10 Best Films of 2016 - Part Two

Ben Foster (left) and Chris Pine in "Hell or High Water"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

5) Hell or High Water - When a movie of a particular genre comes around, most times you may feel like how it’s going to play out.  However, with director David Mackenzie’s Western heist-drama, he manages to divert those expectations and offer something more.  His film follows brothers Toby and Tanner (Chris Pine and Ben Foster, respectively) who must resort to robbing banks in order to earn money to save their family’s farm from foreclosure, all while being trailed by two Texas rangers (Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham).  The unbreakable sibling bond between Pine and Foster’s characters keep you invested in their mission, as does the brotherly relationship between the two Rangers that interestingly parallels the two brothers.  Just as screenwriter Tayler Sheridan did with last year’s crime thriller “Sicario,” he excels in developing deeper moments for the characters in between the action.  With the help of Mackenzie’s direction, the film is able to avoid becoming a typical fast-paced heist film and is instead a meditative look at the relationships between the brothers in their life of crime and the law enforcers who are chasing them, and it manages this while still delivering a couple of pulse-quickening scenes of confrontations between Toby, Tanner, and the rangers.  This movie is a gritty, yet beautiful look at brotherhood on both ends of the law that manages to have you care for both pairs of characters, a testament to the talent on either side of the camera.

Amy Adams in "Arrival"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

4) Arrival -  Any science-fiction movie these days can boast great visual effects, but a film of this genre should also propose eye-opening ideas, and director Denis Villeneuve achieves this for his latest film.  The narrative follows the appearance of 12 mysterious spacecrafts that land on Earth, which leads the U.S. government to contact renowned linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) to learn how to communicate with them and decipher the aliens’ reasons for their visit.  Adams delivers one of her most complex and emotional performances to date, one that reaches an even deeper dramatic depth following the film’s reveal.  Based on Ted Chiang’s short story, “Story of Your Life,” Eric Heisserer’s screenplay captures the spirit of the novel while also adding some unexpected and relevant political commentary, making this the type of movie that we need at the moment.   With Villeneuve’s direction, he adds artistry to every shot, and just like his other films, it makes you want to sit back afterwards and ponder what you watched.  Because of the ideas that complex sci-fi films have the potential to offer, the genre should always set out with the intention to make viewers think, and Villeneuve achieves such a feat.  Not since Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” has a film involving alien contact been so magical, which makes “Arrival” all the more deserving to be ranked among those classics.

The cast of "Sing Street"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

3) Sing Street - Over the years, Irish screenwriter and director John Carney has displayed a talent for creating stories revolving around aspiring musicians, while also including new songs you can’t help but listen to over and over again.  He did it with “Once” and “Begin Again,” and he did it this year with his newest film.  The story centers around 15-year-old Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) who tries to form a band to win the love of aspiring model Raphina (Lucy Boynton).  Upon further practice, Conor and his band will realize they have the talent to take their music further than they imagined.  Although Walsh-Peelo and Boynton are young actors, their performances are mature enough to help the movie go beyond its boy-meets-girl narrative.  These characters are more profound than you would expect, which makes their journey to greatness all the more interesting.  The movie also provides one of the best soundtracks of any film this year, with original songs like “Drive It Like You Stole It,” “The Riddle of the Model,” and “To Find You,” and the richness of these songs strengthens the story and makes you believe this band has the skills to make it big.  Carney provides a vibrant, emotional, and optimistic view of what it takes to follow your dreams, and upon seeing this film in theaters, I was in love with what I had watched, and once you see this movie, you will be too. 

Casey Affleck (left) and Lucas Hedges in "Manchester by the Sea"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

2) Manchester by the Sea - The concept of a child losing a parent, or parents, and then having to build a relationship with their new guardian may seem like a been-there-done-that type of story, but writer and director Kenneth Lonergan takes it in a beautiful new direction in his latest drama.  The story follows a janitor named Lee (Casey Affleck) who learns that he has been named the guardian of his 16-year-old nephew, Patrick (Lucas Hedges), following the death of the latter’s father (Kyle Chandler).  After moving in with Patrick, Lee will soon have to face his troubled past in his hometown.  While Affleck’s performance tends to be downplayed throughout the movie, it’s one that still manages to be intensely moving, coming to an achingly emotional high in a flashback scene that stuns you with its heartbreak.  Sharing the screen with Affleck is Hedges, who delivers a star-making performance as someone who is trying to cope with his father’s passing and the demands of growing up.  Lonergan’s screenplay and direction carefully develop the relationship between an uncle who has to deal with his past, and a nephew who has to focus on his future, all of which makes this an affecting and layered look at loss, family, and the need to do what’s best for others.  When you see this movie, it will be impossible not to be moved.

