The Best and Worst Movies of 2016: Rosy the Reviewer's Top Ten

In my movie-going life over the last year, I have kissed a lot of movie frogs but I have also danced with a lot of movie princes, so I thought I would share what I have learned so you can avoid the frogs and find your prince.

Here is my list of the Best and the Worst movies of 2016. 

It is not a comprehensive list by any means, because I haven't seen every movie released, so you can think of this list more as those that were my favorites and those I hated.  I give you a little pithy comment about each, but if you want more details, click on the film title to read my original full review.

 

 

***The Best***

1. La La Land

Rosy the Reviewer says...a modern musical masterpiece that is sure to sweep the Oscars.


2. Manchester by the Sea

Rosy the Reviewer says...a sad, sad story but a visual delight with exceptional performances.  Expect some Oscar nominations for this.

 

 

 

3. Hell or High Water

Rosy the Reviewer says...come hell or high water, see this modern western that gives the human side of the financial crisis and the banking debacle.

 

4. Loving

Rosy the Reviewer says...with amazing performances by Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga, this film shows what Mildred and Richard Loving went through to marry and the resulting landmark Supreme Court case of Loving v. Virginia, which ended the illegality of interracial marriage. 


5. Sully

Rosy the Reviewer says...even though we know how this ends, it's still a white knuckle ride.


6. Moonlight

Rosy the Reviewer says...an important film that can be appreciated for the acting, the directing choices and the production values, but more importantly, it also explores the universal themes of coming of age in a world of harsh realities and how difficult it is to find love and connection in a world where there seems to be neither. 


7. Weiner

Rosy the Reviewer says...we can laugh all we want about his unfortunate name and his sad predilections, but this is a tragic tale of bright promise dashed by narcissism.

8. Bad Moms

Rosy the Reviewer says...girls just want to have fun!  And so do Moms!  Finally, a comedy that is actually funny!  You go, girls!


9. The Accountant

Rosy the Reviewer says...best thriller of the year!


10. Nothing Left Unsaid

Rosy the Reviewer says...a beautiful and moving story of a mother and a son and his desire to know everything about his mother so that when she is gone, there is "nothing left unsaid."  We should all do likewise.

 

 

***The Worst***

1.  Independence Day: Resurgence

Rosy the Reviewer says...the title should have been "Independence Day: Redundant!"



2. Zoolander 2

Rosy the Reviewer says...the first "Zoolander" was a one joke movie so why make another one when we all know the punchline?



3. Mother's Day

 

Rosy the Reviewer says...old jokes about old people that weren't funny, far-fetched situations, obnoxiously precocious kids and a lot of wasted star power.



4. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

Rosy the Reviewer says...a big fat unfunny mess!



5. The Brothers Grimsby

Rosy the Reviewer says...Where is Borat when you need him?



6. Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising

Rosy the Reviewer says...if you saw the first "Neighbors," you've seen this one.


7. The 5th Wave

Rosy the Reviewer says...please, Lord, don't let there be a 6th Wave!

 

8.  Now You See Me 2

Rosy the Reviewer says...I wish I hadn't seen you!



9.  Ride Along 2

Rosy the Reviewer says...despite my admiration for Kevin Hart, this was one long, unfunny ride!


10. The Legend of Tarzan

Rosy the Reviewer says...the only good thing about this movie was Skarsgard taking off his shirt.


Do you see a trend here with my worst movies? 

You can see that they are mostly comedies and mostly sequels.  You all know how much I hate sequels so that is not a surprise, but since so few comedies make me laugh, I am starting to wonder if I have lost my sense of humor.  But then, I think, no, those movies just weren't funny.  Isn't a comedy supposed to make you laugh?  Well, I didn't.

So, what do you think? 

What were your favorite and least favorite films in 2016?


Looking forward to what 2017 has to offer and wishing you all the best for a fantastic 2017. Why not resolve to, not only see more movies in 2017, but to check back here regularly for my reviews?  I won't steer you wrong!

 

 

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

Thanks for reading!

See you Friday 

 

for my review of

"Lion"

and 

  
The Week in Reviews
(What to See or Read and What to Avoid)

 and the latest on

"My 1001 Movies I Must See Before 

 I Die Project." 

