In total, there are 39 movies mentioned in this year's 8 Top 8 Lists, slightly fewer than the 43 mentioned in last year's lists, even though I managed to watch 87 movies this year compared to 86 last year. The reason for that lower total is because I had to leave an entire list to write about everything I loved about La La Land. Since the film is basically a collection of great music moments, none of them really fit into any of the other lists, so the need arose for its own list. Since I've made a habit of mentioning my favorite movie moment at the end of these lists the past 2 years, I'm gonna leave the La La Land list as the last one, which is perfect because now I can follow the lead of the world being turned upside-down in 2016 and begin with the list of 8 random categories, which I usually leave for the end. So let's get to it, shall we? Here are my 8 Top 8 Lists for 2016. Enjoy!
*WARNING : SPOILERS*
I Random Awards
1) Best Non-La La Land Ending Scene
Tie between Amy Adams' "Susan" getting stood up by her ex-husband at a restaurant in Nocturnal Animals and the front porch conversation between Ranger Hamilton(Jeff Bridges) and Toby Howard(Chris Pine) in Hell or High Water, both of which left me wanting to see a sequel.
2) Best Non-La La Land Opening Scene
Tie between Kubo and the Two Strings' breathtaking If you must blink, do it now ocean scene and Zootopia's Predator and Prey Play, both setting up their film's tone perfectly.
3) Funniest Scene in a Supermarket
"I Love It" from Bad Moms
4) Saddest Scene in a Supermarket
2 moments involving "Katie"(Hayley Squires) from I, Daniel Blake: Shoplifting at the mini-mart and Starving at the food bank.
5) Best Sex Scenes
A scene for every fetish: Deadpool's "Holidays of Sex" montage, with some femdom included to celebrate "International Women's Day", Hands of Stone's dirty talk about the Panama Canal between Ana de Armas and Edgar Ramirez, Elle's sado-masochistic basement sex between neighbors, American Honey's period sex in the grass, Toni Erdmann's hotel quickie with "dessert", Sausage Party's food orgy, a pretty genuine-looking gay sex scene between Jesse Plemons and Zach Woods in Other People, and the lesbian sex scene between "Lady Hideko" and "Sook-Hee"(more from these two characters coming up) at the end of The Handmaiden.
6) Best Death Scenes
10 choices here: Shere Khan killing Akela in The Jungle Book, "Howard"(John Goodman) killing "Emmett"(John Gallagher Jr) in 10 Cloverfield Lane, the Pitbull Attack in Green Room, the opening scene from Other People, turning what should be a very sad scene into a funny one, the shootout between "Tanner Howard"(Ben Foster) and the Texas Rangers in Hell or High Water, everyone dying in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, particularly K-2SO and the rebel crew that gets slaughtered by Darth Vader, the time-loop "Groundhog Day" style deaths by "Stephen Strange"(Benedict Cumberbatch) at the end of Doctor Strange, both water death scenes in Silence, the "Rebel!" battle scene in The Birth of a Nation, and finally, "Tony"(Jake Gyllenhall) getting revenge on "Ray"(Aaron Taylor-Johnson) in Nocturnal Animals
7) Best Fight Scenes
4-way tie between Kubo and the Two Strings' Boat Fight, the father-and-son fight in Fences, and 2 fights from Captain America: Civil War, the airport fight between Team Cap and Team Iron Man, and the final "He Killed My Mom" fight between Iron Man vs Captain America & Bucky Barnes
8) Best Cameo(or One-Scene Performance)
Tie between Kenneth Lonergan critiquing Casey Affleck's parenting skills in his own film, Manchester by the Sea, and Laura Linney as Amy Adams' disapproving mother in Nocturnal Animals
2) Best Non-La La Land Opening Scene
Tie between Kubo and the Two Strings' breathtaking If you must blink, do it now ocean scene and Zootopia's Predator and Prey Play, both setting up their film's tone perfectly.
3) Funniest Scene in a Supermarket
"I Love It" from Bad Moms
4) Saddest Scene in a Supermarket
2 moments involving "Katie"(Hayley Squires) from I, Daniel Blake: Shoplifting at the mini-mart and Starving at the food bank.
