Favourites from 2016
Favourite films, specials and new shows (etc.) throughout the year.
Shout-outs:
Weiner, Rocco, The Nice Guys, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, Westworld, Beyond the Gates, Kubo and the Two Strings, Southbound, Keanu, Captain Fantastic, Angie Tribeca, Evolution, Eddie the Eagle, Yoga Hosers.
Still need to check out:
Hail Caesar!, The Lost City of Z, Les Innocentes, The Good Place, The Exorcist, De Palma, The Salesman, For the Love of Spock, A martfűi rém, Shin Gojira, Jackie, 11.22.63, The Wailing, Cameraperson, Channel Zero, Free Fire, The Night of...
Shout-outs:
Weiner, Rocco, The Nice Guys, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, Westworld, Beyond the Gates, Kubo and the Two Strings, Southbound, Keanu, Captain Fantastic, Angie Tribeca, Evolution, Eddie the Eagle, Yoga Hosers.
Still need to check out:
Hail Caesar!, The Lost City of Z, Les Innocentes, The Good Place, The Exorcist, De Palma, The Salesman, For the Love of Spock, A martfűi rém, Shin Gojira, Jackie, 11.22.63, The Wailing, Cameraperson, Channel Zero, Free Fire, The Night of...
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- DirectorDaniel KwanDaniel ScheinertStarsPaul DanoDaniel RadcliffeMary Elizabeth WinsteadA hopeless man stranded on a deserted island befriends a dead body, and together they go on a surreal journey to get home.My absolute favourite film of the year. It put a stupid grin on my face the whole way through and a warm yet bittersweet feeling in my heart. Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe give absolutely stunning performances and are phenomenal together. The soundtrack is wholly unique, endearing and enchanting. While being quite silly, the film still manages to deliver a heartfelt message. I loved Swiss Army Man to bits and would recommend it to anyone.
- DirectorJake RodkinStarsRich SommerCissy JonesLarissa GallagherIn 1989, Henry takes a volunteer fire lookout job in the Wyoming wilderness to escape from his troubled past, only to be thrown into plethora of paranoia and mystery.
- 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.Nocturnal Animals gave me probably the best movie going experiences of the year. The film's story and overwhelming sense of style just floored me. Tom Ford's directing and the cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, the score by Abel Korzeniowski is hauntingly beautiful. The whole film oozes with style and atmosphere, the acting is fantastic, Amy Adams gives one of the best performances of the year (male or female).
- DirectorRobert EggersStarsAnya Taylor-JoyRalph InesonKate DickieA family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.The Witch is the best horror film to come out in decades. The setting and atmosphere is immensely grim and dour, it makes the film heavy and tense, it really crawls under your skin (I can't stop thinking about the ending ever since I saw it).
- DirectorAndrew DominikStarsNick CaveWarren EllisJim SclavunosExplores the creative process of Nick Cave and his band as the singer struggles with an unspoken personal tragedy.One of the most emotional experiences of 2016. The viewing experience felt very strange, almost too close, too personal or intimate and sometimes quite uncomfortably so. A must see for fans of Nick Cave.
- DirectorPeter MiddletonJames SpinneyStarsJohn M. HullMarilyn HullMiranda Beinart-SmithIn the summer of 1983, just days before the birth of his first son, writer and theologian John Hull went blind. In order to make sense of the upheaval in his life, he began keeping a diary on audiocassette. Upon their publication in 1990, Oliver Sacks described the work as 'the most extraordinary, precise, deep and beautiful account of blindness I have ever read. It is to my mind a masterpiece.' With exclusive access to these original recordings, NOTES ON BLINDNESS encompasses dreams, memory and imaginative life, excavating the interior world of blindness.Wouldn't call it a documentary per se, it's more than that. The creators of this exceptional film successfully recreated John Hull's notes on his initial battle and later acceptance of his blindness. All of his struggles, ups and downs and even the surprisingly blissful moments he went through, shown in a beautifully artistic way.
- DirectorMichael Dudok de WitStarsEmmanuel GarijoTom HudsonBaptiste GoyA man is shipwrecked on a deserted island and encounters a big red turtle, which changes his life.A beautiful film. The story is quite simple, but it's meaning can be interpreted in so many ways and I love that about it.
- DirectorMike MillsStarsAnnette BeningElle FanningGreta GerwigIn 1979 Santa Barbara, Dorothea is a determined single mother who is raising her son, Jamie. Dorothea enlists the help of two women -- Abbie, a free-spirited punk artist and Julie, a savvy teenager -- to help with Jamie's upbringing.Mike Mills' beautiful and touching ode to his mother and the powerful and influential women of his young adult life is wonderful. As a man who was mostly raised by women I could relate to this film a lot. The cast is great and the atmosphere feels delightfully nostalgic.
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsAmy AdamsJeremy RennerForest WhitakerLinguist Louise Banks leads a team of investigators when gigantic spaceships touch down around the world. As nations teeter on the verge of global war, Banks and her crew must find a way to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors.Smart sci-fi at its best. Denis Villeneuve made an absolutely stunning and superb film full of atmosphere. Arrival has a very tight plot, centred around Amy Addams' character, which is surprisingly grounded and believable. Though it's not the most original premise, it's very similar to Contact (a personal favourite), it goes in a rather unprecedented direction and has a very distinct sophisticated voice. A definite must-see and not just for sci-fi fans.
- DirectorKelly ReichardtStarsMichelle WilliamsKristen StewartLaura DernThe lives of three women intersect in small-town America, where each is imperfectly blazing a trail.
