As 2016 comes to a close it’s time for my annual Top Five list. Full disclosure, I didn’t get a chance to see everything (sorry Moonlight), but I saw a lot, even some I wished I hadn’t (lookin’ at you The Lobster). This is always a tough list to make, but these five films were the ones that entertained me the most in 2016. Yes Manchester By the Sea is great, but it sort of made me want to sit in a dark closet and never come out. Thank heavens La La Land was around to pick up the pieces. In ranking order, my Top Five Film picks for 2016:
1. La La Land
Image credit: La La Land, 2016
True story- I left the theater and my cheeks ached from smiling so much. This musical about struggling entertainers feels both timeless and fresh, and reminds me of why I love movies. Simply stunning!
2. Arrival
Image credit: Arrival, 2016
This intelligent sci-fi film isn’t about aliens, but rather about communication. I’ll never look at language the same way.
Image credit: Hell or High Water, 2016
Chris Pine, where have you been?? Nobody else could make a dusty bank robber in West Texas look quite so appealing. Quit hiding behind Star Trek and be the actor I know you can be!
4. The Edge of Seventeen
Image credit: The Edge of Seventeen, 2016
Hailee Steinfeld makes my Molly Ringwald-forged heart beat once more in this homage to classic (read- good) teen films.
Image Credit: The Nice Guys, 2016
Was I the only one who saw this? If so, that’s a shame because this Ryan Gosling/Russell Crowe LA noir comedy was witty, sharp, and energetic. I’ll watch these two together any time, any place.
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