5) Best Sex Scenes
A scene for every fetish: Deadpool's "Holidays of Sex" montage, with some femdom included to celebrate "International Women's Day", Hands of Stone's dirty talk about the Panama Canal between Ana de Armas and Edgar Ramirez, Elle's sado-masochistic basement sex between neighbors, American Honey's period sex in the grass, Toni Erdmann's hotel quickie with "dessert", Sausage Party's food orgy, a pretty genuine-looking gay sex scene between Jesse Plemons and Zach Woods in Other People, and the lesbian sex scene between "Lady Hideko" and "Sook-Hee"(more from these two characters coming up) at the end of The Handmaiden.
6) Best Death Scenes
10 choices here: Shere Khan killing Akela in The Jungle Book, "Howard"(John Goodman) killing "Emmett"(John Gallagher Jr) in 10 Cloverfield Lane, the Pitbull Attack in Green Room, the opening scene from Other People, turning what should be a very sad scene into a funny one, the shootout between "Tanner Howard"(Ben Foster) and the Texas Rangers in Hell or High Water, everyone dying in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, particularly K-2SO and the rebel crew that gets slaughtered by Darth Vader, the time-loop "Groundhog Day" style deaths by "Stephen Strange"(Benedict Cumberbatch) at the end of Doctor Strange, both water death scenes in Silence, the "Rebel!" battle scene in The Birth of a Nation, and finally, "Tony"(Jake Gyllenhall) getting revenge on "Ray"(Aaron Taylor-Johnson) in Nocturnal Animals
7) Best Fight Scenes
4-way tie between Kubo and the Two Strings' Boat Fight, the father-and-son fight in Fences, and 2 fights from Captain America: Civil War, the airport fight between Team Cap and Team Iron Man, and the final "He Killed My Mom" fight between Iron Man vs Captain America & Bucky Barnes
8) Best Cameo(or One-Scene Performance)
Tie between Kenneth Lonergan critiquing Casey Affleck's parenting skills in his own film, Manchester by the Sea, and Laura Linney as Amy Adams' disapproving mother in Nocturnal Animals
II Best Performances
8) John Goodman as "Howard" in 10 Cloverfield Lane
Another excellent performance added to Mr. Goodman's already great filmography. Unbelievably, he's still without an Oscar nomination in his career, and if this one didn't do it, then I guess he's destined to be ignored forever by the Academy.
7) Viggo Mortensen as "Ben Cash" in Captain Fantastic
After watching this one all I could think was: "Viggo Mortensen needs to make more movies". He's amazing as always, earning his 2nd career Oscar nomination in the process.
6) Hayley Squires as "Katie" in I, Daniel Blake
I already mentioned two heartbreaking scenes from this performance, and the rest of it is pretty much all heartbreak as Ms. Squires perfectly plays a single mom whose struggling to take care of her 2 kids and herself. For me it was the best female supporting performance of the year, but the Academy overlooked it.
5) Ashton Sanders as "Chiron" in Moonlight
The only one of the actors who plays the lead role who's actually billed as playing "Chiron", and for me he's the heart and soul of the movie. This is the middle segment of the film when "Chiron" goes through his most transformative experiences and Sanders has to do some heavy emotional lifting to make this movie work. He has a couple of scenes that could arguably be considered as the best acting of the year by anyone, including one I'll mention in a bit.
4) Rebecca Hall as "Christine Chubbuck" in Christine
A great physical transformation by Rebecca Hall as she crawls into the skin of this 70s Florida news reporter who committed suicide live on air. It's a very creepy and fascinating look at someone losing their sanity bit by bit, and Ms. Hall delivers what is most definitely the best work of her career so far. Some examples here and here.
3) Sandra Hüller as "Ines Conradi" in Toni Erdmann
I loved this performance. There are so many layers to it that at first might not seem so obvious, but a while after you've seen it will stick with you and not let go. Hüller is funny, strong-willed, career-oriented, sexy, artistic, and vulnerable all at the same time. I could mention many moments, like the sex scene above which presents her at her most sexy and powerful, but there are two moments that I've singled out in the upcoming lists that sum up this performance perfectly.
2) Natalie Portman as "Jackie Kennedy" in Jackie
A master at work. With this performance Ms. Portman cements her status as one of the greatest actresses of her generation. You won't find any flaws with this one. The voice, the walk, the posture, the gestures, everything is pitch-perfect. The expected La La Land sweep at the Oscars next sunday will probably cost her a 2nd Oscar win, but make no mistake about it, this performance was definitely Oscar worthy. I'll talk more about some of her best scenes in the lists below.
