20 Best Shows of 2016

Honorable Mentions: Mike Tyson Mysteries, The Simpsons, Family Guy, The Flash, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Supernatural, RWBY, Suits, Togetherness, The Wizard of Aus, The 100, American Dad, Gravity Falls, The Last Man on Earth, Robot Chicken, iZombie, Scandal, F*ck that's Delicious, Huang's World, Joker Game, Haven't you Heard? I'm Sakamoto, Cyanide & Happiness Show, Red vs. Blue, UnReal, Bob's Burgers, Angie Tribeca, 11.22.63, Hap and Leonard, Underground, Preacher, Casual, Vice on HBO, The Venture Bros., American Crime, Kabaneri Of The Iron Fortress, Day 5, Fleabag, High Maintenance, Speechless, This is Us,  Assassination classroom, Star Wars Rebels, Better Things, Insecure, Pitch, The Good Place, Adam Ruins Everything, The Walking Dead, The Crown, Crazy ex-girlfriend, Jane the Virgin, American Horror Story: Roanoke, My Hero Academia, Mob Psycho 100, House of Cards, Narcos, Lady Dynamite, Daredevil, KonoSuba, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, South Park, The Grand Tour, Mozart in the Jungle, The Man in the High Castle.
Note: This list is based off my own personal opinion of what I thought were the best shows of 2016, and is ordered in descending numerical order. To qualify for this list, a show must have aired some time in 2016; I would like to mention I was not been able to watch every show that aired in 2016, and a series may not qualify if it aired later in the year and did not complete its season before the start of 2017.

Runner-Up: The Young Pope
Going into "The Young Pope," I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. The trailers were fairly cryptic, making sure not to give too much away; all I knew was that the entire series created, directed, and co-written by acclaimed Italian director Paolo Sorrentino. What was originally supposed to be a one off mini-series has since been confirmed to have a second season on its way, and I couldn't be happier. Lenny Belardo is a devout catholic, and managed to achieve positions in the church at a relatively young age. For a while he acted as the archbishop of New York, that is until he was unexpectedly named the new Pope. Taking the name Pope Pius XIII, Lenny plans to make some changes within the church. Going against classic conventions, he rewrites the rule book in a way he sees fit. While he's trying to make the church a better place he has one major issue, he's not sure he believes in God. In the simplest way I could describe this show, "The Young Pope" is if "House of Cards" took place in the Vatican. Highlighted by beautiful cinematography, an award worth performance from Jude Law, and strong direction from Sorrentino, "The Young Pope" became one of my favorite new shows of the year.

20. Halt and Catch Fire
When "Halt and Catch Fire" first premiered in 2014, I was unimpressed but saw a lot of potential. The actors were great, and the show's plot was interesting and unique; the rest of it just wasn't there yet. With the second season, the series went from being an average drama to being one of the best on cable. But finally with the third season, the show's reached its full potential. Starting off in the late 80s, Donna and Cameron are doing their best to keep their internet company afloat, while Gordon is in the process of suing his ex-partner Joe for stealing his anti-virus software. With each character suffering from countless trials and tribulation, they must survive the relentless tech world while keeping their lives together. When it comes to cable dramas, "Halt and Catch Fire" is one of the best on TV right now. With great acting and writing, as well as tons of interesting drama, what was once an average show has blossomed into something great. While I'm sad the upcoming fourth season is scheduled to be its last, I'm at least glad I was there to enjoy the show along the way.

19. Archer
In all honesty, I hated "Archer" when I first saw it. I remember watching the first episode not liking the comedy, the animation, or the characters; but as time has gone on, it's become one of my all time favorite shows. After the events of the sixth season, Archer and his gang of misfits have been ousted from the intelligence community. Desperate for money, the gang heads out to LA to open a detective agency; expecting the work to be easy, they get wrapped up in a huge LA conspiracy involving many of the city's wealthiest citizens. "Archer" has been on for seven seasons, and at a certain point you have to ask if a show that's been on for so long should be put down; "Archer" has not reached that point. The show is as funny as ever, and in my opinion the seventh season was better than the previous two. The cast of colorful characters are always entertaining, and have changed a lot over the years. While "Archer" might not be as good as it once was, it's still better than most anything on TV.

18. Bojack Horseman
This is the rare type of show that only gets better with each passing season. Premiering in 2014, "Bojack Horseman" didn't seem like anything special. A Netflix original, the show looked like another, run-of-the-mill animated comedy. Revolving around the title character, I was unimpressed upon first viewing; but the following year, the second season was much more impressive. Now with the third season, "Bojack Horseman" ranks among the best animated shows on TV. Picking up immediately after the events of the second season, Bojack's new movie is shaping up to be a hit and could finally be what gets him an Oscar; but despite being more successful than ever, he's still just as miserable. What was once another dumb comedy has become a starch critic of modern day culture by satirizing every part of world. Discussing themes of self-loathing, self-sabotage, depression, and vanity, "Bojack Horseman" is one of the smartest and most original shows on TV. And I can't wait to see where the show goes with its fourth season.

17. Ash vs Evil Dead
If I had to choose the weirdest and most absurd show on TV right now, this would be a serious contender. "Ash vs. Evil Dead" is a comedy on Starz, and follows the story of Ash Williams. Ash was once your average teenager, but one day while on a camping trip with some friends he and his friends find a book known as the Necronomicon and unleashes and ancient evil. After putting the situation to rest, he thinks he's put it to rest; until he gets super stoned and unleashes the evil once again. So after coming out of retirement, he and some friends set out again the kill some demonic babies looking to wreak havoc on the world, as well as banish a particularly nasty demon back to hell. "Ash vs Evil Dead" is a ridiculous, hilarious, bloody good time. When this show first aired it had a lot to live up to, the movies it's based on are held in high regard. Fortunately, the show runners have done right by the source material. One of my personal favorites on TV right now, I'm already counting down the days till the season three premier.

16. Silicon Valley

If I had a dollar for every time I've recommended this show to, I'd have enough to by each season on blu-ray. "Silicon Valley" is an HBO comedy that takes place in (you guessed it) Silicon Valley, California. Richard Hendricks is a brilliant software designer that has developed a compression software that could change the world. After many ups and downs, everything seems back to normal; that is until Richard learns that he's been removed as the CEO of his company Pied Piper. So he and his friends attempt to make the company what they want while trying not to be crushed under corporate bureaucracy. "Silicon Valley" is HBO's best comedy in years. It has some of the best writing and comedic performances on TV. Unfortunately, it never manages to pull the numbers it deserves. While a fourth season is on its way, I worry about how long the show will last if ratings don't get better. Until then though, I can still enjoy one of the best TV comedies in years.

15. Atlanta
If you had to pick the breakout new series of 2016, "Atlanta" would certainly be in consideration. The series was created by rapper, actor, comedian, and all around creative genius Donald Glover. Taking place in Atlanta, the series follows Earnest "Earn" Marks, a hard working father who hasn't amounted to much in his life. One day he learns that his estranged cousin is up-and-coming rapper named Paperboy. Earn gets in contact and conveniences Paperboy to let him be his manager, little does Earn know what being a rapper's manager entails. "Atlanta" most reminds me of "Louie," the shows a comedic, melancholy masterpiece. The writing, acting, direction, and cinematography are all top notch. If anything, it shows that Donald Glover can basically go everything. A second season is on its way, and I can definitely see "Atlanta" being cable's next big comedy.

