Op-Ed: Top 10 films of 2016

Film critics watch a lot of movies. Previous attempts to keep track have failed, but between festivals, and theatrical and home releases the number easily climbs over 500 each year — and yet there are countless films still to be seen. Obviously the quality of these films vary greatly and most of them are not worth ever mentioning again, but there are a fraction of others whose praises should be shouted from the rooftops. Limiting the list to just 10 can be a struggle; particularly as one debates which picture is most deserving of that final place… thus we also have the honourable mentions section. The only basic restriction imposed here is the film must have played theatrically in North America in 2016; although the proliferation of streaming has generated at least one exception.

Honourable Mentions
The tenth spot on this list could have just as easily gone to the skillfully creepy and atmospheric psychological thriller, The Witch, but the silent animated feature just eked it out. If this list was longer, it would include one of my favourite movies of the year featuring the merc-with-the-mouth, Deadpool; the stunning and original stop-motion animated film, Kubo and the Two Strings; the compelling drama, Manchester by the Sea, which includes stellar performances by Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams; the forceful and uncompromising Miss Sloane, starring Jessica Chastain; the twisted mystery thriller, Nocturnal Animals; the fabulous coming-of-age story with an even better soundtrack, Sing Street; the gripping, animated documentary, Tower; and one of the year’s best and most haunting ghost stories, The Wailing… to name a few.

Similar Posts

  • Review: TIFF 2019: ‘Judy’ is a tale of joy and tears on- and off-screen (Includes first-hand account)

    Being a famous child actor is a difficult gig as you’re constantly in demand and living any semblance of a normal life may be out of the question with shoots and promotional tours filling your calendar. It was even worse before the rules protecting kids, regulating their work hours and mandating school work, were put into place. Before that, young actors were pushed to their limits with long work days, uncaring handlers and mismanaged careers. Judy Garland was America’s sweetheart, but it didn’t do her any favours in life. The biopic, Judy, is adapted from the stage play, “End of the Rainbow,” and portrays her final residence at a London nightclub in 1968.

  • Review: ‘Zoolander 2’ goes retro with mixed results (Includes first-hand account)

    Sometimes a movie’s success is akin to lightening in a bottle. Everything comes together in perfect harmony to create an experience that is fondly remembered by everyone, immortalizing the picture in the minds of its fans. This is a phenomenon not easily repeated, no matter how vehemently they want to recapture the magic of the original. But that doesn’t prevent them from trying. Zoolander 2 is a highly anticipated sequel with exceptionally big shoes to fill.

  • Review: ‘Logan’ finds a tormented soul beneath the epic bouts of violence (Includes first-hand account)

    There are some characters who through years of canon have become iconic. Their stories have taken many forms, but their essence remains unchanged. This allows for multi-generational fandom that can relate to one another because the focus of their esteem is essentially the same. Comic book characters top this list as almost everyone can hear the names of certain heroes and not only recognize them but conjure some feeling associated with them: Batman, Superman… Wolverine. Once in a while, someone entrusted with their tale does something truly interesting with the privilege, producing a new narrative that demands fans’ attention. Logan is that story.

  • Review: ‘Mortal Engines’ steamrolls audiences with its banality (Includes first-hand account)

    Steampunk is a fascinating subculture that centres on the convergence of early mechanics and science fiction. Existing in worlds that either are based in or have devolved to the past, these societies are simultaneously progressive and backwards. The machines they control are often awe-inspiring, but civilization has taken several steps back towards the dark ages and pre-connectivity. Still, deep, rich colours occupy the frame and devotion or knowledge of the “old ways” absorbs the characters’ time as they hope to better understand their unsophisticated ancestors. Mortal Engines is based in this world, but someone is combing the past for a more dangerous purpose.

  • Review: ‘Heist’ plays to its actors’ strengths (Includes first-hand account)

    Thieves are generally driven by one of two motives: greed or desperation. The former can be insatiable with the prospect of more dragging them into an endless cycle of taking. The latter can lead to brash decisions that may never have been considered if it wasn’t for their current situation. Whatever the reason, planning is the key to success. But as the saying goes, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” In Heist it’s clear from the start that these guys have very different aims, which makes their approaches irreconcilable.

  • Review: ‘McFarland’ is strong from start to finish (Includes first-hand account)

    Underdog stories are always so appealing. Regardless of the sport or task, watching someone overcome various obstacles to prove wrong their peers and all the naysayers they’ve ever encountered can be quite inspiring. If the film is done right, the audience experiences every up and down with the character(s), and shares in their triumph when they’ve finally achieved their goal. McFarland (a.k.a. McFarland, USA) is done right.