Soundtrack of 2016

While some of the bigger blockbusters of 2016 were disappointing the music behind the movies were anything but. Previous years saw some pretty weak songs in terms of originality but leaving many of the movies this year, one song or another stuck with me.

2016 Soundtrack

"‘Til the Sun Comes Back Around"

Working in a movie theater means having to listen to the same song over and over again as it runs through the credit. Some go in one ear and out the other while others are annoying to no end. But some songs make you excited to go back into the theater and "‘Til the Sun Comes Back Around" by Chris Cornell from 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is one of those songs.

"X Gonna Give it to You" 

(Explicit)

Deadpool was an irreverent movie that helped to shake up a superhero genre that has begun to get stale due to the endless onslaught of Marvel and DC movies. It’s soundtrack was no different, with plenty of rocking songs to bop your head back and forth to. "X Gonna Give it to You" by DMX perfectly sums up the tone that Deadpool is going for and deserves to be on this list.

"I’m So Humble"

A film criminally underseen, Popstar was a hilarious takedown of musical documentaries while also being culturally relevant. Knowing that this is from The Lonely Island, one would expect great songs to come out of it. And honestly this whole list could be filled with songs from the movie. But "I’m So Humble" by The Lonely Island gives the viewer an instant insight into the mind of the main character Connor.

"The Great Beyond"

 (Explicit)

The trailers and marketing for Sausage Party set it up to be one of the funniest animated movies of all time. While the film didn’t quite live up to the hype, "The Great Beyond" by Christopher Lennertz opens the film in a fantastic fashion, letting you know right off the bat that this is not your typical family, friendly affair.

"I Want to be Like You"

With Disney deciding to go the route of live action remakes, such as The Jungle Book, it means we will get to see some of our favorite childhood songs redone for a new generation. "I Want to be Like You: by Christopher Walken gives you a good bit of nostalgia as you sing along to Walken’s deep soulful voice.

"Extreme Ways"

Although Jason Bourne was a disappointment from a narrative standpoint, I still felt right at home when "Extreme Ways" by Moby blasted out of the speakers in the theater. Hearing the song helps to remind you of better movies and to remain hopeful for the future of the Bourne franchise.

"Heathens"

Suicide Squad was one of the most, if not the most, anticipated movies of 2016. Unfortunately, the movie did not match my levels of excitement. But the soundtrack made up for some of the sadness. "Heathens" by 21 Pilots highlights the antihero feel of the film and has continued to be in my ears since I saw the movie.

"Drive It Like You Stole It"

Sing Street is another movie that has flown under many radars from this past year. But those who saw it now how great many of its songs are. "Drive It Like You Stole It" by John Carney is a great metaphor for the message of the movie, while also being a great beat to rock out to.

"Outlaw State of Mind"

In the same vein as classic Western movies of the past, Hell or High Water has some good country tunes to set the mood. "Outlaw State of Mind" by Chris Stapleton gives off some classic country vibes. While I myself am admittedly not the biggest fan of country music, I still like this song in the context of the movie.

"Can’t Stop the Feeling"

While I did not actually see Trolls this year, I heard this song played on the radio and instantly found myself smiling and enjoying the upbeat nature of the song. "Can’t Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake may not be the most original or meaningful song on this list, but it almost certainly is the most fun.

"How Far I’ll Go"

One of the biggest surpises for me of 2016 was the animated film Moana. A different take on a classic Disney Princess, Moana was an enjoyable ride and the songs helped to bolster it. "How Far I’ll Go" by Auli'i Cravalho is both catchy and powerful, showing the struggles that Moana faces between her wants and her obligations.

"What Have I Become"

Green Room is a tense piece of filmmaking, following a punk rock band trying to survive in a neo-Nazi club. The music adds to the haunting feel of the movie, and I feel like I couldn’t make a list about the music of 2016 without adding something from Green Room. "What Have I Become" by The Ain’t Rights is a heavy metal song that gives you a good idea of what the rest of the music will be like.

"Sabotage"

While the trailer with the song was slammed, the actual scene from Star Trek Beyond with "Sabotage" by The Beastie Boys in the movie was one of its most fun. Taking this classic rock song and putting it into a Science Fiction could have been disastrous (see Assassin’s Creed) but turned out to be one of the best action scenes of the year.

