The Best of 2016 – In Movies!

2016 may have come and gone, but before we head to the myriad of movies that await for us this year, let us take a trip back in time and recall the best (and the worst) of the year that was. Behold, the FlipGeeks Team’s picks for the best films of 2016.

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Yuri Mangahas
Managing Editor for Movies, TV and Animation | IG: @yurithekid

Best Blockbuster Film: Rogue One

Perhaps the best Star Wars entry in recent memory, Rogue One strips most of the typical conventions in a Star Wars movie and focuses on the gritty and grim nature of the rebellion. Taking place before Episode IV, Rogue One also succeeds in filling in some of the holes in the mystery of the Death Star’s operational flaw, as well as the events that led to the opening moments of A New Hope. Suffice to say, it is a must watch for every fan and non-fan.

Breakout Film of The Year: Deadpool

In contrast to expectations, Deadpool surely struck all marks and became the quintessential superhero film (or rather, parody) of all time. It was Tim Miller’s careful treatment of the Merc With A Mouth’s mythos, combined with Ryan Reynolds’ natural capacity for humor and acting that propelled the flick to critical acclaim. Fox may have failed us multiple times with some of the X-Men entries, but Deadpool is a love letter to astute followers of the said series. It is simply Uncanny.

Best Local Film: Apocalypse Child

Rarely do we see a local film that masterfully weave varying stories and relationships into one, cohesive output. Fortunately, Mario Cornejo’s Apocalypse Child is one of them. The film never paints its characters as people who are to be judged by social norms and morality. They talk, act, and ache like the rest of us, capable of deceit, revenge, and whim, not because they are following some grand plan, but only because it is convenient and human beings are creatures of convenience. Truth be told, Apocalypse Child is an exercise in restraint in terms of handling different degrees of emotional wavelength. In addition, it also provides a distinct look at the beauty that is Baler, and why the place deserves your attention, dear traveler.

Best Animated Project: The Red Turtle

Easily the most deviant in Studio Ghibli’s library of films, The Red Turtle is the first non-Japanese made animated entry of the outfit, and is also a collaborative project with Wild Bunch Studios. Co-produced by Hayao Miyazaki himself, The Red Turtle tells the tale of a man who survives a shipwreck and finds himself stranded on a deserted island. He attempts to leave the island multiple times, only to fail, in part to the machinations of a giant, red turtle. While devoid of dialogue, Michael Dudok de Wit’s use of sound, transition, and various metaphors make The Red Turtle a satisfying visual experience to boot.

Best TV Show: Game of Thrones

Still the best TV show there is in my book, Game of Thrones continues to stride strong in the show’s sixth season. Closing as ever to the fangs of the final battle, GoT elevates the winds of the conflict to fever pitch, as the showrunners cleverly lay all the chess pieces right where they belong. It also decisively brought some of the best moments in TV for 2016, with a few literally wreaking the Internet in half. That said, we cannot wait any longer for Season 7.

Worst Movie of The Year: Suicide Squad

Enough said. Despite the abundance of hype, star power, and progressive marketing, Suicide Squad crashed and burned off the screen, as it was a convoluted musk of differing plot points. It simply proved that reshoots – while incremental, mostly – could be a double edged blade. In the film’s case, it steered the entire thing downtown.