Justin’s list of the best – and worst – of 2016
Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood recreate the Miracle on the Hudson. Ellen DeGeneres returns as everyone’s favorite forgetful fish. Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling play good cop, bad cop. Melissa McCarthy getting fired. Matthew McConaughey in a dreary Civil War drama. A franchise whose recent performance was so lackluster, the final chapter is being made for TV. What do these six films have in common? Well, for me, they were either very good or very, very bad.
2016 was a polarizing year for audiences and they had luxury of either choosing great, memorable entertainment or something abysmal and atrocious that lingers in the back of their minds like a stinky piece of cheese. As a film critic, I saw a total of 63 films shattering the old record of 52 set by last year. I had to endure the best and worst of what Hollywood had to offer. Plus, like I do every year, I have also included my picks for runner-up.
Without further ado, let the countdowns begin!
10 Best of 2016:
1. Deadpool
2. Doctor Strange
3. Captain America: Civil War
4. Hacksaw Ridge
5. Finding Dory
6. Sully
7. The Jungle Book
8. Moana
9. 10 Cloverfield Lane
10. The Nice Guys
Runner-up: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
10 Worst of 2016:
1. Dirty Grandpa
2. Mother’s Day
3. The Boss
4. Inferno
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
6. The Divergent Series: Allegiant
7. Free State of Jones
8. The Girl on the Train
9. Incarnate
10. God’s Not Dead 2
Runner-up: Blair Witch
And there you have it. 20 films that were in need of sweet rejoicing or some sweet revenge. With the exceptions of Doctor Strange and Moana, all of my 10 best films are now available on Blu-Ray and DVD. Hacksaw Ridge will be released February 21st.
With 2016 officially in the books, it’s time to look ahead to 2017. Here are 17 of my most anticipated films coming out this year:
The Founder (Jan. 20th)
The LEGO Batman Movie (Feb. 10th)
John Wick: Chapter 2 (Feb. 10th)
Logan (Mar. 3rd)
Kong: Skull Island (Mar. 10th)
Beauty and the Beast (Mar. 17th)
The Fate of the Furious (Apr. 14th)
Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 (May 5th)
Alien Covenant (May 19th)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (May 26th)
Wonder Woman (June 2nd)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7th)
Dunkirk (July 21st)
Blade Runner 2049 (Oct. 6th)
Thor: Ragnarok (Nov. 3rd)
Justice League (Nov. 17th)
Star Wars: Episode VIII (Dec. 15th)
I’ll be at the movies as often as possible in this forthcoming year to let you know what to see and what to skip. Here’s hoping 2017 is a lot more satisfying than this year was. Only time will tell.
Until next time, this is Justin Hall wishing you all of you a very safe and happy New Year and as always, I’ll see you AT THE MOVIES!
