Top 20 Films of 2016 Part 1

I kind liked doing a massive list last year, so this year I decided to do it again. But with more films. And even then, half the films I wanted to put on here didn't make it. As I type, I'm still deliberating about whether or not I should try and slip some more on...

But since they can't all be here, I would like to briefly mention The Handmaiden, Nocturnal Animals, Julieta, Moana, Elle, The Neon Demon, Swiss Army Man, Men & Chicken, and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. These are films that for whatever reason I really liked but just didn't quite make it onto this list. I eagerly await all angry comments.

So, last year was kinda terrible but there were still some excellent movies to be seen. Here are the first ten of twenty that I loved! Some might be surprising, some won't be. Some you might not have heard of. But all of them moved me in some way. Some I cried the whole way through, some were just brilliantly enjoyable.

This intro is getting too long now. Bring on the films!

20. Ouija: Origin of Evil

At last, a good horror film from 2016! And given that I couldn't even finish the first movie, it's amazing that this sequel got onto my best-of list. This film is just (strange as it may sound) a fun scary movie. It's not going to break any molds or challenge you intensely, but it will give some genuine scares, and it explores some interesting ideas about possession and religion. If you want something scary that's an enjoyable watch, then this is definitely what I would recommend.

19. A Bigger Splash

So, I'm not the biggest fan of French New Wave films. But if there is one director out of the New Wave movement that I love, that would be Claude Chabrol. I find his films create intensity out of the most ordinary circumstances, he creates tension out of normalcy. Watching The Bigger Splash reminded me so much of watching one of his films. I was gripped while watching these characters interact with each other, and through all the unspoken there was an undercurrent of menace throughout the narrative. And the cast! Such an amazing cast. Tilda Swinton as a Bowie-esque rock star and Matthias Schoenaerts as her lover have great chemistry and really ground the film. But Ralph Fiennes as Swinton's ex-husband really steals the show! A down to earth psychological drama, with an excellent soundtrack! What's not to love!

18. Girl Asleep

This film is simply enchanting! About a teenage girl trying to fit into her new school, while her parents throw her a 15th birthday party against her will in the first half, this film becomes a strange psychedelic Alice in Wonderland type adventure in the second half. And it's set in 70s Australia. I mean, I feel like this film was made for me! The design of this film is so interesting, so un-Hollywood, it just feels like a new sort of film. And it's really funny! An adorable coming of age story that I fell in love with!

17. Ghostbusters & Deadpool

I couldn't really keep either of these films off the list, so the obvious solution is to tie them together! I think these two films were the most anticipated blockbusters of the year, except for maybe Rogue One. To me, they are just really good popcorn flicks! I know some people will disagree with Ghostbusters being on this list, but I had such fun watching that film. From Chris Hemsworth being as ditzy as he could be, to Kate McKinnon stealing everyone's heart and the film, to the token African-American character actually having a proper part to play in the tea, I really can't fault the film Paul Feig made. It was hilarious on its own, while also being respectful of the original. What more could you want?

Deadpool on the other hand was just pure diluted insanity. The film was definitely helped by its MA rating. Without restrictions on it, it went as violent and crude as it could go without alienating its audience. Also, it was so progressive for having a female character who was a sex worker, but not discriminated against for her profession, and when she was in a precarious situation she didn't just sit and wait for the hero to save her. She actually kicked some ass herself! And of course she was played Morena Baccarin. Deadpool was just awesome! Best superhero movie of the year!

16. The Big Short

Just to get a little controversial for a moment, I think this film should have won best picture at the Oscars this year. Mainly because it was the most cinematic film that came out. What I mean by that is it used techniques that can only be realised through the cinematic genre to create a film about the 2008 financial crisis that actually makes sense to the general public. And they also managed to make it both funny and sentimental at the same time? That's quite an achievement! This is also probably the first film where I actually was impressed by Ryan Gosling(no, I haven't seen Drive). He can be really funny when given the right material. Anyway, The Big Short is intelligent without being indecipherable (looking at you, Margin Call), and funny while also having heart.

15. Hello My Name is Doris

Sometimes, you just need a quirky indie comedy starring Sally Fields. This film is the definition of adorable. Sally Fields plays a middle-aged woman named Doris who gets a crush on a young man at her work, and through that begins to step outside her comfort and embrace the modern world. And it's so sweet! Doris is so lovely, and has such awesome fashion sense. The soundtrack is also good, especially if you like indie alternative. Just a lovely little film that stole my heart, and hopefully will steal yours too!

14. La La Land

I have to admit that the hype surrounding this film has diminished it slightly in my mind. Originally it was much higher up on the list, but since the release of the Oscar nominations it has dropped. But I can definitely see why people are in love with this film. It's a musical that pays homage to the classic musicals of the 1950s while also being something new. And through it's celebration of creative ambitions, I totally understand why so many filmmakers and actors and reviewers would be moved by this film. I think it's very cute, the music is good, the acting is good. It's a simple love story set against the backdrop of trying to make it in a world where that is almost impossible nowadays. And it ends with a Gene Kelly inspired dance number, so I kinda have to love it for that!

