Salty Popcorn Top 20 Movies of 2016
And so it is another fine movie year draws to a close. I present to you my TOP 20 MOVIES OF 2016. This year’s list is purely based on my own viewings and not the collaborative viewing of the Salty team. I wanted this to truly represent where I come from as a movie critic. If I look back on my last ten years as a movie reviewer and/ or critic I can see one thing has become the main focus for my cinematic maturity that is superior to all. I am no longer swayed by special effects and big explosions, big names no longer mean much to me, the one, and single most important element of a movie is STORY STORY STORY.
“If you build it they will come” so heard Mr Costner back in 1989 from FIELD OF DREAMS and for the love of god would the bean-counting producers of the world hear my cry “STORY STORY STORY.” If you build the story good the rest follows. It is at this point in my life that art-house cinema is starting to hold a much higher appeal as is foreign cinema. They have managed to hold a higher interest due to originality and not the incredibly repetitive movies-by-numbers Hollywood steers itself towards.
STATS:
Only five out of the twenty films are commercial movies. Roadshow came out in front as my best distributor for the year with 5/20 films. Entertainment One is right behind them with 4/20 and big love to Madman with 2/20 but it should be noted Madman hold the first and second positions in my list. And added love to Transmission Films with 2/20 also. It should also be noted this is my first TOP 20 that does not have a U.S. movie in the #1 position. Further to this list – if you would like to see our collaborative list for the TOP 20 WORST FILMS OF 2016 click HERE.
CONDITIONS:
Of my list this year the movie had to be something I viewed in a cinema in 2016. Both JACKIE and LION are not releasing until the first couple of weeks of 2017 but I saw them late in the year and they will both be counted towards the Oscars in 2017. These reviews will also be posted in the next few days. Click on the film title above the poster to be taken to the review for said film. Please note that this is by far the hardest Top 20 list I have ever written, the positions have all changed about a million times in the last month as I have been working on them. In the words of Connor MacLeod “There can be only one.”
Special Note Misses: I sadly missed MOANA before the end of the year and another I was desperate to see was LITTLE MEN. I also failed to catch THE NICE GUYS, MOONLIGHT, AMERICAN HONEY and MANCHESTER BY THE SEA. Plus a million more movies so the list is only from what I could see.
Without further ado please appreciate, hate, love, whinge, whine and judge me on my TOP 20 MOVIES OF 2016.
20) DEEPWATER HORIZON
My favourite action movie of the year.
19) WIDE OPEN SKY
Best documentary for the year.
18) JACKIE
Best performance of the year. I truly think Portman has the Oscar in the bag for this but I really want Emma Stone to win it for LA LA LAND.
17) BOYS IN THE TREES
A film I have supported from am Australian director I adore since before it was written. Love this movie and its star, Toby Wallace.
16) DEPARTURE
Best LGBTI movie of the year – a dark and remarkable story and performance from Lawther.
15) EDDIE THE EAGLE
One of the best feel good movies of the year. Egerton is superb.
14) LA LA LAND
Best old school musical and romance movie of the year. Gosling and Stone have the best chemistry of all time.
13) GREEN ROOM
Best violent movie of the year and such a clever art-house movie that demands to be seen even if it is for Anton Yelchin’s last performance or to see Captain Piccard be an evil monster.
12) SING STREET
Superb Irish movie that leaves you in an incredibly happy mood. 80s homage at its finest.
11) GOLDSTONE
Australian cop movie and Western of the year. A masterpiece.
10) CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Can we go with hippy movie of the year? Maybe movie of the year about a family? Or we can just say Viggo and leave it at that.
9) MIDNIGHT SPECIAL
One of the best art-house science fiction movies of all time that needs to be a cult classic.
8) ROGUE ONE
Star Wars war movie, enough said.
7) ARRIVAL
The best science fiction of the year and one of the most intelligent science fictions since 2001 (the movie, not the year).
6) LION
Australian movie and second most difficult tissue movie of the year. I openly sobbed but they weren’t sad tears.
5) HELL OR HIGH WATER
Western of the year, a masterpiece of cinema.
4) THE WITCH
Haunting, disturbing and phenomenally powerful – and my horror movie of 2016.
