The second post I ever made on this blog was ‘My Top 10 Films of 2015‘ and looking back, I can’t believe how many amazing films we got last year. It’s been difficult to narrow them down for 2016 and so I’ve decided to leave out Marvel films as, even though I rated most quite highly, I can’t differentiate a lot of them anyway (my highest rated one is Doctor Strange, though) and they take up a lot of space! As usual, some of these may be from 2015 but had a UK release date in 2016. They are also in a rough ranked order based on my ratings on Letterboxd. It’s rough because looking back I feel as though I enjoyed some more than others, so a few have been altered slightly.
Big films I haven’t seen yet: American Honey, War Dogs, Train to Busan, The Love Witch, The Edge of Seventeen, Cafe Society, Captain Fantastic, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Money Monster, Criminal, Sully, Morgan, Spotlight, The Big Short, etc
Honourable mentions: The Secret Life of Pets (2016) for being wonderful and fun, Lights Out (2016) for scaring the shit out of me and Central Intelligence (2016) for being funnier and much better than I imagined.
10. The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
About: Having suffered a tragedy, Ben becomes a caregiver to earn money. His first client, Trevor, is a hilarious 18-year-old with muscular dystrophy. One paralysed emotionally, one paralysed physically, Ben and Trevor hit the road on a trip into the western states. The folks they collect along the way will help them test their skills for surviving outside their calculated existence. Together, they come to understand the importance of hope and the necessity of true friendship.
What’s so good about it? I wasn’t expecting much going into this film, but I was really surprised by it. It’s such a lovely, sweet and funny film that really explores the dynamics of what it’s like to be (as the film description describes) paralysed physically and paralysed emotionally. And the actors (Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts and even Selena Gomez) do an amazing job to really help make the film something special.
9. Swiss Army Man (2016)
About: Alone on a tiny deserted island, Hank has given up all hope of ever making it home again. But one day everything changes when a dead body washes ashore, and he soon realizes it may be his last opportunity to escape certain death. Armed with his new “friend” and an unusual bag of tricks, the duo go on an epic adventure to bring Hank back to the woman of his dreams.
What’s so good about it? It’s really fucking weird, but in a good way. It’s also quite a beautiful and touching story. It’s fun, sad and exciting. The entire film keeps you intrigued as to where it’s going and the characters are constantly developing throughout. It’s bizarre, silly and genuinely funny.
8. The Witch (2016)
About: New England in the 1630s: William and Katherine lead a devout Christian life with five children, homesteading on the edge of an impassable wilderness. When their newborn son vanishes and crops fail, the family turns on one another. Beyond their worst fears, a supernatural evil lurks in the nearby wood.
What’s so good about it? The Witch is a folktale genre film that uses the right amount of restraint in storytelling, eerie music and settings to create the perfect horror atmosphere. It’s both frightening and devastating and the genuine New England accents help to complement this. The narrative unfolds slowly, but keeps the tension rising as it builds up to the last 20 minutes which do not disappoint. It’s another film in which the cast exceed expectation.
7. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
About: A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.
What’s so good about it? Even though there’s a lot going on in the story, I think it all works really well to help expand the Star Wars universe and keep you constantly intrigued. The action scenes are amazing and do not bore in any way unlike some other films. Plus the cast is beyond incredible, particularly Felicity Jones, Diego Luna and Donnie Yen. Oh and of course the appearance of Darth Vader really ties it to the Star Wars universe as does the emotions this film causes after viewing.
6. Arrival (2016)
About: Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat.
What’s so good about it? Arrivalis a different approach to your typical alien invasion film which is part of what makes it stand out. It’s very suspenseful and I really felt the anxiety and terror Amy Adam’s character was feeling each time her character went to visit the aliens in the beginning – her acting is outstanding. It’s a really fascinating story that carries something else between the lines, only to be revealed properly at the end.
5. The Revenant (2015)
About: In the 1820s, a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.
What’s so good about it? The Revenant is a really intense and gripping story. And yes, the bear scene is amazing… I was on the edge of my seat. I kind of was throughout the whole film. I also wholeheartedly believe that his is Leonardo DiCaprio’s best performance. It’s definitely the one he deserved the Oscar for.
4. Room (2015)
About: Jack is a young boy of 5 years old who has lived all his life in one room. He believes everything within it are the only real things in the world. But what will happen when his Ma suddenly tells him that there are other things outside of Room?
What’s so good about it? It’s such an incredible, heartwarming and overwhelming story! I cried throughout the entire second half of the film. Plus the actors, Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay, are just phenomenal in their roles. It was all perfectly cast and their performances are very powerful and moving. Emma Donoghue did a wonderful job of adapting her own novel into a screenplay.
3. Trash Fire (2016)
About: A man forced to confront his past when he and his girlfriend end up entangled in a web of lies.
What’s so good about it? Trash Fire manages to be witty and funny with a constant stream of sardonic dialogue, whilst still carrying an unnerving sense of dread that builds throughout the entire film. If you’re a fan of Richard Bates Jr’s previous work like I am, then this is definitely for you! It’s very him.
2. The Nice Guys (2016)
About: A private eye investigates the apparent suicide of a fading porn star in 1970s Los Angeles and uncovers a conspiracy.
What’s so good about it? The Nice Guys may seem like a film that falls into the seamless void of tons of others recreating the 70s private eye aesthetic, but this film has something about it. The cast, the script and the story are all captivating and there’s some genuinely funny moments in there, most notably coming from Ryan Gosling’s character, as well as a good detective story. Even the other, less important background characters, are all entertaining!
1. I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016)
About: A young nurse takes care of elderly author who lives in a haunted house.
What’s so good about it? Every second of this film is fucking creepy and eerie as shit. I was actually terrified throughout due to the atmosphere it creates. It’s so good! That’s all I’m gonna say about this one.
Film summaries from Letterboxd and photos from Google Images.
Leave a Reply