Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2016

Honorable mentions in order of appearance: Arrival, Sing Street, The Nice Guys, Manchester By The Sea, Deadpool, Swiss Army Man, Doctor Strange, Zootopia, and Hell or High Water.

Opening song: In The Shadows by Foreign Air

Sing Street Review (2016)

Sing Street

  Sing Street sets us up in 1980's Dublin, and is a coming of age story about a boy who starts a high school band at his Catholic school.

  I hadn't heard too much about this indie flick going in, but boy was I pleasantly surprised. 

  Since it's about music, let's first talk about the soundtrack and score, which I really liked. Sing Street pays a lot of homage to 80s bands, while still keeping its own style. At one point during a scene, I even heard a slow piano rendition of Take On Me that was a part of the score. It was really cool and subtle. Like seriously, good on you, movie. Good on you.

  The cast is also really solid! The main kid, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo really reminded me of a young Freddie Highmore. Highmore is one of my favorite actors, so that's a huge compliment. Another surprise was Jack Raynor who you might recognize from that piece of trash that was the fourth Transformers movie. No need to worry though, he's great here! Probably the best part. He had this really genuine, authentic relationship with our main character, and some hilarious lines of dialogue.

  The other characters in the band weren't fleshed out as much as I would've liked, but they were fleshed out enough that it didn't take away too much from the story. I also thought their dorky transition of clothing style through the film as they changed genres was really fun.

  Sing Street is a feel good film that's almost impossible to dislike, even with it's sometimes unrealistic optimism. 7 out of 10 Stars. (Very Good)

Speed Reviews: Deadpool, Sully, The Nice Guys, and The Purge: Election Year

  In a year where superhero films are a dime a dozen, Deadpool hit theaters and changed the game. Not afraid of earning that hard R rating, Director Tim Miller gives us an edgy, cleverly self aware, and entertaining film. Does it break ground in terms of plot? Not particularly, but it has a lot to offer, and Ryan Reynolds couldn't be any cooler. 8 out of 10 stars. (I'd Buy It)

  I'm generally not a huge fan of Clint Eastwood films (I know, shoot me),  but I am a big fan of Tom Hanks. As usual, Hanks gives us a solid performance, but I must say I've seen him give more memorable ones. While Sully is definitely an inspiring story, I couldn't help but feel that the film as a whole felt lifeless in its execution. 5 out of 10 stars (Rent It)

  The Nice Guys is a detective story set in 1970's Los Angeles. Films like this aren't made very often, and this one hits just the spot. If there's one thing I loved about The Nice Guys, it's the amazing chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. The humor is offbeat, the story is clever, and Shane Black's directing is top notch. This film knows exactly what it is, and delivers.  8 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It) 

 

  Being a fan of the previous films, I was disappointed by how utterly stupid The Purge: Election Year was. All I wanted was some good entertaining action, a decent script, and some decent acting. Instead, I got the exact opposite. I was literally hoping certain characters would die just because their acting was so unbelievably awful. The script felt like it was written by a 9 year old boy, and the worst part, is that The Purge: Election Year thinks itself a relevant political commentary. Do yourself a favor, and skip this. 1 out of 10 stars. (Trash)

Lion Review (2016)

Lion

  Lion is the true story of a young Indian boy named  Saroo, who gets lost on a train and taken far away from his home. Saroo is then adopted by a family in Australia and 25 years later, he tries to find his real family.

  I have very mixed feelings about this film because the first hour is absolutely amazing. It's powerful, it's emotional. The little boy who plays five year old Saroo is a revelation. Sunny Pawar. Remember that name guys. Not only did he have the cutest face in the history of ever, but his first acting debut completely won me over. Every line was believable, every expression genuine. He was by far the best part of this film. 

  Dev Patel plays Saroo as a 25 year old, and this is where the film kind of lost me. It's not that Dev Patel did a bad job, he was really solid, I simply felt he was miscast. He literally looks nothing like 5 year old Saroo, and I couldn't help thinking that someone like Manish Dayal would have been better for the part. 

  The second hour of this film was flawed on a lot of levels, but mainly dictatorially. What at first felt extremely organic, and truly gut-wrenching in execution, suddenly switched tones into a frankly boring melodrama. Nothing really happens in the second half of this film, and what does happen feels rushed and contrived. This is Garth Davis's directorial debut, and it shows.

  Nicole Kidman and David Wenham were pretty good, but a lot of Kidman's scenes feel Oscar-baity. They want us to cry, but they don't take the time to earn the tears. 

  Rooney Mara was also in the film, and her character felt completely useless. She didn't add anything to the plot and could have been played by almost anyone.

