Cine's Pick for the BEST Of 2016 Films
Award Season 2017 is upon us, and like any good cinephile - and film critic - I'm consumed in the SAG-BAFTAS-Indies-Oscars cycle 24/7. And that's ok, because if you're reading this, then you are, too!
The films listed below are Cine's Pick that Hollywood's Dream Factory had to offer for 2016. They aren't in any particular order, nor are they limited to 'one film-one category' choice.
Feel free to visit me on Twitter and share your cinematic favorites!
The films listed below are Cine's Pick that Hollywood's Dream Factory had to offer for 2016. They aren't in any particular order, nor are they limited to 'one film-one category' choice.
Feel free to visit me on Twitter and share your cinematic favorites!
The Dressmaker
Universal Pictures / Amazon Studios
Australia
Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse
Screenplay: Jocelyn Moorhouse, P. J. Hogan
Starring Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Hugo Weaving, Liam Hemsworth
Universal Pictures / Amazon Studios
Australia
Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse
Screenplay: Jocelyn Moorhouse, P. J. Hogan
Starring Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Hugo Weaving, Liam Hemsworth
"I'm back, you bastards, " announces Tilly, who returns home after a long absence, with a laundry list of scores to settle while sporting an dazzling array of haute couture.
Sent away for the community's "own good", she quickly restores order to her mother's stagnant life upon the hill. "I need you to remember, so I can remember", she implores her mother, known as Mad Molly. So begins the unraveling of a mystery that has plagued her life and provided the town with an unending stream of malicious gossip and snubs.
The small Australian community of Dungatar reacts with a mixture of fear and curiosity about Kate's return and the death of town bully, Stewart Pettigrew or as it's euphemistically referred to as "Stewart's accident". This outback town is made up of an odd assortment of mixed nuts and women who are longing for change. And Kate seduces them with high fashion and a a fiercely feminine Go-to-Hell attitude.
Along the way, new friendships are forged out of old suspicions as Tilly whips up creations for the fashion-starved town. Liam Helmsworth charms as the ruggedly handsome love interest, Teddy, who wants to break Tilly's fear of being cursed.
The Dressmaker celebrates the basic foundation of filmmaking, which is a great story, told with high humor by a fabulous cast. This gem relies on solid attention to detail in every area of production, from set design to cinematography.
Cine Mata's Picks for:
Best Actress - Kate Winslet
Best Supporting Actress - Judy Davis
Best Director - Jocelyn Moorhouse
Best Costume Design - Margot Wilson
Best Cinematography - Donald McAlpine
Best Screenplay - Jocelyn Moorhouse and
P. J. Hogan
Sent away for the community's "own good", she quickly restores order to her mother's stagnant life upon the hill. "I need you to remember, so I can remember", she implores her mother, known as Mad Molly. So begins the unraveling of a mystery that has plagued her life and provided the town with an unending stream of malicious gossip and snubs.
The small Australian community of Dungatar reacts with a mixture of fear and curiosity about Kate's return and the death of town bully, Stewart Pettigrew or as it's euphemistically referred to as "Stewart's accident". This outback town is made up of an odd assortment of mixed nuts and women who are longing for change. And Kate seduces them with high fashion and a a fiercely feminine Go-to-Hell attitude.
Along the way, new friendships are forged out of old suspicions as Tilly whips up creations for the fashion-starved town. Liam Helmsworth charms as the ruggedly handsome love interest, Teddy, who wants to break Tilly's fear of being cursed.
The Dressmaker celebrates the basic foundation of filmmaking, which is a great story, told with high humor by a fabulous cast. This gem relies on solid attention to detail in every area of production, from set design to cinematography.
