I saw over 100 movies that came out in 2017, and here are some of my favorites! They’re in chronological order by release date.
February 24 – Get Out – It’s natural for enthusiasm for a film to dwindle over the course of a year, but Get Out managed to defy that. I find bringing the film up 10 months after it’s initial release still invokes the same level of passionate discussion as it did 10 days after the film came out. Hats off to Jordan Peele’s directorial debut for being an insightful, carefully crafted, thought provoking thriller.
March 3rd – Logan – A fitting farewell to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. James Mangold more than makes up for The Wolverine in this R-Rated and surprisingly emotional film that just so happens to be based on comic book characters.
April 7th – Colossal – You may have missed this one in theaters, but the original concept from Nacho Vigalando was a breath of fresh air. The way Anne Hathaway in the film portrays the woes of alcoholism is one of her better performances in recent years.
May 5th – Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2 – I will fully admit this wasn’t as good as the first, but it also had a lot to live up to, as if you’ll remember audiences knew almost nothing about the original Guardians. Still the surrealist humor and soundtrack of the film made for a great time. Plus, baby Groot.
May 5th – Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2 – I will fully admit this wasn’t as good as the first, but it also had a lot to live up to, as if you’ll remember audiences knew almost nothing about the original Guardians. Still the surrealist humor and soundtrack of the film made for a great time. Plus, baby Groot.
June 2 – Wonder Woman – I did not think the day would come where a DC movie would be my favorite superhero film of a given year, but that just shows the power of Wonder Woman. Huge shout out to Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot for proving that a woman can carry a superhero film (and that a woman can direct it). I sincerely hope DC leans on Jenkins for more creative guidance in the future.
June 23 – The Big Sick – Based on the true story of the incredibly funny Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon. This film will also particularly punch anyone who comes from a traditional culture right in the gut (the funny bone too, but also the gut). You have to appreciate a film that will make you laugh and cry, as well as any movie that has Holly Hunter leaping at someone like an angry spider monkey.
June 23 – The Bad Batch – Another one you may have missed in theaters (but is streaming now). It’s not going to be for everyone, but this probably not that far in the future from now dystopian film contains a pleasant reminder of how good an actor Jason Momoa actually is. Also keep your eyes out for Diego Luna, Keanu Reeves and Jim Carrey.
June 28 – Baby Driver – Soundtracks were big this year in films, and Baby Driver was no exception. It feels a little strange to go back and watch this given the prominence of Kevin Spacey’s character in it, but looking past that it’s a fun action packed film.
July 14 – War for the Planet of the Apes – I honestly wasn’t a huge fan of the first 2 Apes reboot films, but something changed with War for the Planet of the Apes. The emotional performances by the mocapped/animated apes hit a maturity, and that combined with a more ape centric plot than the previous ones made for an impressive third entry into the series. Woody Harrelson’s villain is a bit over the top, and the end is a little too fraught with biblical allegory, but it was still overall an enjoyable film.
July 28 – Atomic Blonde – More women kicking ass. Charlize Theron as a super spy in the cold war was nothing short of breathtaking. This film had some of the best and most brutal fights of the year. I hope they make a series out of it.
August 11 – Ingrid Goes West – Another one that you may have missed in theaters, but is ? worth checking out. Aubrey Plaza as Instagram obsessed Ingrid is a terrifying treat. Elizabeth Olsen absolutely nails her performance as a mid level Instagram star vying to break into the upper echelons of internet fame. The film will (hopefully) make you reconsider your social media habits.
October 6 – The Florida Project – Speaking of Instagram… director Sean Baker found one of the stars of The Florida Project off the platform, and boy did he luck out. Bria Vinaite plays mother to six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince). What could easily have been an exploitative voyeuristic look into the real life communities that inhabit the motels outside of Disney World, turns into a dramatic and sweet story of kids being kids no matter their circumstances. Plus the film delivers one of Willem Dafoe’s career best performances as the motel manager.
August 11 – Ingrid Goes West – Another one that you may have missed in theaters, but is ? worth checking out. Aubrey Plaza as Instagram obsessed Ingrid is a terrifying treat. Elizabeth Olsen absolutely nails her performance as a mid level Instagram star vying to break into the upper echelons of internet fame. The film will (hopefully) make you reconsider your social media habits.
