Best of the Rest of 2016

Brandon Thompson
Jan 30, 2017
3 min read

There were plenty of movies that came out in 2016. More than 10 in fact. And because I saw more than 10 I thought I should honor some of the lesser known movies, genres, performances, and any other technical achievements.

Best Midnight Movie - The Lure

I think the trailer best explains this one - you can watch it here

Best Coming of Age Film - The Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Funny, deep, Dr Alan Grant - I mean Sam Neill, and uniquely kiwi.

Best Dialogue - Love & Friendship

You that one line from Hail, Caesar! (Would that it were so simple). Every line in this movie is similar and it will also bring a whole new meaning to 'Churchill'.

Best Sci-Fi based on characters - Midnight Special

I'm sure there have been many successors to Close Encounters of the Third Kind but none are as strong as this.

Best Cerebral Sci-Fi - Arrival

All I have to say is congratulations to the producers of this film for getting it made.

Best Sci-Fi Action - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

The last 45 minutes says it all. (and so does that last scene)

Best Twist (Spoilers) - Tickled

Never before did I think tickling could be so dark and twisted.

Most Misunderstood Movie - Hail, Caesar!

This can be blamed on the Coen's unique perspective with comedy.

Best Wes Anderson Film - Girl Asleep

While it actually isn't a Wes Anderson film it is infused with plenty of Australian tradition and culture of the 80s.

Best Woody Allen FIlm - Maggie's Plan

Yes, Woody Allen did have a film come out in 2016 but it's not as funny or heartwarming as this.

Best Use of a Song - A Bigger Splash

'Emotional Rescue' by The Rolling Stones. You can watch the scene here but it's missing a great buildup to the song.

Best Chapter of an Anthology - Certain Women

I don't think I was more on the edge of my seat in 2016 more than the peak of this chapter and it isn't even an action scene.

Movie You Should Watch Because the Director is Going Places - The Chilhood of a Leader

Brady Corbet is a director who has proven he has a distinct voice but the movie wasn't perfect. However what shined in the movie will prove to be the building blocks of his career.

Funniest Movie that turns dark - The Commune

Unfortunately the turn in tone doesn't work but until it did it's a movie worth watching.

Best Fart - Swiss Army Man

The sum of its parts is greater than the whole or should I say the sum of its farts is greater than the whole.

Best Western - Hell or High Water

There weren't many this year but none of them had a script as good as Hell or High Water or a performance from Jeff Bridges this good either.

Best Dog - Paterson

You would never think a film about a poet would have a dog this great but that isn't the case.

Best per Country