AJ Martin's Top Ten Films of 2016

Honorable Mentions
I just wanted to quickly mention a few other films from 2016 that I really liked, but didn’t make the list. Captain America: Civil War was quite possibly the first time a Marvel film did drama really well, bringing some of the MCU’s best action, story and character interaction. American Honey was one of the most genuine and human films I saw last year, with excellent performances by Sasha Lane and Shia LaBeouf and beautiful cinematography. The Neon Demon oozed with Nicolas Winding Refn’s style and visual genius, with some stellar performances to boot. Zootopia was a creative and fun Disney experience, with some deeper themes that will probably resonate for years to come.

Without further ado, let’s dive in to my favorite films of 2016!

10 - Silence

​Martin Scorsese’s passion-project/ period piece about Jesuit priests trying to find their old mentor in 17th century Japan is a breathtakingly beautiful film, both in terms of its visual style and its performances. Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver and Liam Neeson are all incredible as priests struggling to spread their religion in a land in which it is forbidden, and their performances are only enhanced by the gorgeous natural landscapes upon which the film is shot. The story tackles issues of religious persecution and faith in a dynamic, interesting and seamless way, creating a story that is as intriguing as it is morbid. I highly recommend Silence to any fan of Scorsese's work, or just about anybody in the mood for an excellent, heavy drama.

9 - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

The first of probably many spin-off stories to take place in the Star Wars universe, Rouge One adds a touch of originality to the canon that The Force Awakens seemed to lack. This film is a war movie first and a Star Wars movie second, soaking in the darker tone and deeper themes of a team of rebels tasked with what is essentially a suicide mission. With a cast of mostly really interesting characters (I personally feel Jyn Erso is boring), the movie manages to break from the potential pit of monotony that this series easily could have fallen into to deliver an intriguing look at a familiar universe. Plus, the last 30 minutes feature some of the best action in any movie from 2016, which a scene involving Darth Vader that actually left me speechless. This is a Star Wars film that I would easily recommend to anyone, even if the other films in the series aren’t your favorites. A fresh take on an old classic, this is.

You can read Carter Sigl's review of Rogue One here.

8 - Deadpool

​In a year with some truly abysmal superhero fodder, Deadpool breaches the monotony of an overworked genre and manages to deliver something truly original and hilarious. Ryan Reynolds’ performance as the merc with a mouth creates one of the stand-out characters of the year, who flings hilariously creative jabs at previous superhero works, pop culture icons and even his own film. The movie also effortlessly turns its own budget issues into pieces of comedy, flowing with the punches like few films I have ever seen. After 10 years of trying to get the film made, Reynolds and director Tim Miller one of the best action movies and one of the best comedies of the year. Definitely worth a watch for some truly original superhero content!

You can read Deadpool's review of Deadpool here.

7 - The Nice Guys

One of my most anticipated movies of 2016, The Nice Guys practically drips with style. The film revels in its 1970’s setting, with probably my favorite aesthetic of any film from the year. The excellent atmosphere is enhanced by stellar chemistry between Ryan Gosling’s bumbling private investigator and Russell Crowe’s stoic muscle-for-hire, plus an excellent performance by Angourie Rice as Gosling’s daughter. This movie continues to prove that Gosling can perform as virtually any character, moving seamlessly from being a cool, quiet driver in Drive to his buffoon of a character in this film. It is an excellent, joyous romp that pays homage to a decade that was, if anything, a little more vibrant.

You can read Carter Sigl's review of The Nice Guys here.

6 - Green Room

​I am not a horror movie guy, especially the kind of stuff that is over reliant on jump-scares or cheap horror elements to get a few screams out of the tweens in the audience. Luckily, Green Room avoids all of the lazy conventions of bad horror and creates one of the most tense and nail-biting experiences of 2016. The cliche of being on the edge of your seat was created for movies like this, where the intensity is dialed up to 11 and stays there for practically the entire runtime. The performances are captivating (Patrick Stewart plays a Neo-Nazi), the story gripping and the violence so gritty and real that you will find yourself jumping at the sight of it. It’s a high-octane experience that you won’t be able to forget, even if you try.

