My Top 10 Films of 2016

With 2016 coming to a close in just a few short hours, it's time to look back at the year that was and recount my favourite films from the last twelve months. 

My Top 5 Worst Films of 2016

For the most part, my blog is all about discussing and celebrating awesome movies. Films that make you woop, cheer, punch the air, cry, gasp and grin with joy.

Inevitably, if you see as many movies as I do, there is going to be the occasional turkey. Every now and again, a film will come along that is just so utterly hopeless that it can't be ignored. This then is my Top 5 Worst Films of 2016.

My Top 5 TV Shows of 2016

Crikey, would you look at the date? 2016 is almost over and that can only mean one thing - it's time to recap the best and worst that popular culture had to offer throughout the year.

Film Review: Trolls

Based on those ugly ass dolls from the 80s, Trolls is the latest animation from Dreamworks that partners Anna Kendrick with Justin Timberlake for a colourful yet disposable time at the movies.

My 2016 Movie Soundtrack Playlist

"I want to write and feel the drama. Music is essentially an emotional language, so you want to feel something from the relationships and build music based on those feelings" - Howard Shore

Every December I take a look back at the year that was and cherry pick some musical highlights, whether they be soaring orchestral scores or licensed tracks that have been inserted into films to great effect.

This year has been a stellar year for film scores in my opinion; now more than ever, I find myself listening to film scores in my spare time instead of 'normal' music.

My personal favourites include Johann Johannsson's haunting ambiance for Arrival, Abel Korzeniowski's sweeping score in Nocturnal Animals and Dario Marianelli's fantastic oriental inspired strings in Kubo and the Two Strings. Flashing back to the beginning of the year, Howard Shore and Ennio Morricone both worked wonders in Spotlight and The Hateful Eight respectively. More recently, the original scores for La La Land and Moana have been swimming through my head - you'll discover a lot of tracks from each in the playlist below.

Film Review: Why Him?

Why Him? is an R-rated comedy starring James Franco, Bryan Cranston and Zoey Deutch that sees family friction once again threaten to ruin Christmas.

Film Review: La La Land

A struggling actress and an unemployed pianist find renewed purpose in one another while chasing stardom in Hollywood. This is Damien Chazelle's applauded musical La La Land...

What Happened to Quality Christmas Movies?

The saying goes that they don’t make them like they used to. And while this broad adage can be applied to practically anything, it’s certainly true of contemporary Christmas movies…

Film Review: Rogue One - A Star Wars Story

Rogue One sees director Gareth Edwards prove that the Star Wars series has legs outside of the central Skywalker drama.

Film Review: Moana

Set sail on Disney’s latest sweeping animated adventure with Moana.

Film Review: Sing

Illumination’s second talking animals movie of 2016 is best left for just the kids to enjoy.

Film Review: Underworld - Blood Wars

Underworld: Blood Wars is a whole lotta the same – for better and for worse.

Film Review: Morgan

Directed by Luke Scott, son of Ridley Scott, comes Morgan, a supposedly cerebral sci-fi thriller that seems to have left its brain at the door.