2016's Top 10 Movies of The Year
By: Kai Elijah Hamilton
With the Academy Awards taking place in just a handful of hours, here is a quick list of my Top Movies of the Year. I have seen most of last year's Oscar contenders--some not making the cut. Congratulations to so many wonderful films this year!
10. Don't Breath: As far as good old "cardboard" thrillers go this one is top-notch. While wannabe-thrillers do lurk out there (the 2017 appallingly over-rated and uneven film Get Out comes to mind), this one was tense and well executed.
9. Finding Dory: This animated delight was better than the original (Finding Nemo). At the beginning we momentarily wonder where it's going but Dory's adventures out-of-the-sea and into a theme-park kept the story fresh. It was a shock that it was not nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Film.
8. The Witch: Here is a true horror film that is deeply disturbing and challenging to watch. It is no wonder with its sharp horror tone it was not considered one of the years best. But the acting, directing, costumes and overall somber mood are extremely effective. It's obviously influenced by Arthur Miller's The Crucible, but The Witch's about-face satanic ending startles like no other.
7. My Name Is Doris: Sally Field was Oscar snubbed for Best Actress in one of her greatest performances. This kooky little film came out too early in the year and got left behind. Regardless, it's the real charmer of 2016. Don't miss it.
6. Hacksaw Ridge: War films are often stoic and unsentimental but this film, lead by a beautiful performance by Andrew Garfield, had real heart. Mel Gibson's masterful directing is top-drawer here. It is great to see more southern films breaking into the mainstream.
5. Lion: Lion roars for sure. It's true story is absolutely absorbing. Filled with great adolescent performances, Dev Petal deserves an Oscar for his heart-tugging portrayal. Keep a box of hankies handy for the ending.
4. La La Land: Yes. It is one of the best films of the year and if it wins the Oscar for Best Picture it cannot be argued that it was the most talked about film. As history shows (usually war being the reason), this musical connected with the desired high spirits of audience members in a troublesome election year. Not since Easy A has Emma Stone been so fantastic. She's a Julia Roberts type that is best loved in sweetheart roles.
3. Hidden Figures: Easily a winner. From start till finish. Hidden Figures never fails to hold our attention. This one is a modern-day classic. Taraji P. Henson was robbed of an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in one of the years best performances.
2. Sing Street: With La La Land getting all the gory, this cool 1980's influenced film is the real musical of the year. Sank by an ill-timed release, Sing Street deserved to be an underdog contender--The fact that it wasn't Oscar nominated for Best Song is mind-blowing. It is reminiscent of the also snubbed film Pride. It's about time for the underdog be noticed.
1. Moonlight: One of the most beautiful films to come out in a long-long time and is certainly on par with the groundbreaking film Boyhood that sadly lost the Oscar to the lesser film Birdman. Given that comparison (and even though Moonlight has its supporters) don't be surprised if it doesn't win the Oscar for Best Picture even though it more than deserves to. The acting, directing, and romantic story--with important subject matter rarely seen in film, all make Moonlight shine! It's a masterpiece.