October 6 – The Florida Project – Speaking of Instagram… director Sean Baker found one of the stars of The Florida Project off the platform, and boy did he luck out. Bria Vinaite plays mother to six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince). What could easily have been an exploitative voyeuristic look into the real life communities that inhabit the motels outside of Disney World, turns into a dramatic and sweet story of kids being kids no matter their circumstances. Plus the film delivers one of Willem Dafoe’s career best performances as the motel manager.
October 20th – The Killing of a Sacred Deer – I don’t know if “enjoyed” is the right way to describe how I felt about this film, but goodness gracious did it make me think. I’ve never been so tense in a film from opening shot to closing credits. Director Yorgos Lanthimos reunited with Colin Farrell for the nightmarish pseudo sequel to The Lobster (it’s not actually the sequel but it feels like it could take place in the same universe). I always appreciate a film that has me thinking about it months after I’ve seen it.
November 3 – Thor: Ragnarok – This film brought the fun back into the MCU. Sure it had flaws, but overall the idea to pair Thor with The Hulk was brilliant. Director Taika Waititi brings his special brand of comedy to the world of big budget comic films and the result is incredibly enjoyable.
November 3 – Lady Bird – Get thee to a theater to see Lady Bird. I’ve never seen such a well rounded portrayal of a teen girl on film. From her fights with her mother, down to her dead on early 00’s style, everything about Saoirse Ronan’s portrayal of Lady Bird felt scarily real. Particularly if you grew up around the same time, Lady Bird will take you right back to your high school days (for better or for worse). You’ll also likely want to call your parents after. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what Greta Gerwig directs next.
November 3 – Thor: Ragnarok – This film brought the fun back into the MCU. Sure it had flaws, but overall the idea to pair Thor with The Hulk was brilliant. Director Taika Waititi brings his special brand of comedy to the world of big budget comic films and the result is incredibly enjoyable.
November 3 – Lady Bird – Get thee to a theater to see Lady Bird. I’ve never seen such a well rounded portrayal of a teen girl on film. From her fights with her mother, down to her dead on early 00’s style, everything about Saoirse Ronan’s portrayal of Lady Bird felt scarily real. Particularly if you grew up around the same time, Lady Bird will take you right back to your high school days (for better or for worse). You’ll also likely want to call your parents after. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what Greta Gerwig directs next.
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November 22 – Coco – I’ve said that while Coco may not be one of my all time favorite Pixar films, I am beyond appreciative for what it means in terms of representation on screen. The film is of course funny and sweet on its own terms, but to see Mexican culture so lovingly and painstakingly accurately represented feels like it (hopefully) marks a turn in mainstream animated films.
November 24 – Call Me By Your Name – I was greatly afraid this film would be overhyped as I’d been hearing buzz about it for months. However when I finally saw it I was not disappointed. The film shows that love and courtship are love and courtship, no matter the orientation. It doesn’t shy away from the intricacies or complications of sex, nor does it judge them.
December 1 – The Disaster Artist – Second only to Star Wars, this was the film I had the highest expectations for this year. Thankfully not only were they met, they were exceeded. James Franco somehow perfectly captures the spirit of Tommy Wiseau, and tells the story of one of the best worst movies ever made. The cast is the who’s who of comedy, and the film manages to be hilarious (and dramatic) without being irreverent.
November 24 – Call Me By Your Name – I was greatly afraid this film would be overhyped as I’d been hearing buzz about it for months. However when I finally saw it I was not disappointed. The film shows that love and courtship are love and courtship, no matter the orientation. It doesn’t shy away from the intricacies or complications of sex, nor does it judge them.
December 1 – The Disaster Artist – Second only to Star Wars, this was the film I had the highest expectations for this year. Thankfully not only were they met, they were exceeded. James Franco somehow perfectly captures the spirit of Tommy Wiseau, and tells the story of one of the best worst movies ever made. The cast is the who’s who of comedy, and the film manages to be hilarious (and dramatic) without being irreverent.
December 1- The Shape of Water – Another film that had some serious hype to live up to. Fittingly, it was another film that showed true love knows no bounds. Guillermo Del Toro’s latest film was unexpectedly tender, but fear not still has classic Del Toro elements. It should come as no surprise that it was also visually stunning, and Doug Jones as the monster embodied balletic grace.
December 15 – Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Yes, this is absolutely on my list. The film was fun, funny, action packed, it had diversity (both racial and gender wise). Was it perfect? No. No film is perfect. However for me it had all the things I want in a Star Wars film, and I can’t wait to see what Rian Johnson does elsewhere in a galaxy far far away.
