You know that Japanese concept for reducing clutter where you hold something to see if it brings you joy? I think I do that with films when making these lists. If I really loved something, just reading the title creates a feeling of warmth and fond memories. I watched 63 movies from last year, so here are the 10 that brought me the most joy!
10.The Edge of Seventeen
On one level it is kind of an angsty teenage movie, but it's also funny and relatable, with Hailee Steinfeld reminding us she can still act after disappearing from awards radar since True Grit. Her rapport with Woody Harrelson's teacher character was definitely the best part.
9.Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
I'm not sure why this movie didn't become a bigger hit, because it was probably the funniest movie of the year (sorry, Deadpool.) Maybe audiences were turned off by how much Andy Samberg's character resembled Justin Bieber.
8.10 Cloverfield Lane
While it was barely related to Cloverfield at all, 10 Cloverfield Lane was a solid thriller all on its own, not needing overt references to its predecessor to satisfy audiences. John Goodman made a great villain here, too.
7.Tale of Tales
Remember when medieval fairy tales and legends - the kind actually written in medieval times - were morbid and not for children? This movie is based on a few of those tales, which are old enough that most people are probably not familiar with them, and is one of the most visually stunning fantasy films in recent memory.
6.Christine
Most people aren't going to agree with me on this one, as a lot of people found it boring or mundane. A dramatization of the true story of Christine Chubbuck, a bipolar reporter who shot herself in the head on live television in the 70's, Rebecca Hall gave one of my favourite performances of the year, making the whole thing more riveting than it could have been when I knew how it was going to end.
5.The Lobster
Probably the most unromantic movie ever made about love, The Lobster is an absurd satire of compatibility and companionship in a society that takes an almost scientific and emotionless approach to dating. It's weird, brilliant, and funny while also giving you something to think about after it's over.
4.Doctor Strange
I haven't been obsessed with any of the Marvel movies to date, but Doctor Strange might be my favourite so far (sorry again, Deadpool.) Maybe it was all the city-bending shots evoking fond memories of a previous list-topper, Inception, but I just had a lot of fun with the fantasy concepts introduced in this one.
3.La La Land
I was not a fan of the opening musical number, to be honest, but the rest of the movie is a perfectly charming throwback to musicals of golden age cinema. I've enjoyed all of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling's collaborations but you can tell everyone was working their hardest on this one.
2.The Pistol Shrimps
It's rare that I include documentaries on these lists (you'll find another one in the honourable mentions), but this was the most fun I've ever had watching a doc. It introduces us to the talented women of The Pistol Shrimps, a basketball team in a borderline novelty women's league (most of the team names are puns or jokes, and games featuring the Shrimps are commentated in a comedy podcast). While each of the ladies definitely has a sense of humour and the movie is meant to be light and funny, the games are important to all of them in different ways. It's a cheesy cliche, but I'm going to call this one "the feel-good movie of the year!" because only happiness can come from watching it.
1.Weepah Way for Now
This is one of those indie movies that is light on plot, but basically you just get to enjoy spending some time with likeable characters. Being sisters in real life as well as in the movie, Aly and AJ Michalka of course have great chemistry, plus you get an often poetic narration from the great Saoirse Ronan. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but there is a simple beauty to this film that kept sticking in my mind and heart even as I kept smiling over what a blast The Pistol Shrimps was.
Honourable mentions: The Witch, Arrival, The Driftless Area, How to Build a Time Machine, The Little Prince, Manchester by the Sea, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Handmaiden, The Nice Guys, Hello My Name is Doris, Hell or High Water, Moonlight, Deadpool, Kubo and the Two Strings, Hardcore Henry
10. The Edge of Seventeen
9. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
7. Tale of Tales
6. Christine
5. The Lobster
4. Doctor Strange
