Plan Z’s Top 10 Best Movies of 2016
Let’s revisit the movies that changed my 2016 experience
We’re finally here, the end of a great year of movies. I have made both my most disappointing movies list and my most surprising movies list. I also made my worst movies of 2016, and now it’s time to celebrate the best films of 2016. It took time from all the 67 movies I’ve seen this year, I had cut it down to 15. From those 15, I cut it down to 10. A reminder that I didn’t see all the movies this year. I have yet to Silence, Manchester By The Sea and Fences. I have no idea if they would be on this list but I still have some great movies to talk about nonetheless. These are the movies that changed me, that affected me in 2016. These are the movies that blew my mind, terrified or excited me. Here are my top 10 best movies of 2016.
Honorable Mentions:
- The Neon Demon
- The Conjuring 2
- Eye In The Sky
- Hacksaw Ridge
- The Invitation
10. 10 Cloverfield Lane
John Goodman is probably going to be snubbed of an Oscar nomination. Apart from Goodman’s excellent performance, 10 Cloverfield Lane has not much wrong. The tension and suspense are ‘edge of your seat’ material. Beautiful and thrilling direction from Dan Trachtenberg makes him a must-watch up, and coming director in 2017 and the Cloverfieldbrand is healthier than ever. Now, I’m ready for The God Particle.
9. The Nice Guys
Darkly funny with a strange touch, The Nice Guys is a buddy cop movie that surprisingly works. Russel Crowe and Ryan Gosling have a great chemistry, and Angourie Rice made me laugh my ass off. What makes this comedy great is its fantastic murder mystery story ark. What I admire most is that it embrace its weirdness and the dying genre that is neo-noir mystery.
8. Zootopia
Disney released two animation films this year, Moana and this one. I fell in love with Zootopia‘s metaphorical story and its inspirational but real message. The scene with the sloth is still one of the most memorable scenes of this year. It demonstrates just how well made the anthropomorphization of the animals were. Top it off with Disney’s crisp and colorful animation, and you have the best animation film of 2017.
7. Captain America: Civil War
The Captain America movies just keep getting better. I was not a fan of the first Captain America movie nor was I a fan of Captain America. Somehow, Marvel made me like this character now. Captain America: Civil War is sophisticated and fun both things that Batman v Superman lacked. Because we got to know the characters in other movies, it made the stacks that much higher. The Russo brothers delivered the best superhero movie of 2016.
6. La La Land
A love letter to dreamers, La La Land, is the perfect end of the year movie. It offers a bittersweet story with a great musical twist. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are fantastic as the passionate couple. Stone’s final audition is a thing of beauty, and the editing is the best thing about this musical. Damien Chazelle’s craftiness and creativity make La La Land that much more memorable.
5. The Lobster
Disturbingly dark yet hilariously funny, The Lobster defies genre rules. Yargos Lanthimos directs a bold, risky movie. Collin Farell, Rachel Weisz, and Lea Seydoux strip down their performance to almost nothing. They give monotonous and one-note performances, but the writing is so quick and witty that the performances work. Finding love has never been scarier.
4. Nocturnal Animals
Tom Ford is a multi-faceted man, fashion designer and now a proven talented director. Nocturnal Animals is Ford’s second film and its one gorgeously looking film. His ability to transition effortlessly from two entirely different story shows how talented this guy is. The whole cast gives excellent performances. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon truly give it their all. The end is sure to hit you emotionally at first and then slowly grow up on you the more you think about it – or at least it did for me.
3. The Witch
The first movie that I fell in love with this year. Robert Eggers’ debut is hauntingly and disturbingly beautiful. Sticking close to historical folk tales to tell his story, Eggers creates a compelling and historically accurate tale of what life was like in the 1600s. The tension between the family is gripping, and the religious symbolism is spot on. Anya Taylor-Joy is the up and coming actress you need to follow right now.
2. Moonlight
Another dark and emotional story, Moonlight is a coming of age story that has plenty on its mind. It tells a story about homosexuality, poverty and what it’s like to live in America as a black person. Naomie Harris gave me chills watching her performance throughout and all the actor who portray Chiron are exquisite. It is shot in an impressionistic, poetic style, and by the end, it packs an unsuspected punch.
1. Arrival
Denis Villeneuve continues to be my favorite director working today. He continues to solidify himself as a director worthy of being in the realm of Stanley Kubrick and Alfred Hitchcock. Arrival furthers his style and ability to tell a story. There is no plot hole; there are no lazy shots. Everything in Arrival is made with precision, care and craft. Every film he makes is getting better and better, and I can’t wait to see what he got in store for 2017.
What is your favorite movie of 2017? Tell me in comments below!
We share the same number one of the year! Nice!
Oh, is Arrival really that good? I still haven’t watched it. I definitely loved The Witch! I liked the top 10 you chose for 2016. Your 10th on the list is quite shocking too. I didn;t think 10 Cloverfield Lane would end up that way.