Friday, 6 January 2017

Top 10 movies of the year 2016



Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my countdown and Happy Very Late New Year everybody!

Last year, i covered my ten controversies moments of 2016 and fives of the best and the worst games of 2016. So now im in the final part, that is the movies.

As you know, its only my pick that i watched. If some of your movie is not on my list, let me know at the comments bellow, i like to know what your movie is about.

Now before il starting with countdown, im gonna start talking about honorable mention and dishonorable mention.

Honorable mention: Race

This film was based on the true story about an African-American athlete name Jesse Owens went to the Olympic in Berlin, however in Germany, it had Nazis to not only hate the Jews, but also hate other races (Well most of them like Japanese, since they teamed up during WW2.). So Jesse has to compete with his fellow Americans to win the event for peace.

To be fair, this movie is not bad, with interesting story, good production and interesting acting. But i find that the story is rather i bit long that i can't wait to see the Olympic and a near beginning of WW2. Even though the story is like nothing special, its just like... Above average.

Although this film was directed by Stephen Hopkins, who's best know that he directed "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers". And Stephan James did a nice work as a old Athlete.

I considered it an average movie if you like Olympic movie or true story movie. If you're asking about my favorite true story movie, i prefer Rush, its a film that i love it so much as a fan of Formula 1.

Dishonorable mention 1: Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice

At first, i though it will be a great movie when i first read on the internet, i jumped in and... Good lord, talk about a waste of time.

The story feels non-exist, the characters could've been likable, the writing is a joke and Zack Snyder could've make something sense about our fav heroes, but it ended up flushing to the toilet.

But, the production looks amazing, the acting is not bad and action scene was awesome. But they could've give us a development to know who they are, but Snyder did a same thing like Man of Steel, its all about the action with less story.

Lets just hope that Wonder Woman movie or Justice League will be better in 2017.

Dishonorable mention 2: Ghostbusters 2016

....


I don't have anything else about it, because this movie is a cancer...   No wonder why this movie had a Box Office Bomb...  Do me a favor, stay away from demonic movie, its not worth it and not worth to have a sequel...



Now i got them out of my way, lets get started my countdown, shall we?


Number 10: Suicide Squad

Don't give me wrong, i understand this movie wasn't as great that what we expected. But its more likely a guilty pleasure movie.

Although the story is interesting, but it doesn't help that the subplot is just a waste, like come on, we already got the relationship between The Joker and Harley Quinn, but we need to focus with the villains dealing against the Enchantress.

The acting is above average at best to say. Will Smith did a nice work as Deadshot, Margot Robbie did a beautiful performance as Harley and Jared Leto is not bad.  I understand some characters are mixed bag, but i find some of them are interesting.

The action scene is fun to watch, although some action like where Suicide Squad dealing with The Joker is, like i said before, a waste of time that this movie is been 2 hours.

My other reason why its in number 10, its because it has some of the songs that are pretty obvious that i listened before like Ozzy Osbourne, Eminem, The White Stripes, ACDC and even The Queen. They could've focus with composure music or even a remix from the internet, instead of borrowing some of the songs from a radio.

If they're gonna make a sequel or a spin-off of it, i hope it would be fun, entertaining and make sense.

Number 9: Star Trek Beyond

Although Star Trek is a descent movie, but like i said last year, im not a Trekkie person, cause im more into Star Wars.

Aside for my opinion, its been 50 years since this movie came out for their anniversary. But the movie was more than above average.

The story is not bad, even it was like separated that its hard to what are we focus on, where Kirk and Chekov has to find the ship, to healing Spock or even others has to save the crews to the rescue.

The production of this movie is fascinating to watch, the backgrounds, the ships, the planet and a cool makeup and effects for the creatures. Which i was expected to giving a 8/10, but in reality that i gave 7.

Some of the characters are interesting, since of of them are reprising for their role. Even though this is the last film with Anton Yelchin when he died with a fatal car crash to the pillar.

Whether your Star Trek fan or not, this is the film where no viewers had gone before.

