The 10 Best Movies of 2016

First and foremost, happy New Year everyone! This past year was a great one for horror movies, in particular, as many became box office hits and were actually good flicks. The proof is in that there are a couple of them that made my list. Comic book and geek flicks were big, too, but as you'll see it's Marvel and Star Wars that still rule this list, sorry DC fans. As always I remind you that my movie list is not like any other top 10 movie list out there.

Honorable Mentions:
I Am Your Father
Finding Dory
The Conjuring 2
Zootopia
Scherzo Diabolico  

10. The Shallows- It's been ages since someone has made a good killer shark horror flick. With movies like Sharknado making them look silly and aiming for laughs, it was about time that terror came back to the seas. This nail-biting yet simple flick is one of the most thoroughly enjoyable horror movies of the year. It's suspenseful and builds to truly exhilarating and exciting climax. The gorgeous Blake Lively (who both was inducted into this site's Horror Crushes and earned the silver medal in the The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016) might be the year's best final girl of the year. She pulled out the best performance of her career and the bonus of her little feathered friend Steven Seagull made for the duo you most wanted to cheer on and feared for the safety of this entire year. And, bonus points for making a PG-13 movie that pushed the rating the hardest that it has been pushed in decades.

9. Sausage Party- Holy shit was this movie ever funny! I actually cried from laughing so hard. Setting out to be the adult Pixar flick, it most certainly succeeds at it. Very politically incorrect and over the top, it pulls no punches in its humor. Drug use, a douche being a douche, a lesbian taco, living food dismemberment, references to religion, and more, this one has it all. Truly one of the best adult animated movies, ever.



 

8. 10 Cloverfield Lane- Semi-sequel to one of the best found footage horror movies ever, Cloverfield, this expertly acted flick will have you clenching on to your seat handles. Your heart will race as the tension builds and builds till it hits the exciting climax. John Goodman is one of the most scary villains of the year, while the beautiful Mary Elizabeth Winstead is great and very likable as the film's protagonist. They play so well against each other and really help solidify this as an early horror hit.


 

7. The Nice Guys- This mix of neo-noir, comedy, and action is one of the finest films that you probably didn't see this year. And, if you did then you know what I am talking about. The acting from Ryan Golsing and Russell Crowe is excellent and the script by Anthony Bagarozzi and director Shane Black is one of my favorites of the year. It's filled with witty and funny dialogue and great plots twists and turns. The 70s setting is just plain fucking awesome. In all, this is one is even better than Shane Black's own Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.


 

6. Green Room- A violent and intense as fucking hell horror thriller, has a punk band trapped in a neo-nazi club. Great acting from everyone, especially Patrick Stewart who as the leader of the neo-nazi gang who gives one of his best performances ever, as a fucking villain! Dude is just intimidating and pure fucking evil. The violence comes hard and graphic and the climax is one of the most intense of the year. It all gets rounded off by some great music and music references, to make this a punk-horror/ thriller masterpiece!


 

5. The Secret Life of Pets- As a pet/ dog owner and lover, this one was one my most anticipated films of the year. And, I am glad that it more than delivered. It's one of the most fun and the most hilarious movie of the year. The script is witty and if you have pets you will really appreciate the humor. Even if you don't, you will still have a blast with it. Then there the characters, who are all, from main to supporting, memorable. Sure it bites off of Pixar's Toy Story, but who gives a fuck when it is done this good. And, while I won't say it's a better movie than that classic (it ain't), I like it more.




4. Don't Breathe- In a year filled with great horror movies, this one is the best one. Full review: http://themastergio.blogspot.com/2016/08/dont-breather-review.html








3. Captain America: Civil War- This one is more an Avengers movie, than an actual Captain America flick. But, it doesn't really matter. What does is  the solid script, exhilarating action scenes, and solid acting from the cast. Despite the huge cast of characters, it never feels like it is has too much going or bloated, unlike many other similar comic-book flicks. It also gives us such cool moments that characters like the Scarlet Witch, Ant-Man/ Giant-Man, the Black Panther, and Spider-Man really shine. And, speaking of Spidey, THIS was the Spidey we all wanted and needed. I CAN'T wait for this year's Spider-man: Homecoming! Also worth mentioning is how the Captain America movies keep getting better and better as the franchise moves forward. In all, the third best Marvel Studios flick.
 
