In lieu of the trio doing an episode, we all agreed that we would start to use this blog the way it was meant to be used - to say stupid things and hope people try to debate us (at least, that's what I thought a blog was supposed to be). To kick it off, and before we get into double digits in February, we wanted to post our favorite films of 2017. While there will be some overlap of movies (due to us being in fairly constant contact), there is a good chance that the lists won't match up 100%. While some people (Gabe) will tell you that their list is objective and 100% fact and you are wrong if you don't agree, mine is much more just my opinion as a moviegoer who went to quite a few flicks this year. My taste is probably the most modest of the three of us.
Without further ado, and in no particular order, I give you my top... 15 (because I couldn't decide on ONLY 10):
- Wind River
I like any movie that shows me something I don't normally see. I also enjoy a good Jeremy Renner movie. I also like a movie that pleasantly surprises me. I'll be honest - a movie about an employee from Fishing and Wildlife solving a murder on Native American soil in the dead of... August(?)... when it is bitter cold in Wisconsin sounds like the kind of movie I would probably stay away from. But there was something about the dedication to show the world of these people and their way of life, and in some ways how they are completely disconnected from their heritage and from the rest of the world, that I absolutely loved. I will say that the camera work can be better, and the editing is a little choppy... but the dedication from the cast and crew to bring the world to life in a way that both entertains, educates, and depresses is worth the price of admission. It's an insult that this movie wasn't considered at all for any major awards. - Blade Runner 2049
I think there are two types of people who watch Blade Runner 2049: those that will hold their bladder till the almost-three-hour film ends, and those that won't. I was the former. Most people complained about the pace of the film, wished it was faster, that it was too cold and sterile, that there was too much packed into the film, what-have-you. I totally dug the flick from beginning to end. I thought Ryan Gosling did a great job as K, I thought the philosophical undertones were great, and I couldn't stop laughing at old-ass Harrison Ford running himself ragged through the flick. I will say that I never felt Ford was playing Deckard as much as he was just playing himself, but that's a minor nitpick (that and his lame costume... I'm not sure what they were thinking in a film with such visually rich outfits). The production design, camera work, performances, directing - all stellar. I love long movies, and this is certainly one I'll come back to a few times. - John Wick Chapter 2
If you don't like John Wick Chapter 2 then you should never visit this blog again. Expanding on the world created in John Wick, the film boasts amazing cinematography, editing, production design, pacing, character development... the film is the Bee's Knees. Keanu Reeves plays the role perfectly - the clashing motivation is set up perfectly and the action is top notch - better than the first film. I could sit here and praise the movie all day, but it's much better to just sit down and watch the damn thing. "Will somebody PLEASE get this man a gun?" - Wonder Woman
It's fitting that the first female super hero film of this generation of superhero films be Wonder Woman. It's also fitting that it is one of the best films of the year. A lot of people have complained that it feels too much like a generic Marvel movie and that the ending is fairly "blah" or corny. I think that sums up the superhero genre perfectly - a bit corny, but a whole lot of fun. The production design is phenomenal, Gal Gadot proves she can carry the movie (though this one gets by on playing off the character's naivete - something that made all the interactions interesting but not something that can be replicated in a second film). Chris Pine is excellent (as usual), and the supporting, diverse cast adds a bit of texture to the movie. I will say that the first time I saw it, I felt the ending was spiraling out of control, and I would like a better villain than a digital David Thewlis... but that's a minor nitpick in what is one of my favorite Superhero films ever made.
Also, I want to see a Robin Wright action film. - Dunkirk
It's not perfect, and it probably won't win the Academy Award for Best Picture. It's another WWII film that leaves women as background. While everyone has gone gaga over the cinematography, I'm not sold on it - the color timing is horrible and if you're creating these beautiful vistas, why are you framing shot-reverse shot so close and not taking advantage of the gorgeous 70mm canvas? With those complaints aside, the movie goes back to the best of Christopher Nolan's roots - playing with cinematic time to create suspense and dramatic potential. As a fan of Tom Hardy, I decree that he steals this movie as the coolest character - vastly downplayed in the trailers, he is the ultimate thinking-man's pilot who has the best ticking clock in the movie. Outside of Hardy's storyline, though, I didn't much care for any of the other storylines (special shout out to Kenneth Branaugh, who makes two appearances on the list, as probably my second-favorite character). I do like the ultimate conclusion of Mark Rylance's story, but the one that takes the center stage - the boy running away from the fight - is also my least favorite and the one that, to me, struggles to find its footing (as it takes place over a week). Still, the film game is fun in this movie and, at a tight 106 minutes, moves at an almost perfect rate. - The Last Jedi
People who want a mature Star Wars movie but complain about this film should shoot themselves for their own stupidity. Is the movie perfect? No. The Canto Bight sequence is boring (as is the running animals), the film struggles to give Finn and Rose anything to do (hence the boring sequence) - tragic since John Boyega is all in with these movies (he deserves a better character), the film struggles to create a tense ticking clock and then twarts its own efforts by making characters planet-hop, Luke never really goes all "Force Unleashed" like we were all hoping he would, there's still no really good reason aside from dashing Poe's pride that Holdo doesn't tell him (and Holdo should have been given more badass stuff to do aside from what she does at the end)...
But what it does right more than makes up for any issues I have for it. Rey becomes a much more complex character with this movie (she was interesting in The Force Awakens, but was very rarely challenged). She is also a new archetypal character for Star Wars - a person birthed of no particular significance who shows that she has a gift. I also like how she faced down the dark side of the force and realized, unlike most characters, that there is nothing for her in the Dark Side. The fight where Kylo Ren and Rey face the Praetoriate is awesome as well - visually very rich. I think the production design takes a step back from The Force Awakens - look at Kylo Ren in TFA and then in TLJ, or look at Snoke's outfit. But it's a minor point of contention in a film that is shot spectacularly.
Really, though, the movie belongs to Mark Hamill. I don't think he had a single poor line read, and the jokes he makes play off a lot better than most of the jokes in the movie. He also fulfills the final Sensei archetype that was missing from Star Wars - the bitter, defeated, reluctant sensei who finally finds a worthy pupil. His scene with Yoda is perfect, as is his final showdown with Kylo Ren.
Also I was a fan of Flying Force Leia. And your dismissive comments won't change that. - Logan Lucky
Adam Driver Double Feature. Stephen Soderberg is back doing his usual thing - making a film efficiently and having a good time doing it. There are a couple of lame moments (specifically with the ex-wife's husband), but overall it's nice to see a master of efficient movie making. Working as DP and editor, his use of two-shot, 3-shot, deep focus cinematography... you could learn how to make a movie by watching this film. He also pulls great stuff out of Daniel Craig who steals the show as a convict who also should have a degree in chemistry (the lesson on ene-gy is a particularly perfect moment) goes all-in with his character, and Adam Driver is perfect as the slow-talking, one-handed bartender brother who is hard on luck. Just be wary any time someone yells "Cauliflower" at you. - Coco
The obligatory animated film on the list is a very emotionally resonant film that is gorgeous to look at. Yes, you can see the twists coming a mile away, but it's good that they didn't bury the lead with this movie too much. Very heart-felt and perfectly composed, Coco is another movie that explores culture, both good and bad. Once again, Pixar gets great milage out of child actor Anthony Gonzales, who carries the movie incredibly well. The animators and designers are, again, top-notch and bring a lot of character to skeletons that, under normal circumstances, would all look the same. While it tackles a bit of what was done in Book of Life, this movie is a lot more accessible and moves at a much better pace. I want to say more about the movie, but it's hard when it's a good, solid film that proves its worth by what it shows on-screen. - Molly's Game
I'm a sucker for Aaron Sorkin screenplays. I love how Idris Elba plays the moral center of the film. Jessica Chastain disappears from the screen and becomes Molly Bloom. Michael Cera does an excellent job playing off-type as the cocky celebrity composite character. The movie moves at the rate that every Sorkin film moves at. Sure, the camera work isn't fantastic. Sure, it's not the most brilliantly edited film. Sure, it feels like some of the story strands don't close neatly. Sure, some of the information about the movie was made up. It was still a fascinating movie full of great characters and tense drama. - Atomic Blonde
It's messy. Very messy. And it's missing the interesting world of John Wick. It also takes way too long to get to the first action scenes in the film, but once they start they don't stop. Charlize Theron does a... well, she commits to the role of action hero whole-heartedly, and the action scenes are pretty awesome. The red herrings, the main plot, James McAvoy... they're there, but they are also very confusing and the less paid attention to them, probably the better. And yes, I am a fan of the long-take fight scene in the film. - Thor Ragnarok
