This year delivered many 'good' movies, but very few 'great' ones. With so many highly anticipated movies flopping, it is the unexpected hits that stand out among the rest. Realistically, my list is just pleasant surprises that amounted to incredibly enjoyable cinematic experiences. Here are my Top 5 flicks from the last year.
Most people probably haven't even heard of this movie, but it was the biggest surprise for me of this year. I went into it with very little knowledge or expectation of what I was about to see, and in turn enjoyed it immensely. A satisfying return to screen for Mel Gibson paired with Erin Moriarty created a fun dynamic, with a lot of emotion and humour packed into what might be considered a fairly straightforward story. If nothing else, Blood Father is definitely an enjoyable action flick.
I had never even heard about this movie until its trailer was sprung upon me in the cinema, and I was hooked from the start. As someone who is sick of the typical cowboy Western movie, this modern take was a refreshing update to the stale genre. Surprisingly detailed stories and motives ghosted each character, and this extra effort definitely paid off in creating a complicated and interesting story.
In one word; breathtaking. Mel Gibson's return to directing is probably one of the most captivating war films of all time. Following the remarkable true story of conscientious objector Desmond Doss, who saved countless lives during World War II as a combat medic, this film truly is deserving of the standing ovation it received at its Venice Film Festival debut. The perhaps slightly slow start is topped off with brutal action for the entire second half, and it is impossible to turn away from.
Taikia Waititi returns again with another fun and beautiful film. If you don't know who he is by now (you should), he is essentially New Zealand's version of Wes Anderson. Following his other movie Boy as the top grossing New Zealand films of all time, Hunt for the Wilderpeople tells a quirky story in an artistic and fun way. With beautifully built scenes of the New Zealand wilderness alongside quirky and interesting characters, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a pleasant experience through and through. If you are a fan of Wes Anderson, I implore you to give Taika Waititi a try.
My biggest love in films is good acting. If the actors can sell me on their character, I'll probably enjoy the movie. With only three characters in a confined and simple setting, this movie is absolutely carried by the acting, and really, that's all it needs. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman are nothing short of phenomenal in creating this tense and creepy thriller. The only improvement I could suggest would be to drop the Cloverfield tag from the movie whatsoever, but I'll let it slide.
Honourable Mentions
Doctor Strange - As someone who is sick of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and superhero movies in general, Doctor Strange was a refreshing change of pace, and definitely starts along the path to expanding the MCU past The Avengers.
The Nice Guys - While I didn't love this movie as much as most other people, it is no doubt an shining example of what can be done with smart writing and witty dialogue, and I hope to see more movies along this grain produced in the future.
Black Mirror - In a year of Netflix dominance, I can't help but mention this show. With each episode realistically being a standalone short film, I cannot recommend both old and new Black Mirror enough. The six episodes released as season three this year paint painful pictures of technology and the human condition, and will no doubt leave you stressed and anxious in the best way possible.
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