3) LAND OF MINE
A joint Danish/ German movie that destroyed me. The saddest and one of the most brilliant movies of 2016 that has resonated with me since the beginning of the year.
2) SWISS ARMY MAN
One of the most original movies ever made. The polar reactions to this film are incredible, it is love it or hate it and for me it was a cerebral magical fart film that is what movies are all about, the imagination. An odd twisted fantasy film that I loved. Also Radcliffe’s best performance since Harry.
And drumroll……………..
1) HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
Bravo to Ricky Baker and Uncle. I have seen this a couple of times now and it is the best comedy of the year and now my favourite movie of the year. Every time I see a clip, watch the movie again or think about any of the scenes I just giggle. It’s a film with an hysterical story that never took itself serious and while I debated having a more serious, critical movie in the #1 I would be lying to you – I LOVE THIS MOVIE above all others for 2016.
YOUR REVIEWER:
Jason King owns, writes and edits Salty Popcorn and Spooning Australia. He is a movie, food, restaurant, wine, chocolate, bacon, burger and brussels sprouts addict. He is a member of the Australian Film Critics Association and has been in the Australian movie industry for 26yrs. Furthermore he loves watching people trip over and is Leonardo DiCaprio’s biggest fan.
** Images used are courtesy of various sources on Google or direct from the distributor or publisher Credit has been given to photographers where known – images will be removed on request.
This list is perfection. Most match up with my top 20 list. Wilderpeople, sing street, and Swiss army man are my top 3.
Thanks so much Brooke – that’s very kind. And your Top 3 are all genius movies 🙂
Wow this is just awesome thank you!
Suicide Squad – Was a lot better than I thought it was going to be!
Deep Water Horizon – Just so good!!! And it’s based on real life events!
Sully – Did a great job of showing what happened, and Tom Hanks was amazing!!!
BLUE RAY
1) Train to Busan (highly underrated despite earning like 99 million USD)
2) Deadpool (immature but still very well paced and I cackled a lot)
3) Tie between Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Your Name and The Nice Guys, all definitely worth checking out
I’m glad you included Boys in the Trees because not enough people saw it. I’m still really keen to check out Land of Mine and I think I need to give Midnight Special a re-watch.
Also Blu-Ray is cool with all the features and visual upgrades but the smaller films are more likely to find on DVD so DVD is better IMO.
‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ – emotive and poignant as well as darn funny
‘Eddie the Eagle’ – I remember watching the games he was competing in and laughing so very hard at his attempts, but cheering him on with gusto, as his tenacity and bravery shone through. This movie was a great story to pull from my memory
’10 Cloverfield Lane’ – horror excellence. Terrifying, but I could not stop watching!
Thanks for showing me some movies I had not heard of too…
My top 3 pick are 3. Suicide Squad as great to see Margot Robbie and Will Smith in a movie together again and just brilliant to see baddies being on good side to save earth! 2. Hunt for WilderPeople as great comedy and never seen Sam Neil in such a epic role before. 1. Arrival as it keeps you guessing and asking questions through out the movie a brillant scifi that i need to see a few more times as i know ive missed things on 1st watch. Your top 20 interesting as not all your top 20 movies were released in 2016, some still to be released in this year 2017? Bluray please!!
Please read the Top 20 article introduction – they are movies I have seen in 2016 that will be included for Oscar purposes. 🙂
1) Hunt for the Wilderpeople
2) Florence Foster Jenkins
3) The Storks
All 3 movies were funny, sweet and life affirming – I walked out from all 3 with a huge smile on my face.
I love your top 20 list – a nice diverse range. I’m going to work my way through the ones I haven’t yet seen.
Thanks for your list, I may have to track a few of those down as I missed them at the cinemas.
My top three for 2016 are……
1) HELL OR HIGH WATER, … they don’t make Westerns like that anymore. The drama. The heist. What more could you want?
2) DEADPOOL …. Oh so wrong, but oh so right!!
3) HACKSAW RIDGE …… Taking us on a journey of the trials and tribulations of World War II.
