And like I always say. Not yours mine. Remember, entertainment is subjective!
You'll find that unlike last year's list, there are a lot less awards season contenders (This year's batch of Best Picture nominees didn't impress me as much), and a bit more superhero offerings (It was a pretty good year for the genre). Anyway, on with the countdown.
10. I, Tonya
Directed by Craig Gillespie
Starring Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, and Allison Janney
A lot of people have given this film criticism for "glorifying" Tonya Harding. I disagree. I mean there's no doubt that Tonya Harding is guilty in part of the Nancy Kerrigan incident, but the film doesn't paint her out to be a straight villain. We see her as a young prodigy, ruthlessly abused through her upbringing by her mother (An amazing performance by Janney), then a young, very eccentric woman just trying to make her figure skating dreams come true. She's foul-mouthed, rough on-the-edges and not sorry about it. Is that through fault of her own? Or fault of her environment? Was she just a bad seed, or was she, in a way, manipulated into making one bad mistake that cost her a career? That's what I, Tonya leaves up to the audience, and that's why I enjoyed it.
Right from the get-go the film states what's to come is based on two very conflicting interviews: from Harding (Robbie), and her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly (Stan). The viewer knows right from the get-go not everything we're about to watch is true, so when it all ends the viewer might leave the theater conflicted. I like that challenge the film presents, and it's also a nice commentary on how truth is perceived through the media. There's plenty of shock-humor, slick 80s & 90s vibes, and great performances from the cast (This might be one of Robbie's best roles). You're gonna laugh, and you're probably going to cringe too. Whatever your feelings of Kerrigan or Harding, you should give I, Tonya a shot.
9. Three Billboards Over Ebbing, Missouri
Directed by Martin McDonagh
Starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Rockwell
I truly enjoyed Three Billboards, but am very surprised it's one of the frontrunners for Best Picture at this year's Academy Awards. I describe this film as "Manchester By The Sea, if it took place in the South, and they played up the jokes." It's a compelling, heart wrenching story, and it does have a lot of humor (dark humor, but humor regardless). I enjoy emotionally challenging films, but Three Billboards proved to be quite exhausting. Bringing this story to life is a trio of top-notch performances from McDormand, Harrelson, and Rockwell. They all play wonderfully-written, three-dimensional, incredibly human beings. It's definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but the reasons are clear why Three Billboards has become known as one of the best films of the year.
8. Wind River
Directed by Taylor Sheridan
Starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen
Sheridan also wrote and directed Hell or High Water, one of my favorites from last year, so it's no surprise his next film would show up in a "Top 10" list of mine. Wind River is far darker than Hell or High Water, but it shares that modern-day Western feel, and is a truly suspenseful, layered murder mystery. Renner and Olsen are great, and carry over their Marvel Cinematic chemistry to this film. The camera takes great advantage of the Wind River Indian Reservation's landscape. Again, a bit dark, but Wind River appears to have become one of the hidden gems not everyone might have seen. If you're a fan of the writer-director and cast, I suggest you give it a look.
7. Beauty & The Beast (2017)
Directed by Bill Condon
Starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, and Luke Evans
Alright after three dark films, let's move onto a light-hearted Disney musical!!! It does feel a little cheap putting this remake on the list, and I know it's not the best film it could be, but I love it for what it is at its core: A loving homage to not just my favorite animated film, but my favorite film of all time. The cast is (mostly) great, the visuals are (for the most part) spectacular, and the songs are all wonderful, with some renditions even surpassing the ones from the original. There's nothing really more to say. Despite its faults, the Beauty & The Beast remake makes it into the Top 10.
6. The Distaster Artist
Directed by James Franco
Starring James Franco, Dave Franco, & Alison Brie
A movie about making movies?! Sign me up!!
If you don't know the story behind The Room…no, wait. If you don't know The Room, go watch that first, then learn the story behind it by reading the book "The Disaster Artist"by Greg Sestero, and then and then watch this film. You will really appreciate The Disaster Artist more but don't let that diminish the value of this film. Not only does it paint a vivid and unbelievable picture on the making of the best worst film of all time, it's also a wonderful story of friendship and brotherhood. That message is conveyed only better when the actual Franco Brothers are the co-leads.
James Franco does what many considered to be impossible, making one of the most mysterious, cartoonish people on Earth (Tommy Wiseau), and make him appear as human as the rest of us. Dave Franco gives a strong performance against his older, more seasoned brother. It's amazing to learn the emotional, tumultous tale behind this hilariously bad film. The Disaster Artist is a perfect companion piece to The Room, but also wonderful on its own.
