Best Movies of 2016 – Best of the Techs

Continuing to look at the best movies of 2016, I am going to look at the best of the techs.  What I mean by techs is the more technical categories, like screenplays, costumes, editing, cinematography, etc.  So here we go.

 

 

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY – THE NICE GUYS

RUNNER UP – THE LOBSTER 

I loved the originality and uniqueness of The Lobster.  But the way The Nice Guys merged neo-noir and buddy comedy with whip-smart dialog is just genius.

 

 

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY – ARRIVAL 

RUNNER UP – FENCES 

Denzel Washington didn’t touch a thing on August Wilson’s prize-winning play, a genius move giving Wilson sole credit for the screenplay.  Arrival is one of the smartest sci-fi movies I have ever seen and it comes from the perfect adaptation of the short story it is based on.

 

 

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – LA LA LAND

RUNNER UP – SILENCE 

I loved both of these and were blown away by both.  But the brightness, fluidity, and flow of the camera during the dance numbers make La La Land a true spectacle.  (Also, this shot above just melts my heart every time)

 

 

BEST EDITING – LA LA LAND 

RUNNER UP – MOONLIGHT 

I’m always amazed at the editing of dance numbers.  La La Land uses a lot of hidden edits to hide the cuts in their long dance numbers, adding to it’s classical feel.

 

 

BEST COSTUME DESIGN – JACKIE 

RUNNER UP – ALLIED 

Natalie Portman looked exactly like Jackie O., in large part to the pitch perfect outfits.

 

 

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – SILENCE

RUNNER UP – LA LA LAND 

Both films feature stunning set pieces, but it’s Silence‘s Japan-backdrop that takes it for me.

 

 

BEST SCORE – JACKIE 

RUNNER UP – ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY

Michael Giacchino did John Williams proud with his Rogue One score.  But Jackie‘s haunting, melancholic score symbolizes the movie in so many ways.

 

 

BEST ORIGINAL SONG – ‘CAN’T STOP THE FEELING’ FROM TROLLS

RUNNER UP – ‘PURPLE LAMBORGHINI’ FROM SUICIDE SQUAD 

• “Can’t Stop The Feeling” is the happiest, toe-tapper I’ve heard in a long time and legit puts a smile on my face every time I hear it.  “Purple Lamborghini” is the best part of a terrible movie and was a summer banger.

 

 

Keep a look out for more of the best movies of 2016 through out the week.  Until then, continue to follow Kevflix on Twitter and Instagram, @kevflix, and on Facebook and YouTube by searching Kevflix.