1. 13th
Year of Release: 2016
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Ava DuVernay
2. Handmaiden, The ( Ah-ga-ssi )
Year of Release: 2016
Overall Rating: 3.4 out of 4 stars
Language: Korean
Genre: Drama/Romance
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Chan-wook Park
Actors: Jung-woo Ha, Min-hee Kim, Tae Ri Kim, Jin-woong Jo, Hae-suk Kim
Plot: Set in 1930s Korea during the Japanese occupation - Soukee is hired as a new handmaiden to the reclusive heiress, Lady Hideko, who lives her days in a sprawling countyside estate under the domineering eye of her Uncle. But she has an ulterior motive, helping a swindling "count" win the Hideko's heart - and her money. But when Soukee finds herself uncovering feelings for the Lady, the plan changes.
3. Silence
Year of Release: 2016
Overall Rating: 3.3 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Drama/Historical
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Martin Scorsese
Actors: Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, Adam Driver, Ciarán Hinds, Tadanobu Asano, Nana Komatsu
Plot: During the 17th Century a pair of Jesuit priests find their faith put to the ultimate test when they go in search of their mentor in Japan - during a time when Catholicism is outlawed and their very presence anathema.
4. Kubo and the Two Strings
Year of Release: 2016
Overall Rating: 3.3 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Animation
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Travis Knight
Actors: Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara, George Takei
Plot: Kubo is living a quiet, normal life in his village when a vindictive spirit from the past turns his life upside down. Now, the target of monsters and gods alike, Kubo will have to seek out a magic suit of armor, one worn by his late father, a legendary samurai warrior.
5. O.J.: Made in America
Year of Release: 2016
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary/Biography
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Ezra Edelman
Actors: O.J. Simpson, Marcia Clark, Mark Fuhrman, Ron Shipp, Carl E. Douglas, Yolanda Crawford
Plot: This Five-Part Documentary explores the life, trail and aftermath of O.J. Simpson. From his college days, to pro football star, Hertz advertising star, budding actor, Brentwood resident to suspected murderer. While the 1994 trail takes center stage, the documentary explores how race and celebrity played a part in the proceedings. Features interviews with many involved including Marcia Clark, F. Lee Bailey, Ron Shipp, Mark Fuhrman, Ron Goldman and two of the jurors among many others.
6. Moonlight
Year of Release: 2016
Overall Rating: 3.3 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Barry Jenkins
Actors: Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, André Holland, Janelle Monáe, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders
Plot: Follows the life of Kevin from childhood, to adolescents to adulthood as he grows up in the drug-plagued inner-city Miami as he looks to rise above the violence and gangs to find love and change within himself.
7. Arrival
Year of Release: 2016
Overall Rating: 3.2 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Sci-Fi
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Actors: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mark O'Brien, Tzi Ma
Plot: A series of alien spacecraft land around the world. With humanity on edge, an elite team, led by linguists expert Louise Banks, are sent to investigate and decide whether these beings come in peace or the opposite. Time is not on their side, however, and Banks must take a chance that could threaten her own life - and possibly all mankind.
8. Hell or High Water
Year of Release: 2016
Overall Rating: 3.2 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Crime/Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: David Mackenzie
Actors: Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, Katy Mixon, Kevin Rankin, Gil Birmingham
Plot: With the family ranch on the line, two brothers decide to rob the very banks looking to foreclose on their homes. Taking only small bills and using a nearby casino to change out the money, they have a few days to complete the task. A Texas Ranger nearing retirement takes up the case but as both near the end point, more than money is put on the line.
9. My Life as a Zucchini ( Ma vie de Courgette )
Year of Release: 2016
Overall Rating: 3.4 out of 4 stars
Language: French
Genre: Animation/Family
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Claude Barras
Actors: Gaspard Schlatter, Sixtine Murat, Paulin Jaccoud, Michel Vuillermoz, Raul Ribera, Estelle Hennard
Plot: After accidentally killing his alcoholic mother, a nine year old, blue haired boy named Courgette gets sent to an orphanage by a policeman named Raymond, Courgette then finds out from a boy named Simon that the kids in this home have gone through similar tragedies to him including drug addict parents, suicides, etc. Eventually the arrival of a girl named Camille sparks a love interest for Courgette and drama between Camille and her aunt.
10. Zootopia
Year of Release: 2016
Overall Rating: 3.2 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Animation/Adventure
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Actors: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Alan Tudyk, J.K. Simmons, Octavia Spencer
Plot: In the animal city, Zootopia, a smooth fox looking to make a name for himself, instead finds trouble when he's framed for a crime he didn't commit. The head officer, a no-nonsense rabbit, is close behind but soon finds out there is more to the story and must join forces with the wily fox to bring down the real culprit.
