Ian Bunting
Looks at the best movies the year had to offer...
Released: April
The war on terror gets a fresh, more personal twist in Gavin Hood’s emotionally-charged thriller.
Guy Hibbert’s screenplay doesn’t sugarcoat — there are no clear heroes and villains or right and wrong answers.
Helen Mirren gives her finest display in years and the late Alan Rickman is gifted a fine farewell.
(15)
Released: August
David F Sandberg takes his 2013 short film of the same name and delivers the finest horror of 2016.
The simplistic premise — an evil entity using darkness to terrorise a family — results in frequent moments of armrest-grabbing tension.
Sandberg’s patient camera work and Benjamin Wallfisch’s music combine to create scares aplenty, culminating in a mature, poignant ending.
(15)
Released: February
Imagine Quentin Tarantino directing a superhero movie and Deadpool wouldn’t be far off the mark.
The adult tone and irreverent humour won’t be for everyone, but this is a riot from start to finish.
It’s redemption for the character and ex-Green Lantern Ryan Reynolds, who is in brilliant form as the cocky, wise-cracking anti-hero.
Released: December
The first in a series of planned Star Wars spin-offs is the anti-heroes mission team-up that Suicide Squad should’ve been.
Felicity Jones and her gang of rebels are flawed but engaging as they head to war to help save the galaxy.
It’s not all gritty doom and gloom, though, with fun one-liners, bombastic battles and the welcome return of Darth Vader.
(15)
Released: January
Brie Larson was a worthy winner of the Best Actress Oscar for her electrifying turn here.
Her raw performance and bond with young co-star Jacob Tremblay — also terrific — engage throughout what is a very tough watch.
The subject matter may be dark, but it’s so gripping that it is worth hanging on in there until the hopeful conclusion.
(15)
Released: January
This year’s well-deserving Best Picture Oscar winner is an admirable throwback to old school talky dramas like All the President’s Men.
Tom McCarthy’s true-life drama relies on the facts — and a top cast — to drive the story and steers clear of grandstanding.
Even though you know where it’s heading, the journey to get there is tight, tense and tremendous.
Released: February
Bone Tomahawk’s mash-up of genres mark it out as its own beast and while the shoot-outs and visceral ambushes leave a mark, the character development is also top notch.
Kurt Russell’s lawman is brave and authoritative and Matthew Fox’s vain dandy is his finest movie role yet.
Tension flows, especially in the eerie ending.
(PG)
Released: March
Disney continue their recent impressive return to past glories with the finest animation of the year.
In-jokes and clever jokes abound, delivered by a top voice cast including JK Simmons, Idris Elba and Jason Bateman.
The mystery element engages and the visuals — bursting with frenetic energy and immersive landscapes — are first-rate.
Released: April
(12) Another spectacular stop on the Marvel Cinematic Universe journey saw our heroes butt heads.
The Russo brothers inject humour, warmth, pathos and a sense of wonder into their second Captain outing.
It’s hard to find a weak link in the huge cast and Tom Holland wows as the new Spider-Man.
Brangelina
Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s 10-year romance ended in an increasingly bitter divorce.
Johnny Depp (right)
The heartthrob’s tumultuous relationship with Amber Heard made the wrong kind of headlines and he was then named Hollywood’s most overpaid actor for a second straight year.
DC Movie Universe
Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad received lukewarm reviews and failed to deliver the expected box-office big bucks.