We have reached the end of 2016...what a year that was! I think we can all agree 2016 has been a very interesting year outside of film and I think it definitely applies to the movies and Hollywood as well. I found myself disappointed in many films this year which actually made it a little harder than usual to compose this list as there wasn't too much choice. In 2015, I saw 80 different films in cinema and in 2016 I was able to beat my personal record and see 93 different films - it is going to be hard for me to beat that in 2017. There are films I wish I hadn't have bothered to watch but this is the post dedicated to the best of 2016 so it is all positive from now onwards. I am actually happy with my picks for the year and think that each film covers (generally) a different genre and I would easily be able to package all of these as a 10 film boxset and you would feel satisfied with all of them. Remember, these are my picks and these are the films that have held up as the year as gone on so ratings don't really matter - these are my favourites of 2016 looking back.
There is a reason they woke up.
This review contains Spoilers.
Passengers is directed by Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game, Headhunters) and stars Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games, Silver Linings Playbook), Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World), Michael Sheen (Underworld, Midnight in Paris) and Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix, Hannibal). "A spacecraft traveling to a distant colony planet and transporting thousands of people has a malfunction in its sleep chambers. As a result, two passengers are awakened 90 years early" (IMDb, 2016). A spectacular trailer that was delayed due to a lawsuit, casting that was heavily talked about due to controversy over how women in Hollywood are paid and a script that has been on the blacklist - Passengers has had many hurdles to get over before actually being made but was it worth all of the hassle?
I did this same post around a year ago and I was expecting big things from 2016 - the biggest theme for film in 2016 was 'disappointments' - near enough every film was not as good as it could or should have been. Even films I personally liked were slammed by critics - it was a touch year for film so lets hope it is onwards and upwards for 2017. Even audiences were not too kind as many films were not as big financially as they should or could have been. At the time of writing (18/12/16), I have seen 9 out of the 10 films on my most anticipated films for 2016 list and 56% of those were disappointing in some way or another. I honestly hope I'm not jinxing the films on this list...
Save the Rebellion. Save the Dream.
This review contains Spoilers
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Monsters) and stars Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything, Inferno), Diego Luna (Milk, The Terminal), Donnie Yen (Ip Man, Blade 2), Riz Ahmed (Four Lions, Nightcrawler), Mads Mikkelson (Hannibal, Casino Royale) and Forest Whitaker (Lee Daniels' The Butler, Arrival). Set before episode 4, 'The Rebellion makes a risky move to steal the plans for the Death Star, setting up the epic saga to follow'. Rogue One promises to provide the answer to one of the only questions audiences had from episode 4 - will audiences be satisfied?
The untold story behind the miracle on the Hudson.
🎄Blogmas: Day 8!🎄
Sully is directed by Clint Eastwood (American Sniper, Gran Torino) and stars Tom Hanks (The Da Vinci Code, Forrest Gump), Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight, I, Frankenstein), Laura Linney (The Truman Show, Mystic River) and Mike O'Malley (Glee, Concussion). "The story of Chesley Sullenberger, an American pilot who became a hero after landing his damaged plane on the Hudson River in order to save the flight's passengers and crew.". Clint Eastwood is coming off a real high with American Sniper - can Sully be just as good and just as powerful?
Party Like Your Job Depends on It.
🎄Blogmas: Day 7!🎄
Office Christmas Party is directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck (Blades of Glory, The Switch) and stars Jason Bateman (The Gift, Horrible Bosses), Olivia Munn (Magic Mike, X-Men: Apocalypse), T.J. Miller (Cloverfield, Deadpool), Jennifer Aniston (Friends, Horrible Bosses), Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters, Saturday Night Live) and Jillian Bell (22 Jump Street, The Night Before). "When the CEO tries to close her hard-partying brother's branch, he and his Chief Technical Officer must rally their co-workers and host an epic office Christmas party in an effort to impress a potential client and close a sale that will save their jobs" (IMDb, 2016). This film has kind of come out of no where but will it be like the usual awkward office christmas party or will it be one to remember?
Giving the Holidays Another Shot.
🎄Blogmas: Day 6!🎄
Bad Santa 2 is directed by Mark Waters (Mean Girls, Freaky Friday) and stars Billy Bob Thornton (Armageddon, Sling Blade), Tony Cox (Oz the Great and Powerful, Me, Myself & Irvene), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men, Drive) and Brett Kelly (Trick 'r Treat, Unaccompanied Minors). "Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus, to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve" (IMDb, 2016). With a title with the word 'Bad' in it, does this film live up to its name?
Deception is an art. Truth is a test. Is love a lie?
🎄Blogmas: Day 5!🎄
Allied is directed by Robert Zemeckis (The Walk, Back to the Future) and stars Brad Pitt (World War Z, Fight Club) and Marion Cotillard (Inception, The Dark Knight Rises). "In 1942, an intelligence officer in North Africa encounters a female French Resistance fighter on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. When they reunite in London, their relationship is tested by the pressures of war" (IMDb, 2016). Zemeckis used to be one of the most acclaimed directors in Hollywood but is he starting to lose his way?
You're Only Young Once...is it over yet?
🎄Blogmas: Day 4!🎄
The Edge of Seventeen is the directorial debut from Kelly Fremon Craig (she also wrote it!). The film stars Hailee Steinfeld (Pitch Perfect 2, True Grit), Blake Jenner (Everybody Wants Some!!, Glee) and Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games, Zombieland). "High-school life gets even more unbearable for Nadine when her best friend, Krista, starts dating her older brother" (IMDb, 2016). Directorial debuts are always risky but is The Edge of Seventeen on the edge of greatness?
Five Days Together? Oh Joy.
🎄Blogmas: Day 3!🎄
Almost Christmas is directed and written by David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim, First Sunday) and has a large ensemble cast featuring Kimberly Elise (John Q, Dope), Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon, Shooter), Mo'Nique (Precious, The Parkers), J.B. Smoove (Date Night, The Sitter), Nicole Ari Parker (Boogie Nights, Remember the Titans), Jessie T. Usher (Independence Day: Resurgence, Survivor's Remorse), Gabrielle Union (Bad Boys 2, Bring it On) and Keri Hilson (Think Like a Man). "A dysfunctional family gathers together for their first Christmas since their mom died" (IMDB, 2016). Almost Christmas is one of those festive films that will likely go under the radar for most due to a limited UK release, are masses of audiences missing out on much?
The Ocean is Calling
This review contains spoilers
🎄Blogmas: Day 2!🎄
Moana is directed by Ron Clements and John Musker (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid) and features the voices of Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson (Fast & Furious 6, G.I. Joe). It is also important to note the film features original music by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton). "In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain's daughter's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the demigod to set things right"1 . Zootopia was brilliant so Moana has a lot to live up to but to raise the bar even more, this is Disney's first princess film since Frozen...will it reach those phenomenal heights?
This review contains spoilers
🎄Blogmas: Day 2!🎄
Moana is directed by Ron Clements and John Musker (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid) and features the voices of Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson (Fast & Furious 6, G.I. Joe). It is also important to note the film features original music by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton). "In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain's daughter's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the demigod to set things right"1 . Zootopia was brilliant so Moana has a lot to live up to but to raise the bar even more, this is Disney's first princess film since Frozen...will it reach those phenomenal heights?