14. Orange is the New Black
One of the most consistently great shows of the decade has to be "Orange is the New Black." Since its premier in 2013, the show has garnered wide acclaim and numerous awards. Based off semi-true events, the story takes place in a women's prison in New York and primarily revolves around inmate Piper Chapman. During this past season the prison goes through many changes, becoming a for-profit facility; unfortunately for the inmates, the new guards aren't the best people in the world. And with ever growing race-relation problems within the prison, things get extra crazy during the fourth season. When I first saw the trailer for OITNB years ago, I didn't think much of it; but when I finally gave it a chance I fell in love. Emphasizing characters, their development, writing, and intricate story lines, "Orange is the New Black" has become a modern classic and a cultural phenomenon.

13. Luke Cage

A few years back it was announced that Netflix would be heading up a series of original Marvel shows. The first installment in this online franchise was "Daredevil," then followed by "Jessica Jones;" both of which were phenomenal and made it onto my best of the year list 2015. Earlier in 2016 we got the second season of "Daredevil:" while still a fun ride, it paled in comparison to the first season. So while Netflix dropped the ball with "Daredevil" season 2, they kicked it up a notch with "Luke Cage." Luke Cage is a superhero living in Brooklyn New York; he was a former cop who received his powers in an experiment that he did not volunteer for. Cage tries his best to lay low, but after a close friend of his is killed by a local mob boss he takes it upon himself to dismantle his operation. Each of Netflix's Marvel shows are different; "Daredevil" is an action series, "Jessica Jones" was a neo-noir mystery, and "Luke Cage" is a drama focusing on real life social issues. It's hard to say where exactly "Luke Cage" ranks among the other shows; all I know is that I love it. Featuring several strong performances, great music, a compelling story, and relevant thematic elements, "Luke Cage" is another strong installment in Netflix's catalog.

12. Black Mirror

"Black Mirror" is a show that I've been hearing about for years; with many telling me it was one of the best shows on TV. So right before the third season premiered on Netflix, I decided to give it a watch; and I have to say, it was even better than I thought it would be. "Black Mirror" is an anthology series, meaning each episode follows a new story with new characters. The primary focus of the series is to touch upon various themes revolving around our current culture; discussing topics such as technology, vanity, greed, pride, stardom, fascism, etc. The third season, which premiered on Netflix back in October, was longer than the previous season and featured several of the shows best episodes. The season discussed issues revolving around social media, virtual reality, hacking, escaping reality, blindly following orders, and unforeseen issues with the latest technologies. I can't go too much into the plots without giving stuff away, just know each was brilliant. While a fourth season hasn't been confirmed, I'm sure that Netflix will see how valuable of a series it really is.

11. Stranger Things

I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about the world of television and the various series coming out in the near future; but I had never heard of "Stranger Things" until the day it came out. I was just on Netflix and saw it advertised on its main page, so I gave it a try; and to my surprise it turned out to be one of my favorite shows of the year. In the far off world of 1982, a group of young friends are having a game night playing some D&D. On his way home, one of the boys, Will, disappears without a trace. The whole town bans together to look for him, along with Will's friends. What seemed like a routine disappearance turns out to be a secret government conspiracy that will push those involved to their limits. "Stranger Things" is something unique, not like anything else on the air right now. It's one part "The Goonies," one part "X-Files," and one part "Super 8." A fun sci-fi adventure filled with mystery, "Stranger Things" was one of the breakout hits of 2016. And with a second season on its way, "Stranger Things" is shaping up to be Netflix's next big original.

10. The Americans
In my opinion, this is easily the most underrated series on TV right now. This show is so good, it's almost criminal how few people actually watch it. "The Americans" is a cold war, political thriller that follows two Soviet sleeper agents, a married couple named Elizabeth and Philip, as they pose as an average American family doing the Soviet Union's dirty work in the States. During the fourth season, Elizabeth and Philip have more on their plates than ever before; their daughter coping with the realization of what they do, the FBI becoming increasingly, and a possible biological weapon falling into the wrong hands. There really isn't another show like "The Americans" on the air at the moment, its unique plot and story lines help it stand out. Coupled with great writing and exceptional performances and you have a recipe for something great. Despite the bad ratings, both a fifth and sixth season have been ordered. And if the quality is kept at its current level, "The Americans" could go down as one of Cable's all time best dramas.

9. O.J.: Made In America

"O.J. Made In America" is different from every other show on this list, it's real. This is an ESPN, 30-For-30 documentary miniseries about O.J. Simpson. The series begins during Simpson's college days, and ends with his permanent arrest in the 2000s. What most impressed me about this series was that it was so much more than the O.J. trial. The series explored history, police relations, race relations, the entertainment industry and more. This 5 part, nearly 8 hour miniseries was engrossing from start to finish; exploring every angle of the murder case, even showing never before seen crime photos. "O.J. Made In America" is something special, an informative labor of love that ranks alongside shows like "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst" and "Planet Earth" as one of the greatest documentary miniseries ever made. We may never know what really happened all those years ago, but watching this series may make you second guess yourself one way or another.

8. The Night Manager

This is one of the few shows on this list that I did not watch while it was airing, or immediately after its premiere. I didn't hear about this show until a few months after it aired, but once I finally got around to watching it I quickly fell in love. "The Night Manager" is a British espionage thriller based off the 1993 novel of the same name. Jonathon Pine works the manager night shift at a fancy hotel in Egypt, unfortunately for him it's at the same time as the Arab Spring. One night he meets a woman who asks him to copy some papers, upon inspection they are actually weapon orders; shortly afterwards she is murdered. Months later while working a new job at another hotel he encounters the man responsible for the woman's death; looking for revenge he infiltrates the arms dealer's crew to take him down from the inside. This show is an example of how a dramatic thriller is done right; exciting, intriguing, and well written with twists and turns to spare. While I'm sad this was a short, one season show, I was satisfied. From start to finish, "The Night Manager" was nothing less than exceptional.

7. Planet Earth 2
In 2006, the BBC aired the worldwide phenomenon that was "Planet Earth." An eleven part miseries, the show was a nature documentary program like we had never seen before. Never before seen, beautiful and raw footage showed the world at its best. Now ten years later, we get a follow-up. "Planet Earth 2" brings new, never before seen video of animals in the wild. This time shot in 4K, "Planet Earth 2" might be the most beautiful series I've ever seen. The shots the camera crew pulled off were incredible, and with the latest filming technologies there were able to get footage that would have been impossible to gather just a few years ago. From the farthest point of the globe to the cities we inhabit, "Planet Earth 2" shows off the world in a way like we've never seen before. Who knows if we'll get another installment of this series in ten; all I do know was that like the original, "Planet Earth 2" is special.