Blu Ray please 🙂
I saw WAY less movies than I would’ve hoped this year, but here are the very, very best
Honourable Mentions: Son of Saul, The Nice Guys, The Big Short, Room, Train to Busan, The Hateful Eight, The Wailing, High RIse
3) Everybody Wants Some !! : Linklater’s spiritual sequel to Dazed and Confused created such a touching rapport between its utterly convincing cohort of dudes. It was consistently hilarious in a very special way- you develop such affection for the characters that you smile at their comments as though they were your own friends. A film I’ll be rewatching for years.
2) Nocturnal Animals: Tom Ford’s film is a labyrinthine puzzle that entices and revolts in equal measure. It managed to balance three stories so organically, and showcase another incredibly versatile performance by Jake Gyllenhaal. It is my favourite type of film, the kind where lengthy discussions can be enjoyed dissecting its themes – a visually sumptuous, elegiac, beautifully directed film filled with heart pounding scenes.
(drumroll)
1) The Handmaiden: Park Chan-Wook is a director I hold in the same esteem as Scorsese, Spielberg, Tarkovsky, and Nolan, and his latest, an explosively prurient thriller, is no exception. As its plot expertly gesticulates, destroying your every prediction, the pure aesthetic of the film is dazzling, from astoundingly meticulous cinematography and production design to an operatic score. All characters are perfection, and nothing is what it seems. The Handmaiden is pure cinema, and the best (and most underseen) film of 2016.
(just to confirm I’d prefer dvds :))
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to see any of the above movies (yet) as a ten year old somewhat dictates our movie selections. My parents saw ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ and loved it, so it’s definitely at the top of our list to hire on DVD. Thankfully the ten year old’s viewing has matured a bit and ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’ and ‘Fantastic Beasts and where to find them’ were movies that she wanted to see – and she did enjoy both, although she advises they are not in her top 3 movies for 2016, which are:
1. Finding Dory
2. Moana
3. SING.
Miss Ten didn’t like ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ and while Steven Spielberg’s ‘BFG’ was okay, she preferred the 1989 version. We don’t mind either blu-ray or DVD.
To be honest I’m extremely far behind on movies from last year (why cant there be more hours in a day)! But this is the best I could come up with from what I’ve seen!
Central Intelligence (a witty comedy that helped confirm my man crush on The Rock)
Finding Dory (a fun sweet movie, sometimes it’s good to let your inner child out!)
Ride Along 2 (due to my lack of movies watched this train wreck makes my list, but hey was it that bad?)
I love the Top 20 list because as I’ve said I’m a bit behind, but this list narrows down only the best so I don’t need to waste my time on the bad!
I’m a Blu Ray guy but don’t mind the occasional DVD!
What a great list. There were some amazing films released this year!
1. Sing Street – Heartwarming and charming plus a killer soundtrack
2. Hunt For the Wilderpeople – I still have Happy Birthday Ricky Baker stuck in my head!
3. La La Land – A late contender but WOW! The hunky Gosling and the stunning Stone in one film.. whats not to love
Blu Ray or DVD (both are good!)
1) HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE – So many emotions wrapped up in one amazingly fun movie
2) EDDIE THE EAGLE – a great fun movie that really shows that to believe is to win
3) THE WITCH – Truly a very dark and different take on witchcraft and how it may effect those around it
DVD please as I have not entered the age of BluRay yet 🙂
Glad to see “Jackie”on your list as it gets released here on the 12th and now I know I definitely want to see it 🙂
I know it won’t be an Oscar nomination but I really wanted to give a hearty mention to “The Childhood of a Leader ” as well :))
1. Goldstone for that quintessential Aussie quirkiness and the slow burn factor Aaron Pederson delivers. 2. Free State of Jones for its reach into a historical period I knew nothing about and McConaughy wins me over in his dramatic roles 3. Hell or High Water – ever since I watched Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy I’ve enjoyed the “outlaw” genre especially seeing the characters evolve in either a good or bad way. Jeff Bridges does the crusty lawman really well, bits of Rooster in there too. I like your list in particular the ones I haven’t seen yet that I suspect might topple my favourite three – Captain Fantastic, Arrival and Jackie. Blu-ray or DVD is great especially when free.
Hi SP!
