This past year may have been horrifically memorable for the raft of celebrity deaths but on the flipside it is also notable for the constant stream of out and out excellent movies.
If 2016 isn't the best year that I can recall it is at least the best year since I started this blog.
Every month I seemed to find a new movie to rave about - a fact backed up by how hard it was to narrow the list down to ten and how much harder still it was to put them in order!
I saw an unfinished version of "The Hunt For the Wilderpeople" at a New Zealand Film Commission panel screening in October 2015 and couldn't say a word about how good it was until it released in April this year.
I was convinced at the time that it would be be best of 2016 but although it makes the list there are a bunch that are even better.
Again - a hell of a year.
A small note about those scores though....
When I started this blog I was reluctant to use scores because they can be misleading and often result in one movie being rated against another with a number rather than with sentiment.
But I relented after constant nagging from a bunch of people I know who follow the blog.
So, bear in mind that a score of 90 doesn't necessarily mean that a movie will rank higher on the list than one with a lower score.
Often the case is that weeks after seeing and rating a movie I find myself still thinking about it - still drawn to it.
And yes- sometimes my number is off by a few notches.
The top ten list then is a better reflection (after some mulling over time) of the films that I saw in 2016 and that I loved the most
So.... on with the list.
The GaF Blog Top Ten Movies of 2015
TEN:
"Captain America: The Civil War" score: 90
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, Chadwick Boseman, Emily VanCamp, Paul Rudd, Tom Holland, Daniel Bruhl, William Hurt, Don Cheadle, Frank Grillo, Martin Freeman, Marisa Tomei
Budget: $250,000,000
Box Office: $1,153,304,495
Surely it is forgivable that 'Cap's' latest flick isn't quite as good as The Winter Soldier?
With a bar set that high (I still consider The Winter Soldier to be Marvel's best movie to date) of course it is and given that The Civil War is damned close to being that good it fully deserves its place just inside the ten best of the year.
With the best single action sequence of any superhero movie yet (that airport fight) and a conclusion that may cheat on the source materials grim conclusion but still feels right this one is glorious big budget entertainment.
That huge box office tally is earned well and truly.
NINE:
"Steve Jobs" score: 90
Directed by Danny Boyle
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jeff Daniels, Katherine Waterston, John Ortiz
Budget: $30,000,000
Box Office: $34,441,873
Some criticised this for being very 'stagey' and the complaint isn't entirely without merit when compared to the source material- Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs. It is a hefty book that delves into the man over a wide period of time. The movie however chooses to look at three distinct times in Jobs life - the launch of the original Macintosh computer in 1984, the launch of his own NEXT computer in 1988 and the launch of the iMac in 1998. By electing to focus on distinct periods the film ends up saying far more about Jobs than a diluted 'everything that happened ever' study would have short of being about 20 hours long. The performances of Fassbender and Winslet were rightly Oscar nominated.
EIGHT:
"The Nice Guys" score: 84
Directed by Shane Black
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Matt Bomer, Kim Basinger, Angourie Rice, Keith David, Gil Gerard, Margaret Qualley, Ty Simpkins, Jack Kilmer, Murielle Telio, Angela Everhart
Budget: $50,000,000
Box Office: $57,300,000
One of the biggest annoyances for me in 2016 is the failure of this movie to find the audience it deserved. Of course it isn't surprising that an R rated movie loaded with humour and focusing more on character and plot than explosions and cheap thrills would struggle to make its small budget back. Like Shane Black's debut film as director the excellent "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" his second is a rare delight. Ryan Gosling in particular is a hoot riffing on Lou Costello, bungling like Chevy Chase and with a mental capacity not unlike Gerard Depardieu's fool from "Tais Toi". But it is his chemistry with both Crowe and young Aussie actress Angourie Rice that makes Black's smart, witty script really come to life. Please, please see this if you haven't already
SEVEN:
"Eye In the Sky" score: 88
Directed by Gavin Hood
Starring: Helen MIrren, Alan Rickman, Aaron Paul, Barkhad Abdi, Jeremy Northam, Monica Dolan
Budget: $13,000,000
Box Office: $33,000,000
"Eye In the Sky" pulls off a neat trick. It presents a situation and invites you to assess it for yourself and effectively pick a side. Then it constantly challenges you to reassess your position time and time again. In this case that situation is the should we / shouldn't we? dilemma of initiating a drone strike on a terrorist site surrounded by loads and loads of collateral damage including a young girl selling bread. Brilliantly executed from the casting, acting, cinematography and of course scripting.