  In the end, Lion is a good looking film with a beautiful score, but the emotional punch doesn't quite land despite it's spectacular set up. 5 out of 10 stars (Rent It)

Speed Reviews: The Neon Demon, Zootopia, The Witch, and Lights Out

  The Neon Demon is about a young, aspiring model who enters a world of obsessed women who will stop at nothing to kill her career. This film was dark, twisted, bizarre, and stylistically hypnotic. The Neon Demon isn't afraid to go to deranged and horrific places, but perhaps to a fault. 7 out of 10 (Very Good)

 

 

  Zootopia isn't just a kid's movie, no, this zany film took me by surprise with it's depth and creativity. This is a genuinely funny film that tackles systematic racism in a Animal Farm-type style. The animation is adorable, the dialogue is witty, and the delivery from the voice actors is on point. There is plenty of charm and plenty of fun. 9 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It On Blu-Ray)

  The Witch is one of the best horror movies I've ever seen. This slow-building masterpiece  doesn't quite scare you while you're watching, but when you finish, you realize that it's settled deep down into your skin, and you won't be getting it out anytime soon. The Witch is a visually stunning, brilliantly acted, period piece that will give you chills. If you like quality horror that doesn't rely on jump scares, give this one a watch. 10 out of 10 stars. (A Must See)

 

  Lights Out seemed to get a pretty good reaction from most critics, but unfortunately failed to impress me. Everything about this film you've already seen before, and the story itself is weak. I didn't love any of the characters, it followed a lot of the horror tropes, and in the end was more laughable than it was scary. I give Lights Out a 4 out of 10 stars. (One Time See For Free)

The Lobster Review (2016)

The Lobster 

 

  I thought that Swiss Army Man was the weirdest movie of the year, but I was wrong. Boy was I wrong.

  I saw The Lobster a while ago, but I was so confused by what I thought of it that I am just now doing this review. 

  The Lobster is a dark comedy about single people who are taken to this place where they are supposed to fall in love. If they don't meet anyone in a certain amount of time, they are turned into an animal. I'm not even kidding, that's the plot.

  As far as critiques, this is a frickin long movie with a very repetitive score. The satirical humor is very off color (definitely not for everyone), and the plot is pretty odd as I'm sure you've noticed. That said, there is something about this bleak, indie film that I really liked. It was original, layered, and well acted. Collin Farrell really commits to this role, giving us a quirky, funny, and moving character. As strange as the world he inhabits is, he grounds us and makes it believable. 

  This is a film that some people will love and some people will hate. I really appreciated the ambitious nature of it and the way it commented on social norms. When it comes to relationships, singleness, and loneliness, The Lobster tackles its themes in a way that really works. If you go into this with an open mind, you may like what you see. 6 out of 10 stars (Worth Ticket Price)

Silence Review (2016)

Silence

  I have literally never heard a movie theater so quiet. Even when this film ended, you could hear a pin drop. Nobody said anything, nobody clapped, everyone just stayed in their seats and waited for the credits to end.

  The whole time I was watching this, I felt like I was holding my breath. It's just one of those movies that grips you with its relentless storytelling and refuses to let go. 

  If you don't already know the plot, Silence is the story of two Jesuit priests who go to Japan for missionary work and to see if a former priest has truly apostatized or if it's just slander. This film was extremely hard to watch, but at the same time you can't look away.

  The cinematography was just mesmerizing, all of these beautiful long shots of the exotic locations. It was so moody and evoked this feeling of being in an unfamiliar, hostile environment, but also a beautiful and hopeful one.

  Andrew Garfield blew me away in this film, giving the best performance I've ever seen from him. It's going to be a tight race between the male Oscar contenders this season, but he definitely deserves to be up there. For such a young actor, Garfield has this maturity about his work. He's able to emote in a way that is both raw, honest, and vulnerable. Absolutely stellar.

  This was a deeply beautiful film in a lot of ways, but it's also a conversational piece that takes some interesting stances on its own religious beliefs. Silence was adapted from a book written by a Japanese Catholic and is also directed by a Catholic. As a non-denominational Christian myself, I tried to be as objective as I possibly could when watching this film. Still, at times I felt some of the moral questions and conclusions betrayed even their own faith. Without going into spoiler territory, I will say that the third act takes a very unexpected turn, and asks some very interesting questions. This turn kind of left a bad taste in my mouth, but also stayed in my head long after I left the theater. 

