FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2016

10. HELL OR HIGH WATER

One of the most entertaining movies of the year, Hell or High Water is an action packed heist thriller. The movie pays homage to the classic western, but doesn’t try to add much in message or style (in contrast with a No Country for Old Men, for example). Though safe, the execution is nearly flawless with a well crafted plot, sharp acting (Jeff Bridges!), and strong visuals/music.

9. SAUSAGE PARTY

I really hated Zootopia. It tried too hard to be original, edgy, clever, subtle, artistic, progressive, and above all, deep in its message. Unfortunately, it is none of those things. Sausage Party isn’t either, but it never pretends to be, unlike Zootopia.

Everything about this movie is heavy handed and superfluous – the nihilistic message, political jabs, the racial stereotypes, and all the food orgies in-between. It is secure and transparent in it’s unpretentious, lowbrow nature. Definitely the raunchiest movie 2016 had to offer, but probably the funniest too.

8. SILENCE

It’s rare that Hollywood offers such a sympathetic perspective on the Christian faith. It’s even rarer when done tastefully. Scorsese, one of the all-time greats, delivers a brutal look into persecution of faith. The intense subject matter and the 160 minute run-time makes for a tough sell (especially when at least 20 of those minutes could have been shaved in the editing room), but the aesthetics, theological candor, and spirited performances help drive a very moving experience.

7. ARRIVAL

More than aliens, time-travel, or any other sci-fi concept, Arrival is a movie about language and the delicate power of human communication.  It is a movie that absolutely demands repeat viewings, further readings, and discussions with others that you watch it with.

6. O.J.: MADE IN AMERICA

This magnum opus of a documentary looks at the story from numerous perspectives and all the major players. It provides extensive context of Los Angeles, including political climate, economic systems, celebrity culture, and police brutality. It had me thinking critically of themes that still exist today. Thorough, balanced, unbiased, and unflinching in its search for truth, Made In America is utterly compelling for entirety of the 7 hours and 47 minutes. It puts other O.J. documentaries to shame. Absolute must watch.

5. WIENER-DOG

Wiener-Dog follows a dachshund’s journey through multiple owners. While (otherwise) seemingly four fragmented stories, these lives share more than just a dog.  Disillusionment, disappointment, and mortality are all overarching themes here. Sounds dark? It’s a comedy.

This could be viewed as a cynics version of A Dog’s Purpose. The film is poignant in its punches, but the ironic tone is never eclipsed. While the black humor and dry style dialogue may not be for everyone, but I truly find Wiener-Dog to be a (subtle) masterpiece.

4. MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

A heavy-hearted drama with an intense character study, Manchester By The Sea punched me in the face and kicked me while I was down. Casey Affleck’s affecting performance is made possible by compassion and attention to the little nuances, quirks, and subtleties that make us human. With integrity in its grittiness, Manchester By The Sea offers no fairy-tales, false hopes, or satisfying narrative arcs. Such is life. This movie is devastating and beautiful.

3. MOONLIGHT

“Movies are like a machine that generates empathy. It lets you understand a little bit more about different hopes, aspirations, dreams and fears. It helps us to identify with the people who are sharing this journey with us.”                         

-Roger Ebert

A coming-of-age story that looks thoroughly at a life of a boy growing up in America. We’ve seen similar concepts in recent years in Tree of Life and Boyhood. While all three are high in ambition and unique in perspective, this film is more accessible than the former, and much more powerful than the latter. You may not sympathize or resonate with this story, but you sure as hell will empathize. And empathy is the only true starting point for change in this country.

2. THE LOBSTER

The surreal nature of this movie is quite polarizing. The Kafkaesque concept was an easy sell for me due to a long-time admiration for the genre in films and literature, though I definitely still had a few “what the fuck am I watching?” moments. The movie really is just a conglomeration of The Hunger Games, The Bachelor, a bit of quirky indie flair, and maybe a psychedelic drug trip. In hindsight, this near-future dystopia (and its culture commentary) is everything the movie Her should have been.

1. LA LA LAND

The Whiplash director does not disappoint in this ridiculously ambitious follow-up effort. The movie is not perfect – primarily due to a flawed 2nd act which features poor pacing, John Legend’s acting skills, and those Sebastian-joins-a-touring-band scenes which almost lost me. However, a few key strengths are able to fully compensate: the sheer energy of the first act, the gut wrenching Mia audition (“Fools Who Dream”), and one the most beautiful movie endings in cinematic history. Following the likes of La La Land and Whiplash (also a tremendous final scene), the smart money says that Damien Chazelles next films ending will end with a nod. And I hope it does.