Top 10 Films of 2017

It's that time of year again where I reflect on all the films I've watched and reviewed to tell you my ten favorites. I made an effort to see a majority of the films released this year, but naturally I missed out on some for various reasons. This year I saw and reviewed 71 films in total, but I'll still publish my thoughts on anything I missed once I see it. In my ranking, I'll have a couple sentences to sum up my thoughts on each film and why I feel it earned a spot on my list. I have reviews uploaded for each one, so if you're interested and haven't done so already, you can read my more in-depth thoughts by clicking the blue title once you're done perusing my list. 

I'd also like to preface my list with a few things for you to consider as you read. First of all, this is my subjective list. Not an objective one. That list would probably look a lot more like the list of Best Picture nominees coming next month, and quite frankly, I don't think any of you are interested in seeing those same exact films appear here. These are the ten films that stuck with me most when the year was all over for an abundance of reasons I'll get around to explaining in a second. Another thing regarding my list is that this is MY list. You're likely and liable to disagree with some of my picks, but that's because film is subjective and speaks differently to everyone. Also, it's a high distinction to be an Honorable Mention. Those films are the ones I struggled leaving off the list, but feel deserve some sort of shot-out, so don't think that I disliked a film because I put it in there. The final thing I'd like to say is that just because something is left off my list doesn't necessarily mean I hated it... I just liked these other films even more when all was said and done. 

Top 10 Films of 2017

Honorable Mentions (Alphabetical order): The Big Sick, The Disaster Artist, Dunkirk, Get Out, I, Tonya, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Lady Bird, The LEGO Batman Movie, and Spider-Man: Homecoming.

10. Wonder Woman

In spite of a lackluster villain, a third act that's not quite on par with the rest of the film, and the baggage of being part of the larger DCEU, Wonder Woman defied all odds to emerge as one of the year's most entertaining blockbusters! Gal Gadot shines here by imbuing all of Diana's best qualities, Chris Pine stands out as a charming love interest, Patty Jenkins did an exceptional job directing her first big budget project, and Rupert Gregson-Williams' score is absolutely electrifying. I know there's been some backlash from a vocal contingent, but I genuinely feel it featured some of the year's most exciting action scenes and took huge strides forward in properly depicting a female superhero. 

9. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is one of the year's strongest films for so many reasons, but it stood out to me because of how well it balanced the extremes of dark comedy and drama while discussing the adverse effects of anger. It also didn't hurt that it was well-written, well-directed, and features plenty of powerhouse performances.

8. Wind River

Of all the films released this year, Wind River was probably the biggest surprise for me. I was hoping it'd be good of course, but I had no idea Taylor Sheridan would leave such a harrowing impression. Like the icy Wyoming landscape presented to the viewer, Wind River is cold and unforgiving with a message audiences will have a hard time forgetting.

7. Coco

Pixar never ceases to amaze me with their ability to tell such emotionally-driven stories through the visual medium of animation. Coco stands as an exemplary reminder of everything the studio is capable of whenever they set their hearts and minds to it. Coco's not only one of the best of the year, but one of their best original films to date thanks to all it had to say on the importance of family and culture while also ensuring audiences enjoyed themselves.

6. War for the Planet of the Apes

Trilogies don't always land on solid ground with their third installments, but War for the Planet of the Apes cemented the Ceasar trilogy as one of the greatest cinematic trilogies ever made. It was epic, emotional, and never lost sight of the series' values. Andy Serkis delivers one of his best motion-capture performances yet while the WETA visual effects team presented some of their best work ever. After it was over, I couldn't fight the desire to bow down and hail Caesar.  

5. The Shape of Water

The Shape of Water is such a beautiful film in so many ways. It's got an attractive aesthetic, important messages to impart, and most impressively, it tells a surprisingly deep love story without either of the two love interests uttering a word. It's simply one of those films that reminded me why I ever fell in love with cinema.

