Get Out
Directed by Jordan Peele
Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, and Bradley Whitford
I don't often go for horror films but this one was too thought-provoking to ignore, and god damn is it a good one, and hell of a directorial debut for Jordan Peele. As creepy as it is, it's also pretty funny, as one could expect from the likes of Peele. It also provides a hell of a commentary on race and diversity in today's society. As far as the cast, Kaluuya is a strong lead, Williams is absolutely chilling, and Lil Rel Howrey is probably the funniest part of the film in the role of Rod. Get Out is arguably one of the best films of the year, and hopefully no one's forgotten it when Awards season comes around.
The Fate of The Furious
Directed by F. Gary Grey
Starring Vin Diesel, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Jason Statham
I would never make the Fast & Furious franchise out to be more than what it is, other than mindless, flashy fun with some heart thrown in. They're a guilty pleasure, and hell of a lot better than say, Transformers. Despite the loss of Paul Walker, the series still has plenty of gas, and I would almost put this eighth entry on the same level as the seventh. The action and set pieces are still just as absurd, the cast is still a lot of fun and it shows that they're having a lot of fun. Fate of The Furious is a highly entertaining two and a half-hour escape.
Gifted
Directed by Marc Webb
Starring Chris Evans, McKenna Grace, and Lindsay Duncan
More often than not I'm attracted to films featuring some of my favorite actors from other projects, and here we have a film starring Captain America himself Chris Evans!!! Gifted is a good film, but from a cynical point-of-view, just a glorified Lifetime film…like Gone Girl but less dark and less gutting. It's a very sweet, emotional story of parenthood. Some viewers like me, might still question who is right and who is wrong in the film's central conflict, which is how to raise a child prodigy, by the time the credits roll.
Chris Evans gives a truly heartfelt performance as the film's lead, and his eleven-year-old costar McKenna Grace shines right along side him, and is arguably one of the greatest young actors of our time. The two of them are backed by equally loving performances from the likes of Lindsay Duncan, Jenny Slate, and Octavia Spencer. If you're looking for a harmless, feel-good film from this year, I recommend Gifted.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Directed by Jon Watts
Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Robert Downey Jr.
It feels wrong to condense the review of an MCU film, but I only got to see it once in theaters, I don't own the Blu-Ray yet, and it's been months. Regardless it's true, Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a truly wonderful thing. This is the Spider-Man fans have wanted for a long time, and Tom Holland gives the definitive performance of the character. This is truly a unique perspective on the character we've never seen in the films. Not just a young superhero who wants to play with The Avengers, but a young man who has the potential to do great things in a world of enhanced and remarkable individuals, and often having others say he can't or he's not ready, and for most of the time with good reason.
Alongside Holland is a truly fantastic supporting cast that I wish we got to see more of, like Marisa Tomei, Zendaya, and Donald Glover. Robert Downey Jr. continues to evolve in the role of Tony Stark, but doesn't overshadow the film's titular hero. Michael Keaton is a great new Marvel villain, and the film is probably one of the funniest in the MCU (The gym teacher calling a Cap a war criminal. Lolz.).
While I'll still wonder what could have been salvaged from The Amazing Spider-Man series, Homecoming is arguably the strongest version of the webslinger put to screen. I don't normally go for teen films outside a few John Hughes works, but when you throw superheroes in I'm game…plus Spidey can hang out with The Avengers now.
War for The Planet of The Apes
Directed by Matt Reeves
Starring Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, and Steve Zahn
The rebooted Apes trilogy comes to a grim but poetic and perfect conclusion with War. It does gets darker than the previous two entires, but it's no less enjoyable. It's an excellent third chapter on the story of Caesar (Again how does Andy Serkis not have any sort of Oscar?). Once again Reeves relies heavily on his mostly silent ape cast with little to no dialogue (but the apes do talk more) and it pays off well.