  Silence is a powerful film that makes you think and leaves a lot open for different interpretations. Would I watch this two hour and forty minute film again? I don't know. It isn't a film you really sit down and enjoy. Silence is gut-wrenching, heavy, and tragic. It doesn't try to pull at your heartstrings, it just straight rips them right out of your chest while your heart is pumping. And while I'm still not sure what to think hours after the film ended, I'm glad that I got to experience it and I highly respect it.  9 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It On Blu-Ray) 

Fences Review (2016)

Fences

  Wow. Talk about an emotional roller-coaster. While I still haven't seen Silence, I've seen almost all of the other Oscar contenders for this year, and I have to say that Fences has moved me the most. 

  Before I go into what I loved about this film, I will talk about what could be considered a flaw to some. Fences is a very dialogue heavy film, adapted from a play. Because of this, it did at times feel a little restrained within the cinematic medium. Most of the movie takes place in one or two locations, where the camera is pointed at the actors and then leaves them to do their job. With the wrong actors this could have been a catastrophe, but fortunately we had Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, and they gave it everything they had.  Like really, the entire theater was sniffling and crying throughout this whole thing because they were just THAT good. If Washington and Davis don't both win Oscars, I'm going to be furious.  

  The characters are complex, they're flawed, they're relatable. The emotion in this film and from these two actors never feel contrived or theatrical. It's just straight up raw and unapologetic.

  Another thing I must talk about is the profoundly beautiful script. The story is simple, but the way it unfolds is so layered and impacting. It reminded me a lot of the movie Locke, which was one of my favorite films of 2014. 

  Originally, I was going to give this one 9 out of 10 stars, but there is one moment near the end (just a small moment) that I felt was pretty cheesy and out of place. Because of that, I give Fences 8 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It)

 

Manchester By The Sea Review (2016)

Manchester By The Sea

  When his older brother dies, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck), is given the responsibility of being his nephew's guardian.

  If there is one thing you should know about this film, it's that it is extremely emotionally charged. A lot of this has to do with the delicate, Oscar-worthy performance from Casey Affleck. His capability to make us sympathize with a character that isn't so likeable in the first act of the film, is quite a testament to his skills and range as an actor.

  The script is rich and deeply human, but it's really the acting that makes Manchester By The Sea what it is. Michelle Williams is fantastic, Kyle Chandler is fantastic, but who really stood out to me (aside from Afflek) was Lucas Hedges. Hedges plays the nephew, Patrick, and WOW is he good. I loved the chemistry between him and Casey Affleck and how little by little you get to see why his character acts the way he does. 

  Manchester By The Sea isn't afraid of giving its characters flaws and taking it places that aren't comfortable. It's an intimate look into the lives of a deeply hurting family, and it really pulls at the heart strings. That said, it's not a perfect film. You definitely feel that two hour run-time, and if you're not prepared for it's leisurely pacing, you may want to see Rogue One instead. 

  I also wasn't a huge fan of the score. It sounded like it should have been in a Jane Austin film and felt very out of place as well as emotionally manipulative. 

  Lastly, and probably my biggest gripe with the film was the way it ended. I don't know what I was expecting, but it left me feeling a bit unsatisfied and underwhelmed.

  Overall, I thought this sobering film was well done and worth watching for the powerhouse performances and GORGEOUS cinematography, however, I felt the ending never reaches its full, impacting potential. 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

Rogue One (A Star Wars Story) Review (2016)

Rogue One (A Star Wars Story)

  THIS. This is what I wanted from The Force Awakens. 

  Rogue One is a stand alone Star Wars movie between episode 3 and 4. So you could say it's Star Wars 3.5 lol. 

  The plot is that there is a flaw in the Death Star, and a team of rebels must steal the plans revealing how to destroy it.

  Let me first say that I absolutely loved Rogue One, so I'm going to hit you all with the positives first!

  1. The acting from Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Alan Tudyk, Forest Whitaker, *DEEP BREATH* Jiang Wen, Mads Mikkelsen––basically just the whole cast was amazing. I loved them all, and I loved how ethnically diverse they were. Everyone gave it 100% which is rare for a Star Wars film because I feel like in every episode there is at least one horrendous actor. 

  2. It felt so Star Wars-y. While Force Awakens had the nostalgic help of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill, the vibe of the film felt extremely Marvel-ish. All of the one liners, that absence of real danger, the fluctuating tone. Rogue One just felt like it belonged in the Star Wars universe.

  3. With this film, we have a consistency in tone that is more gritty than the others. Because this is in between episode 3 and 4, anyone could've died and no one felt safe. This brought a real tension and urgency to the film.