1) Casey Affleck as "Lee Chandler" in Manchester by the Sea
This one lived up to the hype. Everyone's been talking about this performance since the movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2016, and even though I had to wait over a year to watch it, that wait was well worth it. Affleck truly is a revelation in this one. He's done some good work in his career before(with one previous Oscar nomination), but nothing at this level. From his first second onscreen to his devastating final scenes you feel completely connected to all the pain and tragedy that this man has experienced, and that's all thanks to Affleck.
Another excellent performance added to Mr. Goodman's already great filmography. Unbelievably, he's still without an Oscar nomination in his career, and if this one didn't do it, then I guess he's destined to be ignored forever by the Academy.
7) Viggo Mortensen as "Ben Cash" in Captain Fantastic
After watching this one all I could think was: "Viggo Mortensen needs to make more movies". He's amazing as always, earning his 2nd career Oscar nomination in the process.
6) Hayley Squires as "Katie" in I, Daniel Blake
I already mentioned two heartbreaking scenes from this performance, and the rest of it is pretty much all heartbreak as Ms. Squires perfectly plays a single mom whose struggling to take care of her 2 kids and herself. For me it was the best female supporting performance of the year, but the Academy overlooked it.
5) Ashton Sanders as "Chiron" in Moonlight
The only one of the actors who plays the lead role who's actually billed as playing "Chiron", and for me he's the heart and soul of the movie. This is the middle segment of the film when "Chiron" goes through his most transformative experiences and Sanders has to do some heavy emotional lifting to make this movie work. He has a couple of scenes that could arguably be considered as the best acting of the year by anyone, including one I'll mention in a bit.
4) Rebecca Hall as "Christine Chubbuck" in Christine
A great physical transformation by Rebecca Hall as she crawls into the skin of this 70s Florida news reporter who committed suicide live on air. It's a very creepy and fascinating look at someone losing their sanity bit by bit, and Ms. Hall delivers what is most definitely the best work of her career so far. Some examples here and here.
3) Sandra Hüller as "Ines Conradi" in Toni Erdmann
I loved this performance. There are so many layers to it that at first might not seem so obvious, but a while after you've seen it will stick with you and not let go. Hüller is funny, strong-willed, career-oriented, sexy, artistic, and vulnerable all at the same time. I could mention many moments, like the sex scene above which presents her at her most sexy and powerful, but there are two moments that I've singled out in the upcoming lists that sum up this performance perfectly.
2) Natalie Portman as "Jackie Kennedy" in Jackie
A master at work. With this performance Ms. Portman cements her status as one of the greatest actresses of her generation. You won't find any flaws with this one. The voice, the walk, the posture, the gestures, everything is pitch-perfect. The expected La La Land sweep at the Oscars next sunday will probably cost her a 2nd Oscar win, but make no mistake about it, this performance was definitely Oscar worthy. I'll talk more about some of her best scenes in the lists below.
1) Casey Affleck as "Lee Chandler" in Manchester by the Sea
This one lived up to the hype. Everyone's been talking about this performance since the movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2016, and even though I had to wait over a year to watch it, that wait was well worth it. Affleck truly is a revelation in this one. He's done some good work in his career before(with one previous Oscar nomination), but nothing at this level. From his first second onscreen to his devastating final scenes you feel completely connected to all the pain and tragedy that this man has experienced, and that's all thanks to Affleck.
III Best Quotes
8) "Juan's"(Mahershala Ali) life advice for "Little"(Alex R Hibbert) in Moonlight:
Juan: "At some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you're going to be. Can't let nobody make that decision for you."
7) A very funny Terminator-themed exchange from the very funny Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Ricky Baker: "I'll never stop running!"
Paula: "Yeah, and I'll never stop chasing you. I'm relentless, I'm like The Terminator.
Ricky Baker: "I'm more like The Terminator than you!"
Paula: "I said it first, you're more like Sarah Connor, and in the first movie too, before she could do chin-ups."
6) Amy Adams' "Susan" wondering if she might've messed up her life in Nocturnal Animals
Susan: "Do you ever feel like your life has turned into something you never intended?"