4. Logan

I grew up watching Hugh Jackman's Wolverine for seventeen years. He's genuinely one of the best cast comic book movie characters ever... Knowing he was leaving the role for good was saddening in and of itself. However, Logan was everything Hugh Jackman's sentimental send-off needed to be. It was raw, emotional, and character driven all the way through. It upended the comic book genre by going the way of the Western and it worked extraordinarily well. I'm not even a huge fan of the character of Wolverine, but I consider it to be the greatest comic book movie ever made, and the only one aside from The Dark Knight to truly be deserving of major awards contention.

3. Baby Driver

In a year filled with sequels, reboots, and comic book adaptations, Baby Driver was something entirely original from the brilliant mind of Edgar Wright. It had a tank full of heart, humor, and unpredictability that made it stand out as something truly special amongst the hub-bub of summer blockbusters. I can't say it enough, but this film floored me. Wright's determination to meticulously match the diverse soundtrack full of rockin' tunes with all the insanity occurring onscreen is commendable alone. The fact he managed to pull that off while telling an engaging story about such charming characters only goes to show he's not a creative force to be reckoned with.

2. Blade Runner 2049

Few directors can consistently deliver intellectually and emotionally stirring work, but Denis Villeneuve kept up his streak with Blade Runner 2049. Blade Runner 2049 is simply a masterwork in more ways than one. It's one of the most beautiful films I think I've EVER laid eyes on thanks to Roger Deakins, it features my favorite film score of the entire year from Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch, and it expands its world in organic ways while telling a fascinating story. I'm absolutely positive Blade Runner 2049 will become an influential source for many up-and-coming filmmakers.

1. Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Star Wars: The Last Jedi split the fanbase right down the middle, and surprisingly wound up being one of the year's most divisive films. You all know where I stand by now, but I was completely taken aback by the rift between fans. It's weird because I watched something that was utterly astounding on so many levels, while others talk about it like they saw something straight out of a trash compactor. Writer and director Rian Johnson dared do to be different and deconstruct Star Wars like no one ever had, and I think it paid off in spades.

Best & Worst Movies of 2017 (So Far)

Believe it or not, we've passed the halfway point of 2017! Next thing you know it will be 2018 already! Now, last year I cobbled together the Summer 2016 Movie Season In Review to enlighten viewers on five fantastic films they may have missed out on in addition to five stinkers they should stay away from. This year I decided to share my personal ranking of all this year's releases thus far because towards the latter end of the year I suspect these films may not retain their position. I'll include a short blurb justifying each film's position on the respective list but you can visit my full reviews for all of these by clicking the blue hyperlinks with the titles. Keep in mind though that this is my personal ranking and I'm only qualifying the films I've seen this year so if one of your favorite/least favorite flicks didn't make either list, then I may not have ever seen it or I simply didn't like/dislike it as much as you did. Regardless of whether you agree with my opinion or not, I hope you at least enjoy reading my perspective of this year in cinema so far.

Worst Of 2017 (So Far)

Dis-Honorable Mentions (Alphabetical order): The Belko Experiment and The Great Wall.

5. The Fate of the Furious

I'm sure this will be my most controversial pick on either of my lists but The Fate of the Furious is absolutely idiotic. The only Fast & Furious movies I've truly enjoyed are 5-7, which launched the franchise in a completely different direction. However, F8 tests the limit of that mileage to an absurd degree. There are no longer stakes, the action's senseless, and there's simply no more creative fuel left over in the franchise's tank. 

4. The Mummy (2017)

The Mummy is an example of how not to establish a cinematic universe. The Mummy simply gets too wrapped up building a world for these monsters to thrive in that the stand-alone story decays as a consequence.

3. Transformers: The Last Knight

Transformers: The Last Knight didn't disappoint me per se but it didn't redeem the franchise either. The Last Knight just meanders about for two and half hours with very few redeeming qualities. It's just a lot of visual noise with zero substance underneath.

2. A Cure for Wellness

A Cure For Wellness was deeply disturbing and featured some of the most unsettling scenes I've seen in the cinema all year. It was entirely off-kilter but in the worst ways imaginable. So it comes as no surprise that the film delivers on the title's promise, sickening from start to finish. 