  4. The CGI. Now, this is both a negative and a positive. The space sequences, the battle sequences, the whole movie in general, absolutely stunning to look at. The CGI for the majority of the film blew me away. That said, it's at this time we must also move into some of the negatives of the film. And one of those negatives was the decision to bring back Peter Cushing. If you don't know who that is, he was one of the villains in the original Star Wars trilogy who passed away almost 20 years ago. 

  "So how did they bring him back," you ask? CGI. Lol, I know... When I first saw him, I literally started laughing. It was soooo bad and soooo obvious that he was CGI, it looked like a video game. In fact, I've seen more realistic video games. If they had just shown him once, I would have been okay with it, but they kept bringing him back. I was like, "WHAT THE HECK. STOP THAT RIGHT NOW." Towards the end of the film they do it again with a different character (I won't say who because of spoilers), but that wasn't great either. Not as bad as Peter Cushing, but not great. 

  Another negative of the film was some of the pacing. In the first act there were a few parts that dragged a bit, but by the second and third act, they completely made up for it. Like really, the last act is AWESOME.

  The problem of having a Star Wars movie with no familiar characters, is that they must get us to care about a whole new cast in just two hours. While some of the characters could have been fleshed out a little more, and we never quite feel emotionally attached, they are developed enough to keep us invested till the end. I especially loved the robot, K-2SO, played by Alan Tudyk. His comedic timing was on point. 

  In the end, Rogue One is one of the best of the series and an objectively better film than the prequels/Force Awakens. If you're a Star Wars fan, go see this. If you're not, what the heck is a matter with you? Go sit in a corner. 9 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It On Blu-ray)

 

Demolition Review (2016)

Demolition

  Demolition is the story of a man who loses his wife in a car accident. Having never really loved her, he must deal with the confusing emotions, guilt, and depression of her death. 

  As I've said many times before, Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the best actors working today, and here he gives a genuinely moving performance. Unfortunately, his performance is not enough to keep this film afloat. 
  The main problem for Demolition is its script. While its efforts are valiant, it's extremely heavy handed in its symbolism, dull in its entertainment value, and ultimately flat in its execution.
  I wanted to like this film, I really did. That said, whenever it strived to move me, it simply felt forced, self indulgent, and manipulative.
  It's a shameful waste of talent and a shameful waste of time. 3 out of 10 stars (Watch At Your Own Risk)

Hell Or High Water Review (2016)

Hell or High Water

  Hell or High Water is the story of two brothers whose family's land is threatened by the bank to be foreclosed. In an attempt to get enough money to pay off the debts, they decide to rob a chain of banks.

  Narratively speaking, Hell or High Water isn't exactly an original idea, but still there's something very nuanced and deep about this film. Similar in tone to No Country For Old Men, we have very developed characters with pretty simple motivations and these character carry the film.

  The two brother's are played by Ben Foster and Chris Pine. Their opposites (a Ranger and his Partner) are played by Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham. All of the acting is solid as can be, but I didn't feel as if anyone particularly stood out in a memorable way.

  Hell or High Water is a very entertaining Western that caters to mainstream audience and people with more of an eye for layered storytelling. It's effecting in all of the right ways, smartly written, and gritty, but it's never really outstanding. 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

La La Land Review (2016)

La La Land

  In 2014 there was a movie that was extremely hyped by critics and movie buffs everywhere. Usually when a movie has this much buzz, I enjoy it, but it's almost always a little disappointing due to how much I built it up in my head. This movie, however, was different. This movie was the best movie I'd ever seen, and to this day is my favorite film of all time. If you're wondering what it was, I'm talking about Whiplash. Damien Chazelle's debut film. 

  Here we are, two years later, and we have his second film, La La Land. I went into it with the same expectations I had when I saw Whiplash, and I left adoring it almost as much.

  La La Land is a love letter to passionate dreamers, to Los Angeles, to old musicals, and to romance. It's a timeless masterpiece, and by far the best movie of 2016. 

  Every shot and composition is absolutely gorgeous, the editing seamless, the choreography and music breathtaking. It's the kind of songs you don't mind getting stuck in your head and will definitely be winning best original score at the Oscars.

   I adored everything about this gem of a film, and I'm now convinced Chazelle can do no wrong.

  Working together for their third time, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone give us endearing, charismatic performances. Their chemistry was off the charts and more likeable actors could not have been cast.

  La La Land is one of those films that will put a lump in your throat, make you grin from ear to ear, and make you want to stand up and cheer all at the same time. It's high energy, it's whimsical, it's sometimes tragic, and as soon as it ended, I wanted to watch it all over again. 10 out of 10 stars. (A Must See)