Yeah, it's pretty easy to keep breaking records when all you have to do is raise ticket prices. If this keeps up, pretty soon we'll be paying $50 for a Thursday matinee.
I can tell you I visited fewer multiplexes this year, pretty much avoiding them completely from May - August, as the industry trotted out its weakest summer slate in recent memory. But as usual, things picked up considerably in the fall, and by year's end I had trouble keeping up with all the films I wanted to see. Below you'll find my Top Five Films of 2016.
1. The Lobster: Released abroad in 2015, this bizarre little gem about a society where singles have 45 days to find a mate or face being turned into an animal opened here in the States last spring and was easily the most exhilarating and original piece of cinema this year, all anchored by a wonderfully wacky script and great performances by Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz. Seek this one out.
2. La La Land: Ask anyone, I'm not a fan of musicals, but damned if this "little" Hollywood fable from Whiplash director Damien Chazelle didn't sway me with its bewitching cinematic charms. Both Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone provide undisputable proof on why they're two of the most charismatic and consistently watchable actors working today. I'm still humming "City of Stars."
3. De Palma: This fascinating documentary from Noah Baumbach and Jake Paltrow on virtuoso filmmaker Brian De Palma is a film geek's dream, just two hours of pure cinematic joy about a man born to tell stories visually.
4. Moonlight: Barry Jenkins' moving tale of self-discovery is subtle-yet-powerful cinema, featuring wonderful, career-defining performances from Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris and André Holland.
5. Captain America: Civil War: Not just the most entertaining popcorn movie of the year, but arguably the greatest super-hero film Marvel has ever produced. Simply two hours of great action, humor and heart. The things Saturday-matinee dreams are made of.
Rounding Out The Top 10: 6. Manchester By The Sea 7. Fences 8. Hell or Highwater 9. Loving 10. Midnight Special
Most Overrated Film of 2016: Hail, Caesar! - This unfunny, nonsensical Hollywood farce from the Coen Brothers has shown up on a lot of Top 10 lists this year. Seriously? The only thing I can remember about this self-indulgent dud is waking up at the end of it.
Happy New Year!
