Ten Worst Films Of 2016!!!!

Arguably, having to sit through these films was not the worst thing to happen to me in 2016. However, this was a truly dreadful year for film in a lot of ways. Films that didn't even make the cut include Shut In, Warcraft, American Pastoral, Masterminds and Blair Witch among others. The only reason there aren't more dishonorable mentions is because I took  a bit back for myself this year. I managed to skip Allegiant, Independence Day Resurgence and Alice Through The Looking Glass among others. So without further ado, here are the worst of the worst of 2016.

(10) Man Down

Doing a PTSD war drama is admittedly a good and well intentioned idea and casting Shia LaBeouf as the lead was a surprisingly good choice. However, Man Down was lame and boring in more ways than I could count. It's not as cynical as most on this list, which is why it's only at 10 but it was too dull not to put on.

(9) The Choice

I have defended Nicholas Sparks adaptations time and time again but The Choice bored me to tears. That's saying something when there's both Alexandra Daddario and Teresa Palmer to look at on screen.

(8) London Has Fallen

The most morally reprehensible film of the year, London Has Fallen should have never been made and I'm already done talking about this despicable piece of trash.

(7) The Boy

One of many pathetic (but not the most) attempts at horror from this year, The Boy bored me to tears. That's saying something when there's Lauren Cohen to look at on screen.

(6) Ben Hur

Upon leaving the theater after seeing this disaster, I told a buddy of mine that it was barely even a movie. I stick by that. This is a sad attempt to remake an all-time classic that was itself a remake of an all-time classic and it deservedly flopped hard.

(5) Bad Santa 2 

The first Bad Santa is a brilliant Christmas comedy but its sequel is a lazy film that tries way too hard to be as filthy as possible. If there were even 2 or 3 laughs in it, I would be willing to forgive it more. However, I think I let out a soft chuckle once and that was just because I was so desperate to find something remotely funny.

(4) Nerve

I'll give Nerve this---it has a great concept. Perhaps this makes it even more disappointing when the film is simply boring and awkward and goes absolutely nowhere with its idea.

(3) Swiss Army Man

The fact that the senior citizens filled theater I saw Swiss Army Man included people laughing genuinely concerned me for the fate of humanity. Perhaps the fact that people, even older ones, would like this disgusting, puerile, unbearable comedy explains why we have the president-elect that we do.

(2) The Neon Demon

I've always found Nicolas Winding Refn to be a pretentious filmmaker who is all style and no substance. If ever there was a film to prove that, it would be The Neon Demon. This is an unbelievably pretentious, ugly, mean spirited pile of trash with not a single worthwhile moment in it. It made no money in its opening weekend (in wide release, mind you,) proving that sometimes moviegoers are smart enough to know when to stay away.

And the worst film of 2016 is......

(1) The Forest

The Forest takes real life tragedy and turns it into a cheap, boring horror film. This makes the film not only terrible but incredibly offensive. It also doesn't help that leads Natalie Dormer and Taylor Kitsch give two of the worst, most lifeless performances I have ever had the displeasure of seeing. Don't even get me started on the ending, too. What a massive heap of junk this film is. Everyone involved in the making of it should be ashamed of themselves!

Silence Review

A mission and a prayer----Andrew Garfield as a priest who goes looking for his mentor (Liam Neeson) in Silence
                   Silence is an incredibly well directed, excellently acted, beautiful looking film. So, why then, did I find it such a slog to sit through? I don't think I have ever turned from excited to see a movie to antsy for it to be over so quickly. I doubt it's the fact that I, as an atheist, had trouble buying into a film all about the power of faith. I have enjoyed films like this before, after all. Nor do I think that it is because this kind of story goes over my head. Rather, I think it is because of the way in which the film presents its ideas. It is way too long (this is coming from the one person who thought Martin Scorcese's last film, The Wolf of Wall Street was a perfect length) and ends up at a conclusion that could be seen coming from the very beginning.

                    The film stars Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver as Rodrigues and Garrpe, two priests who decide to travel to Japan after a Father (Ciaran Hinds) tell them that their mentor (Liam Neeson) has inexplicably given up all faith in God. Once in Japan, they encounter religious persecution that tests their willingness to God.

                     Scorcese and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto shoot the film beautifully. Every shot is breathtaking and, even though the film is at least forty minutes too long, the shots themselves never feel wasted. As well, individual moments are undeniably riveting. The idea that these priests may ultimately have to accept God different from how they see him creates some fascinating moments. One moment in particular where Rodrigues yells at a group of people as they are getting ready to die is powerful.

                       However, the screenplay by Scorcese and Jay Cocks (based on a novel by Shusaka Endo) is fairly weak. It makes the same point over and over and over again and features far too many scenes of people getting tortured for their beliefs. Persecution is a powerful concept but the film goes too far in telling the audience that. In fact, the second half of the film is almost entirely Rodrigues and others getting tortured. Why not use some of that time to explore the reason why the Inoue (Issie Ogata) feels the need to make those who do not agree with him suffer? Some may argue no answer is more powerful. To that I would say that torture without context is meaningless.

                         Also, Garfield is out of place here. He's a great actor and his performance is never anything but well done. However, he looks too modern, too handsome, too neat to be playing a 17th century priest. Driver looks more the role, which is why it's so disappointing that his role is more of a supporting one.

                           I can not at all call Silence a bad film. It would be hard to find a film that is better looking and Scorcese continues to show that he has more energy than directors half his age behind the camera. However, by the time the film wraps up, the point has been made and it  was all too obvious all along what that is. Perhaps you should see Silence for yourself. I can't say that it wouldn't be right up your alley. I, however, found it mostly redundant and dull.
(2 and 1/2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for some disturbing violent content.)