# Best movie of the last 3 years? 2014-2016 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 15, 2016, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016 "2016-11-15T00:08:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/81 "2016-11-21T22:15:14Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes, there is a large gap between “best” and “most enjoyable”. I think lot of posters here are posting the film they like the best, rather than the film they thought WAS the best. Hmmm…I’m not sure about this. If we used the word “fun” I might see more of a distinction. But I would say the movies I like the best _are_ the ones I think are best. Otherwise, what criteria are we to use? ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/82 "2016-11-21T22:52:13Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Hmmm…I’m not sure about this. If we used the word “fun” I might see more of a distinction. But I would say the movies I like the best _are_ the ones I think are best. Otherwise, what criteria are we to use? So in a list of the highest caliber movies ever made, would you include any summer blockbusters? I personally would not, even though I find some of those mindless popcorn flicks a rollicking good time and enjoy them quite a bit. Sort of like how I enjoy McDonald’s on the rare occasion I eat there, but wouldn’t put it anywhere near a list of best food. I’m seeing the movie equivalent of McDonald’s in some of the movies named in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/83 "2016-11-21T23:10:14Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > So in a list of the highest caliber movies ever made, would you include any summer blockbusters? I personally would not, even though I find some of those mindless popcorn flicks a rollicking good time and enjoy them quite a bit. I would! Being a summer blockbuster does not disqualify a movie from being of high quality. My favorite movie of all time is _Raiders Of The Lost Ark_, and I also think it’s among the highest caliber movies. Some of those blockbusters got that way because of amazing direction; if only the screenplay determined quality then we could just read those instead. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/84 "2016-11-22T00:14:16Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > I would! Being a summer blockbuster does not disqualify a movie from being of high quality. My favorite movie of all time is _Raiders Of The Lost Ark_, and I also think it’s among the highest caliber movies. Some of those blockbusters got that way because of amazing direction; if only the screenplay determined quality then we could just read those instead. I can’t argue with Raiders of the Lost Ark. Well played. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/85 "2016-11-22T00:54:14Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > So in a list of the highest caliber movies ever made, would you include any summer blockbusters? I linked to my list upthread. Of the top 40 that represent my 10 out of 10, “perfect” films, the Godfather movies were huge. Maybe _Blade Runner_ also? ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/86 "2016-11-23T09:17:01Z")
_The Big Short_ was so so good that I watched it again immediately after I saw it the first time. I haven’t done that with a film for years. Honorable mention goes to _The Grand Budapest Hotel_ which was impeccably acted, full of wonderful wit and wisdom, and poignant and heartwarming without ever verging on Hallmark Channel movie territory. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/87 "2016-11-23T11:19:27Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > I linked to my list upthread. Of the top 40 that represent my 10 out of 10, “perfect” films, the Godfather movies were huge. Maybe _Blade Runner_ also? The Godfather movies weren’t summer blockbusters for several reasons. First, they didn’t come out in the summer. (March and December for parts I and II.) Second, they predate the phenomenon currently known as the summer blockbuster, which originated with Jaws in 1975. And third, they aren’t part of the genre known as “summer blockbusters.” (It’s not just a description of performance; it’s a genre of movies.) Another example of a massive moneymaker that is definitely _not_ a summer blockbuster is Passion of the Christ. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/88 "2016-11-23T11:43:10Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > The Godfather movies weren’t summer blockbusters for several reasons. First, they didn’t come out in the summer. (March and December for parts I and II.) Second, they predate the phenomenon currently known as the summer blockbuster, which originated with Jaws in 1975. And third, they aren’t part of the genre known as “summer blockbusters.” (It’s not just a description of performance; it’s a genre of movies.) > > Another example of a massive moneymaker that is definitely _not_ a summer blockbuster is Passion of the Christ. Fair enough! Consider me suitably chastened. :o It’s an interesting question, then. Perusing [my top 224](http://www.flickchart.com/Charts.aspx?user=SlackerInc&perpage=250) (since the ones in that range below #40 are still 9/10 on IMDb and, most importantly–since I take their recommendation engine very seriously–5/5 on Netflix), I don’t find any remotely plausible candidates for consideration in this category until #110, _Deadpool_. But that was released in February, so technically not eligible (although surely it meets the other criteria). Therefore the first surefire case is _X2_, at #117, followed closely by the first \*Avengers \*movie at #123. Others: \*Alien \*(#146), \*Prometheus \*(#155), _Star Wars_ (“A New Hope”, #190), and _The Amazing Spider-Man_ (#201). ETA: Interesting that half of those six, plus _Deadpool_, while not making the “past three years” cut, were released in the past \*five \*years. Good sign for blockbuster quality. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/89 "2016-11-24T01:22:19Z")
