Of course, as with most of us who write film reviews solely as hobby, it is impossible to see every film that comes out over the course of a year. However, while I attempt to see as many films as possible and fit this around daily life, I also find it equally impossible to review every film I watch. This is usually because I do not have the time, or in some cases struggle to actually find that much to say about a film.
Well, in the order of worst to best, here is the complete list of every new release I have seen in 2016, a one-sentence review and a mark out of 10.
Please note: some of these films had a UK cinematic release date 2015, but I could not watch them until their actual retail release, which was during 2016.
FIFTY SHADES OF BLACK
Hideously unfunny and utterly pointless – one of the worst films of 2016.
2/10
VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN
A cinematic pantomime of the very worst kind; laughably over the top and embarrassingly stupid.
2/10
THE BOSS
100 minutes of pure nothing; dull, predictable and never funny – even Melissa McCarthy looks bored!
2/10
THE TRUST
Another straight to DVD Nicholas Cage film; this time a painfully dull and badly written heist movie.
3/10
LAID IN AMERICA
Not as bad as I expected; starts off very bad, but actually gets better and generates a few laughs as it goes along.
4/10
CRIMSON PEAK
Pure style over substance; the style is admittedly wonderful to look at, but the substance (and indeed actual plot) are almost non-existent.
4/10
3-HEADED SHARK ATTACK
The title says it all.
4/10
MAGGIE
A very strange film; Schwarzenegger’s attempts at acting are admirable, but he fails to convince, and the material itself just does not capitalise on the potential of its initial idea.
4/10
KILL ME THREE TIMES
A bizarre comedy that does have the occasional laugh, but its talented cast cannot elevate what is rather lacklustre material.
4/10
BREAKDOWN
A typical straight to DVD low budget British action thriller – but one of the better ones.
4/10
BAD MOMS
Produces a few chuckles, but is way too predictable, and neither as funny nor as emotionally engaging as it should be, and is a real waste of the talented cast.
4/10
PARTISAN
An unnecessarily dark film with some initial ideas that have potential, but this potential is never realised.
4/10
NOW YOU SEE ME 2
Even sillier than the first one, but also less enjoyable – and do we really need two Woody Harrelsons?!?
4/10
THE LEGEND OF TARZAN
Just about watchable, but a painfully predictable, contrived and therefore rather uninvolving story – with Samuel L. Jackson being very much at the mercy of the narrative’s convenient contrivances.
4/10
ALLEGIANT
Yet another just about watchable but highly forgettable chapter of the franchise – but at least it is consistent!
5/10
THE RUNNER
Another typical Nicholas Cage straight to DVD middle-of-the-road thriller – but one of his better ones.
5/10
MING OF HARLEM
A unique and interesting documentary, but it lacks any real conviction of any actual argument.
5/10
ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
Visually stunning, but a totally unsatisfying narrative mess.
5/10
AMERICAN ULTRA
A bizarre hybrid of a film that is just about watchable, but it seems to have no idea what it wants to be.
5/10
FRANKOFONIA
An interesting and unique documentary, but also a little too self-indulgent.
6/10
MILES AHEAD
Made and acted with obvious passion by Don Cheadle, and certainly an enjoyable watch, but very ill disciplined and highly forgettable.
6/10
PRIDE & PREJUDICE & ZOMBIES
Enjoyable enough, but as daft as the title suggests.
6/10
SISTERS
A typical mainstream comedy; a series of hit and miss sketches held together by a wafer-thin narrative, but the chemistry between the two leads often elevates the lacklustre and predictable material.
6/10
ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING
An enjoyable and at times quite funny film, if a little too silly at times, as well as being predictable and forgettable
6/10
A WALK IN THE WOODS
Light, fluffy and forgettable, but also perfectly watchable.
6/10
THE MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS
A lot sillier than the first film and therefore not as good, but still an enjoyable watch and is still better than The Hunger Games!
6/10
SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS
A thoroughly enjoyable old fashioned yarn, but a bit too light for it to be truly engaging or memorable.
6/10
LIFE
A well-made and acted biopic of a very interesting central character, but way too generic.
6/10
TAXI TEHRAN
A unique and very interesting film that explores some very pertinent and topical ideas.
7/10
SNOOPY AND CHARLIE BROWN: THE PEANUTS MOVIE
A highly enjoyable remake that thankfully has enough of the spirit of its source material to work.
7/10
THE PROGRAM
An interesting and well-made film with a great central performance by Ben Foster, but seems to struggle to fill its running time.
7/10
LOUDER THAN BOMBS
A well-acted drama that examines some pertinent themes and ideas, but it just does not go far enough.
7/10
MISSISSIPPI GRIND
Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn share great on-screen chemistry that elevates what is otherwise a very generic and predictable film.
7/10
TRUMBO
A very well made and acted biopic that is highly watchable – but it is a slightly too generic narrative-by-numbers Oscar bait film.
7/10
GREEN ROOM
An unflinching and tense film that, despite the occasional lull, grips from start to finish.
7/10
THE GOOD DINOSAUR
Though certainly not up there with Disney or Pixar’s best, it still has enough genuine heart to be engaging and at times quite moving – and it is better than Inside Out!
7/10
BROOKLYN
An engaging and often very moving drama, all held together by a superb central performance by Saoirse Ronan.
7/10
THE BRAND NEW TESTAMENT
A very unique and often hilarious black comedy, but it is let down by its lacklustre ending.
7/10
DHEEPAN
A gripping drama made with raw passion.
7/10
FREE STATE OF JONES
A raw, unflinching and powerful retelling of a true story, with a great central performance.
8/10
CHRONIC
A touching and moving film, all head together by a wonderfully understated performance by Tim Roth.
8/10
KILL YOUR FRIENDS
A wonderfully enjoyable black comedy, featuring a superbly charismatic leading performance from Nicholas Hoult.
8/10
99 HOMES
A genuinely gripping thriller that explores some very pertinent and topical themes – all held together by two exceptional leading performances from Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon.
8/10
BEYOND THE REACH
A genuinely gripping thriller that is expertly put together.
8/10
EVOLUTION
A unique, haunting and engrossing film that is rich in nightmarish atmosphere.
8/10
The Cinema Cynic 
You’ve managed to see quite a lot! I really enjoyed PPZ. It’s so silly and a lot of fun. I also liked Tarzan – it was better than expected. Scorch Trials was so confusing at times – I’m told it is nearly a complete rewrite from the book (which I obviously must still read). I think I watched Allegiant – such a dull film and in my opinion a great waste of a good franchise. Great write-up!
I am glad someone else saw “Evolution” and liked it. I enjoyed the atmosphere of that film too, but it was still a step down from the director’s previous film “Innocence”. If you liked “Evolution”, you may like that film too.
Thank you – I will make sure to check that one out.