Tuesday, December 27, 2016

The Best Films of 2016




Best Films of 2016

As I mentioned in one of my blogs, the average film viewer sees only 6 films a year.  And, the main reason for FilmsToSeeOrNot is to let film viewers, whether frequent or infrequent, know where to spend their money.  

As was the case in 2015, this year got off to a slow start in terms of the number of films worth seeing.  In fact, moreso. I saw less films this year than ever before.

Still, there were many more than 6 that are worth your time.  Therefore, this year, as last, I started out with a Top 12, but turned it into a “baker’s dozen.”  And, in addition to the list of Absolutely-Must-See Films, I’ve, also, listed several “categories” from which you might pick more films based on your particular taste.  Full reviews of all the films are available in past postings.

So, here are the 13 Absolutely-Must-See Films and 16 Additional Categories in hopes you will be inspired to become more than an average viewer and go to the movies more often. 

Note that I have, also, mentioned the Bottom of the Barrel, i.e., the films you should avoid at all cost. 

Finally, I have included my award picks for best actors and key production crew, as well.  

(Note duplications exist in some of the Additional Categories with the Must-Sees and there are "ties" in some film and actor/crew categories where I just couldn’t narrow the choice to one.) 

If you can’t find these films in theaters, go to Netflix or buy/rent the DVDs.  Those listed are all worth your while. 

The 13 Absolutely-Must-See Films of 2016
(in order)

Arrival
Most Intelligent…The Best of the Year

La La Land
 The Most Magical Film

Jackie
 The Most Noble Personal Battle

Zootopia
 An Animated Film for Young & Old

The Accountant
 My Personal Favorite

  Denial
Powerful
 Doctor Strange
 Best Spectacle

Bad Moms
The Funniest
 
  Pete’s Dragon
 Flawless Family Fun

Sing Street
A Fine Romance

Hunt For the Wilderpeople
 The Sweetest

Lion
 Poignant

Miss Sloane
Most Noble & Smartest Character


Select Categories

Most Poignant Film (a tie)  
Jackie

Lion
 
Most Charming Film
 Queen of Katwe
  

Most Uplifting/Transformational Story
Hidden Figures
 
Most Interesting Film Story  
Arrival

Most Thought-Provoking Film
 Arrival

Most Romantic Film
Sing Street
 
Best Foreign Film
Elle

Most Courageous Film
Hacksaw Ridge
 
 Best Hard-Action Film
Jason Bourne
 
Best Black Comedy/Action Film
The Accountant

Best Animated Film
Zootopia
  
 Best Family Film
Pete’s Dragon

Best Comedy (a tie)
Bad Mom’s

Nice Guys
 
Best Horror/Thriller
The Shallows

Best Acting Ensemble (a tie)
Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Bad Moms

Best Documentary
Weiner

  Most Underrated Film  
Independence Day: Resurgence


The Bottom of the Heap

Most Overrated Film (a tie)  
Manchester by the Sea

Most Disappointing
Fences
 Should Be Re-titled "Offenses"

 Worst Film  
Green Room
 Embarrassing For All Involved

Here Are My Award Picks for Actors & Crew

Best Actor  
 Ryan Gosling – La La Land

Best Actress (a tie)
 Natalie Portman – Jackie
Isabelle Hubbert – Elle

Best Supporting Actor (a tie)
Sunny Pawar – Lion
 Ben Foster – Hell or High Water

Best Supporting Actress (a tie)
Nicole Kidman – Lion
Viola Davis – Fences

Best Director
Damien Chazelle – La La Land

Best Adapted Screenplay   
 Eric Heisserer – Arrival

Best Original Screenplay  
    Damien Chazelle – La La Land

Best Cinematography (a tie)
Linus Sindgren – La La Land
Rodrigo Prieto – Silence

 Best Editing
Tom Cross La La Land

Best Casting Director  
Louise Kiely – Sing Street

Best Production Design
Charles Wood – Doctor Strange

Best Costume Design
 Colleen Atwood Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Best Soundtrack
Justin Hurwitz – La La Land

Best Visual Effects
Doctor Strange

Let’s hope for more great viewing in 2017.

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