Every year I like to reflect on the many, many movies I see in theatres and put together a personal top 10 list. I always advocate seeing movies in theatres as I truly feel that experience is unlike any other, plus you're supporting artists who took years to craft their visions. So without further ado, here are my top 10 films:
1. Moonlight
This film is truly a work of art and one of the most moving films in several years. Rarely do films create such three dimensional characters, even those with minimal time on screen. The actors who portray Chiron flow together perfectly with simple mannerisms that show his softer, unsure self, even when he's a self-sonfident drug dealer. The film's strength comes from its trueness to life, even with its poetic depiction of it. It doesn't shy away from the brutal truths that thousands of kids grow up with and have to come to terms with. I hope this film blazes a path for more directors to boldly take.
2. Manchester By The Sea
I truly feel this is one of the most accurate portrayals of loss I have seen on film. We don't openly weep constantly after losing a loved one, but instead it comes in fits and spurts, each person finding their way to that feeling on their own time. Not all stories have to end happily with a nice little bow, changing the characters for the better. Life is not written to a close, but instead has an ebb and flow of growing and shrinking, which Casey Affleck does a phenomenal job creating in his role.
3. La La Land
This movie is sold completely on the natural chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, two people who I hope work together often in the future. Being a creative person myself, I found myself identifying with these two dreamers who seek success but struggle with maintaining balance in their life. Its a simple story told many times, but this film gave a fresh spark into it that had you fall in love with it. The final musical interlude is one of the finest pieces of cinema in years, both hopeful and heartbreaking at the same time. It was the perfect ending to their story, even if it wasn't the one I was hoping for as I watched it. That scene by itself would place this film high on my list.
4. Jackie
I would argue that this is Natalie Portman's best performance so far, which is saying a lot. There's something timeless about this film, perhaps Jackie's reflection on trying to shape and save her husband's legacy seems oddly relevant in the current world. Few films this year have stayed with me so long after walking out of the theatre, causing me to think about my own legacy I hope to leave. To see a woman grappling with these thoughts just hours after her husband was violently taken from her is tragic and yet uplifting in a strange way. You almost feel empowered by her insistence on perfection, even pushing back on her husband's successor trying to capitalize on the situation at hand. Its a film I hope more people take the time to see.
5. Rogue One
Leap frogging into my list of top 3 Star Wars films comes this tight, uplifting, and surprisingly sad entry into the Star Wars Saga. A simple flaw in the original Star Wars kick starts an action packed explanation for such an obvious design flaw in the Death Star. Jyn Erso follows in the footsteps of Princess Leia by being a strong woman who is in no need of saving, leading a rag tag bunch of rebels to redeem her father's legacy.
6. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Another film that deserved a bigger audience. Fun, quirky, and a great coming of age film that embraces the oddity of this pairing in creative ways.
7. Wiener
An incredible documentary with incredible access at the worst time in Anthony Wiener's life. A story of a talented politician who could've done great things in the world had he not indulged in less than savory activity.
8. Arrival
An alien invasion film that dares to question how we would respond. Maybe we're the one's who immediately look to turn violent? How would we go about communicating? A human size film about immense questions in the universe.
9. Christine
A film that truly didn't shy away from tough topics of mental illness and what the sensationalism of news does to journalists. Not an easy watch by any means, but one that sticks with you in haunting ways.
10. Patriot's Day
A film I never expected to like as much as I did. I went in worrying that it was too soon after that tragic day, but it was done tastefully and gives us a much needed boost in patriotism after this tumultuous election year.
Honorable Mentions
Zootopia, Hell or High Water, Central Intelligence, Snowden, Deadpool