2. Deadpool- The best R-rated superhero movie ever, is also one of the best in the superhero movie genre, ever, regardless of rating! Funny, action-packed, and filled with ultra-violence, this is the Deadpool movie we all wanted and demanded. The script and its dialogue are utterly priceless and will be quoted forever by comic-book fans. And, make no bones about it, Ryan Reyonlds IS Deadpool!! I adore this movie, enough so that I saw it twice in the movies, that's something I almost never do. This one would've been number one, where it for the next and final flick on the list...

 

1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story- The first stand alone Star Wars is the finest entry in the franchise since The Empire Strikes Back. Very dark but also thrilling, this finally puts the WAR in Star Wars. Up and until this point, we have never seen a film like this in the series. It felt fresh and mature. While, I liked The Force Awakens, a lot, it rehashed too many ideas. This one didn't. It also had great characters both good and evil (all portrayed excellently by the awesome cast). CGI Tarkin (played in A New Hope by late, great horror actor Peter Cushing) was fucking awesome. Also awesome were all the other winks and nods through in for the fans. Oh and then, there is Darth Vader!! He was badass!! And, the action scenes were killer! Oh, how can I forget how beautiful Felicity Jones is! And... wait let me stop, I sound like a raving fanboy, you get the point. Best film of the year!

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The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 7: 10-1

10. Romi Rain (last year #61)- The incredibly beautiful and sexy Romi Rain sky rockets up the list thanks to giving one of my most popular and best interviews of 2016 at the Adult Entertainment Expo. The interview was a massive hit with you guys becoming one of my most read posts of the entire year. She also scored many awards and nominations. Combine that with her exquisite beauty and intelligence, and you know why Romi is not only one of my favorites in the biz but a favorite of many.





9. Bella Heathcote (new)- This breathtaking Australian beauty (those big, blue eyes!) makes her debut on the list ranking in at top ten thanks to her performances in two horror flicks this year. One was the most underrated horror movie of the year, Pride + Prejudice + Zombies, and the other was the year's most beautiful horror movie, The Neon Demon. She was great in both of them, both in terms of her acting and her immense beauty.





8. Carter Cruise (last year #13)- Carter Cruise continues her steady climb on the list. Her performance as Supergirl in Supergirl XXX: An Axel Braun Parody is a big reason for that. She was perfect as one of my favorite DC heroes ever. But, it's not just her beauty and hot sex scenes that has her rising higher and higher in these rankings. Her tweets are some of the funniest and snarky in the whole Twitter-verse. In short, Carter fucking rules, and I think will keep on ruling in 2017!

 


7. Melissa Benoist (last year #8)- I don't know if this season of Supergirl was better than the first one; it kinda feels like about the same. But, even in the weakest of episodes, I simply adore Melissa Benoist as the title character. She is so beautiful with such a cute personality, that she steals every single camera frame that she is in. And, how awesome was she in the DC CW TV crossover?! And, yes this does mean that two Supergirls made the top ten! Something like this has NEVER happened!





6. Deborah Ann Woll (last year #7)- Like Benoist, the gorgeous Deborah Ann Woll moves up one notch. A long time favorite of this list, Woll was fantastic on the amazing second season of Daredevil. Perhaps the biggest highlight of it all was how she interacted with my favorite comic-book hero of all time, Frank Castle, AKA the Punisher. And, of course she looked absolutely beautiful throughout. The fact that she will be on The Punisher series has even more pumped for it debuts!




5. Evan Rachel Wood (new)- The highest debut of the year comes in the form of one of my long time favorite babes, the absolutely beautiful Evan Rachel Wood. Wood is simply phenomenal as Delores on Westworld. Said show is without a shadow of a doubt one of the greatest sci-fi shows ever. Wood gives show a complex performance in it. And, throughout it she is a true embodiment of beauty.






