It has been one whole year since I posted my last top movies and most disappointing movie list of the year. So lets start this year off properly!
I was actually able to get my list down to 10 movies this year. However I now have a list of honourable mentions. As always, Ill do a quick write up of the movies, and post the link to my full review at the end, in case you want some more details and only if I have reviewed it. No spoilers as always.
Most Disappointing Movies of 2017: (This will be super short as I feel like I avoided a lot of films that I had no interest in this year)
- Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets (2.5/5) – This movie was all style and no substance for me. The lead characters were AWFUL, they had zero chemistry, and felt like stone/cardboard cutouts. This movie was brutal story wise, character wise and just development wise. However it was nice to look at. I was supremely disappointed with this movie, and I hoped to like it because it was Luc Besson, but he’s been disappointing me for years.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (Advanced Screening) Review
2. Baby Driver – I did not review this movie on this blog, but this movie was a severe let down. I didn’t understand the hype around this movie, I was excited for a heist movie, but I felt like there were movies that did this movie better, and with much more precision. I felt Baby Driver was an overhyped, mess of a movie, that I don’t think I’ll ever watch again. Just a let down in my books. I saw this at a screening and I’m glad I didn’t pay for it, but I almost demanded my money back and its 2 hours and 17 minutes I’ll never get back.
Best Films of 2017:
Honorable Mentions:
Logan Lucky, The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, A Cure For Wellness, Long Time Running (Tragically Hip Documentary), Ghost In The Shell, and Wind River.
10. Maudie (5/5) – Maudie is just a wonderful film, full of a great story and really great performances by many great actors. If you haven’t seen this movie, I cannot recommend it enough. Sally Hawkins puts on an oscar worthy performance and Ethan Hawke is excellent as always.
9. Get Out (5/5) – Get Out is a movie that really surprised me with how good it was. I didn’t know much about it before it came out, I didn’t even look at a trailer. But I was encapsulated by this film, this film was super interesting and had a great story. There were elements of a great thriller mixed with some really witty and comedic dialogue. I cannot wait to see what Jordan Peele directs next!
8. War For The Planet Of The Apes (5/5) – I was genuinely surprised about how much I loved this movie. From the great performances by Andy Serkis to my favourite character of the year – Bad Ape. I was just genuinely impressed. Also coming off my lukewarm perception of Dawn Of The Planet of The Apes, this film was just excellent, and I cannot wait to revisit it. The imagery of slavery and Holocaust work camp vibes I got from this haven’t left my mind.
7. It (5/5) – When I heard we were getting a new It, I was extremely excited. I didn’t watch the original or read the book, but the sheer history and the hype around the original horror classic got me stupidly excited. I thought this film delivered on all fronts, it was scary, it was thrilling and it was funny. It had some of The Goonies vibe to me that I felt went a long way… theres a reason I saw this 3 times in theatres and I cannot wait to add the blu-ray to my collection. I cannot wait for Chapter Two.
6. John Wick Chapter 2 (5/5) – John Wick surprised me a couple of years ago, I didn’t know what to expect and it has quickly become on of my favourite action flicks ever. When I heard they were making a sequel I was even more excited to go back into that world and be entertained thoroughly once again. Keanu Reeves is the bloody man, and I cannot wait to see Chapter 3 when it comes out. I saw this movie twice in theatres and have watched the blu ray multiple times this year.
5. Stronger (5/5) – Stronger is a film that floored me, and I knew from the trailer that this was a film that was going to be in my favourites of the year. This movie had it all, powerful message, based on a true story and true events. Strong acting, I feel like Jake Gyllenhaal got snubbed for a best actor Golden Globe and I hope that the Academy does the right thing and nominate him. It was just a really fantastic movie and I’m glad I have this in my collection.
4. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri (5/5) – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri was a film unlike any other i’ve seen lately (probably since the last Martin McDonagh movie I saw) The mix of serious with some elements of extremely black comedy made this film stick out for me this year. Frances McDormand is definitely going to be nominated for an Oscar for this role, and I really hope she wins. She was FANTASTIC in this movie.
3. Dunkirk (5/5) – This is no surprise for anyone who knows me or has been following my blog for a while, that Christopher Nolan is in my top 3 favourite filmmakers. Everything he makes I love, and I don’t think he has made a bad film yet. Dunkirk was an extremely well paced and well directed movie, it showed me a World War II story that I didn’t know much about and was full of just great acting. Dunkirk is a movie that I will re-watch for years to come.
2. The Shape Of Water (4.5/5) – I know what you’re thinking, “Andrew you gave this movie a 4.5 and the rest a 5, whats the deal?” Well the deal is that Guillermo Del Toro created this beautiful, original world that had an extremely original story. I have never seen anything like this, and it could have only come from his mind. Sally Hawkins was amazing in this role, as she didn’t speak but you felt for her just by her actions and emotions and thats why its number two on my top 10 list.
- Blade Runner 2049 (5/5) – Anyone who has talked to me this year after October has heard about my love for Blade Runner 2049. This was my most anticipated movie of the year, and the best movie of the year. The visuals, the acting, the cinematography, the direction, the world, were all perfect. Denis Villeneuve is a freaking genius and this just goes to show that he is a master of his craft. This film builds on the ideas of the original film and builds its own ideas. A sheer masterpiece in my opinion. I saw this film twice in theatres, the almost 3 hour run time didn’t bother me at all, I could’ve watched another hour. I can’t wait to own this on blu ray!