Talking about best movies of the year, here are my favourites:
Paterson (Jarmusch): A film about the poetry writing busdriver Paterson living in Paterson. Somebody described it being about the "poetry of every day life" which is quite fitting in my opinion. The score and cinematography produce a very gentle environment where the characters are allowed to be unnaturally kind to each other, but you fully believe them. I think I just felt joy for the whole duration of the movie. Extra shoutout for the minor appearance of the Moonrise Kingdom kids.
Exilé (Phan): A poltical essay film, from a Cambodschian emigrant trying to make peace with his experiences during the Khmer Rouge. It uses feature footage + an actor being staged in one room. It was a very personal movie and you could feel it. Saw it on a festival, I don't have much hope for a wide release
Certain Women (Reichardt): A feminist movie about the experiences of three women living in Montana. You only see a small, yet meaningful excerp of their lives in contemporary (midwest?) American society. Quite moving, especially the last part, featuring Lily Gladstone (and Kristen Stewart).
Hail, Caesar! (Coen brothers): A movie celebrating classical Hollywood aswell as incorporating the blacklisted socialists. Throw a clueless actor between them and you'll get an absolutely hilarious movie out of it.
Some awesome 2015 movies that are German 2016 ones and would have made this list: Anomalisa (Kaufman), Knight of Cups (Malick) and Mustang.
Runner ups of 2016 films that are still awesome: Love & Friendship, Nocturnal Animals, Captain Fantastic, Elle and Frantz
Still have to catch up with some movies that might make the list, mainly: The Handmaiden, Moonlight, La la Land and Manchester by the Sea. Maybe I'll go watch I, Daniel Blake after Christmas aswell.