Alex Hibbert (left) and Mahershala Ali in "Moonlight"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

1) Moonlight - One of the powers of cinema is giving you a realistic look at the lives of others and how they live.  When this happens, it can sometimes be a difficult experience, but still rewarding in what it teaches you.  Such is the case with writer and director Barry Jenkins’ coming-of-age chronicle.  Taking place in Miami, the story follows a young African-American boy named Chiron as he grows up in a rough neighborhood and has life-changing experiences that will shape him into the person he will soon become.  All three actors who play Chiron (Alex Hibbert portrays him as a child; Ashton Sanders portrays him as a teenager, and Trevante Rhodes portrays him as an adult), are all in sync with the essence and emotions of the character, almost as if the same actor portrayed him for all three stages of his life.  The highlights from the supporting cast include Mahershala Ali as Chiron’s surrogate father and Naomie Harris as Chiron’s troubled mother.  With Jenkins’ screenplay and direction, he provides us with a detailed look at Chiron’s life and the difficulties that challenge him as he takes the plunge into adolescence and adulthood.  While watching this film, we have the opportunity to witness the evolution of a boy becoming a man, an extraordinary journey of self-discovery.

Come back in February to see my predictions for the 89th Academy Awards!

10 Best Films of 2016 - Part One

Anya Taylor-Joy in "The Witch"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com 

10) The Witch - These days, it seems like for every great horror movie, there are 10 bad ones.  But when you one gets released that breaks apart from the rest, it’s a terrific feeling to experience that film, which is what happened with Robert Eggers’ directorial debut.  He tells the tale of a Puritan family in 17th-century New England that’s banished from their village because of their radical religious beliefs.  Shortly after establishing their new settlement on the edge of some woods, the family’s infant son is mysteriously taken from them, and they soon realize there may be a witch living just beyond their home.  Anya Taylor-Joy gives a wonderful breakthrough performance as the film’s protagonist, and the rest of the cast does an effective job in conveying the paranoia and dread that slowly tears away at their lives.  One of the strongest qualities of Eggers’ direction and screenplay is how, instead of going for outright horror and cheap jump scares, he lets the interesting characters and deeply unsettling atmosphere do the work, and the film is tremendously better because of that.  This isn’t only one of the best horror movies to come out in the last few years, but it’s also a chance to see the rise of a new filmmaking talent.

From left: Joel Edgerton, Michael Shannon, Jaeden Lieberher,
and Kirsten Dunst in "Midnight Special"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

09) Midnight Special - After several superb films about rural America and some of their everyday individuals being thrust into significant circumstances, writer and director Jeff Nichols takes this narrative approach to the science-fiction genre.  Set in Texas, a father, Roy (Michael Shannon), and his friend, Lucas (Joel Edgerton), rescues the former’s young son Alton (Jaeden Lieberher) from a religious group that views him as a higher being, due to his otherworldly abilities.  While on the run from the cult, Roy, Lucas, Alton, and his mom, Sarah (Kirsten Dunst) also have to evade the FBI, who believe Alton to be a risk to national security.  When you look at the very different stories in Nichols’ filmography, you see that he’s someone who taps into people’s prime instinct to protect those they love, and it has never been more evident than in this film.  The performance from Shannon is understated, yet emotional as a father who will guard his son at any cost, and Lieberher offers an aura of mystery around his character that keeps us interested in his journey.  And Nichols, always a subtle filmmaker, succeeds in making us ponder the story’s deeper implications by placing clues in certain bits of dialogue, instead of explaining every little thing.  He engages his viewers to think, making this the type of sci-fi movie the film studios should be giving us more often.

Monkey (Charlize Theron), Kubo (Art Parkinson), and
Matthew McConaughey in "Kubo and the Two Strings"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com 

08) Kubo and the Two Strings - Now more than ever, Disney is a major force in big-screen animation.  However, Laika is a studio that seems to escape our minds (including mine) when it comes to this filmmaking style, and this shouldn’t be the case, especially with their latest stop-motion animation masterpiece from director Travis Knight.  The story takes place in ancient Japan and follows a young boy named Kubo (Art Parkinson), who must find a powerful suit of armor that once belonged to his late father and use it to defeat a malevolent spirit from his past.  Aside from talented voice work by Parkinson, Charlize Theron (a standout), Matthew McConaughey, Rooney Mara, and Ralph Fiennes, the film’s visuals are vibrant and beautiful, offering some of the finest animation in any movie this year.  It’s one of those films where you really feel like there’s literal magic being performed on the screen, from the well-rounded characters to the emotional story to the striking details of the lands visited by the main trio.  This film effortlessly immerses you in its world, transporting you to a fun, thrilling, and rich fairy-tale adventure, making this movie one of the most enchanting cinematic experiences of the year.

Clockwise from bottom: Keegan-Michael Key, Tami Sagher,
Mike Birbiglia, Kate Micucci, Chris Gethard,
and Gillian Jacobs in "Don't Think Twice"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com 

07) Don’t Think Twice - The road to stardom is wrought with challenges, as some eventually make it to the big time, while others aren’t quite as lucky.  This is a concept that’s explored both comically and dramatically in writer and director Mike Birbiglia’s latest film.  The story centers around a close-knit group of six improv performers (Birbiglia, Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, Chris Gethard, and Tami Sagher) in New York City.  When two of them are given the chance to audition for the famous variety show, “Weekend Live,” the rest of the troupe must come to realize that some of them may not find success in show business.  The cast members display strong on-screen bonds, and the film is accomplished in focusing on all of its main characters to equal degree, giving us enough insight to see what goes on in their day-to-day lifestyles as they strive to make their dreams come true.  Although the film has its funny moments, Birbiglia succeeds with mixing in the bitter reality that some of the characters must face when it comes to their aspirations.  It’s an honest portrayal of what it means to work towards the spotlight, while also dealing with the possibility of rejection and having to move on, all of which creates a genuineness that gives the movie its heartfelt impact.

