Photo source: Screen Crush
It's difficult to look back on 2016 fondly. Between political disasters and celebrity deaths, there was hardly anything positive to contribute to the water cooler.
The cinematic scene wasn't all that spectacular either. With the lack of quality summer blockbusters, and an underwhelming Oscar-buzz season, staying in and binge-watching "Stranger Things" became a welcomed alternative.
Still, there were a few dependably light comedic films released this year that served as necessary escapism. (Also, note how two of my three picks this year are musicals).
Keeping up with current news has led me to believe that our reality is a whole lot campier than any of the films I've curated. Perhaps this slew of musicals and comedies are somewhat more rooted in reality than we realize.
1. La La Land
On the surface level, "La La Land" is the ideal musical homage to all of the timeless technicolor motion pictures that made us want to dance, cry and dream. (Ahem! Umbrellas of Cherbourg). At its very core though, "La La Land" is actually a cautionary tale that considers the sacrifices creative people must make for their art. Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) have to ask themselves what they are willing to lose (love, financial security) in order to obtain their creative integrity.
Part 1: lavish musical. Part 2: seeped in reality. Epilogue: worth the wait!
2. Sing Street
Irish film-maker (and former bassist of The Frames), John Carney, has delivered his third feature film musical "Sing Street." Carney, is best known for his small budget success "Once" and his recent follow-up "Begin Again." Like the aforementioned musical comedy-dramas, "Sing Street" also follows the 'struggling sing-songwriter' motif. However this time, Carney examines what its like growing up in a band during your formative years, all the while constructing your own cultural identify for the first time.
3. Love & Friendship
American writer-director Whit Stillman (Metropolitan, Last Days of Disco), has dug up some cheeky source inspiration from none other than 'sensible' Jane Austen. "Love & Friendship," Stillman's latest effort is based on Austen's lesser known short story "Lady Susan." Watch Kate Beckinsale give one of the best performances of the year as the scandalous widow Lady Susan as her scheming ploys run terribly amok.
Still Need To See: Don't Think Twice, Moonlight, 20th Century Women, Silence, The Witch, Weiner, Jackie, Sully, Manchester By The Sea, Hidden Figures, The Edge of Seventeen
Honorable Mentions: Everybody Needs Some!!, Hail Caesar, Zootopia, Other People, Cafe Society