Cine Mata's Picks for:
Best Actress - Kate Winslet
Best Supporting Actress - Judy Davis
Best Director - Jocelyn Moorhouse
Best Costume Design - Margot Wilson
Best Cinematography - Donald McAlpine
Best Screenplay - Jocelyn Moorhouse and
P. J. Hogan
In Order of Disappearance
Magnet/Magnolia Releasing
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Screenplay: Kim Fupz Aakeson
Subtitled
Starring Stellan Skarsgard, Bruno Ganz, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen, Kristofer Hivju
Magnet/Magnolia Releasing
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Screenplay: Kim Fupz Aakeson
Subtitled
Starring Stellan Skarsgard, Bruno Ganz, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen, Kristofer Hivju
The body count rises in this Danish cold-crime thriller, as Nils methodically enacts revenge for the brutal slaying of his innocent son. He relentlessly plods towards his goal, as a former criminal who now enjoys the respect of his city and affluent colleagues. Along the way low-level criminals and nefarious gangster bosses in business suits ruminate over Norwegian issues and the finer points of Japanese, Serbian and American culture and racial stereotypes as their numbers slowly diminish.
In Order of Disappearance is a Nordic testosterone homage to the American gangster genre, right down to the passive female characters, who substitute flashes of anger for empowerment and emotional connection (when they're allowed on the screen, that is). Murder and bloody torture are juxtaposed against endless vistas of snowy landscapes and Scandinavian Architectural Digest-inspired estates.
Cine Mata’s Pick for:
Best Screenplay - Kim Fupz Aakeson
In Order of Disappearance is a Nordic testosterone homage to the American gangster genre, right down to the passive female characters, who substitute flashes of anger for empowerment and emotional connection (when they're allowed on the screen, that is). Murder and bloody torture are juxtaposed against endless vistas of snowy landscapes and Scandinavian Architectural Digest-inspired estates.
Cine Mata’s Pick for:
Best Screenplay - Kim Fupz Aakeson
The Handmaiden
South Korea
C J Entertainment
Director: Park Chan-Wook
Screenplay: Chung Seo-Kyung, Park Chan-Wook
Subtitled
Starring Kim Tae-ri/Sook-hee, Kim Min-hee/Lady Hideko, Ha Jung-woo/Count Fujiwara, Cho Jin-woong/Uncle
South Korea
C J Entertainment
Director: Park Chan-Wook
Screenplay: Chung Seo-Kyung, Park Chan-Wook
Subtitled
Starring Kim Tae-ri/Sook-hee, Kim Min-hee/Lady Hideko, Ha Jung-woo/Count Fujiwara, Cho Jin-woong/Uncle
This is a story of Sook-hee, who works for an efficient gang of thieves and child traffickers. She's one smart girl, that volunteers for a convoluted scheme to work as a young and dumb Handmaiden for a mistress who herself appears even more so. She reports back to her boss, the phony Count Fujiwara, while he comes courting the Mistress Hideko for a big score.
The Handmaiden is a rich and lavish tale of crime and death told in several parts, set against a changing landscape of sordid acts, wrapped in Western repression, Asian eroticism and fabulous costumes. The three main characters play an ongoing game of shift and counter shift, playing with our perceptions along the way.
Cine Mata’s Pick for:
Best Foreign Language Film
Best Actress - Kim Min-hee
Best Supporting Actress - Kim Tae-ri
Best Adapted Screenplay - Chung Set-Kyung, Park Chan-Wook
Best Cinematography - Chung Chung-hoon
Best Costume Design - Sang-gyeong Jo
The Handmaiden is a rich and lavish tale of crime and death told in several parts, set against a changing landscape of sordid acts, wrapped in Western repression, Asian eroticism and fabulous costumes. The three main characters play an ongoing game of shift and counter shift, playing with our perceptions along the way.