5) Anton Yelchin's(RIP) "Pat" trying to make small talk with Imogen Poots' "Amber" who's not having any of it at the end of a very long night in Green Room
Pat: "I know what it is."
Amber: "What what is?"
Pat: "My desert-island band."
Amber: "Tell somebody who gives a shit."
4) "Conor" explaining to his bandmates what he's learned about being happy-sad from his girlfriend "Raphina" in Sing Street
Darren: "What does happy-sad even mean? How can we be both things? It makes no sense."
Conor: "It means that I'm stuck in this shithole full of morons and rapists and bullies, and I'm gonna deal with it, okay? It's just how life is. I'm gonna try and accept this and get on with it, and make some art."
Eamon: "So how does that affect our music?"
Conor: "Positively."
3) "Lee Chandler's"(Casey Affleck) heartbreaking admission to his nephew "Patrick"(Lucas Hedges) in Manchester by the Sea
Lee: "I can't beat it. I can't beat it. I'm sorry."
2) This exchange between "Ben Cash"(Viggo Mortensen) and his oldest son "Bo"(George Mackay) about talking to a group of girls that turns into a discussion on social structures in Captain Fantastic
Ben: "Go talk to them. We got time."
Bo: "Ask her what she thinks of the working people creating an armed revolution against the exploiting classes and their state structures?"
Ben: "Well, Marxists can be just as genocidal as Capitalists."
Bo: "Or whether or not she's a dialectical materialist and accords primacy to the class struggle?"
Ben: "Avoid Marxism. Or telling her you're a Trotskyite."
Bo: "Trotskyist. Only a Stalinist would call a Trotskyist a Trotskyite. And I'm not a Trotskyist anymore. I'm a Maoist."
Ben: "Right. I forgot, sorry."
1) The (unheard) graffiti that "Daniel Blake"(Dave Johns) paints out of desperation on the outside of a government building that gives the very simple but powerful I, Daniel Blake its title:
Daniel: "I, Daniel Blake demand my appeal date before I starve ... and change the shite music on the phones!"
Juan: "At some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you're going to be. Can't let nobody make that decision for you."
7) A very funny Terminator-themed exchange from the very funny Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Ricky Baker: "I'll never stop running!"
Paula: "Yeah, and I'll never stop chasing you. I'm relentless, I'm like The Terminator.
Ricky Baker: "I'm more like The Terminator than you!"
Paula: "I said it first, you're more like Sarah Connor, and in the first movie too, before she could do chin-ups."
6) Amy Adams' "Susan" wondering if she might've messed up her life in Nocturnal Animals
Susan: "Do you ever feel like your life has turned into something you never intended?"
5) Anton Yelchin's(RIP) "Pat" trying to make small talk with Imogen Poots' "Amber" who's not having any of it at the end of a very long night in Green Room
Pat: "I know what it is."
Amber: "What what is?"
Pat: "My desert-island band."
Amber: "Tell somebody who gives a shit."
4) "Conor" explaining to his bandmates what he's learned about being happy-sad from his girlfriend "Raphina" in Sing Street
Darren: "What does happy-sad even mean? How can we be both things? It makes no sense."
Conor: "It means that I'm stuck in this shithole full of morons and rapists and bullies, and I'm gonna deal with it, okay? It's just how life is. I'm gonna try and accept this and get on with it, and make some art."
Eamon: "So how does that affect our music?"
Conor: "Positively."
3) "Lee Chandler's"(Casey Affleck) heartbreaking admission to his nephew "Patrick"(Lucas Hedges) in Manchester by the Sea
Lee: "I can't beat it. I can't beat it. I'm sorry."
2) This exchange between "Ben Cash"(Viggo Mortensen) and his oldest son "Bo"(George Mackay) about talking to a group of girls that turns into a discussion on social structures in Captain Fantastic
Ben: "Go talk to them. We got time."
Bo: "Ask her what she thinks of the working people creating an armed revolution against the exploiting classes and their state structures?"
Ben: "Well, Marxists can be just as genocidal as Capitalists."
Bo: "Or whether or not she's a dialectical materialist and accords primacy to the class struggle?"
Ben: "Avoid Marxism. Or telling her you're a Trotskyite."
Bo: "Trotskyist. Only a Stalinist would call a Trotskyist a Trotskyite. And I'm not a Trotskyist anymore. I'm a Maoist."
