‘The Cinapse Crew’s Top Ten Films of 2016

With top ten lists coming out from every critic under the sun, the team here at Cinapse naturally had to offer our own two cents (shameless plug/intended pun). However since we are Cinapse, we couldn’t help but include, in addition to the La La Lands and Moonlights, a number of surprising entries among the class of 2016. While a few of these films (and you know which ones) will more than likely not show up on most other critics’ lists, this motley gang of movie lovers feel that each of the titles, in their own way, helped make 2016 a most memorable year in cinema.

Enjoy the team’s pick and (in select cases) their linked reviews.

Alex Williams —

1. La La Land
2. 20th Century Women
3. Hell or High Water
4. Arrival
5. Green Room
6. The Neon Demon
7. The Handmaiden
8. Manchester by the Sea
9. The Invitation
10. Kubo and the Two Strings

Austin Vashaw (Austin’s 2016 in Review on Letterboxd) —

1. Star Trek Beyond
2. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
3. The Nice Guys
4. Green Room
5. 13th
6. Blood Father
7. Captain America: Civil War
8. Train to Busan
9. A Violent Prosecutor
10. The Magnificent Seven

David Delgado (David’s 2016 in Review on Letterboxd) —

1. La La Land
2. Arrival
3. Moonlight
4. Green Room
5. The Handmaiden
6. The Witch
7. Swiss Army Man
8. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
9. Manchester by the Sea
10. American Honey

Ed Travis —

1. Moonlight
2. Manchester by the Sea
3. Green Room
4. The Witch
5. La La Land
6. O.J. Made in America
7. Arrival
8. Tower
9. Krisha
10. Silence

Frank Calvillo —

1. Arrival – A thoughtful comment on the power of language and the importance of communication wrapped in a grand sci-fi story that never loses its intimate nature.
2. Manchester by the Sea – A searingly excellent and well-written study in depression and grief that brings out the best in every member of its cast.
3. 20th Century Women – Featuring the year’s greatest screenplay, this film’s snapshot of a world in transition is thought-provoking and insightful from the first frame until the last.
4. Sing Street – Uplifting, inspiring and boasting one of the best soundtracks of the year, this musical/comedy now reigns as the ultimate tale of chasing dreams.
5. The Family Fang – Jason Bateman’s sophomore directing effort re-writes the cinematic definition of family dysfunction for a film that’s both a dark comedy and a cathartic drama.
6. Hello, My Name is Doris – One of the most heartwarming coming-of-age tales ever put to film that’s bolstered by a great screenplay and a winning performance by Sally Field.
7. A Monster Calls – The visionary J.A. Bayona’s film is both a visual marvel and a poignant tale of loss, fear, bravery and the end of childhood.
8. Moonlight – This look at what it means to not only exist in a specific world, but also how to adapt to it in order to survive, is the kind of storytelling that possesses raw cinematic beauty.
9. Green Room – A gut-churning thriller about conflicting political beliefs and societal ideals that’s equal parts excruciating and entertaining.
10. The Nice Guys – This fresh take on the buddy comedy offered up an endless series of jokes, a plot that pulled no punches and a pair of worthwhile parts for its two leading actors.

Jacob Sahms —

1. Silence
2. Hacksaw Ridge
3. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
4. Hidden Figures
5. Zootopia
6. Hell or High Water
7. Deadpool
8. Arrival
9. Kubo & Two Strings
10. Midnight Special

Jon Partridge —

1. The Handmaiden – A gripping, intelligent story with lush visuals, and a dark perverse streak that is pure Park Chan-Wook running right through it. Sensual, sly, sweet, and scissoring. A masterpiece from the Korean maestro.
2. La La Land– Nostalgic, but equally a breath of fresh air that reaffirms the potency of the musical. Its resonance is strengthened with a bittersweet quality that tempers its escapism. A showcase of talent, creativity, and chemistry that charms and captivates. It’s one of the best films of the year, and it’s certainly the best antidote to the past twelve months we could ask for.
3. Moonlight – In this, my list of favorite films of the year, Moonlight is #3, in my list of best films, it’s an unparalleled #1. A towering cinematic achievement. A film that handles its subject matter with a grace and tenderness that is only matched by its raw emotion. Moonlight is one of the most vital and moving experiences you’ll have in a cinema in this, or indeed any, year.
4. The Lobster – A wickedly deadpan tone permeates this absurdist and unsettling world created by Yorgos Lanthimos. A nonchalant and weird look at love that is surprisingly profound and insightful.
5. Green Room – I first saw Green Room at Fantastic Fest in 2015 and despite this, it remained solidly lodged in my top 10 list for 2016 releases all year. It’s a film that grips you and thoroughly shakes you. A masterclass in tension and filmmaking.
6. Elle – A masterful work of provocation by Verhoeven using the unparalleled talents of Isabelle Huppert to explore sex, power, and the darkness within. Darkly comedic, magnificently disturbing.
7. Kubo and the Two Strings – A soaring achievement in every respect. Wonderful storytelling married to animators at the height of their craft. One of the most joyful cinematic experiences of 2016.
8. High-Rise – “He’s raping the wrong people”. Dark, disturbing, and delectable. An audacious and engrossing piece of filmmaking.
9. Arrival – Smart, considered, and with a surprisingly affecting emotional component. Amy Adams delivers an incredible performance to imbue the film with grief that is counterbalanced by a sense of hope, making for a quietly devastating masterpiece.
10. The Nice Guys – Perhaps the film I’ve revisited the most during 2016. Just an utter blast from start to finish. The Shane Black formula refined to perfection with the amazing combo of Gosling, Crowe and newcomer Angourie Rice. A noir mystery that combines action, laughs, smarts and stuff.

Justin Harlan (Justin’s Top 20 on Letterboxd) —

1. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
2. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
3. Sing Street
4. Green Room
5. Zootopia
6. Krisha
7. 10 Cloverfield Lane
8. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
9. The Invitation
10. The Nice Guys

Rod Machen —

1. Moonlight
2. La La Land
3. American Honey
4. Manchester By the Sea
5. Hell or High Water
6. Krisha
7. 20th Century Women
8. The Invitation
9. Arrival
10. Green Room