Cine Mata’s Pick for:
Best Foreign Language Film
Best Actress - Kim Min-hee
Best Supporting Actress - Kim Tae-ri
Best Adapted Screenplay - Chung Set-Kyung, Park Chan-Wook
Best Cinematography - Chung Chung-hoon
Best Costume Design - Sang-gyeong Jo
Love & Friendship
Amazon Studios/Roadside Attractions
Director: Whit Stillman
Screenplay: Whit Stillman
Starring Kate Beckinsale, Chloe Sevigny, Xavier Samuel, Stephen Fry
Amazon Studios/Roadside Attractions
Director: Whit Stillman
Screenplay: Whit Stillman
Starring Kate Beckinsale, Chloe Sevigny, Xavier Samuel, Stephen Fry
Based on Jane Austen's novel, Lady Susan Vernon, Kate Beckinsale (playing Lady Susan) leads a rather large cast of characters as they lounge over the manicured lawns of the rural countryside of Churchill and London drawing rooms. Widowed Lady Susan lives under the illusion of being open-minded and compassionate while holding to her own one-dimensional worldview that revolves around satisfying her grand plans. Austen's central character may not be a lovable woman on paper, but Beckinsale breathes new life into a story that is sure to captivate Austen fans everywhere.
Jane Austen's brilliance lies in setting a regal stage of odd characters and allowing their little engrossing dramas unfold, with love being everyone's main concern. But the settings for Love & Friendship seem sterile and most of the cast labors in lackluster costumes.
Cine Mata’s Pick for:
Best Actress - Kate Beckinsale
Jane Austen's brilliance lies in setting a regal stage of odd characters and allowing their little engrossing dramas unfold, with love being everyone's main concern. But the settings for Love & Friendship seem sterile and most of the cast labors in lackluster costumes.
Cine Mata’s Pick for:
Best Actress - Kate Beckinsale
I Am Not Your Negro
Magnolia Pictures
Documentary
Director: Raoul Peck
Screenplay: James Baldwin, Raoul Peck
Based on Remember This House by James Baldwin
Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson
Magnolia Pictures
Documentary
Director: Raoul Peck
Screenplay: James Baldwin, Raoul Peck
Based on Remember This House by James Baldwin
Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson
Raoul Peck's journey of author and activist James Baldwin's exploration into the history of American racism through the three men that inspired him - Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X. Director Peck blends Baldwin's words, documentary footage and cinematic images to create a contemporary narrative of The Otherness of Black and White America.
Baldwin wrote his observations about the impact of these three slain civil rights heroes upon the American landscape. He challenges our political comfort zone while he castigates his own inactivity, which he forced himself out of in the midst of marches and speeches.
Peck explores the social constraints upon blacks through the lens of white entitlement, especially Baldwin's cynicism towards the liberal administration of the Kennedy brothers. Each assassination sees James Baldwin moving through his levels of grief and anger to become more outspoken, ripping the white power structure's efforts to pacify audiences into national complacency.
Cine Mata’s Pick for:
BEST Documentary
Baldwin wrote his observations about the impact of these three slain civil rights heroes upon the American landscape. He challenges our political comfort zone while he castigates his own inactivity, which he forced himself out of in the midst of marches and speeches.
Peck explores the social constraints upon blacks through the lens of white entitlement, especially Baldwin's cynicism towards the liberal administration of the Kennedy brothers. Each assassination sees James Baldwin moving through his levels of grief and anger to become more outspoken, ripping the white power structure's efforts to pacify audiences into national complacency.
Cine Mata’s Pick for:
BEST Documentary
Hail Caesar!
Universal Pictures
Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Screenplay: Joe and Ethan Coen
Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum, Veronica Osorio, Frances McDormand
Universal Pictures
Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Screenplay: Joe and Ethan Coen
Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum, Veronica Osorio, Frances McDormand
Hail Caesar! is another Coen Brothers production of deception, because half-way through it, you realize that it's something else entirely. Is it a social commentary on religion or a cynical view of Hollywood's pre-Blacklist 1950's communist era? Perhaps it's a look at the rigid studio system - maybe an expose of Tinsel Town's scandals?
These thoughts are best left on the cutting room floor, as Hail Caesar! rocks and rolls you towards its breathless ending of Say Whaa? But what is certain is that Josh Brolin and Alden Ehrenreich deliver solid Oscar performances that should not be overlooked.