My top 3 films of 2016 are:
1) I, Daniel Blake- This film gives a brutal insight to the lives of those who face unsettling times when faced with unemployment and often, how they get left behind. The film is emotional, but shows the resilience of such people to make things better for each other.
2) Sully- Tom Hanks is one of my favourite actors, and he never ceases to captivate me in his films. I loved his portrayal of Captain Sully, and how we relive those heroic moments on the Hudson. Thrilling from start to finish.
3) Hunt for the Wilderpeople- I really didn’t know what to expect from this film, and was so pleasantly surprised at how witty and heartwarming a film it was. The NZ humour was fab, and you fall in love with the cheeky Ricky Baker!
The top 20 has some amazing films listed such as The Arrival, Lion, and The Green Room, again so much better than I thought thst one was going to be!
Thanks for the great reviews SP, they are always a pleasure to read!
Blu ray or regular DVD is fine!
a great year of awesome movies. Loved hunt for the wilder-people and so did my kids – a great family movie, eddie the eagle as the storyline was funny and heart warming and the witch because the kids didnt hassle me to watch it as the title made them scared 🙂
Woo hoo, impressive movie list,i had eyes glued to the list.* The Witch,blew my head off,so I immediately picked this first and formost,captivatingly awesome.*Sully,thoroughly enjoyable,moving and entralling movie magic,Tom Hanks weaved his magical magnifiscense over me! *10 Cloverfield Lane,certainly gripping,took a high point for me at the end were escape
Took a turn in the movie which uplifted it,shook it around and made you eager for more. Dvd please.
1/ La La Land – Music, Nostalgia and Chemistry… a movie that tells you it’s ok to dream – simply awesome
2/ Don’t Breathe – heart pounding thrills, sustained suspense, a classic tale with a subtle allegory and commentary on the modern day decay of detroit
3/ Manchester by the Sea – a movie about misery, guilt and regret backed by the harsh and grim New England location – it’s an intriguing look at a man dealing with personal demons amidst taking care of another. Great cast and funny despite its hard subject matter
DEEP WATER HORIZON – Fantastic Action packed Movie and another great movie with Mark Wahlberg
HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE – One word = HILLARIOUS
GOLDSTONE – loved It, a great Western Movie
Oops forgot to say DVD please 🙂
My top 3 would be Eddie the Eagle, Jackie and Deep water horizon all great movies and left me wanting more of films like that.
forgot to say l have both so either or is fine with me. I already have a list of things I missed out on in 2016 that I just have to catch up with on DVD.
1 Rogue one
It was brilliant, and it didn’t need to rely on any of the main characters to make it amazing!
2 Deadpool
Because Mr Pool told me so.
3 Moana
The music is beautiful!
Blu ray or dvd
1. Mustang – loved everything about this film from storyline, direction and performances.
2. Julietta – return of the Almodovar of old.
3. The Childhood of a Leader – Scott Walker soundtrack was phenomenal.
Oops either DVD or Bluray
Amazing list and some on there that I would dearly love to see.
1 = Sully
2 = Florence Foster Jenkins
3 = La La Land
Bother…forgot to add DVD please
Hacksaw Ridge – hands down the best movie of the year. So inspirational, great story line, wonderful acting and the gore and gruesomeness was so real! Captivating stuff.
Bad Moms – a pretty simple movie but sometimes you just need one of those movies that doesn’t make you think too much and you can have a good laugh at. Mission accomplished.
Rogue One – Star Wars… enough said.
Honourable mention to Storks – have seen this movie 4 times now and it still makes me laugh, definitely one of the better kid’s movies in a while.
DVD or Blu Ray please 🙂
I haven’t seen many of your top 20, so I’ll definitely keep this list aside for future reference.
My top 3:
1. Nocturnal Animals – left me thinking long after I left the cinema about what it all meant and where the characters would go from here. Well-acted, gripping and my most memorable movie of the year.
2. Eye in the Sky – a great ensemble with an edge-of-your-seat plot. I fear this will be overlooked at the Oscars as it came out in the first half of the year but it really is one of the year’s best.
3. The Founder – despite being a captivating true story, this movie lives and breathes off the main performance from Michael Keaton who is just sensational.
