Worst2First: The Best Films of 2016

Worst2First: The Best Films of 2016

Just as there were awful, truly awful movies in 2016, there were some truly amazing pieces of cinema that everyone should see. 

If you don’t see a review of mine on this site, it means I haven’t seen it yet, so I can’t include it in my best OR worst of 2016, since I haven’t seen them yet.

So here are the ten best films of 2016, Worst2First...

 

 

**There will be no spoilers.**

#10

Doctor Strange

Leave it to Marvel to give even their B-level heroes the most amazing origin movies.  First there was the surprise hit "Ant-Man," and now it's the Sorcerer Supreme who gets the supreme filming treatment with "Doctor Strange," which was a dazzling visual effects spectacle with the most on-point choice for Dr. Strange in the form of the ever-amazing Benedict Cumberbatch.

#9

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Brilliantly serving as the bridge between the prequels and originals, "Rogue One" answers questions fans have asked for over thirty years and did so in a way that was entertaining, filled with action, and featured some great performances.  Plus it showcased Darth Vader as the true villain he really is.

#8

Deadpool

There once was a movie called "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," and in it was everyone's lovable Merc With a Mouth, but the only problem was that they sewed his mouth shut!  It was a travesty to treat Marvel's most unique anti-superhero so terribly, and it took many years to rectify that mistake.  The result is "Deadpool," which isn't your typical superhero film as there's a lot of gore, sex and language, which were all needed to fully develop the character.  Plus Ryan Reynolds was just born into that latex, as he delivered the jokes left and right and had me laughing out loud.

#7

Finding Dory

Pixar has had some mixed success with sequels.  "Toy Story 3" was a profound film that was Oscar-nominated for best picture.  "Cars 2" not so much.  So when they released "Finding Dory" - thirteen years after the original - hopes were high that this would become another hit for the company.  They weren't disappointed as the tale of everyone's lovable forgetful blue tang earned critical and audience acclaim and ended the year as the highest grossing movie of the year.

#6

The Conjuring 2

The original "Conjuring" was a terrifying tale based on the real life investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, and was met with critical and audience acclaim.  With the sequel, the film not only lived up to its predecessor but in many ways exceeded it.  Not so much a true sequel (it's an entirely different haunting, but it still features the Warrens), the film kept me on the edge of my seat and even made me jump a few times.  Plus Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga have an undeniable chemistry and played off each other beautifully.

#5

Manchester By the Sea

A disturbingly beautiful tale of a man (played by eventual Oscar nominee Casey Affleck), who has to return to his hometown where a dreaded memory lives in order to take care of his teenage nephew after the death of his father.  The story is extremely sad and depressing, but still hauntingly sincere and features several standout performances, including the emergence of Lucas Hedges, who delivered a powerful performance along with seasoned vets Affleck and Michelle Williams.

#4

Arrival

The thinking man's alien film, "Arrival" was directed by Denis Villeneuve, who also directed "Sicario," "Enemy," and "Prisoners," and features Amy Adams in a truly powerful performance as a woman who specializes in linguistics who is brought in to try and communicate with an alien species that's landed on Earth.  Intelligent, powerfully moving and featuring a great twist that ties everything together, "Arrival" is one of the best alien films in the last few decades.

#3

Hacksaw Ridge

Mel Gibson once again returns to the director's chair as he tells the true life story of Demond Doss, who became the first conscientious observer to be awarded the Medal of Honor after refusing to carry a gun on the battlefield, yet was able to save countless lives.  Powerfully performed by future Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield, this film grips your heart and keeps you riveted to the screen, as it moves from a profound personal story right into the hell of war. 

#2

Kubo and the Two Strings

If it weren't for "Finding Dory," this would be a shoe-in for Best Animated Film, and should be in contention for Best Picture.  "Kubo" is the harrowing tale of a young boy who sets out to find the three pieces of a magical suit of armor to defeat a powerful evil.  Featuring a great voice cast including young Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey, and a story that's deeply moving and action-packed - not to mention it was done entirely with stop motion, which is highly complex and insanely intricate - "Kubo" is an adventure the whole family can enjoy.

#1

Captain America: Civil War

More than just another "Captain America" movie, "Civil War" brings the pages of the famous comic book story arc to life on the silver screen in such a way that it was entertaining from start to finish, filled with harrowing action and decent performances.  Seeing our beloved heroes going against each other was heartbreaking, and the action was absolutely brilliant.  The airport scene will go down personally as one of my best action sequences I've ever seen in film.  Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. give compelling performances, as we're also greeted to Black Panther and Spider-Man in ways that doesn't seem like just cameos, and gives us an enticing carrot to dangle in front of us as we eagerly anticipate their own solo movies.  From start to finish, this is easily my best film of 2016.