came out of nowhere.
- DirectorDexter FletcherStarsTaron EgertonHugh JackmanTom CostelloThe story of Eddie Edwards, the notoriously tenacious British underdog ski jumper who charmed the world at the 1988 Winter Olympics.The enthusiasm of the main character is so contagious, even a gruffy Hugh Jackman can't resist it. I wasn't even aware of the story it's based on!
- DirectorHouda BenyaminaStarsOulaya AmamraDéborah LukumuenaKévin MischelA street teenager from a dysfunctional family from a banlieue (HLMs) in Paris comes across a young dancer who turns her life upside down.Great performances from complete unknowns, the characters are awesome, but it fails in its third act and that's really too bad, because otherwise, it was excellent.
- DirectorGilles BannierStarsReda KatebLéa DruckerGilles CohenSamson Cazalet is a cab driver who finds himself accused of kidnapping the daughter of a woman he drove back to her home. He's abruptly jailed and left alone, heading toward a trial who seems already lost.Reda Kateb truly is a gem amongst the crop of young French actors. He was so believable in this role, you don't feel you're watching a movie anymore.
- DirectorClaude BarrasStarsGaspard SchlatterSixtine MuratPaulin JaccoudAfter losing his mother, a young boy is sent to an orphanage with other orphans his age where he begins to learn the meaning of trust and true love.A movie for kids and adults alike. Very touching but still quite cute. Bonus: it was made right next to Lyon! :D
- DirectorPhilippe LioretStarsPierre DeladonchampsGabriel ArcandCatherine De LéanMathieu has never known his father. His mother has always told him he was the fruit of a one-night-stand. One morning, in his Parisian flat, he receives a call from Quebec telling him his father just died. Mathieu decides to go to the funeral and meet the two Canadian brothers he just found out he had. In Montreal, nobody is aware of his existence, and Mathieu realizes he is in a hostile territory.I walked in expecting nothing and it broke my heart.