 

"Audition (The Fools Who Dream)"

Trying to pick the best song from La La Land is like trying to pick your favorite child. Rather than making this list, I could have simply told you to listen to the La La Land soundtrack. But "Audition" by Emma Stone takes the cake for me. If someone asks me what the movie is about, I can simply tell them to listen to this song and that’s all the explanation they need.

Comment below with your favorite songs from the movies of this year, just in case I missed any.

Fences

     Fences is directed by Denzel Washington (Training Day) and stars Washington, Viola Davis (The Help), and Jovan Adepo. It tells the story of the Maxson family, as the father, Troy, attempts to raise his family during the civil unrest during the 1950s.

     Based on a play by August Wilson, I was anticipating this movie because of Wilson’s work, one of the few things I read and enjoyed in full during my time in high school. It was socially relevant and the interactions were tense. So when I heard about the movie, I was excited to see the play but to the screen, especially with the talent involved behind the scenes.

     The highlight of this movie was the performances. Denzel was electric and magnetic as the leader of his household. He is not necessarily a good man, but he tries to do right by his family, despite what his family wants. And he is a flawed protagonist, with his own ego getting in the way. Davis packed an emotional punch line after line and shows a genuine emotion that was palpable. Both performances are most definitely worth the Oscars they will be nominated for. But perhaps the biggest surprise was Adepo. Looking at his previous work, this his first major role and he stands toe to toe next to some of Hollywood’s heaviest hitters.

     Washington’s direction felt even the most mundane scenes feel interesting. He never lets the camera rest with it continually moving ever so slightly, building the tension that lies underneath all of the conversations. With the bulk of the movie taking place within a single location, it would have been much easier to set up tripods and film the actors interactions. But Washington decides instead to get up close and personal with the actors and set up shots with action taking place outside of what the main story is that helps make the movie feel more realistic.

     My biggest problem with Fences is some pacing issues with the script. When reading the play, when it begins to drag, it’s easy to put it down and come back to it in a couple of hours. Even watching the play, you have the opportunity to have an intermission to let what you have just seen wash over you and prepare yourself for what’s coming next. But the movie felt as if twenty minutes could be excised from it and wouldn’t have hurt the product overall.

    If parts of a movie can be cut out, it’s hard for me to recommend you run out to see it immediately. But overall, Fences is a near great movie bolstered by some of the best performances of the year and inspired direction.

When should you see it?
Wait a Week

Incarnate

     Incarnate is directed by Brad Peyton (San Andreas) and stars Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight) and David Mazouz (Gotham). It tells the story of a scientist who can enter the mind of those who are experiencing a flow of negative energy in order to return them to their natural state. Although many would consider them demons, our protagonist does not believe in any one religion or worldview, so he instead calls them energy forces.

     I didn’t know what to expect heading into this movie. The premise of Inception mixed with The Exorcist sounded interesting enough. But it had a very negative buzz, but director Brad Peyton had put out not necessarily good movies, but ones that can be enjoyed in the right setting. And Incarnate is one of those movies, for better or for worse.

     The best part about the movie is how unintentionally funny it is. During some of the more serious parts of the movie, I found myself laughing harder than I ever did during some of the other comedies released this year (looking at you Ghostbusters or Zoolander 2). But in no way is this comedy. And if the best part of a movie is not intentional, it’s hard to get behind it.

     The acting was cringe worthy with lines awkwardly delivered and character interactions feeling unnatural. Eckhart is not a bad actor but in this movie he feels uninspired without much material to work with. David Mazouz plays a child who is demon possessed. And I feel like Mazouz has been typecast into being dark and brooding but without much substance to his characters. The rest of the cast was unmemorable and bland, like vanilla ice cream but without the flavor.

    As the movie comes to a close, perhaps one of the worst special effects I have ever seen put to screen occurs. I feel like given five minutes in iMovie I could have created a comparable if not slightly better version of the scene myself. It makes me wonder where the budget even went, because it definitely did not go to the screen writers.  The resolution of the film left me scratching my head and wondering what exactly I had just watched. It breaks its own rules that the film set up and left my rolling my eyes as I left the theater.

     Incarnate is one of those horror movies that a studio puts out with a measly budget in hopes of turning a huge profit. But this movie was so bad it did not even break even. When the best part about a movie is unintentional, I can’t recommend wasting your time on it.

When should you watch it?
Give it 5 minutes