Ten Important Films of 2016: From German Comedy to American Musical

At the end of each calendar year, critics, publications, and film websites select the best films of the year and present various lists. The final weeks of the calendar year are the time for the awards ceremonies, most of which serve as precursors to the Oscars. The films discussed in the following list are those that gained the most popularity throughout the year among critics and cinema experts and have appeared in most year-end lists and selections. This list could have included works such as 'Nocturnal Animals', 'Jackie', 'American Honey', 'Lion', 'Sully', 'I, Daniel Blake', and even 'The Salesman' by Asghar Farhadi. (The films are introduced without any specific order) Moonlight is one of the most talked-about films of last year, based on a play titled 'In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue'. Barry Jenkins' film has been nominated for awards in all major categories at this year's Golden Globes and has appeared in nearly all global critics' top lists. The film tells the story of a black boy named 'Chiron' in three stages of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood in one of Miami's poor and rough neighborhoods. The film also touches on the main character's homosexual relationships and portrays the life of a black child from his innocent childhood to adulthood and maturity with significant detail. La La Land, previously, Damien Chazelle showcased his talent with his first film 'Whiplash'. His second film 'La La Land' also deals with music and is a romantic musical comedy. For the third time, the duo of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone came together to portray one of the most complete and beloved cinematic couples in 'La La Land'. The film tells the story of two artists, one a filmmaker and the other a musician, both aspiring for fame in Hollywood. Damien Chazelle's film is reminiscent of musicals from the 1940s and 50s, which has pleased critics greatly and has been nominated in 7 categories at the Golden Globes. Given the historical precedent of the Oscars and the Academy's interest in musical films, 'La La Land' is expected to succeed at the Oscars as well. Manchester by the Sea is a powerful and captivating drama by Kenneth Lonergan that appeared in most award season lists and was nominated for 5 awards at the Golden Globes. 'Manchester by the Sea' is a calm and measured film about the daily lives and emotional crises of people. Kenneth Lonergan, who is more famous as a screenwriter than a director, took the helm after Matt Damon withdrew from directing this film, bringing his screenplay to the screen for the third time. Casey Affleck delivers a strong performance as a character who is neither a hero nor particularly outstanding; he is an ordinary working-class man who is engulfed in daily life and now must reluctantly return to his past. Hell or High Water is one of the surprises of last year that initially screened in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes and was gradually discovered by critics. David Mackenzie's film is a harsh neo-Western with dark humor that some have compared to 'No Country for Old Men' by the Coen brothers. The film features a standing Jeff Bridges, which is one of its strengths. The title refers to a term often mentioned in leases and contracts to emphasize that the payer must fulfill their obligation at all costs; even if the sky falls or stones rain down, the obligation must be met. If you enjoy storytelling cinema with a suitable rhythm and, of course, action, David Mackenzie's film is a good choice. Arrival is one of the surprises of 2016 for those interested in science fiction films, albeit with a realistic approach. Denis Villeneuve's films in recent years have all been worth watching and thought-provoking, from 'Prisoners' to 'Sicario'. 'Arrival' is no exception. The film follows a linguist and a physicist who join a team investigating the arrival of several mysterious spacecraft on Earth. At first glance, 'Arrival' does not have a particularly new story; it deals with humanity's first contacts with unknown beings and the attempt to uncover their secrets. What sets Denis Villeneuve's film apart from others is his effort for realism and avoidance of the typical action and destruction common in such films. Toni Erdmann is a critics' favorite comedy at last year's Cannes Film Festival, which was also submitted by Germany for the Oscars and made it among the nominees. The film by Maren Ade, a German female director, was the main competitor to Asghar Farhadi's 'The Salesman' at this event and also at the Oscars. The film tells the story of a humorous and lively father entering the life of his relatively serious daughter, who is a financial consultant for a German company in Bucharest and is under severe work pressure, leading a monotonous life. The father, by entering his daughter's life in the guise of a character named 'Toni Erdmann', aims to show her a different way of living. Elle is the latest film by Paul Verhoeven, known for several controversial films like 'Basic Instinct' and 'Showgirls', which was first screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016 and received favorable reviews from many critics during its few screenings. After several years away from cinema, Verhoeven has returned to a controversial subject. 'Elle' is a psychological thriller based on the novel 'Oh...' by French author Philippe Djian, published in 2012 and awarded the Interallié Prize. The film deals with a rape and the different way the assaulted woman confronts this issue. Despite being among the 5 nominees for Best Foreign Language Film at this year's Golden Globes and Isabelle Huppert being nominated for this award, the film did not make it to the Oscar nominations list. Hacksaw Ridge marks Mel Gibson's return to directing after a 10-year hiatus, making a grand comeback. The creator of 'The Passion of the Christ' and 'Braveheart' this time tackles World War II and the Battle of Okinawa, which occurred in 1945 during the final months of the war. The film tells the true story of a medic who, despite being present in one of the deadliest battles of World War II, refuses to carry a weapon. 'Hacksaw Ridge' features unrestrained violence and rawness, juxtaposed against an individual spirit that, due to his human and religious beliefs, is even unwilling to carry a weapon, forming the core contradiction of the film. Mel Gibson's film has been nominated in 3 categories at the Golden Globes and is expected to achieve greater success at the Oscars given the film's atmosphere. Captain Fantastic is one of the independent films that has gained popularity among critics. The film by Matt Ross, who is more known for his supporting roles, was first screened in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes and won the Best Director award. The film tells the story of a father who raises his children in nature, teaching them a different way of life away from urban living. An incident forces the father and children to face an unprecedented situation. The simple yet detailed film by Matt Ross, with its humorous moments, addresses the human encounter with nature, the importance of family togetherness, and the challenges of urban life and the difficulties of being away from it. The film features a strong performance by Viggo Mortensen, who has also been nominated for a Golden Globe. Zootopia is the most successful animation of 2016. Although 'Finding Dory', another successful animation of the year, slightly outperformed 'Zootopia' at the global box office, ranking second among the highest-grossing films of the year, critics favored the film by Byron Howard and Rich Moore more. 'Zootopia', like other successful animations in recent years, will satisfy audiences of all ages, from young to old. Strong humor, attention to detail, and the multi-layered nature of the work are among the strengths of this beloved animation. The film tells the story of a world called Zootopia, where animals with human characteristics live in a modern city. 'Zootopia', with its childlike and cartoonish appearance, serves as a serious critique of modern human life.