My 25 Favorite Films of 2017
Itās hard to believe that 2017 is already coming to a close. Hereās my 25 favorite films from the year!
Perhaps itās the Bridesmaids or The Hangover of 2017, Girls Trip is a fun, buddy comedy about a group of women who try to rekindle their friendship during a trip to New Orleans. Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith are always reliable and Regina Hall is an underrated lead, but itās breakout star Tiffany Haddish that gets the biggest laughs.Ā
24. All The Money in the World
All The Money in the World is a good film on its own, but what makes it historic is what went on behind the scenes. Ridley Scott pulled off the impossible by replacing its disgraced star Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer with only roughly a month ahead of its original Christmas release. The film is based on the events of the 1973 kidnapping of John Paul Gettyās grandson. All The Money is a highwire thriller, but itās Plummerās brilliant, cold-hearted performance that steals the show.Ā
Korean director Bong Joon-ho behind such films as The Host and Snowpiercer debuted this gem. Okja follows a girlās battle to protect her āsuperpigā from a juggernaut company that plans on turning her pet into food. This action adventure was easily one of Netflixās strongest original films to date.Ā The stellar cast includes Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal, Steven Yeun, Lilly Collins, and newcomerĀ Seo-hyeon Ahn.Ā
Emma Stone and Steve Carrell face off as Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in the most historic tennis match in history. Battle of the Sexes is a fun, empowering, nostalgic sports dramedy from Little Miss Sunshineās Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.Ā
Based on the incredible true story,Ā Stronger follows Jeff Bauman andĀ his struggle for normalcy after surviving the Boston Marathon bombing. Time and time again, Jake Gyllenhaal proves to be one of Hollywoodās most under-celebrated actors today as he arguably gives the most challenging performance of his career. Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) also deserves praise for her raw, emotional supporting role.Ā Stronger is a powerful, moving biopic that reminds us that thereās always hope even in the darkest moments.Ā
After releasing numerous duds, it appears that M. Night Shyamalan is finally making a comeback. Split kicked off 2017 with a wild psychological thriller surrounding the kidnapping of three young women whoāve been imprisoned by a man with multiple personality disorder. James McAvoy gives a memorable performance as he channels well over a dozen personalities.Ā
Wonder Woman broke the glass ceiling on many fronts: one being the first female-lead superhero blockbuster and such a blockbuster was directed by a woman. Gal Gadot made her big-screen debut as the Amazon princess in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but she absolutely nails it in her first solo flick. Many have considered this film to be the strongest film in the DC Cinematic Universe yet.Ā
Ridley Scott certainly kept himself busy this year. In the latest chapter of this deep-space horror franchise, a colony ship makes a fatal detour on a planet filled with our favorite aliens. Accompanied by an all-star cast, Michael Fassbender is on double duty with two fantastic performances. While Prometheus settled the groundwork, Alien: Covenant returned to its heart-pounding roots that made these films such a big success.Ā
Very rarely do remakes exceed its predecessors, but the 2017 remake of Stephen Kingās ItĀ really deserves praising. Bill SkarsgĆ„rd managed to make Pennywise his own with his terrifying interpretation of the murderous clown. That being said, the film heavily relies on the tremendous cast of young actors including Jaeden Lieberher,Ā Sophia Lillis,Ā Finn Wolfhard,Ā Jack Dylan Grazer,Ā Wyatt Oleff,Ā Chosen Jacobs, andĀ Jeremy Ray Taylor.Ā Filled with good scares and disturbing imagery, It will have a new generation afraid of clowns.Ā
Gary Oldman gives a transformative, Oscar-worthy performance as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. The film takes place during the chaotic transition period the United Kingdom face in the midst of WWII and gives a glimpse of Churchillās bumpy start to his successful era of leadership. Darkest Hour is a captivating drama with sprinkled humor throughout.Ā
Part horror, part thriller, part social satire, Get Out marks the directorial debut of funnyman Jordan Peele. An interracial couple is put to the test when the black boyfriend visits the white girlfriendās family, but once he gets there, heāll learn that her family may have something sinister planned for him. While itās sort of hard to explain it,Ā Get Out is a unique, thought-provoking, movie-going experience unlike any other in 2017 thatās carried by a strong cast and an intriguing plot.Ā
Chances are you havenāt heard of The Wedding Plan, but itās one of the most relatable films of the year. This Israeli romantic comedy follows an anxious bride-to-be who decides to keep her wedding date after her fiancĆ© dumped her just weeks before and literally relies on faith in order to find a groom before she walks down the aisle. Yes, the plotās that zany, but Noa Kolerās heartwarming and heartbreaking performance truly carries the film.Ā
Itās been three long years, butĀ Christopher NolanĀ returned with an immersive war flick Dunkirk,Ā which depicts the underdog WWII rescue effort of the British military that was surrounded by German troops. While there isnāt exactly a straight-forward plot, the incredible cinematography, editing, and sound design keep audiences on the edge of their seats.Ā
12. War of the Planet of the Apes
An epic conclusion to one of the strongest trilogies in recent memory, War of the Planet of the Apes was a rare reboot that actually exceeded its predecessors. For three films, Andy Serkis brilliantly humanizes the lead ape Caesar as the climax escalates the brutal battle between human and ape.Ā