Ben: "Right. I forgot, sorry."
1) The (unheard) graffiti that "Daniel Blake"(Dave Johns) paints out of desperation on the outside of a government building that gives the very simple but powerful I, Daniel Blake its title:
Daniel: "I, Daniel Blake demand my appeal date before I starve ... and change the shite music on the phones!"
IV Best Supporting Characters(or Best Sidekicks)
8) "Monkey" and "Beetle", voiced by Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey respectively, in Kubo and the Two Strings
A classic pair of talking animal sidekicks who go on to learn that they share a much stronger connection beyond just helping "Kubo" to complete his quest("You are my quest").
7) "Tanner Howard", played by Ben Foster in Hell or High Water
Being an ex-con, he provides the know-how plus the right amount of attitude necessary to help his brother "Toby"(Chris Pine) pull off a string of successful bank robberies, going so far as to sacrifice himself for his brother in the end.
6) "K-2SO", voiced by Alan Tudyk in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Another sidekick that sacrifices itself so that its partners can pull off a successful heist. Along the way he provides some dry wit and sarcasm that only a droid could pull off.
5) "Kiki" and "Carla", played by Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn respectively, in Bad Moms
The stay-at-home mom and the single mom that become close friends with the recently over-burdened "Amy"(Mila Kunis) and help her run for PTA president, and win. I'll talk some more about them below.
4) "Maui", voiced by Dwayne Johnson in Moana
The demigod who, after a very fun musical introduction and some hesitation, helps "Moana" return the heart of Te-Whiti and end the curse on her island.
3) "Brendan", played by Jack Reynor in Sing Street
Conor's older, college dropout brother("I was a fucking jet engine!") who, through his love and passion for music, inspires Conor to follow his dream of starting a band. Eventually he helps Conor and his girlfriend Raphina with no questions asked when they spontaneously decide to go to London, promising that he'll meet up with them some time in the future. Brotherly love at its best.
2) "Nick Wilde", voiced by Jason Bateman in Zootopia
The sly fox who at first hustles "Judy Hopps"(Ginnifer Goodwin) with the help of a giant pawpsicle, but then gets hustled right back and is forced to help solve a missing mammals case. Along the way Nick and Judy become pals, with Nick even opening up about how he was a victim of predator stereotyping when he was little, turning him into the cynical fox that she comes to know. He softens up by the end and becomes Zootopia's first fox on the police force.
1) "Manny", played by Daniel Radcliffe in Swiss Army Man
The corpse with magical farting powers, among many other attributes, that becomes a savior and companion to Hank(Paul Dano), who was stranded on an island and about to commit suicide when he found him. There are many deep philosophical theories that you can interpret from Manny's role in this movie, but on the simplest level, he's just a very cool sidekick.
V Funniest Moments
8) "Hei-Hei Scream" in Moana
A silly moment that made me laugh from another Disney animal sidekick.
7) "What Don't You Want?" in Hell or High Water
Great "Texas" moment from this "Texas" movie, and the actress here(Margaret Bowman) is perfect. Jeff Bridges's reaction is priceless too.
6) "Funeral Sermon" in Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Taika Waititi is a comedic genius, and in this cameo he almost steals his own movie as a priest talking about the 2 doors that Jesus gives us, and how somehow that involves junk food and possibly more doors.
5) "Naked Brunch" in Toni Erdmann
"Ines"(Sandra Hüller) is getting ready for her birthday celebration but is having trouble putting on a dress when suddenly her first guest arrives. Instead of covering up quick she goes to answer the door topless. You think that she'll get dressed now that her guest is empathetic with her situation, but no, when her next guest arrives she goes the opposite route and takes off her panties and now demands that her guests take off all their clothes before entering her apartment. At this point in the film "Ines" has no doubt been inspired to see the humor in her day-to-day routine by her father "Winfried", aka "Toni Erdmann", and all his wacky pranks.
4) "DMV" in Zootopia
A DMV where all the employees are sloths, and somehow they still seem faster than the people who work there in real life.
3) "Jurassic Park" in Swiss Army Man
"If you don't know Jurassic Park, you don't know shit." Hank(Paul Dano) says this to "Manny"(Daniel Radcliffe) when he's trying to teach him the famous John Williams theme music. I couldn't stop laughing during the montage that follows. And PS, the acapella score in this film is brilliant!