6. The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Not sure why, but 2016 seems to be the year of O.J. Simpson; fortunately though, he's the subject of some great TV. "American Crime Story" is a spin-off of another long running FX miniseries, "American Horror Story: Roanoke." While ACS may be by many of the same people, this series stands high above its predecessor. The first season of American Crime Story revolves around the O.J. Simpson murder case, begging right before Simpson's arrest and finishing shortly after the end of the trial. 2016 had several very good miniseries air, "The Night Of," "American Crime," "The Night Manager," and "American Horror Story" to name a few; but a lot of people will leave 2016 saying "American Crime Story" was the best of the bunch. Featuring several award worthy performances, great writing, and nonstop drama, this was certainly one of the most entertaining shows of the year. It was announced that two more seasons of ACS have been ordered, each will follow a real life historic event; if those seasons are even half as good as "The People vs. O.J. Simpson," I'll be happy.

5. Westworld
Going into the Fall of 2016, there was no show I was more excited for than "Westworld." Based off of the 1973 Michael Crichton movie of the same name, "Westworld" is HBO's latest attempt at creating TV's next big drama. The series takes place years in the future at a giant western style theme park inhabited by hyper realistic androids. Following several characters, everything in the park seems fine until some of the androids begin to exhibit behaviors they aren't supposed to have. "Westworld" is probably the most ambitious show we've seen on the air since the premiere of "Game of Thrones." With impressive visuals, several strong performances, unmatched production value, tons of mystery, and an intriguing world, "Westworld" is my latest TV obsession. With a second season likely coming in 2018, fans will have to wait a while before we begin to understand the truth; until then we'll just have to re-watch the first season over and over again to see what we missed. But if the show runners can keep up the show's quality and intrigue, "Westworld" could become an instant classic.

4. Mr. Robot
There were a lot of great shows to premier back in 2015, but the true stand out might have just been "Mr. Robot." Premiering on USA, a channel most well known for light hearted dramas and "Law & Order" reruns, "Mr. Robot" really pushes the boundaries of what we see on cable TV. The story follows Elliot, a genius computer tech with severe mental issues, who spends his free time working as a member of a hacking group known as F-Society. The show's second season kicks off a few months after the events of the first, where Elliot is trying to put his mind back in order and the world is slowly recovering from the hacking group's devastating cyber attack. "Mr. Robot" is basically "Fight Club" the TV show, and it's brilliant. Filled with great performances, exceptional writing, and a compelling plot that always keeps you on the edge of your seat, "Mr. Robot" is only getting better. With a third season on its way, "Mr. Robot" has a series chance of being one of cable's all time great dramas.

3. The Night Of

One of the most popular genres we've seen on the air over the past twenty years or so would have to be the crime drama. There have been so many of these shows that the genre has become stale for many, so it really takes a special show to stand out among the rest; and "The Night Of" is just that show. "The Night Of" is an HBO mini-series revolving around a young man who's arrested for a grisly murder, and the fallout from the event including the trial, his time in prison, and the impact on his family and legal team. "The Night Of" is a brutal, and realistic look at America's criminal justice system start to finish; including flawed police work, racial profiling, and how American prisons can turn anyone into dangerous criminals. It's unsure if we'll see a second season, but even so, for a one off "The Night Of" is sheer brilliance.

2. Better Call Saul
If we were to ask every TV fan in the world what the best show to ever air was, there's a strong chance that "Breaking Bad" would get the most votes. From start to finish, "Breaking Bad" was nothing but astonishing, with some of the best writing and story lines of we've ever seen on the air. So when it was announced that a spin off was in development, people were worried; fortunately though, it exceeded our expectations. "Better Call Saul" takes place years before the events of "Breaking Bad," and revolves around the beloved character Saul as he tries to get his career as a layer going. Overall, "Better Call Saul" easily ranks as one of the best shows on TV and does a great job continuing the legacy of its predecessor. Highlighted by exceptional acting and some of the best written scripts on television right now, "Better Call Saul" might just be the best TV spin-off of all time; and with a third season on its way, the show's just getting started.

1. Game of Thrones
The sixth season of "Game of Thrones" might have just the show's most polarizing. There seems to be to major trains of thought regarding this past season, it is either the show's best or its worst; personally, I agree more with the former. So much happened in the six season of "Game of Thrones" I can't even describe it, just know that lots of people died. What makes this season stand out among the crowd would be the fact that it features several of the show's best episodes, "The Door," "The Battle of the Bastards," and "The Winds of Winter" are examples of TV at its finest. Plus several career best performances from many of the actors and unmatched production design, you have a winning recipe. What I liked most about this season that it really does feel like the beginning of the end. The thinned the heard, and now there are only three major story lines going on. While I'm sad that "Game of Thrones" will be ending soon, I can still enjoy it in the present. And in my opinion, it was the best show to air in 2016.

My 5 Favorite Movies of 2016

Honorable Mentions: Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Train to Busan, Kubo and the Two Strings, The Nice Guys, Finding Dory, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Hell or High Water, La La Land.
Note: This list consists of my personal favorite films released in 2016.

Runner-Up: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
One of my favorite films of 2015 had to be "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens." I thought it was a great re-launch for one of the most beloved series of all time, and it even made it onto my list of the best movies of 2015. So the problem with "Rogue One" was that it had a lot to live up; but to the surprise of fans, many are saying it's even better than "The Force Awakens." "Rogue One" is a prequel to the original trilogy, and a sequel to the prequel trilogy (basically, it takes place immediately before "A New Hope"). It's all about a rogue, rebel squadron that mounts an ambitious plan to steal the blueprints for an Imperial weapon, the Death Star. Featuring several memorable original characters, impressive visual effects, huge battle sequences, and a darker/grittier tone, "Rogue One" exceeded my expectations. While it's not my favorite film in the franchise, it's hard for me to deny that it's not one of the best.

5. Captain America: Civil War
Since 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has taken over the film industry. Within just a few years, the MCU became the highest grossing film franchise of all time; but when you watch them it's not hard to see why. The MCU has produced several of the best comic book movies ever released, and in my opinion "Captain America: Civil War" is the best of the bunch. A little while after the events of "Age of Ultron," the Avengers is left in shambles with many of the team's members leaving. But after a recent incident in Africa, the Avengers are under more scrutiny than ever. The world's governments have come together to suggest that the Avengers be controlled by the UN. While some members support this new plan, others aren't so enthusiastic; and their contrasting ideologies end with flying fists. One of the best action movies released in years, "Civil War" was a huge box office success. One of the more compelling stories of in the MCU, years down the line people will look back at "Civil War" as one of the greatest superhero movies of all time.

4. Zootopia
Since 2010, Disney Animation has been on a role. There filmography has consisted of fantastic movies such as "Tangled," "Wreck-it-Ralph," "Frozen," "Big Hero 6," and most recently "Moana" (which we'll is further down on this list); but many will agree that the best of the bunch has to be "Zootopia." "Zootopia" takes place in a world inhabited by animals, and follows a new police recruit named Judy Hopps. Judy has decided to move to Zootopia, a huge city where all animals live in peace; but once a series of disappearances begin to happen, Judy must team up with a con artist fox to solve the case. What impressed me most about "Zootopia" was how it addressed current social issues. The film tackles issues like racism, sexism, bigotry, and stereotyping in a very adult way; couple that with a funny script, several fantastic characters, gorgeous animation and design, and you have a modern animated classic on your hands.