SIX:
"Arrival" score: 85
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mark O'Brien, Russell Yuen, Jadyn Malone
Budget: $47,000,000
Box Office: $145,085,876
Science Fiction - genuine science fiction is pretty rare these days but thankfully we have Denis Villeneuve who seems to be doing most of the heavy lifting in keeping it alive. His fourth film "Arrival" is a ripper too. The true genius in this tale of alien visitors is only completely apparent on second viewing when most of its secrets are known to the viewer. With an Oscar worthy turn from Amy Adams (her second this year alone), great support from Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker and a plot that tricks you, grips you and ultimately rewards you this is yet another amazing piece of filmmaking from the man who next up brings us a Blade Runner sequel.
FIVE:
"Pete's Dragon" score: 91
Directed by David Lowery
Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Karl Urban, Wes Bentley, Oakes Fegley, Oona Laurence, Marcus Henderson
Budget: $65,000,000
Box Office: $142,777,149
This film is maybe the biggest surprise of 2016 for me. It's a remake of a pretty ordinary kids film and other than it being filmed in New Zealand held very little interest for me. But a weird thing happened. David Lowery directed the hell out of this thing. Hollywood legend Robert Redford has a small but vital role and Bryce Dallas Howard further confirms how wrong I was for not being a fan up until recently. Touching, startlingly beautiful and with great performances this 'children's movie' has no business at all being this great.
FOUR:
"Hunt For the Wilderpeople" score: 88
Directed by Taika Waititi
Starring: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison. Rima Te Waiata, Rachel House, Oscar Kightly, Rhys Darby, Stan Walker, Cohen Holloway, Mike Minogue, Hamish Parkinson
Budget: $2,500,000,000
Box Office: $5,205,468
One of the great pleasures this year has been watching Taika Waititi's wonderful "Hunt For the Wilderpeople" spreading across the globe picking up gushing praise as it goes. It certainly deserves it. It's a very funny movie that relies almost totally on character for its laughs. Of course the leads Dennison and Neill are great but every last little bit of support is also spot on. Rima Te Waiata, Rachel House, Rhys Darby, Oscar Kightly.... this is a movie loaded with terrific moments, big laughs and genuine emotion.
THREE:
"Sing Street" score: 90
Directed by John Carney
Starring: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Mark McKenna, Aiden Gillan, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Kelly Thornton, Ben Carolan, Percy Chamburuka, Conor Hamilton, Karl Rice, Ian Kenny
Budget: Unknown
Box Office: $13,562,243
After the excellent music based films "Once" and "Begin Again" I thought maybe John Carney was a spent force but with "Sing Street" he is outdone himself. A magical love letter to the 80's with a soundtrack every bit as good as you would hope this was my top film of the year for all but the last month. In fact it was still almost number 2 up until my second viewing of the film that overtook it. Still- this is an outstanding film loaded with great original songs and a young cast that is perfect to the last. None more so than leads Walsh-Peelo and the delightful Lucy Boynton.
TWO:
"La La Land" score: 92
Directed by Damien Chazelle
Starring: Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, J.K Simmons, Tom Everett Scott, Anna Chazelle
Budget: $30,000,000
Box Office: $42,415,199 (to date after three weeks in release)
I keep saying that as a rule I hate musicals when I talk about this film because I want people to understand what an amazing feat writer-director Damien Chazelle has pulled up in reinvigorating an entire genre and providing the best yet of the three time pairing of Stone and Gosling. This is damned near perfect as a movie. There are too many moments of sheer joy, moving drama and sparkling whimsy that one viewing is not going to be enough. As it turns out neither is two.... I am going back for more.
