If the title is linked, you can find the full review. Plus don’t miss The 602 Club links for the podcast episodes done on many of the films gracing the list.
13 Hours
This movie was a fantastic way to kick off the new year and told the story behind the events of the Benghazi terrorist attack of 2012. This is far and away direct Michael Bay’s best film. Casting is brilliant and the story will have you glued to your seat the entire time. This movie is not to be missed.
The Nice Guys
Director Shane Black delivers a funny buddy movie with Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe that perfectly captures the 70s. It’s not deep or thought provoking, yet it’s still just a joy to watch. Great soundtrack and perfect for a good laugh.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
No movie this year sparked more debate online that this. I love this movie. It’s Ultimate Edition should have been what was released in theaters and to me, that’s the only version I will watch from now on. My original review, while too long to put here sums up the film well,
“This movie is a comic book on screen. It is fun too, do not let the reviews out there fool you, there were moments I was cheering and having a blast. I like that the plotting of Lex throughout the film brings all of the heroes together in the end, as well as sets up the need for the Justice League to form. I thought that Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor was a refreshing take on a well known character. He brought a manic malevolence to the performance that set him apart from other Luthors we have seen. I also enjoyed the final climax to the movie as the three heroes try to find a way to defeat Doomsday and not destroy another city. The movie is not perfect, but I like is immensely and cannot wait to see it again as well as Zach Snyder’s Director’s Cut on blu ray. This is 4 and a half stars out of 5 for me.” Don’t miss The 602 Club episode on it!
The second superhero movie this year where the heroes fight and the second best hero film of the year. My original review encapsulates my thoughts,
“Captain America: Civil War is a fantastic movie and honestly the Avengers movie we all hoped Age of Ultron would be. While I do have some minor quibbles, I feel Spider-man is shoehorned into the film and would have rather had his time devoted to other characters like Agent 13 or Black Panther, it does not detract too much from the enjoyment of the film. This is rated four shields out of five.” Don’t miss The 602 Club episode on it!
2016 was the 50th anniversary of Star Trek and honestly and Paramount Studios and CBS Television did an awful job of celebrating. Sadly Paramount’s marketing department dropped the ball with Beyond and it did not perform as well as it could have at the box office which is a shame because the movie is good!
“There are a couple things I don’t like about the film. One, I am not crazy about the action editing which often leaves the viewer wondering what just happened. It is so fast and cut so quick that it is sometimes hard to see or understand what transpired. I also have to say there were no surprises about the story, I leaned over to my wife a few times and called all the “reveals” or plot points well in advance.
What the movie does do well are the characters. The way in which we see them interact and grow is spot on and the introduction to Jaylah is a joy. Here’s to hoping that this is not the last time we see her in Star Trek. On top of all of this, Michael Giacchino has crafted a beautiful score that harkens back to The Motion Picture in some places as well as the best from every Trek movie since.
Star Trek Beyond is a fantastic way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek and with the announcement of a 4th film coming in the “Kelvin Timeline”, the future is bright. The film is rated 4 out of 5 detached saucer sections.” Don’t miss The Ready Room episode on it.
“On the plains of West Texas, two brothers systematically rob banks in a desperate attempt to save the family ranch, while a pair of Texas Rangers slowly piece together the evidence leading to a race against the clock. Director David Mackenzie’s new film Hell or High Water intelligently tackles issues of poverty and corporate greed while not losing the heart that leaves the audience thinking long after the last shot…Hell or High Water is the best movie I’ve seen this year. The themes, character work, direction and acting are fantastic. Don’t miss this movie. Hell or High Water is rated 5 out of 5 stars.”
Life is so unpredictable and the choices we make are made with so little information, yet they can lead to the most unexpected things. The Hollars, John Krazinski’s new film, is all about life in its messy, glorious joys and sorrows. The story revolves around John Hollar, who is recalled home when his mother is diagnosed with a brain tumor. He is quickly dragged back into his utterly flawed family, a pursuant ex-girlfriend and the need to juggle the pregnant girlfriend he left back in New York. What follows is a poignant reminder of just how important living life to the fullest can be…The Hollars is one of those rare films that comes along, in the midst of towering blockbusters, to remind you of the power of a well-told story. I recommend you go seek this one out and enjoy the simple pleasures of explosion-free cinema.
“The 21st century has seen a serious lack of westerns in theaters as they have gone out of style in favor of superhero films. So, who better to bring back the swagger than Antoine Fuqua, director of films like Training Day. This remake of the 1960’s movie stars Denzel Washington as Sam Chisolm, Chris Pratt as Josh Faraday, Ethan Hawke as Goodnight Robicheaux, Vincent D’Onofrio as Jack Horne, Byung-hun Lee as Billy Rocks, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Vasquez, a Mexican, Martin Sensmeier as Red Harvest, Haley Bennett as Emma Cullen and Peter Sarsgaard as Bartholomew Bogue, the film’s villain. What follows is a tale of good vs. evil in a western that’s more progressive and just down right fun…The Magnificent Seven is fun, but it also has some interesting things to say along the way. While not perfect, it’s a reminder that the western still has a place today and here’s to hoping that we get more. The movie is rated 4 out of 5 stars.
Moana
Disney has struck gold again and this time it’s using Oceanic mythology to tell the coming of age story of it’s title character. The music is fantastic, in fact I like the big song “How Far I’ll Go” much better than Frozen‘s “Let it Go”. The messages here of finding out who you are are classic Disney, yet it’s the addition of the story of community and it’s importance in our lives that set this film apart. It also has an important message about the need to learn from and remember our history. Don’t miss this one.
Arrival
This movie blew me away. I did not know what to expect walking it but walking out I was stunned. Beautifully pro-life and profoundly thought provoking as it tackles the ideas of communication and it’s foundational importance in our existence as humans. I cannot recommend a movie more, 5 out of 5. Don’t miss The 602 Club episode on it!
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
“This is the first of five movies in the Fantastic Beasts series, written specifically for the screen by J.K. Rowling. There is a really strength to this since there are no books to compare it to leaving the audience free to enjoy the film for it’s own sake. The movie does a good job of laying the foundations for the world of wizardry in this time period as well as what’s to come in the series. The cast is outstanding, with the relationship between Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein and Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski being a true highlight. James Newton Howard’s score is good, even if it never reached the heights of Williams and the production value, character design and world building is, well, magical. The film nicely begins it’s journey to telling the history of the Harry Potter universe that we got hints of in the previous series, making it a wonderful addition and expansion to the world, yet, at the same time, it stands on it’s own. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is rated 4 out of five Bowtruckles.” Don’t miss The 602 Club episode on it!
Hacksaw Ridge
This is the newest film from director Mel Gibson and it tells the true story of conscientious objector Desmond T. Doss who single handedly saves 75 men in some of the fiercest fighting seen in the Pacific theater during WWII. Desmond’s determination and faith are some of the most inspirational things you will see this year. Don’t miss this movie.
There is so much to say about this one but my review wraps it up well,
“I’ll get personal, this movie is everything I wanted a new Star Wars movie to be. Pushing the boundaries of what it means to be Star Wars while at the same time respecting the history and the franchise as a whole. Here’s to hoping the rumors of Edwards wanting to direct a Kenobi movie are true. Rogue One is rated 4.5 upside down Death Stars out of 5.” Don’t miss The 602 Club episode on it!
This list is likely to be revised since I have yet to see La La Land and Passengers.
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