3. Deadpool
"Deadpool" is like no other superhero movie ever made, which is exactly what we needed in an era with nonstop comic book movies. "Deadpool" follows the story of Wade Wilson, a former soldier action as gun for hire when he learns that he has cancer; one day he's approached by a mysterious man that asks him if he wants to take part in experimental surgery that left him horribly disfigured, so Wilson seeks out the men responsible. "Deadpool" was an over the top, hyper violent, and insanely funny movie. It was the "anti super hero" movie that we needed. Personally, I love seeing so many comic books get adapted for the silver screen, but with so many they tend to run together. "Deadpool" stands out as something special, a ridiculously good time that is nonstop entertainment start to finish; and I loved it.

2. The Edge of Seventeen
I first watched the trailer for this movie a few months back and I was thoroughly unimpressed; it looked like a generic, run of the mill coming of age teen movie. Turns out I couldn't have been further from the truth. "The Edge of Seventeen" is about Nadine, a seventeen year old outcast with one friend and feels like she's always in the shadow of her perfect brother. The story follows her growth, and coming to grips with herself. On paper, a movie about a teenage girl shouldn't be very relatable for me (a 22 year old man), but surprisingly it was. I remember having similar experiences to Nadine and how hard growing up can be. Highlighted by a wickedly funny script and several great performances, "The Edge of Seventeen" may be the biggest surprise of 2016.

1. Moana
Back in 2013, I named "Frozen" as my favorite movie of the year; and they amount of crap I get for doing so is more than you'd expect. "Frozen" has a lot of hate directed it for some reason or another, despite this I still love it; and amazingly, I may actually like "Moana" more. "Moana" is Disney's latest animated princess film, and follows Moana, the daughter of the village chief of a small island in the pacific, as she travels the ocean to find a Demi-God to restore order to the world. Lovable characters, a great soundtrack, gorgeous animation, and an action packed adventure, "Moana" has something for everyone. Watching this movie gave me the same feeling that I had when I watched "Frozen," it brought me back to my childhood watching Disney movies from the 90s. "Moana" is a fantastic movie, and easily my favorite of 2016.

10 Best Games of 2016

Honorable Mentions: Salt and Sanctuary, Replica, Enter the Gungeon, Abzu, Valley, Hue, Pokémon GO, Stories: The Path of Destinies, Castle: New Lands, Firewatch, Furi, Superhot, Thumper, Pokemon Uranium, Severed, Factario, Samorost 3, Stardew Valley, Darkest Dungeon, Hyper Light Drifter.

Runner-Up Pony Island
You you've ever wanted to play a game that will make your brain melt and pour out of your ear, this is the one. When I bought this game I knew nothing about it, a friend recommended it to me so I spent five dollars to purchase it. And in all honesty I was not ready for what I played. Explaining this plot is nigh impossible, all you need to know is that you play someone playing a game where you play as a pony and fight demons. "Pony Island" is as meta as a game gets, and breaks the fourth wall in a way that few ever have. The gameplay is simple, but filled with some clever puzzles. What really sets this game apart is how it rewards you for thinking out of the box. Finding secrets and multiple alternate endings, and even hacking the game's files to get the true ending that explains the truth are not required or even explained it to you. "Pony Island" is one of the most unique games I've ever played, and one I'd recommend to anyone looking for something truly unique and different.

10. Dishonored 2
In 2012, developer Arkane Studios released "Dishonored;" published by Bethesda, "Dishonored" was a stealth-action game taking place in a steampunk filled, Victorian Era style world. Upon its release the game was widely praised as one of the best of the year. Ever since, fans have begged for a sequel; finally, 2016 delivered. Taking place 15 years after the events of the first game, "Dishonored 2" lets you take control of either empress Emily Kaldwin or as her most loyal body guard and father Corvo Attano. On the anniversary of Emily's mother's death, a woman claiming to be Emily's aunt arrives to overtake the thrown; and just like Crovo, she has incredible powers. So playing as either character, you set out to stop her. "Dishonored 2" had a lot to love up to considering how good the original is; and while "Dishonored 2" may not be as good as its predecessor, it's still one of the best of 2016. Much like the original, the game's world is utterly fascinating and beautiful; the amount of history, lore, and mystery in the story are on a whole different level. Many characters have a lot going for them, and like its predecessor the game features a unique and beautiful art style. While the combat has changed very little, the mechanics are tighter and allow for more options when approaching missions. "Dishonored 2" is an exciting, and detailed stealth game that will be compelling to any gamer that plays it.

9. Icey
I first heard about this game from one of my favorite YouTubers, who played it for one of his videos. Before that I had never heard of it, but it looked fun so I bought it on a whim. On the surface it's a good game: tight fighting mechanics, a lovely art style, and a good soundtrack. What really surprised me was what was under the surface, a truly original and creative game design. Much like "Pony Island," "Icey" is about as meta as it gets; constantly breaking the rules of conventional game design. Throughout the game, the title's developer is talking to you; and manages to trick you by getting you to do things you aren't supposed to do (it knows you're going to go off the beaten path and it plays you like the fiddle). This is probably the first game I've ever played from a Chinese developer; and with China relaxing their once very restrictive laws on video games, I'm certainly interested to see what other unique projects can come out of the country.

8. Owlboy
Leading up to the release of this game in early November, I had never heard of it. This was an obscure little indie game developed by a handful of people that took almost a decade to finish. What really got this game on the map would be the near universal acclaim it received upon launch. You play Otus, a young owl living in a floating village in a mythical world. As an owl, you are tasked with exploring the floating lands and defend your people. One day while off exploring, your village is attacked by a group of pirates who plan on destroying the capital. With the help of some friends, you set out to stop them from causing any more damage. Playing "Owlboy" reminded me of the first time playing a "Legend of Zelda" game, it gave me that same sense of wonder. The title's art style is stunning, featuring some of the best looking pixel-art style I've ever seen in a game. The controls are tight and responsive, and work every well for the way the game plays. The story is entertaining, with several adorable and hilarious characters you fall in love with. "Owlboy" has a lot going for it, and is such a standout that it has helped raise the bar for all indie games to come.

7. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
The "Deus Ex" franchise started back in 2000 with "Deus Ex," a stealth RPG that many will call one of the greatest games ever made. While the next sequel "Invisible War" was met with much more criticism, the series relaunched itself with "Human Revolution" in 2011. Praised by critics, "Human Revolution" would go on to be one of the best reviewed games of the year. Naturally fans wanted a sequel, and it finally arrived. "Deus Ex: Mankind Divided" is an action/stealth RPG taking place in 2029. In this world, human augmentation is a widely available practice; but after the events of the previous game, anti-aug sentiment is high. You play Jensen, an Interpol agent stationed in Prague. You hired taked with investigating a series of bombings, but after looking into it you realize there's much more going on. "Mankind Divided" has a lot going for it; impressive graphics, solid combat, brilliant level design, an engaging story, a cool setting, and stealth that gives you many options on how you want to complete your mission. I'd even say that it's one of the best stealth games I've played in years. While this is the first "Deus Ex" game I've played, I'm hoping it won't be my last.

