As I look over the past year, I feel it was a slow year for movies. For many months at a time, it was hard to find a great story worth seeing.
Luckily, there were a lot of high quality releases in November and December - the months when the studios release their best movies to compete for the top awards.
But even though it was a slow year overall, it was a great year for family movies. There was an unusually high number of original movies in this category, and since my kids enjoy going to the movies, we had many excellent movie going experiences this year!
So while it was a slow year in terms of quantity, there were definitely some high quality movies worth checking out.
Like in years past, I have started with a few awards, followed by my Top 10 movies of the year. I hope you enjoy the list
The First Lady Award
Jackie - R
What would you do if you were the mother of 2 young kids, grief stricken from the death of your infant son 4 months prior, and your husband was just assassinated in a motorcade while you sat right next to him? Oh, and you are also only 34 years old, the First Lady of the United States, and need to move out of the White House to an unknown future. This movie provides some answers to these questions by highlighting what life might have been like the week following JFKs assassination. I was left with an appreciation for the difficulties she faced during this time in her life. Her conversations with journalists, political allies, family, and her priest were interesting and insightful. Natalie Portman is excellent in the title role.
The Under Appreciated Award
Queen of Katwe - PG
This movie is a wonderful look at the true story of a Ugandan teen who helped her family out of poverty through learning chess. David Oyelowo (who will forever be remembered by me as the actor who should have won an Oscar for his portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma) gives a strong performance as the chess teacher and coach who sees potential in his students and fights for their inclusion in the top tournaments. Don't let the Disney label fool you - it is not for young kids. It is slow paced, has a 2-hour run time, and focuses a lot on poverty and chess strategy - so it really won't hold the attention of your young ones. But for kids 10 and over, I think this is a great movie to see. Very few people saw this movie which is a shame. I hope you check it out. Family Fun
Kung Fu Panda 3 - PG
Finding Dory - PG
When Finding Dory is your 5th favorite kids movie, you know its been a strong year for family entertainment. It wasn't one of Pixar's best movies, but it was funny, entertaining, and taught wonderful lessons about family and friendship.
The Dancing During the Credits Award
Trolls - PG
The story won't stay with you long (I can barely remember what it is about), but this movie is just plain fun. Ana Kendrick and Justin Timberlake voice to the two main characters and sing some memorable songs. It is funny, the music is fantastic, and by the time the credits rolled, my 6-year old daughter Makenzie and I were dancing in our seats. The Comeback Award
Jason Bourne - PG-13
I was completely burned out on these movies by the time the third one came out. So I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this movie so much after a 10 year layoff. It was smart for a 4th installment, and it was a great movie to watch with my son during our summer vacation. Before seeing it, we enjoyed watching The Bourne Identity (2002) and the Bourne Supremacy (2004) as well.
The Studio Award: Marvel vs. DC
Captain America Civil War vs. Superman vs Batman
This was the year of in-fighting among the superheros. Captain America vs. Iron Man. Superman vs. Batman. Marvel vs DC. While Marvel is riding an unbelievable streak of quality movie after quality movie (Civil War was as good as they get), DC is imploding with Zack Snyder at the helm. His specialty - angst ridden superheros with lots of exploding buildings - but without any humor or lightheartedness that Marvel excels at - isn't really working. Marvel on the other hand never misses - even when they use no name directors and make movies of obscure characters few have even heard of (Dr. Strange, Ant Man, Guardians of the Galaxy). Yet all of those movies worked at an extremely high level.To add insult to injury, Marvel even dominates the battle off screen. For a great laugh, watch here as Thor reacts to being excluded from the Civil War movie, while DC's bad reviews and unhappy fans produced a different type of reaction in Ben Affleck.
The Expected More Award
Manchester by the Sea - R
While Critics lauded this as the best movie of 2016, I hoped for more. Yes, it is well acted and directed, it feels real and honest, and it has an interesting story. But I just didn't fully connect with it. There were a few memorable scenes that will stay with me, but overall, I don't think this is a must see. I especially wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for a feel good movie. But if you are in the mood for a somber, slow developing character study that examines the impact of personal tragedy and loss on an individual and his family, it is a fine recommendation.
