We're calling it a wrap on the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. 

Some of the best films we've seen this year premiered in the Canadian city over the past several days, and while our bellies came back full of cheesy poutine, our hearts and soul returned just as full when it came to the movies. From La La Land to Loving. Moonlight to The Edge of Seventeen. Creepy aliens to giant city-destroying monsters we become when we're drunk. Hands down, this was one of the best years ever at the festival. 

So what did you miss? Check out some highlights below.

Our 5 Favorite Movies

La La Land

Short take: Not only did it receive the largest standing ovation we witnessed at the fest this year, but La La Land – Whiplash director Damien Chazelle’s movie-musical about two aspiring artists (Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling) who fall for each other in Los Angeles – also took home the fest’s most prestigious award, the People’s Choice award for best film. Look for this to be a top contender for multiple Oscars. On a personal note, this is also my current favorite movie of the year.

Review:

Bonus: Here’s what that standing ovation looked like following La La Land’s big premiere.

 

Arrival

Short take: There’s nothing we enjoy more than a good, nerdy sci-fi movie, and Arrival fits that bill and more. In the new film from director Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Prisoners), various alien ships arrive at Earth, only to remain hovering over several spots across the globe. As the governments of the world try to make sense of it all, the U.S. government brings in a top linguist (Amy Adams) to help save the day before all-out war breaks out. Featuring some heady twists and turns, plus a fantastic performance by Amy Adams, this is without a doubt the year’s niftiest piece of big-screen science fiction.

Review:

 

Loving

Short take: Soft, understated and extremely moving, Loving follows the real-life story of an interracial couple (Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga) who, in the late 1950s, were thrown in jail for getting married. Barred from living in their home state, the couple join forces with an attorney (Nick Kroll) who promises to help them appeal their case. What came next forever changed the world. Both Edgerton and Negga are tremendous, evoking so much by saying and doing very little.

Review:

 

Moonlight

Short take: This terrific three-part story follows the life of a black man growing up in the inner city and trying to find some form of peace while navigating his way around the complexities of having a drug-addicted mother and a group of bullies out to forever harass him. Moonlight is like quiet chaos, a film that avoids clichés by reinventing the way inner-city stories are told and felt.

Review:

 

Colossal

Short take: For anyone who’s ever done something stupid when they’re drunk, this one’s for you. Nacho Vigalondo’s best film to date (yes, even better than Timecrimes!), Colossal is a total hoot until it isn’t.

Anne Hathaway plays a hot mess who gets kicked out of her New York apartment, moves back to her hometown, and discovers that when she enters a certain local park, her movements control a giant monster wreaking havoc in Seoul, Korea. The film’s hilariously bonkers first half eventually gives way to a much darker second half, in which an old friend (Jason Sudeikis) turns on our down-on-her-luck hero.

Review:

 

The Biggest Surprise

The Edge of Seventeen

Short take: This year’s closing-night film stars Hailee Steinfeld as an angsty 17 year old whose life spirals into loneliness when her best friend – and only friend – begins to date her supercool brother.  What may seem like a clichéd teen comedy on paper is anything but. Its whip-smart script, coupled with Steinfeld’s best performance to date, The Edge of Seventeen succeeds because its honest, clever and respects its subject, much in the same way John Hughes’ films felt like family. Hughes respected high schoolers, and because of that he delivered honest portrayals that feel forever connected to the fabric of being a teenager.

Review:

 

The Most Memorable Moment

Jennifer Hudson and Tori Kelly perform after the Sing premiere

Following the premiere of Illumination’s Sing (full of all your favorite music and a slew of animated cheer-worthy performances), two of the film’s stars, Jennifer Hudson and Tori Kelly, crushed a few songs live onstage.

Here are some highlights:

 





 

The Coolest Conversation

Almost 30 minutes with Kurt Russell

In support of this month’s Deepwater Horizon, we snagged almost 30 minutes with the veteran actor, discussing everything from Deepwater Horizon to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to that pesky Big Trouble in Little China remake.

You can check out the first part of that interview here.

The Best Poutine

There’s a reason all of my 30-second reviews were rated on a scale of 1-5 French fries, and that’s because we couldn’t get enough of that classic Canadian dish (French fries smothered in cheese curds and sauce).

The best plate of poutine we had, though, came from a food truck outside our hotel. Isn't this splendid?

 

More from TIFF

Check out another take on this year’s top Toronto fest films from our own Alicia Malone.