From left: Blake Jenner, Glen Powell, Temple Baker,
and Forrest Vickery in "Everybody Wants Some!!"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com 

06) Everybody Wants Some!! - Richard Linklater is a top writer and director when it comes to dealing with coming-of-age stories, and he brings us another one with his newest comedy.  The film takes place in Texas during the ‘80s and centers around Jake (Blake Jenner), an incoming college freshman and baseball pitcher who, over the last few days before classes begin, will build relationships with his teammates and learn to navigate the wild frontier of college.  The whole cast provides very natural performances, coming across as actual people behaving how true college students would, making this movie not just fun, but also relatable.  While some viewers may see this as Linklater replicating the nostalgic formula he used when portraying the ‘70s in “Dazed and Confused,” there’s some truth to that, but because of the change in the time and setting, the experiences that the characters have are different enough to make this movie its own entity.  Rather than having a traditional plot structure, the narrative is made up of vignettes that follow Jake and his friends through the college landscape, which allows the story to have a sense of randomness as the characters go from one fun experience to another, all while not knowing what kind of antics they will get into next.  Just like “Dazed and Confused,” this film will have viewers reminiscing about the crazy and unforgettable times they had as young adults, a sort of yearbook in the form of a movie.

Come back next week for part two of the 10 best films of 2016!

A Week of Loss and Newfound Strength

Natalie Portman in "Jackie"
Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com

Following the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, American citizens were glued to their televisions as they watched for any updates on the events that occurred.  With the country being thrown into uncertain times, they wanted to make sure they knew everything that was going on during those dark days.  Despite keeping informed, what the public didn’t see was what First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was doing to keep her family intact and prepare for her husband’s sendoff.

In director Pablo Larraín’s biographical drama, “Jackie,” he offers us a view of the former First Lady unlike we’ve ever seen before, one that’s filled with the emotions of her going through the loss of her husband and doing what she can to make sure people remember him.  And with a stunning lead performance from Natalie Portman, we are given a poignant look at one of the most somber weeks for both the White House and America.

While living in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, Jackie Kennedy (Portman) is visited by “Life” magazine reporter Theodore H. White (Billy Crudup), who wants to interview her about her final days in the White House.  During their talk, Kennedy will recount the time between her husband’s assassination and funeral.

Portman delivers one of the best performances of her career.  She use her acting talents to embody Jackie perfectly with the former First Lady’s looks and voice, displaying a steely persona as her character works hard to navigate herself, her family, and America in the aftermath of a harrowing event.  Through the view of a camera that never seems to leave her, Portman lets us see every thought and feeling that her character experiences as Jackie plans for what’s to come.  Watching Jackie transition from the shock and horror of the assassination to displaying a firmness in how her husband should be remembered is to see someone do what they can to take charge during the hardest of times, and Portman is superb in carrying this film and bringing this true story to realization. 

The cinematography by Stéphane Fontaine makes extensive use of close-ups throughout the film.  When filming Portman in this style during much of the movie, he adds to the intimateness that the audience experiences while watching Jackie’s character.  By doing so, we get a thorough view of what she’s feeling and thinking, a window into which we see what wasn’t on the news.  These close-ups reveal much about her inward journey as she tries to make sense of what’s happening, and Fontaine does all that he can bring us into her psyche.

The screenplay by Noah Oppenheim offers a very detailed look at the short time frame of the film.  It’s not a conventional biopic in that it shows Jackie’s life in its entirety, but rather focuses on a portion of her life that impacted both her and the country.  This is a story that keeps all of its attention on her, as the film doesn’t go for more than two minutes without Jackie appearing in a scene.  Because of this, the narrative allows us to have a deeper understanding of this turning point in Jackie’s life, a turning point by which she collects her strength and gives her husband the farewell she knows he deserves.  This emphasizes the importance she feels for historical legacy, a concept that’s fascinatingly explored throughout the film and underlined by some occasional scenes of Jackie filming the February 1962 White House tour and explaining her restoration process of the presidential residence.  However, one small issue with the script is its use of the interview as a framing device.  Although it’s an interesting aspect, it sometimes takes away from the narrative focus of Jackie’s last days as a First Lady.

With the help of Fontaine’s camerawork and Mica Levi’s score, as well as its utilization of some of the music from Alan Jay Lerner’s musical, “Camelot,” Larraín is able to craft this biopic into a psychological examination of Jackie as she goes through an emotionally arduous time.  Through his direction, Larraín forgoes the conventions of other biopics and instead uses his filmmaking talents to delve into the mind of Jackie and capture the history of the film’s events.  “Jackie” shows the trepidation and uncertainty that follows the movie’s devastating events, but it also acts as a testament to the strength we discover in ourselves in the wake of a tragedy.

Final Grade: A-