6. Doom
For many, the original "Doom" and "Doom II: Hell on Earth" were the first games that many gamers ever played. Noted for being some of the best early first person shooters, as well for their over the top violence, both titles were huge hits in their times. Unfortunately for fans, 2004's "Doom 3" left a bad tastes in many mouths. While a "Doom 4" was said to be in development, the planned game dropped off the face of the earth for many years; but at a press conference in 2015, it was announced that a new inst lament in the franchise was in the works simply titled "Doom." Many years in the future Earth is going through a major energy crisis, in an attempt to make do the world decides the best course of action is to draw energy directly from Hell. Taking place at a huge research facility on Mars, the company behind the plant regularly makes trips in Hell to bring back artifacts, including a sarcophagus containing a feared soldier known simply as the Doom Slayer. You play the Slayer as you wake up from your long sleep to find everyone at the facility dead; with demons running a muck the Slayer decides to do what he does best, kill everything that moves. "Doom" is one of the most enjoyable games I've played in a long time. The combat is fast and frantic, offering tons of ways to brutally kill demons. Featuring great level design, an intense soundtrack, and great direction from developer id Software, many will walk away from 2016 saying "Doom" was the best game of the year.

5. Final Fantasy XV
Back in E3 2006, Japanese developer Square Enix announced an upcoming title for their flagship franchise. "Final Fantasy XV" was originally announced as a spin off of another "Final Fantasy" that was in development, and was originally supposed to come out several years ago. Unfortunately, numerous delays pushed the game so far back that many lost faith. But finally, after over a decade of development FFXV is here. You play Noctis, a young prince who's traveling the country to marry his bride to be, but along the way you learn that your kingdom has been attacked and your father killed. So with the help of your three best friends who were accompanying you, your gang sets out to right the wrongs that have befallen you and your kingdom. FFXV had a lot to live up to, and while it's not perfect there's a lot to love. The game's graphics are phenomenal with top notch visual and world design. The history and lore of the world is interesting, and the game's lead characters are unique and lovable. Paired with a combat system that's unique and fun, and classic JRPG elements brought into 2016, there sure is a lot to love about "Final Fantasy XV."

4. Inside
There were several very good indie games released released in 2016, but none were better than this one. "Inside" was developed by Playdead, the same people behind the brilliant title "Limbo." "Inside" is very clearly influenced by "Limbo," but seems like a natural progression. The game's a 2.5D platformed with puzzle solving. The game has a story, but at no point is it clear what is going on; I could try and describe it to you, but I couldn't do it any justice. "Inside" is a brilliant little game; clever puzzles, a beautiful art style, a haunting world, and a short but engaging narrative. Many of 2016's big AAA games have been disappointing, so the indies have had to pick up the slack; and I don't think any independent title released this year will be remembered as fondly as this one.

3. Dark Souls 3
Since its introduction, the "Dark Souls" franchise has taken the video game world by storm. Every title in the franchise have been praised highly, winning countless awards along the way. Noted for their combat, stories, world design, and grueling difficulty, this series has gone from a little known jem to a full blown sensation. "Dark Souls 3" is the latest installment, and it borrows the best from all the previous games. The world is dying, and the first flame is going out; you play the Ashen One, the one tasked with making it to the first flame and choose humanity's path. Along the way you fight countless monsters, and must kill the Lord's of Cinder (warriors who lit the flame in the past). But once you make it to the first flame the question remains, "what will you do." "Dark Souls 3" has all the best aspects from the franchise, going back to the begging. The combat is heavy and sharp, but faster compared to the previous installments (influenced by the series spin-off "Bloodborne). From what we've been told, DS3 will be the last "Dark Souls" game, if so this was a great way to go out. While we're unsure what developer From Software is up to now, they'll have some pretty big shoes to fill.

2. Overwatch
Blizzard Entertainment has brought many of gaming's most beloved titles into this world, and are widely considered to be one of the best development studios working today; and their latest title "Overwatch," is one of the most talked about games in years. "Overwatch" is a competitive, class based first person shooter. It takes place in a world tired from a war between humans and robots years before. Overwatch was a military group meant to fight the robots, but after the war was disbanded; but when violence starts to reemerge, Overwatch member Winston sends out the message to get the gang back together. "Overwatch" only has a multiplayer campaign, which means it does one thing and one thing only; fortunately though, it does it very well. The game features a wide cast of memorable characters, several maps, and a variety of game modes; the combat is tight, and the art style is vibrant, cartooney, and always enjoyable. Personally, I'm not a big fan of competitive multiplayer games (mostly because I'm terrible). But since I'm fairly good at "Overwatch,"

1. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
For nearly a decade, the "uncharted" franchise has been one of the most celebrated and acclaimed franchise's in the video game industry. The first three installments in the franchise were praised for their stories, dialog, characters, action, and set pieces. While many thought that 2011's "Drake's Deception" was going to be the final game in the series, the franchise developer Naughty Dog announced that there would be one more adventure. "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" takes place years after the events of the third game; many of the characters have moved on with their lives, leaving their past explorations behind. Nathan Drake now lives a simple life at an underwater salvage company; but one day while getting ready to close, he's visited by his brother (whom was presumed dead for 20 years), asking for Nate's help to discover a long lost pirate treasure. While hesitant, Drake decides to go out one last time for the prize of a life time. "Uncharted" is to games what "Indiana Jones" is to movies, action packed blockbusters. Like the previous games, the story, dialog, and characters are top notch and expertly written. The graphics are impressive to say the least, and some of the best we've ever seen on console. The performances from the voice actors are great as always, bringing these characters to life. The combat is the same from the previous games; not revolutionary, but a tighter version from its predecessors that makes stealth a viable option. And as always, the game features exciting set pieces guaranteed to get the heart pumping. "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" is just that, a fitting end to an incredible series. While I'm sad to see it go, I'll always have the memories from some of the best games released during my lifetime.

5 Worst Movies of 2016

Honorable Mentions: Cabin Fever, Martyrs, The Neon Demon, Zoolander 2, Suicide Squad, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Note: This list is made up of what I thought were the worst movies released during 2016.

Runner-Up: Yoga Hosers
Kevin Smith has been a cult favorite director for over 20 years now. His debut film "Clerks" is widely regarded as a 90s classic, and several of his follow up films such as "Dogma" and "Chasing Amy" are also held in high regard; but since the late 90s, his work hasn't been the best. And amazingly, his latest film "Yoga Hosers" might be his worst. "Yoga Hosers" is a spin-off of Smith's previous movie "Tusk," this time following to minor characters from that movie. Colleen and Colleen (yes, both are named Colleen) are two average high school students who work at a convince store. They love their phones, yoga, playing in their band, and boys who don't know they exist. After inviting a couple guys over to the store after hours, things get a little strange when tiny Nazi wieners begin to attack (seriously, that's the plot of this movie). While this movie may hold the horror for having the stupidest plot I've ever seen in a film, it doesn't have much else going for it; bad writing, visual effects, direction, acting, etc. While it might not be the worst movie of 2016, it's still pretty bad; and it is further proof that Kevin Smith will do anything to get out of making "Clerks 3."

5. Dirty Grandpa
On paper, "Dirty Grandpa" could work; an old man and his grandson traveling and getting in shenanigans, with comedic star Zac Efron and acting legend Robert De Niro. Unfortunately though, the end result isn't particularly good. Richard Kelly is an elderly gentleman whose wife has recently away, and to get away from it all is supposed to go on vacation. His grandson Jason, a corporate layer soon to be married, has been tasked with driving him to his destination. But after spending years dedicated to his deceased wife, Richard decides it's time for him to cut loose. "Dirty Grandpa" misfires on all barrels, acting, writing, directing, etc. But above all else it is one of those rare comedies that has the ability to be entirely unfunny. Throughout the entire run time, I don't think I laughed once. This movie is just an unfunny mess, and a complete waste of my time.

