2016 was an impressive year for films and festivals. While some of my favorite films (“Maudie,” “Katie Says Goodbye,” “Tramps,” and “Colossal”) won’t be out until next year, there’s a great array of films that you can see in theaters and VOD/DVD right now that have made my top list for 2016. You’re going to see a few titles that aren’t on any other film critic’s list (and that’s a good thing), as I try to seek out the hidden independent gems in film. Be sure to read the full reviews of each of these films as not every film is going to be for everyone.
TOP 10 FILMS OF 2016:
1. FENCES (review)
2. INDIGNATION
3. MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (review)
4. LION (review)
5. HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE (review)
6. DON’T THINK TWICE (review) (link to interviews)
7. ARRIVAL (review)
8. CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (review)
9. LOVE & FRIENDSHIP (review)
10. THE DRESSMAKER (review)
Honorable Mentions Include: “Morris From America” (review), “The Infiltrator” (review), and “Hell or High Water” (review),”La La Land” (review), “Nocturnal Animals,” “Jackie,” “Loving,” “Little Men,” “Hidden Figures” and “Midnight Special” (review) (interview with Jeff Nichols)
TOP 10 HIDDEN INDIE GEMS of 2016
1. WELCOME TO HAPPINESS (review)
2. PUSHING DEAD (review)
3. BFFs (review)
4. HONEYBUDDIES/BUDDYMOON (review)
5. GRAND UNIFIED THEORY (review)
6. THE TAIL JOB (interview)
7. DO OVER (review) (NOT the Adam Sandler one…the Gina Field film!)
8. THE FATHER AND THE BEAR (review)
9. THE AMERICAN SIDE (review)
10. HOW TO TELL YOU’RE A DOUCHEBAG
Honorable Mentions Include: “Stevie D,” “Bear With Us (review),” “Where We’re Meant to Be (review),” “The Arbalest” (review) “Jessica” (review)“Dating Daisy” (review) “Red Christmas” (review), “Comfort” (review) , “Honeyglue” (review), and “Career Oportunities in Organized Crime” (review)
TOP 10 DOCUMENTARIES of 2016:
1. COMMAND AND CONTROL (review)
2. RESILIENCE (review)
3. CIRCLE OF POISON ((review)
4. SOUTHWEST OF SALEM: THE STORY OF THE SAN ANTONIO 4 (review)
5. LIFE, ANIMATED
6. NUTS!
7. CITY OF GOLD (interview) (review)
8. WHERE TO INVADE NEXT (review)
9. HOW TO LET GO OF THE WORLD AND LOVE ALL THE THINGS CLIMATE CAN’T CHANGE (review)
10. THE SYNDROME (review)
Honorable Mentions Include: “Bugs” (review), “Do Not Resist” (review),”Visitor’s Day,” “Women He’s Undressed” (review) “Love Thy Nature” (review), “Bugs,” “Rwanda & Juliet” (review)“I Am Bolt,” “Denial” (review)“Packed in a Trunk” (review) “I am the Blues” (review) “Insatiable: The Homaro Cantu Story” (review) “Hope for All,” and “Sonita”
TOP 10 FOREIGN FILMS OF 2016
1. PERFECT STRANGERS (PERFETTI SCONOSCIUTI) (review)
2. TONI ERDMAN
3. AFTER THE STORM (review)
4. THE WAILING (review)
5. MOTHER (review)
6. THE UNKNOWN GIRL
7. JULIETA
8. THE CLAN
9. L’ATTESA (review)
10. PARCHED (review)
Thanks to everyone for checking out this list and for reading my reviews throughout the year. 2017 looks to be quite promising! I’ll be covering Sundance, SXSW, Phoenix, Tribeca, and Toronto again this coming year to keep you abreast of all the great films coming out. And the Waterfront Film Festival returns in South Haven, MI which always finds wonderfully amazing indie gems that I’ll be able to share with you.
Cheers and Happy (Healthy) New Year to everyone!