1. The Circle

The Circle was the closest I got to bestowing a grade of an "F" this year because it was a sophomoric slog. I know that the captivating concept and accomplished actors make it seem promising but whatever you do, don't circle around for this one because it's an utter waste of time.

Best Of 2017 (So Far)

Honorable Mentions (Alphabetical order): Alien: Covenant, Beauty and the Beast (2017), Get Out, John Wick: Chapter 2, and The LEGO Batman Movie.

5. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

I understand I'm of the unpopular opinion that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is better than the first but I think everyone can agree that it was a fun time and I had a blast all three times I went to the theater. I enjoyed getting to galavant across space with these miscreants and really getting to the core of what makes each character tick while often laughing hysterically.  

4. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Spider-Man: Homecoming marks the third time Sony's attempted to launch a Spider-Man franchise following Raimi's trilogy and the two Amazing Spider-Man movies directed by Mark Webb. What makes Homecoming interesting though is how expertly it captures the character while swinging in a different direction by placing Spidey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Homecoming feels like the perfect portrayal of Spider-Man and is easily the most entertaining incarnation of the web-head since Spider-Man 2.

3. Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman not only was a change of pace for the DCEU but a landmark shift for female lead superhero movies. Wonder Woman remains invigorating, visceral, and intense in the heightened moments of WW1 action while reserving time for worthwhile character development and story progression. I've watched Wonder Woman five times now and am continually blown away. 

2. Logan

Logan is the first superhero movie that I whole-heartingly believe deserves to be in the conversation for Oscar gold. In fact, it's my favorite comic book movie to date! Not only was Logan a sensational and sentimental send-off to Hugh Jackman but a fantastic film in its own right that definitely deserves the acclaim.

1. Baby Driver

It was a huge toss-up between the No. 1 and 2 slots on this list considering Logan and Baby Driver were the only films this year I've honored with the distinction of my "A+" rating. Ultimately, I had more fun with Baby Driver though thanks to a varied soundtrack full of rockin' tunes, outrageously entertaining action sequences, and charismatic characters. The love and care that Edgar Wright poured into Baby Driver really shows and I'd say it's an excellent example of meticulous masterclass filmmaking. 

'Logan' Review

I've held off this review because I wanted to be sure I fully expressed my thoughts and did justice to Hugh Jackman's last ride as Wolverine. Below you may now read my in-depth spoiler-free thoughts on Logan. Some areas of my review may seem a bit vague but that's merely to avoid spoiling the film.

'Logan' Review

Nominated For: Best Adapted Screenplay.

The year is 2029 and mutants are all but extinct. A weary Logan now drives limousines for a living and cares for a senile Charles Xavier near the U.S./Mexican border. When Logan's approached by a mysterious woman to transport a young girl named Laura up north to the U.S./Canadian border and shady government forces close in; Xavier, Logan, and Laura must embark on a riveting road trip in search of safe haven. Logan loosely adapts the acclaimed Old Man Logan storyline and stands as ninth X-feature Jackman's appeared in. To put it simply, Logan is the end of an era. 

Hugh Jackman has held the role of Wolverine for seventeen years now, appearing in just about every X-Men film released since 2000, but Logan marks his final appearance as Wolverine. Returning director James Mangold and star Hugh Jackman aim to finally deliver the great standalone R-rated Wolverine story fans have eagerly hoped to see. Perhaps the greatest thing about Logan is that there's literally nothing holding it back, which can be attributed to Deadpool's shocking box office success last year. There are no restrictions being placed on the action to meet the MPAA's standards for a more commercially viable PG-13 blockbuster and Logan isn't functioning as a launching pad for more stories to follow up on this bookend (with maybe one exception?). 

The action is unabashedly brutal but violence never occurs for the sake of including an awesome action sequence, it's driven by the story and characters. Sure, Wolverine's claws may dismember a few limbs or go straight through a guy's face but the fact Logan doesn't shy away from showing this only lends further credence to the weight brutality like that carries on one's soul. Scott Frank, Michael Green, and director James Mangold tell a personal story first and foremost that doesn't seek to stun viewers with spectacle but rather one that best services the character. 

