No need to discuss about how this year has flown by. I’m sure it’s already been known and said a few times. Still, as I take a look back on the past 6 months, there’s less than 20 movies that have pierced my heart with thrills, laughter, and absolute entertainment. There’s not enough time to bore you with the movies that have tried to drench my soul in distraction, boredom and stupidity. There’s too much darkness in all of that. And who knows what the rest of this year’s movies have in store, but I do know the first half was slim yet sensational. Don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself.
EYE IN THE SKY
Full of superb performances,this soul searching political war thriller is skillfully challenging & fraught; no easy answers are offered in deconstructing the delicacy of mortality after inflaming deadly decisions are carried out.
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL
Intriguing mysteries of the unknown are the mainspring of this profound, spellbinding supernatural film. Nichols has orchestrated an ingenious, moving story about belief & search for salvation. Along w/ remarkable performances, it’s the bond between father & son that speaks the highest volume.
ZOOTOPIA
Manful, snazzy & undoubtedly timely, this exceptional animated film is quip & thoughtful by supplying a universal message about existing prejudice w/ a gallant hunt to find tolerance & acceptance.
10 CLOVERFIELD LANE
Supported with an impressive trio of talent, this rare, remarkable thriller hides behind mystery & delivers the unexpected. Clever while jacked up on intensity, it rejuvenates the genre by being captivating, disquieting, & catching you completely off guard.
THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016)
Favreau brings this classic adventure to extraordinary life w/a stellar young Sethi as Mowgli & an excellent voice cast to follow him. Engulfed in the danger while maintaining humor & good-vibes, it’s a marvel to behold.
WEINER
A brutally candid political doc about a public figure’s voice & ideas being drowned out by scandal & costly choices. The exceptional insight fascinates while the unbelievable access exposes a wild, disastrous trip down the relentless campaign trail.
HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS
The incomparable Sally Field delivers a lusty performance about a woman who’s never too old to find her true self. Eccentric yet beautiful, this story & its leading lady are lovingly infectious.
A BIGGER SPLASH
Tilda Swinton is impeccable in this psychological drama that flourishes w/ style, sexuality, & seduction. But it’s Ralph Fiennes’ firecracker, rip-roaring performance that blasts this delicious film into beautiful chaos. You can’t help but soak it all in.
THE MEDDLER
Susan Sarandon is spectacular in a sweetly enticing film about a mother’s suffocating yet unconditional love. It flows easily w/ affection & irresistible charm.
FINDING DORY
Pixar just keeps swimming in imaginativeness w/ this spectacular companion to the original that’ll be outright challenging to forget. Finding Dory indisputably inspires by taking on the suffering of a disability w/ a fighting spirit. It’s a magnificently animated beauty flooded w/ energetic characters, humor, & heart.
THE WITCH
The atmosphere & soundtrack is chilling enough,but the paranoia & pure evil that runs through the family shakes their faith & shakes your nerves. Director Robert Eggers spawns more of a psychological than horror film where he lets terror dilatorily devour the screen.
THE INVITATION
This remarkable tension-filled film is cleverly mastered by walking a thin line between skepticism & paranoia. The sweltering eeriness & dread becomes almost unbearable in the most vital way possible. A superior psychological treat.
DEADPOOL
Reynolds’ willing wit & charisma is expertly tuned in this debauchery infested,wildly entertaining “superhero” movie. It’s in on the joke by being purely hilarious while remaining relentlessly profane & serving up unmerciful bloodshed.
SING STREET
A funny, profound film w/ a thundering musical pulse,director Carney is clearly in love w/ music & the influence it can have in someone’s life. His eminently charming cinematic concert is a wonderful reminder of when a song strikes the right note in an individual, the possibilities are endless.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
Riveting moments w/all of our favorite superheroes, resulting in quite the colossal showdown. The Russo Bros keep all of the rowdiness in check by cutting deep into the difficult sacrifices made by a busted & bruised Avenger family. An entertaining, action-packed blockbuster done right.
GREEN ROOM
It’ll be tough to not look away, but do your best to endure this ruthless, unapologetic thriller that builds up from an unnerving atmosphere into a spinning wheel of brutality. Though simple, the meticulous directing & sensationally unstable performances make you incapable of forgetting this ferocious film.
THE NICE GUYS
A retro detective noir that’s playful,witty,clever, & delivers a knockout duo to do the heavy hitting. Crowe & Gosling work astonishingly well, relentlessly feeding off one another’s antics. Black’s throwback buddy action comedy finds its mojo pronto and never comes close to losing it.
DARK HORSE
A small, luckless Welsh community breaks all of the rules in horse racing in this incredibly inspirational documentary. A horse fueled by hope, these unlikely champions spiritedly let their Dream run.
Brandon Vick is the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter@SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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