| Title |
Year |
Rating |
Rank |
Review |
| Captain America: Civil War | 2016 | 100 | 1 | (full review) - Delivering a cinematic showdown for the ages full of superheroes of all stripes, the Russo brothers have put together an instant classic that joins the pantheon of outstanding comic book movies. |
| La La Land | 2016 | 100 | 1 | (full review) - Chazelle ultimately creates his own anachronistic world that will suck in just about any moviegoer with its unrelenting charm — his own "la la land" of sorts that showcases several seasons of life. |
| Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | 2016 | 100 | 1 | (full review) - Effectively making the case that all Star Wars movies don't have to be about the Skywalker family, Edwards introduces us to a new family, the Ersos. He explores beautiful, new worlds. He peels back layers of A New Hope we thought we all knew so well and gives us a film that feels like the first half of Episode IV in style and narrative. |
| The Hateful Eight | 2016 | 100 | 1 | (full review) - The Hateful Eight is an old school film grandly envisioned and executed in a way that only Quentin Tarantino can. It's one damn good movie that may just be an instant classic. |
| The Revenant | 2015 | 100 | 1 | (full review) - Epic, gorgeous, and riveting in every way, The Revenant is undoubtedly a tree with strong roots. Thanks to Iñárritu, this revenge flick is brought to life in stunning vibrancy, and nature is the auteur's weapon of choice. |
| Bridge of Spies | 2015 | 99 | 6 | (full review) - I've been hesitant to say this in 2015 so far, but I'm ready to pull the trigger. Bridge of Spies might just be the best damn movie of the year. |
| Brooklyn | 2015 | 99 | 6 | (full review) - Crowley makes a period piece that functions as a feel-good movie but maintains the emotional depths of a more serious affair. |
| Hell or High Water | 2016 | 97 | 8 | (full review) - More than just a heist thriller set in the middle of nowhere in the Lone Star state, this compelling film layers in the decimation of small town America, the financial turmoil belying predatory lending practices, and the overt racial bias that has become a way of life for some. Under the direction of Mackenzie, Hell or High Water accomplishes all of this and so much more. |
| Life Itself | 2014 | 97 | 8 | (full review) - Life Itself is a machine of empathy about the life and times of Roger Ebert, a soldier of cinema. |
| Room | 2015 | 97 | 8 | (full review) - Dominated by two incredible performances from Brie Larson and her younger pint-sized co-star Jacob Tremblay, this potent drama delivers on so many levels. It's simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting to watch this situation unfold as a young mother tries to shield her son from the horrors of the confined, ultra-insular world in which they live. |
| Sicario | 2015 | 97 | 8 | (full review) - I've got nothing but love for Sicario. This is the first truly great movie of the fall movie season. |
| The Jungle Book | 2016 | 97 | 8 | (full review) - I've got nothing but love for Jon Favreau's live action adaptation of The Jungle Book. Delivering a rousing adventure that pays homage to its animated predecessor in every way, it's everything for which we could have hoped in a live action adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's tales. |
| Zootopia | 2016 | 97 | 8 | (full review) - Beautifully imagined, poignantly acted, and politically resonant, Zootopia gets a sober rating. Adult moviegoers, I'll understand if you need to imbibe an alcoholic beverage or two before the movie. No one else will know. It's your word against yours. |
| A Bigger Splash | 2015 | 93 | 14 | |
| Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | 2016 | 93 | 14 | (full review) - David Yates was the man behind the camera for half the Harry Potter franchise, and he's just what the doctor ordered to usher in the beginning of this new franchise. It's a reintroduction to the world of witchcraft and wizardry, but Yates makes Fantastic Beasts feel more like something wholly new. |
| 10 Cloverfield Lane | 2016 | 88 | 16 | (full review) - From start to finish, 10 Cloverfield Lane is really something special, something unforgettable. For his feature film debut, Dan Trachtenberg knocks it out of the park. |
| Arrival | 2016 | 88 | 16 | (full review) - Grandly envisioned, subtly executed, and beautifully acted, Arrival is by far the most thought-provoking science fiction film to grace the big screen this year. |
| Captain Fantastic | 2016 | 88 | 16 | (full review) - Nimbly directed by Matt Ross, elevated by a heavenly blissful score, and beautifully acted by a cast of talented actors, the symbolism-drenched character study Captain Fantastic is, well, pretty fantastic. |
| Doctor Strange | 2016 | 88 | 16 | (full review) - It's a really impressive feat for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be able to reinvent itself year after year and again and again while maintaining consistent entertainment value and a cohesive mega franchise. Boldly dark, reliably funny, and visually inventive, director Scott Derrickson's Doctor Strange takes the MCU in yet another direction and delivers a healthy dose of that rarefied beauty known as movie magic. |
| Ghostbusters | 2016 | 88 | 16 | (full review) - Despite the overabundance of sexist haters and franchise purists, this reboot succeeds on three fronts — charting a new course with lovable characters, honoring the legacy of the pop culture phenomenon that Ghostbusters was, and serving up endless comedic fun for old and new fans alike. |
| Spotlight | 2015 | 88 | 16 | (full review) |
| Sing Street | 2016 | 84 | 22 | (full review) - I rarely recall occasions in the movies when I just want to get up and dance. I'm not talking about tapping my feet or bobbing my head. I'm talking about a genuine desire to just get up and move to the groove. Begin Again was one of these occasions nearly two years ago. Now, Sing Street is that movie this year. |
