2016 Cinema & Stadium Film Year-in-Review

2016 Cinema & Stadium Film Year-in-Review

This is one of my favorite times of the year, at least in terms of movies.  I get to look back at another year in film, remembering the ups and the downs.  In the past I have done this early the next year, but I've decided to delay a little longer for this year-in-review post for two reasons: 1) put it closer to the Oscars, which might make it feel more relevant/in the mood for anyone reading, and 2) it gives me a chance to see a few more films via Netflix that I didn't get a chance to see in theaters.

So, how was 2016 for moviegoers (or at least, this moviegoer)?  Well, it seemed a disappointment for awhile, but I mostly blame that on having to follow 2015, possibly my favorite year in film ever.  But eventually it improved in my mind, and I think it was a strong one overall.  Perhaps the theme of the year was animated movies: I saw more of them than I usually do, and they were all exceptionally good.  It was also another strong year for dramas, arguably the equal of 2015 in this regard.  There were also several very good superhero films, one of my favorite genres.  Actually, the worst I might have to say for 2016 is that there were a number of anticipated films that were merely decent or OK, but failed to live up to their potential.

For more detail, I'm pleased to present my year-in-review.  Readers of past years will be familiar with the format:  I'll start with my top ten films of the year (combination of my favorites and "objective" evaluation), followed by miscellaneous awards, and finishing with quick scores and blurbs for films that I saw on Netflix.  I have posted links to my reviews for movies that I mention below, and please also check out my annual companion post where I make my own Oscar-type awards.

Without further ado, here's a look back at 2016 in film, and feel free to comment!


Top 10 of 2016:

10.  Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (directed by Zach Snyder; starring Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg)

Wait, wait, wait!  Please don't click out of the review!  It might be jarring to see this in my top 10, particularly if you have only heard the rumors about it and, admittedly, perhaps even if you have actually seen it.  However, I have now seen this more than once and I do believe it is a great step forward for DC, Marvel's comic rivals who have a long way to catch up in the movie world.  It does a great job building on the events of Man of Steel, and it has an intriguing tone and visual style that distinguishes it from Marvel.  Affleck turned out to be pretty damn good, and it has a suitably epic feel - I mean, this is Batman against Superman, dammit.  I think the (jaded) critics got it wrong on this one, and it's worth a shot, if superheroes are your thing.

9.  Arrival (directed by Denis Villeneuve; starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whittaker)

I now have listed a Villeneuve-direct film in three of my four annual film reviews (for the fourth year, I didn't even see any films by him).  With Arrival, he is back with all the familiar strengths:  a strong, interesting premise (that's also unique to other modern offerings); strong, focused acting and script; and awesome cinematography and score.  This film shows not just the thoughtful, human potential of sci-fi, but also is a great example of art and entertainment intertwining.  Amy Adams is excellent.  I do wish that there had been just a little something to further connect the emotional and plot twists - if it had, it would easily be in my top 3.  Still, highly recommended for all.

8.  Doctor Strange (directed by Scott Derrickson; starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor)

The length and consistency of Marvel's winning streak is just mind boggling.  Not content to rest on the laurels of a few super-popular characters, they continue to extend into less conventional places.  Doctor Strange is the latest resounding success in this expansion.  Benedict Cumberbatch is another perfectly chosen actor, bringing just the right seriousness yet silliness, intelligence and, well, strangeness that you would expect from the Sherlock star.  The film has serious actors in spades, in fact, with Swinton and others giving us plenty to think about but keeping the pace quite brisk.  Oh, and I haven't even mentioned the amazing visual effects... Incredibly strong entertainment.

7.  Moonlight (directed by Barry Jenkins; starring Alex Hibbert, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris)

I saw this film a few weeks ago, and even after reviewing it, I'm still not quite sure what to think of it.  I gave it an "A", yet here it sits below several movies I gave "A-"s.  The skill and artistry of the director, writers, actors, and so on is not being questioned here.  And the ambition is commendable, examining the coming of age of a fictional, gay black man.  I guess perhaps I just can't quite wrap my head around it as a unified whole, and instead keep seeing moments - powerful ones - in isolation.  In any case, the performances will stay with me, such as Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris' opposing roles.  And certainly the three young actors playing the lead - each with the same (despite being denied watching each other's work) haunting stare into the audience.

