The 13 Best Movies of 2016

Every one of these films from 2016 offers a breadth of cinematic excellence, ranging from direction to acting, and is worthy of an Oscar nomination for Best Picture come February. In no particular order, here are our picks for the best movies of the year.

The Best Movies of 2016

"Arrival" — Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker

Dubbed by critics as best sci-fi film of the year, "Arrival" stars Amy Adams as expert linguist Louise Banks, who's tasked with leading an elite team to investigate a mysterious spacecraft that has touched down on earth. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, "Arrival" joins films like "Gravity" and "The Martian," and the emotional story at its core lifts it into Oscar category.

Watch Patch's video interview with Amy Adams:

"Captain Fantastic" — Viggo Mortensen, George MacKay, Samantha Isler

Director Matt Ross was awarded the prize for best director at the Un Certain Regard Awards in Cannes this year for "Captain Fantastic." Viggo Mortensen stars as Ben Cash, a father of six living off the grid and raising his children as survivalists when a twist of fate forces the family to venture back to society. The movie is witty and engaging, challenging our perceptions of truth and reality.

Watch Patch's video interview with director Matt Ross:

"Elle" — Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Anne Consigny

This dark comedy about rape and revenge is exquisitely provocative. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, "Elle" is the story of a successful businesswoman (Isabelle Huppert) who gets caught up in a thrilling and curious game as she tracks down an unknown assailant. This movie is about power dynamics, and Huppert's performance is a tour de force.

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"Fences" — Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson

Denzel Washington acts and directs in this big-screen version of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "Fences." In the scorching drama, Washington portrays Troy Maxson, an African-American father struggling to overcome his own shattered dreams in 1950s Pittsburgh. The film reunites Washington with the original cast members of the 2010 revival play: Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Russell Hornsby and Mykelti Williamson. The whole cast, including newcomers Jovan Adepo and Saniyya Sidney, is magnificent, and Washington and Davis will leave audiences dazzled!

Watch Patch's video interview with Mykelti Williamson and Stephen McKinley Henderson:

"Hacksaw Ridge" — Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey

"Hacksaw Ridge" is a biopic about the war experiences of Army medic Desmont T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), the first American in history to be awarded with the Medal of Honor after refusing to carry any weapons in combat. In spite of a great deal of graphic violence, "Hacksaw Ridge" is piercingly thought provoking. Mel Gibson's brilliant directorial vision and exposition are reminiscent of his movie, "Apocalypto."

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"Hell or High Water" — Dale Dickey, Ben Foster, Chris Pine

Directed by David Mackenzie, "Hell or High Water" explores the borders between morality and purpose, making poverty and capitalism front and center on the American frontier. The film tells the story of brothers, Toby (Chris Pine), a divorced father, and Tanner (Ben Foster), an ex-con. Together, they plan a series of heists to save their family farm. “Hell or High Water” is quiet, sublime and clever!

Watch Patch's video movie review:

"Jackie" — Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig

Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain's first English-language feature, "Jackie" is an unconventional biopic of Jacqueline Kennedy following the death of her husband, President John F. Kennedy. This insightful look into Jackie O's life is worth the price of admission, but Natalie Portman's portrayal of the former first lady is worth much more!

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"La La Land" — Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Rosemarie DeWitt

Damien Chazelle's poetic ode to bygone movie musicals, "La La Land" stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as two aspiring artists who meet and fall in love in Los Angeles. With a contemporary setting and vibrant mood, the screenplay emits a colorful palette that creates a dreamy and exhilarating sensation — what a feeling!

Watch Patch's video interview with Emma Stone:

Watch Patch's video interview with Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and Damien Chazelle:

"Lion" — Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara

Garth Davis' feature debut "Lion" is the incredible true story of a missing 5-year-old Indian boy, Saroo, who ends up being adopted by an affluent Australian couple (David Wenham and Nicole Kidman) in 1986. Twenty years later, Saroo (Dev Patel) sets out to find his birth family. "Lion" honors humanity, the will to survive and the relentless pursuit of happiness.

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"Loving" — Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, Will Dalton

Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, "Loving" is based on the love story behind a landmark civil rights case— Loving v. Virginia, the historic 1967 U.S. Supreme Court case that put an end to all racially based restrictions on marriage. The two people at the center of this drama are the Lovings — Richard (Jeff Edgerton) and Mildred (Ruth Negga) — an interracial couple sentenced to prison for violating a law that prohibits mixed-couple marriages. The strength of "Loving" is its simplicity and authenticity.

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"Manchester by the Sea" — Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler

Kenneth Lonergan's "Manchester by the Sea" is a movie about forgiveness, loss and parenting. After the sudden death of his brother Joe, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) returns home and becomes the guardian of his 16-year-old nephew (Lucas Hedges). "Manchester by the Sea" is a picture of irony, and at its core, it's a gripping emotional story that delves mostly into despair and dry comedy.

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"Moonlight" — Mahershala Ali, Shariff Earp, Duan Sanderson

Echoing a multitude of themes, Barry Jenkins' “Moonlight” is mesmeric and lyrical. The movie follows the journey of its African-American protagonist from childhood to adulthood. "Moonlight" is a well-balanced screenplay and a powerhouse of outstanding performances.

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"Sully" — Todd Komarnicki (screenplay), Chesley Sullenberger

Clint Eastwood directs this adaptation of the real-life event dubbed the "Miracle on the Hudson." "Sully" tells the story of US Airways flight 1549 and pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger's emergency landing in New York's Hudson River. Tom Hanks stars as Sullenberger, and Aaron Eckhart as his First Officer Jeff Skiles. "Sully" flies high!

Watch Patch's video movie review: