There are few actors on earth (or in history) quite like the phenomenal Denzel Washington. His range, presence and overall ability are (in my opinion) unmatched in modern cinema. I would say that his closest modern competitor would be Tom Hanks, but even Hanks hasn't reveled in his dark side like Washington. I mention this because I just got back from the phenomenal Fences (based on the August Wilson play of the same name), and I have to say that Washington's performance is his crowning achievement.
Washington plays Troy, a deeply flawed Pittsburgh (The movie was filmed here too! Woo Woo!) man, father and husband that has never come to terms with the fact that he hasn't lived the life he wanted. Washington's presence is vibrant throughout this film (which he directed). He plays it cool, angry, jealous, sad, proud and antagonistic at the same time. Troy is a deeply flawed man and Denzel plays him without any of his usual pomp and circumstance. He delivers such a raw, stripped performance in a way that we have never seen from him before.
You can tell that this movie was a play first in that it's shot as a play would be presented on stage. There are very few location changes, and in fact, the majority of the film takes place in the back yard (where the titular fence is being erected). Wilson's dialogue is delivered at such a high rate and with such conviction by the entire stellar cast (Washington in particular) that it's almost poetic. I am a huge Aaron Sorkin fan, solely because he treats dialogue as an art form. That is very much the case in Fences. You get into an almost trance-like state watching this film. I absolutely adored it.
Another reason to love this movie is the phenomenal cast... in particular the excellent work by Viola Davis as a woman who is trying to keep this flawed marriage together at all costs. She delivers one of the must stunning "yelling" scenes that I have ever seen after she learns some troubling news. I really hope she is a major player come awards season because she deeply deserves.
Ultimately, this is a movie about the fences that we erect, both physically and metaphorically, to present our lives the way we want, both publicly and privately. Denzel is so great because he shows the lengths we take to get through our daily lives, warts and all.
4 out of 4 stars. I can't recommend Fences enough!
Now on to my top 10 of 2016... with the caveat that I have not seen many of the major awards players yet. This is just a list of movies that I have seen this year. No Manchester By The Sea, Jackie, Moonlight or La La Land. I hope to update this list again before the Oscars.
Before I get to my top 10, here's a list of films that just missed the cut.
Zootopia, Finding Dory, The Jungle Book - I'm lumping these together because 2016 was a particularly strong year for animation and these all deserve some special recognition... particularly the phenomenal Zootopia (a stunning allegory for race in America).
The Nice Guys - Director Shane Black returns to his LA noir comedy stomping grounds with this criminally underrated summer comedy. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe have a strange but wonderful on screen chemistry.
Doctor Strange - Marvel continues its winning tradition with this excellent origin story of Marvel's sorcerer supreme.
Star Trek Beyond - A great third film in the rebooted Trek series, and a rare quality summer blockbuster this year. I hope they continue on in their journey through the final frontier.
My (preliminary) top 10 of 2016
10) Captain America: Civil War - Marvel knocked this one out of the park bringing one of the most famous comic book series to life. Extra kudos for breathing fresh life in to Spider-Man.
9) The Witch - In a great year for horror films, The Witch stands out for its beautiful, stark minimalism.
8) OJ: Made In America - 2016 was a weird year, so it makes sense that it was also the year of OJ Simpson. From the incredible fictional series The People vs. OJ Simpson to this ESPN documentary, the trial of the century was presented in a complete and thorough way. Made In America took it one step further, showing the rise, fall and further fall of the once iconic OJ Simpson.
7) Green Room - I loved this highly underrated thriller about a punk band being trapped inside a white supremacist compound. Props to the phenomenal Patrick Stewart in an against-type performance for the ages.
6) The Birth Of A Nation - Another criminally underrated (and underseen) movie. Director Nate Parker presents the story of the largest slave rebellion in US History in a deeply moving way. Once thought to be an Oscar front-runner has sadly fallen by the wayside.
5) Hell Or High Water - A good old fashioned cops and robbers film that doesn't break any new ground, but feels fresh and invigorating at the same time.
4) 13th - A total gut punch documentary that presents how African-Americans have been treated and incarcerated (particularly males) since the passing of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. A must see!
3) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - The Force is in good hands with the house of mouse. This exhilarating standalone story perfectly sets up A New Hope. I'm glad the rumors over its troubled production were just that.
2) Fences - The best acted movie of the year should be a major player this awards season.
1) Arrival - An alien invasion movie where the aliens are almost secondary. It's my favorite movie of the year by my favorite new director (Denis Villenueve). I look forward to seeing what he can do with the Blade Runner sequel in 2017.
I am not going to do a bottom 5, but there were a lot of stinkers this year that could easily make the list. 2016 may have been the worst summer blockbuster season in recent years. I will present you with my most disappointing film of the year.
The DC cinematic universe - I'm going to cheat and include both Batman V Superman and the deeply disappointing Suicide Squad as one. DC is behind the curve with Marvel on every level. I have high hopes for Wonder Woman, but I think this cinematic universe is already doomed.
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