6.  The Secret Life of Pets (directed by Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney; starring Louis C.K., Kevin Hart, Eric Stonestreet)

For the opposite end of the spectrum, this animated film is about as pure a shot of adrenaline and joy as you will find at the movies.  Naturally, this will hit most fully for pet owners/lovers, among whom I proudly count myself.  The cast of voice actors is just great; Louis C.K. might seem an unusual choice but is oddly appropriate as lead, Kevin Hart was born to play his ferocious/adorable funny, and a host of support joins the fun as well.  The script is deceptively brilliant, able to incorporate countless truths about pets (from dread of vacuums to interspecies rivalries) while having a totally gonzo plot that powers on non-stop until the very end.  Treat yo' self.

5.  Hell or High Water (directed by David Mackenzie; starring Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges)

This movie is a seemingly straightforward, relatively quiet western that contains depths and riches throughout.  About a pair of Texas brothers robbing banks, the script carefully constructs the background and reasons why as they criss-cross the state.  The brothers are an odd couple - including the actors, shiny Pine and rough Foster.  Just as intriguing (and mismatched) are the pair trying to catch them, Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham.  Through these characters, the robbed locales, and the sights along the way, a portrait of modern rural society takes shape - one both resilient and desperate. Full of tension, humor, wits, and relevance, this is a must-see.

4.  The Jungle Book (directed by Jon Favreau; starring Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba)

I generally steer clear of reboots of classic children's stories, but I'm sure glad that I got to see this one.  I was intrigued by the idea of a CGI re-imagining of the tale (a favorite when I was young), complemented by some big name actors.  On both these counts, The Jungle Book is a smashing success.  The technology is astonishing and completely convincing (puts Avatar to shame), perfectly suited for the anthropomorphized animals.  The cast is phenomenal; Bill Murray as Baloo the bear, need I say more?  And the one real character on screen, young Neel Sethi as Mowgli, provides all the heart Disney could hope to offer.  Essential for families, and great for everyone else, too.

3.  Fences (directed by Denzel Washington; starring Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson)

Although it tells a relatively simple tale, Fences caught me off guard just as much as any other film in 2016.  I knew it was based on a play, but it soon became apparent that I could not let my mind wander for even a moment as the dialogue (sometimes monologues) persisted through the entire film.  This was far from a bad thing, as the script (adapted by Wilson himself) is great, truly breathing life and depth into the Maxson clan and friends.  And of course there are the performances, led by the towering duo of Denzel Washington and Viola Davis (already familiar with their characters from Broadway).  The specific experiences of Troy and his kin may be unique, but the relationships and truths it reveals are relevant to - and can teach - all of us.

2.  Captain America: Civil War (directed by Anthony and Joe Russo; starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chadwick Boseman, et. al.)

For all the ways in which it succeeds, this third Captain America film is one of the very best - if not the best - Marvel films yet.  It's really a third Avengers film, as all but Thor and Hulk are present, and it even juggles several new characters, notably the proud and strong Black Panther, who's also leader of his nation; and a humorous reintroduction of Spider-Man.  The action sequences are at least as good as we've come to expect from such films, including, appropriately, a superhero melee.  But it's the conflict between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark that takes center stage, one that has built over the course of films and now boils over, bringing a new paradigm to the franchise and obliterating the comfortable status quo.  It's everything you want in a superhero film.

1.  Manchester by the Sea (directed by Kenneth Lonergan; starring Casey Affleck, Lucas Hedges, Michelle Williams)

Usually my number one film of the year has a special advantage over the competition, whether a favored genre, or set of actors, or premise that is particularly interesting to me.  Manchester by the Sea benefits from none of these, and yet it gets the top spot because it's one of the best films I've ever seen.  Remarkably, there is nothing remarkable about the film at all - on the surface.  It focuses on a guy who has seen better days, but is otherwise perfectly normal, and is set in motion when he returns to his hometown to see to the affairs of his suddenly-deceased brother and his teenage nephew.  But over two hours and fifteen minutes, the actors, the script, and everything else about the film show how this man's past has shaped him deeply (both subtly and sharply) and how he - and by extension, we all - grapple with this in our everyday lives in order to keep moving forward.  There are moments of incredible emotion, to match anything else I've seen on film.  Yet the overriding tone is of wading through the normal moments, and how even the frustration, humor, and hope they bring can make a difference among the "bigger" stuff.  I doubt I have done the film justice here, but if nothing else please believe me that this is a masterpiece, and see it when you get the chance.


