A Year End Review 2016
The year 2016 has brought a lot of amazing changes to TheLifeStyleElite.com, some good and not so good. Join us as we take a look back at 2016, the highs and lows of an incredible year.
The Best of 2016
Website Improvement
Though this is not the first year our gaming division began it is the most important. As gentlemen we all need distractions to take our mind off the tedious workday, whether it is hitting a few links, enjoying three fingers of scotch, playing your favorite sport, working out, but a few like Frank Underwood play console games. Though we do not consider ourselves to be professional gamers our recently formed division has made some leeway with our game reviews. So much so that our Xbox One testers have amassed a fairly large of following on our official Xbox Live account. Even going so far as to host a few Snapchat takeovers to showcase our live streams of us testing live.
The Best Films of 2016
This year was a partially strange year for film, with the roster, seemed like there would be an abundance of great films…unfortunately, that was not the case. We saw a fair number of films but liked only a few. Like every year we compiled them in a list and selected our favorite films of the year.
5. Star Wars: Rogue One
Star Wars: Rogue One, the latest film that is a prequel and a sequel all at the same time was a rather interesting film. Unlike last years’ Force Awakens this film is at the end of our list, and the main reason is the slow start that the film had in the first act, but the personality of K2-SO quickly won us over. The overall third act of the film makes it all worth wild. Of course, we could not place this on our list and not mention Disney’s bold decision to kill the entire cast making the prequel an accompanying film made it all worth wide.
4. The Infiltrator
We reviewed this film early in the year and was one of the few films we did where we felt sorry for the bad guys. Throughout the course of the film we see the heroes, Robert and Emir teeter on the edge of darkness all the while looking more and more like the men they are trying to arrest. The end of the friendship between Robert and Roberto is heartbreaking and makes for a great scene.
3. Dead Pool
Deadpool is Twentieth Century Fox’s our option first real successful attempt at a superhero franchise. Unlike the overly flawed X-Men franchise, Deadpool starts off with a bang and stays more or less true to the original source material (with exception to Negasonic Teenage Warhead)
2. Doctor Strange
Much like 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange centers around a relatively unknown superhero (to the mainstream audience that is), Steven Strange. Like his peer, Bruce Banner, Steven Strange is a highly respected doctor and the best in his field. So much so he has amassed a great deal of wealth allowing him to buy anything and everything his heart desires. This includes bespoke suits, which we must state the filmmakers behind this bring into play very well. Unlike Tony Starks suits which look rather off the rack Steven Strange dresses rather immaculate. His suits fit him well has excellent taste in timepieces, Jaeger-LeCoultre to be exact.
1. Captian America: Civil War
The Russo Brothers have done it again proving that a large ensemble of characters can not only work in a film but give each character enough time to both develop and have the audience have an emotional connection.
Hitman
Hitman’s 2016 return to form was on of the most entertaining and interesting reviews we did this year.
Honorable Mention
As out staff is unable to review every film before its release, we do occasionally see films after their release, and as per our rules disqualifies them to be featured under our “Best Of” list. This does, however, allow us to give them an honorable mention. These are our top eight films we saw and were unable to review in theaters.
8. The Shallows
Since 1975 brought the film Jaws into our worlds many of us have been terrified of the ocean. So much so that swimming in one conjures up images of the infamous shark to the day. Not since the original film has anything come close to cementing this fear like The Shallows. You might think a film that takes place on a remote beach where Nancy visits after her late mother spoke of it long ago. All seemed peaceful until a surfing accident turned everything horribly wrong, leaving her stranded 200 yards from shore. Though the shore is in eye sight the massive great white shark is in her way. This was a surprising take on a classic freight and because of this, we had to mention it.
7. London Has Fallen
London Has Fallen rings the 80s and 90s style action back in the sequel to Olympus Has Fallen. With the same premise as the first one, the second installment has President Asher and his trusted bodyguard, Banning, travel to London to attend a funeral. On their to way the chaos breaks out sending the President and Banning on a wild goose chase to they have to not only keep the president safe but then save him from his would-be assassins. As of 12/31/16, it is currently on Netflix.
6. Don’t Breathe
This was another film that caught us by surprise when we first heard
5. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
4. Criminal
3. Star Trek Beyond
2. The Accountant
1. Hell or High Water
This film was one that seemed to sneak up on us, with its very limited time frame the two brothers have to complete their plan. Hell or High Water has a great twist
Television
10. 11.22.63
Hulu’s first series we ever reviewed, 11.22.63 is an intense
9. Marcella
7. Stranger Things
6. Luke Cage
5. Westworld
4. Daredevil
3. Atlanta
2. Peaky Blinders
1. Billions
Best Products of 2016
The Worst of 2016
The Worst Films of 2016
As we saw a wide variety of films this year and only five making our “Best of” list there has to be undoubtedly a fair about of “worst of”. That being said we saw an even wider variety of movies we wish we didn’t see.
6. Nice Guys
Though an interesting concept, The Nice Guys failed to live up to its potential. Stars Russel Crowe and Ryan Gosling did have the buddy cop chemistry that made it enjoyable in parts but the over all lack of a cohesive plot made it very dull in most of the movie.
5. Girl on the Train
After many of us watched Gone Girl, the announcement of Girl on The Train and the first trailer had us looking forward to this film. Unfortunately the October release was anything but equal to Gone Girl. We are to believe star Emily Blunt is an undireable drunk, but they put little to no effort into making her look so. The plot and plot twist though great was very poorly executed by director Tate Taylor. This movie is proof that picking the right director can make or break your production.
4. War Dogs
Another great missed opportunity were this comedy could have been an amazing masterpiece. War Dogs starts out a bit slow, but begins to pick up and become very enjoyable. The major flaw is the raise portion of the story takes to long to get to-to end extremely fast. The held up should have been longer while the fall of the characters should not have happened so fast. The characters were wonderfully acted but the script and direction of the movie leads a lot to be desired.
