Aaron’s Terrific Top Ten Films of 2016
December 30th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
The end of 2016 means an end to another year of great cinema. I had a tough time putting together this final list of films, as there was a strong selection to go through. Having watched over 175 films theatrically this year, it was fun to narrow things down to a final list of ten films. This is especially the case, given how hard I worked to keep in mind my personal thoughts on all aspects of each of these films and how they resonated with me in the time since seeing them. So here we go with my picks for the Top Ten films of 2016 and the ranked runner-ups. (As per usual, I placed lots of Easter Eggs hidden in all of the pictures).
Of all my years of fervent movie watching, 2016 is by far my most proud. Thanks to my new home 
As always when I do these “Best” lists, I ask two things of you, the reader. Take the words best or top and replace it with “favorite”. And importantly, number or ranking doesn’t matter, what is included does. 2016 was an interesting year for me, in that I feel a hair underqualified, but still, this is the best films of the ones I saw over the year. During the summer, I found myself purchasing a new home (still trying to sell the other) and all that sort of “real life” stuff preventing some trips to theater for me. Also, sometimes I was just flat out exhausted or just selfishly wanting some time to myself. Who knows. But, I figure, while I’m not Aaron Neuwirth, I probably did see more than the average bear through going to the theater, reviewing Blu-rays or renting. There were a lot of disappointments during this year in terms of highly anticipated blockbusters, but many bright spots as well as some I look forward to checking out next year that I wasn’t able to see (Edge of Seventeen; Scott, I friggin TRIED to get to it and Moonlight; the night I was gonna go was the first night it wasn’t playing). I realize though, that of the “prestige” films I may or may not have missed, high end critics will be talking about them and my picks may be more unique. Aside from my #1, a lot of these could swap around their functional order. Anyway…I’ll just shut my yap and get to the ten films that made my list when I sat down and had to choose. 
It’s that time of the year again, and I’m not referring to the expensive Holiday season. I’m talking about the dreaded TOP 10 Favorite Films lists us reviewers annually face. While some of us love putting these lists together others I know absolutely dread it. It could be the notion of the extra work involved or just the burdened thought of the controversy and negative, judgemental comments these can carry. Therefore, Top 10 annual lists like this can be quite cumbersome, at least for me. The good thing about all of this is you the reader can definitely feel free to disagree with my choices below. You can also completely dismiss them too. For me, Top 10 Favorite Films lists are all about instilling and creating controversy in the critical sense. I don’t expect anyone to whole-heartedly agree with my choices. After all, the below selections as I’ll go on to explain are all very much personal ones. However, I believe as a reviewer it is your duty to stir that proverbial pot of controversy. You should desire to create that insatiable dish of debate that follows in the wake of such a list like this. That’s what the comments section below are all about. Down there’s it’s your turn to provide the voice of undeniable reason. Go for it! 
Underworld is one of those films that I’ll never forget where in life I was when I saw it. I’ll spare you the details, but I remember that evening vividly as it was a good one. It also came out at just the right time when the vampire craze was just ramping up and ironically was both the rise and downfall of Kate Beckinsale’s career. That’s what happens when you fall for your film’s director. You’re forced to do sequel after punishing sequel. Just ask Milla Jovovich how that works out for you. However, there’s no disputing how fine Kate has always looked filling that tight, black leather corset coupled with those stunning Blu-ray eyes. Even though we had the pleasure of spending time with the lovely Rhona Mitra in the third film, Rise of the Lycans, no Underworld fan can deny Selene’s (Beckinsale) presence and assets were greatly missed. On the flip side, I really liked the third entry. Ha ha. I digress. Let’s rewind back to 2003 as we nostalgically discuss the one that started it all, Underworld, which coincidentally sees a 4K Ultra HD release December 27th. 
For a thorough movie purist like myself putting together a year-end list of stellar standout performances is a truly taxing task. Not one to simply cherry pick from work within my Top Ten Films of the year, I scour movies in every genre and performances both big and small to bring the best of the best to the film forefront. As a result this year’s list of favorites I feel is my most eclectic yet – in some cases even elevating the subpar cinema that surrounds it. And while I did watch the year end group of Academy hopefuls (both Natalie Portman in Jackie and Jessica Chastain in Miss Sloane were good, but a tad one-note!) and critical darlings (Viggo Mortensen’s work in Captain Fantastic missed the list by a hair!), my findings are from a year-long dissection featuring five-star work that stands and delivers. From layered ladies to mysterious men, from bitter broads to silent but deadly equalizers these are tasty turns that deserve to be recognized for possessing a memorable character quality that’s undeniable. (At least in my humble movie geek opinion!) Proud to present my list of the…Top Five Male & Female Performances of 2016!
Currently watching Fences, a play turned movie that feels a tad stagnate, it reminds me that this week’s current stage to screen hidden gem is once again due to delight – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! Today’s selection is a great example of how to take a former piece of theater and make it cinematic. Expanding on characters and locations, taking inspiration from real life people and matching it with the style of the controversial voice of the day are surefire signs of a movie to remember. So let’s hit the airwaves for some quick witted opinions via our humiliation loving host. He’s crass, he’s crude, but most of all he’s got ratings in the world of…Talk Radio!
This is it short review film fans – my final edition for 2016! I’m still combing the cinematic remains of year end films to possibly fill out the Top Ten list but these are the last titles I’m giving you critical skinny on. Taking on missing daughters, politicians and religion check out the Encapsulated Movie Reviews for Julieta, Miss Sloane and Silence below!
Hey hey! Here’s some news for you! “Tom Cruise is better than ever” (Pete Hammond, Deadline) in the “breathlessly exhilarating”(Simon Thompson, Forbes) action-thriller JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK, which hits the road on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand January 31, 2017 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Hailed as “a fun action-packed ride” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone), fans can be the first to get it two weeks early on Digital HD January 17. 
Based in the incredible true story of one man’s 
The Vestron Video Collector’s Series unleashes unspeakable horrors when The Gate arrives for the first time on limited-edition Blu-ray™ on February 28 from Lionsgate. When two suburban kids accidentally open a portal filled with pint-sized demons hell-bent on taking over the planet, it’s up to them to seal the gateway and save mankind! The Gate features all-new, never-before-seen featurettes and audio commentary. A must-have for all classic horror fans, The Gate limited-edition Vestron Video Collector’s Series Blu-ray will be available on February 28th.
Its not like we’re winding down any time soon on films that still need to make it to the Blu-ray format. There are ah-plenty. Heck, there are films that still never made it to VHS or DVD. 2016 introduced us to 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays. The new wave, the new cream of the crop. And with that, Blu-ray starts repackaging and re-doing many of the older titles. However, we live in a really cool world now with boutique labels that go after these films that still haven’t been released or enhance the ones that did but left us wanting more. And while some may scoff and leave rude comments like “This again?”, in reality its not “this again”. These are getting delicious new transfers, having taken notes from the previous version’s mistakes and adding the extras that were not previously there or even adding an extra is adding something. What I’m getting at is that they are making it all worthwhile in terms of asking for more dollars from you. Then again, there are people that didn’t have it to begin with because they A) Hadn’t gotten to it yet or B) were holding out for something like this. Anyway, there were a lot of terrific releases in 2016. And since I cover 4K UHD, Blu-ray and also am Region Free, my list is expanded to 25 instead of just ten releases. 
