Top 10 Movies of 2016 (So Far)

   
     2016 has definitely had its ups and downs when it comes to movies. Although this summer fell short in some aspects, there are still some shining moments. Although I have not seen two of three, The Conjuring 2, Lights Out, and Don't Breathe solidified a great summer for horror fans. Unfortunately I am a wimp and will just wait till they come out on Blu Ray. There have definitely been some good movies outside of the summer though. So I have compiled a Top 10 list for you guys. Although we have not got into the heat of Oscar season, there have definitely been some great films so far. I'd also like to state this list is my PERSONAL favorite. It's not necessarily what I think is the best made movie of the year. It's what I consider my favorite. So let's get into it!

10) Coming in that 10 spot is one of the more recent films, War Dogs. Although the film is very formulaic and predictable, the character performances from Miles Teller and Jonah Hill help make this film a lot of fun. It definitely is Wolf of Wall Street meets gun smuggling but the films is still very intriguing.

9) Next up on the list sliding into the number 9 spot is 10 Cloverfield Lane. What I loved about this film is the small, indie feel it had to it. It feels like an isolated thriller much like the original Alien. The core three actors, John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and John Gallagher Jr. are fantastic in this. It falls apart a little towards the third act but is still greatly suspenseful.

8) The number 8 movie is Zootopia. 2016 has had quite a few animated hits. However, Zootopia is my favorite that I've seen so far. The best animated films are not only the ones that speak to kids but adults are entranced as well. Zootopia tells a fantastic story and has some spectacular undertones to it. Plus the voice acting of it is just phenomenal.

7) The number 7 spot has been claimed by the Merc. with the Mouth. We finally got to see Deadpool after nearly ten years of development and boy was the wait worth it. This might be the funniest of film of 2016 so far. However, the most surprising part of this film was the heart it has to it. Ryan Reynolds and Morena Baccarin have such a great chemistry. This film is such a refreshing take on the superhero genre.

6) The number 6 spot is occupied by Richard Linklater's Everybody Wants Some. What I love about Linklater is his ability to capture realism. This film follows a college baseball team in Texas and follows their shenanigans the week before classes starts. I had such an awesome time watching this and the characters are so well flushed out. Although the story is not anything crazy, it's nice to get a movie that captures life in college so beautifully.

5) The summer blockbuster season kicked off with Captain America: Civil War and it definitely deserves the number 5 spot. Looking at the task at hand with this film, there are so many characters the Russo Brothers had to fit in and they executed it so well. There's an airport scene that is one of the best action scenes that has been done in awhile. The character development of Cap and Iron-Man is so well captured in this. It's an awesomely fun movie.

4) Number 4 on the list is The Jungle Book. When you see the behind the scenes of this movie, it's crazy to think how well it was done. Neel Sethi who plays Mowgli, was the only actor on set. All the animals were done with CGI and the movie is absolutely stunning. The voice talent is phenomenal and Jon Favreau's direction is breathtaking. It's very difficult not to appreciate the movie.

3) My most recent review is number 3 on the list and that's Hell or High Water. With standout performances from Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Jeff Bridges, this film is one of the more thrilling and well told stories of any film this year. Every scene has significance and character oriented story is such a breath of fresh air this day in age. The cinematography enhances the story by capturing the barren majority of west Texas as well.

2)  When people criticized that there are not enough original movies these days, I generally scream at them to go see this if they have not already. Number 2 on my list is The Nice Guys. What I love about Shane Black's films is his ability to capture great humor with a very intriguing story to co-align with it. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe feed off each other so well to help make this movie such a fun time. I also love it when directors make the setting feel like its own character and Shane Black does that with 1970's Los Angeles. Unfortunately it didn't make as much at the box office as it should.

1) The prestigious number 1 spot goes to...Sing Street! This is an independent film that came out in March but it's still my favorite of the year. It tells the story about a kid who transfers to a rougher, inner city school set in Dublin, Ireland when his troubled family has to make cuts in spending. He eventually meets a girl and starts a band to impress her. What I loved so much about this movie is the family aspect. This ultimately a movie for brothers and it ultimately made me tear up (in a good way). The film takes place in the 80's and the soundtrack is phenomenal. It includes original songs and other famous hits of 80's. All the kids in this act beautifully and John Carney's direction helps to bring this film into my number 1 spot.

Alright everyone, well that's it. There are still some movies this year that I have yet to see but these are all great films that I recommend you see!

Hell or High Water Review

     Often times independent movies go unnoticed by the general audience. Usually they do not have a big market release and you can only see them in big cities. However, this does not diminish from the quality of them. It is very much refreshing to see independent films sometimes because there is not as much studio interference which helps to really let the story run its course. One particular independent movie that has been creating a buzz lately with critics is Hell or High Water directed by David Mackenzie. I had the privilege of seeing it last week and the film really delivers. Hell or High Water is such a grounded and well told story, that it could be a real contender when award season comes around.
     The film tells the story of the Howard brothers. One is an a crazy ex-con named Tanner (Ben Foster) and a struggling divorcee named Toby (Chris Pine). When both are struggle to make ends meet, they will take up the crime of bank robbing. Hitting up almost every bank in West Texas seems ideal but when local Chief of Police, Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) is hot on their tail, they will have to up their strategy.

     What makes this film work so brilliantly is the character dynamics. Pine has always been an actor to me that really shine but audiences do not get to seem enough in non-blockbuster roles. He is phenomenal in this. One reason that his performance is so fantastic is because of his co-actor. Pine and Foster feed off each so well. There is never a dull moment with their scenes. I would not be surprised to see Ben Foster get a Supporting Actor nomination when award season rolls around. The humor in this movie is so honest and the dialogue is beautifully crafted. They are not the only incredible performances in this film though. Jeff Bridges as rough, Texas Ranger is a marvelous pick. His co-officer is played by Gil Birmingham and their relationship is so exceptional. Character dynamics and dialogue gives this movie so much value.
     Great directors are able to use the setting of their movie to their advantage. David Mackenzie does just that with this. Mackenzie uses the west Texas landscape to add suspense. Mackenzie almost makes Texas feel like its own character since it's so wonderfully constructed. The music and editing help to add suspense as well. The pacing in this movie is incredible.
     There is only a minor complaint and its a nitpick so it really does not count. There's one scene in particular that's a little predictable. However, the set up and suspense is so good that it does not take away much from the movie.
     I cannot recommend this film enough. So often people complain about how we get too many reboots and remakes yet they will not go support original ideas in theaters. So go see Hell or High Water because it is absolutely excellent.

Rating: 9.9 out of 10