4. Allegiant
I've always had a strong hatred for the "Divergent" franchise, and nothing about the third installment "Allegiant" made me change my opinion. Both "Divergent" and "Insurgent" were included on my worst of the year lists for 2014 and 2015. Both were half baked, unimpressive movies that tried to capitalize on the success of other teen novels turned movies we've seen over the past decade. "Allegiant" takes place immediately after its predecessor; the rebelling group rounded up the former rulers and are executing them. The city that they've been trapped in opened up briefly, but the citizens are forbidden from leaving. Our main character Tris and her friends want to see what's beyond the wall and what they found out in the wastelands goes against everything they thought they knew. That's the summarized plot, what unfolds in the movie is complete nonsense; filled with more plot holes and convoluted story lines than one movie can afford to have. Like the previous movies, "Allegiant" features boring acting, an uninteresting story, bland performances, unimpressive CGI, and boring writing with flat characters. There's supposed to be one more installment in this franchise, but since "Allegiant" did so poorly at the box office it might not happen. To be honest, I want them to make the movie. Not because I want to see it, but because I need closure from a series that I've hated for years.

3. Norm of the North
This is the type of movie that legitimately makes me wonder how it ever made it into the theater. "Norm of the North" is about Norm, a unique polar bear that travels to New York to save a member of his family. What could have worked as a cute, animated kid's movie turned out to be complete garbage. There are so many things wrong with this movie it's incredible. The writing is dismal and cringe worthy, the animation looks on par with something you'd see on Nickelodeon 5 years ago, the voice acting is phoned in, and the polar bear twerks. I know that I'm not exactly the target market for this movie, but even young children have higher standards than this (I hope they do anyway). "Norm of the North" never should have made it into the movie theater; this should have been a Red Box exclusive or straight to the Disney Channel. All I know is that it ranks among the worst 2016 had to offer.

2. Fifty Shades of Black
Spoof movies have never been known for being quality entertainment, but "Fifty Shades of Black" may be a new low for the genre. FSOB is a spoof of 2015's wildly successful "Fifty Shades of Grey," based off of the erotic novel of the same name. The plot is the same as the source material that inspired it, a young woman goes to interview a rich businessman who has an immediate attraction towards her; just imagine that with terrible jokes and various pop-culture references. This is one of those movies that is made simply because doing so is cheap, and it will certainly make a profit; because after watching it, you could tell that no effort was put into it. Unfunny from start to finish, this movie has no reason to exist. Panned by critics and audiences, it is so bad that it makes "Fifty Shades of Grey" look like a competent and well made movie. "Fifty Shades of Black" was one of the least enjoyable movie going experiences of my year, and if I'm lucky I'll never see it again.

1. Nine Lives
When I first saw the trailer for "Nine Lives," I honestly didn't believe that it was real; it looked to stupid to be an actual movie, yet somehow it was real. I'm not sure who sold their soul to get this movie made, but I'm sure they have since regretted it. "Nine Lives" revolves around a business mogul who neglects his family for work, and when he goes to get a cat for his daughter's birthday he switches minds with the cat until he stops taking his family for granted. Basically, this movie is just a remake of the "Shaggy Dog;" but instead of Tim Allen and a dog, this one's about Kevin Spacey and a cat. "Nine Lives" is so pathetically bad, I truly wonder who could enjoy it. The writing, acting, directing, visual effects, and production are laughably bad; I would go so far as to call this one of the worst movies I've seen in years. "Nine Lives" has no redeemable qualities; it simply took up 87 minutes of my life that I could never get back.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Review

     There are only a few long running film franchises that have truly transcended generations, and "Star Wars" is certainly one of those franchises. The first installment in the series, "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" (simply known as "Star Wars" at the time of its release), came out in 1977 and took the world by storm. It became the highest grossing film of all time and held that title for several  years. The following two sequels, "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," were also massive hits and ensured the franchise as one of the all time greats. At the time people thought the franchise was done, but creator George Lucas assured fans years later that more was on the way. What resulted were three prequels released between 1999 and 2005, and they were utterly disappointing. For years fans once again though the movies were done, with only some animated shows to feed their hunger, but when it was announced that Disney bought the rights to "Star Wars" we learned that they were relaunching the series. While sequels to the original trilogy were expected, we also learned that anthology films would be released in between the major installments; and the first one on the chopping block is "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Taking place right before the events of "A New Hope," it tells the story of the rebel squadron Rogue One, who we learned about in "Episode IV." Some fans were nervous when it was announced that a new "Star Wars" movie would come out every year, but if "Rogue One" is any indication of what's to come, it's clear that Disney knows what they're doing.

     For years, rebel groups have been tirelessly combating the evil Empire. It seems like a losing battle, until the Rebels learn that an Imperial pilot is defecting; unfortunately for the Rebels he's been taken by a rebel extremist. The only way to get to this extremist is to have someone he knows approach him, a young woman and Imperial prisoner named Jyn Erso. After seeking out, and finding the pilot, they learn what he had to say; the Empire is almost finished building a weapon of unparalleled mass destruction. So this tiny band of rebels sets out to steal the weapon’s plans; if they fail, all is lost.

     Going into "Rogue One," I had high hopes and low expectations; I'm always excited for a "Star Wars" film, but I had my doubts about the director. The film was directed by Gareth Edwards, a fairly new filmmaker. Up to this point his biggest movie was 2014's "Godzilla;" which, in retrospect, isn't that great. But with "Rogue One" I think he knocked it out of the park, doing a great job bringing a huge sense of scale to "Rogue One." He's managed to produce what many will call one of the best in the franchise. I think what I liked most about this movie was that it was an actual war movie. All the other films in the franchise were action adventure movies that took place during a war, but "Rogue One" felt different. The stakes were higher, the battles were more brutal, and death came hand over fist. Whether it is the battles on the ground or in the sky, the action sequences were grand and brutal. As with a war movie, the tone was darker and grittier; for the Rebels, this was the end of days. If they failed, there would be nothing left; and you can see that in their desperation. While that was my favorite aspect, "Rogue One" hits on many of the great points of its predecessors. The film's score is beautiful, reminiscent of the classics but new at the same time. This was the first film in the franchise that wasn't scored by john Williams, but if you didn't know that you probably wouldn't be able to tell. As always, the movie is well shot. While it may not have broken ground, the cinematography is well done and features several beautiful scenes. And as always, the latest "Star Wars" film features impressive visual effects, great make-up and costume design, and beautiful visuals. Both the CGI and practical effects are top notch, putting almost every other movie from 2016 to shame. The make-up for the various aliens was extremely well done, with a variety of costumes that feature old and new. And the overall visual design of the film is beautiful, from the settings to the props, everything looks great. Getting to the meat of the, let's talk story. The film's plot is interesting to say the least; it tells a story that fans have known about for years, but it's nice to put the visuals with the story. And lastly I want to talk about the new characters. While some classic characters make a return, there are several new ones that take center stage. From the main cast to the main antagonist, many of the new characters will be loved by many and new favorites for some. I will say some characters are a bit underdeveloped, but that's likely a result of there being so many characters in a movie that's only two hours long. One of the bigger complaints lobbed at the movie would be the lead character, Jyn Erso. While not a bad character, she's far from the most interesting member of the core group. Felicity Jones did a fine job in the role, but the character herself could have been handled better. This movie has a lot to like, but as with most films it's not perfect. The movie has got a few corny lines that may make you roll your eyes; granted, every "Star Wars" installment has a few of those. But the film's biggest problem has to be its pacing; the first half of the film has some issues in that aspect. The first hour is a bit slow overall; it introduces a lot of characters and a lot of back-story in that time. At a certain point you just wish that they'd movie on and get to the good stuff; fortunately, the second half of the movie delivers that in spades. From the beginning of the second hour to the final minute, there's non-stop excitement at every turn. Despite these issues, I loved "Rogue One." It exceeded my expectations in almost every way. If I had to stack this movie up to the rest of the franchise, I'd say that this was the third best film behind "A New Hope" and "The Empire Strikes Back." A new "Star Wars" film every year is exciting and worrying, but "Rogue One" shows that there is little to worry about.