2016 Top 10 Movies
10. Allied - R
If you need one reason to see this movie, it is Marion Cotillard. She is such an amazing actress she seems to make everyone else around her look ordinary. If you need a second reason to see this movie, it is because director Robert Zemeckis (Cast Away, Back to the Future) uses the camera in original ways to heighten suspense and deepen the story. If you need a reason to skip this movie it is because Brad Pitt really shows what a limited acting range he has. During the movie, I kept thinking to myself, "he really isn't that good of an actor." A few minutes later, I heard the guy behind me whisper to his friend, "he really isn't that good of an actor." Still, I think it is worth seeing. It stayed with me after I left the theater.
9. The Edge of Seventeen - R
During the 1980s, John Hughes was the first to make movies to truly capture the teenage experience. I think he would be proud of The Edge of Seventeen. Hailey Steinfeld (nominated for an Oscar at 13 for True Grit) gives an excellent portrayal of an angst ridden teen in high school. The writing is sharp, funny, and honest. Woody Harrelson is great as her English teacher. Their interplay, although a minor part of the story, is one of the best elements of the movie.
8. Moana - PG
Each Thanksgiving day I take my kids to see a movie. This year, Moana made our tradition special. Moana tells an amazing story, has beautiful animation, and contains original music that is clever and inspirational. The songs "How Far I'll Go" "You're Welcome" and "Shiny"are as good as any songs Disney has released. The story is deeper than you might expect with an emphasis on ancestry and nature. My 12 year-old daughter saw this twice and loved it even more the second time. I am excited to see it again. I think that this movie will be a Disney classic in 15 years when the kids who saw it in theaters become adults.
7. Zootopia - PG
This movie was smart, topical, and incredibly entertaining. For kids, this is a perfect introduction to a mystery genre - with lots of twists and turns that they will never see coming. For adults, it was a sharply written commentary on race relations. Add in Judy Hopp's eternal enthusiasm and optimism, and you have a hit! I am guessing most of you have already seen it, but if you haven't, it is available on Netflix.6. Pete's Dragon - PG
I am so glad I got to see this with my daughters - they were both at the perfect ages to truly enjoy it. This is a remake of the original 1977 Disney movie which produced the beautiful song Candle on the Water by Helen Reddy. Although there is no music in this movie, it is touching in so many ways. The movie is heart warming and magical, and is an example of why we love to go to the movies in the first place.
5. Arrival - PG-13
This may be the best science fiction movie I have seen. It was so refreshing to see an intelligent look at what it might be like to encounter life from another planet. Instead of exploding monuments and unlikely victories, this movie examines the importance of language in establishing a relationship with alien life forms. Although our heroes never hold a gun or say catch phrases like "get off our planet", this movie is gripping from beginning to end. 4. While We're Young - R
Technically this movie was released in 2015, but I had to include it here as it was the most satisfying movie experience I had this year. Noah Baumbach was hailed as few years back as a great director for the Squid and the Whale (a movie I hated). But he hits it out of the park with this one. A couple in their mid-forties begins a friendship with a younger couple and begin to reexamine their lives and decisions. It was the strongest screenplay of any movie I saw this year. To me, it felt like a perfect blend of a Woody Allen movie (with less neurotic characters) and a Wes Anderson movie (with less quirkiness).Quick Sidebar: Adam Driver (a.k.a. Kylo Ren) is quickly becoming one of my favorite new actors. If you haven't seen Kylo's appearance on Undercover Boss, you should really check it out.
3. Sing Street PG-13
2. Moonlight - R
This movie tells the story of a young boy at three different phases of life and explores how race, sexual-orientation, peer-abuse, and societies expectations for masculinity shaped his identify and self-expression. Writer/Director Barry Jenkins does an incredible job with the story instilling in the viewer empathy and love towards the main character. Jenkin's ability to maintain the character's consistency across the three chapters was remarkable - especially since he is played by different actors in each phase. It was incredible that the actors were able to maintain the heart of the character given the ever changing circumstances he is in over the course of his life. It is heartbreaking at times, yet also beautiful in many ways. It stays with you long after you leave the theater. A.O Scott - a film critic for the New York Times, provides an insightful review of this movie here.
1. La La Land - PG-13
Damien Chazelle is only 31 years old. 31! For him to write and direct this movie at that age is astounding. The movie is an original and visually vibrant. It feels like a tribute to the Hollywood musicals and love stories of the past. Emma Stone lights up the screen. Seeing her acting abilities is worth the price of admission alone. The musical numbers were fantastic. The choreography was beautiful. And the screenplay was an incredible accomplishment. This was a wonderful movie all around. I am hoping it wins big at the Oscars.Until next year have fun at the movies!!!
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