While others might praise “Lady Bird” or “Phantom Thread” as the best, 2017 belongs to the nerds. Sure, a few more grounded choices make the cut on this list, but horror, sci-fi, superhero and fantasy ruled, so much so I couldn’t pick just 10, but had to highlight 15. So, hold onto your hats for these top picks.
- “Dunkirk” and “Darkest Hour”
Like Captain Planet said, “With their powers combined” World War II films “Darkest Hour” and “Dunkirk” are splendid bedfellows, complimentary films about Winston Churchill’s most challenging moment as prime minister when most British forces were stranded at Dunkirk and his decision to mobilize a civilian fleet to save them. “Darkest Hour” provides an incredible performance by Gary Oldman, while “Dunkirk” is an intense war movie experience told in a way only Chris Nolan knows how.
- “Personal Shopper”
This might be the “Frenchest” horror film ever. It stars Kristen Stewart as Maureen, a personal shopper and medium convinced she can hear her recently deceased twin brother from the beyond. Spooky at moments, but not in the way most American horror films are.
- “War for the Planet of the Apes”
How this franchise became this good is beyond reason, but the final chapter of Caesar the ape (mo-capped by Andy Serkis) ends with a bang. And staying topical, of course apes are enslaved and forced to build a wall for a crazed human leader. That’s how these films work: project into the future to cast a mirror on the present.
- “John Wick: Chapter 2”
Keanu Reeves kills an assassin with a pencil. Nobody is as cool.
- “Thor: Ragnarok”
Following two mediocre installments, “Thor: Ragnarok” somehow becomes one of the best films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Funny, action packed and filled with new characters to enjoy and better exposition for familiar ones becoming stale.
- “Coco”
Pixar is white. The studio has been for too long. But it actually told a multicultural story – well researched and featuring a cast of voice actors who aren’t white (equally shocking) – resulting in “Coco,” a splendid family film with incredible animation and the most vibrant visuals on the big screen last year.
- “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
A mother is angry her daughter’s murder case is no longer a priority for the authorities, so she posts a message to them and the community on three billboards. With an amazing performance by Frances McDormand and a story that’s all too poignant, this a deserved frontrunner for best picture.
- “Wonder Woman”
Gal Gadot stars as Wonder Woman in a hit movie that could signal the coming of more female-directed films. (photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)
Choosing Patty Jenkins to direct the most iconic superheroine in comic book history was the most inspired choice in recent years for a suffering list of DC movie flops. Both wildly entertaining and smart, the most exciting aspect of this blockbuster is what it could mean for future female-directed projects.
- “The Disaster Artist”
The story of “The Room,” the best worst film ever made, is legend, and depicting what happened behind the scenes is equal parts hilarious and mind boggling. James Franco remains the most interesting choice for best actor with his uncanny depiction of Tommy Wiseau.
- “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
Haters back off, your opinions on “The Last Jedi” are ridiculous. Luke Skywalker’s epic return is unexpected and marvelously layered, providing a level of depth this franchise generally lacks. The galaxy far, far away is all grown up, and that’s a good thing for any franchise. Just ask Harry and gang.
- “Get Out”
A “Key and Peele” star writing and directing a “Twilight Zone”-inspired horror film about black appropriation. Brilliant concept brilliantly executed by Jordan Peele.
- “Logan”
“It’s better to burn out than fade away,” Neil Young sang. That about sums up “Logan,” the “X-Men” film’s fond farewell to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Patrick Stewart’s Professor X. This franchise is full of hits and misses, but no other film compares to this one in tone, style or melodrama. Dafne Keen’s Laura, or X-23, is something to behold too.
- “It”
Rarely is a horror film as fun and freaky as this. Without attempting to replicate Tim Curry’s performance in the 1990 miniseries, Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise is something else entirely, an incomparable sight worth seeing over and over again.
- “The Shape of Water”
Guillermo del Toro’s films are an experience in genre convergence, original filmmaking that elevates monster movies to the highest form of art.
- “Blade Runner 2049”
Harrison Ford reprises his role as Rick Deckard in “Blade Runner 2049.” (photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)
Audiences stayed home from theatres in 2017 in record numbers, resulting in poor box-office performance for “Blade Runner 2049.” Too bad. Most moviegoers missed out on the best film of the year. Fresh story disguised as a shameless sequel. The most beautiful film in years. And narrative complexity science fiction does best.
Honorable mention: “The LEGO Batman Movie,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “The Florida Project,” “The Lure,” “Kong: Skull Island,” “The Bad Batch” and “Your Name.”
0 Comment