As 2016 draws to a close, the Kabooooom crew looks back on their favorite movies, television shows, and video games of the year. For Kabooooom’s favorite comic books, comic writers, artists, and more—click here!
» MOVIES «
Zootopia
This year began and ended with some great films. Of the more recent releases, both Rogue One and La La Land blew me away, but it’s Disney’s Zootopia that keeps springing to mind when I think of 2016’s best film. On the one hand, it’s an animation masterpiece; from it’s richly detailed rendering of the city to its vibrant characters, this film is peak Disney. And on the other hand, Zootopia is a charming and delightful story which includes topical social commentary that never overreaches. It’s thoughtful, smart, and meaningful – perhaps even more so now than when it released in early Spring. Zootopia isn’t only an enjoyable film for all ages, but one with an urgent message of empathy that everyone should take to heart.
– Sarah Moran, Editor-in-Chief
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
I have little to say about this movie I didn’t already say in my review from when it first came out. It’s a good film. Not only a good Star Wars film – it is a genuinely good film. It’s the first Star Wars movie that felt like a war movie, depicting the crazed panic and violence of a war zone in all its horror. If Disney sticks to their plan to make one new Star Wars movie every year just in time for the holidays, we’ll be quite lucky if they are all of similar quality to Rogue One.
– Matt Morrison, Contributing Editor
Green Room
Written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier and starring the late Anton Yelchin (among a stellar cast), Green Room is a truly unique viewing experience. It’s a film that doesn’t like to be held down by a single genre label. This movie is absolutely shocking in every sense. Its visuals will stay with you forever, the shocks twists of the narrative staying with you even longer. And never will you forget how crucial the color is of certain shoe laces. If you haven’t seen this movie, don’t read anything about it, just jump right into it and I promise you won’t regret it. Once the shock of how great this movie is starts to melt away, be prepared to experience a wave of sadness as you realize what a great talent we lost when Yelchin died.
– Brandon Griffin, Writer
The Legend of Tarzan
Directed by the David Yates and starring Margot Robbie, Alexander Skarsgård and Christoph Waltz, The Legend of Tarzan packed in terrific, original action scenes with an intriguing story. Presented as tale of a mature and adult Tarzan returning to the Congo to fight off an invasion of mercenaries, The Legend of Tarzan was a refreshing movie in a year filled with superhero films. By avoiding the traditional origin story, the film was able to tell a compelling tale that was surprisingly relevant for today. While the film will not win any awards, it was a great crowd-pleaser with a touching romance, great chemistry and some impressive action (Tarzan vs the Ape, for instance, was very well done). Tarzan filled a void that has been missing in theaters for years, namely the epic romance not just of a man and woman, but of man and nature. Overall, I got everything I wanted out of the film and had a lot of fun.
– Byron Lafayette, Writer
» TV SHOWS «
Legends of Tomorrow
While all of DC Comics’ television series have been on point this fall (no pun intended, in the case of Arrow), Legends of Tomorrow has proven the most groundbreaking in its efforts to deliver a live-action comic book on the small-screen. From the thrilling plot centering on a mysterious time-traveler striving to put wrong what once went right, to the tightly-wound writing that truly tests the heroes every week, each episode of the series’ second season could stand against the darkest of John Ostrander Suicide Squad comics in terms of moral complexity. The show’s finest feature, however, is an outstanding ensemble cast, lynch-pinned by the incomparable Caity Lotz. Between her outstanding martial arts talent and her take-no-prisoners attitude, Lotz has delivered the Black Canary comic fans have longed to see in live-action and it is easy to see why she’s become the series’ breakout character.
– Matt Morrison, Contributing Editor
Stranger Things
There were plenty of amazing television shows this year, but only one that grabbed my inner being and childhood and used it to tell a whole new story. Usually, when a Netflix series begins trending everybody binges it, tells all their friends to watch it, then move on and forget about it until the next season comes out. Stranger Things – written by the Duffer Brothers – grabbed onto the 80s kid in all of us and never let go. I know I’m not alone in obsessing over the kids in this cast. It’s also major comeback for Winona Ryder and a breakout performance for David Harbour. Many projects today are genre-blends and nostalgia-trips, but this series does both without feeling forced or overly familiar. I love this series so much that I am terrified its second could never live up to its first.