Preference: Blu ray please 🙂
My top 3 would definitely be
The green room its a thrilling,edge of ur seat movie that kept me watching from start right to the end
I love it so much its one of my faves I could watch it again n again
THE WITCH ~ its evil n scary my perfect horror movie its instantly thrilling
Lures you in making you want more its actually very chilling
HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE ~ a sad but captivating film that gets you hookef from the start
Takes you on a rollercoaster ride it really gets to your heart xx
DVD please
Star wars ROGUE ONE love my Sci-fi looking forward to watch the Arrival
no2 the Kiwi,s have a hit movie every few years i enjoyed this
no 3 Scary movie The Witch
Loved your top 20 although some are a little too scary for me! My favourites were Hunt for the Wilderpeople – funny, Zootopia – was such a great animated kids movie that you can be anything you want to be and we really all can get along and Captain America Civil War because it was so mush better than the last one and we are a captain American fan family We watch on DVD and buy our favourite movies on bluRay. Really looking forward to seeing Lion!
I loved:
3. The Founder – really interesting true story
2. Girl on the Train – kept me on the edge of my seat
1. Hacksaw Ridge – gruesome but true
I have also written down some of your suggestions and can’t wait to see La La Land.
I would love either DVD or Blu Ray please.
Love this list! My fav 3 for the year are: Eddie the Eagle, The Lobster and The Witch. All 3 were movies that I knew very little about before watching, making them surprise treats to watch.
Would be happy with either DVD or Blu-ray if I won one. Thank you 🙂
I don’t watch horror movies or action films so my top three are….
1/Fantastic Beasts and where to find them
2/Captain Fantastic
3/Tied between Kubo and the two strings or Hunt for the wilderpeople
I haven’t seen any of those movies yet because we live in the country; there are no cinemas close by.
But from what I read my pick would be:
1. La La Land
2. Jackie
3. Deepwater Horizon
I would prefer DVD but would not mind Blu-ray either.
Hunt For The Wilderpeople was just Majestical ;), I loved Sing Street because the story was great and the soundtrack was awesome and Deepwater Horizon was just full on action which seemed even better because it was based on a true story.
Hunt For The Wilderness People ….. Great movie very funny
Rogue One … Loved watching this with my little man who is a true Star Wars fan
The Witch … Great horror movie I thought it was pretty scary.
Either Blue Ray or Video would be fine
1. Deep Water Horizon- It’s a slow build at the beginning but the tension soon rises and then has you hooked. A gripping tragic event and gritty realism shown is refreshing as it is intense.
2. Rogue One- It was frightening, tense, dark and gritty but sprinkled with a bit of humor and comedic relief, felt like a totally believable space fantasy story.
3. Hacksaw Ridge- It leaves you in a state of emotion that describes the horrors of war, the bravery and a sense of thankfulness to past ancestors who had lived in a time to fight for freedom and peace when the world was divided. Blu-ray please.
Hacksaw Ridge is my number 1 I want to see ,need to see! All the rest look great ,I’d watch all of them 2 Rouge One as I seen all the rest of StarWars 3 The Witch. Also .Cheers for chance .
1 Eddie the Eagle was a very inspiring movie, what an inspiration he was . 2 Hacksaw Ridge what an outstanding movie , a real Hero . 3 Hunt for the Wilderness People A movies that is perfect for the family to watch , a very heart warming story . DVD or Blue Ray are both fine . Your list was amazing , l missed a few good movies!!
As a Mum to 2 young kids I don’t get to see too many “Grown Up” movies but I’m a kid at heart so I’m not sure that it alters my viewing choices anyway! 😉
So my top 3 (bearing in mind I have only seen 4 on your list) are
1) Rogue One – because it’s Star Wars. I loved how well they slotted it in between 3 and 4, it felt like it was always meant to be there. I’m glad I saw it before Carrie passed as I know I will revisit it with sadness next time I watch the final scenes. Miss 7 is busting to see this movie but we think we will wait till dvd so she can take a break if it gets too much.