Number 8: Deadpool

Spoiler Alert, i changed my rating to 7/10, because ... *closing up on you* Don't tell at Deadpool. I liked the movie, but it has a flaws.

Anyway, its really nice to have our favorite Mercenary in the big screen with Ryan Reynolds reprising his role since X-Man origin: Wolverine.

Deadpool himself is like stealing his show for his culture reference, fun action and always doesn't give a F***.

The action scene is fun and entertaining with blood and S***, the production looks good, even though its kinda awkward like the scene where Deadpool fight against Ajax on the fire that you can nearly see his D*** out. I mean i know its an R-rated movie, but at least it has some 4th wall breaking.

But the story could've be original, its pretty much Formulaic where Wade has to save his girlfriend from Ajax's threat and...   Thats it, its just a typical damsel in distress movie. Like, did you play Super Mario Brother a lot, Deadpool?

Oh well, its been quickly announced that they're gonna make a sequel where Deadpool is teaming up with Cable. So lets hope it will be better than before.

Number 7: Rogue One

Ever since that i heard about Rogue One, i was pretty curious about this movie, since it was the first anthology film of Star Wars.

since it came out, it ended up with more above average.

The story about finding the plan to destroying Death Star makes sense since we really want to know how did the rebels found made the plan in "The new hope". But it ended up ruin to have a subplot about Jyn's father where she wants to find him for the reunion. Like, i don't know why they stopped the main plot for her family.

The production is pretty cool, since it came out in 2016 with CGI. I like the makeup of the characters of flashback and some planets are pretty cool and even mention their names to know where our heroes coming in. Well, except for Jedha, its just lame generic desert planet. I mean come on, we got Tatooine and Jakku and then this? No wonder why it got destroyed by Death Star.

Speaking of Death Star, although its too early to showing it that what i expected, but the scene where it blasted the planet to destroy it is pretty damn slow unlike "The new hope" did.

The characters is not easy how im i gonna like, Jyn Erso is alright, since she's our main protagonist. Like come on, "The phantom menace"'s characters is more likable than them!
Sarcastic aside, they did have some good characters like Chirrut Imwe and  K-2SO, i mean they made me enjoyed to see them in action.

The movie was fun, but its not as perfect film. Even though it though this movie was flopped, but it was ironically succeed with more than $700K. So right now, im anticipating to see Episode VIII.

Number 6: Sausage Party

Well Jesus F***, this is a movie that i was surprised that its the first time that i watched an R-Rated animated film.

Though i am aware its an anti-religion movie with foods has to dealing with humans known as "Gods", which they're obviously not a friendly God that we expected, if you saw a controversial trailer. The jokes in this movie is always some adult jokes and swearing. They always cracking me up, especially with baby carrots got killed with "They're eating children!! F***ing Children!!!".

Though i like the concept, but the main plot is kinda like it paused that we introduce some stereotypes of characters (Since some foods came from various countries, i guess its true.) as well with some sexy female foods. (Yes, im looking for you, Brenda Bunson.)

Not to mention, the animation is obviously a parody of Toy Story, but with foods. I find it to be interesting, but even some designs that kinda creep'd me out like the hot dog buns, which they have a mouth in vertical, but other designs wasn't that good, like the design of Taco shell that they have a face on the side. For the humans, they're either generic or even fan-servicy like a woman name Camille Toh.

For me, its probably the most interesting adult film ever made of 2016. Not to mention, they're gonna make a sequel, because... i don't want to tell the truth from the final act.

Number 5: Finding Dory

This one, i could've put it higher in my list, because i find it to be impressive. Well, only my opinion for which films that i love.

Anyway, this is a sequel from the first film Finding Nemo, but in this movie, it focused of our fav amnesiac fish Dory who remembers her family that she's lost in the sea. Well, kinda, since like we all know, she suffered a memory loss.

The animation are gorgeous, since its like an update of the first movie. It has beautiful maps and some cool fish designs, which they did a similar concept of the expression of faces and even how the fishes movies.

The characters are quiet fun. But i always like to watching Dory, she's always my fav fish in the movie, she has a lot of fun moments in the first movie. In the sequel, not only she's fun, but also sympathetic, which i understand why she misses her family for a reunion.