13. The Fencer

This was one of the rare films I went to see with my dad, and we both agreed afterwards that it was very excellent. The Fencer centre's on Estonia just after the Second World War, when the USSR controlled pretty much all of Eastern Europe. A young man arrives in a small Estonian town and begins a fencing club for the kids. I think what makes this film so different is the fact that it's about a country that is not usually portrayed in films. Estonia is a place I would love to visit one day, and I always try and go see films that are set there. The other thing The Fencer manages to achieve is to mix historical drama with sports movie tropes in a way that is very un-Hollywood. It stands out as a simple story about a man trying to move on after a great tragedy, amidst a continent that is also trying to do the same.

12. Under the Shadow

This film has been called the Iranian Babadook. I can see why. A mother is tormented by a supernatural being while trying to look after a child who she has difficulty connecting with. However, unlike The Babadook, this takes place in Tehran in 1980s when the city was under constant bombing. The historical and political background makes this film a very tense horror film. We never really see the creature, and there is a very strong possibility that this is all happening in the characters heads, which adds to the scariness of the film. It's also fascinating to experience horror through a different culture, and makes this a really unique film!

11. Mustang

Speaking of different cultures. This is a very depressing film. Think The Virgin Suicides except more realistic and set in modern day Turkey. The struggles that the main girls go through in this film are examples of girls have to go through right now. But the sisters resolve and resilience is so admirable and brave, despite not all of them finding happiness in the end. I really hope more people see this film, and understand that the issues raised are issues that are relevant to right now. And hopefully it will inspire more people to action.

Sorry it has taken so long to get this list out. The top 10 will be out a lot sooner... Hopefully! Until next time, readers.

5 Excellent Documentaries from 2016

So, in what is quickly becoming a tradition, here is a supplementary list before I get on to my top films of the year. I generally end up seeing about 5-10 documentaries a year, so I don't know why I haven't devoted an entire list to non-fiction films yet.

Each of these films could have ended up on the "Best Of" list, but to make it easier for me, I thought I would give them their own list for once. So, without further ado, here are five documentaries that were very excellent last year, and that you should all check out if you get the chance. \

5. Janis: Little Girl Blue

Janis Joplin was always a vague presence in my life, mainly because my mum was a big fan of hers. But I never really listened to any of her music until quite recently when I listened to my mums copy of Pearl on vinyl. Her voice is one of the greatest sounds to come from this earth. This documentary is about Janis from her youth to her untimely death at the age of 27. It uses interviews with her former band mates to create a picture of a woman who wanted to live as large as she could, but who was ultimately destroyed by her own demons. It's a heartbreaking watch, but definitely worth it if you want to learn more about the queen of rock.

4. Dancer

This is a film that asks the question "Why do you pursue excellence?" Sergei Polunin was the star dancer at the Royal Ballet in London, until he suddenly quit in a fire of controversy. Director Steven Cantor traces Polunin's life from Ukraine, and how he got into dancing. It explores how Polunin became the greatest dancer that he could be to help his family, and how he almost had a break down when his parents divorced. I think it's one of the best explorations of why people pursue creative careers, and what happens when it might not be what you want to do with your life.

3. The First Monday in May

If you liked The September Issue, or Valentino: The Last Emperor, or are even only vaguely interested in fashion, then you will love this film. Following both Anna Wintour and Andrew Bolton, this film chronicles the creation of the 2015 exhibition "China: Through the Looking Glass" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, culminating in the opening night gala. To say this film is fabulous is an understatement. This film is breathtaking. It not only showcases amazing fashion designs, but it looks at how people curate exhibitions and just how much work goes into every tiny detail. A must for both fashionista's and museum junkies.

2. Author: the JT LeRoy Story

During one of my sojourns through random Wikipedia pages, I came across the story of the JT LeRoy hoax, so I knew the basics about what happened going in to this film. But what this film does is look into how someone like JT managed to get big in the literary world from the perspective of the woman who created him. I don't really want to go into detail, because it is a pretty insane story. But I really enjoyed this film about how a couple of people managed to completely piss off the literary world by writing a book that everyone adored.

1. Tickled

Talk about insane stories. I really don't want to say anything about this film. The basic premise is that a New Zealand reporter finds out about 'competitive endurance tickling' and tries to uncover what he can about it. It gets weird from their. The twists and turns in this film are bordering on unbelievable, but they keep you hooked until everything is eventually discovered. If you liked The Imposter, then this is another film that will keep you guessing until after the final shot.

So, my best of list will be coming soon, hopefully within this week. Until then, I hope some of you check out these documentaries. I guarantee there is something for everyone.

Top 10 Worst Films of 2016

So, I actually saw enough bad films this year to create a top ten list. I don't know whether that's good or bad...

Most of these films ended up on this list for either being boring or incompetent, and in some cases both. There are a couple I will admit to enjoying watching, but afterwards their flaws became more than a little apparent. Some of these are going to be obvious, but there are a few that might surprise people, mainly because they were so obscure I doubt many people saw them.

Anyway, enjoy the first end of year list. There are at least 2 more to come!