4. Jen & Sylvia Soska (last year #2)- The Soska continue to be the mistresses of horror. Their TV game show Hellevator entered its second season. And, they were even up for an Emmy for best TV hosts. Beyond that, it was revealed that they would be directing the remake to David Cronenberg's cult classic Rabid (which starred golden porn goddess, the late, great Marilyn Chambers). It will be fascinating and interesting to see what they do with it. I am one who usually gets pissed at remakes being made. But, I am pumped for this, for sure!

3. Dani Daniels (last year #6)- In my very humble opinion, Dani remains the best porn babe in the skin biz. I had been wanting to interview her for forever. And, having done that this Jan at the Adult Entertainment Expo was a true year highlight. She was so fun, sweet, and, of course, naturally beautiful, that it made for a great one on one, even with its short length. And, goddamn every time she posts a pic on social media my eyeballs pop out of my socket, like some dude in Total Recall! With her huge popularity with fans and critics, alike, all her awards and nominations, she will continue to rule skin world in the year to come.
 

2. Blake Lively (last year ranked 2011 #62)- This perhaps is the biggest return a babe has ever done on this list. Blake Lively comes back after a five year absence to achieve the silver medal. And, honestly it was bound to happen. Her beauty is simply on a level that is impossible to believe. But, it would be nothing if not matched by her excellent acting prowess. Her performance in The Shallows (one of my favorite horror movies of the year) ranks as my favorite final girl of 2016. I've liked Lively for what seems forever, but, since this movie, I absolutely adore her.




1. Taylor Momsen (last year ranked 2014 #36)- Taylor Momsen returns with a vengeance! After a two year absence she takes the top spot! And, with her sexy rocker babe style and flawless looks that combine with her musical prowess, it is easy to see why. Her voice is just amazing, her lyrics are some of the best in all of rock, and then there her live performances. No one that I have ever seen live is sexier live. This was beyond proven at the The Pretty Reckless show that I went to last month. Their album Who You Selling For is the best hard rock album of the year and one of the finest rock albums of 2016 overall. I simply adore this blonde rock goddess, and it is with all that I just mentioned that she rules the list of 2016!!


The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 6: 20-11 
The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 5: 30-41 
The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 4: 40-31
The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 3: 50-41
The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 2: 60-51
The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 1: 70-61 

With that ends the last post of 2016. I have the 10 best movies coming up very soon, so look for that in a day or three. This year hasn't been a good one for many of us, but I always hope that these lists help to highlight the good of any year. Regardless, I wish you all a very Happy New Year's! May 2017 be a great year for all of us. And, I hope you all enjoy yourselves tonight and stay safe. 

And, one final thing, thank you so much for all of your continued support. This year saw this site expanded coverage gain a huge following and support from you all. I honestly am humbled by that and remember, I couldn't do any of this without you all. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

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The 20 Best Hard Rock & Metal Albums of 2016 part 2, 10-1

10. Avenged Sevenfold- The Stage- Released with no advertising and as a completed surprise to both media and fans, Avenged Sevenfold's The Stage sold far less than the band's previous releases. Which is a shame because this album is a bold and exciting move for the band. Going for a more progressive sound, the songs are long and technically amazing. This isn't as great as Nightmare, but it still ranks among their finest work. It certainly is their most risk taking work. Songs like "God Damn" rank among my favorite songs of theirs, and the closer, "Exist" is the most epic tune they have ever written.

9. Testament- Brotherhood of the Snake- The absolute finest album Testament have put out since Formation of Damnation, Brotherhood of the Snake is a monster of a thrash album. A full throttle thrasher, this is Testament destroying all in their path. While, many older bands kind of just rely on their laurels, these guys are still giving it their all, which just happens to be filled with fury and speed.