2) "Gun on the Street" in Bad Moms
The three ladies are getting ready in the bathroom for a girls night out, when a certain sexual topic comes up, which "Kiki"(Kristen Bell) compares to finding a gun on the street. This prompts "Carla"(Kathryn Hahn) to use "Kiki" for a quick anatomical demonstration for "Amy's"(Mila Kunis) benefit. The three actresses are terrific in this scene.
1) "Drunken Fall and Dead Body Discovery" in The Nice Guys
Ryan Gosling takes the comedy to a whole other level with this scene. He's great for the entire movie(should've been nominated for this instead of La La Land if you ask me), but with this scene he joins the ranks of the best comedic actors working today. The way he reacts to that dead body is pure comedy gold.
A silly moment that made me laugh from another Disney animal sidekick.
7) "What Don't You Want?" in Hell or High Water
Great "Texas" moment from this "Texas" movie, and the actress here(Margaret Bowman) is perfect. Jeff Bridges's reaction is priceless too.
6) "Funeral Sermon" in Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Taika Waititi is a comedic genius, and in this cameo he almost steals his own movie as a priest talking about the 2 doors that Jesus gives us, and how somehow that involves junk food and possibly more doors.
5) "Naked Brunch" in Toni Erdmann
"Ines"(Sandra Hüller) is getting ready for her birthday celebration but is having trouble putting on a dress when suddenly her first guest arrives. Instead of covering up quick she goes to answer the door topless. You think that she'll get dressed now that her guest is empathetic with her situation, but no, when her next guest arrives she goes the opposite route and takes off her panties and now demands that her guests take off all their clothes before entering her apartment. At this point in the film "Ines" has no doubt been inspired to see the humor in her day-to-day routine by her father "Winfried", aka "Toni Erdmann", and all his wacky pranks.
A DMV where all the employees are sloths, and somehow they still seem faster than the people who work there in real life.
3) "Jurassic Park" in Swiss Army Man
"If you don't know Jurassic Park, you don't know shit." Hank(Paul Dano) says this to "Manny"(Daniel Radcliffe) when he's trying to teach him the famous John Williams theme music. I couldn't stop laughing during the montage that follows. And PS, the acapella score in this film is brilliant!
2) "Gun on the Street" in Bad Moms
The three ladies are getting ready in the bathroom for a girls night out, when a certain sexual topic comes up, which "Kiki"(Kristen Bell) compares to finding a gun on the street. This prompts "Carla"(Kathryn Hahn) to use "Kiki" for a quick anatomical demonstration for "Amy's"(Mila Kunis) benefit. The three actresses are terrific in this scene.
1) "Drunken Fall and Dead Body Discovery" in The Nice Guys
Ryan Gosling takes the comedy to a whole other level with this scene. He's great for the entire movie(should've been nominated for this instead of La La Land if you ask me), but with this scene he joins the ranks of the best comedic actors working today. The way he reacts to that dead body is pure comedy gold.
VI Best Non-La La Land Music Moments
8) "Careless Whisper" in Deadpool
"Wham!", says "Deadpool"(Ryan Reynolds) as he pulls out a phone from his pocket that was playing the classic ballad while he was kissing his girl, and then he adds the perfect touch by singing the line "I'm never gonna dance again, the way I dance with you, oooh" before the end credits appear.
*RIP George Michael*
7) "Emotional Rescue" in A Bigger Splash
Ralph Fiennes just goes nuts here dancing to this Rolling Stones track. A great performance by him in this captivating movie that not many people saw.
6) "Morris' Rap" in Morris From America
After "Morris"(Markees Christmas) skips town with his german friend and a group of her friends, they end up at a night club where one of them is DJing. That's when his friend encourages him to perform a freestyle rap in front of the crowd. At first it appears "Morris" won't be able to do it but then he loosens up and delivers a great performance. On that note, as "Morris", Markees Christmas delivered what was, for me, the most overlooked performance of the year. There's one more scene on the next list that further demonstrates his excellent work in this film.
5) "Camelot" in Jackie
This scene is fabulous for two main reasons: director Pablo Larraín's vision and Natalie Portman's excellent performance. We get a whirlwind scene of Jackie Kennedy getting drunk in the White House putting on what seems to be over a hundred dresses while she listens to the famous song from the Broadway musical that will be forever linked to the Kennedys.
