2017 was a year full of breathtaking spectacle, unusual stories, surprising comedy and all out action to the extreme. I wasn't able to see every film I wanted to from the past 12 months, but I got pretty close.
These are my favourites - with notes on my top ten (without spoilers) and why I chose them. I hope you enjoy my list. As always, I would love for you to comment on my list and let me know which films you loved last year.
*La La Land, Manchester By the Sea and Hacksaw Ridge were released in the US in 2016 and Paddington 2 in 2018.*
*La La Land, Manchester By the Sea and Hacksaw Ridge were released in the US in 2016 and Paddington 2 in 2018.*
Here's my Fave Films of 2017:
1. Baby Driver
"I want us to head west on 20, in a car we can't afford, with a plan we don't have. Keep driving and never stop."
Of course I was going to like this film as it's Edgar Wright's latest and his Cornetto trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End) are some of my all time faves. But this film is so very different; it's not a comedy but it certainly has laughs. It grabs you immediately and doesn't let you go until the credits roll - if anything it grasps hold of you even tighter in the final thirty minutes. It begins at break neck speed with a heist followed by arguably the film's best get-away sequence and an equally impressive introduction to the film's focus-Baby. To say music plays a big part of this action-thriller-romance would be true but the music is not a late edit add on. It actually propels the story in creative, pulsating and seriously cool ways. This is way more than bank jobs and car chases - it is full of heart and genuinely original.
2. The Lego Batman Movie
"Woo-hoo! A month ago, I had no dads. Then I had one dad. Now I have two dads, and one them is Batman![...] It's raining dads...!"
This could have been terrible but it was so clever and utterly hilarious - easily the funniest film of the year. Yes, the premise is not as creative as the original Lego Movie but it made up for it in laughs as they endlessly spoof on Batman's insecurities. They even wittily mock the film's previous iterations of the Dark Knight. But every character, whether comic, TV or movie-related, gets the same treatment such as the Daleks from Dr.Who - "British Robots! Ask your nerd friend". This is very silly, but also the best Batman film for years.
3. My Life as a Zucchini (Courgette)
"Sometimes we cry, when we're happy, isn't that right?"
Wow, what a delightful surprise. Thank you to my nephew Ben who recommended this brilliant little French stop motion animation about orphans. I was blown away by this short (less than an hour) story that tackles heavy themes including: loss, abandonment, trust, death and love. This isn't your everyday, animated family movie; this is thought provoking and deeply touching, making it a rare treat indeed. It was so affecting and joyous that I watched it a second time, just two days later. I hope you will check it out too!
"This team of yours, it got a name?" "Yeah, it's called the... uh... Revengers!"
With Taika Waititi (director of Hunt For the Wilderpeople - my Fave Film of 2016) at the helm you know you are going to get an off the wall story full of memorable characters and dialogue. But this is a Thor sequel and a Marvel movie; surely they wouldn't allow him his usual freedom? Well thankfully they did as we now have this fantastically bonkers film to enjoy again and again. It's absolutely hysterical and bravely brings Thor back on track after 2013's weak sequel: The Dark World. But not all the bold choices work perfectly. One criticism I would have is that due to the constant desire to bring levity, the story lacked any real danger for our heroes. This did not diminish this super fun film for me though and I hope the MCU hierarchy will continue to take chances going forward.
5. John Wick: Chapter 2 With Taika Waititi (director of Hunt For the Wilderpeople - my Fave Film of 2016) at the helm you know you are going to get an off the wall story full of memorable characters and dialogue. But this is a Thor sequel and a Marvel movie; surely they wouldn't allow him his usual freedom? Well thankfully they did as we now have this fantastically bonkers film to enjoy again and again. It's absolutely hysterical and bravely brings Thor back on track after 2013's weak sequel: The Dark World. But not all the bold choices work perfectly. One criticism I would have is that due to the constant desire to bring levity, the story lacked any real danger for our heroes. This did not diminish this super fun film for me though and I hope the MCU hierarchy will continue to take chances going forward.
"You wanted me back... I'm back!"
Oh my days! Keanu has done gun-fu before with The Matrix but nothing quite like this. The first John Wick set the tone and established the unique world of hit-men and this film doubles down big time. This time he is not out for revenge but to survive after he is forced out of retirement to do a job that leads to his name being marked. What unfolds from there is truly remarkable, that is if you enjoy watching a one man army take out literally 100 bad guys in a cascade of bullets. This is so much more than a macho 80's retread though. It has seriously inventive world-building and an ending that made me wish John Wick: Chapter 3 was out already.
