LIST: THE BEST FILMS OF 2016

So how was 2016? Anything good at the multiplexes? Arthouse fare suitably cerebral? Did the blockbusters bust enough blocks? There was certainly some good stuff on - not sure it was a vintage year, but there was some good stuff on show and of the ones that I saw (whether at cinemas, on Blu or via streaming services), these are the ten films I liked, admired or enjoyed the most. As ever, I use the Launching Films website of UK theatrical releases in 2016, regardless of when or where I actually saw them. They're my picks, so obviously they're not going to match up with yours....

(Also, a couple of titles have changed from the list I submitted to HeyUGuys last week. Sorry about that.)

10. UNDER THE SHADOW
There were some pretty good horror movies this year; sadly this one didn't get anything like the kind of release it deserved.

9. BONE TOMAHAWK
Ditto: supremely nasty in places, more of this sort of thing please.

8. HELL AND HIGH WATER
Terrific crime thriller, fantastic mood.

7. VICTORIA
One take. One shot. Enjoyable thriller and a stunning technical achievement.

6. THE NICE GUYS
Probably more straight-up fun than any other film this year.

5. GHOSTBUSTERS

So much more entertaining than a million online dunderheads wanted to believe.

4. THE HATEFUL EIGHT
Don't retire. Okay, so it's flawed and half an hour too long, but the good stuff is so good I'll forgive it. And it looks great on 70mm.

3. ROGUE ONE
Again: pathetic bellowing halfwits whined about it not having white male leads in it (the way The Force Awakens didn't and the way The Phantom Menace did). Creepy CG aside, it's a further testament to what happens when George Lucas isn't involved in these things.

2. TRAIN TO BUSAN
The best zombie movie in thirty years. FACT.

1. SPOTLIGHT
My favourite of the awards contenders from the start of the year:

Honourable mentions (in no particular order) to Deepwater Horizon, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Eye In The Sky, Green Room, Goodnight Mommy, Evolution, Room, Midnight Special, Mechanic: Resurrection (shut up, I enjoyed it) and The Witch,