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.
