Soapbox Commentary: The Top 10 Best movies of 2016

While 2016 was easily one of the most divisive years in modern history, it's also been one hell of a cinematic year. Diverse, intense, and often magical, the movies of 2016 gave audiences a lot to revel in.

Before I deliver on the goods, a quick disclaimer:

I did not see every film in 2016. Let's face it, no one actually did. But, with the slew of films that went into limited release on Christmas Day, there are many films that you may see on other critics' lists that I unfortunately could not see. And, while films like Live By Night and The Founder won't be going nationwide until this year, they had Oscar runs in L.A. and New York, making them 2016 films, not 2017 films.

So, if you don't see your favorite film on this list, it's possibly due to this reason. Or, you know, you may want to check my Worst of 2016 list.

Either way, on with the show!

#10: DEADPOOL

I often do my best to keep comic book movies off my Top 10 lists. I'm a geek by nature, and, however tempting it would be vociferate about every geek-gasm I have each year, I try to reserve the spots on the Top 10 to the truly important films of the year.

And that's ironically why Deadpool narrowly makes the list. While 20^th Century Fox had a tragic foible with Fantastic Four last year and a polarizing misstep with X-Men: Apocalypse this year, Deadpool not only avoids the typical self-important brooding that all superhero films outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe falls victim to, but also shows comic book movies can be action-packed, fun, and self-deprecating.

Think Deadpool still doesn't deserve to be on this list? Well, the Hollywood Foreign Press nominated it for a Golden Globe in one the Best Picture categories. Sorry, but the placement on this list is more than justified.

#9: QUEEN OF KATWE

Many of this year's films featured strong female leads overcoming difficult odds based on gender, race, and/or environment. Disney's Queen of Katwe is one of the finer examples of this. While it's not as riveting as one of my other top picks for the year, Katwe is every bit as important of a film based on the message we should be telling the next generation of females as it is due to its strong script and amazing performances.

Lupita Nyong'o, David Oyelowo, and newcomer Madina Nalwanga all deserved nominations for their performances in this little-seen film, and the film only adds to the impressive slate Disney had in 2016. It may not have made as much money as even the modest receipts forPete's Dragon, but that doesn't mean this film isn't important.

#8: ANTHROPOID

It's rare that any war movie winds up on my list, since I've never been a fan of them. However, Anthropoid is far from the typical war movie. Putting equal importance on the events of history as it is with the people who made this history, Anthropoid is a thrilling, gripping tale that has the edge-of-your seat thrills of a Hollywood action film, while maintaining the spirit of an indie film.

Again, this film was not seen by many. In fact, it's more than likely not going to be found on anyone else's Top 10 lists of the year. This is a shame, because this is every bit of excellent as films like Black Hawk Down and Saving Private Ryan, just without the graphic realistic violence that marred those films from being enjoyable to a wide audience.

#7: EYE IN THE SKY

Political thrillers are a rarity unto themselves these days, which is a shame since, given the current political climate, there is so much to bring to light that many are blind to.

Eye in the Sky illuminates one of the biggest dilemmas our current military faces: do we risk life of one and lose the propaganda war? Or risk the lives of many to win the propaganda war? A verbal chess match that lead to many of the year's best cinematic moments, and, once again, very few people saw it.

With Oscar-worthy performances from Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, and the final live-action performance from much-beloved Alan Rickman, Eye in the Sky deserved so much more attention than it received upon release.

#6: MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

While this film tops many critics' lists, it's not quite the best film of the year. But Manchester By the Sea is a remarkable film.

An honest look at family, loss, and trauma, Manchester has a lot to offer. Casey Affleck rises from bit player status and gives quite easily the best performance of his career, rivaling those of any other actor this year. The story itself is not an easy one, and the film is often a difficult one to watch.

Still, any film to have this deep of an impact deserves to be on this list, even though I may not share the same awe and praise most American critics have for this movie.

#5: DOCTOR STRANGE

Again, I try to leave comic book films off these types of lists. And, while many would argue that Captain America: Civil War was the stronger film from the Marvel Studios, Doctor Strange requires less knowledge of the other MCU films to enjoy.

But, then again, Doctor Strange is a different beast entirely. Focusing on Eastern religion and magic rather than sci-fi action, Strange is one of the best written films of the year, provided by the same writer of this year's Spider-Man: Homecoming, and an Oscar-worthy performance by Benedict Cumberbatch.

One of Marvel's riskiest films proved to be one of its biggest payouts. Marvel didn't just give fans what they want, but they delivered a film that they didn't even know they wanted. This sort of filmmaking deserves accolades.

#4: ARRIVAL

If films like Safety Not Guarenteed or this year's hidden gem Midnight Special has taught us anything, it's that sci-fi doesn't have to be filled with glitz, glam, CGI, and action to be excellent. But, honestly, no film exhibits this better than Arrival.

A movie about language and understanding should not be this riveting, and, yet, here we are. The film has received multiple nominations, including Golden Globe nominations, and every one of them are deserved. The cinematography is excellent, the editing is magical, and the performances by Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner are breath-taking.

Arrival is intelligent without being arrogant about it, and the non-linear nature isn't difficult to follow. Sci-fi doesn't need to look like Star Wars to be eye-popping, and Arrival should be on everyone's must-see list.

#3: DENIAL

In a post-truth age, the truth is a powerful weapon. Denial takes this message to heart, and runs with it like a freight train out of hell.

In this true story about the libel case against Deborah Lipstadt (Rachel Weisz) brought on by known Holocaust denier David Irving (Timothy Spall), Denial is a nail-biting court drama that is dramatic, not because the stakes are life-and-death, but because the truth is dangerous when it's ignored.

With our current political climate being what it is, Denial should be required viewing for any American – young and old. It's hard not to deny this film its due. Denial is by far one of the best historical dramas of the year, and is only over-shadowed by one film.

#2: HIDDEN FIGURES

In case you hadn't realized it, African Americans and women have shaped America to what it has become and the history books have conveniently ignored this fact until recently. Hidden Figures illuminates one of the greatest untold stories of NASA and the space race with Russia.

While it's gripping and fascinating to watch a movie about three African American women (Taraji P. Hansen, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae) and their impact on the pre-Apollo NASA missions, what Hidden Figures does is something that most historical dramas seemingly ignore: be entertaining.

Hidden Figures is funny, but not at the expense of drama or historical importance. The characters are flushed out, the writing is solid, and the performances are Oscar-worthy. This film should be a must-see on everyone's list.

#1: LA LA LAND

Like it or hate it, there's always something special when a film tries to recapture the magic and spirit of old Hollywood. Where Cafe Society and Hail, Cesar! tried admirably to honor this golden age of stars and screen, it's La La Land that sticks the landing in this beautiful send-up to original musicals.

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are amazing, singing and dancing their hearts out while giving the best performances of their careers. Damien Chazelle's follow-up to the underappreciated Whiplash is a toe-tapping, beautifully rendered homage to cinematic musicals that truly needs to be seen to believe.

It's emotionally true without being overly dramatic. It's highly energetic and fun without resulting in bubblegum sweetness. It earns its hype without becoming a product of it. This was one of the most highly anticipated movies, and it deserves to be on the top of this list.

Now go see it!