Pros: Several interesting new characters, impressive visual effects, interesting plot, beautiful visuals, great make-up and costume design, grand action sequences, strong direction, darker/grittier tone, an actual war movie, beautiful score, huge sense of scale, well shot cinematography.

Cons: Pacing issues, a few corny lines, some characters weren't developed very well and are less interesting.

4.5/5 Stars

Westworld Season 1 Review

     A little while back in my review of "The Night Of," I mentioned how many people have wondered what HBO will do without "Game of Thrones." Getting straight to it, "Westworld" is what HBO will do. Back in 1973, Michael Crichton released the sci-fi cult classic "Westworld." While the movie was a modest success with critics and audiences on release, the film has since grown to be a sci-fi classic. The film revolved around a giant western theme park in which all the inhabitants were robots. One day the robots begin to revolt and all hell breaks loose. Back in the present, a few years ago it was announced that HBO was working on a TV adaptation; with executive producers J.J. Abrams, Jonathan Nolan, and Lisa Joy taking the helm. HBO told them that before the series started production, that they'd have to have an ending planned ahead of time. So with a time-line of about five seasons (according to rumors), everything that would happen in "Westworld" is already planned. Once green-lit, the first 10 episode season was given $100 million dollars. And with that money, the executive producers and the people over at HBO have created one of the most enthralling shows we've seen in years.

     The show takes place many years in the future, at an unknown date. Westworld is an ambitions theme park that has been going on for about 30 something years. The park puts patrons in the late 1800s, and allows them to live out their fantasies, for a steep price. Whether you want to fish, hunt, and explore, or just kill, drink, whore around, the patrons are given free range over the park. The park is set up in a way that its android inhabitants live out set story lines every day, allowing for a certain margin of error, in which the guests can interact with them. The guests can harm the androids, but not the other way around. For years the system is perfect, but the story picks up when the androids begin to exhibit behavior that they aren't supposed to have.

     Heading into fall of 2016, "Westworld" was one of my most anticipated series set to air. While I knew very little about the series or the source material, what I did know sounded fascinating; and since it was on HBO, I knew they weren't going to half ass it. The final result is something truly brilliant, and another hit for the channel. Like most HBO shows, the production design is top notch. The show's $100 million budget is shown off in all its glory with authentic sets, huge set pieces, great costume design, and beautiful cinematography. The visuals are also something to admire; the show's visual design is great, with impressive CGI and practical effects. And the final aspect of actual creation of the show that I love would be the soundtrack. While the series has tons of original songs, some of the more interesting pieces are covers of classics such as "Paint it Black." Just like "Game of Thrones," HBO has done a great job with the creation of this series from physical pieces to the music; but those alone aren't enough to carry a show, fortunately they have the story to back it up. The plot of "Westworld" is fascinating. There's so much going on, but it never feels overwhelming. There' mystery, with constant twists and turns; the lore and background of the story are constantly intriguing, but never outright explained. They give you bits and pieces of the past and the history of the park, as well as the parent company and possible other parks, but they never paint the whole picture. The world building done in this show is constantly growing, and I can't wait to see what is revealed. As you'd expect with such an ambitious series, the writing is great with incredibly intelligent dialog. Funny, dramatic, and smart, this series can do it all. All while paying respect to the source material. I haven't read the book this franchise was originally based off of, but I have seen the movie fairly recently. It adapts the movie in a modern way while still following the movie's vision. But what the series writing does better than the movie is dive into complex themes. There are a variety of themes covered, but the most prevalent is the obvious, the idea of "what does it mean to be human." As well as several other themes, "Westworld" takes an intelligent look at each. The series also does a great job with its characters; there's a wide variety of characters from all different walks of life, each is layered, complex, and unique. But what really helped the characters would be the actors that portray them. Acting from the entire cast is great, but there are a few stand outs: Ed Harris as the mysterious man in black, Evan Rachel Wood as Deloris, Thandie Newton as Maeve, Anthony Hopkins as the park founder Robert Ford, and Jeffery Wright as Bernard. For one or two of these actors, an Emmy or Golden Globe nomination is a real possibility in their future. "Westworld" is an ambitious, and one of a kind show. HBO has knocked it out of the park yet again, and after announcing that the show will return for a second season they seem to trust the show runners. If I had to point out a flaw, it would be that the first few episodes are a bit of a slow burn. While still interesting, it takes a few episodes for the mystery and intrigue to truly get going. Even so, "Westworld" is something special. If it keeps it up, I can really see it becoming the next "Game of Thrones."

Pros: Fantastic production design, impressive visuals, strong acting with several standout performances, interesting world building, layered characters, explores several complex themes, fascinating story filled with mystery and lore, well written with intelligent dialog, pays respect to source material, great soundtrack.

Cons: First couple episodes are a slow burn.

Moana Review

     Every time I've written a review for a Disney animated movie since I created this blog I've always started off by saying basically the same thing, over the past few years Disney has taken back the crown as the best animation studio in the world. Since 2010, Disney Animation has killed it with movies like "Tangled," "Wreck-it-Ralph," "Frozen," and "Big Hero 6." Earlier in 2016 they released another hit movie, and the best of the bunch, "Zootopia." Tackling themes of racism and stereotyping, the film was a critical and commercial success. Many called the movie a future classic, and it would even go on to gross over a billion dollars at the box office worldwide. With such a successful film you'd imagine that Disney Animation would call it a year, turns out they were just getting started. "Moana" is the long awaited next Disney princess movie (with the last installment being 2013's "Frozen). While the film has been met with a myriad of criticism over the past year, Disney is sure that it's going to be their next big hit. 

     Moana is the young woman living on a small pacific island; being the daughter of the village chief, she is expected to take up many responsibilities and eventually lead her people when the time comes. Moana has always had a fascination with the ocean and wishes to explore the world, but due to her responsibilities she is forbidden by her parents to go out on the sea. But everything changes when the island begins to die. After discovering the origins of her people, Moana sets out on the ocean to seek the help from a Demi-God to bring the world back to order. 