Woody Harrelson is also a very fun villain, and Steve Zahn gives probably the best performance of his career (I'm sorry Steve Zahn fans but he annoys me.). The pacing might be a bit off but it can be forgiven. A thought-provoking look at violence, family, and identity, War For the Planet of The Apes is a strong conclusion to an already strong series (Are they making a fourth?…They are…Damn…)
Despicable Me 3
Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda
Starring Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, and Trey Parker
It's sad that the strong and wonderful first Despicable Me film has been diluted by the studio incessant's need to force more Minions out into the world, with their own spinoff, a direct Despicable sequel, and now this threequel. Despicable Me 3 has the same problem as Despicable Me 2, a messy script with too many plot lines that don't work. Too many jokes fall flat, at least from what I can remember, the Minions weren't as dominant in this film. The idea of Gru being pulled back into villainy out of necessity to support his family, is an idea I wish they explored more in the first sequel…and they do…a little bit so…point in the Pro Column?
I don't have much more to say on this, other than I'm glad I didn't pay to see it…
Logan Lucky
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Starring Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, and Daniel Craig
I did not expect to enjoy this film as much as I did but god damn did I enjoy it. A hillbilly heist film centered around NASCAR? Who knew, right? Definitely one of the most unique films I have seen out of this year, probably ever. You'd think all the southern droll and humor would get "cringey" after awhile but it doesn't. It's hilarious, and it's cast is superb, particularly it's three leads. Poor Adam Driver, I'll never take you seriously as Kylo Ren again. The only weak link is Seth MacFarlane's dumb character. Oh Steven Soderebergh, thanks for coming out of retirement and giving us this gem.
Dunkirk
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance, and Tom Hardy
Christopher Nolan is back with another grand cinematic outing. Seriously, see this one in theaters to get the full effect of the film's amazing visuals. Nolan is able to creature real drama and suspense for these characters with little to no dialogue, but with intense battle sequences and set pieces that truly display the horrors of war these soldiers experience. It's hard not to get invested in these characters and root for them to succeed. We're at a time, at least we are in my opinion, where filmmakers need to do more with war films for audiences to still care about them. Nolan does just that with a heavy and unique look at this harrowing chapter of World War II.
Wind River
Directed by Taylor Sheridan
Starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen
Once again I was attracted to a film because it stars some Marvel alum (Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch together again) but Renner and Olsen have as much chemistry here as they do in Avenger films. I was also attracted to this film because Taylor Sheridan wrote Hell or High Water, one of my favorite films from last year. Sheridan nails it again with a dark, suspenseful murder mystery that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. The imagery at times might be a little uncomfortable, but it's effective for what the film is trying to do. The cinematography also really takes advantage of its setting in the actual Wind River Indian Reservation. Wind River might just end up being one of my favorite films of the year.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Starring Taaron Edgerton, Colin Firth, and Julianne Moore
So I really love the first Kingsman, and I was really crossing my fingers that this Matthew Vaughn sequel wouldn't end up like Kick-Ass 2, and it doesn't…for the most part. The Golden Circle is a worthy, entertaining sequel, but (avoiding spoilers) the stylistic choices Vaughn makes here just aren't as effective or as enjoyable as the choices made in the first film.
Some story choices don't aren't really earned in the script. Moore's Poppy isn't a great a villain as Samuel L. Jackson's Valentine, The Statesman characters don't dominate the film but I wish we spent more time with them, and Colin Firth doesn't seem to be having as much fun this time around. That said, nothing about The Golden Circle is bad by any means. The music, action, and comedy are still great, it's predecessor just does everything better, and really that's sort of the average expectation of a sequel. I'm not disappointed but I'm not blown away either.
Stronger
Directed by David Gordon Green
Starring Jake Gyllenhal, Tatiana Malsany, and Miranda Richardson
Finally we have this film which I saw last night. Jake Gyllenhal gives one of his best performances as Jeff Bauman, bringing to life every step of his emotional, traumatic struggle after the Boston Marathon. His relationship with his girlfriend (Malsay) is at the core of the film, and the two actors play off one another so well. But man..how many times can we negatively portray Bostonians on film? Like I'm sick of people from Massachusettes being made out to be lowbrow, funny-talking roughians. Kidding but not kidding.
Alright. I'm all caught up now. I'll probably have to do this again because there's like thirty more films coming out this year I want to see, and only like two of the films I've seen will probably end up getting award season attention so that means even more catch up for the ones I still didn't get to…Que sera.
Any films I missed you think I should see?
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