20 Best Movies Of 2016

9. Tower

The Nice Guys
Kino Lorber

Not since 2008's Waltz with Bashir has a documentary so brilliantly blended an artistic conceit with genuine insight into the human experience.

This devastating account of Charles Whitman's 1966 University of Texas killing spree talks to the day's survivors while using gorgeous animation to hurl viewers back to the time period.

While undeniably grim, the doc smartly focuses more on the victims and survivors than Whitman himself, refusing to grant him even more publicity and agency and concluding with an ultimately hopeful message about humanity's better instincts.

Cleverly melding eye-popping animation with live-action interviews to jaw-dropping effect, Tower is unquestionably one of the year's best movies, and one too many haven't even heard of.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.