2) Eddie the Eagle – I was fortunate enough to see this in a private screening/cinema at Fox Studios in LA so that elevates my viewing experience to irreplaceable! My friend won a trip to LA and Fox Studios and took me. In the foyer of the little cinema they had all their Oscars and Golden Globes on display – it was very cool. But back to the movie, it was lovely, Eddie was inspiring and it was a fun little history lesson from a time when I was barely walking.
3) Moana – does this count as 2016? Well that’s when I saw it for the first time of what I am sure will be many. I love Disney and Disney Musicals. This film was amazing, we are still singing her songs and I love that she didn’t fall in love with anyway but herself and the sea. I have already downloaded the soundtrack and bought the Lego…..
We would be appreciative of blu-ray or dvd as we have both.
Thanks to you and your team for your 2016 reviews – you helped me choose the handful of grown up movies I did get to see. 🙂
I love all sorts of movies, this is my top 3…
Rouge One
If you love Star Wars, it’s a definite to watch. Enjoyable movie….
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
If you want to see a good comedy, this is the movie to watch. It’s a movie that made u laugh…….
The witch
I love a good horror and this made my heart start……
I didn’t get to the movies much during 2016 and wouldn’t necessarily rate the ones I saw. However, I’m not sure if these were 2016 or not, but 1. DEADPOOL – OMG this was amazing! 2. Ice Age Collision Course – always funny! 3. Zootopia – pretty funny.
I’m normally a regular at the cinemas but 2016 wasn’t great for me personally so I missed too many great films. Going completely against the trend here my favourite films (of what I saw) were The Jungle Book, Captain America – Civil War and Ghostbusters. Each was recognisable, so I suppose my favouritism stems from a feeling of nostalgia; but it’s the cinematography of the modern day that made these films better then ever before.
My preference is BluRay please
[…] it in your calendars now – it was my Number 6 movie from 2016 and it is superb, check our my TOP 20 MOVIES OF 2016 HERE. I included it in my TOP 20 because I saw it in 2016 and wanted to include it for the overseas […]
my top 3 in no particular order: Arrival (finally an intelligent Sci-fi movie with a nice premise and twist), Sing Street (‘Once’ again Mr Carney does an amazing job), Weiner (interesting guy, but what a dick!)
HACKSAW RIDGE – A technical wonder and inspirational true story.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Mystery, Fantasy , engaging and mythical, with moralist undertones, i can see this being a intriguing addicting series of movies. Brings a little magic back into your life.
The Magnificent Seven, I like the multicultural take on this Western. Star lined Cast . Blu ray please.
I haven’t seen any of these movies. I’d like to see Deadpoole. The Mark Wahlberg one about the BP GAS exploding and STAR WARS rouge one. That’s my top 3 pick. You have a lot of good choices in there. A reminder of things I’m yet to see. Super tired and busy after having a baby to go to the movies. I saw Trolls with my oldest son. Should make an effort to go out on date nights lol
A top 3 list. Well, that is far easier for me. I struggled with my top 10 and when I told people I was not including Carol in my top 10, I was nearly ostracised. So many people I know loved it. Mind you it was just outside my top 10. I’ve looked at your top 20 and not a single one is on my Top 10. If we were to go to the cinema together we might need to go to different screens. But I did really enjoy your top 2, the Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Swiss Army Man.
So for me at number 3 is ‘The Measure of a Man’. I love non-happy social realist French movies and this one is sublime with a fantastic performance by Vincent Lindon who took the Cannes and Cesar best actor awards and so deserved they were. This was also the year that gave us ‘I, Daniel Blake’, looking at some similar topics, but Brizé’s film was better.
For number 2, I choose ‘Toni Erdmann’. This was hilarious from start to finish. It’s bittersweet at times, it’s moving and wonderfully acted. I usually don’t find fake teeth funny, but in this movie they were wonderfully used. You said Swiss Army Man was unique, well this is another unique and standout movie for 2016.
I doubt my number 1 movie will feature on many top 10 lists, but I loved ‘Paths of the Soul’, a beautiful and extraordinary story of ordinary Tibetan people undertaking a 1,200-mile pilgrimage to Lhasa. It blurred the border between documentary and fiction. This film was shot over a year and the photography is breathtaking. There are no professional actors and no script, yet it is so rewarding to watch.