If you enjoyed this post, feel free to copy and paste or click on the share buttons to share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn, email it to your friends and LIKE me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rosythereviewer

Check your local library for DVDs and books mentioned.

Next time you are wondering whether or not to watch a particular film, check out my reviews on IMDB (The International Movie Database). 

Go to IMDB.com, find the movie you are interested in.  Once there, click on the link that says "Explore More" on the right side of the screen.  Scroll down to External Reviews and when you get to that page, you will find Rosy the Reviewer alphabetically on the list.

NOTE:  On some entries, this has changed.  If you don't see "Explore More" on the right side of the screen, scroll down just below the description of the film in the middle of the page. Click where it says "Critics." Look for "Rosy the Reviewer" on the list.

Or if you are using a mobile device, look for "Critics Reviews." Click on that and you will find me alphabetically under "Rosy the Reviewer."

The Best Movies and DVDs of 2016 (So Far)!

As I went back through all of the movie reviews I have written so far in 2016 to prepare for this post, I was struck by how many stinkers I actually paid money to go see.  Good thing you have me around to save you from that same fate!

But this post is not about the stinkers. 

This post is about movies I have seen in the theatre or on DVD in 2016 and that you should not miss. 

This post will also serve as a handy dandy list of must sees so that you don't have to go back and read all of my reviews for the year, though you are welcome to if you would like!

So let's get to it.

Here is a list of movies you will really enjoy or that will at least stretch your brain a bit  -- with my usual pithy and sometimes humorous comments.  Click on the title link and it will take you back to my original, full-length review.

Let me know what you think.





The Danish Girl (2016)

Haunting.

Rosy the Reviewer says...Ring, ring.  Is this Mr. Eddie Redmayne?  Oscar calling...again (He was nominated).





Carol (2016)

Rosy the Reviewer says...See it to be transported back to another time and for two great performances.







The Big Short (2016)

Rosy the Reviewer says...an important film that should be required viewing for all Americans.

Truth (2015)

Rosy the Reviewer says...a powerful docudrama every bit as good as "Spotlight."  It's enough to make you stop watching "60 Minutes!"

Room (2015)

Rosy the Reviewer says...Brie Larson's Best Actress Oscar was well-deserved, but this film is also Oscar worthy and needs to be seen.







Bridge of Spies (2015)

 

It's the quiet brilliance of Mark Rylance in his portrayal of Abel that is riveting.  No histrionics, no crying, no screaming, but you can't take your eyes off of him.  His Best Supporting Actor Oscar was well-deserved. 

Rosy the Reviewer says...This film's Oscar nomination for "Best Picture" was also well-deserved because it certainly was one of the best films of the year.





Nothing Left Unsaid (2016)

Anderson Cooper and his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, share their lives with each other.

Rosy the Reviewer says...every mother and child should see this film and then make sure that "nothing is left unsaid."

Legend (2015)

Tom Hardy plays both Krays, the notorious twin brothers who ruled the London gangster scene in the 1960's.

Rosy the Reviewer says...any movie starring Tom Hardy is and adventure and worth seeing.







Jane Got a Gun (2016)

Rosy the Reviewer says...this one is a MUST SEE!  You will thank me.








Where to Invade Next (2015)

Rosy the Reviewer says...a brilliant, thought-provoking (and fun) film.  I loved it so much that I cried.  I can't believe it was not nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary.







Remember (2015)

Rosy the Reviewer says...Christopher Plummer's performance as an elderly man seeking revenge on the guard at Auschwitz who killed his family is astonishing. A movie that is a must-see and one you will never forget.







Son of Saul (2015)

Rosy the Reviewer says...this film is not only one of the best movies I have seen this year, but it's one of the best movies I HAVE EVER SEEN!  It won the Oscar last year for Best Foreign Language Film, which was well-deserved, but it could very well have won Best Picture.  An absolute Must-See!

 

That's it for this week!

 

Thanks for reading!

   

See you Tuesday for

 "Childhood Summers"

  

If you enjoyed this post, feel free to copy and paste or click on the share buttons to share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn, email it to your friends and LIKE me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rosythereviewer

Check your local library for DVDs and books mentioned.