4) "Sabotage" in Star Trek Beyond
The most fun I had in movie theaters in 2016. I was toe-tapping and head-banging along with "Checkov" and "Sulu" the whole time. This scene is why you go to the movies.
3) "The Greatest Love of All" in Toni Erdmann
The most unexpected use of a Whitney Houston song in movie history. Sandra Hüller truly deserves an award for this scene alone.
2) "Drive it Like You Stole it" in Sing Street
Great song that turns into a great dream sequence. How did this movie not get a single Oscar nomination for its music?!?
1) "Sweet Child O' Mine" in Captain Fantastic
Beautiful scene that uses one of the most beautiful songs ever written to close out this great film. The kids are fantastic(see what I did there?) in this scene and actually throughout the whole movie as well.
VII Best Non-La La Land Moments
8) "Desmond Doss Saves Lives" in Hacksaw Ridge
The most heroic thing I've seen on film in quite some time. And proof for all the gun nuts out there that you don't need a gun to be a patriot.
7) "2 Part Mirror Scene" in Jackie
This is the scene that should win Natalie Portman the Oscar, in my opinion. In the first part she's practicing her speech in spanish before getting off Air Force One in Dallas, making sure she gets it absolutely right. Then cut to the aftermath after her husband's assassination, where Jackie ends up in front of the same mirror, only this time she's wiping her husband's blood off her face. Both moments show incredible range in Ms. Portman's performance.
6) "Lost at the Train Station" in Lion
Oh man, I made the mistake, you could say, of watching this movie on the weekend that Trump's refugee ban took effect, and when little "Saroo"(Sunny Pawar) is all alone in that train station being treated like shit by every human being there, I honestly could not stop crying. I don't remember the last time I cried so much. How in the world is Sunny Pawar not nominated for an Oscar for his brave work here?!? (Aside: If you're sensing a pattern of child actors getting snubbed by the Academy, that's because there is one, and I'm planning on doing a post on the Academy's child actor bias in the next few weeks)
5) "Police Station Suicide Attempt" in Manchester by the Sea
The scene that should win Casey Affleck an Oscar. Kenneth Lonergan also does terrific work here setting up the mood in what is the most important scene of the film. If this scene didn't deliver then the viewers wouldn't connect as much to "Lee" and his grief throughout the whole movie.
4) "Sexual Awakening on the Beach" in Moonlight
A powerful scene with 2 teenagers exploring their feelings and sexuality that is really tender and beautiful in the way that it is presented. Director Barry Jenkins does great work here with the lighting and cinematography, and both performances are great too.
3) "Father and Son Car Conversation" in Morris From America
More people should be talking about this movie, and this scene is a perfect example why. So understated, so simple, and yet, so perfect. Great work by director Chad Hartigan here to just let his dialogue do the talking. No fancy stuff needed here. Add in the 2 perfect performances by Markees Christmas as "Morris" and Craig Robinson as his widowed dad "Curtis", and you have a father-and-son bonding moment that ranks right up there with all the classics.
2) "2 Part Sex Scene Between Lady Hideko and Sook-Hee" in The Handmaiden
This one is a bit raunchy, so I'll let you look it up on your own, but that doesn't mean I can't talk about it here. This scene marks the key emotional turning point for the film, when "Lady Hideko" and "Sook-Hee" become inseparable. First we get the scene from Sook-Hee's perspective, when we think she's manipulating Lady Hideko, but when the movie starts to take its twists and turns, director Chan-wook Park returns to this scene but this time from Lady Hideko's perspective, and we learn that Lady Hideko was not so innocent as we thought.
1) "Up" in Sing Street
John Carney does it again! This scene is pure movie magic for me. It surpasses the "music moment" category and stands on its own as my favorite non-La La Land movie moment of the year, even going toe-to-toe with all those great La La Land moments I'll get to in a second. This is a beautiful song about falling in love, presented in a way that is absolutely perfect. You also get a beautiful look at the complete songwriting process, starting with listening to tracks for inspiration, writing the lyrics and musical notes, then adding the arrangement starting with the piano and then adding the rest of the band. And what puts the scene over the top is the wonderful editing that seamlessly takes you on this complete journey in less than 3 minutes, ending with the intended recipient of the song, "Raphina", being completely overwhelmed emotionally after hearing it on tape.
