Best Movies of Summer 2016

We rounded up the worst of the worst, but what about the best of the best? Yeah most of the films released this summer was pretty bland, but you know what, some were able to stand out more than the others and give us amazing entertainment that nobody has ever seen before. Some of these films are bound to be iconic (well some more than others). I AM SORRY IF I DON'T HAVE HELL OR HIGH WATER OR DON'T THINK TWICE ON THIS LIST, I never got the chance to see either films. But here you go, the top 15 Films I've seen* of Summer 2016

* = Saw but didn't review

15) Nerve: An unpredictable teenage thriller that takes a crazy premise but makes a rollercoaster thrill ride with a meaningful message in the end makes this film directed from the duo that bought you Catfish. Nerve prospers from fun sequences and a cute bond between Dave Franco and Emma Roberts.

14) The Secret Life of Pets: Illumination Entertainment’s most anticipated animated film since Minions was released and was really really good. Never relying on pop culture references but rather on hysterical gags and dialogue, a colorful and brilliant voice cast, and beautiful animation with a jazzy score. Its a rare kids film that appeals to all ages.

13) Conjuring 2: It may not be jump scare scary, but Conjuring 2 still maintains its creepy vibes and practical effect filmmaking with a new story that is entertaining from beginning to end without ruining its integrity and steeping to the bottom of the barrel jump scares.

12) Lights Out: A tightly written horror film expanded from a short film with its original director at the helm. This PG13 horror features fun characters constant jump scares, and an overall good story which makes for a good time.

11) Pete’s Dragon: Another live action remake from Disney that remodels its entire storyline to give a perfectly heartfelt and sentimental story about a boy and his dragon learning to letting go and growing up. It has a great heart and effects that makes you feel like a kid again.

10) The Shallows*: Blake Lively acting her ass off in a powerful and intensely thrilling film where it is woman vs. creature and its an amazing summer flick.  It’s short and sweet and intense from beginning to end. 

9) Finding Dory: A sequel 13 years in the waiting that manages to be not only a good sequel, but a solid film on its own. With a style of story similar to Tree of Life and a thought provoking message for parents more than kids to be patient with people with disabilities especially if it is your own child, Finding Dory is a summer film that doesn’t disappoint at all.

8) Sausage Party: 4 times. I saw Sausage Party film 4 times in theaters. The first time was a 3 month early pre-screening the night before my AP Calc exam. Then I took three friends to see it at another screening. Then took another friend opening weekend. Then another friend the week after. And every time I see it, I find more smart things about it from its anti-religious message that talks about the importance of individuality to simply satirizing tropes in other animated films for kids. Sausage Party is not only a fun film for ALL AGES (no it isn’t I’m just saying this to be a dick). But one of the most shockingly fucked up film to ever be released in a very long time and still manage to be good. But I don’t ever have to revisit this film ever again. I’m tired of watching the food orgy scene.

7) Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping: I saw this film back in April and remember dying when I saw it. Like I died in laughter, then I took some friends to see it the second time, then went to the premiere the third and loved it every single viewing. This mockumentary of what the music industry is like from the self absorbed artists to even media outlets like TMZ get the rip in a comedy from SNL music comedy group The Lonely Island writing, directing, and starring. Bringing constant gags, cameos, and funny new tunes for Lonely Island fans, Popstar is one of the funniest written films of both the summer and the year. Don’t be surprised if you see this nominated at the Golden Globes for Best Picture- Musical or Comedy.

6) Star Trek Beyond: The third entry of the 2009 rebooted Star Trek franchise now directed by Justin Lin than J.J Abrams brings an extremely fun and new adventure that gives us more depth with the characters of the Enterprise. What makes this film so amazing is while telling a new Star Trek story that feels like and TOS episode, the film calls back to its roots celebrating not only TOS but also celebrating the life of Leonard Nimoy and applying it to the story to give a powerful ending.

5) Don’t Breathe: Don’t Breathe is a horror thriller that feels real without any use of ghost or superhuman characters. A thrill ride from beginning to end that never let ups and when it does it only lets you up to take a breath then goes back to intensity. Smart, original, and genuinely terrifying. One of the last films to be released this summer, but one of the best nonetheless.

4) Kubo and the Two Strings: Also talking about saving one of the best for last. Out of all the animated films of the summer and to be released late in August, Kubo is hands down the absolute best. Its magnificently crafted in the art of storytelling, genuinely moving, and just a gorgeous film to look at from beginning to end. Laika Studio’s 4th stop motion film is a masterpiece that is one of their ultimate best for not only families but for everyone.

3) The Nice Guys: Shane Black’s homage love letter to the 70s is a film that isn’t to miss. I said it in my review and I’ll say it again, The Nice Guys is that great film in-between the big blockbusters and Oscar baited film. It is that reminder why we love the 70s, why we love mysteries, why we love Russell Crowe & Ryan Gosling, and most of all why we love movies. The Nice Guys is a timeless caper that is well paced, greatly detailed, tightly written, and hysterically funny all the through.

2) Captain America: Civil War:I fucking cried watching this film the first time from the airport scene. My childhood led me to that moment seeing all my favorite superheroes fight off and joke off each other from Iron Man to Spiderman to Black Panther and Ant-Man, Civil War took 12 of the MCU’s biggest heroes and give each and single one of them character, depth, and a time to shine. Even introducing Black Panther to the MCU, the Russo brothers manages to give him amazing character development in a film that centers against two opposing sides. There are story elements from set up to political statements of homeland security to character to even the antagonist who you could argue is not even an antagonist though he is one of the best delivered from the MCU that is just told damn near perfectly. Where every superhero film has to be dark and brooding, this manages to still be fun while being dark in different ways more than others.

1) Florence Foster Jenkins: Meryl Streep can’t sing. Hugh Grant is a Daniel Cleaver but is charming with Meryl Streep.Howard from Big Bang Theory is a pianist acting with these legendary actors of high caliber. Contextually this is an odd thing to hear and would turn you off by description, but Florence Foster Jenkins is the most fun you’ll have in a film in a long time. This biopic takes a classic era and brings a light heart comedy and tone to a story that is inspiring, tragic, and charming every second and every minute. Florence Foster Jenkins is one of the best films to be released this year and undoubtedly the best film of the summer.

There you go the best movies of Summer 2016! Now we are prepared for Fall 2016 and the movies to come with it as we approach the beginning with Oscar season. What do you think of my choices? Do you agree or disagree with this list? Leave your comments in the section below.