Also known as "Comedy undercuts the drama, the movie". No, I was not a fan of all of the jokes that most people were. I don't think they had a problem representing Thor in the Marvel universe. This is a poor representation of Hulk and of Planet Hulk (one of the best storylines of recent times), and the art design (and some of the weapons) literally look like toys. Also, Karl Urban is mostly wasted, and the Warriors 3 die in stupid, unforgivable ways. WHERE THE HELL IS SIF?!? However, the tone of the film, established early, is maintained effectively throughout, carefully balancing between the comedy and the drama (Odin's death scene is a particular high mark of the movie, which is great because Sir Anthony Hopkins gets to let loose with the comedy a few scenes earlier). Also, I found Cate Blanchett surprisingly hot as Hela... not sure that was intended (but Zoe Bell as her Stunt Double is excellent). Some of the music video moments work fantastically well, such as the last stand of the Valkyries and both uses of The Immigrant Song in the movie. Jeff Goldblum is fantastic as Grandmaster and has a little bit too much fun. Ruffalo and Hemsworth play off each other perfectly in the movie. And it was smart to hire LotR veterans Ra Vincent and Dan Hennah as the production designers, who help to give more class to the overall art direction of the movie. Plus the "Disney Ride Scene" when Thor gets to Sacaar is great. I do feel that Taika Waititi put himself a little too front and center around the movie, and it does detract from the overall product for me. Also, Mark Mothersbaugh's music is unique, but I don't think it's as memorable as he would have liked it to be - my favorite song is still Thor's Theme from the first Thor movie, which makes an appearance at the end of the movie and then immediately undercut by a stupid comedy moment to END THE MOVIE, which is a horrible choice. In fact, the movie almost didn't make my list because of how much it undercut EVERY dramatic moment with a "comedic" one-liner. - Murder on the Orient Express
Okay... I saw the 1970's version (directed by Sidney Lumet) before watching this version. That version is much more subtle and it is much more insightful. This version is high on the melodrama and has random action scenes for... no real reason..? Some of the characters are changed (not necessarily for the better) and the ticking clock of the story is altered, as is Poirot's motivation at the end of the film. Still... the all-star cast is good in the movie (Daisy Ridley makes a second appearance on this list!), and Patrick Doyle's score is... well, it's Patrick Doyle's score - very good but hard to remember exactly what it was. I love Kenneth Branagh films, especially his production designs (they always feel very majestic), so I thoroughly enjoyed this somewhat melodramatic romp through an entertaining mystery. - The Post
As a huge Spielberg fan, this movie has to be on my list. It felt a little bit like "The Crown", with Meryl Streep not knowing what do to with her paper, and Tom Hanks playing against-type as the crochety publisher who doesn't get along with anyone. It's another showcase of Janusz Kaminski and Steven Spielberg's phenomenal ballet of camera work and staging, making what could be a series of shot-reverse shots bland filmmaking into something where the camera literally pulls us into the story. A great cast with a ton of television and movie faces pop up to add additional flavor to the movie. In a film so cast-heavy and fact based, it is surprising that Spielberg wasn't nominated for best director; at the same time, this isn't one of his showy-er films - his DNA is in the film but in a much subtler way. - Beauty and the Beast
Why is this movie still on my list?!? Probably because I've seen it four or five times and I still love watching it. I will say that Bill Condon does about half as well as he should with the material and that the second unit direction isn't particularly good. Most of the staging of the characters is average on average, with quite a bit being fairly poor. However, it benefits from great cast members (though the cast isn't entirely strong or particularly inspired in sections). Dan Stevens holds his own as the Beast, becoming one of the strongest characters in the film; Luke Evans is perfect as Gaston, who makes even his murky motivations ring true. And it's always great to see Kevin Kline in a role. The songs are fantastic, with the new ones not quite as memorable as the original but still very moving in their own way (especially Days in the Sun). And Emma Watson isn't horrible as Belle (though people are critical of her singing), bringing enough of her own particular charm to the role. The movie operates on subtlety in a way the animated film never could. However, a bit of sloppy direction here and there (about 80% good stuff, 20% "what were they thinking") prevent it from transcending the animated classic. - Kong: Skull Island
Tom Hiddleston goes full Ninja Gaiden in the movie. Is it great? No. Does it have a giant gorilla go God of War with a boat motor? Yes! There is enough adventure, fun, self-depricating humor, and John C. Reilly (who is used to the full extent in this) that it really allows you to sit back and have a fun ride. Shut your brain off, enjoy the actors having a good time hamming it up, and prepare yourself for a great Kaiju movie.
Honorable Mention
- Free Fire
It's a bit too off-the-wall to really recommend for everyone, but the cast is fantastic and it really takes the premise as far as it can go. As per usual, I love seeing Cillian Murphy work, and the added flavor of Charlto Copley adds a good weight to the final product. - Logan
I don't really need to praise Logan more than it already has. It was good. It worked as a futuristic western. But there was something about the movie that just holds it back - whether it was the pace, the obscene amounts of F-Bombs, or the ending feeling like it needed one more pass to really draw out the gravitas. Most people might disagree with me, but it just didn't make that final mark for me. - Get Out
Another movie that doesn't really need anything more said. It's heavy handed in its message and the film is delivered perfectly. Just not something I want to go back to time and again, and the best character (the TSA Agent) has the least amount of screen time. Still, it has a very clever solution and is a very tight movie. - Life
It's got an ending that will make your skin crawl and was much better than it had any right to be. Thoroughly enjoyably with an excellent opening shot, and great use of their actors. - Going in Style
The cast alone is reason to rent this. The movie itself is pretty standard comedic fair, but all parts involved have fun. - Baby Driver
It's pretty good. I like Lily James so that works. The camera work is fantastic as well. Good stuff overall. - Spiderman Homecoming
It's good, solid Spiderman stuff. I just never felt like I needed to revisit it, which is a mark against it. Still not as good as Spiderman 2, in my mind. - War for the Planet of the Apes
The problem is that this felt too much like Logan, and yet is given even less credit. It would have made my list of best-of, but I only visited it once. I do enjoy how, in the end, the Apes proved more tolerant and malleable for change than the humans, even after Caesar saved the human's life. If I had seen it one more time, this might have knocked out the other Ape movie on the list. - It
It's fun. It's scary. It's riding the wave of 80's nostalgia, but it did have some parts that had me eating my fist in tension (especially when Pennywise comes OUT OF THE SCREEN!) - Kingsman: The Golden Circle
It has the problem of not being as good or clever as the first Kingsman, and of dragging a bit in the middle of the film. Otherwise, Taron Edgerton is still great to watch as Eggsy and the cast has a lot of fun. - American Made and I, Tonya
It's fun to watch once. Tom Cruise does a great job of holding down the movie and acting his ass off, but it's not as clean a movie as some of the films it attempts to homage. Ditto for I, Tonya, which benefits from great performances from Margot Robbie and Allison Janney and is a very watchable film (with some stuff that is shot so normally that it makes it harder to watch), but not quite something I'd come back to over and over. - Happy Death Day
Turned out to be the perfect movie to make fun of all the films it was inspired by. - Justice League
Two words: Superman Smiles. Three more: He cracks jokes. We finally got a Superman film where he felt like Superman. Not nearly as bad as most people say it is. - Lady Bird
I don't get why people think this movie was brilliantly shot. Either that, or it just had really bad editing. Of course, Greta Gerwig's personal touch and the acting performance by all involved (though Laurie Metcalf most of all) drive this movie to keep you watching. Otherwise it's a movie where we watch a main character that, personally, I didn't like very much doing stupid teenage things. - Battle of the Sexes
A little too on-the-nose with its politics, and it's ironic that Steve Carrell's name was ahead of Emma Stone's in most of the marketing, which didn't seem to understand the message of the film. Still, it's interesting to look at how someone can pose a generic arguement, be wrong, then adjust their arguement to say it was about something else. Unfortunately, it doesn't make you any more wrong. The film drags a lot in the middle, though. - Phantom Thread
It's a bit too strange for me to recommend to people, and I left the theater wondering what in high heavens I watched. Some great performances and that Paul Thomas Anderson touch with long scenes evolving over time are still a treat to watch. - The Shape of Water
It's Guillermo del Toro. He subverts the genre just enough and has fun in the time period with the production design. I liked it. I didn't best-picture or best-director like it (since he's done the same with Pan's Labyrinth and Crimson Peak), but I liked it. - Brawl in Cell Block 99
Vince Vaughn dominates this movie. It's tone is perfect, the scenes are smooth, the acting from Vaughn is awesome, the action is brutal and gritty. It has somewhat lackluster camera work and production design, and the overt "America!" message felt completely unnecessary, which held the movie back for me. If he wasn't so gung-ho about America minus immigrants, I think I would have liked it a lot better. Still, it's always fun to see a bit of videogame level structure invade a movie.
Worst Film of the Year
- Baywatch. And Pirates of the Caribbean 5
Baywatch was BAD. VERY BAD. Both stars were in significantly better movies this year. And the only good parts about Pirates 5 were the Orlando Bloom scenes, which were over all too quickly. The entire retcon of the series was a strange direction to go, but having no strong characters was even worse!
Now that you know how my year wrapped up, I'd love to know how much you hated this list. Leave a comment below and I might reply to it.
Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment