My Top 10 Scenes Of The Year!

2016 was quite a mixed year in film. There were many great hits but many huge flops within 2016. Before I get into my Best and Worst of the year lists, I feel it would be a good time to recognise some of the year's best scenes. This allows me to talk about some of the year's best or coolest moments despite what the rest of the film was like. We often overshadow great individual moments in a film so this list will have a look at some of the year's best individual scenes. The only rule for this is that there can only be one scene from a movie to make the list more varied. These scenes either amused me, heavily entertained me, emotionally effected me or even did all of them. So in saying that, here are my 10 favourite scenes of 2016.

10. Tanner's Last Stand - Hell Or High Water

'Hell Or High Water' was one a very morally complex film as you know you shouldn't root for Tanner and Toby, but they are just so charismatic that you can't help but do so. At the same time, you want Jeff Bridge's character Sherriff Marcus to come out on top. Tension is at its highest in this scene as you know death is awaiting Tanner but he keeps going on to allow his brother Toby to escape. An incredible scene from one of 2016's best films. 

9. Church Resistance - Anthropoid

I didn't think 'Anthropoid' was the best of films but the church scene was magnificent. The resistance seemed to have been found out by the Nazi's as the small group held them off for as long as possible. The scene is gripping and action packed as the group put up a great fight. There are powerful moments within the scene as the sacrifice's from these men is showcased in great fashion.

8. Not The Bees! - Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

The funniest scene this year came from 'The Lonely Island's' musical mockumentary 'Popstar'. The scene features Andy Samberg's character Connor4Real and his agent having a chat when they are attacked by bees. This scene is comedy genius despite not actually showing you what happens. This scene will have you in stitches and is the best comedy moment this year in film.

7. Bear Attack - The Revenant

Going back to early 2016 with one of the most impressive scenes of the year. Leonardo Di Caprio won his first Oscar for this film and seems like this may be why. With some incredible special effects, Leo is ripped apart in a gruelling battle with a vicious bear. It's incredible how they were able to make this scene happen. The scene is brutal but it is wonderful filmmaking nonetheless.

6. Car Trouble - Nocturnal Animals

One of the year's best scenes came from 'Nocturnal Animals' as this nightmarish scenario brought an abundance of tension. Aaron Taylor-Johnson completely transforms into his character Ray who is the worst of the worst in one of the performances of the year. The scene is filled with tension as you do not know what Ray and his cronies are going to do to this helpless family. It sets up the rest of the film so perfectly well as 'Nocturnal Animals' became one of my favourite movies of 2016.

5. Arkham Style - Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice

It's safe to say that I wasn't a fan of 'Batman V Superman' but I most certainly loved this scene. As a fan of Batman and the 'Arkham' game series, this scene delivered in so many ways. The action featuring Batman in this scene was astonishing and looked as if it was straight from the games. It was perfectly executed and was a real pleasure to watch. It's a shame the rest of the film wasn't up to the same standard.

 

4. Escape - Room

There is not a scene this year that has made me come as close to crying as much as this scene from 'Room' did. Building up to this, we had seen the conditions that Ma and Jack had been staying in and learned their tragic fate. As the scene plays out, we see the attempt to escape which is packed with emotion and tension as you hope that these characters get away from their captor. The final moments of the scene show  Jack waiting for his mother in a police car as the camera then turns to her running towards the car to be reunited with her child. One of the most powerful moments I have experienced in a cinema which I was fully immersed within.

3. The Strike - Eye In The Sky

'Eye In The Sky' focuses on the decision to make an airstrike onto terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya. There is an innocent little girl within the area who the team try to get out of the way. As the strike is called to happen, you do not know whether or not she will be saved. The tension is so high and you feel all kind of emotions with this one. Such a morally complex film that is rounded off incredibly well with this final scene. There were people in tears when I saw this film and I can't really blame them. Very powerful stuff.

2. Airport Battle - Captain America: Civil War

The amalgamation of Marvel's hard work over the past decade paid off oh so well in 'Captain America: Civil War'. The build up of the story and growth of tension amongst the ranks finally culminated in this scenes as Team Cap and Team Iron Man collided. There are so many great moments in this scene such as the staredown, the one on one battles, Giant Man and of course, the introduction of Spider-Man to the MCU. The action in this scene is phenomenal and I personally think that this is the best scene in comic book movie history.

1. Vader's Vengence - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Nothing in film this year put a bigger smile on my face than the end scene of 'Rogue One'. It was only a couple of minutes long but I sat there grinning like a child the whole time as one of film's most iconic characters appeared in terrifying fashion. Everything about this was so satisfying, as this scene rounded up 'Rogue One'. I've seen this film three times now and I still get goosebumps when Vader appears on the screen. Nothing gave me a better feeling this year and I hope Episode VIII can deliver something equally as powerful next year.

So that rounds up my 10 favourite scenes of the year. Of course, there are much more that could have fit into this list as there were so many great moments so I'd like to know what your favourite moments of 2016 were. Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my blog post, it is much appreciated!