6. Wind RiverOh my days! Keanu has done gun-fu before with The Matrix but nothing quite like this. The first John Wick set the tone and established the unique world of hit-men and this film doubles down big time. This time he is not out for revenge but to survive after he is forced out of retirement to do a job that leads to his name being marked. What unfolds from there is truly remarkable, that is if you enjoy watching a one man army take out literally 100 bad guys in a cascade of bullets. This is so much more than a macho 80's retread though. It has seriously inventive world-building and an ending that made me wish John Wick: Chapter 3 was out already.
"This isn't the land of waiting for back up. This is the land of you're on your own."
In his directorial debut Taylor Sheridan (writer of Sicario and Hell or High Water) tells a seemingly simple story that slowly unravels into an exceptional thriller. Much like The Revenant made you physically shiver, this somber film set in the Wyoming Native American Reservation will chill you to the bone. Sheridan is a master of tension and this chilling crime mystery is full of nerve-wracking moments that will bring excitement, dread and a longing for justice whatever the cost to those who seek it. Jeremy Renner has never been better and I was fascinated and saddened to learn about Native Americans who still live in Wind River.
7. Spider-Man: HomecomingIn his directorial debut Taylor Sheridan (writer of Sicario and Hell or High Water) tells a seemingly simple story that slowly unravels into an exceptional thriller. Much like The Revenant made you physically shiver, this somber film set in the Wyoming Native American Reservation will chill you to the bone. Sheridan is a master of tension and this chilling crime mystery is full of nerve-wracking moments that will bring excitement, dread and a longing for justice whatever the cost to those who seek it. Jeremy Renner has never been better and I was fascinated and saddened to learn about Native Americans who still live in Wind River.
"It would be terrible to lose a student... on a school trip... again."
One of the best parts of Captain America: Civil War (other than Black Panther) was the long awaited teenage version of Spider-Man. Tom Holland captured his innocence, wit and awkwardness brilliantly so it was great for him to have his first solo outing. It was wonderful to see him interact with Tony Stark and to have a Marvel movie be small in scale again for the first time since Ant-Man. This is an underdog superhero movie, but it is also a heartfelt, goofy and sweet look at high school highs and lows. In fact, I almost enjoyed the Peter Parker side over his super hero secret identity as his classmates, teachers and friends were so amusing and fun to spend time with.
"You can practically see it from here... home."
This was without a doubt the most relentlessly tense film of the year. Christopher Nolan impeccably brings this unbelievable story to life after the misfire that was Interstellar. The tension on land, in the skies and at sea is so palpable that at times I found myself gasping for air. The sweeping vistas and silence make way for ear piercing fighter planes that will have your heart pounding out of your chest. Somehow Nolan still finds time to capture lovely little tender scenes that will lift your spirits. This heroic and tragic moment in history left me with an enormous sense of gratitude. Grateful to not have to personally experienced such a horrific event, but even more so for the fallen heroes who risked their lives for others in the darkest of hours.
9. Get OutThis was without a doubt the most relentlessly tense film of the year. Christopher Nolan impeccably brings this unbelievable story to life after the misfire that was Interstellar. The tension on land, in the skies and at sea is so palpable that at times I found myself gasping for air. The sweeping vistas and silence make way for ear piercing fighter planes that will have your heart pounding out of your chest. Somehow Nolan still finds time to capture lovely little tender scenes that will lift your spirits. This heroic and tragic moment in history left me with an enormous sense of gratitude. Grateful to not have to personally experienced such a horrific event, but even more so for the fallen heroes who risked their lives for others in the darkest of hours.
"Bruh, how you not scared of this, man?"
I'm not much of a horror fan mainly because I am literally the most jumpy person on the whole planet, no joke. However, I had heard good things about this movie and went to see it in March before the plot got leaked. Yes, I jumped but this was way more intelligent than its genre typecast. This had much to say about race and class but didn't ram it home. Jordan Peele, first time director, let the film breathe and made you think. Thankfully the unease you feel while watching is broken up by some well needed laughs that bring moments of relief before you are unsettled again. Amazing performances throughout and Caleb Landry Jones is just the creepiest/grossest guy in almost every movie in 2017, urgh shivers!
I'm not much of a horror fan mainly because I am literally the most jumpy person on the whole planet, no joke. However, I had heard good things about this movie and went to see it in March before the plot got leaked. Yes, I jumped but this was way more intelligent than its genre typecast. This had much to say about race and class but didn't ram it home. Jordan Peele, first time director, let the film breathe and made you think. Thankfully the unease you feel while watching is broken up by some well needed laughs that bring moments of relief before you are unsettled again. Amazing performances throughout and Caleb Landry Jones is just the creepiest/grossest guy in almost every movie in 2017, urgh shivers!