If Beauty and the Beast and Creature From The Black Lagoon had a beautifully weird baby, it would be Guillermo del Toroās latest filmĀ The Shape of Water. The story surrounds a mute janitor who forms a relationship with a creature trapped in the laboratory she works at and her personal mission to help him escape. She doesnāt even speak a word, yet Sally Hawkins gives one of the best performances of the year and sheās joined by a spectacular supporting cast including Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, and Michael Stuhlberg. Visually stunning and emotionally enthralling,Ā this is del Toroās best film since Panās Labyrith.Ā
An emotionally complex film, Call Me By Your Name tells the story of a romance that blossoms between a 17-year-old boy and his fatherās 24-year-old research assistant. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, such an inappropriate relationship would/should be frowned upon, but as viewers, you sympathize with Elio and Oliver not just because theyāre likable characters but for the powerful performances that came with them, particularly from breakout starĀ TimothĆ©e Chalamet.Ā
9. The Killing of a Sacred Deer
The closest thing to an Alfred Hitchcock film in 2017, The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a suspenseful, psychological thriller that virtually no one saw. The film follows teenager who gets brutal revenge after a doctor failed to save his fatherās life. Newcomer Barry Keoghan, who youāve might have seen in Dunkirk, gives a unsettling, outstanding performance. Between this and his last film The Lobster, writer/directorĀ Yorgos Lanthimos is proving to be a filmmaker Hollywood should watch out for.Ā
If you havenāt seen The Room, itās a 2003 film that has earned a cult following because itās so incredibly bad, it became unintentionally hysterical. The Disaster Artist is about the making of that film with James Franco starring, producing and directing the film. Franco manages to earn big laughs and also give a transformative performance as the infamous Tommy Wiseau. With tons of A-list cameos and a brutal glimpse of the film industry, The Disaster Artist made the making of a painfully bad film painfully funny.Ā
Not only was this a great animated movie, it was also a great Batman movie. The LEGO Batman Movie allows its self-awareness to drive the narrative that examines Batmanās relationship on a psychological level. Filled with tons of fun Easter eggs and references to previous Batman films, this LEGO movie will leave you nostalgic and laughing til it hurts.Ā
Actress Greta Gerwig makes a strong directorial debut with this down-to-earth coming of age comedy about a Sacramento teen transitioning into adulthood. In film after film, Soirse Ronan shows that sheās one of the best actresses in the millennial generation and Laurie Metcalf, who may win the Oscar playing her heartfelt but judgmental mother, shows that sheās one of the most under-celebrated actresses of our time.Ā
The greatest romantic comedy since Silver Linings Playbook, The Big Sick is a rare film because it feels authentic and realā¦ and thatās probably due to the fact that itās based on the stranger-than-fiction true story behindĀ Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordonās relationship. Nanjiani essentially stars as himself (which he does a terrific job) and has great chemistry with his co-star Zoe Kazan. Ray Romano and Holly Hunter give hilarious, heartwarming performances as the parents who meet Nanjiani as their daughter is in a coma.Ā From the culture clashes, the comedy industry, to the modern era of dating, The Big Sick feels more relevant than ever and can resonate with any audience.Ā
Disney/Pixar has a gift of continuously melting peopleās hearts. And they do so again with their beautifully-animated latest, Coco.Ā Miguel is an aspiring musician in a family that has banned music after his great grandfather abandoned them for pursue stardom. And after being transported into the Land of the Dead, Miguel must track down his ancestor in order to return home. The importance of art is obviously a theme, but the heart of the film is about family, pursuing our dreams, and the significance of leaving a legacy. Coco is rich with a cast of lovable characters, great music, and a satisfying ending that may leave you in tears.Ā
3. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriĀ
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri may be a mouthful, but itās also masterful work from writer/director Martin McDonagh. Frances McDormand gives an Oscar-bound performance as grieving, no-nonsense mother determined to pressure the police to solve the murder of her daughter. She is accompanied by a strong ensemble cast which include strong supporting performances from Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson.Ā Three Billboards is the only film this year that will make you laugh, cringe, and anxious all at once. Itās the closest thing to Fargo since Fargoā¦ and the Fargo TV series.Ā
Edgar Wright, the mastermind behind Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, finally found commercial success with Baby Driver, a terrifically-edited heist film with the greatest film soundtrack in recent memory. Aside from the uncomfortable fact this will go down as Kevin Spaceyās last great film, Ansel Elgort proves heās got the chops for a leading role. With lots of well-choreographed action sequences and even some laugh, Baby Driver is absolute fun and is why we go to the movies.Ā
Who would have thought that it would take a dark comedy to make Tonya Harding look sympathetic? I, Tonya is a unique, Goodfellas-like biopic that gives multiple, not entirely reliable perspectives surrounding the infamous attack of Nancy Kerrigan. Margot Robbie offers a layered, grounded depiction of someone who was painted as a cultural villain. Allison Janney also knocks it out of the park as her cruel yet hilarious mother. The works of director Craig Gillespie and screenwriter Steven Rogers have spanned decades, but their collaboration here is the bestĀ of their careers. Combined with great editing and an awesome soundtrack, I, Tonya is a rare film in 2017 that isnāt just another remake, sequel, or ripoff; it skates on its own.Ā
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