8. The Pretty Reckless- Who You Selling For- The third release from The Pretty Reckless is a great album with wonderful mix of various styles, influences, and songs. This is the hard rock album of the year, for sure. Some songs rock with a headbanging groove, others with a real blues feel, and, yet others are beautiful ballads. The blusey "Take Me Down" is one of my favorite singles of the year, one that I cannot stop listening! Whatever the song may sound like, they are all united by Taylor Momsen's voice which as beautiful as is.

7. Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas- Mariner- The sleeper hit of the year, Mariner, is an album that exceeded my expectations and delivered one of the most beautiful, complex, and unforgettable music experiences of 2016. This collaboration between Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas will go down in history as one of the greatest, and most original, between artists in the history of metal music. My full review: http://themastergio.blogspot.com/2016/03/cult-of-luna-and-julie-chirstmas.html

6. Anthrax- For All Kings- Filled with a classic metal sound and their thrash speed For All Kings, has Anthrax showing that they still are masters of the style of metal that they play. This one will have you banging your head at a continuous, breakneck pace, throwing up the horns, signing along, and wanting to mosh straight into the pit. The way a great thrash metal album should make you feel! Oh, and "Breathing Lightning" is a modern metal classic!

5. Amon Amarth- Jomsviking- This is straight up THE best album the melodic death metal masters Amon Amarth have put out since With Odin in Our Blood. I've liked a lot of the albums that made post that classic, but none of them ever fully pleased in the way that one had. And, then comes this masterpiece. It reinvigorated my love for the band and never fails to get me pumped up. With its soaring guitars and vocals that sign of awesome and violent viking tales, its the type of metal album that you'll wanna sling a few beers to as you headbang and sign along. And, one more thing, that cover fucking rules!

3. Abbath- Abbath- This is the most fun black metal album ever made. I know that sounds like an odd thing to say, but it really is. Featuring great hooks, driving music, and the right amount of a cold and distant feel, this album has the former Immortal frontman take the best of the sounds from the last couple of albums from his former band and expands on it. By doing so he has birthed the greatest black and roll album of all time. It might inspire a lot of the opposite feelings associated with black metal, but who cares? This is one of my most played albums of 2016!

 

3. Killswitch Engage- Incarnate- Here is an album that yet again proves that Killswitch Engage are light-years ahead of the bands they inspired. They are without a shadow of a doubt the greatest metalcore band, ever. And, this is the best metalcore album of the year. Heavy and melodic with Jesse Leech's amazing vocals giving much heart to the band's excellent and powerful lyrics. Songs like "Alone I Stand", "Cut Me Loose" and "Hate By Design" have some of my personal favorite lyrics of 2016, which I think is pretty much a trademark of KsE. 

 

2. Metallica- Hardwired... To Self-Destruct- I very much liked Death Magnetic, but this album blows it away. It is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best Metallica album since ...And Justice For All. And, no this album does not match those first four albums, but hardly any album in this world does. What this album does do is rock and thrash hard. Speed metal lovers will love the title track and the destined to be modern classic "Spit Out The Bone". While other songs like "Atlas Rise" and "Now That We're Dead" pummel and pound the listener. In fact, the later is not just my favorite track of the album, it might be my favorite of the year. Note the words, might be. Anyway, there is some melodic heaviness with songs like "Moth Into Flame". Shit, they even have a song that mentions my lord and master Cthulhu in "Dream No More"! What the fuck more could you ask for?

1. Meshuggah- The Violent Sleep of Reason- This pummeling, driving, merciless, yet intricate and fury filled monster is the album of the year. Meshuggah have delivered a rage creature incarnate in The Violent Sleep of Reason. From the opening track of "Clockworks" to the closer in the form of "Into Decay" this album just beats you into submission till it kills you, then pummels your corpse until nothing is left. Songs like "MonstroCity" are destined to be classics in their sets. It serves as a shining example of how even the best of the bands that Meshuggah has birthed cannot hang with their brutal forefathers. This is truly the Violent aural masterpiece without equal of 2016.

