The Best Movies of 2016

So continuing with my catch up for all things movies, here is my list for what I think were the ten best movies of 2016.This works out well, because at the end of the month, or early January… I’ll post what I think are the top movies of 2017. I have several movies that I still need to watch before I even try to compose a list. Like before, if a movie you really like isn’t here, it means I haven’t watched it yet or didn’t like it as much as you did. Nothing wrong with that as how we view movies is always subjective. What some people love might not entice me as much as it did you.

With that said, time to get to the list!

Peter’s Best: The Top 10 Films of 2016

10. The Nice Guys

This movie had it all. Great action, good humor and two actors that had a great buddy cop chemistry. Written and directed by Shane Black, the very same bloke that wrote great buddy cop movies like original Lethal Weapon. This movie was a pleasant surprise, and so much fun to watch. I really hope we get a sequel but it’s doubtful. Deadpan or outright funny, completely insane to just weird. Two things the Nice Guys isn’t: predictable or tame.

9. Doctor Strange

If you looked at the two previous lists for 2015 and 2014, you’ll notice there wasn’t a single comic book based movie there. Don’t get me wrong, I love comic book movies but I don’t inflate them to levels more than what they’re deserving of. Doctor Strange is an exception, as this was a fantastic movie, to the point where its become one of those moves I can sit down and watch again at any time. One of the best of the marvel universe thus far, second only to the Winter Soldier. Benedict Cumberbach was a great choice for the lead, adding the finesse and attitude needed to play Stephen Strange.

8. The Edge of Seventeen

This was a very cute movie, about a lost teen that interacts with a teacher that doesn’t put up with her act. A coming of age tale done right for a change, not something you see very often. the story is about a girl named Nadine whose High-school life gets even more unbearable when her best friend, Krista, starts dating her older brother. While it was a funny coming of age story, it’s also an interesting look at the teenage battlefield that many kids must endure before being forced to cross the lines to the other side later in life. While the film doesn’t take it’s theme too seriously, it was still an interesting film to check out.

7. Everybody Wants Some!!

From Richard Linklater, the same bloke that brought us funny films like Dazed and Confused, comes a college movie based in the 80’s and it was hilarious. I’m not sure if it will turn into a classic like dazed, but it was a fun film that was one of the more surprising movies of the year for me. The movie had a great representation of the decade it was based in, exploring issues of brotherhood, friendship and just having fun away from home for the first time. Linklater has knack for making films with heart and nostalgia and he succeeds in doing so with this film. Worth checking out!

6. Arrival

This was a deep, dragged out sci-fi that we’re not used to seeing anymore. In that age of blowing things up as soon as possible, and not letting anything digest, this movie was a nice old school sci-fi that was very thought provoking as well as was interesting. It was an intelligent film that gave us a rather realistic view of how humanity might really react to alien ships showing up out of nowhere. While the twist at the end was interesting, it was a deep film that will make you think long after it’s over. I like movies that stick with you like that.

5. Silence

This was a very dark and disturbing movie based in Japan in a time where people who promoted foreign faiths, such as Christianity, were tortured and even killed by those ruling the lands. An interesting film from Martin Scorsese, with a decent cast that tell a tale that is hard to believe, about a nation’s not so best days. Starring Liam Neeson and Andrew Garfield, this was one of the darker movies that will stick with you for a while. A very educating film about intolerance, human spirit and religious obsession.

4. Hacksaw Ridge

I’ve always been a fan of Mel Gibson as a director, and once again he delivered another masterful work with Hacksaw Ridge. Starring Andrew Garfield as the medic who refused to fight, it was a very inspiring movie that was the surprise of the award season. While some parts seemed a tad cliched, it was forgiven as the end provided real footage that authenticated those parts. The true story of a single medic that dragged almost a hundred wounded soldiers single handily from the battle field, becoming the first conscientious objector to win the congressional medal. Amazing story and a great movie that scarily brought it to life.

3. Sully

Based on the real life water landing in the Hudson River only a few years ago, Tom Hanks and Aaron Eckart give great performances as the pilots that had to deal with a near impossible task and came out heroes. The movie was well written, and had impeccable dialogue. I love how the movie is broken up into pieces, not forcing us to relive the landing too soon or hit us with too much at once. In other words, brilliant editing. Clint Eastwood delivered another masterpiece, and just seeing his name is the credits these days is enough to get my ass in a seat in a dark theatre. I am disappointed the awards season didn’t show this movie more love, cause it was one of the best the year had to offer.

2. Manchester By The Sea

This was a movie that hit hard with me, not only because of the masterful performances, but because of how I’d react to the same situation as a farther myself. Casey Affleck gave what was hands down the performance of the year, if not the decade or century. Affleck is a man who is forced to return home after self-banishment because his brother just died. He’s also given custody of his teenage nephew, which he objects to because he believes himself to be unfit to care for anyone because of his dark past. It was a sad story that will hit you in the feels, hard.

1. Hell Or Highwater

A story about two bank robbers in Texas trying to screw over the bank that’s trying to screw them out of their family farm. Despite the anti-banking attitude, we see a battle between good and bad that builds up and then delivers one hell of a pay off. Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges are standouts in this incredible movie that was by far my favorite of the year. I was happy to see it get some well deserved nominations.