– Brandon Griffin, Writer
Lethal Weapon
I was prepared to hate this show when I heard it was coming out. The Lethal Weapon movies are classics and when I heard they were recasting Riggs and Murtaugh, I was not happy. I decided to watch the first few episodes and I was actually very pleasantly surprised. The show does not try to be like the Lethal Weapon movies, even casting actors in the lead roles who don’t look or really act like their film counterparts. The show is a solid action series that mixes great amounts of humor with original action set pieces which are impressive for a network TV show. Lethal Weapon retains the spirit of the films without copying them. If you like action comedies, give Lethal Weapon a try, you won’t be disappointed.
– Bryon Lafayette, Writer
Game of Thrones
To be fair, choosing one of–if not the most popular television series in the world as my favorite of the year is a bit of a cop out. However, as a fan of both the books and the HBO series, season 6 of Game of Thrones was a triumph. This was the season where the show fully eclipsed the books, and though I had reservations about that (was this a first in the history of adaptation?), it turns out I had nothing to worry about. After stumbling a bit with season 5, Game of Thrones returned stronger and better than ever – and mostly, thanks to its incredible women. Sansa and Arya both regained a sense of self and purpose; Brienne proved herself again to be essential; Cersei dispersed her enemies in a most delicious fashion; Daenerys finally set out in conquest; and even poor Margaery was defiant and brilliant to the last. And don’t forget the amazing Lady Olenna and, to a much lesser extent, the Sand Snakes. Game of Thrones season 6 didn’t necessarily “smash the patriarchy”, but it at least gave it a sizable dent.
– Sarah Moran, Editor-in-Chief
» VIDEO GAMES «
No Man’s Sky
I admit, I wasn’t somebody who paid full price up front for this highly controversial space exploration game. I saw the backlash and waited for that price to drop to a beautifully affordable low and I’m so glad that I did. I don’t know exactly what other people were expecting but this is the never ending space living adventure I always wanted. The recent updates have made that experience even more satisfying and customizable. My advice to those of you on the fence is to get this game now while it’s dirt cheap and enjoy the vast universe as it continues to get better and better. No Man’s Sky isn’t perfect (for now), but it delivers on the unique experience and unlimited space exploration that I’ve spent long hours enjoying. I have my own ship, docked at my own base, on my own planet, surrounded by alien creatures all named after members of Wu-Tang Clan. That is what makes No Man’s Sky well worth your time.
– Brandon Griffin, Writer
World of Warcraft: Legion
This newest expansion of World of Warcraft had a lot to make up for after the mostly negative fan reception to Warlords of Draenor. The developers of WoW made it clear they were focused on making a worthwhile entry in the WoW universe and Legion delivered in spades. The story was fantastic, the voice acting and cut-scenes were emotional, and the gameplay was fluid and exciting. The story took players back to the foundation of WoW‘s conflict with the demonic forces of the invading Burning Legion. Despite being a sequel of sorts to the expansion The Burning Crusade, it also provided a perfect entry point for new players. WoW: Legion was made worth its purchase price alone just to hear the mighty Illidan the Betrayer tell us: “Now you are prepared!”
– Byron Lafayette, Writer
Attack on Titan
I didn’t play most of the big releases this year, content to just continue progressing through Destiny and Star Wars Battlefront. I did play the hell out of PokémonGo, but I’m hesitant to choose a mobile game as my favorite game of the year. For that honor, I’m going with Koei Tecmo’s Attack on Titan game. Sure, Attack on Titan is also one of my favorite manga and anime, but its the series’ 3D maneuvering gear (which basically gives everyone the ability to move like Spider-Man in order to kill huge giants called Titans) that just screams to be adapted for a video game. And now it has, thanks to the fine folks at Omega Force who found a way to perfectly translate how must it feels like to cut down a Titan and have those controls feel natural for the player (something fan-made games have struggled with in the past). You best believe I’ll be playing this game nonstop once Attack on Titan season 2 begins!
– Sarah Moran, Editor-in-Chief
Skyrim: Special Edition
How can a five-year-old video game with a new coat of metaphorical paint be considered worthy of a game of the year honor? I’ll leave that debate to you readers. All I know is that the recent reissue of Skyrim had entertained me more than any other game released this year. The new Special Edition went beyond delivering better graphics, it also runs smoother, loads faster and has proven surprisingly free of the bugs that usually make playing every new Bethesada release an exercise in patience. There’s a reason why this game is still as popular as it was when it first came out in 2011 and why it continues to top the sales charts this year.
– Matt Morrison, Contributing Editor
Those are our picks for our favorite movies, TV shows, and video games of 2016! What are some of yours? Let us know in the comments!
And from all of us here at Kabooooom – Happy New Year!
Kabooooom! 