BEST FILMS OF 2016- BAYLEY

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR! 

Compared to other years, this was one where I can say I saw a lot of amazing films early and late. Of the 55 films I got to see, starting with 10 Cloverfield Lane and ending with Moonlight, there was definitely a spread out range, from complete and utter disappointment (Suicide Squad), to complete surprise (The Jungle Book/Arrival), to “What the hell did I just watch??” (Green Room/Swiss Army Man/The Witch).

I only gave 3 movies a “4 star” rating this year so it was a fairly mediocre year for me…or am I just getting harsher with my criticism? While I delve into the mysteries of my subconscious/taste, I’d like to shoot you my Top 10 Best Films of 2016. This annual list Napoli and I do always brings me joy and I hope this gives you some films you might not have gotten around to, a worthy watch.

My Year End Awards:  

Best Actor: Denzel Washington- Fences

Best Actress: Emma Stone- La La Land

Best Supporting Actor: Hugh Grant- Florence Foster Jenkins

Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis- Fences

Best Director: Damien Chazelle- La La Land

Worst Movie(s): American Honey + Suicide Squad

BEST of 2016

10.  Sing Street

The little “sleeper hit that could”. I’m a HUGE fan of John Carney since I saw Once in a small upstate NY theater in 2007. I love his take on love and music. That’s why I was a little disappointed by the corny and unexceptional effort that was Begin Again (still a fine film, none the less). Sing Street seems to dip a bit into the corny but then have moments that remind me of what made Once so magical.

Give this a watch even just for the amazing soundtrack. Songs like “Drive It Like You Stole It” or “To Find You” deserve Oscar consideration. And one musical scene involving a “dream” sequence at a school dance is easily worth the price of admission.

John Carney has found his sandbox to play in with these three films giving us amazing examples of “music in film”. I hope he never stops and his masterpiece is still to be seen.

Directed by John Carney

9. 10 Cloverfield Lane

I remember I looked at my two friends (Mike and Napoli) in the parking lot after the end of the movie and said, “I know this is January but this might end up being in my Top 10”. And IT IS!

Dan Trachtenberg makes one hell of a directorial debut. The tension built in the house for the films first half is top notch. John Goodman will have you both laughing and genuinely frightened….what a performance. Watch out for the scene involving a "guessing game" at a table. I'll leave it at that. It's the best of the film. 

Whether aliens/monsters/etc. were your thing or not in the first Cloverfield, give this a watch and don’t think about the comparisons. Just enjoy the gripping storytelling.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg

8. Deadpool

Talk about a year for directorial debuts…here comes Deadpool! In a year of X-men Apocolypse, Batman V. Superman, and Captain America: Civil War, the superhero movie that ends up on my list ended up being the one that took the biggest risk and came out shaking up the genre in a great way.  


Ryan Reynolds…you done good. I’d give you an Oscar Nomination, if I could. You and your team deserve all the credit. This is one of the best comedies of the year. And mad props for a good use of “Careless Whisper”.

Directed by Tim Miller

7. Everybody Wants Some!!! 

After pooping all over “Boyhood” for various reasons, here I am praising Richard Linklater for this AWESOME movie that had me smiling the entire time. Every character is so much fun and the entire journey just flows with such positive energy; it’s impossible not to enjoy this college adventure.

I have to give a shout out to actor Glen Powell as Finnegan in this film (also in awards-favorite Hidden Figures). I hope this guy becomes someone big. I loved every scene he was in and I think he has the potential to be the next big thing.

Get this movie on and get ready to party.

Directed by Richard Linklater

6. Hell or High Water

The film opens with an extremely well choreographed bank robbery and jumps us right into action. These early scenes really suck you in. If you don’t like this movie in the first 20 minutes, you’re not gonna like it. I LOVED it.

Jeff Bridges does his “almost out of retirement and I’m gonna grunt through this performance” role that was totally welcomed. Ben Foster does his “I’m a crazy, loose-cannon bank robber brother” that has a wonderful unpredictability to it. But I’ll give credit to Chris Pine for anchoring the film and giving some of his best work.

This films shines because of the small-scale realism it brings and the reminder that this could be happening at any time in our country today. I definitely think this is worth seeing.

Directed by David Mackenzie

5. Moonlight

Alright. Top 5 Films to see in 2016.

You have to see "Moonlight". What powerful film poetry. This is the best acting ensemble possibly in 2016, especially with the three actors that play our lead character  Chiron, in the three very important points of his life. Each performance feels so close to one another that it never feels disjointed even in the story's segmented nature.

