Jack Rico’s Top 10 Movies Of 2016

'La La Land' from director Damien Chazelle is in my opinion the best picture of 2016. This homage to the Hollywood musicals of the 30’s and 40’s is a work of art. It brims with nostalgia, elegance, romance and thematic beauty. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s chemistry jumps off the screen, but it’s the technicolor cinematography of Los Angeles that marvels the eye. From the emotional registers it delivers to its mellifluous soundtrack, the overall viewer experience is sublime. 'La La Land' is an instant classic, one that chisels itself into your consciousness and chips away at your heart.

A stop-motion animation masterpiece. 'Kubo and the Two Strings' has no equal this year due to its visual artistry and extraordinary craftsmanship. Animations such as Kubo rarely have such dramatic heft and convincing "acting". This remarkable work merits wonder and praise as it pushes the limits of the genre to its limits.

Chilean director Pablo Larraín is somewhat of a filmmaking savant. Of the few films he's made, they are all already acclaimed. But with 'Neruda,' he brings us the best work he's done so far as a director. Brilliantly acted by Luis Gnocco as the Nobel-prize winning diplomat-poet Pablo Neruda, Larraín gives us a mythical figure of Latin America's literature sheathed with a European sensibility. With touches of magical realism and black comedy, 'Neruda' is a wondrous, rich tale of one of the most enigmatic artists of the 20th century.

To understand the America we live in today, you must see Ava DuVernay's documentary '13th'. It is an unabashed historical study of blacks in America. This enlightening work speaks to the many forms of slavery that has taken shape since the Civil War up to today. An eye-opening experience that will change the way you view the United States.

I stand by 'Birth of a Nation' as one of the best movies this year. It's a visceral experience carried by captivating performances, a solid script and striking direction from Nate Parker, who also wrote and starred in it. The film is timely in our country, one that probes the stark differences of black and white culture in America. It is unfortunate that rape allegations against Parker have soured critics and film organizations against the film, but that hypocrisy doesn't make it a lesser movie, it just makes critics hypocrites.

French director Dennis Villeneuve is easily top 5 best directors in Hollywood right now. His existential sci-fi drama about the perception of time, is unlike any sci-fi film you will see in the new Millenium. It's profound, thought provoking, intelligent and stylish. Amy Adams delivers an emotionally layered performance that should earn her an Oscar nomination. If you like cerebral, puzzling sci-fi dramas, 'Arrival' is the film for you.

Best superhero movie ever? Arguably yes. Ryan Reynolds was born to play the "Merc With a Mouth" and director Tim Miller helmed an R-rated action film that is not only box-office gold, but also critically acclaimed. From the innovative opening scene to the adult-targeted humor and stylish violence, Deadpool is an undeniable cinematic experience.

Seth Rogen's "Sausage Party" could very well be the best comedy of the year that happens to be animated. Its exploration of philosophical existentialism intertwined with some of the most sexual graphic content you'll ever see in an animated film, make it an indelibly unique film to see.

Novice director Justin Tipping This film left an impression on me. It reminded me of life at 15. Kudos to director Justin Tipping for illustrating so vividly urban youth, street culture, masculinity and the highs and lows of sneaker culture. For anyone who has ever lived the life of our protagonist, there’s some deep-rooted connections one will make here.

Helmer Jeremy Saulnier has figured out how to maximize a basic thriller concept and create one of the best thrillers of the season. "Green Room" is an intense, suspenseful, violent genre movie that will put the fear of God in you. In one of Anton Yelchin's films, he delivers a convincing performance that that dials the creepiness and tension off the scale. This is the surprise thriller of 2016.