This movie is not only a searching, its more likely a reuniting a family, i like the concept, since we grew up, we always like to looking back of our parents or our old friends. Its pretty touching and understandable. I like that movie.

Number 4: Moana

Talk about a beautiful adventure and a welcome back of Ron Clements and John Musker. Which easily considered their first film in CGI.

Like Rogue One, i was pretty curious about this movie that i though it could be a new Disney princess. But i think it wasn't, since our titular character is more like a daughter of chief.

The story is pretty cool, even though some say that the story feels a bit like other Disney film that they done before, but im ok for that.  Even though people felt its movie in Hawaii, but they're wrong, its a fairy tail film of  Polynesian. and yes, Disney did have their movie of Hawaii, such as Lilo and Stich.

The animation is amazing with realistic feel of water, some cute animal designs and cool character designs. And they even have hand-drawn animation like Maui's tattoo. Well done, Eric Goldberg. Even though that chicken name Heihei looks rather... Derpy.  I guess it kinda explain why Ron Clements called it "A dumbest character in Disney history.".

The characters are likable in the movie. Even though it focused with two. With Moana as a nice and respectful girl and Maui being a muscular and comedic, i find them pretty fun to watch, since this is the debut role of Auli'i Cravalho and better pick role of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

So now im done with Disney, im moving on to two Pixar films like Coco (Which it was inspired on the Mexican's holiday "Day of the dead".) and Cars 3 (Which this one is gonna be different than before when i saw a trailer.).

Number 3: The Jungle Book 2016

After an average live action film of Cinderella, Jon Favreau came back to make his own live action remake of The Jungle Book. The 1967 version was classic that it was a last film that Walt Disney produced before he died in 1966 with throat cancer of smoking. Im pretty sure you all know his tragic death.

Anyway, when the animated one was popular, many directors wanted to cash in to make a movie based on the Kipling's story, like Chuck Jones's "Mowgli's brother" or even a remake one in the 1994 simply called "Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book" that was directed by Stephen Sommers and starred Jason Scott Lee.

But the remake that i liked is the 2016 one and it is fantastic and it followed the book (Well, for about like 80%.). Its about a mancub named Mowgli who's been adopted by Bagheera that he borrowed him to the wolf pack. But not before Shere Khan comes in about mancub in the jungle that he wants to kill him very bad. so its up to Mowgli who's either sent to the village or dealing against the evil tiger.

The story followed with a mixed between the 1967 version and the book. Im very impressed what they did.

The production looks pretty cool of the jungle, despite it was filmed on blue screen for the jungle in LA. The animals looks pretty cool to look at. but some animals design is rather a bit cheap like Bagheera a bit and Kaa for her big eyes, i know they made her a bit similar from the animated one, but that is kinda creepy.

The characters are interesting, like i think Neel Sethi's role of Mowgli is much more interesting than the animated one (No offense fanboys.), he's rather a nice kid to other animals (Well most of them, like where he saved Hathi Jr for the elephants), he can build his invention that the animals called it "Tricks" (Since he's a trickster.) and at least he doesn't whining about the man village. Even though he knews about the Man's traps or Red Flower.

And the others like the animals, although Bagheera is interesting, Baloo is a fun bear (Since he was voiced by Bill Murray), Kaa is kinda disappointed that she only has a small appearance for Mowgli's backstory and the wolf pack and Shere Khan got more appearance than the animated one. Im pretty sure the writer is a big fan of the book, right?

Since it was successful, they actually made a sequel with Sethi returns as Mowgli. Im pretty sure they're gonna followed the book where he meets his Grey brother and confronting against a jungle hunter name Buldeo. We'll find out about it. Meanwhile, there's gotta be another The jungle Book movie that was directed by Andy Serkis (aka Gollum and Supreme Leader Snoke.) Im pretty curious about it next year.

Number 2: Captain America Civil War

Though to be fair, Doctor Strange is also a good movie, but its not good enough than Civil War for my list.