3. Jason Bourne
2. Suicide Squad
1. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
One the most highly anticipated films in the history of cinema, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, unfortunately, turned out to be more of a “movie” than a film. With its over polluted plot and overall lack of real story arc, Zack Snyder’s second attempt at Superman sits firmly at our #1 position of the worst of 2016 films. His take on a helplessly sad and over emotional Superman is only overshadowed by a murderous Batman and the worst Lex Luthor to ever appear on screen or television. Though many people hated this movie the Lex Luther portrayal was one thing fans of both DC and Marvel could agree on is that it was awful.
Mafia III
One of the few console games we were looking forward to after viewing the announcement trailer but did not live up to our expectations. Based in the 1960’s south in the fictional city New Bordeo
disHonorable Mention
3. X-Men: Apocalypse
As the last X-Man movie Bryan Singer was said to do many were excited to see X-Men: Apocalypse, but like all movies on this list sorely underperformed in both the box office and on screen. With the success of Deadpool, many thought Fox Studios would have another hit, but where Deadpool succeeded X-Men: Apocalypse failed. With such a huge budget you would think the special effects
2. Ghost Busters
Despite the overall backlash initially about the movie, the fact that it is an all-female cast is not why it is a bad movie. No, it is more of a script problem and lack of chemistry among the cast. The script is what one would consider to be a “video pick” of the week in the early 90s. It is unoriginal and a poor attempt to be its own version of The Force Awakens. What was supposed to be an original Ghost Busters stand-alone movie it was quickly apparent that it was just another failed attempt at rebooting a franchise with little regard for the source material.
1. Birth of The Dragon
For many of us, the trailer we saw made us excited to see Birth of The Dragon as we are all huge fans of Bruce Lee. Unfourtnealy it is very obvious from the first 30 minutes why the Bruce Lee Estate did not approve it. Instead of the Bruce Lee, fans have come to know and love this movie’s version of the now-legendary fight between Wong Jack Man and himself is a fake fictitious story about drug dealing and gangs. The introduce a fictional person named “Steve” who seems to be a play on real-life friend Steve McQueen. This states it is inspired by actual events but it’s very clear to any fan who has read a book about Bruce Lee knows this did not happen this way. Nor did he and Wong Jack Man become friends after their fight.
Television
House of Lies
Biggest Disappointment of 2016
For the first time in the history of our “Year End Review”
Product of The Year
Gentleman of The Year
Olivier Rousteing
Mr. Rousteing’s work at 2016 collection at Balmain has been extremely
Photographer of The Year
Benjamin Lindholm
Instagram Artist of The Year
Harinzey Stanley
Yes, this is not a photograph despite looking that way it is actually a pencil sketch by Nigerian artist Arinzey Stanley. Over this past year, we have spent countless hours admiring his work and amazed at his technic. The sheer awe of how he can take just a pencil and a piece of paper and capture an image better than most photography is truly inspirational. We’re hoping he creates a coffee table book of his works so we can add to our collection in our office.
Style We Can’t Live Without in 2016
Fashion House of The Year
Balmain‘s 2016 collection has been extraordinary, no other fashion house had our attention
Women of 2016 We Had A Crush On
We here at TheLifeStyleelite.com are a full fledge digital magazine and that being said our staff is always online. Whether we are responding you a comment on Facebook, posting behind the scene photographs/videos on Instagram, a contest we are hinting at on Twitter, or out capturing exotic locations during our Travel Series on our Snapchat, these women caught our attention all year long and are responsible for the majority of our likes across all our social media platforms. These women all are unique and came to our attention based on the style, content, personality and overall fashion sense. Each woman in her own special way makes it very hard not have a crush on her.
10. Sarah + Natalie
Texas native’s Sarah and Natalie are a sister duo behind the brand We the Birds. Their love of fashion, design, unique take on food and travel inspired posts kept us returning to their social media a few times a day.
9. Michele Maturo
This gorgeous brunette does more by 6 a.m. Than most do all day. She has created her own workout program, is an accomplished dancer, and an aspiring fashion designer. Her Instagram alone as equated to a few likes a week for just about every staff member.
8. Liberty Netuschil
7. Michelle Madsen
6. Reyn
Reyan is yet another reason we love London; her profile is covered with both her gorgeous smile and sense fo style.
5. Mary Seng
4. Michaela Babuskova
3. Lisa Hamilton
With a bachelor’s in physiotherapy, a photography, and a world traveler this Australian beauty is a triple threat. Throughout this past year, we saw thoroughly enjoyed reading her blog, occasionally viewing her snaps, and having every staff member that updates our Instagram frequently like her pictures. Lisa is definitely a woman the whole staff has a crush on.
2. Linn Löwes
This gorgeous Swedish-born fitness model/personal trainer’s Instagram (has not only inspired many of us to get back in the gym) is a fitness tour de force, she regularly features workout routines, dieting recipes and more. Did we mention she beat cancer?!? And as far as we can tell she’s pretty much a superhero.
1. Cassie Matthews
South African born, Cassie Matthews, first came to the attention of our staff in early January, but it’s her gorgeous big beautiful blue eyes that have captured more than one of our staff member’s hearts. She makes our number one spot for not only her style but her gorgeous photographs in exotic locations.
In conclusion
2016 has been an exciting year for us; the expansion of our gaming division, more giveaways than we have ever had, more film reviews, and the most content we have ever featured. Next will be a year of big changes to our overall digital magazine if you do not follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Fyuse, YouTube, or Twitter you might want to add us now.
Follow us on Instagram
Like Us on Facebook
Join us on Discord
Follow Us on Twitter