I have now watched The Congress. It was great in the opening 45 minutes. Absolutely loved it. I found the animated section was like a poor man’s Paprika. I think they thought they were being artistic and weird, but they failed for the opening 30 minutes or so of it. I did like the part after she is brought back out of freezing and the guy gives her the pill to go back to the real world. I also liked everything after she returned to the real world. The final 40 minutes were pretty good. I want Charlie Brooker to buy the rights to this movie and re-write it and film it for an episode of Black Mirror. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/90 "2016-11-24T10:37:28Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I found the animated section was like a poor man’s Paprika. This mention intrigued me, so I looked it up and added it to my Netflix disc queue. Looks totally like something up my alley, as among my all-time favorites are trippy animated films like _Waking Life_ and _Spirited Away_. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/91 "2016-11-24T21:03:39Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I liked _[Sicario](https://www.amazon.com/Sicario-Emily-Blunt/dp/B0162LLCA2)_ quite a lot, but I readily admit I haven’t seen most of the movies on everyone’s lists. > > Any love for _[Interstellar](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816692/)_? > > John Wick was an hour and a half modern dance routine with firearms. Beautiful fight choreography though, and I’ll probably make time to see the second one in theaters. And [Keanu Reeves in real life](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpr8oqyjKIc) is about as good with a gun as he looks in that movie. I saw _Sicario_ twice at the theatre and I own a DVD. So, yes, I loved it. I also enjoyed _Interstellar_. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/92 "2016-11-25T00:17:10Z")
Only two films made over the last few years _ **really** _ stand out for me: **Whiplash** and **Ex Machina**. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/93 "2016-11-25T04:38:24Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > This mention intrigued me, so I looked it up and added it to my Netflix disc queue. Looks totally like something up my alley, as among my all-time favorites are trippy animated films like _Waking Life_ and _Spirited Away_. Thanks! Paprika is one of the finest animated movies of all time. Please report your thoughts here. Note: You may find yourself depressed that the director died of pancreatic cancer very suddenly. He only produced a few works. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/94 "2016-11-25T18:05:26Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Only two films made over the last few years _ **really** _ stand out for me: **Whiplash** and **Ex Machina**. Two films I \*really \*love as well. Maybe you can help (not as an echo chamber), I don’t get the praise for the rebooted Mad Max film? I thought it was okay, liked the guitar spewing fire, wasn’t really involved in the prisoner bits. I guess I’m missing some things which are vital to the story. Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/95 "2016-11-25T19:00:06Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Quirky, charming, funny, and an engaging story line. > > [Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) - IMDb](http://m.imdb.com/title/tt4698684/) Watched that a couple of days ago and laughed my tits off. Sam Neil was sublime in the second and third act, the dialogue was immediately risque and a nice antidote to a lot of output from Hollywood, the kid did his part very well. The only part I felt wasn’t played right was the social services woman; was she a psycho, was she a jobsworth, was she just trying to do her job?? The car chase homage was nice, overall I really liked the whole film. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/96 "2016-11-25T19:28:47Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > Two films I \*really \*love as well. Maybe you can help (not as an echo chamber), I don’t get the praise for the rebooted Mad Max film? I thought it was okay, liked the guitar spewing fire, wasn’t really involved in the prisoner bits. I guess I’m missing some things which are vital to the story. Any thoughts? I saw **Fury Road**. Good action flick, but overall it didn’t do a whole lot for me. I don’t have a burning desire to see it again. But perhaps I’m missing something and should give it another viewing… ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/97 "2016-11-25T19:28:57Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > Watched that a couple of days ago and laughed my tits off. Sam Neil was sublime in the second and third act, the dialogue was immediately risque and a nice antidote to a lot of output from Hollywood, the kid did his part very well. The only part I felt wasn’t played right was the social services woman; was she a psycho, was she a jobsworth, was she just trying to do her job?? > > The car chase homage was nice, overall I really liked the whole film. Huh, never heard of this but I see it’s got very strong reviews at Rotten Tomatoes. Added to my disc queue–thanks for the tip. (I also learned a nifty new bit of British slang from your post: “jobsworth”.) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/98 "2016-11-25T23:18:03Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > The car chase homage was nice, overall I really liked the whole film. That utterly slayed me, such a great joke for New Zealanders. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/99 "2016-11-26T02:47:57Z")
I have now seen the Witch as well. It was OK, but I was expecting more at the climax. I was almost suspecting one of the family members was a witch, actually. I thought the final 10 minutes were interesting, but not worth all the build up. > [@GuanoLad](#): > > That utterly slayed me, such a great joke for New Zealanders. I’m not a New Zealander. What’s the joke? ---
**Author:** ![vedicgyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/898d66/32.png) [@vedicgyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vedicgyan)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016/100 "2016-11-26T06:01:52Z")
I am surprised nobody here has mentioned Predestination. I thought it was a brilliant movie. What a mind-bender! I also liked Whiplash, The Martian and Interstellar which seem to be the popular choices. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-of-the-last-3-years-2014-2016/772016.md?page=6)