You can read Eric Tatar's review of Green Room here.

5 - Manchester By the Sea

​Having grown up just an hour’s drive away from Boston, I am always looking out for films about the area that capture the essence of Massachusetts people. Most of the time, movie’s interpretations of Bostonians are far too over-the-top, and they just end up feelinging like a slightly reworked version of a stereotypical New-Yorker. Manchester By the Sea avoids this problem better than any Boston film I have ever seen, managing to capture the tone of the area without exploiting it. The characters, masterfully crafted by Casey Affleck, Lucas Hedges and the rest of the cast, feel like real New England people. The overwhelmingly genuine nature of the performances and writing, along with a heartbreakingly tragic story, make Manchester By the Sea a spectacular viewing experience. If you watch it, prepare to be blown away. And cry. A lot.

4 - Moana

I loved this movie like most people seemed to love Frozen. I thought Frozen was a decent film, but nothing near as good as this. Moana is a beautifully animated, excellently written masterwork by Disney, a film that encompasses everything lovely about the classic Disney story. The film’s Polynesian setting and culture, enhanced by excellently written characters and wonderfully colorful music (lyrics by Hamilton’s Lin Manuel Miranda), make for one of the most charming movies of the recent Disney wave. It has everything a Disney fan could possibly ask for, including Dwayne Johnson rapping. How could you ask for any more than that?

You can read Carter Sigl's review of Moana here.

3 - Moonlight

​When I saw Moonlight, I made the mistake of seeing Doctor Strange in 3D beforehand. Needless to say, I walking into Moonlight with a massive headache and expected to have my experience somewhat tarnished. Fortunately for me, Barry Jenkins created a film so captivating and emotionally powerful that it was impossible for my experience to be ruined by something so trivial as physical pain. The story of a young African-American from Miami learning to come to terms with both his life and his sexuality is enthralling, effortlessly created by some of the best performances and cinematography of the year. Moonlight was probably the most profound film I saw in 2016, a movie that speaks deeply to what life in America can be like. It was an amazing experience to behold.

You can read Anu Gulati's review of Moonlight here.

2 - La La Land

​This was a movie tailor-made for lovers of film; a brilliant homage to classic 1950’s musicals with all the vibrancy and energy that you would expect. Damien Chazelle combines his brilliant writing and visual style with a love for music that feels unparalleled, creating a masterful musical that manages to perfectly capture the essence of classic cinema. With stunning performances by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, fantastic musical numbers and a heartwarming yet bittersweet story about following your dream, La La Land was everything that I could have hoped it would be. Most people seem to be assuming that this is a shoo-in for Best Picture, and I find it hard to challenge that. Honestly, I think it is well deserved. 

You can read Eric Tatar's review of La La Land here.

1 - Kubo and the Two Strings

​Laika is one of the most innovative and imaginative film studios around, creating some of the best films one could possibly hope to find. Coraline and Paranorman are two of my favorite films of the past decade, so I was incredibly excited to see how they would tackle Kubo and the Two Strings, a film which from its mere announcement excited me (probably because it immediately reminded me of one of my favorite TV shows from childhood, Samurai Jack). Not only was I not disappointed by the film we got, but I was once again blown away by the artistry and talent of the Laika team. Kubo and the Two Strings is breathtakingly beautiful, capturing the setting with grace and precision using Laika’s trademark stop-motion style. The opening of the film, which involves a young boy named Kubo taking care of his sick mother, is some of the most subtle, expertly crafted storytelling of recent film, taking its time and not pandering to its potentially young audience. From there, the film continues to tackle difficult themes effortlessly, using its brilliant character writing and screenplay to captivate the audience. I can't think of a single moment watching Kubo where I wasn’t amazed by almost every aspect of the film. It disappoints me that I live in a world where this movie was a commercial bomb and Batman v. Superman makes $870 million. So, please, support this movie by checking it out. You won’t regret it, I promise.

You can read Carter Sigl's review of Kubo and the Two Strings here.