Honorable Mentions:  Zootopia, The Revenant, Finding Dory


Miscellaneous Awards:

Most Overrated Film of the Year:  Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (runner-up: The Lobster)
If it had been a wider release with anything remotely resembling box office success and mass popularity, The Lobster would easily be the winner here.  As it is, it's a critical darling with a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes (and many top-10 lists), while also being one of the dumbest movies I've ever seen. Cute premise... for a five minute SNL sketch.  But have everyone act and speak like robots and try to make Important Societal Commentary?  Please give me back my two hours.  On the other hand, I feel kinda badly naming Rogue One the winner; but it was the top-grossing film of the year and an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, so I'd call that pretty highly rated.  It wasn't bad at all, but ultimately vanilla, somewhat pointless, and showed just how much Jedi and/or Skywalkers mean to the franchise by their absence.

Most Underrated Film of the Year:  Batman v Superman (runner-up: Popstar: Never Stop...)
I've already discussed Batman v Superman, so I'll just reiterate that I feel this was unfairly maligned by the critics, and I'd argue that this (and other factors) colored the popular reception of the film.  But I want to focus on Andy Samberg's hilarious comedy, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.  It's pretty much a standard mockumentary, but a very well done one.  The critics liked it alright (77% on RT) but it completely bombed at the box office with less than $10 million (you almost have to try to do that).  There really weren't any breakout comedies last year, but this easily could have been one - had mass appeal yet was much more clever than its peers - if anyone had noticed it.

Most Disappointing Film of the Year:  X-Men: Apocalypse (runner-up: Ghostbusters)
Sadly, there were more than a few films that were in the running for this award.  While Ghostbusters was not a huge disappointment in terms of quality - it was a decent, fun film - it gets the runner-up because of the potential it represented not just for itself but also the industry.  They tried to adhere too closely to the original, and stifled the comedic creativity and brilliance of the stars.  Now, for a straight up disappointment in quality, none can match that of the newest X-Men.  Most of the films in this franchise have been very strong and have nuance and balance on the themes and characters to go along with the typical action.  Apocalypse blew up this heritage completely, not only losing the good but actively damaging the themes and characters while amping up - and numbing - the action.

Most Surprisingly Good Film of the Year:  Zootopia (runner-up: none)
There were plenty of quality films this year, I just couldn't pick a second that truly surprised me.  Of course, expectations are quite subjective and so I wasn't surprised when, say, Deadpool was good.  No, nothing other than Zootopia really sticks out to me for this category.  I thought I might Netflix it when I heard about it, but expected just a decent yet typical animated entertainment.  The great reviews (98% on RT!), though, grabbed my attention, and I headed to the theater during a slower time of the year.  So much of this film was inspired and written well, rather than a jumble of focus-grouped   trendy/irresistible bits.  The dialogue is Pixar-level - actually, even better than Pixar's own Finding Dory - with some creatively hilarious gags (sloths working the DMV? priceless) and clear yet not too on-the-nose metaphors to current issues.

Worst Film of the Year:  Green Room (runner-up:  The Lobster)
Fortunately, I didn't (directly) waste any money on them since I saw them on Netflix.  I've already mentioned The Lobster, a film that makes me wonder how no one in the cast or crew raised their hand and said, "what the hell are we doing?".  I understand not all films have to be direct and literal, but when your experiment is both blatant and obnoxiously clever-seeming, while being deadly dull and dry despite its uniqueness, you've got more problems than you can handle.  Having read a few reviews of Green Room, I was led to believe it was a thriller; a fairly violent one, but one featuring a great performance from Patrick Stewart.  Thriller my butt, this is a horror film, and a dumb one at that (granted, I hate the genre).  Lots of dialogue and build up that goes absolutely nowhere - much of it serving to just make things unnecessarily confusing - while at the center is a fairly simple crisis that falls out in the most bizarre and illogical ways.  Avoid at all costs.