     I love Disney's animated movies, I always have; they're some of the earliest movies I remember seeing. And while I was never a huge fan of the princess movie (excluding "Mulan," which technically isn't a princess movie), I've loved their recent princess movies. I adored "Tangled," and "Frozen" ranks among some of my all time favorite films. And just like its predecessors, I absolutely loved "Moana." As with all of Disney's recent movies, the animation in "Moana" is stunning. The level of detail and use of colors are beautiful; overall, I'd say that this is one of the best looking 3D animated movies ever made. And in a few cases, the movie also employs 2D animation, all of which is stylish and gorgous. Much like "Frozen," "Moana" features a great original score with a wide variety of unique tracks. "Moana" is also filled with catchy and fun songs that will be stuck in your head long after you leave the theater. As with most animated Disney movies, "Moana" finds a good balance of humor and emotion. This movie has a well written script that will make you laugh many times, and pull on your heart strings more than once. The writers did a great job using the Polynesian culture and setting as inspiration for the film, and doing so really helps the film stand out among many of the other Disney princess movies. What really elevates "Moana" would be the characters, Moana and Maui a some of the most loveable and memorable characters I've ever seen in an animated movie. What helps with the characters would be the voice acting. Dwayne Johnson brings his grandiose personality to Maui's voice, and steals more than a few scenes. But the real star of the show would be the young actress who voiced Moana, Auli'i Cravalho. Cravalho is a native Hawaiian who's only 16 years old, and mark my words this girl is going to be a star. She was perfect casting for the character, and let me tell you for someone so young she has quite the pair of pipes on her. "Moana" feels like classic Disney, a beautiful musical filled with action and adventure; and I truly believe that it's one of the best Disney princess movies we've seen yet. If I had to point out an issue, it would be that at times the movie feels rushed. A lot happens in not a lot of time, and there were a few times where exposition was blown through. But despite that issue, I loved this movie; it was exactly what I was hoping would be. I'd go so far as to say it was one of my favorite movies of 2016. And for the second time this year, I think Disney has put out an animated movie that will be remembered as a classic.

Pros: Stunning animation, great original score, memorable and lovable characters, great voice acting and casting from Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, very funny and well written, a few emotional moments, filled with catchy and fun songs, one of Disney's best princess movies, feels like classic Disney, great use of Polynesian inspired setting and lore.

Cons: Feels rushed at times.

4.5/5 Stars

5 Games to Look for in 2017

Honorable Mentions: For Honor, Agents of Mayhem, Crackdown 3, Prey, Scalebound, Yooka-Laylee, Sea of Thieves, Absolver, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Halo Wars 2, Shenmue 3, Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age, Tekken 7, The Surge, Rime, Battalion 1944, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, System Shock, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands, Nier: Automata.
Note: I've decided to omit "Mass Effect: Andromeda" from this list, since I included it on this same list for 2016 games; but it was then delayed.

Runner-Up: South Park: The Fractured but Whole

Back in 2009, the creators of "South Park" announced that a new video game based off the show was in development. Despite numerous delays, "South Park: The Stick of Truth" was finally released in 2014. To the surprise of many, the game was actually met with highly positive reviews and would go on to win several awards at the end of the year. Not long after the game's release, a sequel was announced. Based off of, and mocking the Marvel Cinematic Universe, "South Park: The Fractured but Whole" is scheduled for release early in 2017. In my opinion, "South Park" long ago cemented itself as one of the greatest animated shows of all time; and with a resurgence of popularity with the two most recent seasons, "The Fractured but Whole" is shaping up to be a great success. 

5. Pyre
The development studio Supergiant Games has truly distinguished themselves as one of the best indie studios currently active. Their 2011 game "Bastion" was met with critical acclaim for its narrative, story, world, and art design; the game was widely considered one of the best of the year, and it catapulted the developers into the spotlight. They followed up their first title with "Transistor," another brilliant title that was one of the standouts of 2014. Despite only having developed two games, Supergiant Games is revered within the industry; and earlier in 2016 they finally confirmed their next game. "Pyre" is fantasy game where you play as a band of traveling nomads; the gameplay is hard to describe, but revolves around a type of competition within the world. From what's been shown, the game is stunningly gorgeous with a beautiful score, but what has be most interested are the developers; Supergiant Games is one of the best studios working right now, that alone is enough to get me excited.

4. Horizon Zero Dawn
Since the launch of the PS4 in 2013, the console has had some trouble with system selling exclusives; while the PS$ has certainly had some standouts such as "Bloodborne," "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End," and "Until Dawn," Sony has been looking for that one new game that could lead to a new franchise. And from what I can tell, they're hoping that "Horizon Zero Dawn" is that game. HZD is an upcoming action/adventure open world game, where you play as a young woman looking to survive in a hostile world inhabited by dangerous mechanical beasts. Announced in 2015, the game immediately drew attention to itself. It's unique world and premise offered a lot of promise, as well as its impressive graphics and visual design; while I'm a bit worried that the actual gameplay may come off as generic, I have faith that developer Guerilla Games has an ambitious vision. Set to come out in Q1 of 2017, Sony seems to be going all in with "Horizon Zero Dawn."

3. Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
One of the best games of the past five years would have to be "Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch," a PS3 adaptation of the DS game "Ni no Kuni: Dominion of the Dark Djinn." A modern take on the traditional JRPG, the story followed a young boy as he was sucked into another world after the death of his mother. Most noted for its art style, original score, combat system, and cut-scenes produced by the legendary Studio Ghibli, the game was met with considerable praise. While many had given up hope on seeing a sequel anytime soon, Sony confirmed in 2015 that a successor titled "Revenant Kingdom" was in production. While little information about the game has been given, recent news suggests that the studio is aiming for a 2017 release. "Wrath of the White Witch" was a great game, and I've been hoping for more "Ni No Kuni" ever since; so I can't wait to get my hands on "Revenant Kingdom."

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
For a lot of people, this is the most anticipated game coming out in 2017. "The Legend of Zelda" is universally considered one of the greatest video game franchises, with several installments in the series often called some of the greatest games of all time. While the most recent major title in the franchise, 2011's "Skyward Sword," was met with criticism from many fans, "Breath of the Wild" has just about everyone excited. The game seems to have an even more open-world feel than the previous games, even introducing some survival/scavenger elements; "Breath of the Wild" seems to be trying something different, attempting to revitalize a beloved franchise. The game was originally scheduled for release sometime in 2016, but was seemingly pushed back to fix some issues and coordinate with the launch of Nintendo's new console, the Switch. "Breath of the Wild" looks ambitious, original, and fun; so much so that it kind of makes me want to buy the Switch, which is what Nintendo seems to be banking on.

1. Red Dead Redemption 2
There are a bunch of really cool looking games coming out in 2017, but no other title has me as excited as this one. In 2010, Rockstar San Diego put out "Red Dead Redemption;" upon its release the game was praised by critics and would go on to sell over 15 million copies. Since then, the game is widely regarded as one of the best games ever made. For the past six years, fans have wanted any sign from the developers that a sequel was in the works; but finally in October 2016, they formally announced that "Red Dead Redemption 2" was in the works. At this point we know almost nothing about the story or the world it will take place in, and knowing how Rockstar likes to keep things hush hush, we won't learn anything anytime soon. "Red Dead Redemption" is one of my favorite games of all time, and I've waited years for a sequel. So naturally, RDR2 would top this list.