Monday, January 16, 2017

Favorite Films of 2016 (Part 2)

DOCTOR STRANGE

Marvel Studios' latest simultaneously plays it safe and takes big risks. After almost a decade of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we have grown accustomed to its familiar origin beats. Those same beats have a home in Doctor Strange; however, Director Scott Derrickson brings a fresh eye to the formula. Much like Agamotto himself, Derrickson is a natural fit for the mystical realm and crafts some of the most fun, fantastical, and visually dazzling action sequences in the MCU thus far. Derrickson also works his magic on his cast, drawing out terrific performances from everyone as if he were summoning their astro-form. Doctor Strange proves that Marvel can turn any of their characters into cinematic gold.

MOANA

2016 may have been a great year for superhero movies but it was a great year for animation as well . With the likes of Zootopia, Finding Dory, Kubo and the Two Strings earlier in the year, expectations were high for Moana. Thanks to charismatic, infectious performances from crowd-favorite Dwayne Johnson and newcomer Auli'i Cravalho, as well as a wonderful soundtrack from Hamilton Star Lin-Manuel Miranda, Moana sailed past expectations and right into the pantheon of classical Disney animation. It's funny, fun, and endearing no matter your age. 

NOCTURNAL ANIMALS 
Before stepping behind a camera, Director Tom Ford was a designer and it shows. Nocturnal Animals is aesthetically hypnotic frame to frame. It's also one of the strangest, boldest films of the year. Simultaneous storylines, both equally fascinating and heartbreaking, are driven almost entirely by stirring performances, most notably by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Michael Shannon. It's not a particularly pleasant watch-- though there are frequent moments of much-needed levity- but it is a captivating one.

A MONSTER CALLS
This film deserves more buzz. It's a powerful coming of age tale about a young boy learning to grieve in the face of one of life's harshest realities (I'm tearing up just writing this). Lewis MacDougal is spellbinding as said young boy and Felicity Jones gives an Oscar-caliber performance as his mother. Liam Neeson lends his thunderous tones to the titular Monster, who is dreamed up by the boy during his greatest time of need. Director J.A. Bayona seamlessly fuses fantasy with actuality to tell a story that at some point everybody can relate to. Bring tissues. The tears will flow.  

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
Personally, I was not expecting great things from this film. I was never a huge fan of Star Wars. I enjoyed it fine enough: the movies, the games, the toys, but I was never into it like a lot of people. I was also not a fan of Director Gareth Edwards' last film, the recent Godzilla reboot. That said, Rogue One was a pleasant surprise! Everything, from the characters to the action and even the frequent Easter eggs, served the purpose of the story. It also manages to carve out a niche for itself in the larger Star Wars universe by being a full-fledge war film for adults. For the first time we get to experience the "Wars" element of "Star Wars" and all the ambiguous politics motivating both the Empire and the rebels. What's more is the talented roster in front of the camera. They make it easy to invest in the headlining band of rogues.

Honorable Mentions:
The Neon Demon
Zootopia
Fences
Kubo and the Two Strings
Hello My Name Is Doris
Eye In the Sky
Arrival
10 Cloverfield Lane
Edge of Seventeen
The Lobster

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