Barry Jenkins is able to say and show so much with such little dialogue. His camera flows so well and gives us many shots that speak volumes from their unique style. There are plenty of close-ups and slow-mo shots that all feel perfectly placed. Everything in the film feels just right.

The ONLY thing I could say I didn't enjoy was the ending, which I won't give away. While many probably will find it satisfactory, it left me with not enough resolution and not enough of a punch for the journey that I was put through. However, the journey is perfectly worth experiencing. This story of human connection is a must-see. 

Directed by Barry Jenkins

4. Arrival

Full disclosure: When I saw this in theaters, two people around me fell asleep. And with todays theaters having such comfortable seats and this film having about a 20minute lull period around the first act, I can’t blame them. But, why would this film be #4 on a “Best Film List”? Why is everyone going on about it? BECAUSE THAT ENDING WAS INSANE!

I won’t spoil anything and don’t want to get your hopes up. But Villinueve (master of tension from Sicario) knows how to tell a story. He sets up the plot and the central issue and has a strong character in Amy Adams’ character to take you through all the way. All the set up pays off in an EXTREMELY satisfying third act that reminded me of an all-to rare feeling in modern cinema now: The feeling of genuine surprise. I was elated by the surprises this film brought me and wouldn’t want to take that away from anyone.

While not a perfect film, I think this deserves a lot of praise and I’m looking forward to talking about this for years to come.

Directed by Denis Villinueve

3. Fences

If I want to show someone the “power of acting”, I’ll show them “Fences”. This is the Denzel-Show and man does he give a powerhouse performance. Sure, this adaptation feels more like a “Play shot on film” rather than a “Play adapted for film” but in some ways, I find it hard to think of a better way to show this material so effectively.

This more direct approach will play strongest to those who let it in. The story of American family struggle is effective and real in the hands of talent like this. It’s not to be missed. I was on cloud-9 walking away from it and I hope you are too.

Final thought: Man…it really takes a long time for that fence to get made. This isn’t a criticism…it’s just a test of my patience. BUILD THE DAMN FENCE!

Directed by Denzel Washington

2. Manchester By the Sea

Most people will tell you this is the “Most depressing movie of the year” and “Gear up cause this is heavy”. But it’s actually a very light-hearted take on TOUGH grief that has enough levity to help it transcend just an average misery-fest.

I don’t think I’ve felt more sorry for a character in recent memory than Casey Affleck’s “Lee”. While my vote is for Denzel Washington to take home the Oscar, if Affleck wins, I wouldn’t be sad at the least bit. He gives such a complex range of deep turmoil that I just want to give him a hug.

I think this film escapes the case of one-note melancholy and is able to hit you with enough emotions from enough characters that feel “real”, that I could see this being a film I recommend for years. It’s a dry comedy, a deep tragedy, and ultimately a good reflection on the effort for self-forgiveness.

Directed by Kenneth Lonergan

1. La La Land

HO MAN DO I LOVE THIS MOVIE. This is easily my favorite film since Mad Max: Fury Road. What a complete and utter spectacle from every angle to help remind you what this medium can do. Ever since I saw the trailer, I knew this was going to be something special and thank god, it did not disappoint.

With Whiplash and now this, Damien Chazelle has become one of my top favorite directors in Hollywood today. He moves the camera with such precession and attention to fine detail that it shines greatness to behold. In such cynical times, I thank him for finding the right moment to finally get a modern musical out to bring some magic into this year.

From the large ensemble opening number to the ending nod from Ryan Gosling, you will be mesmerized by the ode to classic Hollywood and what love and dreams are made of. From newly classic songs like, “City of Stars” to Emma Stone’s best work to date singing the emotional “Audition” song, the music will bring you all the emotion and power your money is worth.

Run, don’t walk, to a theater near you and see La La Land. I give this my highest honor.

Directed by Damien Chazelle

HONORABLE MENTIONS (In Alphabetical Order)
1. Café Society

2. Green Room

3. The Jungle Book
4. Kubo and the Two Strings

5. The Magnificent Seven

6. Moana

7. The Nice Guys

8. Sully

9.  Swiss Army Man

10. The Witch

Films I Wish I Saw:  

-A Monster Calls

-Edge of Seventeen

-Girl on the Train

-Lion

-Nocturnal Animals

-Paterson

-Silence

Thanks for reading! I will see you again with my Oscar Predictions come February. Have a wonderful day, movie-lovers!

-Daniel Bayley