5. Logan
Directed by James Mangold
Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Dafne Keen
I've made no secret of my apathy towards X-Men films, but occasionally they have wowed me. Logan did much more than "wow". Logan excels because it doesn't feel anything like an X-Men film or a superhero film. It's a dark, dramatic western that just happens to star comic book characters. Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart give it their all in the final performances as Wolverine and Professor Xavier, and young Dafne Keen is a true powerhouse in her own right. One thing I never mentioned in my original review is some visuals of the film are really great. The filmmakers do a great job in crafting this not-so-distant, dystopian, western-like future. Logan brings the arc of Wolverine to a profound conclusion. It's heartbreaking, bold and beautiful. One of the best superhero films of all time…
As is, in my opinion…
4. Wonder Woman
Directed by Patty Jenkins
Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Connie Neilsen
I'm well aware of the backlash against this film that has bubbled over the past year, but this is my Top 10 list, and Top 10 Lists, like all forms of entertainment, are subjective. Wonder Woman is flawed, yes, and stumbles in the third act. But aside from that the rest of the film is pretty spectacular. Gal Gadot gives a career-defining, incredibly heartfelt performance, making Wonder Woman easily one of the best superheroes ever put to screen. It's a pretty straightforward story, with a very heartfelt message, centered around a genuinely lovable protagonist. Patty Jenkins crafted a really (pardon me) wonderful film, that came at just the right time in this industry and this world. Wonder Woman may not be perfect, but it still stands as one of the best films of last year, and one of my favorites.
3. Get Out
Directed by Jordan Peele
Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, and Bradley Whitford
What a surprise this film was. What a unique and chilling film, and an incredible directorial debut for Jordan Peele. It's amazing this film, a horror film, got this high on a Top 10 list for me. But it's unlike any horror film that's come before, due to it's deep cultural commentary and intriguing premise. Daniel Kaluuya has quickly become one of my favorite actors this past year, between this and Black Panther, and Lil' Rel Howrey as Rod The TSA Agent is one of the most memorable performances of 2017. I'm so glad that awards season has not forgotten about Get Out, as it's one of the nine Academy Award For Best Picture nominees. If it were up to me, I would give Get Out the Oscar, as it's definitely the most enjoyable out of the nine.
2. Coco
Directed by Lee Unkirch
Starring Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Benral, and Benjamin Bratt
How nice to have Pixar back in The Top 10, and rightfully so because Coco is their best since Inside Out. A captivating story of family, dreams, and sacrifice, told through amazing Pixar animation and unforgettable music. Young Anthony Gonzalez leads the film with a charming and emotional performance as Miguel, and Gael Garcia Benral quickly becomes an instant favorite Pixar character as Hector. Coco is one of Pixar's greatest, and hands down the best animated film of the year. And it goes without saying but keep the tissues and handkerchiefs handy…
Before we get to #1, some honorable mentions…
The Lego Batman Movie: An incredibly fun and incredibly clever animated adventure, that definitely deserved to be nominated for Best Animated Feature over crap like The Boss Baby. And is it possibly one of the Best Batman Films? Maybe??
Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.2: An amazing sequel that doubles the laughs, doubles the emotions, and properly develops the character arcs of everyone's favorite bunch of a-holes, all while set to a killer soundtrack.
Captain Underpants: I mean, if you grew up reading the books like I did, you should love this movie.
Baby Driver: Just an all-out fun ride with plenty of tunes and plenty of action, featuring a stellar cast (…including Kevin Spacey…)
The Shape of Water: A visual spectacle and a bizarre fairy tale of sorts, set during the Cold War. The Shape of Water is both a sweet and a dark film that leaves a lasting impression.
Molly's Game: Probably would have liked this film lot more if I understood the game of poker. It's another great Aaron Sorkin story, and a wicked compelling character study, led by the amazing Jessica Chastain.
And some films from last year I haven't seen yet but very much want to…
The Big Sick
Kong: Skull Island
Free Fire
Atomic Blonde
Detroit
Ingrid Goes West
Battle of The Sexes
Professor Marston & The Wonder Women
Goodbye, Christopher Robin
The Man Who Invented Christmas
And now finally…
1. Thor: Ragnarok
Directed by Taika Waitit
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddelston, Mark Ruffalo, and Cate Blanchett
Thor: Ragnarok, as different as it is from the first two Thor films, brings the trilogy to its proper conclusion. Thor's character arc reaches the logical climax that was set up when we first met him in 2011. While still managing to feel like a Thor film, it also gives us something new that is not-almost Guardians of The Galaxy-esque. The ensemble cast is great, the action is thrilling, and the music is some of the best in any Marvel film. It's also one of the most visually stunning Marvel films. This is all credited to the vision of director Taika Waititi, who knocked it out of the park. I did have some issues with it, as I mentioned in my initial review, but they can be overlooked when this is such an epic, enjoyable film.
I guess what makes Thor: Ragnarok #1 for me is it sticks the most out in my mind when thinking back on all the films of 2017. Just every bit of it, the visuals, the humor, the score all left such an impression on me. It really is one of the best chapters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, up there with Captain America: Civil War and The Avengers. Its bizarre mesh of Asgardian lore and "Planet Hulk" tropes make it one of the most unique Marvel films to date, and my Top Film of 2017.