Anyway, this one easily better than Batman V Superman and its easily one of my fav film of Marvel Cinematic Universe along with Iron Man and The Avengers.

This movie was based on the book with a same name and it takes place takes place somewhere after Age of Ultron. The Avengers is once again fight the bad guys, but they went too far that not only kill a bad guy, because damaging the citizens around the world. This result that United Nation is preparing The Sokovia Accords and controlling the team for from the power. Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) admitted that the creation has cause a lot of problem that he'll join the authority and Steven Rogers defends his team for saving the world. This resulting The Avengers going down of hill for the arguments for protection of the world and of course, the groups are splitting in half for confrontation between heroes and the authority.

The story is pretty interesting it followed the book for having our heroes fighting each other. I love it.

The production is pretty cool for the costume designs, the action and the backgrounds. It looks amazing that it feels like in the comic, but in live action film.

The characters are always likable. and not to mention, the heroes can also be a bad guy like Iron Man. And no, i haven't seen some other MCU for introducing some characters like Falcon, War Machine, Scarlet Witch or even Vision. Im not saying i don't like them, i like them as well. The acting is pretty good and fun for watching, since they did a good performance. Yes, im looking for you, Robert Downey Jr (Although some say he's about to retire his role, but im not sure, he's got few more films for his role like Spiderman Homecoming and even Infinity War

But the reason why its not on number 1, its because they introduce their characters too soon for their upcoming films like Spiderman and even Black Panther. Which Peter Parker will gets his own movie in this year (2017) and T'Challa gets his film in 2018.


Aw well, hope Spiderman will be better for the third attempt, but i also can't wait to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Thor: Ragnarok. Lets find out which one will be great.

Well, it may not be the best film i've ever seen in 2016, its more specifically a best live-action film of 2016 that i watched.



And now, my number one film of the year 2016 goes to...



Number 1: Zootopia


Out of all the films that came out in 2016, this one easily to be one of the best animated film and also the best film i've ever watched.

Though the story is not bad, i find it pretty interesting. Its likely an underdog about Judy Hopps who's dreamed to be a first bunny cop in Zootopia, which she was in the first act, but forced to be in parking duty by Chief Bogo. Unless the movie gets interesting about some animal citizens who turned into a savage for...  Well, i won't explaining more about the story for spoiler.
Well ok, il tell a little bit of spoiler, which i want to tell my small issue. My issue is that the ending has been done before, which it has a similar final act that the good guy happened to be a bad guy who behind it. Its been done before like Frozen and Wreck-It Ralph.  If they're doing the same thing, it will become a cliche.

But what it makes this movie is so great, its the animation, it has a beautiful and creative background (Since its a fictional City of zoo animals.), colorful city, the characters are impressive designs for how they feel like real life animals like the size, similar portray and other stuff and the animation is nicely work for their moves and the funny gags.

The characters is are fun and likable to watch, with Judy Hopps as a brave cop, Nick Wilde as a con artist of comedic, Chief Bogo as a big officer, Gazelle as a beautiful pop-star and more. The other characters are quiet interesting and a perfect fit for the portrayal like animals (Well, for like 90%.).

The movie also has a good message of discrimination and bigotry. I mean, at least Zootopia has good knowledge message unlike what we have in USA. (Thanks a lot, Donald Dump. And no wonder why im in Canada.)

Either way, im very surprised that Disney studio has done plenty of good films in 2010-era with execution, creative story, fun characters, good songs and a beautiful and colorful animation. No offense Pixar, i still love you guys with Inside-out and Finding Dory... ^^;

Ever since Disney made a great film like Zootopia, it definitely deserve to my number 1 best film of the year 2016.


Whew, thank goodness im done talking about 2016, we all know that it was a bad year of deaths, politics and other stuff. So now we're in 2017 and hopefully it will be a good year if something has done right.

So, my new years resolution will once again, saving my money. But my goal is to studying my chores for my future apartment and maybe get a car since im 21. What about yours? What is your new years resolution?

Aside from the question, if you have your honorable mention of the film isn't in my list, your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at the comments bellow.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.

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