By Angus McGregor

Month at the Movies: November

We are getting closer to award season and that is clearly evident with some of the films that came out in November. Some of these movies are surely going to be in contention come February. However, it wasn't a flawless month as there were a couple of disappointments. I was fortunate enough to see 10 different films this November in what was a mixed month. 

If you aren't aware of this series, I pretty much go through the month and rank the movies that I saw that month based on a combination of quality and how much I enjoyed the film. So let's get into the list! 

10. Bad Santa 2

The sequel from the 2003 crude Christmas movie came as a surprise when it was announced. Nobody was really asking for this sequel and it would have been better if it was not made at all. The old cast is back along with Kathy Bates who does add some good moments to the film. However, the film sticks to its rude humour which doesn't deliver the whole way through. A poor sequel, not that it was expected to be a classic.

Final Verdict = C-

Check out my review of 'Bad Santa 2' here 

9. Paterson

I think that I am the only person in the world who does not like this film. Critics have been raving about this film and Adam Driver's performance, describing them as some of the best pieces of work this year. I didn't feel this at all. In fact, I don't see anything special about this film. It's dull, boring and uneventful and just did not work at all for me. A very disappointing showing as I expected a masterpiece. Possibly the most overrated film of the year.

Final Verdict = C-

Check out my review of 'Paterson' here  

8. Bleed For This

The last film I saw this month was 'Bleed For This' and was the most average film of the month. The film most certainly isn't bad but it isn't good enough to stand out, especially within its genre. Miles Teller and Aaron Eckhart both do great in their roles but the film just seems to be lacking that extra something. The action isn't up to the usual standard as the film fails to really engage you like other boxing films would do so. 

Final Verdict = C+

Check out my review of 'Bleed For This' here 

7. The Accountant 

Ranking these next four films is very hard as they are fairly similar in quality. Unfortunately for 'The Accountant', they fall last on that mini list. The film is filled with great performances, especially from Ben Affleck and Anna Kendrick. The film had a great situation with these two actors but split them up, making the second half of the film less enjoyable. There is some good action but a poor finish and pacing do hinder the quality of this film.

Final Verdict = B

Check out my review of 'The Accountant' here 

6. A United Kingdom 

Next up the biographical-romance-drama 'A United Kingdom'. This film brings a powerful and effective story as it looks at serious issues. The film is also elevated due to the performances of David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike who both show their class. The film does become a little stale as there isn't much progression throughout the film. There are moments that seem to be repeated as the film loses its strong hold on the audience. A solid film nonetheless but repetitive viewings aren't likely with this one.

Final Verdict = B

Check out my review of 'A United Kingdom' here 

5. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them

The return to the wizarding world was a fairly successful one as 'Fantastic Beasts' was a fun movie. The quality doesn't quite match the 'Harry Potter' films but there is plenty to enjoy in this film. There are some fun characters and creatures that do make this a pleasant viewing. The film is a bit predictable and some of the characters aren't fully fleshed out do hinder the film, though. Overall, this is a fun, easy watch that fans of the series will surely enjoy.

Final Verdict = B

Check out my review of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them' here 

4. Allied

Marion Cotillard cements herself as one of film's best current actresses with her role in this film. The film is beautiful looking with incredible sets and costumes being on display. The film uses tension very well throughout the film too, which makes this a very enjoyable viewing. The film isn't perfect though as the first half is building up the romance which in the end doesn't feel completely genuine. This does pose a problem as it takes up a lot of the time and does impact the story due to it not working that well. 'Allied' is an adequate film, bringing an intriguing story with great performances.

Final Verdict = B

Check out my review of 'Allied' here 

3. The Light Between Oceans

Much like 'Allied', 'The Light Between Oceans' takes a lot of time to set up its romance aspect. The difference, though is that TLBO feels genuine and truly works. Vikander and Fassbender are fantastic in this film which really allows it to succeed. The film is packed with emotion with many highs and lows that will make you both happy and sad. Again, the film is stunning as the cinematography is phenomenal which may earn cinematographer Adam Arkapaw some nominations during award season. A great and tragic movie overall, however, I would say that you need to like this kind of film to get full enjoyment from it.

Final Verdict = A-

Check out my review of 'The Light Between Oceans' here  

2. Arrival

'Arrival' is undoubtedly one of 2016's best films. The Sci-Fi film is unlike many others as it is an alien invasion film, but succeeds by not making the aliens themselves the main part. It's more 'Close Encounters of The Third Kind' than other Sci-Fi films as its slow, effective burn story works a treat. There's a reason to why this film has achieved large critical acclaim. Amy Adams steps up in this incredibly clever film with a powerful message within. The writing, cinematography and performances all come together to create greatness. This only cements Denis Villeneuve's position as one of the best modern film directors. This film is truly incredible and one that you have to see. 

Final Verdict = A

Check out my review of 'Arrival' here 

'Nocturnal Animals' Review

Tom Ford has finally returned to directing a feature length film after 7 years. His last film, 'A Single Man', earned great critical claim as well as a nomination for it's leading actor Colin Firth at the Academy Awards. Despite almost a decade going by, Ford has created another fantastic feature that may have the same result for some its cast members.

Susan (Amy Adams) is a successful LA art gallery owner, who seems to have a perfect life with a handsome young husband (Armie Hammer). However, not everything is perfect as people do not see what truly bothers her. When her husband is away, she is sent a manuscript from her ex-husband Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal). The script features a dark tale of a family vacation going very wrong. As Susan continues to read, she is forced to confront her past and some dark truths.

'Nocturnal Animals' is by far one of the most interesting films in terms of style this year. Director Tom Ford uses his background as a fashion designer to create a beautiful, sleek looking movie that is a pleasure to view. Ford's creation can only be defined as art as he creates something truly remarkable. Ford's use of parallels work beautifully within the story as Edward's novel reflects Susan's current life situation in a way that words could not. It's Nicolas Winding Refn like at times as there is minimal dialogue during certain scenes as the visuals tell the story on their own. Each scene is perfectly crafted with a key eye for detail clearly overlooking it. Ford does a fantastic job with this film and I wouldn't be surprised to see his name mentioned during award season.

Ford manages to make this an emotional rollercoaster but not in a way that you would particularly like. The film is horrifying and heartbreaking as the film demands your attention. You are gripped into this film and are taken on a thrill ride with unexpected twists and turns that will make you feel everything from fear to anger to relief.

The plot has Amy Adams' character Susan reading the manuscript of her ex-husband with that story being brought to life in the film at the same time. This was very intriguing and unique to see in a sort of fictional inception with stories happening within stories. It seems to be a very risky technique that Ford went with as you run the risk of their being one story that completely overshadows the other. However, the stories are both very interesting which keeps you glued to the screen. I won't lie and say that I didn't prefer one to the other but it cannot be denied that both aspects are equally as intriguing. Both parts could even feature alone in their own movie but together, they create a masterpiece.

The story that Tony sends Susan seems to resonate deeply with Susan as she notices a pattern in some of the events. Tony dedicates his brutal, revenge-driven tale to his ex-wife with moments of the novel reflecting the relationship the two previously had. In many ways, this is Tony's revenge on his ex-wife who betrayed him in a time of struggle that is shown in some great flashbacks. This is made even more evident in the very effective finale which I won't go into too much detail about. The book creates a reflective period for Susan as she looks at past actions, making her feel guilty, as her life seems to be getting worse as the film progresses.

As award season gets closer and closer, I'd be very disappointed if none of the talented actors/actresses starring in this film is not nominated. Amy Adams is a contender with her performance as the emotionally effected Susan who seems to have a great life, but deep inside is hurting. It's another great performance from Adams which just seems to be expected nowadays. The biggest contender has to be Jake Gyllenhaal who plays two characters in the film; the real life Edward and the protagonist of the manuscript Tony. Gyllenhaal is marvellous yet again as the two characters, especially as Tony where he shows great range and excelling with the emotional moments. It's about time that he is recognised for his work in recent years after being snubbed when it was more than deserved *cough* 'Nightcrawler' *cough*. 

One of the strongest parts of the film comes in the performance from Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Taylor-Johnson usually plays a likeable character that you root for but he completely transforms in this role. I couldn't believe that this was the same guy from 'Kick-Ass' as he was so relentlessly evil as Ray. He plays a huge role in the manuscript side of the story as his actions in the story really grip you and make you want to know more immediately. This performance surprised me so much as I did not expect to see him as this sort of character but he nailed it. This is a performance where you don't see an actor but a real person. One of the most effective performances in a film this year as he was so despicable. Fantastic work and I hope that it is recognised with some nominations.

Michael Shannon almost guarantees a solid performance and he delivers yet again. As the sheriff who helps out Gyllenhaal's Tony, he is a perfect contrast to the character. Shannon is brutally honest with a tough demeanour as he looks to help the broken Tony. Both are suffering in different ways and reacting to those circumstances differently, with Shannon's character not letting his sickness get in the way of his job. Laura Linney also appears as Susan's mother and her class is ever as evident. She is only in a handful of scenes but her presence is well known as her and Adams knock it out of the park. This works very effectively further on in the film as we see Susan reflect her mother, despite her wishing for that to never end up happening to her.

Patience is a key factor in this film as it really doesn't rush to make its point. This is evident throughout the whole film but most effective in the first part of Susan reading the manuscript. As the story shows Tony and Ray's first encounter, you expect that something bad is going to happen and the film tricks you a few times into expecting it. This adds an incredible amount of tension to the film as it slowly builds up and then delivers an incredible outcome which makes you want more. This is a key feature in the film and is very effective throughout the runtime.

Overall, 'Nocturnal Animals' is one of the best films that you will see this year. This film is intense, gripping and shocking creating a fantastic viewing. I can't recommend this film enough as it showcases everything great about cinema. Tom Ford deserves huge credit as does his talented cast, whom hopefully will be snooping around during awards season.

Final Verdict = 

So have you seen 'Nocturnal Animals'? If so, what did you think of it? I hope that this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing this film, which I cannot recommend enough. Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my review, it is much appreciated!

By Angus McGregor