10. Lights Out

I saw quite a few horror films at the cinema this year. And this was the least memorable. Not because it was especially bad, but it was just cliched and uninteresting. Which is a shame since it had a really interesting premise. But the explanation behind that premise was ... not good. I would be interested to see what director David F. Sandberg comes out with next, and hopefully it will be more memorable than this film.

9. Childhood of a Leader

I'm not sure it's really fair to put this on a worst of list, since some of my frustrations are directed at MIFF for a technical error that really disrupted the viewing experience. But I think that even without that, I would not have enjoyed this film. It's overly long, and despite it's title, it doesn't give much insight into how the beginnings of a fascist tyrant are born in the childhood. The most insight that the film gave was "the kid was spoilt, got angry easily, and probably had mummy issues". What was supposed to be a psychological study instead became a dull melodrama, hampered by the fact that I couldn't understand half of the dialogue.

8. Suicide Squad

I actually quite enjoyed watching this film in the cinema. But half of that was laughing at how stupid it was. I'm sure most people have already heard the many criticisms this films has garnered; the 35 minute multiple introduction to the main characters, the "let's stop the flashing lights in the sky from destroying a city" cliched action plot, Slipknot. But really what pushed this film onto the worst of list for me was Jared Leto's Joker. That performance was the very definition of trying too hard. I just didn't feel threatened by him! I wanted to laugh at him for trying to be a tough gangster dude while looking like some sort of misplaced Oompa Loompa. But I never thought he was threatening. So, that's why Suicide Squad is on this list. Because Jared Leto fucked it up.

7. Jason Bourne

I think I was always going to be biased against this film since I'm not a big fan of the Bourne franchise in the first place. But this was just boring. I can't really remember anything that happened. My mum, who loves the Bourne films, couldn't remember anything that happened. By the time we were walking out of the cinema, it felt we'd just wasted two hours that we'd never get back. Which is a shame, because I like most of the actors involved. Although this is the first time I've ever seen Matt Damon not be charming in something. And can we talk about that last car race through Vegas? I know that Bourne's an anti-hero, but did he have to injure all those civilians? Not my cup of tea, but it could definitely have been better.

6. Zoolander 2

Again, I kinda enjoyed watching this. It's terrible and it doesn't have a reason to exist, but it was quite fun. I don't really have anything else to say. I don't think anyone has anything to say about Zoolander 2. It's there if you want to see it. Not much else to add.

5. The Daughter

This film was too depressing. And for no reason did it have to be this depressing, except for the fact that it's based on an Ibsen play. I'm so glad I never studied Ibsen at school, if this is what his work is like. I think the other reason I didn't enjoy The Daughter is because there was such a fuss made about this big secret, and it turned out to be people cheating on each other. Maybe it's just me, but I don't really see love affairs as that life changing or important. I mean, they are for the people involved, but it's not like the world is ending or people are dying. That is so cold-hearted, but then again, this was 2016, the year of death. One must harden ones heart against all the shit that happened this year. Maybe that's why I didn't connect to this film. Who knows?

4. Inferno

I only went to see this film because Omar Sy was in it. Oh Omar, you're so good! Why are you in this crap! If there was one good film about this new Dan Brown film, it was Irrfan Khan, whose character completely stole the film. But as for the rest of it... Tom Hanks looked tired all the time, and like he wanted to be somewhere else. The puzzles that they have to solve didn't appear very puzzling, or interesting. The twist was stupid, and didn't make any sense. And again, this really didn't need to exist. But it does, and at least we have Irrfan Khan to cheer things up.

3. Blair Witch

I watched the original Blair Witch Project for the first time in preparation for the new film, and I was surprised by how gripped I was. It's a really good found footage horror film, with a simple premise, growing tension, and really good acting (people give the actors shit, but I thought their performances were actually really good!). The sequel was none of those things. Simplicity was thrown out the window in favour of fucking time travel! (You know a series is struggling when they have to resort to a time travel plot, looking at you Through the Looking Glass) Tension was replaced with cheap jump scares and gore scenes. And the acting was forgettable at best. It was almost the worst horror film of the year, but ...

2. The Boy

Blair Witch has nothing on the sheer stupidity on display in this film. This was my biggest guilty pleasure of the year, one that would happily return to to laugh at. The plot is just so stupid! It doesn't make sense, in the most hilarious way possible. It wasn't really that scary either, just frustratingly silly. If you want a so-bad-it's-good horror film, then I would definitely recommend The Boy.

1. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice

When you go into a film with already low expectations, and then find that the film you are watching has surpassed even the lowest of expectations that there could be, then that film is not only bad but complete and utter shit. What were with those dream sequences? What was with Batman's mummy issues? Did we need to see Batman's backstory... again? And can we please stop casting Jesse Eisenberg as the villain in things? He's not good. I saw this with a friend, and we spent most of the film laughing. I think we annoyed everyone else in the cinema, but I don't care. This film is the embodiment of incompetence, and has rightfully earned its place as the worst film of 2016.


Coming soon, my best of 2016 list, and some documentaries that I saw this year that people should check out. Until then, readers.