It is a period of great unrest. Rebel spaceships, striking from their monolithic corporate base in California, have managed to steal the secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the Death Star—again.

Filmgoers would be forgiven for a crushing sense of déjà vu. As the Imperial Senate subsequently rakes in yet more millions with the same plot it used 40 years ago, a quick glance at this year’s top-grossing movies is no more inspiring, revealing the dreariest roll call of remakes, reboots, and sequels on record (plus Sausage Party).

And yet, even in a world where Suicide Squad is allowed to roam free, we’ve managed to muster 30-plus good reasons to keep your faith in the magic-lantern show we call the movies, as the Georgia Straight offers its annual roundup of the year’s best in cinema.

All box-office numbers aside, here is a new hope that the true rogues won, and always will.

Movie Features

Critics' picks: Josh Cabrita selects the best films of 2016

Dec 21

My favorite films of the year were as much therapy as cinema.

Movie Features

Critics' picks: Adrian Mack selects the best films of 2016

Dec 21

Even the most orthodox movie mentioned here is a portrait of a filmmaker who has relentlessly tested the boundaries of the Hollywood system.

Movie Features

Critics' picks: Janet Smith selects the best films of 2016

Dec 21

The great films of the year upended genres as well as expectations.

Movie Features

Critics' picks: Ken Eisner selects the best films of 2016

Dec 21

This year, my faves make notable use of sparely applied and offbeat musical scores to set them apart from the Hollywood herd.