ONE:
"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" score: 95
Directed by Gareth Edwards
Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Mads Mikkelson, Riz Ahmed, Donnie Yen, Alan Tudyk, Wen Jiang, Jimmy Smits
Budget: $200,000,000
Box Office: $687,878,705 (to date after two weeks in release)
Yes- I am totally biased when it comes to Star Wars movies but this one is really something special.
Managing to be both its own thing and yet fit seamlessly into the Star Wars universe (and wow- does it!) "Rogue One" is wonderful entertainment. Felicity Jones proves to be inspired casting as the young woman who becomes a rebel hero. Repeated viewings show how well thought out the script was with a host of small details- both character and plot revealed. And let's not forget my favourite single moment on screen of 2016 - Darth Vader restored as the nasty piece of villain that you may have forgotten he is.
And the ones that just missed out?....
"The Revenant" - Easily the toughest one to leave off the list this is an incredible piece of direction. The Oscars rewarded both Inarritu and DiCaprio accordingly but decided that there was a movie that deserved the Best Picture nod more. I disagree but still give credit where it is due for the winner..... speaking of which....
"Spotlight" - This year's Oscar for Best Picture went to this based on fact tale of kiddie-fiddling priests and the brilliant investigative journalists who exposed them. Always fascinating and packed to the sprockets with truly excellent performances (Keaton and McAdams!)
"Neon Demon" - Challenging in a way that we expect a Nicolas Winding Refn movie to be this one pushes the boundaries even by his standards. Brave work from Jena Malone and yet more evidence of the talent that Elle Fanning possesses anchor this tale of beauty and its ability to make monsters of all of us. A horror movie of the kind that only Refn could provide.
"Doctor Strange" - Yet again a lesser known Marvel property blasts onto the big screen in glorious fashion. As with Guardians of the Galaxy a couple of years ago the well earned success guarantees that we will see more of Benedict Cumberbatch's master sorcerer.
"Hell Or High Water" - Often described as a modern western the description fits for this story about two brothers robbing banks to recoup the money unfairly (but legally) taken from their recently deceased Mother by the very same bank. Excellent work from Chris Pine and Ben Foster with the now standard gruff and grizzled performance from Jeff Bridges in support.
"Nocturnal Animals" - The second of Amy Adams' one-two punch this year after "Arrival" but her performance here is actually the better one. Her terrifically expressive face is put to frequent use in close-ups as she reads from her ex-husband's manuscript revealing. The violent, gruelling story is played out on screen alongside the 'real' action. Superb work from Adams, Jake Gyllenhall and Michael Shannon.
"Hail, Caesar!" - Many will consider this lesser-Coen but for me this is the duo at their absolute best. Standout work from Ralph Feinnes and a role for Alden Ehrenreich that pretty much secured him the young Han Solo gig - so good is he. A riot of laughs and in-jokes but always with an affectionate nod to a Hollywood of decades ago.
"Kubo and the Two Strings" - The best animated movie of the year and despite gorgeous appearances it isn't computer generated- it is stop motion. A staggering example of an art that is rapidly dying this is ample evidence that when done right this kind of animation if second to none.
"Don't Breathe" - For anyone wondering what sort of films Hitchcock would make were he still with us this film provides a possible answer. Tense and original "Don't Breathe" is chock full of wonderfully dark little moments anchored by a brilliant performance from Stephen Lang.
"Deadpool" - Of course this is a blast and raked in the cash not in spite of its R rating but because of it. Smutty, profane, blood splattered and utterly hilarious "Deadpool" is hugely entertaining. I found it lost a little of the lustre on subsequent viewings. It is still immense fun but the reduced enjoyment kept it off the top ten..... close though.
"Hacksaw Ridge" - Finally a genuine rival for "Saving Private Ryan". Not only in the visceral, uncompromising nature of its battle scenes but by virtue of its emotional impact. Based on a true story this film is a fitting tribute to a real life act of heroism that would be unbelievable but for the fact that not only did it happen but much, much more that director Gibson left out!