Next time you are wondering whether or not to watch a particular film, check out my reviews on IMDB (The International Movie Database). 

Go to IMDB.com, find the movie you are interested in.  Once there, click on the link that says "Explore More" on the right side of the screen.  Scroll down to External Reviews and when you get to that page, you will find Rosy the Reviewer alphabetically on the list.

NOTE:  On some entries, this has changed.  If you don't see "Explore More" on the right side of the screen, scroll down just below the description of the film in the middle of the page. Click where it says "Critics." Look for "Rosy the Reviewer" on the list.

Or if you are using a mobile device, look for "Critics Reviews." Click on that and you will find me alphabetically under "Rosy the Reviewer."

The Best Movies of 2015 (So Far)!

If you have been reading my movie reviews since the start of 2015, you already know which films I have deemed "Must Sees." 

And perhaps you made a to-do list of those films so that you wouldn't miss them. But if you are not a list maker, I thought I would give you a handy dandy list of the best films I've seen all year so far, so you can enjoy them too.  Some are still in the theatres, but most are out on DVD now or you can find them ON DEMAND or however you view the latest films these days.

But first, what is my criteria for a BEST FILM,
for a MUST SEE?

1.  It must have a believable, or at least, an engaging, accessible story
2.  Great acting
3.  Wonderful direction and production values
4.  If it's a comedy, did I laugh?  If it's a drama or documentary, was I affected
     or moved by it?  Did it say something meaningful about the human
     condition?
5.  Did I feel something afterwards, especially the desire to talk about the film
     and share my enthusiasm?
6.  Was it an overall enjoyable movie experience?
 
So without further ado, on with the show!
(I have given each film a short but pithy Rosy the Reviewer review but if you are interested, I have also linked each to my original longer review).



1.  Amy

Rosy the Reviewer says...if someone can come back from the grave and tell her own story, here it is. Another incredible talent lost to "The 27 Club."  Whether you were a fan of Amy Winehouse or not, this film can't help but move you.




2.  Inside/Out

Rosy the Reviewer says...we can learn from what goes on inside the brain of an 11-year-old in this wonderful Pixar film that is more for us older folks than the little guys.  And have your hankies handy because it's all about joy vs. sadness and the end of childhood.




3.  Danny Collins

Rosy the Reviewer says...Al Pacino fans rejoice.  He is back in the very best way playing a successful musician who tries to go back in time to reclaim something that was lost.  It might be Oscar time for Pacino.



4.  Love & Mercy

Rosy the Reviewer says...Expect an Oscar nod to Paul Dano for his uncanny ability to channel the young Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys in this biopic that captures Wilson's genius creative process.




5.  Ex Machina

 

 

Rosy the Reviewer says...beware of free vacations and sexy robots.  This is a mesmerizing, intelligent scifi thriller.

6.  Cinderella 

 

 

Rosy the Reviewer says...there has never been a more enchanting Cinderella than Lily James ("Downton Abbey") or handsome prince than Richard Madden.  Add Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother in a series of outrageous costumes and you have a wonderful retelling of this classic fairy tale that all ages will enjoy



7.  Spy

 

Rosy the Reviewer says...Melissa McCarthy's slump is a thing of the past as she scores in this send-up of James Bond.  I laughed. Enough said.

8.  Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck

Rosy the Reviewer says... "I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not."  I guess that way of thinking was at the heart of what killed Kurt Cobain.  His own self-loathing.  Another must-see documentary about a major talent gone too soon.  Guess how old he was?  Right.  27.

 

9.  Trainwreck

 

Rosy the Reviewer says...Amy Schumer is hot, hot, hot right now and this film is the new face of rom-coms. I laughed...a lot.  Enough said.

10.  Chappie

 

Rosy the Reviewer says...if a robot can make me cry, that says something about the film.

 

 

 

See you Friday

for my review of the new movie 

 

"Mr. Holmes" 

and

 

The Week in Reviews

 

(What to See or Read and What to Avoid)

and the latest on

My 1001 Movies I Must See Before

 I Die Project."

 

If you enjoyed this post, feel free to click on the share buttons to share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn, email it to your friends and LIKE me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rosythereviewer