- DirectorDavid MackenzieStarsChris PineBen FosterJeff BridgesToby is a divorced father who's trying to make a better life. His brother is an ex-con with a short temper and a loose trigger finger. Together, they plan a series of heists against the bank that's about to foreclose on their family ranch.An immensely entertaining and beautifully shot film with terrific performances and a great soundtrack wrapped in a tight plot. It really is a breath of fresh air straight from the wild west. Enjoyed almost every minute of it.
- DirectorRaoul PeckStarsSamuel L. JacksonJames BaldwinMartin Luther KingWriter James Baldwin tells the story of race in modern America with his unfinished novel, Remember This House.
- DirectorDuke JohnsonCharlie KaufmanStarsDavid ThewlisJennifer Jason LeighTom NoonanA man crippled by the mundanity of his life experiences something out of the ordinary.
- 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.La La Land has this soul that has been lacking in most mainstream films for a while now. Overall I think it's a lovely film with a brilliant performance by Emma Stone, great dance numbers and some solid songs. It's a bit overhyped, but it truly is a delight.
- DirectorJeremy SaulnierStarsAnton YelchinImogen PootsAlia ShawkatA punk rock band is forced to fight for survival after witnessing a murder at a neo-Nazi skinhead bar.Green Room was the second most enjoyable film this year. A real stomach-churning thrillride.
P.S.: Rest in Peace Anton Yelchin. - CreatorLouis C.K.StarsLouis C.K.Steve BuscemiEdie FalcoLouis C.K.'s Eugene O'Neill-esque dramatic web series about two cousins, introverted Horace and mentally ill Pete, the current owners of their family's Irish bar "Horace and Pete's", and their dysfunctional family and friends.
- DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsElle FanningChristina HendricksKeanu ReevesAn aspiring model, Jesse, is new to Los Angeles. However, her beauty and youth, which generate intense fascination and jealousy within the fashion industry, may prove themselves sinister.After giving it some time, I came to the conclusion that I rather loved The Neon Demon. The cinematography is gorgeous (as usual), the score is eerie and otherwordly with acting that's out of this world too, Elle Fanning is fantastic and the level of commitment from the actors is far out - especially from Jena Malone (she's incredible). Also after reconsidering the film's theme or message, I realized that it's far more intelligent and layered than I originally gave it credit. Sure the film is a bit slow and pornographic in a sense, but it's damn great otherwise.
- DirectorDenzel WashingtonStarsDenzel WashingtonViola DavisStephen McKinley HendersonA working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life.I was completely drawn in and latched unto Denzel and Viola's characters. Admittedly Denzel's directing is way too stagy, but it surprised me how much I loved this film (except for the ending, which was pretty cheesy).
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsAndrew GarfieldAdam DriverLiam NeesonIn the 17th century, two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to Japan in an attempt to locate their mentor, who is rumored to have committed apostasy, and to propagate Catholicism.Silence was one of the most demanding films to watch this year. The subject matter alone is insanely heavy and the moral questions about faith it tackles are just so hard to contemplate, it makes my head hurt. Scorsese put all his heart and passion into this film and it shows. It's a beautiful and gruelling film. Definitely a tough yet rewarding watch.
- DirectorBarry JenkinsStarsMahershala AliNaomie HarrisTrevante RhodesA young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.Moonlight is a very personal film made with an abundance of care. The casting is spot on, Barry Jenkins' directing and the film's cinematography is gorgeous with a great soundtrack and a very touching score. I do not feel like I really got to know Chiron's character that much during the film, though, and that definitely took away from his personality and some of the enjoyability for me. Moonlight's no character study, but an emotional and melancholic glimpse into the stages of someone's life and their touching romance, with an insight into the black community of Miami. It's rather beautiful.
- DirectorOsgood PerkinsStarsRuth WilsonPaula PrentissBob BalabanA nervous nurse who scares easily finds herself caring for an ailing horror novelist while living in a house with hidden secrets.Truly one-of-a-kind and subtle. One of my favourite horror films of the year. Its premise is pretty straightforward, but the execution and artistic choices made by Oz Perkins are phenomenally unique. The atmosphere and pacing made me feel incredibly uneasy. It's a real slow-burner, though, so be prepared for that.
- DirectorAntonio CamposStarsRebecca HallMichael C. HallTracy LettsThe story of Christine Chubbuck, a 1970s TV reporter struggling with depression and professional frustrations as she tries to advance her career.Rebecca Hall gives one of the best performances of the year in this tragic and heartbreaking biopic. The one and only problem I had with Christine is it's running time, it drags on a bit at times and really feels its length. Be prepared, though, because it's not an easy watch.
- CreatorDonald GloverStarsDonald GloverBrian Tyree HenryLaKeith StanfieldEarn and his cousin, Alfred, try to make their way in the world through Atlanta's rap scene. Along the way they come face-to-face with social and economic issues touching on race, relationships, poverty, status and parenthood.
- DirectorNicolas PesceStarsKika MagalhãesWill BrillOlivia BondA young, lonely woman is consumed by her deepest and darkest desires after tragedy strikes her quiet country life.An extremely dour and gruesome study of isolation, loneliness and tragedy. The Eyes of My Mother feels very hollow and slightly directionless, which can be a flaw for many, but I felt like it was just like its main character, it was justified and fitting in this way. The cinematography is beautiful and the eccentric acting gives it a dream like quality in a quite nightmareish way. It's definitely not for everyone, not for the squeamish, but I found The Eyes of My Mother to be absolutely gripping and loved almost every minute of it.
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsKim Min-heeHa Jung-wooCho Jin-woongIn 1930s Korea, a girl is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress who lives a secluded life on a countryside estate. But the maid has a secret: She is a pickpocket recruited by a swindler to help seduce the Lady and steal her fortune.One of the best and possibly the most entertaining films of the year. The story is a bit too pulpy for my taste, but its many twists are crafted in a masterful way.