Cine's Pick for:
Best Actor - Josh Brolin
Best Supporting Actor - Alden Ehrenreich
These thoughts are best left on the cutting room floor, as Hail Caesar! rocks and rolls you towards its breathless ending of Say Whaa? But what is certain is that Josh Brolin and Alden Ehrenreich deliver solid Oscar performances that should not be overlooked.
Cine's Pick for:
Best Actor - Josh Brolin
Best Supporting Actor - Alden Ehrenreich
NOTE: Matthew Dessem offers a wonderful examination of just 'who' the cast of characters really were in this Coen comedy-drama.
Matthew Dessem. (FEB. 8 2016).
The Real-Life Inspirations Behind Hail, Caesar!: A Star-by-Star and Movie-by-Movie Breakdown. Slate.com. January 4, 2017.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/02/08/hail_caesar_s_real_life_inspirations_broken_down_star_by_star_and_movie.html
Matthew Dessem. (FEB. 8 2016).
The Real-Life Inspirations Behind Hail, Caesar!: A Star-by-Star and Movie-by-Movie Breakdown. Slate.com. January 4, 2017.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/02/08/hail_caesar_s_real_life_inspirations_broken_down_star_by_star_and_movie.html
Hidden Figures
Director Theodore Melfi
Screenplay: Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi
20th Century Fox
Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Glen Powell, Mahershala Ali
Director Theodore Melfi
Screenplay: Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi
20th Century Fox
Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Glen Powell, Mahershala Ali
The triple threat of Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae in Hidden Figures signals a renaissance for women-centered historical dramas, an area sadly lacking in American films. That this film also features three black women as the main characters is hopefully a trend that will never slow down.
Cine's Pick for:
Best Actresses - Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae (it could happen!)
Best Film
Cine's Pick for:
Best Actresses - Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae (it could happen!)
Best Film
SING!
Universal Pictures
Director: Garth Jennings, Christophe Lourdelet
Screenplay: Garth Jennings
Voiced by Matthew McConaughey/Buster Moon, Reese Witherspoon/Rosita, Seth MacFarlane/Mike, Scarlett Johansson/Ash, John C. Reilly/Eddie, Taron Egerton/Johnny, Tori Kelly/Meena
Universal Pictures
Director: Garth Jennings, Christophe Lourdelet
Screenplay: Garth Jennings
Voiced by Matthew McConaughey/Buster Moon, Reese Witherspoon/Rosita, Seth MacFarlane/Mike, Scarlett Johansson/Ash, John C. Reilly/Eddie, Taron Egerton/Johnny, Tori Kelly/Meena
Children's animated films are often forgotten at awards time, because they're well, for children. But something vital gets lost in this smug perspective of adulthood, since animated film fare is more than colorful characters and a happy ending. Don't get me wrong, the Academy does recognize the creative artistry of animation, but again - there's that small condescending banter during award presentation for the animated film winner.
But ask any parent who accompanies their child what they liked about The Secret Life of Pets or SING! and they won't hesitate - it's the message, silly. Yep, the good, old school 'moral of the story'. And while children's movies are made for their entertainment value, there are a few other values that get transmitted during viewing. Call it propaganda or message, the content of the story is an important factor - and not just the happy ending. Fortunately, today's animated stories go beyond the simplistic Good vs Evil or Princess Finds True Love = Marriage themes offered during Hollywood's more conservative era.
This year's Academy Awards might lean in favor the mega-hits The Secret Life of Pets or Zootopia, but for me the newly-released film SING promises to become that sleeper classic for generations to come.
This bold claim rests on several factors - a dizzying list of popular songs, characters who are easy to identify with and the 'dream big' theme. There are no less than 23 featured songs and musicals are always a perennial family favorites. SING Gives us five main characters who must battle their own insecurities and society's expectations in order to make their dreams come true. Characters like Rosita, the overwhelmed housewife pig with 25 children; Johnny, a young adult gorilla, trying to break away from his father's criminal path; Meena, the timid elephant with a solid gold voice; smooth con-mouse Mike, who has to learn that success depends on more than his own ego; Porcupine Rocker Ash, struggling to find the confidence to write her own songs; and Buster Moon, our brash koala manager who believes in them all.
