"Guess who's back. Back Again."
Eminem anyone?
Whatever. But hey - I'm back for the first time since December 11th.
The world probably didn't miss me that much. But I definitely missed writing. And boy do I have lots to write about.
Hollywood is a mess. Celebrities are going *AWOL*. The Oscars failed me.
Again.
I wrote this piece around January but I'm posting it now - don't ask, it's a long story.
Regardless, 2017 was such a strange year for cinema. The events, people, and discussions nearly ruined what was arguably one of the greatest years for filmmaking. Seriously. The amount of high quality films, range, and unique storytelling was awesome.
2016 was a bum year for films, and was quite easy to pick its best movies, while 2017 had an abundance of good ones. This list was way tougher to compile. But I'll give you a hint: Grinding Nemo... er... wait... I mean The Shape of Water didn't make the cut. The romanticized take on a fish man that ends up getting it on with a mute girl was definitely strange, and while the movie was well done overall, just didn't deserve Best Picture (although I am happy for Guillermo Del Toro for his Best Director win.)
Before I get into the list, here are a handful of films that missed out on the list but you should check out sometime:
Warning - films might not be suitable for younger audiences. Tread with caution.
- Spiderman: Homecoming
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- Their Finest
- Lady Bird
- The Lego Batman Movie
- Wonder Woman
Split
Remember when this came out in January of 2017 and I said this would definitely be vying for a top spot on my best of list come 2018? Yea. And now it's an honorable mention. That's how good 2017 was for films.
James McAvoy was snubbed come Oscar night for his electrifying take on a mentally disturbed man with 23 different personalities including: a nine year old, a soft-spoken woman, and a man who loves fine art to name a few. Come on, Oscars, get it right one of these years, will ya?
The Disaster Artist
Like McAvoy, director, producer, and lead star James Franco was snubbed greatly for his workmanship on this brilliant biopic regarding the worst film ever.
Hilarious and over the top - yet it's ending shocked me, hitting me right in the feels, creating a perfect blend of comedy with tragedy and hope.
12. Thor: Ragnarok
Thor wins the award for most improved franchise. After a solid origin in 2011 then crash landing hard in 2013's borefest The Dark World, director Taika Wattiti told everyone he would be amping up the ridiculousness and laughter. He delivered. I had the pleasure of seeing this film twice, with each of my closest friends on different occasions and it was by far the most enjoyable film of the year, full of color, life, clean humor that was good for all ages. Lead by a cast that delivers on every note, never missing the chance to crack a joke or make fun of itself and the genre of superhero movies, Ragnarok truly did set a new bar for Marvel movies, and comedies as a whole.
11. Wind River
We now go from hilariously funny to grim, depressing, and gut wrenching.
Writer Taylor Sheridan has become one of my favorite men of Hollywood completing his "trilogy" that included the heart pumping Sicario, the free and adventure feeling Hell or High Water, and now the thought provoking Wind River, which is loosely based on real events that occurred on Indian reservations over past years, specifically the raping and murdering of countless women in these areas within the US.
Yea. This film tackles some serious subject matter, being led by Elizabeth Olsen and Jeremy Renner in the leading roles. Both were snubbed come Oscar time, and Olsen actually gets my vote for Best Actress (yes, over Frances McDormand), whose take on a naive rookie FBI agent sent in to investigate a rape and homicide was subtle and heart breaking as she witnesses first hand the darkness of this world. How did she not even get nominated? Sigh.
By the time the credits rolled around, I and my buddy, Sam, sat in silence, alone in the theater, completely disturbed, disheartened, and dumbfounded by what we had just witnessed.
10. Detroit
I know everyone was talking about directors Patty Jenkins and Greta Gerwig for their films Wonder Woman and Lady Bird respectively. But if we have to talk about one great female visionary, it's Kathryn Bigelow. While it definitely gets tiring - all the talk of race and whites versus blacks that is - it doesn't change that this was a very good film that at it's core is about some of the highest racial tensions in America. But this story is unlike most films depicting this subject. Usually big, grand, and inspiring, Detroit portrays the subtlety of the situation as we focus on a small group of civilians being held in their home for questioning against their will by a few racist cops. It's stressful and intense to say the least and through the discussion and arguing, it creates an even greater depth of what life was like during 1960's US - both for whites and blacks.
And an FYI: both John Boyega and Will Poulter deserved Oscar noms for their work. Just saying.
9. The Big Sick
I'd say The Big Sick has an incredibly high chance of becoming a classic ten years from now. With it's sharp and witty dialogue to its social commentaries and its heart warming story, writer and lead star Kumail Nanjiani plays himself in his own love story focused on an interracial couple and is surprisingly refreshing and re-watchable. And really truly funny. Becoming a rare great rom-com.
8. Baby Driver
Baby Driver was a blast, lead by a superb cast and killer soundtrack. Director Edgar Wright's quick paced script, slick car chases and fun action scenes make this an instant classic with a charismatic hero in newcomer Ansel Elgort at the top of his game.
7. Darkest Hour
This is another Oscar bait bio-pic centered around one character to whom the film lives or dies with. But hey? If it ain't broke...