The 20 Best Hard Rock & Metal Albums of 2016 part 1, 20-11

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The 20 Best Hard Rock & Metal Albums of 2016 part 1, 20-11

Another great year for heavy rock music draws to an end. This year marked a return of many thrash metal legends, including releases from the 3 of the big 4. The other band from The Big 4, Slayer, released an album last year, marking this the first time in many, many years since all four bands had released an album within a one year period. In fact in many ways, 2016 is the year of thrash metal.

As the music section of this site has grown exponentially, I have expanded my annual list from 10 to 20. This gives more bands and albums a chance to shine and considering how many I got my hands on, this year, it was the only right thing to do.

Anyway, let's not waste anymore time and get to it!

But, first let's start with some:

Honorable Mentions:
Witchery- In His Infernal Majesty’s Service
Vektor- Terminal Redux
Brujeria- Pocho Aztlan
Walls of Jericho- No One Can Save You from Yourself
Metal Church- XI
Epica- The Holographic Principle

20. Whitechapel- Mark of the Blade- While, I think this is definitely not as great an album as the one that proceeded it, Our Endless War, it's a very solid and crunching release, nonetheless. Pummeling with breakdowns and filled with anger, the album stands as a strong example of what deathcore done right sounds like. Songs like "The Elitist Ones" and the powerful "Bring Me Home", which showcases a new level of maturity and change for the band, rank among my favorite tracks of the year.

19. Death Angel- The Evil Divide- I've like Death Angel for many, many years, however, I never loved them. The Evil Divide, though, ranks not only as their best album in the last couple of years, but one of their best overall. It might, in fact, be their actual best album. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. Mark Osegueda is one of the best vocalists in all of thrash metal, and his vocals really shine this blistering ass kicker.

18. Aborted- Retrogore- This brutal and unrelenting release from Aborted serves as splatter worshiping death metal at it's most awesome. With songs like the title the track and "Whoremaggedon", it's really hard to stop listening to Retrogore. As the title implies the lyrics are filled with love for old-school gore flicks. This is accompanied by blastbeats and head smashing crunch, delivering a must own album for fans of blood drenched genre movies and extreme metal. Extra points for having one of my favorite album covers of the year!

17. Korn- The Serenity of Suffering- I haven't cared or particularly liked a Korn since probably See You on the Other Side. Enough so that I had mostly written the band off. So call me beyond pleasantly surprised when I heard this album. It really captures the classic Korn sound and reminds why I used to be obsessed with the band, and their music when I was in college. Filled with catchy hooks and the dark, introspective lyrics that define their best output, this album truly brings back the popular late 90s metal sound.

16. Periphery- III: Select Difficulty- Definitely one of the most talented mainstream metal bands out there, Periphery sum up the best elements of the more popular sounds in heavy rock today. The instruments are played to perfection, while their signer Spencer Sotelo ranks as one of my personal favorite vocalists in modern metal. III: Select Difficulty captures a lot of this with a variety of sounds including really heavy tunes, longer more progressive songs, and softer more emotional tracks. "Marigold" and "Catch Fire" ranks among my most listened to songs of the year. 

15. Darkthrone- Arctic Thunder- Another band, I had long written off, black metal legends, Darkthrone returned with not only their finest release in many years, but one of their finest ever. It's a true  return to old school black metal with lo-fi production and a distant, cold sound throughout. The title is perfect to describe the album as the feel right the right thing to listen to during these cold winter days. Here then is another album that really brings back the 90s, only in a more underground aspect and does it awesomely.

 

14. Entheos- The Infinite Nothing- Entheos are the best new band of the year, and this is one of the finest debuts I have heard in ages. My full review of this amazing female-fronted progressive death metal album can be found here: http://themastergio.blogspot.com/2016/05/entheos-inifinite-nothing-album-review.html

13. Dark Funeral- Where Shadows Forever Reign- Unholy fuck, what a fuckin' album!! One of my most played black metal releases of this year, this dark, heavy, and deliciously evil album is one of the finest and outright listenable recordings Dark Funeral have ever put out. My full review: http://themastergio.blogspot.com/2016/07/dark-funeral-where-shadows-forever.html

12. The Agonist- Five- I've been a fan of The Agonist since their debut album, however, as much I love their old signer, they have really hit their stride with their current signer, Vicky Psarakis, and the last two albums that they recorded with her. A great mix of the driving and pounding, with more melodic elements, and very catchy hooks, Five is an infinitely playable album that gets me pumped up each and every time that I listen to it.

11. Carnifex- Slow Death- Slow Death is unarguably THE best deathcore album of the year. It showcases a band, Carinfex, that is willing to grow and mature as time passes. Incorporating more death metal elements than many of their counterparts, as well as other influences, like black metal in the amazing track "Drown Me in Blood", this album is a heavy and pissed off blast of pure fury. Carnifex are truly leaving many of their peers in this style of metal in the dust.

To be concluded...

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The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 5: 30-41

30. Rose McIver (last year #60)- iZombie THE greatest zombie show on TV was fucking amazing last season; including some episode that really upped the horror level. McIver remains one of my favorite lead actresses on a TV show, and it has just sucked waiting for the new seasons to start. But, it's coming, and I am on pins and needles waiting for it!!







29. Riae Suicide (last year #28)- She is still one of the most popular of all the Suicide Girls. And, anytime she posts a pic on social media, the world is a better place for it!









28. Alison Tyler (new)- Alison Tyler has one of the hottest bodies in all of porn. Tall, sexy, curvy, and gorgeous, she was the perfect choice to bring Wonder Woman to life in Axel Braun's porn parody of Batman V. Superman. And, I think, she is a hotter, and a physically better pick than Gal Gadot is. There I said it, again! I actually met Ms. Tyler at AEE this year, and she is breathtaking in person, as well, as quite friendly.






27. Marisa Tomei (last year ranked 2009 #50)- Never in my life did I ever think I would be drooling over and lusting for Aunt May. But, Marisa Tomei changed all that with her portrayal of the character in Captain America: Civil War! For that reason alone, not only did she return to the list, but did so at number 27!







26. Will Holland (last year #38)- I think I fall more in love with Will Holland with every season of Arrow. This season saw her retire from being a superheroine. And, with she went through the shitty season before you can understand why her character did that. But, she went back to her Speedy costume for the awesome Invasion DC/ CW TV crossover event. Her emotional scene with Ollie was a series highlight, as she wished to stay in a false world where their parents still lived.





25. Tristan Risk (last year #24)- Tristan Risk might be the sexiest women in horror movies, today. She is more than likely the most badass. And, she combines that in her role in Frankenstein Created Bikers. And, this is all caped off by her intelligence, making her fucking perfectly awesome!


24. Tamzin Merchant (last year #16)- She might be the cutest babe on Salem. Her complex character of Anne Hale is certainly one of the most interesting characters on the show. While, she seems to turn more and more evil, there are moments of the sweet girl, she was once. It makes it very hard to hate her, honestly.

23. Claire Coffee (last year #27)- Next year will be the end of Grimm. Goddamn it, does that ever suck! But, I have been LOVING Coffee's character of Adalind's relationship with Nick. They best not end or change that! On a side note, with this last season being severely short, I am suffering from withdrawal of not seeing Coffee's beauty grace my TV!


22. Elise Eberle (new)- The sexiest babe on Salem, Elise Eberle as Mercy, is fucking hot as, well, hell. A very bad girl, it's hard for me to cheer against her, no matter how evil she might be. In fact, I am team Mercy, all the way! Eberle is excellent in her role, and I just crush on her more and more with the passing of time.







21. Aly Michalka (last year #44)- Let's not mince any words here, I absolutely love Aly Michalka. And, I complete love her character of Peyton on iZombie. Last season was a great one, both for her character and the show, in general. Michalka is so naturally beautiful and sexy, as well as a great actress, that it fills me with utter joy whenever she is being featured, if even for a split second, on an episode.

The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 4: 40-31
The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 3: 50-41
The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 2: 60-51
The 70 Hottest Babes of 2016, pt. 1: 70-61 

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