Jake's Top 10 Films of 2016

2016 will be over in a few hours and before we kick in the new year, here is my list of top 10 films of the year.

​(This list is in no particular order)

ARRIVAL

If there is one word to describe Arrival, it's "haunting". Amy Adams gives a great performance as a linguist expert brought in by the U.S. Government to learn how to communicate with aliens who have touched down across the globe. The film serves as a reflection of ourselves and leaves us thinking about how simple words can be misinterpreted, causing division within our own society.

THE JUNGLE BOOK

The Jungle Book stands out, out of the live action remakes of Disney's animated classics. Neel Sethi does an excellent job playing Mowgli considering he is the only human character (minus the flashbacks) interacting with CGI animals. And speaking of CGI, I think they did a pretty good job at it too. The Jungle Boom is fun for the whole family.

ZOOTOPIA

Zootopia is witty, charming, full of energy and teaches a great lesson on unity - a lesson our own society needs to learn. Featuring a great and talented voice cast including Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Idris Elba.

DOCTOR STRANGE

An absolutely mind-bending experience worth watching only in IMAX 3D. No other format will do it justice. Benedict Cumberbatch was an absolute treat to watch. Looking forward to seeing where Dr. Strange fits in throughout the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

The third installment of the Captain America series pits the Avengers against each other over their disagreement on the Sokovia Accords - an agreement that any member of the Avengers can only operate under the regulations of the United Nations. This particular Marvel film does what another verses film that came out earlier this year failed to do - give our heroes a good reason to fight. Both sides make good points as to why they are for and against the Accords. And even though team Iron Man may have the newly introduced Spider-Man, I'm team Captain America all the way.

DEADPOOL

Deadpool is everything you could ever ask for in a Deadpool movie. It's funny, action packed and a parody of itself. Ryan Reynolds was born to play the titular character. The film was a big risk but fans would be happy it stayed true to the character.

DEEPWATER HORIZON

Deepwater Horizon tells the true story of the  largest oil spill in U.S. History. The film is intense, gripping and full tension. It showcases the bravery of the men and women that worked on the oil rig and how one mistake can change their lives forever.

THE NICE GUYS

​The Nice Guys is hilarious. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe have great chemistry playing off each other in a film set in 1970s Los Angeles. A good mixture of slapstick and action. All the elements you would expect from a Shane Black movie and just downright fun.

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY

Rogue One takes place "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." Actually it takes place between Episodes III and IV. As a matter of fact, its ending takes place moments before Episode IV starts. Rogue One is the first of several Star Wars spin offs coming our way. The tone is different compared to other Star Wars films and I think that's a good thing. It's not perfect, and I'm sure not everyone will like it, but there's enough in this movie to satisfy even the most casual of Star Wars fans.

LA LA LAND

La La Land follows the classic formula of boy meets girl, they fall in love, get torn apart and find their way back to each other (or do they?)... No, it's a classic tale of two dreamers chasing their passion but unprepared for the struggles and the unknown that go with it... No, it's about jazz! No, acting! As a matter of fact, it's all of the above set in a modern musical but very reminiscent of a bygone era where the likes of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly danced through the screen and into everyone's hearts. Is Hollywood going back to the Golden Age? I highly doubt it, but La La Land is a love letter to that era and a breath of fresh air amidst the big budget blockbusters this year. The cinematography and choreography go hand in hand as we are graced with many song and dance numbers, most within a single take. Given that this is their third movie together, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone's chemistry continue to grow and blossom into something very beautiful. Having them communicate their thoughts, feelings and emotions through song and dance is icing on the cake. Emma Stone's performance really stood out and is the best I've seen her in and I couldn't help but fall in love with her.