"War On Everyone" - A really painful one to leave off the top ten. This movie was criminally underseen. It is extremely un-politically correct (of course a huge boon) and very, very funny thanks to the unlikely but really effective chemistry between leads Michael Pena and Alexander Skarsgard. A little gem that I will no doubt revisit annually on blu-ray.
If 2016 isn't the best year that I can recall it is at least the best year since I started this blog.
Every month I seemed to find a new movie to rave about - a fact backed up by how hard it was to narrow the list down to ten and how much harder still it was to put them in order!
I saw an unfinished version of "The Hunt For the Wilderpeople" at a New Zealand Film Commission panel screening in October 2015 and couldn't say a word about how good it was until it released in April this year.
I was convinced at the time that it would be be best of 2016 but although it makes the list there are a bunch that are even better.
Again - a hell of a year.
A small note about those scores though....
When I started this blog I was reluctant to use scores because they can be misleading and often result in one movie being rated against another with a number rather than with sentiment.
But I relented after constant nagging from a bunch of people I know who follow the blog.
So, bear in mind that a score of 90 doesn't necessarily mean that a movie will rank higher on the list than one with a lower score.
Often the case is that weeks after seeing and rating a movie I find myself still thinking about it - still drawn to it.
And yes- sometimes my number is off by a few notches.
The top ten list then is a better reflection (after some mulling over time) of the films that I saw in 2016 and that I loved the most
So.... on with the list.
The GaF Blog Top Ten Movies of 2015
TEN:
"Captain America: The Civil War" score: 90
Directed by Joe and Anthony RussoStarring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, Chadwick Boseman, Emily VanCamp, Paul Rudd, Tom Holland, Daniel Bruhl, William Hurt, Don Cheadle, Frank Grillo, Martin Freeman, Marisa Tomei
Budget: $250,000,000
Box Office: $1,153,304,495
Surely it is forgivable that 'Cap's' latest flick isn't quite as good as The Winter Soldier?
With a bar set that high (I still consider The Winter Soldier to be Marvel's best movie to date) of course it is and given that The Civil War is damned close to being that good it fully deserves its place just inside the ten best of the year.
With the best single action sequence of any superhero movie yet (that airport fight) and a conclusion that may cheat on the source materials grim conclusion but still feels right this one is glorious big budget entertainment.
That huge box office tally is earned well and truly.
NINE:
"Steve Jobs" score: 90
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jeff Daniels, Katherine Waterston, John Ortiz
Budget: $30,000,000
Box Office: $34,441,873
Some criticised this for being very 'stagey' and the complaint isn't entirely without merit when compared to the source material- Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs. It is a hefty book that delves into the man over a wide period of time. The movie however chooses to look at three distinct times in Jobs life - the launch of the original Macintosh computer in 1984, the launch of his own NEXT computer in 1988 and the launch of the iMac in 1998. By electing to focus on distinct periods the film ends up saying far more about Jobs than a diluted 'everything that happened ever' study would have short of being about 20 hours long. The performances of Fassbender and Winslet were rightly Oscar nominated.
EIGHT:
"The Nice Guys" score: 84
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Matt Bomer, Kim Basinger, Angourie Rice, Keith David, Gil Gerard, Margaret Qualley, Ty Simpkins, Jack Kilmer, Murielle Telio, Angela Everhart
Budget: $50,000,000
Box Office: $57,300,000
One of the biggest annoyances for me in 2016 is the failure of this movie to find the audience it deserved. Of course it isn't surprising that an R rated movie loaded with humour and focusing more on character and plot than explosions and cheap thrills would struggle to make its small budget back. Like Shane Black's debut film as director the excellent "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" his second is a rare delight. Ryan Gosling in particular is a hoot riffing on Lou Costello, bungling like Chevy Chase and with a mental capacity not unlike Gerard Depardieu's fool from "Tais Toi". But it is his chemistry with both Crowe and young Aussie actress Angourie Rice that makes Black's smart, witty script really come to life. Please, please see this if you haven't already
SEVEN:
"Eye In the Sky" score: 88
Starring: Helen MIrren, Alan Rickman, Aaron Paul, Barkhad Abdi, Jeremy Northam, Monica Dolan
Budget: $13,000,000
Box Office: $33,000,000
"Eye In the Sky" pulls off a neat trick. It presents a situation and invites you to assess it for yourself and effectively pick a side. Then it constantly challenges you to reassess your position time and time again. In this case that situation is the should we / shouldn't we? dilemma of initiating a drone strike on a terrorist site surrounded by loads and loads of collateral damage including a young girl selling bread. Brilliantly executed from the casting, acting, cinematography and of course scripting.
