Post by Cameron Stone on Dec 28, 2016 4:22:25 GMT -5
Whether you want to just list them, or give a reason, or whatever, thought this could be a fun thread. Might be a good place for people to see some movie suggestions they haven't seen yet. I have my full top 20 list posted here:
cpopplestone.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-quick-note-to-start.html
But I will also leave my top three here.
3. Hell or High Water: This is one of those movies that just came out of nowhere and surprised me with how much I liked it. The trailer looked good, but I wasn't expecting what I got. This movie is a visual treat, with beautiful cinematography, and great performances across the board. Nothing about this movie feels glorified. It feels real. The shootouts are pulse pounding, and don't feel like a hollywood scene in any way, shape or form. The banter between the two sets of partners feels like real talk, not like something written on a script. And then you add in that there is almost two antagonists. Jeff Bridges is the lawman, Chris Pine the robber. But the reasons for which Pine's character is stealing money aren't selfish, and you find yourself rooting for him. Yet you can't root against the ranger chasing him, because you know ultimately, he is right. So it leads to a thrilling chase and you feel conflicted the entire journey. Add in one of the best film endings of the year, and this is just a movie that came together perfectly. It's a western set in the modern day, and it just works.
2. The Nice Guys: This is a very sharp, well executed fun time at the movies. I have a feeling this one will gain more of a cult following as time goes on, since it was not a huge hit. I will say, I generally do not like most comedy films. I just have an odd sense of humor, and most of the current day comedies have me sitting there pissed off. Not this movie. While not a pure comedy, this film had me laughing more and harder than any other film of 2016, it just hit the perfect notes for me, so it gets a high spot on the list just for that. Gosling and Crowe are both excellent here, with fantastic chemistry and timing. The girl who plays the daughter is tremendous, and the movie walks the line of being over the top ridiculous without fully crossing over to being too absurb in a perfect way. This is my favorite comedy since Tropic Thunder in 2008 at least, and I probably like it more than that one. You don't see movies like this anymore. It was so original and clever and it just grinds my gears that it didn't do very well. Even one of my best friends, who normally doesn't like movies like this at all, watched this with me and really enjoyed it. Endless quotable, this is just a movie that spoke to me, and I don't care if I get flack for putting it this high.
1. La La Land: Familiar, yet refreshing is a way that I can describe this film. It brings the movies back to a bygone era, but also pushes it forward, by embracing the modern setting rather than clinging to the past. The cinematography is breathtaking. The lighting is beautiful and it helps establish the tone and feeling of the film at every turn, making it feel almost like a dream. Which is fitting, because at it's core this is a movie about dreams and dreamers. And the way that the camera moves around capturing everything so expertly is another feather in the cap for this entire production crew. I will be shocked and possibly appalled if this movie doesn't win the Oscar for Best director. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are both incredible here, with an insanely good chemistry. The supporting cast are all great too, but there aren't a lot of standouts just because this movie revolves around Mia and Sebastian. The music is just fantastic. I also don't think this film would alienate people who don't like musicals as much as you may think. The first act has several musical numbers, but as the film continues, and you see the plot progress, the amount of musical numbers begins to fade.
This has also quite possibly the best ending to a film I have seen this year. Just like Whiplash before the director crafts a final sequence that is a thing of beauty, leaving you at the mercy of your emotions. It is the only film ending I can think of from 2016 I would put above Hell or High Water. I firmly believe that this is one of the best musicals of all time, and it is without a single doubt in my mind my favorite movie of 2016.
Congratulations Ryan Gosling, you're in my two favorite films of the year, with two completely different but equally fantastic performances.
cpopplestone.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-quick-note-to-start.html
But I will also leave my top three here.
3. Hell or High Water: This is one of those movies that just came out of nowhere and surprised me with how much I liked it. The trailer looked good, but I wasn't expecting what I got. This movie is a visual treat, with beautiful cinematography, and great performances across the board. Nothing about this movie feels glorified. It feels real. The shootouts are pulse pounding, and don't feel like a hollywood scene in any way, shape or form. The banter between the two sets of partners feels like real talk, not like something written on a script. And then you add in that there is almost two antagonists. Jeff Bridges is the lawman, Chris Pine the robber. But the reasons for which Pine's character is stealing money aren't selfish, and you find yourself rooting for him. Yet you can't root against the ranger chasing him, because you know ultimately, he is right. So it leads to a thrilling chase and you feel conflicted the entire journey. Add in one of the best film endings of the year, and this is just a movie that came together perfectly. It's a western set in the modern day, and it just works.
2. The Nice Guys: This is a very sharp, well executed fun time at the movies. I have a feeling this one will gain more of a cult following as time goes on, since it was not a huge hit. I will say, I generally do not like most comedy films. I just have an odd sense of humor, and most of the current day comedies have me sitting there pissed off. Not this movie. While not a pure comedy, this film had me laughing more and harder than any other film of 2016, it just hit the perfect notes for me, so it gets a high spot on the list just for that. Gosling and Crowe are both excellent here, with fantastic chemistry and timing. The girl who plays the daughter is tremendous, and the movie walks the line of being over the top ridiculous without fully crossing over to being too absurb in a perfect way. This is my favorite comedy since Tropic Thunder in 2008 at least, and I probably like it more than that one. You don't see movies like this anymore. It was so original and clever and it just grinds my gears that it didn't do very well. Even one of my best friends, who normally doesn't like movies like this at all, watched this with me and really enjoyed it. Endless quotable, this is just a movie that spoke to me, and I don't care if I get flack for putting it this high.
1. La La Land: Familiar, yet refreshing is a way that I can describe this film. It brings the movies back to a bygone era, but also pushes it forward, by embracing the modern setting rather than clinging to the past. The cinematography is breathtaking. The lighting is beautiful and it helps establish the tone and feeling of the film at every turn, making it feel almost like a dream. Which is fitting, because at it's core this is a movie about dreams and dreamers. And the way that the camera moves around capturing everything so expertly is another feather in the cap for this entire production crew. I will be shocked and possibly appalled if this movie doesn't win the Oscar for Best director. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are both incredible here, with an insanely good chemistry. The supporting cast are all great too, but there aren't a lot of standouts just because this movie revolves around Mia and Sebastian. The music is just fantastic. I also don't think this film would alienate people who don't like musicals as much as you may think. The first act has several musical numbers, but as the film continues, and you see the plot progress, the amount of musical numbers begins to fade.
This has also quite possibly the best ending to a film I have seen this year. Just like Whiplash before the director crafts a final sequence that is a thing of beauty, leaving you at the mercy of your emotions. It is the only film ending I can think of from 2016 I would put above Hell or High Water. I firmly believe that this is one of the best musicals of all time, and it is without a single doubt in my mind my favorite movie of 2016.
Congratulations Ryan Gosling, you're in my two favorite films of the year, with two completely different but equally fantastic performances.