VIII Best La La Land Moments
8) "Edit From Mia's Day to Sebastian's Day"
After we've followed "Mia"(Emma Stone) throughout the day, she spontaneously decides to enter a lounge/club because of the music that's coming from the inside. Turns out it's "Sebastian"(Ryan Gosling) playing one of his original compositions("Mia and Sebastian's Theme" in the film) on the piano. After they lock eyes, we hear a sound that suddenly transforms into a car horn which takes us back to the opening scene of the film, which was Mia and Sebastian's actual first encounter even though they didn't realize it at the time. Then the movie shifts to Sebastian's perspective and how he ended up at the same spot as Mia on that night. This was the point in the film when I confirmed that I was watching something truly special.
7) "Someone in the Crowd"
Emma Stone's first musical number in the movie, where she expresses her desire to be discovered as an actress. Standouts from this scene include: the set design, the editing, the choreography, the homages to Singin' in the Rain and West Side Story, among others. And then there's the segment at the party where they somehow turned the moment of the guy jumping into the pool into what seemed like one continuous take. I think that's the biggest "WOW!" moment of the entire movie.
6) "City of Stars"
Not the first one with Ryan Gosling on the pier, which is also pretty cool, but the second, full version of the song with "Mia" and "Sebastian" singing a duet behind the piano. One of those moments where the chemistry between Gosling and Stone shines.
5) "Another Day of Sun"
The movie's spectacular opening number which takes place in a traffic jam on the Los Angeles freeway. This is director Damien Chazelle's "opening space tracking shot moment", a la Alfonso Cuaron in Gravity. What I mean by that is that Chazelle won the Best Director Oscar after only the first 3 minutes of this film had transpired.
4) "Planetarium"
But just in case you need more evidence of why he's deserving, this scene works too. "Mia" and "Sebastian's" improvised date at the Griffith Observatory after watching Rebel Without a Cause turns into a celebration of love, as they dance around the halls of the building before entering the planetarium, and then, after a quick glance at the camera, no doubt inspired by Godard and the French New Wave plus a dash of Felliniesque magical realism, they float up into the stars and continue their dance up there. Movie magic at its finest!
3) "A Lovely Night"
This one is straight out of the "Astaire & Rogers" playbook, and its a worthy tribute. The choreography here is delightful, particularly the segment on the bench. I mean, maybe Emma Stone does deserve the Oscar she's gonna win next sunday just for switching her shoes while flawlessly doing that choreography all in one continuous take. This scene is destined to join the ranks of other great movie dance scenes of the past.
2) "Audition(The Fools Who Dream)"
If the Academy isn't giving Stone the Oscar for her shoe-switching ability, then they're definitely giving it to her for her work in this scene. This one will join the ranks of Anne Hathaway's turn in Les Miserables and Jennifer Hudson's role in Dreamgirls, among others, as Oscars won due to one standout musical moment. And what a moment it is! Stone puts her heart and soul into this scene, recorded live, and you can feel that rawness in her voice that makes you connect to the character completely. Of course, a large chunk of the credit goes to Chazelle, again, whose vision for this scene was spot on. I felt like I was in a trance, under Emma Stone's spell, and what a wonderful spell it was.
1) "Epilogue/The End"
A full on 50s musical ending paying direct homage to Gene Kelly's work in Singin' in the Rain and An American in Paris(also a Best Picture Winner). After "Mia" and "Sebastian" go their separate ways on their paths to fame and fortune, they once again coincidentally find each other at a lounge/club, but this time it's "Sebastian's" dream club come to life, which "Mia" realizes as she's walking in. Once "Sebastian" spots her in the crowd, he sits behind the piano and plays the theme that initially drew them together. At this moment, the movie makes another brilliant edit to that first encounter between "Mia" and "Sebastian" at the club, only this time that encounter results in a better outcome that takes the couple into an alternative reality version of their relationship where everything is perfect for them, they avoid the mistakes they made in the real version, and they go on to start a family and live happily ever after together. This magical journey is made possible through the power of song and dance, this being a musical of course. And then there's the perfect ending, where "Mia" and "Sebastian" lock eyes for one final time as she leaves the club, both acknowledging that they are happy for each other without having to say a word, but also realizing that they'll carry the memories of their time spent together forever.
The End!
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