SIX:
"Arrival" score: 85
Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mark O'Brien, Russell Yuen, Jadyn Malone
Budget: $47,000,000
Box Office: $145,085,876
Science Fiction - genuine science fiction is pretty rare these days but thankfully we have Denis Villeneuve who seems to be doing most of the heavy lifting in keeping it alive. His fourth film "Arrival" is a ripper too. The true genius in this tale of alien visitors is only completely apparent on second viewing when most of its secrets are known to the viewer. With an Oscar worthy turn from Amy Adams (her second this year alone), great support from Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker and a plot that tricks you, grips you and ultimately rewards you this is yet another amazing piece of filmmaking from the man who next up brings us a Blade Runner sequel.
FIVE:
"Pete's Dragon" score: 91
Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Karl Urban, Wes Bentley, Oakes Fegley, Oona Laurence, Marcus Henderson
Budget: $65,000,000
Box Office: $142,777,149
This film is maybe the biggest surprise of 2016 for me. It's a remake of a pretty ordinary kids film and other than it being filmed in New Zealand held very little interest for me. But a weird thing happened. David Lowery directed the hell out of this thing. Hollywood legend Robert Redford has a small but vital role and Bryce Dallas Howard further confirms how wrong I was for not being a fan up until recently. Touching, startlingly beautiful and with great performances this 'children's movie' has no business at all being this great.
FOUR:
"Hunt For the Wilderpeople" score: 88
Starring: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison. Rima Te Waiata, Rachel House, Oscar Kightly, Rhys Darby, Stan Walker, Cohen Holloway, Mike Minogue, Hamish Parkinson
Budget: $2,500,000,000
Box Office: $5,205,468
One of the great pleasures this year has been watching Taika Waititi's wonderful "Hunt For the Wilderpeople" spreading across the globe picking up gushing praise as it goes. It certainly deserves it. It's a very funny movie that relies almost totally on character for its laughs. Of course the leads Dennison and Neill are great but every last little bit of support is also spot on. Rima Te Waiata, Rachel House, Rhys Darby, Oscar Kightly.... this is a movie loaded with terrific moments, big laughs and genuine emotion.
THREE:
"Sing Street" score: 90
Starring: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Mark McKenna, Aiden Gillan, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Kelly Thornton, Ben Carolan, Percy Chamburuka, Conor Hamilton, Karl Rice, Ian Kenny
Budget: Unknown
Box Office: $13,562,243
After the excellent music based films "Once" and "Begin Again" I thought maybe John Carney was a spent force but with "Sing Street" he is outdone himself. A magical love letter to the 80's with a soundtrack every bit as good as you would hope this was my top film of the year for all but the last month. In fact it was still almost number 2 up until my second viewing of the film that overtook it. Still- this is an outstanding film loaded with great original songs and a young cast that is perfect to the last. None more so than leads Walsh-Peelo and the delightful Lucy Boynton.
TWO:
"La La Land" score: 92
Starring: Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, J.K Simmons, Tom Everett Scott, Anna Chazelle
Budget: $30,000,000
Box Office: $42,415,199 (to date after three weeks in release)
I keep saying that as a rule I hate musicals when I talk about this film because I want people to understand what an amazing feat writer-director Damien Chazelle has pulled up in reinvigorating an entire genre and providing the best yet of the three time pairing of Stone and Gosling. This is damned near perfect as a movie. There are too many moments of sheer joy, moving drama and sparkling whimsy that one viewing is not going to be enough. As it turns out neither is two.... I am going back for more.
ONE:
"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" score: 95
Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Mads Mikkelson, Riz Ahmed, Donnie Yen, Alan Tudyk, Wen Jiang, Jimmy Smits
Budget: $200,000,000
Box Office: $687,878,705 (to date after two weeks in release)
Yes- I am totally biased when it comes to Star Wars movies but this one is really something special.
