Favorites Of 2017

There were a lot of great movies in 2017. My list is later than normal because it took awhile for some Fall and December titles to arrive where I live. Two films in particular that I was waiting on were worth the wait. In fact, I seriously want to watch them again very very soon. But, the List.

This year there are 15 films on my 'Favorites' List. Also I really tried to challenge myself with my tastes this year. As most of you might know, I love Comic Book movies. All of them were pretty impressive last year; however, I'm not going to saturate my picks with them. There is one on my list (technically two), and in my opinion it's the best.

One of the biggest surprises last year for me was how many awesome Netflix Original movies were released. I hope they do even better in 2018!

One last thing I'd like to mention before we get to the countdown is how happy I am that there is a Alamo Drafthouse where I live. If not for them than I wouldn't have gotten the chance to see BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL, THE BAD BATCH, BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99, and THE FLORIDA PROJECT on the big screen. And if not for Alamo we would not gotten to see THE SHAPE OF WATER on the big screen proper.

So without further ado let's start with some Honorable Mentions:

PHANTOM THREAD

MOTHER!

BRIGSBY BEAR

THE DISASTER ARTIST

THE BIG SICK

JOHN WICK CHAPTER 2

My 'Top 15 Favorite Films of 2017':

15. I DON'T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE

The stellar directorial debut from Macon Blair, longtime collaborator with Jeremy Saulnier (BLUE RUIN, GREEN ROOM).

These two are quickly becoming my new favorite filmmakers. For such a strong first feature, I cannot wait for what Blair has in store for us next. I DON'T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE is available on Netfilx, and I highly recommend it!

14. WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES

A excellent end to a practically perfect franchise. This third and final installment is my favorite of the trilogy, it's THE GREAT ESCAPE with a hint of APOCALYPSE NOW.

13. MOLLY'S GAME

I became a fan of Aaron Sorkin after seeing THE SOCIAL NETWORK. He is probably my favorite screenwriter working today! I love his ability to take true stories of people and with that inspiration create something unique rather than a typical 'inspired by true events' film.

12. GERALD'S GAME

The best Stephen King adaptation of 2017 wasn't IT, it was without a doubt GERALD'S GAME. The fact that Carla Gugino will get no awards recognition for her performance, proves that at the end of the day Oscars and the like are bunk.

11. LADY BIRD

Coming of Age films is one of my favorite genres. In most of these films the high school experience (especially a religious school) is a cynical one. Not with LADY BIRD, and that's a big reason why I love it so much! I felt like I was watching something real.

10. LOGAN

Easily the best superhero movie of 2017, LOGAN exceeding my expectations. Not only is the film a end to the franchise, it's the end of man's journey period. It took three attempts for the solo Wolverine film that I've been waiting for, and LOGAN finally delivered. If I was 13 years old when the first X-Men film came out, LOGAN would defiantly be my favorite Superhero film of all time!

9. BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL

Takashi Miike's 100th film, and the first of his I got to see in a theater! This was the other Comic Book movie that I was referring to, but it's technically a Japanese magna series. Are those comic books?

In some ways this movie is thematically similar to LOGAN, and in my opinion a little better.

8. GET OUT

Horror films made a huge impression in 2017. The success of IT alone could bring R-rated horror back to the silver screen in a gig way! With the critical and box office success of GET OUT, maybe Hollywood will get the message that audiences just don't want shlock, but actual smart horror films!

7. GOOD TIME

If you like gritty crime dramas then cancel your evening plans and rent GOOD TIME tonight! It's crazy how dark and fast situations escalate in this film. Robert Pattinson deserves some award attention for his performance. Unfortunately, I think GOOD TIME is off the radar?

6. I,TONYA

My first impressions after seeing the trailer we're extremely lackluster. It wasn't until the third time around that I started to get the feeling that I,TONYA might be great? And it is excellent!

5. STAR WARS THE LAST JEDI

This isn't the follow up to THE FORCE AWAKENS that you're looking for. As I mentioned in my review, I was left with mixed feelings the first time I saw THE LAST JEDI. The second viewing I understood better. The 'fan' reactions to THE LAST JEDI has shown me just how poisonous geek culture (and their preconceived notions of how a franchise should be) has become. It's funny and sad all at the same time.

I know there are a lot of people who love this film rank it behind EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and for good reason; me on the other hand, I rank it after the Original Trilogy.

4. THE SHAPE OF WATER

Another Guillermo Del Toro masterpiece! I absolutely love the fairy-tale worlds that Del Toro creates. And it's cool that he did somewhat of a role reversal in THE LITTLE MERMAID, just no prince or princess stuff. The film can also be seen as a reinvention of THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, or better yet a awesome sequel! It hasn't quite been 48 hours and I cannot wait to watch it again. The opening title sequence alone put this on the list!

3. DUNKIRK

For a film that is so high on my list I may never watch DUNKIRK again? The reason it is number 3 is because the film was one of my greatest theatrical experiences of 2017. And I didn't even see it in IMAX, which I regret.

In all likelihood I will see DUNKIRK again because I also love the film for it's unique approach to the War Film genre.

2. BLADE RUNNER 2049

A sequel that is better than the original. I hate to admit that, but it's true. Looking forward to revisiting California 2049 often.

1. BABY DRIVER

BABY DRIVER is my favorite film of 2017 simply because it is filled with things that I absolutely love about cinema. Read my original review for more!