The year 2016 was enormous. War continued to claim lives. Americans of all kinds vowed to protect their country. Some fought and others marched for the sacredness of life. Power was abused.

The vulnerable were humiliated and shamed. The small were bullied and suffering went unnoticed. Despite these barriers, everyday people joined together to strengthen their country. Lucky me, I saw it all.

Struggle. vision and determination. That was the year in movies.

I love movies. From fantasy to heartbreak, movies show what it’s like to be human. This year I saw every movie nominated for Best Picture. For those who haven’t kept up, that’s nine. I’ve eaten more popcorn in the last 60 days than I have in years. And it was worth it.

Here are my thoughts on each and why you should see them:

 

“Arrival”

At the end of this movie, you will say one of these: “There goes an hour and 58 minutes I won’t get back.” Or “Wow. How did I not see that coming?” (I think it will be the second one.)

From the 1998 sci-fi short story and novella (“Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang), “Arrival” tells the story of a timeless bond between linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) and her dead daughter. The cinematography is amazing.

After I read the short story, I will see it again.

Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker also star. Also nominated for Adapted Screenplay, Directing (Denis Villeneuve), Cinematography and four others.

In theaters and available for rental/ purchase.

 

“Fences”

 

Film adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play about former Negro-league baseball player Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) and his post-baseball struggle to provide for his loved ones, against his greatest obstacle—himself, and the walls he has built.

The story is moving, but the characters are slowly developed on screen. Viola Davis is outstanding. Washington also directs.

“Fences” was also nominated for Adapted Screenplay (Wilson), Actor in a Leading Role (Washington) and Actress in a Supporting Role (Viola Davis).

In theaters and digital HD.

 

“Hacksaw Ridge”

The hero of this larger-than-life Mel Gibson movie, WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss  was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman in 1945 and lived until 2006. Doss (played by Andrew Garfield) was a Seventh-day Adventist who survived a troubled childhood only to be drafted during World War II. Despite his conscientious objector status he enlisted, but refused to carry a weapon.

As an unarmed medic, Doss saved 75 lives during the Battle of Okinawa without firing a gun.

Thanks to Gibson and the subject matter, this is the most horrific of the nine films. I covered my eyes (and cried a little) during most of the battle scenes. I also cried because Garfield’s portrayal of Desmond Doss is that compelling.

Also nominated for Actor in a Leading Role (Garfield), Directing (Gibson) and three others. In theaters and available for rental/ purchase.

 

“Hell or High Water”

Jeff Bridges lights the screen as a Texas Ranger whose pre-retirement case sends him on a heart-rending hunt for two troubled brothers-turned-bank robbers. I really liked this movie. Its characters were relatable and the story was great.

Bridges’ performance was the best part of the movie for me. Worst part, disturbing scenes of vanishing rural Texas towns.

Also nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role (Bridges), Original Screenplay (Taylor Sheridan) and one other. In theaters and available for rental/ purchase.

 

“Hidden Figures”

“Wow. Just wow” were my husband’s words after he saw this. I want this movie to win because it contains something for everyone to identify with. And for those of us who lived during the 60s, it’s like seeing pieces of your life on the big screen.

If you see only one of these movies, see this one.

It is the true story of NASA employees Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, who served as the brains behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn during a time when women were not allowed to do much and African Americans were allowed to do even less.

I saw it twice, once with my eleven-year-old granddaughter who leaned forward in her seat each time Katherine Johnson went to the chalkboard to write an equation. It was the first time I’ve seen her eyes misty during a movie that wasn’t about animals or princesses.

Also nominated for Actress in a Supporting Role (Octavia Spencer) and Adapted Screenplay (Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi). In theaters now. Rental April.

 

“La La Land”

Two young lovers (Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling) in a story as old as love itself. Paired against the backdrop of Hollywood, this movie is pure fantasy. Just when you think it couldn’t get cornier, Stone pulls a pair of tap shoes from her purse.

My husband and I both loved it. It is a movie about breaking hearts, destroying hopes and having to make tough choices. And there are songs and beautiful scenery.

With 14 nominations, “La La Land” is probably going to win a lot of Oscars and it should. But the race for Best Picture will be tough for such a niche film.

This romantic musical has the most nominations in history alongside “Titanic” and “All About Eve.” It was great. It was huge. And you get your money’s worth, so see it on a big screen. Also nominated for Actor in a Leading Role (Gosling), Actress in a Leading Role (Stone), Directing (Damien Chazelle), two Original Songs, Original Screenplay (Chazelle) and seven others.

In theaters. Predicted rental date May.

 

“Lion”

Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel star in a story of motherhood and home and what it’s like to be lost from either one. Adapted from his book “A Long Way Home”, “Lion” is Saroo Brierley’s story of being separated from his older brother and taken thousands of miles from his home and family. As an adult, Saroo (Patel) pieces together his childhood journey and is torn between finding his way back and separating himself from his adopted family.

Seeing the movie as a mother makes me want to read Brierley’s book. Motherhood has never won so fiercely.

The scenery and cinematography are beautiful against the tough subjects of poverty and child trafficking. Patel’s ability to convey his character’s emotions will bring tears.

Weinstein makes this movie huge in a “Titanic” way, but the characters are ordinary people. “Lion” has made more than $75 million at the box office. It might win and I wouldn’t hate that.

Also nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role (Dev Patel), Actress in a Supporting Role (Nicole Kidman), Adapted Screenplay (Luke Davies) and two others.

In theaters now. Rental April.

“Manchester by the Sea”

I loved this movie, though it is tragically depressing. I’m not spoiling it by telling you this is a story of two brothers that begins when one of them dies.

It is also the story of a young man caught in the middle of circumstances he cannot control.

Casey Affleck plays a brooding Boston handyman who suddenly gains custody of a 16-year-old nephew. The character portrayals are genuine and as a bonus Kyle Chandler appears in a few scenes as the dead brother.

Also nominated for Actor in a Leading Role (Casey Affleck), Actor in a Supporting Role (Lucas Hedges), Actress in a Supporting Role (Michelle Williams), Directing (Kenneth Lonergan) and Original Screenplay (Lonergan).

In theaters and available for rental/ purchase.

 

“Moonlight”

In one word, I would describe this movie as haunting. It paints a picture of a dim world against beautifully-colored scenes of South Beach and Miami. It is mysteriously romantic and most times unrelatable. But all of us have been marked by people who change the way we see things. Not all of them remain in our lives.

And that is our hero’s story. In three tragic chapters, Barry Jenkins guides us through the life of a young man struggling to find his identity. Violence and language aside, the characters are beautifully-developed. Mahersala Ali is captivating as the father figure you would least like your son to choose and Naomie Harris’ portrayal of our hero’s unfortunate mother is brilliant.

This film won the Golden Globe for Best Picture (drama) 2017.

Also nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role (Ali), Actress in a Supporting Role (Harris), Directing (Jenkins), Adapted Screenplay (Jenkins; Story by Tarell Alvin McCraney) and three others.

In theaters and available for rental/ purchase.

 

Other movies I liked last year were “Florence Foster Jenkins” and “Bridge Jones’s Baby”. How about you?

What did you see? And what did you think? Please share.