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Watching movies not only entertains but also imparts valuable lessons from real-life stories on the screen! Join us today as we explore the article on the Best Films of 2016 - Top 10 Movies of the Year.
1. Dreamers and Fools – La La Land
With enchanting music and dreamy landscapes, this romantic tale dominated global film rankings, securing numerous nominations and winning 6 Oscars. La La Land stands out for its cinematic brilliance.
Summary of the movie: La La Land tells the modern-day romantic love story between Sebastian, a talented piano musician performing in various bars, and Mia Dolan, a beautiful emerging actress. However, in the cinematic paradise of Hollywood, love and success seem not to coexist seamlessly. How will they face the challenges when fame and success come knocking?
2. Your Name (Kimi no na wa)
Japan's film industry is widely acclaimed for its anime genre (animated films featuring characteristic hand-drawn or computer-generated art in Japanese style). Your Name is a highly successful anime film praised by critics for its compelling storyline and visuals. Directed by Makoto and featuring the Radwimps music group, it earned numerous nominations and awards in Japan and worldwide, including the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film and the 2016 Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Screenplay.
Summary of the movie: The film revolves around the body swap of two teenagers, Mitsuha, a high school girl living in a small town in Itomori, and Taki, a lively male student in the bustling city of Tokyo.
Feeling melancholic about her mundane life, Mitsuha dreams of becoming a handsome young man living in the capital. Meanwhile, every night, Taki finds himself in the appearance of a girl from the rural regions. Their dreams come true when a thousand-year comet appears on Earth, leading to a daily body swap between them.
In the movie's conclusion, Taki spots Mitsuha on a train. They both leave the train at a station, running to find each other. Meeting on a staircase in the street, they both share a question, wondering if they've met before. Then, in unison, they ask, 'Kimi no namae wa?' (What is your name?).
3. Star Wars: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Movies about the Star Wars saga always hold a special allure in the film entertainment world. Following the success of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens in 2015, Walt Disney introduced a new installment, a spin-off from the original storyline. The film earned two Oscars nominations for Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects.
Movie Summary: Set between Episode III (Revenge of the Sith) and Episode IV (The New Hope), the film follows the captivating protagonist Jyn Erso on a mission to steal the design plans of the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction. This pivotal mission unveils the truth behind how the Rebel Alliance discovers the Death Star's vulnerability and eventually destroys it in Episode IV, bringing closure to debates about how the Empire's superweapon could be defeated so easily.
4. Captain America: Civil War
Marvel's superhero team, known for unity and camaraderie, faces disintegration in Captain America: Civil War. With grand settings and eye-catching action sequences, it's no wonder that Captain America: Civil War stands out as the must-watch action blockbuster of 2016.
Movie Summary: Continuing the story after Avengers: Age Of Ultron, global government alliances establish an accord to regulate the activities of all superheroes. This leads to internal division within the Avengers, forming two factions led by Iron Man and Captain America, sparking a superhero battle.
5. Doctor Strange
This time, Marvel introduces a completely new superhero, Doctor Strange – a time-manipulating sorcerer. Among other superhero films, Doctor Strange brings mind-bending actions, such as warping space and reversing time. The film might leave viewers dizzy, but it undeniably stands as a captivating masterpiece in 2016.
Movie Summary: Doctor Strange tells the story of neurosurgeon Stephen Vincent Strange. His life takes a turn after a horrific car accident. Post-accident, Stephen discovers mysterious abilities and learns about the mystical world of magic. Evolving from a regular doctor, Stephen Strange gains superpowers to save the Earth from impending disasters.
6. Deadpool
In the cinematic masterpiece Deadpool, we are taken on a wild ride with the incessantly talkative Wade Wilson (portrayed by the talented Ryan Reynolds). Deadpool guarantees the audience an exhilarating 105 minutes filled with laughter and joy.
Let me encapsulate the plot for you: The story revolves around the protagonist named Wade Wilson, a former mercenary who is skeptical about the existence of heroes. Born in the slums and enduring a challenging childhood, Wade becomes indifferent when diagnosed with incurable cancer. Struck by love for Vanessa – a night club entertainer he meets for the first time at a dance club.
Driven by the fear of losing his love, Wade volunteers for a secret experiment to activate mutated genes in his body to eradicate malignant tumors. After undergoing various perilous and deadly experiments, Wade transforms into an extraordinarily healthy superhero with skin resembling severe burns. Adopting the name Deadpool, he embarks on a journey of revenge against the one who made him grotesque.
8. Wrestler – Dangal
Produced in the Bollywood film industry, Dangal hails from India. This biographical and humorous film has a humanistic narrative that resonates with the audience. Despite its initial budget of just 7.9 million USD, Dangal emerged as a commercial triumph in the Indian film industry, grossing a profit of 330 million USD worldwide.
Let me encapsulate the plot: The film recounts the life story of wrestling champion Mahavir Singh Phogat – a man who stood against fanatics to train his two daughters, Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari, in the professional wrestling arena. Dangal celebrates the strength of women, encourages female participation in sports, and highlights the proud spirit of the Indian people.
9. The Unsung Hero – Hacksaw Ridge
This is a war biopic based on a real war hero from history, set in the backdrop of World War II featuring Desmond Doss – a conscientious objector and army medic. With a fervent belief in God, Doss refuses to carry weapons and take lives. Director Mel Gibson successfully conveys a profoundly humane message, portraying the epic and heroic war stories with great depth and grandeur.
Summary of the film: The movie narrates the life of a real historical figure, Desmond T. Doss (portrayed by Andrew Garfield) – a special soldier who refused to carry a weapon due to his strong faith in God. Despite this, Doss became a hero with the mission of being a medic, saving 75 comrades in the bloody battle at Okinawa during World War II.
10. Kung Fu Panda 3
As a delightful and humorous animated film, Kung Fu Panda 3 captivates children from the opening minutes. Moreover, the movie appeals to adults with its stories of family and self-discovery.
Summary of the film: Following the revelations at the end of the second part about the world of Po the Panda, in this third installment, Po accidentally reunites with his biological father. The two journey to an unknown land where they encounter many fellow pandas. Confronting the formidable Kai – a mystical being with intentions to dominate the Spirit Realm, who has defeated numerous martial arts masters, including Po's mentor Master Shifu. Now, Po must seek revenge and save the world from the impending disaster caused by Kai.
Final Words
The year 2016 marked a considerable success for filmmakers. Beyond the substantial revenue generated, filmmakers managed to please the audience with a good pace of films and meaningful storylines. How many of the films mentioned above have you enjoyed? Watch and experience them! Wishing you moments of joyful entertainment with family and friends!