Netflix Summary:

Eye in the Sky (A-):  A film that is both very suspenseful and comments wisely on the way we now conduct war (without taking sides).  Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman, Aaron Paul are all great... highly recommended.
Sausage Party (A-):  First, this is obviously not for all tastes - perhaps not for those who have taste in general.  But I admit it appealed to the adolescent in me, with hilariously clever, dirty (food-filtered) humor that blissfully does not hold back.
Don't Think Twice (B+):  A movie about stand up comedians, it's more a drama than a comedy.  Keegan Michael-Key shows his all-around talent in a very nice film about the dynamics of a group of friends and the ways that both success and failure can strain bonds.
Sully (B+):  Tom Hanks sure loves his historical dramas... he is of course very good, and the scenes of the crash itself are excellently done.  However, the drama following the crash is spoiled by Eastwood's (entirely unnecessarily) fictionalizing the NTSB into pathetic, clownish villains.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (B+): The ridiculous title of this film reflects its silly nature well and, as mentioned above, it deserved far more attention than its meager box office results.  It's just a lot of good fun, with a few truly hilarious parts.
Kung Fu Panda 3 (B+):  It doesn't seem like this franchise could sustain itself past two (or even one) film, but it retains its predecessor's high energy level and manages to bring a level of freshness and new ideas to the table.  Certainly a good family film, and a nice fun option.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (B): I actually saw this in the theater and never got around to writing a review for it.  This is one of the bigger disappointments of the year, as the main characters aren't nearly as intriguing as Harry Potter and co. (actually a wide-eyed Muggle/No-Maj is the most fun).  Harry Potter fans should probably see it (and probably already have), but there are plenty of better options for those who aren't already fans.
Money Monster (B):  A conventional thriller with A-list stars that's becoming an endangered species. It comments fairly overtly on the financial crisis, big-banks-screwing-little guy.  That part isn't too satisfying, but Clooney, Roberts, and relative newbie Jack O'Connell are fun.
The Brothers Grimsby (B):  While it's no Borat, this is a good bounce back for Sacha Baron Cohen after the poor Bruno and flat-out bad The Dictator.  This is structurally a pretty standard action comedy, but with it's all his inappropriate humor that you either love or love to hate.
Sing Street (B-):  Yet another decent, coming-of-age tale about a group of friends, this one forming a band spontaneously.  I think I need to just stop watching this genre as it's all too familiar, to me.  The young actors are pretty good, and importantly it doesn't try to be too clever, a common pitfall.
The Huntsman: Winter's War (C+):  Decent action, and some pretty nice special effects.  Plus, Chris Hemsworth, Jessica Chastain and Charlize Theron altogether is impressive in a film like this.  Still, it's a pretty disposable adventure film.
The Magnificent Seven (C):  The cast - featuring Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt - is entertaining, yet even they are unable to escape the tedium of the script.  There are some nice moments courtesy of those stars, but it could have been much better with a little imagination.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (C):  Way too much pride and prejudice, not enough zombies.  Although it's interesting to have the mash-up be played matter-of-fact, it ended up exaggerating (for me) the promise of silliness, leaving a bitter taste of disappointment.
10 Cloverfield Lane (C):  So much build-up for so little - actually, make that too much pay off.  The hostage situation in John Goodman's bunker is decently executed, but it starts going downhill fast as she makes her escape, and what she finds outside - well, I wish they'd just kept it a mystery.
The Legend of Tarzan (C-):  Why bother?  Maybe those more fond of the character can/will enjoy this more, but to me there was little to keep my interest here.  And Christoph Waltz is completely wasted as the villain.
The Lobster (D-):  Already said all I want about this.
Green Room (F):  See above.


I don't want to finish on such a down note, so I'll finish with two more honorable mentions that are worth seeing (if you haven't already):  the once-hyped but now long-buried by controversy, The Birth of a Nation, and the way-hyped and very funny Deadpool.  So there may have been some disappointments and poor films, as there always are, but there were plenty of strong films released in 2016, too, and I encourage you to check out some of them.  I hope you enjoyed my year-end wrap up!
Here are links to my review of other films I saw in theaters but didn't mention in this post:

Jason Bourne (B)
The Nice Guys (B)
Keanu (B)
Hail, Caesar! (B)
Suicide Squad (B)
Masterminds (B-)
Star Trek Beyond (B-)
The Boss (B-)
TMNT: Out of the Shadows (B-)



Source:  http://statcdn.fandango.com/MPX/image/NBCU_Fandango/453/671/ManchesterbytheSea_Trailer.jpg