Managing to be both its own thing and yet fit seamlessly into the Star Wars universe (and wow- does it!) "Rogue One" is wonderful entertainment. Felicity Jones proves to be inspired casting as the young woman who becomes a rebel hero. Repeated viewings show how well thought out the script was with a host of small details- both character and plot revealed. And let's not forget my favourite single moment on screen of 2016 - Darth Vader restored as the nasty piece of villain that you may have forgotten he is.
And the ones that just missed out?....
"The Revenant" - Easily the toughest one to leave off the list this is an incredible piece of direction. The Oscars rewarded both Inarritu and DiCaprio accordingly but decided that there was a movie that deserved the Best Picture nod more. I disagree but still give credit where it is due for the winner..... speaking of which....
"Spotlight" - This year's Oscar for Best Picture went to this based on fact tale of kiddie-fiddling priests and the brilliant investigative journalists who exposed them. Always fascinating and packed to the sprockets with truly excellent performances (Keaton and McAdams!)
"Neon Demon" - Challenging in a way that we expect a Nicolas Winding Refn movie to be this one pushes the boundaries even by his standards. Brave work from Jena Malone and yet more evidence of the talent that Elle Fanning possesses anchor this tale of beauty and its ability to make monsters of all of us. A horror movie of the kind that only Refn could provide.
"Doctor Strange" - Yet again a lesser known Marvel property blasts onto the big screen in glorious fashion. As with Guardians of the Galaxy a couple of years ago the well earned success guarantees that we will see more of Benedict Cumberbatch's master sorcerer.
"Hell Or High Water" - Often described as a modern western the description fits for this story about two brothers robbing banks to recoup the money unfairly (but legally) taken from their recently deceased Mother by the very same bank. Excellent work from Chris Pine and Ben Foster with the now standard gruff and grizzled performance from Jeff Bridges in support.
"Nocturnal Animals" - The second of Amy Adams' one-two punch this year after "Arrival" but her performance here is actually the better one. Her terrifically expressive face is put to frequent use in close-ups as she reads from her ex-husband's manuscript revealing. The violent, gruelling story is played out on screen alongside the 'real' action. Superb work from Adams, Jake Gyllenhall and Michael Shannon.
"Hail, Caesar!" - Many will consider this lesser-Coen but for me this is the duo at their absolute best. Standout work from Ralph Feinnes and a role for Alden Ehrenreich that pretty much secured him the young Han Solo gig - so good is he. A riot of laughs and in-jokes but always with an affectionate nod to a Hollywood of decades ago.
"Kubo and the Two Strings" - The best animated movie of the year and despite gorgeous appearances it isn't computer generated- it is stop motion. A staggering example of an art that is rapidly dying this is ample evidence that when done right this kind of animation if second to none.
"Don't Breathe" - For anyone wondering what sort of films Hitchcock would make were he still with us this film provides a possible answer. Tense and original "Don't Breathe" is chock full of wonderfully dark little moments anchored by a brilliant performance from Stephen Lang.
"Deadpool" - Of course this is a blast and raked in the cash not in spite of its R rating but because of it. Smutty, profane, blood splattered and utterly hilarious "Deadpool" is hugely entertaining. I found it lost a little of the lustre on subsequent viewings. It is still immense fun but the reduced enjoyment kept it off the top ten..... close though.
"Hacksaw Ridge" - Finally a genuine rival for "Saving Private Ryan". Not only in the visceral, uncompromising nature of its battle scenes but by virtue of its emotional impact. Based on a true story this film is a fitting tribute to a real life act of heroism that would be unbelievable but for the fact that not only did it happen but much, much more that director Gibson left out!
"War On Everyone" - A really painful one to leave off the top ten. This movie was criminally underseen. It is extremely un-politically correct (of course a huge boon) and very, very funny thanks to the unlikely but really effective chemistry between leads Michael Pena and Alexander Skarsgard. A little gem that I will no doubt revisit annually on blu-ray.
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