Top 25 BEST Movies of 2017
If there’s one thing you don’t know about me, its that I am not very agreeable with a lot of what other people love. So if you’ve been keeping up with my site, you know that I didn’t really like “Logan” and “IT” as much as the rest of the world. Though they are entertaining pieces of cinema that revolutionize specific genres in Hollywood, they are not on this list. Sorry, I think there are just some massive flaws with both films. So if you ask “OH MY GOD WHY AREN’T ‘LOGAN’ AND ‘IT’ ON THIS LIST,” well--
Here we go. You’ve seen my worst movies of 2017 but what about my best ones? Say no more. This is my top 25 BEST Movies of 2017
25) FREE FIRE - Have you ever wondered what a film version of a Saints Row online multiplayer would look like? Well, this is it. What I love about this shoot em up action flick is the fact that its a shoot em up action flick that has a surprising regard for realism with each bullet shot. It becomes a game of who is going to live and who is going to die and how will they die? This is not a video game movie but if this were called “Counter-Strike” or “Saints Row,” this would've been the best video game movie in history especially the way it's directed and the crafty production design. This is a movie that plays with its battlefield and aims for what it wants to be and successfully hits its mark.
24) BATTLE OF THE SEXES - If this was released in 2007, “Battle of the Sexes” would’ve been my favorite film ever because of the sheer fact of having all of these actors known for comedy giving mostly dramatic performances while telling this story of the legendary Billie Jean King and her infamous match against Bobby Riggs. It's a movie that brilliantly depicts a woman’s inner conflict of coming to terms with her sexuality all while having the pressure of fighting for womenkind.
23) ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD - Ridley Scott is a fucking GOAT just for replacing one of his leads over a scandal, reshooting those scenes, and keeping his original release date. This movie isn’t up here because of that fact but is here because, despite everything going against it, it managed to be a really intense and well-rounded crime thriller.
22) COLASSAL - YOU THINK I WAS GOING TO FORGET ONE OF THE FIRST FILMS I SAW THIS YEAR AND NOT PUT IT ON THIS LIST?! With this being the indie studio NEON’s first film, it is personally my favorite. This may have a bizarre premise, but it delivers it expertly by featuring an incredibly flawed and complex female lead to root for played by a fantastic Anne Hathaway and an unexpectedly excellent villain of Jason Sudeikis. Yeah, Jason Sudeikis scared the shit out of me in this movie, and I can’t believe it. Out of the many performances of this year, his was so under the radar for he gives a remarkable one that proves that this man is more than a funny face.
21) GIRLS TRIP - Talk about a movie that surprised the shit out of me. Every year, there is always that Black film that is stereotypically offensive or at least watchable. “Girl’s Trip” exceeded all expectations by not being a movie heard towards Black women but women in general. This movie is a nonstop laugh a minute comedy that rivals the likes of Bridesmaid because of the electrifying chemistry of the cast, a script that is thoroughly funny, and a name that became a hit so damn fast that I tweeted how much she deserves a Best Supporting Actress nomination: Tiffany Haddish. Who knew a movie with one of the highlight jokes being centered on a bootyhole would end up on this list?
20) THE LITTLE HOURS - If there was anything that made me laugh my ass off more than Girls Trip, it was “The Little Hours.” This 100% ad-libbed comedy is a wonderfully hysterical take on The Decameron which like its source material spits at religion but in a subtly amazing way. I hate ad-libbed comedies, but this has to be the only one that works from beginning to end while being funny as hell every single minute.
19) STRONGER - Out of every biopic drama, Stronger is a fantastic character piece of an immature man learning to grow up after legs get blown off. This is a compelling, moving picture that didn't get enough attention and should've because of the performances, and the triumphant story.
18) JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO - This is the best action sequel to a franchise since Terminator 2.
Don’t @ me.
HE KILLED A MAN WITH A FUCKING PENCIL!
When you are a sequel, you have one job to do: expand your universe and make it exciting. John Wick 2 takes everything that was feared about the Baba Yaga and shows that he is not a fucker to be messed with. Everything is escalated from a ten to an eleven in every way imaginable with a chilling conclusion that really excites you to see how his story ends.
