My list of favorite movies is quite short this year. There are many that I haven’t seen yet that I want to from the last quarter of 2016 that probably would have made the list but we simply haven’t had time to go to the theater and Adam’s work schedule has made it harder for us to see free movies this year. That may change soon, so 2017’s list might be a little more robust 🙂
Here are the six that I really enjoyed in 2016.
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Starring: John Krasinski
In 13 Hours: the Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, Jim from the Office becomes a legit action star. Based on the book by the same name, the movie follows the six security team members who defend against the attack on the US diplomatic compound in Libya on Sept. 11, 2012. Undoubtedly some liberties have been taken with the story to make it more sensational, but it’s still a sobering look at the events of the day.
Deadpool
Starring: Ryan Reynolds
After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Wade Wilson is approached by a man who says he has the cure. Wade takes a gamble and while it works, he is left with disfiguring scars for life. Unable to return to his former life, Wade becomes a masked vigilante and assumes the identity of Deadpool. Ryan Reynolds is perfectly cast as a sarcastic superhero with a penchant for old school rap tunes and Hello Kitty in this raunchy, rollicking good time of a film.
The Bronze
Starring: Melissa Rauch
Ten years ago Hope Greggory won a Bronze Medal at the Olympics but also injured her herself in the process, cutting her career short. She’s still a celebrity in her hometown but to say she’s doing well is an understatement. When a young rising star needs a coach, Greggory takes on the challenge but hopes to regain glory for herself instead of her protege. A hilarious dramedy written by and also starring The Big Bang Theory‘s Melissa Rauch.
Arrival
Starring: Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner
Mysterious spacecraft hover over twelve different locations on planet Earth. No one knows what they want or why they are here and linguist expert Louise Banks is brought in to try to learn their language and communicate with the visitors. If you’re looking for an alien movie along the lines of Independence Day or War of the Worlds, this is not it. Instead, Arrival is a thought provoking film about humanity, the future and the choices we make in life.
The Fundamentals of Caring
Starring: Paul Rudd
After a tragic accident alters his life forever, a retired writer takes a job as a caregiver to a young man with muscular dystrophy. The two embark on a road trip across the country and pick up a few passengers along the way. A funny, yet touching dramedy based on the book by the same name. Find it on Netflix.
The Shallows
Starring: Blake Lively
Following her mother’s death, Nancy Adams visits a secret beach in Mexico to do some surfing and soul searching. On her last wave of the day, she is attacked by a great white shark and is forced to spend the night trying to survive on a small rock that will soon be covered in water as high tide approaches. The story is simple, but less is more works in the film’s favor in this suspenseful tale. Blake Lively’s best performance to date.