I love films that can flow on several different levels and SING does this well, seamlessly blending comedy, drama and action to deliver a rousing finale. Buster Moon’s saga of putting on a big show reminds me of the Mickey Rooney - Judy Garland powerhouse musicals from the 1940s (Babes on Broadway, Strike Up the Band), with its high octane energy, catchy tunes and optimistic ferver.
As with most animated films, Universal Pictures had a chance to be more diverse in it's casting choices, but unlike SING'S characters they simply didn't catch the courage - again.
So even if SING doesn’t get nominated - or win an Oscar - you’ll feel so good by the closing credits that you won't even mind.
Cine’s Pick for:
BEST Animated Film
But ask any parent who accompanies their child what they liked about The Secret Life of Pets or SING! and they won't hesitate - it's the message, silly. Yep, the good, old school 'moral of the story'. And while children's movies are made for their entertainment value, there are a few other values that get transmitted during viewing. Call it propaganda or message, the content of the story is an important factor - and not just the happy ending. Fortunately, today's animated stories go beyond the simplistic Good vs Evil or Princess Finds True Love = Marriage themes offered during Hollywood's more conservative era.
This year's Academy Awards might lean in favor the mega-hits The Secret Life of Pets or Zootopia, but for me the newly-released film SING promises to become that sleeper classic for generations to come.
This bold claim rests on several factors - a dizzying list of popular songs, characters who are easy to identify with and the 'dream big' theme. There are no less than 23 featured songs and musicals are always a perennial family favorites. SING Gives us five main characters who must battle their own insecurities and society's expectations in order to make their dreams come true. Characters like Rosita, the overwhelmed housewife pig with 25 children; Johnny, a young adult gorilla, trying to break away from his father's criminal path; Meena, the timid elephant with a solid gold voice; smooth con-mouse Mike, who has to learn that success depends on more than his own ego; Porcupine Rocker Ash, struggling to find the confidence to write her own songs; and Buster Moon, our brash koala manager who believes in them all.
I love films that can flow on several different levels and SING does this well, seamlessly blending comedy, drama and action to deliver a rousing finale. Buster Moon’s saga of putting on a big show reminds me of the Mickey Rooney - Judy Garland powerhouse musicals from the 1940s (Babes on Broadway, Strike Up the Band), with its high octane energy, catchy tunes and optimistic ferver.
As with most animated films, Universal Pictures had a chance to be more diverse in it's casting choices, but unlike SING'S characters they simply didn't catch the courage - again.
So even if SING doesn’t get nominated - or win an Oscar - you’ll feel so good by the closing credits that you won't even mind.
Cine’s Pick for:
BEST Animated Film
Fences
Director Denzel Washington
Screenplay: August Wilson
Paramount Pictures
Starring Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, Saniyya Sidney
Director Denzel Washington
Screenplay: August Wilson
Paramount Pictures
Starring Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, Saniyya Sidney
Even though Fences hit the screens late, it is still likely to garner nominations galore - and for two great reasons - Viola Davis and Denzel Washington.
It is wonderful to see a film featuring black actors that focuses on a contemporary story, and August Wilson's original play is brilliantly realized for film audiences by director/actor Denzel Washington.
Cine's Picks for:
Best Actor - Denzel Washington
Best Actress - Viola Davis
Best Director - Denzel Washington
It is wonderful to see a film featuring black actors that focuses on a contemporary story, and August Wilson's original play is brilliantly realized for film audiences by director/actor Denzel Washington.
Cine's Picks for:
Best Actor - Denzel Washington
Best Actress - Viola Davis
Best Director - Denzel Washington
COPYRIGHT 2012/2017. Paulette Reynolds. All CineMata Movie Madness blog articles, reviews, faux interviews, commentary, and the Cine Mata character are under the sole ownership of Paulette Reynolds. All intellectual and creative rights reserved.
