First things first...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Before we move on from the trials and tribulations that was 2016, let's look back at Joe Moore's favorite flicks from the year. Note: as with every year, there were a number of films I did not see. Huge hits such as Doctor Strange and Moana? Didn't see them. Oscar hopefuls such as Manchester By the Sea? Never came to my area. Also note: while there were many good horror flicks this past year, none of them were GREAT at least in this guy's useless opinion. Let's get started!
Honorable Mention:
Star Trek Beyond - Much better than Into Darkness, this third entry in the Trek canon feels like an episode of the show, and I mean that in the best possible way.
The Nice Guys - Thank you, Shane Black, for what I think is the most underrated flick of the year. It's a fun homage to the action-comedy buddy genre (which Black is known for) set in the swingin' 70s. If you haven't already, check it out!
Okay! On to the actual list!
10) (tie) Nocturnal Animals/Swiss Army Man
I'm cheating with a tie, but I couldn't decide between these two films. Both are independent flicks. Both are not for everybody. Both are fantastic!
Animals is a twisty, neo-noir thriller with great performances and beautiful cinematography. At first the ending seemed a little abrupt, but after some thought I realized it is brilliant!
Man is an extremely odd bromance anchored by terrific performances by Dano and Radcliffe. Dano is his usual bizarro self, but Radcliffe as a corpse... is really the best Radcliffe has been post-Harry Potter. If you like weird definitely check it out!
9) Midnight Special
The flick starts with a bang and doesn't stop until the conclusion. Which is great, but a little meat would've been nice. We never truly connect to the characters, and more about that cult would've been nice. That being said, this is a wonderful sci-fi thriller from writer/director Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter, Mud) with an moving yet eerie score by David Wingo. Between this and Netflix's "Stranger Things", the 80s sci-fi nostalgia was on point this year!
8) Deadpool
Superhero flicks have become the norm lately, and honestly they've become slightly repetitive. Enter Deadpool to be the breath of fresh air we all needed. Thank you, Ryan Reynolds, for really pushing to make this as dirty and vulgar as it should've been with a little bit of heart sprinkled in because why not? Also thanks to current events, the song at the end hits even harder and the flick is all the better for it... Wham!
7) The Edge of Seventeen
The award to best coming-of-age flick goes to... *drumroll please* no not Moonlight (because I didn't see it... yet) but this wonderful flick full of teenage angst. Usually that would be annoying but the writing is so well drawn-out you definitely side with the lead and can't wait to see where the story takes her. Speaking of the lead, Hailee Steinfeld is wonderful and totally deserved that Golden Globe nomination. You go, gurl!
6) Zootopia
As with most Disney films, the trailer for this didn't excite me much but I decided to check it out anyway. I was blown away! Funny, heartfelt, and bizarrely topical, this Disney flick will go down as a classic and one to watch with your families for years to come. Bravo, Disney!
5) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Wow. I will say I was worried when I heard about the production hiccups. Fortunately none of them show up onscreen, and this flick works as both a prequel to the original Episode IV and a balls-to-the-wall war flick. There are the occasional missteps (that Tarkin CGI... ugh) and perhaps one too many appearances from series' favorites, but overall this first standalone entry in the Star Wars saga is terrific.
4) La La Land
What can I say about this wonderful film that hasn't already been said? It's a delightful ode to the golden age of musicals. Gosling and Stone continue to prove that their chemistry together is absolutely perfect. And yes, I definitely teared up a few times. If you're a fan of classic musicals, do yourself a favor and see this great film soon!
3) Kubo and the Two Strings
Laika continues to impress with yet another fantastic venture in stop-motion animation. Just the pre-credit sequence alone is breathtaking! I was worried that the big-name cast would hinder the flick, but the stars seemlessly blend into a wonderful story that's both inspiring and heartbreaking.
2) Arrival
I knew I was going to love this film, but I didn't realize just how much. In vein with both Close Encounters and Contact, this is a more cerebral alien-invasion flick. It's not about aliens so much as it's about humankind and how we connect around the world. Also, just give Amy Adams the Oscar now. She is absolutely magnificent. Wow.
1) Sing Street
As if there was any question this would be my #1 choice of the year. I remember when the trailer was released toward the end of 2015. I was already sold, but then the soundtrack included Duran Duran, Hall & Oates, and The Cure? I was in love! This charming coming-of-age flick set in 1985 Dublin is truly one of the greats. Thank you, John Carney (Once, Begin Again) for this wonderful glance back into your childhood. If you like the 80s at all, if you enjoy a good coming-of-age flick, or if you just want to watch a feel-good movie with toe-tapping music, definitely check out this true winner! Now we need to get a campaign going for a Best Original Song nod for "Drive It Like You Stole It". Gah! I can't recommend this movie enough. Just see it!!
I think that about wraps things up for now. See? 2016 wasn't all bad. Even if it was, let's band together and make 2017 one we'll never forget! In a good way of course. Until next time, peace!
(Psst... me again. Sing Street is currently streaming on Netflix. You can literally watch it right now. Okay? Okay.)