10. War for the Planet of the Apes
"We are not savages. Apes fight only to survive."
I so enjoyed the prequel "Dawn..." but the posters and title were both very misleading. This was not the bombastic action heavy event that I was expecting, but a thoroughly enthralling battle for the soul instead. A war movie this is not, if anything it's more of a POW movie and much more meaningful than simply which side wins the fight. Caesar has been the heartbeat and moral compass throughout the trilogy. This time he is dragged through the ringer and it's his soul we see tested. His story over the three films is a truly fascinating one. Andy Serkis and the effects team made him believable, likeable and real. That is some mean feat for an animated chimp! Amongst the cold, pain and dire consequences there is hope and redemption thanks to Caesar and his close mates (Maurice = my fave). There are also many Biblical parallels and even tableaus throughout that the director has used on purpose; did you notice any? This has the most breathtaking digital effects work this year by far!
I so enjoyed the prequel "Dawn..." but the posters and title were both very misleading. This was not the bombastic action heavy event that I was expecting, but a thoroughly enthralling battle for the soul instead. A war movie this is not, if anything it's more of a POW movie and much more meaningful than simply which side wins the fight. Caesar has been the heartbeat and moral compass throughout the trilogy. This time he is dragged through the ringer and it's his soul we see tested. His story over the three films is a truly fascinating one. Andy Serkis and the effects team made him believable, likeable and real. That is some mean feat for an animated chimp! Amongst the cold, pain and dire consequences there is hope and redemption thanks to Caesar and his close mates (Maurice = my fave). There are also many Biblical parallels and even tableaus throughout that the director has used on purpose; did you notice any? This has the most breathtaking digital effects work this year by far!
Honourable Mentions:
Silence
First film I saw and one that I have thought about many times since. A slow and grueling yet powerful piece of cinema that looks at faith under immense pressure.
Wonder Woman
The DC films have been dodgy and just plain awful up to and after this. But Patty Jenkins has created a classic and in Gal Gadot has a genuine super hero to cheer for, plus Chris Pine is superb, funny and very handsome so I've been told.
Logan
A very gritty, mature and often surprising take of the X-Men universe that I didn't enjoy as much as I hoped but can absolutely appreciate. What a sendoff for Hugh Jackman after playing Wolverine for 17 years!
Blade Runner 2049
Visually the best film of the year but much like the original the beauty on screen will leave you feeling cold. An impressive and dark sequel that is well worth a watch.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
What a divisive film and I can see why. There are some delicious SW moments, but the humour feels out of place and bold choices made by Rian Johnson don't all work.
Coco
Usually Pixar's latest (non-sequel) makes my Top Ten (if not #1) but as impressive as this is I didn't love it. This touching tale of family will make you cry though!
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Another sequel to an odd movie from decades ago... urghhh, but to my surprise this was hilarious and creative. An enjoyable popcorn flick with Jack Black the standout.
IT
Yes it's terrifying and I bravely/stupidly went alone to the cinema and watched through my fingers! See it for the kids though who are incredible they reminded me of The Goonies and Stand By Me. Amazingly Pennywise is not as scary as the bullies and adults in Derry!
The Trip to Spain
The final part in an epic cross-Europe fine dining trilogy doesn't sound that interesting but with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon it is pure joy, especially when the impressions start flying.
The final part in an epic cross-Europe fine dining trilogy doesn't sound that interesting but with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon it is pure joy, especially when the impressions start flying.
*The Darkest Hour, *Wonder, *Only the Brave, *The Foreigner, *Score: A Film Documentary, *Atomic Blonde, The Greatest Showman, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, Logan Lucky, Lion, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol.2, The Big Sick, Patriots Day, A Monster Calls, The Case for Christ, Brawl in Cell Block 99, Beauty and the Beast, Live By Night and American Made.
So So Movies with Moments of Magic... Just Not Enough:
*Loving Vincent, *I, Tonya, *6 Days, *Last Flag Flying, The Villainess, Despicable Me 3, Pitch Perfect 3, David Brent: Life on the Road, Mindhorn, Kong: Skull Island, Trespass Against Us, The Lego Ninjago Movie, Battle of the Sexes, 47 Meters Down and Shot Caller.
Disappointing, was hoping for so much more:
*Goodbye Christopher Robin, *The Snowman, *Daddy's Home 2, *Cars 3, Alien: Covenant, Free Fire, The Girl with all the Gifts, Headshot, Kingsmen: The Golden Circle and Murder on the Orient Express.
*Life, War on Everyone, The Mummy, Patti Cake$ and Goon: Last of the Enforcers.
Yet To See:
Lost City of Z and Detroit.
What were your fave films of 2017?
