Via Giphy
While I know this is a tad bit late as we're about two weeks into 2017, but I've fallen off blogging for a couple of week. So, in order to get back up onto the horse I've fallen off of, here's my list of some of the best films that I saw last year. Here is also something far less analytical and heavily opinionated and biased, which is completely different from most of what I put out here.
10.Audrie & Daisy - via IMDB
Similar to 2015's The Haunting Ground, Audrie & Daisy is also a documentary about rape and sexual assault. However, what it does better than The Haunting Ground is that it makes it seem more personal. While both films are documentaries about things that actually to these young women, this film presents these two young women's stories in ways that make it feel as if you knew them, so it hit harder. It also shows the effects of online bullying, which it also something that needs to be talked about more. This film hit me hard and I honestly, didn't expect what I got from it. It's definitely not your run-of-the-mill documentary.9. Hail, Caesar
A celebration to the earlier stages of cinema, Hail, Caesar is a film that I enjoyed a lot though I didn't expect much from it. It's the kind of film "film studies people" like myself would enjoy simply because of it's homage to the many genres of Classical Hollywood cinema and the portrayal of the history of the early Hollywood studios. Though the story is a bit underwhelming and lacked substance because of the fact we had no real connection to any of the star-studded side stories, the performances, dialogue, and set/costume design make up for it.
8. Hush - via IMDBHush is a film I thought I would turn on and just sit and let it play in the background as I went about my work. I thought it was your typical, terrible horror flick. It has a seemingly sub-par plot description and although it sounded interesting, I've seen to many bad horror movies to be swayed by an "OK" description, but after the first couple of minutes, I was entranced and I was so involved with everything going on, I completely ignored my work. It was like a breath of fresh air for the horror genre and I applaud Mike Flanagan for making movies that can prove to everyone that horror isn't dead.
7. 10 Cloverfield Lane
This film is one I didn't expect much from, but from start to end this film kept me hooked and it didn't hurt that the cinematography was gorgeous. I know little to nothing about the Cloverfield genre whatsoever, but it didn't matter because while it touched on some elements from the previous film, that wasn't the ismain focus of the film, so I could quietly follow along without little to no confusion at all. It was refreshing to see a thriller about something different since now-a-days most of the thrillers I see are either crappy Lifetime movies or rip offs of Gone Girl, so for that I'm looking forward to see what else Dan Trachtenberg will do in the future.
6. The Neon Demon - via IMDBA majority, if not all, of my friends hated this movie. I, on the other hand, adored it. I didn't get to see it in theatres, but I wish I had. It's not only stunning visually, but there's a lot to this film. A lot of people say it's more style over substance and that it's a bit hollow, which is true if you take it merely for what you see. Then it's a uncomprehensive mess, but digging deeper you can see that the characters are not telling the story, everything else is. There's much more to the story than just what you see and I can appreciate any film that makes me think about it the way this movie does. Plus, Jena Malone.
5. Nocturnal AnimalsI knew this film was going to be good. I just knew it. And there's no surprise that it was. It's broken up to tell three different stories, and each one is interesting in it's own way, though some more so than others. However, like The Neon Demon, there's more to the tale than what you see. It's a tale of revenge, yes, as we physically see Amy Adams stand in front of a painting that says in bold text, "REVENGE", but it also a film about the integrity of artists and the artistic expression, which is something I can get behind. And also, Jena Malone (even though she was only in 2 scenes).
4. Zootopia - via IMDBZootopia is a delightful animated film that's not only fun, but it's smart in the aspect that is has a obvious message, but it doesn't distract away from the story to say what it has to say. It's executed in a way that's fun and cute enough for children and provocative and enlightening enough for adults who want to see something more than just talking animals and singing sisters. If this film doesn't win for Best Animated Feature I'm going to die.
3. The LobsterThis film left me in awe. From it's absurdist plot to the monotone characters to it's somewhat brutal ending, this film floored me. It's different from anything I've ever seen before, but it connects so well to the struggles of modern dating in today's times. It's a satire and not to be taken for face value by any means, but it's critique about the way we have relationships with one another is done in an engaging and elegant way.
2. Moonlight - via IMDBHere we have another film that left me in awe, but for completely different reasons. This film is heartbreaking, but it holds such an understanding about the human experience, about isolation, sexuality, loneliness and the need to be accepted by certain people in our lives. And most importantly, it's about identify and how we shape who we want to be in a world where who you may want to be is not acceptable. It's such a specific film and that's why it shines. The hardships and struggles that Chiron faces are specific to him and others like him as most of us have never or will never got through what he's gone through. Most people cannot relate to Chiron's story, but the overall message of the him that's explored in Chiron's story. That right, there, is universal.
1. La La Land - via IMDB
This was a hard thing list to make. There were so many great films that came out this year and so many films I didn't get to see that I wish I had because they may have made this list. So, here are some honorable mentions for some films that were good, but not better than the ones I've previously listed. These are in no specific order:
1. Jackie2. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates3. Loving4. Bad Moms5. Green Room6. Tallulah
