best movies of the year 2016

ARRIVAL

Although the film is about aliens, Denis Villeneuve’s ambitious project focuses more examining the inherent importance of language in the human race. Arrival is a rare and unique a sci-fi movie that looks not up at the stars but rather deep within us humans. While most Aliens-On-Earth movies focus on destruction, Arrival focuses on creation, the complexity of interactions, and the fragility of the human bond. I think Arrival has officially “Uberate” the science fiction genre.

2. AMERICAN HONEY

British filmmaker Andrea Arnold has possibly display the most unflinching and remarkably compassionate portrait of middle America. This movie will bring you into a world that exists parallel to yours, right outside your car window as yon drive through Main Street. Arnold has a wonderful eye for the jetsam of American society, and for its blue-collar architecture of rundown trailer parks and decrepit motels. Despite a rubbish journey, in the end we are filled with hope and a better understanding of the “other”’ side of the country we effortlessly dismiss.

3. MOONLIGHT

This bold and courageous indie drama touches on themes of race, sexuality and isolation in ways that have never been depicted in cinema. What makes this film really great is the shimmering beauty and stylistic arthouse approach used by director Barry Jenkins, as opposed to a traditional narrative. Moonlight, with its groundbreaking storytelling and lyrical imagery is more than a movie, it’s an urgent social document.

4. NOCTURNAL ANIMALS

Director Tom Ford has crafted another aesthetically audacious and thematically visceral movie (he previously did A Single Man in 2009). This movie masters a tricky narrative by establishing two separate, completely tangible environments. I found Nocturnal Animals emotionally disturbing- I was rattled for days after I saw it. What makes this move great is that it requires as much soul-searching as it doses detective work (very rare combination)

5. THE LOBSTER

The Lobster is the weirdest and most original movie to come out this year. It is sort of allegorical, sort of science fiction, sort of philosophical, definitely original, definitely unpredictable and most definitely weird (did I say weird). The film feels like a liberation

in knowing that societal pressure to settle down can be just as cruel as loneliness, as it satirizes the ritualistic natures of relationships and single-life

6. EVERYONE WANTS SOME

I love Richard Linklater's (Boyhood, Before Trilogy)- his light touch remains a marvel. This film offers poignant observations about college life and young adults exploring independence (we all remember how that felt right?) But since this is Linklater, aside from the “machismo/sexism of those days, the film most importantly captures the joys of self-discovery, of exploring life and figuring out the meaning of things. Don’t know what else to say, its Linklater, its magic.

7. SILENCE

Any time Scorsese makes a film, it’s very likely to be on this list. Silence stirs the viewer to provoke a deep reflection and introspection around their beliefs and faith (or lack off). The amazing thing about the film is that at times it felt like a tribute to Christianity and at times a savage deconstruction of it. Both readings are valid in this Scorsese film. The film generates more questions than it supplies answers about faith and religion, thus is not a film to be solved, or resolved, but pondered.

8. CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

I specially recommend this movie to people that have young children (or aspire to do so), since it's a rare film that asks big questions about parenting, about family, about modern-day America with answers that are moving and meaningful. Although the movie is not perfect, there are 3 to 4 moments in the movie that stay with you, thanks mostly to the marvelous acting of Viggo Mortensen.

9. MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

Manchester defies Hollywood notion that all tragedy has an ulterior purpose or motive and that every dramatic arc must culminate in a positive change. All that said, the script is not pointless or careless, it does an exceptional job of balancing misfortune with the sudden luminosity of the laughter. In the end, Manchester is a powerful and sometimes unexpectedly humorous drama with outstanding acting, particularly Casey Affleck who delivered the performance of the year.

10. THE EDGE SEVENTEEN

I'm a sucker for any decent coming-of-age story, particularly when they have fresh, sharp dialogue. An unusually realistic teen movie, this drama gets deep under the skin of its characters, breathing new life into a usually prosaic genre. In a way, Edge of Seventeen is one of the best and most honest films thus far about the turmoil, delights and utter confusion of the teenage years.

Oscar Predictions

Best Picture

Who is going to win: La La Land

Who should win: Arrival

Comments: La La Land is what the Academy wants- since it’s about them. But I was very disappointed with Whiplash director Damien Chazelle, I hope he writes a better script next time.

Best Director

Who is going to win: Damien Chazelle (La La Land)

Who should win: Barry Jenkins (III) (Moonlight)

Comments: Although Arrival is the best picture in my book, I have to say Jenkins deserves the best director win- he mustered this groundbreaking film- against all odds.

Best Actor:

Who is going to Win: Denzel Washington

Who should win: Casey Affleck

Comments: This one is close, but I really think Casey deserves it a little more (by an inch). His performance was incredibly complex, and required a lot of discipline. But Denzel will pull out the upset because of Casey’s personal affairs (sexual harassment allegations) and because the Academy wants diversity. Don’t get me wrong, Denzel was unbelievable- and if he wins, its well-deserved as well.

Best Actress

Who is going to win: Emma Stone

Who should win: Natalie Portman

Comments: Emma was good, but not better than Natalie. Whoever saw Jackie cannot think Emma gave a better performance than Natalie… No way.

Best Supporting Actor:

Who is going to win: Mahershala Ali

Who should win: Mahershala Ali

Comments: Easy- although his screen time was minimal- Ali’s performance impacted the whole movie.

Best Supporting Actress:

Who is going win: Viola Davis

Who should win: Viola Davis

Comments: Easy was well, although I think this is cheating, since Viola should really be competing in the best actress category.

Best Original Screenplay

Who is going to win: Manchester by the Seas

Who should win: The Lobster

Comments: Very close---- Love the Manchester Screenplay, but can you really compete with The Lobster? - one of the most original materials to come out in recent years.

Best Adapted Screenplay:

Who is going to win: Moonlight

Who should win: Arrival

Comments: Moonlight will win because they don’t want the movie to leave with no awards. However, this is another close one- I just think Arrival’s depth and complexity was the heart of the movie. Moonlight has great writing, but I think it was a great movie due more to outstanding direction.