Top 10 Films of 2016

 

nocturnal-animals-7-620x413
Nocturnal Animals

Directed by the suave Tom Ford and starring Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal, Nocturnal Animals was destined for success from the start. The story centres on an estranged couple of nineteen years. One day, Susan (Amy Adams) receives a proof of her ex-husband’s eponymous crime novel and the film slowly unravels two narratives, one that takes places within Susan’s reading of the manuscript and the other of the couple’s previous life together. It is a compelling film, with stunning cinematography and superb acting not only from Adams and Gyllenhaal but also from a wonderfully menacing Aaron Taylor Johnson in the antagonist’s role. Nocturnal Animals is a story of revenge and redemption and should find a comfortable seat among modern classics in Hollywood. LJ

film-review-arrival-movie

Arrival

Arrival has received an enormous amount of attention since its release in November. And although it has been marketed as an “science fiction thriller”, I would argue that it transcends that category in more ways than one. When twelve alien structures appear in random locations around the globe, a linguist expect (played by the tireless Amy Adams) is employed by the U.S government to translate the extraterrestrials’ language and discover their purpose on Earth. The score by Johann Johannsson is beautifully crafted, the CGI is seamless and again, Amy Adams shines on centre stage. This film deserves all the acclaim it is receiving and it would be wonderful to see a “sci-fi” epic take home the gold at the Academy Awards in February, with a statue for Amy to boot.  LJ

 

the-neon-demon

Neon Demon

Neon Demon is a spectacle. Nicholas Winding Refn invites us to a visual feast of neon lights and glowing cityscapes. Elle Fanning stars as Jesse, a young girl who moves to LA on her own to pursue her dreams of becoming a supermodel. The people that she encounters in the fashion world are not who they seem to be and soon enough, Jesse is surrounded by models, designers and photographers who are hell-bent on consuming her beauty. Refn’s latest film will not please everyone, it’s gory and dramatically violent. It is however, a film that will leave you breathless and stay in your mind for weeks afterwards. LJ

 

50-10-cloverfield-lane-paramount

10 Cloverfield Lane

Presented as a spin off story of J.J Abrams’ iconic Cloverfield back in 2008, 10 Cloverfield Lane opens with a woman, who after surviving a car crash, is held in an underground shelter by two men, who claim that the world has been contaminated by a fatal chemical attack. At its heart, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a gripping psychological thriller that contains enough surprises, twists and turns to keep it from falling below the sea of kidnapping focused thrillers of late. Original and thought-provoking. LJ

 

i-daniel-blake-banner_1

I, Daniel Blake

Ken Loach is an institution of British cinema, renowned for his realist social critiques. His latest film – his second Palme D’Or winner – offers a bleak yet moving look at modern day northern England and the decay of the welfare state. Dave Evans delivers a superbly restrained performance as the titular character, a mature joiner who is forced into unemployment due to illness and is unable to manoeuvre the insane bureaucracy of Jobseekers Allowance. OM

 

sing-street

Sing Street

One of two Irish entries on our list, Sing Street is an almost-guaranteed cult classic of indie comedy. Once director John Carney’s new comedy combines an interesting appraisal of social stratification in bleak 1980’s Dublin and a sensational nostalgic soundtrack from that era including the likes of Duran Duran and The Jam. Breakout talent Ferdia Walsh-Peelo stars alongside Aiden Gillen and Jack Reynor. OM

 

1024x1024

The Infiltrator

Bryan Cranston shows his acting versatility in possibly his finest role since Breaking Bad. A slow paced but well-crafted thriller (and ‘based on a true story’, what more do you want?), it depicts U.S. Customs official Robert Mazur’s infiltration into an international money laundering scheme with Pablo Escobar’s drug cartel that ended with a series of high profile arrests. The Infiltrator is a stylish, atmospheric and nail-bitingly tense drama with wonderful 80’s costume and set design. OM

 

164452616

A Date for Mad Mary

A Date for Mad Mary is one of the few films of 2016 that will make you laugh, cry and everything in between. Set in Drogheda, it follows young Mary who is released from prison for a charge of assault. Weeks before her best friend’s wedding, she scrambles for a date to bring along as Maid of Honour. The comedy of the film centres on Mary’s cringe-worthy social skills. However, comedy aside, A Date for Mad Mary is a character study of a young woman who struggles to understand her own sexuality and identity. By far one of the most compelling films of the year. LJ

 

knight-of-cups

Knight of Cups

Mythical filmmaker Terence Malick continues his late-career renaissance with a quintessentially Malickian release starring just about everyone in the known universe. Similar in vibe to the likes of The Tree of Life and The Thin Red Line, his latest feature is philosophical, visually stunning and will leave you pondering the layers of meaning of this unique film longer afterwards. OM

 

fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them-53

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

One of the most eagerly anticipated releases of 2016 was also one of the most pleasantly surprising. J.K.Rowling’s first screenplay is a delightfully funny re-entry into the magical world of the Harry Potter franchise. Featuring an impressive cast including Eddie Redmayne, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp, it will charm hardcore fans and neutral filmgoers alike. OM

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *