2017 Lists: Favourite Movies of the Year
It’s that time! I’d hoped to get the my Favourite Albums of All Times #30–26 done before I got into the 2017 review, but I’ve stalled out slightly on in. So putting that aside for now! I didn’t see a whole lot of brand new movies this year, but the ones I did see were really excellent. Here are my Top 5!
(Note: I haven’t seen The Disaster Artist, Mudbound, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, or The Last Jedi yet…those are the only ones I can think of that I’m anticipating highly right now.)
Honourable Mention — Logan (directed by James Mangold)
I did not expect to like a superhero movie this much this year. Logan had a lot of heart, some great action, and did without a lot of the regular tropes. I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this.
5 — Blade Runner 2049 (directed by Denis Villeneuve)
Denis Villeneuve has a free pass on his next three movies after the one-two punch of Arrival and Blade Runner 2049. The original Blade Runner is one of my favourite movies and I was highly skeptical when 2049 was announced, to the point that I considered boycotting the movie entirely. In the end I went into the theatre just hoping that they wouldn’t ruin something I love, and came out absolutely blown away. Visually intoxicating, the movie maintains a slow and tense pace for the majority of it’s lengthy run time and Villeneuve really let the actors take their time. While it doesn’t surpass the original, it avoided the pitfalls of many reboots and sequels, namely, being too tied to the previous work to breathe, or being too action-packed in its update. Really good work.
4 — The Big Sick (directed by Michael Showalter)
Based on the true story of Kumail Nanjiani’s experience dealing with his girlfriend going into a coma, this movie was both extremely funny and poignant. The interactions with both sets of parents were amazing, especially the scenes of Kumail trying to sort out how to explain to his parents that he is not as devout a muslim as they think he is, and that he wants to date a white girl. Seriously, watch this movie.
3 — Baby Driver (directed by Edgar Wright)
I have seen a large chunk of Edgar Wright’s work, and I have yet to be disappointed. His syncopated editing style which mirrors sound design and visual action is distinctive and compelling and locks me in almost immediately. Baby Driver’s plot isn’t as unique as the Cornetto Trilogy movies were, but the soundtrack and sense of humour is still present and it elevates this heist movie to the point that I saw it in theatres twice.
2 — Lady Bird (directed by Greta Gerwig)
I just saw Lady Bird this week. And it immediately jumped WAY up in my favourite movies of the year. There are so many extremely real moments in this film that cut straight to my heart. Family, friendship, religious experience, and identity all get their moments, and are often interwoven in beautiful ways. The story centres around the relationship between Christine (who insists on being called “Lady Bird”) and her mother, which is both highly contentious and deeply loving. What elevates this from being another teenager-vs-world movie is the attention Greta Gerwig pays to the parents and how they are dealing with letting go of their daughter as she pushes against them to grow up and find herself. Saoirse Ronan is delightful as always and Laurie Metcalf is rock solid as the mother. This film will likely only grow in my estimation with multiple views.
1 — Get Out (directed by Jordan Peele)
A race-themed horror/thriller written and directed by one of our generations best comedy writers? Heck yes. This movie explores themes of prejudice (however subtle) in both uncomfortable and hilarious ways, but uses the tight grip of a horror plot to do it. It’s like Who’s Coming to Dinner combined with Evil Dead and it is completely riveting. I wish I had gone out of my way to see this in theatres, but I’ve made up for missing out by seeing it two and a half times since. Each viewing reveals new angles with which to view the story and even knowing the various twists and turns did not reduce my enjoyment of this superb movie. Love it!
That’s it! What were your favourite movies of 2017? What did I miss? or snub? Let me know in the comments below!