Gary Oldman was electrifying as the iconic Winston Churchill, embodying the man both mentally and physically (fat suits for the win, people), winning himself an Oscar in the process. So Oscar bait a success I'd say. Darkest Hour was surprisingly re-watchable and just as good if not better the second time around with it's unique timeline approach: covering only a week into the life Churchill versus your typical bio-pic that shows the character's entire life which has grown stale.
Overall a superb effort by director Joe Wright and Co.
6. Dunkirk
How do you make a film about one of Hollywood's most adapted story settings fresh? Bring in 21st century's greatest visionary to helm the project. Chris Nolan's finger prints are all over this WWII flick, with three weaving storylines, an all star cast, and an incredibly intense atmosphere that's claustrophobic despite the incredibly low (and normally bloody) body count that separates it from other WWII flicks and is an instant classic in the making.
5. IT
This was definitely the scariest movie of 2017. But IT was surprisingly full of more depth and thought provoking ideals than I would expect from a horror flick which is why it was so attractive to me. It was character focused, developing the young cast of kids (who were fab, btw), and soon gets you to grow attached and care, which makes the scares truly frightening.
And Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise the Dancing Glow (or demonic child eater, ya know, whatever floats your boat) is the perfect adversary to the children and was both entrancing and horrifying as the films titular character. A serious force to be reckoned with, he was definitely not human at all and I can't wait for the second part, due for release in 2019.
4. Blade Runner 2049
2049 wins the award for most ambitious film of 2017: 35 years in the making, a sequel to sci-fi's greatest film next to 2001: A Space Odessy, and the overall grandeur and spectacle director Denis Villeneuve attempted to pull of with this project.
Huge credit goes to Villeneuve, who knew what he was embarking on and what world he was building off of. He created a great original story that also paid homage to the original Blade Runner, making 2049 feel like it had been released just a couple years after the first. It belonged with the first, as the events that took place were direct repercussions of the first film, creating a film that was coherent with Blade Runner in every way. Love, love, LOVE this film.
3. Logan
Who woulda thunk superhero movies could be this good? Well even the Oscars were shocked, handing Logan the first ever major award nod for a comic book movie - sans Heath Ledger's Best Supporting Actor in '08 - for Best Adapted Screenplay. Adapted from the famous "Old Man Logan" story line, this was the epic finale for one of 21st century's greatest movie heroes. This was the film we deserved, but not the one we thought we wanted. And then we saw it.
Set in a modern day western, this is a slow paced drama with scenes of high energy action that are gory and not for young eyes. It is an accurate depiction of the broken hero who has killed The Wolverine persona, sticking with just "Logan," now moseying around as a limousine driver. Having dealt with loss and pain, Logan copes with it through brandy and drugs as he sits around waiting for death, whom he welcomes with open arms; he has accepted the fact that life is meaningless and therefore holds no point in living for anything. But one final mission hands him the opportunity of redemption for himself, and in the end he gives his life so that others wouldn't have to.
Tear jerking and with an inspiring message inside a desolate and depressing world, Hugh Jackman's final performance as Logan was better then any he's ever given (move out the way Greatest Showman) and is DEFINITELY worth your time.
2. War for the Planet of the Apes
This beautifully landscaped film set a high standard for war epics. The humans versus apes has been on our screens since 1968, but this latest take on the famed storyline might just be the best. With Oscar worthy directing, writing, cinematography, special effects, and best acting for motion-capture sensation Andy Serkis (as the Moses-inspired ape leader Caesar), this climax of one of my favorite trilogies ever was as ambitious in it's undertaking as it gets (along with Blade Runner 2049), perfectly consummating this breathtaking story.
Secular director Matt Reeves admitted Caesar (and the entire trilogy) was inspired by Moses, the Israelites, and their battle out of slavery and into the promised land. And honestly, this film is a better biblical epic than most ACTUAL biblical epics nowadays.
All Hail Caesar.
1. Get Out
Nudging out War for the throne is this horror/social satire film.
Following an African-American man who is set to meet his white girlfriend's parents at their estate for the weekend, protagonist Chris Washington notices some strange on-goings-on at the Armitage home and initially reads their over-accommodating behavior towards him as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter's interracial relationship. As the weekend progresses, disturbing events lead to a truth that's mind blowing for both Chris and the audience.
I say no more.
While there is comedy and suspense, the film doesn't lack in terms of topics and themes that are brought to the surface of the story; themes of racial equality and human purpose are inserted throughout, giving the mind something to chew on while Chris reminds us of the human spirit and the will to live no matter the circumstances.
This may not just be my favorite film of 2017, it could very well end up as my favorite film of all time.
*2021 update: it is currently second on my favorite movies ever (a list I will hopefully be releasing soon*
Well, that's all folks. 2017 truly was a great year for good, quality filmmaking but ultimately was sadly drowned out by the social agendas of Hollywood. Hope more like myself can look past those things and enjoy the movies for what they are meant to be: entertainment and art.
Until next time, stay cool North Country. Though in this weather, it won't be that hard, will it.
...
But I do have just one question: How did Get Out (a perfect blend of suspense, comedy, social satire, and art) NOT win Best Picture but a movie about a fish man and a janitor falling in love did???
Shaking. My. Head.