As to your top 20. I’ve seen 90 movies this year and yet I haven’t seen most of yours. As mentioned, I really enjoyed your top 2 films. I expected more from Land of Mine and was a little disappointed. Mind you I saw three films that day including the Hunt for the Wilderpeople, so maybe I was harsh. Perhaps I should watch again.
I’m so looking forward to seeing Lion. I keep missing screenings of it. Everybody who has seen it has shed a tear or two, so this should be right up my street. I’ve not seen Jackie either, but it’s another one I’m really looking forward to. Every time I see the trailer I want a little more. I’ve loved one of his previous films The Club. I’m delighted you gave this four and a half kernels. I want to see it now…
I don’t do much science fiction so I’ve not yet seen Arrival or Rogue One. Captain Fantastic: good choice. As you say let’s just leave it at Viggo. You are so right! Thankfully he is in most of the movie. Sing Street was a lot of fun and it’s good to see it on your list. And La La land at number 14. I really enjoyed it and I totally loved Gosling and Stone, but for me, it was not quirky enough. I loved the opening scene, the songs and alternate timeline sequence, but there was not enough of it. Give me more music, singing, dancing and quirkiness I say. But everybody else seems to totally love it, and it’s got a lot of five-star reviews.
I’ve not seen Departure, but now I want to see it. Love the poster!! You gave this a glowing review and I will track it down (legitimately) For me on the LGBTI side, my favourite was Paris 05:59: Théo & Hugo. But I love that real time, before/after sunset type thing.
Finally, Wide Open Sky was certainly cute and enjoyable and worth seeing. This year no documentary has made my top 10 if I ignore ‘Paths of the Soul’. I just didn’t see any memorable ones and I doubt any of those I saw would make my top 50.
If I was lucky enough to win, I have a Blu-ray player and it plays both Blu-rays and DVDs!
Epic entry Cian – wow – nice one – better make sure I have a prize for you 🙂
Your Top 20 Movies of 2016 are, as always, sublime. I’ve seen most of them and now I have to see the rest.
My top 3 are
1. Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Ricky Baker is just perfect. Now, everybody sing the Ricky Baker Happy Birthday song with me.
2. The Big Short. It brilliantly explained a complicated issue in an entertaining way. I’ve worked in the finance industry and even people who work in the industry don’t understand half of what they are doing. The finance industry controls the world and they are sending us to hell in a handbasket.
3. Hell or High Water. The love letter to West Texas is the perfect modern Western. It has bank robberies, big hats and a posse of SUVs.
Special Mention goes to Hail, Caesar. The movie was fun, but the comment from the person sitting behind us was priceless. She was attempting to explain the plot: “It was about a spy who lost his briefcase and it fell in the water.”. Trying not to laugh was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.
OK – the comp is now drawn and I have 46 lucky dips I am drawing – the kitchen floor is covered in DVDs and Blu Rays.
I need EVERYONE’s postal address please – please send to jkdigitaldesigns@gmail.com
Thank you so much for the great dvd’s I received in the mail today. Much appreciated xx
You are very welcome – hope you enjoy whatever you got 🙂
Hi,
Just wondering if there was any chance they were sent with tracking? Getting a bit anxious as I haven’t received mine yet, but I do live in Cairns so it may just be slow 🙂 Thanks again, I’m like a giant kid with a lucky dip – so exciting!
No tracking sorry – I did find a bag of envelopes in the back of my van that didn’t post to this week so hopefully you are in that one.
Yes I haven’t received a parcel from you in the mail either. Can you tell me what DVD/blu ray you sent me so I can double check with my son as he has got mail for me over last week. Even though he hasn’t mentioned any DVDs in mail.
Thank you
Rebecca
No idea what movies you got sorry, was a literal lucky dip out of piles and put in envelopes – I did find a bag of envelopes in the back of my van that didn’t post to this week so hopefully you are in that one.
Hi, thank you I’ll keep a eye out in mail anyway. Rebecca
Hi,
Thought I’d let you know I received my lucky dip in mail today. Thank you so much
Rebecca
Hi Jason My Prize came today!! Thank you so much really appreciate it!!
Great news – enjoy 🙂