Logan is the final chapter in Wolverine's longstanding journey and one that intently and appropriately puts all its focus on him. The trio found an ideal tone for Logan, allowing it to be gritty and gruesome but maintain hopeful and heartfelt moments. Logan isn't dark and gritty in some attempt to be cool, rather because the story calls for it. This is the end of the line, not a fresh start or new beginning. The tone Mangold sets is a perfect match for the desolate surroundings he places our heroes in. 

Mangold effectively balances character drama and edge of your seat action as one never outweighs the other, in fact the action is fueled by the narrative and in turn the character's predicaments are more resonant thanks to the ferocious fighting. Logan doesn't short change the camera and stunt work with quick cuts as Mangold seeks to showcase the aggressive action in play with long takes, and I have to give props for the absolute best excuse and use of shaky-cam I've seen used in an action sequence in years! Mangold and cinematographer John Mathieson frame surreal shots lit by earthy hues while editors Michael McCusker and Dirk Westervelt weave it all together to grant the ambiance of Neo-Western. 

I would be remised if I forgot to mention the superb showing from the hair and makeup team for aging up both Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart to look absolutely decrepit (I mean that in the best way possible) and the transformation of Stephen Merchant into the albino mutant Caliban. All the while, Marco Beltrami composes a score full of somber, morose character themes in addition to invigorating, frantic orchestrations that are reflective of Logan's inner conflict and sorrow. 

Hugh Jackman's last portrayal of Logan is easily his best turn yet with Jackman evoking a weary and broken man at the end of his line, all while defining the character's legacy. Jackman has always been perfect for the role but the way he wraps it all up and provides a more multi-faceted, layered performance is truly Oscar worthy. I have rarely spoken of an actor in comic book franchise deserving awards consideration but truly believe Jackman should be in the running for Best Actor in the coming awards season. 

Who knows if 20th Century Fox will choose to pursue that route but I'd love to see them launch an awards campaign for Logan. For those who scoff at that idea, remember Deadpool randomly emerged as a late contender this past awards season picking up plenty of Guild nominations and Best Picture/Best Actor nominations at the Golden Globes. Had Fox been prepared for that outcome, I believe there would have been a stronger awards push and hopefully they see Logan deserves the push. 

Patrick Stewart also gets to push the boundaries of his typical straight-faced Professor X as he puts forth one last spin in his automated wheelchair, characterizing Xavier quite differently than the wise kindred mentor we've grown accustomed to seeing. Stewart gets to be funny, compromised, and more emotionally resonant thanks to Logan's screenplay. Seeing Stewart and Jackman together one last time was rewarding in and of itself but even with a shifting dynamic, they still stand well opposite one another. 

I didn't think it was possible for anyone to match Jackman's spite and ferocity as Wolverine but Dafoe Keen captures all that and much more as Laura, or X-23 as comic fans may be more familiar with. The bond she and Jackman share is truly the emotional core of Logan and their scenes together made me smile, laugh hysterically, and cry a stream of tears. Stephen Merchant is a nice inclusion as Caliban, bringing humor and levity in some cases while stepping up to the tasks set out for him by the screenplay. 

Boyd Holbrook's Donald Pierce matches Jackman as an unsavory foe but takes a back seat to Richard Grant's evil scientist Tim Rice in the film's second half. The two are servicable antagonists but their lacking malevolence actually doesn't stand out as one of Logan's weaknesses, purely because this film is concentrated on Logan not what he's up against. 

While I can't quite condone bringing a child to see Logan due to graphic violence and lots of swearing, for ages 17 and up I highly recommend a trip to the multiplex. If you're a fan of Wolverine and Hugh Jackman's take on the character in particular, then Logan is a must see. Logan is the ultimate swan song for Hugh Jackman's seventeen year stint as the berserker rage filled mutant, a gruesome yet sentimental send-off that I'd say is one of the best comic book films I've ever seen. 

Film Assessment: A+