17) I, TONYA - AS much as I have an issue with the tone, "I, Tonya" is a biopic that crushes your soul with an electrifying script and a chilling cast that sticks with you for days. Allison Janney is a natural treasure, and we should protect her at all cost even if she plays the evilest being imaginable.
16) BABY DRIVER - Though it is Edgar Wright’s weakest film, "Baby Driver" provides enough stylistic flair and fast-paced action that leaves you with both an adrenaline rush and a hankering to buy yourself an iPod mini. Wait, make that several.
15) THE FLORIDA PROJECT - If it weren’t for the final 30 seconds leaving a massive, terrible taste in my mouth, this honestly would’ve been in the single digits of this list. The authentic realism of this raw world Sean Baker built solidifies how I will not be visiting Florida anytime soon.
14) THE POST - I know this is Oscar bait but behind Streep, Hanks, and Spielberg I can see through the lines whose movie this is: Liz Hannah. Reading how much this story means to her and having her spent years writing it mainly through the times we are living in today is inspiring. Usually, this is a type of story that would bore me but because of the amazing cast and a compelling script, “The Post” is the best visual media response to the term “Fake News” I’ve ever seen.
13) THE LOVERS - Now here is something nobody has seen except me. This is the breakout movie for writer/director Azazel Jacobs for the movie is brilliantly written and put together. It has the quiet atmosphere of a Jason Reitman film, the smart comedic trappings of a Judd Apatow film, and a mature premise of a 70s styled Woody Allen film. What it becomes in the outcome is a great romantic comedy that is subtly beautiful. Where romantic comedies today all follow the same tropes, "The Lovers" is originally fresh. You have no idea where the movie is going to go as you’re along for the ride.
12) THE DISASTER ARTIST - I’m honestly still baffled at the fact that James Franco got all of his friends together to not only make a movie with a script but to also tell a passionate story about a passionate man who wanted to make his own movie. Like “This is the End,” the all-star ensemble is present to not precisely get easy paychecks from the viewers in the similar vein Adam Sandler did but to provide a well-balanced story about friendship and following your dreams.
11) THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE - How in the fuck did “Ferdinand” and “The Boss Baby” got an Academy Award nomination over this beautifully animated, laugh out loud, satirically tongue in cheek family comedy that has a heartwarming story throughout? I honestly don’t know. “The LEGO Batman Movie” is a rare spinoff movie that works as a multi-genre film.
It works as a family movie, an animated film, a comedy, a drama, a romantic comedy, and most of all a Superhero movie. When I say this is the best movie DC put out in years, I stand by it. Yeah, Wonder Woman is great but sorry that movie’s writing doesn’t quite overpower this by a longshot.
Fuck you guys this is the second best-animated movie of 2017 and NOBODY will take that way from me.
10) THE SHAPE OF WATER - Love has no bounds, and Del Toro’s love for monsters and cinema goes hand in hand in this historical sci-fi romance. With each single frame and second you can feel his passion that he put into and its impossible to fall in love with this story and these characters. This is hands down one of Sally Hawkins' best roles of her career and she never even says a word. We know how Hawkins sound like but just to see her flawlessly express her dialogue through sign language is magnificent. If there was ever an adult Disney styled movie; this is it, and it's magnificent.
9) BRIGSBY BEAR - One of my personal favorite type of movies I love to watch are the ones where actors who we perceive as comedians make a real movie where its dramatic and meaningful and this is one of the three films on this list of this specific type. Kyle Mooney and the rest of his Good Neighbors crew leap off the SNL screen to the big screen with a DRAMA that features comedic elements throughout. This is one of those love letters of cinema with a somber and surrealistic story that features nothing but three dimensional and lovable characters.
8) DETROIT - If you’ve interacted with me, you know firsthand how much “Detroit” broke me. This was sitting for number one for a loooooong time. It was there from August through November, but only reason its #8 is because I can never EVER revisit this. This is one of the most powerful historical drama horror movies I’ve ever seen, and I love it for that one viewing.
Seriously I am telling you that no other movie had me in shambles to a point I started to break down in tears bawling on my ride home. Shit, I couldn’t even sleep that night either. I woke up with dried tears and was afraid to walk out my house. I’m not exaggerating you can ask any one of my friends how much I get triggered once someone mentions that movie.
7) THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI - If I was a teacher at a film school, and one of my topics was 'how to craft a great dark comedy,' the first director I would teach them about is Martin McDonagh and I would put on either “In Bruges” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” as examples to explain what a brilliant dark comedy should be. McDonagh has to be the perfect director who knows how to balance a compelling script with dark comedic humor and a great story. Besides the script being so electrifying, the performances from everyone are exemplary. Frances McDormand has proved time and time again how amazing she is but damn her role as Mildred Hayes is so good, you forget about her role in “Fargo.”
Holy shit. What if the sequel of this is Mildred and Dixon driving through Fargo? That’ll be amaaaazing!
6) WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES - Thoughtful and more meaningful than any Summer blockbuster could've been. ‘War” has to be the best ending to one of the best trilogies ever made since “Lord of the Rings” and “Toy Story.” I proudly stand by saying that this subtly and quiet conclusion is just so remarkable for many reasons. Just give Andy Serkis an Oscar, please. I’m mad his ass got snubbed over Denzel Washington this year.
Roman J. Isreal Esq sucked ass man.
5) GET OUT - Do I need to say anything more than JORDAN PEELE MADE A BRILLIANT HORROR/THRILLER WITH A SURPRISING SOCIAL COMMENTARY THAT BLEW EVERYONE’S MIND?! The writing is stellar, the direction is inspired, and when it gets to that last act, this becomes one of the best horror films that feature a central character with a brain. Screw you guys; this is one of the best horror movies in the genre. I kind of hold movies of this type to a new standard just because of this.
4) THE BIG SICK - The first 6/5 ratings I gave this year went to this. The best kind of movies to watch are the ones you walk into cold not knowing a thing about it. That is exactly what I did with The Big Sick before its first trailer was released back in May and boy its undoubtedly one of the films that snuggled its way into my heart and made a home. It is a personal story that makes you see these two working screenwriters in TV and film as deep humans in their lives and relationships. While providing an emotional rollercoaster of FEELS, "The Big Sick" had me going back to it three more times with each viewing being a new way of falling in love again. I said it once, and I’ll say it again, “The Big Sick” is like the “When Harry Met Sally” of this generation and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.
3) COCO - I hate you Pixar. I hate how amazingly you can craft original stories with so much passion and brilliant storytelling that it makes me root for you during the awards season.
But “Coco” is one of Pixar’s best movies ever, and I don’t want them to make another sequel again. I just want all of their projects to feature the same love and creativity they put into things such as this and “Inside Out.” AND STOP MAKING ME CRY LIKE A BITCH PLEASE!
2) LADY BIRD - "Lady bird" is the equivalent of Greta Gerwig taking a wooden stake and stabbing it in my heart but instead inflicting me with pain, it inflicts me with nostalgia and feels. Because of her well-written characters that all reminds us of someone in our lives, it is crazily amazing how universally relative Lady Bird is not for only women but for anyone who has ever been a teenager. You don’t have to be a white teenage girl from Sacramento to relate to this movie. You can just be an expressive person who faced growing up in the most awkwardest years of your life. It may take place in 2003, but people can relate to Christine McPherson in today.
1) CALL ME BY YOUR NAME - You can tell Luca Guadagnino read this book and dedicated a portion of his life to both adapting the novel for the screen and crafting it to perfection like a sculpture. The passion the book had on Guadagnino is what he displays on screen for others to view and its 132-minute mesmerizing work of art. Right when I begin to feel fatigued by “coming of age” movies, this comes out and blows me away by wholeheartedly expressing that this genre is here and will never die for there still plenty of stories to tell. These stories of self-discovery is a joy to see in cinema where mainstream cinema tries to sell shit like "Fifty Shades of Grey" as romance where its desensitizing and brainwashing ourselves to believe that stories like that are a depiction of romance, "Call Me By Your Name" is an actual depiction of what a romance movie should be.
If one is captured by Mike Pence and is into conversion theory, the antidotes that will convert them back to the happy rainbow that they once were are putting on "Brokeback Mountain," "Moonlight," and "Call Me By Your Name." Not only are these three great movies that support the LGBT community but are potent works of cinematic storytelling and director Luca Guadagnino has perfectly made a film that is inarguably the best of the three.