| Deadpool | 2016 | 80 | 23 | (full review) - From the outrageously funny opening credits to one of the best post-credits clips in years, Deadpool is irreverent to perfection. |
| Eddie the Eagle | 2016 | 80 | 23 | (full review) - Ladies and gentlemen, the eagle has landed. |
| Hello, My Name Is Doris | 2016 | 80 | 23 | (full review) - Hello My Name Is Doris is a letter to casting directors everywhere that says get Sally Field back on the big screen while she's still able to do it. |
| Macbeth | 2015 | 80 | 23 | (full review) - Though largely staying true to the source material in a relatively traditional way, Kurzel gets points for style. |
| Midnight Special | 2016 | 80 | 23 | (full review) - There is no denying that Midnight Special is a fascinating film. The creative science fiction mythology at the core of the movie, the endearing performances from our lead actors, and direction from Jeff Nichols that oscillates between tender and thrilling all make this film something worth seeing on the big screen. |
| Steve Jobs | 2015 | 80 | 23 | (full review) - Offering all the typical underpinnings of an Aaron Sorkin-penned screenplay and touting a robust cast led by one of the great actors of his generation, Boyle's latest film delivers the goods with one intriguing and engaging exploration of Jobs and the people that played key roles in his life. |
| The Lobster | 2015 | 80 | 23 | (full review) - I have to give director Yorgos Lanthimos credit for crafting something immensely imaginative in The Lobster and somehow packaging that in a dystopian sci-fi thriller. Color me impressed because this is one strong piece of cinema with a sick, twisted sense of humor. |
| The Nice Guys | 2016 | 80 | 23 | (full review) |
| Trainwreck | 2015 | 80 | 23 | (full review) - In a summer movie season full of superheroes, dinosaurs, spies, and terminators, Trainwreck certainly serves as strong counter-programming for those of us who need a break. |
| Youth | 2015 | 80 | 23 | (full review) - In Youth, Paolo Sorrentino stays within his lane and does what he does best. With his trademark eye-popping aesthetics, yet another leading artist plagued by an unmistakable emptiness, and his usual oddball energy, Sorrentino certainly returns to the big screen in grand style. |
| Pitch Perfect 2 | 2015 | 75 | 33 | (full review) - Between the Barden Bellas and Das Sound Machine, it may just be impossible to avoid the blissful melodic harmony this second Pitch Perfect offers time and time again. |
| Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit | 2014 | 70 | 34 | (full review) |
| Sisters | 2015 | 70 | 34 | (full review) - Raunchy, amusing, and even family-themed at times, the Jason Moore comedy is a thoroughly entertaining vehicle for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler that is sure to find its niche at the box office this holiday season. |
| The Magnificent Seven | 2016 | 70 | 34 | (full review) - Though this remake is far from magnificent, I must say that I did enjoy the cinematic experience. There’s something special about a western. |
| War Dogs | 2016 | 70 | 34 | (full review) - Todd Phillips apparently has a love affair with Brian de Palma's Scarface. |
| Whiskey Tango Foxtrot | 2016 | 70 | 34 | (full review) - Oscillating between lighthearted comedy and intense drama, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot may just offer a worthwhile change in pace for Fey on the big screen. |
| Age of Adaline, The | 2015 | 61 | 39 | (full review) - Lively manages to give us a girl with a refined grace yet a keen awareness of the world around her. It's an intriguing performance that mixes an old soul with young energy. |
| Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates | 2016 | 61 | 39 | (full review) - In the case of Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, greatness is an elusive creature, but entertainment value is clear and present. |
| Suicide Squad | 2016 | 61 | 39 | (full review) - Unmistakably flawed yet undoubtedly entertaining, Suicide Squad is the movie for which you just can't help but root. |
| Mr. Turner | 2014 | 56.6 | 42 | (full review) - Gorgeous shots and grunts don't make a movie of this length, and parts of Turner's tale are torturously boring. |
| Woman in Gold | 2015 | 52 | 43 | (full review) - Curtis doesn't really do this meaty story justice. His cast is what's fueling the film, and that's just not enough. |
| Get Hard | 2015 | 43 | 44 | (full review) - Mayo and Chocolate just aren't a dynamic duo. |
| Jason Bourne | 2016 | 43 | 44 | (full review) - Jason Bourne is a spy movie devoid of purpose and entertainment value. The latest installment in this storied franchise misses the mark. |
| John Wick | 2014 | 43 | 44 | (full review) - I'm in stark disagreement with them and am flabbergasted by the notion that John Wick is considered by many to be good entertainment. It's a mediocre action thriller that rests on the shoulders of far better action movies. |
| The Girl on the Train | 2016 | 43 | 44 | (full review) - I am no fan of The Girl on the Train. Lacking the thrills and suspense needed to propel a whodunnit of this nature to greatness, Tate Taylor's adaptation of the novel of the same name by author Paula Hawkins dwells instead in mediocrity. |
| X-Men: Apocalypse | 2016 | 43 | 44 | (full review) - Bloated in its attempt to conclude a trilogy, begin a new one, honor key storylines in past films, and introduce the two most powerful figures in the mutant-verse within a two hour span, Bryan Singer's latest foray into the X-Men franchise is poorly written and poorly executed. |
| Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | 2016 | 25 | 49 | (full review) - The greatest gladiator match of all time Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is not. Simply put, it’s not the great answer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. |
