Dancing In The Moonlight: Matt Donato’s 25 Best Movies Of 2016

15) The Edge Of Seventeen

Oh look! Another coming-of-age story! This time from a female perspective, riddled with angst, self-esteem issues and an electric performance from a grief-stricken Hailee Steinfeld. Sounds generic, right? False. Debut director Kelly Fremon Craig takes that typical “everything revolves around me” teenage personality and dives in hard – like, “the world is going to end and I’m only 16” thinking – but somehow finds delightful charms. As Steinfeld laments and confesses her over-dramatized suicidal thoughts to a no-bullshit teacher played by Woody Harrelson, Craig remains focused on adolescent romanticism. Hilarious, nostalgic cynicism that tells it like it is.

Parts are heartbreaking, but this is a movie about surviving past the end of days – or, as teenagers call it, high school. Those years are but a phase, where we learn life lessons that end up defining far more than we’d ever imagine. Leave it to a hilarious, punchy Hailee Steinfeld to hold our hands through the process, most likely while mocking us at the same time. It’s an age-old formula, yet matured to perfection here. Damn fine work from a first-timer.

14) Hello, My Name Is Doris

Sally Field for Best Actress in 2016? She’s got some stiff competition, but that was my first reaction after leaving Michael Showalter’s Hello, My Name Is Doris. She’s a real O.G. hipster who embodies the lifestyle so many youngens these days dare imitate, and does so with no irony. Field’s performance is flighty and cheerful – despite minimal discomfort – mismatching clothes while trading wits with a younger, studly Max Greenfield. It’s a certain kind of rom-com that serves self and acceptance more than relationship warmth, but still bursts with a lust for life that so many of us disregard.

In year that feels like one constant down-note, Hello, My Name Is Doris provides a ray of sunshine that combats daily malaise – soak it in and shout the name “Fields.”

13) Hunt For The Wilderpeople

2016 was a bomb year for coming-of-age stories (as previously eluded to), and Taika Waititi’s New Zealand bush journey is up there with the best. Sam Neil and Julian Dennison star as a father/adopted son both coping with the loss of their beloved Bella (Rima Te Wiata), all of which happens amidst New Zealand’s natural beauty and police pursuit. Dennison adapts to outdoorsy struggles with comical results (given he’s a kicks-loving hopeful gangster) while Neil is the blunt, gruff male influence who keeps emotions hidden – one of the top bouts of chemistry worth enduring this year.

It’s warm, nurtured storytelling that teaches lessons while keeping close to Waititi’s off-color brand of humor (Rachel House, Rhys Darby as Psycho Sam, Waititi’s cameo as a priest, etc.). There’s no beating around the bush (HA!) –  Hunt For The Wilderpeople is a must-watch.