Top 20

Part of my goal for this project was to catch up on some classics and find some new favorites. Here are my top twenty films from 2017. After seeing so many movies I enjoyed, it was obviously hard to narrow down the ones that I considered my favorites.

It’s challenging to make an audience truly “feel something”. That’s how I gauge the quality of a film; how much did it make me feel what the filmmakers wanted me to feel. If they wanted me to laugh, did I laugh? If they wanted me to feel sympathy, did I feel sympathetic? If they wanted me to feel scared, was I scared? These were the films that did it right. These were the films that really, truly made me feel something.

P.S.

Yes, I am a horror fan and yes, that definitely influenced my decisions.

20 – Blade Runner 2049

After a long time of hearing about it, finally seeing the original Blade Runner in 2017 was a little disappointing. I appreciated the look of it, the tone, and what it accomplished in the world of sci-fi, but I just couldn’t attach myself to any of the characters. Then Blade Runner 2049 comes out and this was the Blade Runner I was expecting. It has all of the positives of the original as well as giving me characters that I actually care about. “Blade Runner 2049” was my absolute favorite theater experience of 2017.  I was lucky enough to see it in a Dolby Atmos theater where the audio is the main focus and boy, did it blow me away. My seat was rumbling with every flyover in the hover car and the scene where the waves are crashing over Ryan Gosling’s character was incredibly immersive. The visuals, the tone, the pacing, the sound design; it was all an incredible movie-going experience.

19 – Some Like It Hot

Seeing a film from 1959 that still feels risqué, sultry, and fun in 2017 is saying a lot. Marilyn Monroe is an icon and with Billy Wilder in the directors chair, it’s hard to mess it up. This film carries a kind of Mrs. Doubtfire vibe with it’s drag humor that never feels insulting. The two male leads never seem to worry about their masculinity being “tarnished”. I’m sure Mrs. Doubfire pulled a lot of inspiration from this film in the way it handles the hilarious snafus the leads find themselves in while hiding their true identities. With a great mix of situational and slapstick comedy, this movie is a classic that is an absolute joy to watch.

18 – Little Miss Sunshine

This indie darling was one I had been meaning to catch for a long time and I’m so glad I finally did. This film strikes a perfect balance of comedy, drama, dark humor, and sincerity. The tone centers around the perspective of the charming and adorable Abigail Breslin. The audience sees things from her sweet point of view, but the film aptly tackles ideas of depression, death, feeling like an outcast, body image issues, etc. Every performance in this film is dynamic and impeccable. Each character feels so different, but they all feel like a family. I love a film that can be dark, sweet, sad, and uplifting all at the same time.

17 – Hounds of Love

Australia has put out some of my favorite horror films and now I’m adding this one to the ranks. This film is brutal to say the least. I enjoy horror films that feel real and this one felt almost too real. It’s not easy to sit through, but the themes handled are done so in a very unique way. It’s hard to imagine ideas of domestic abuse being aptly handled in a kidnapping movie, but this film nails it. With gritty cinematography, the film is unafraid to show the audience the true horrors that happen in these kind of situations. We are held captive just as much as the strong female lead, feeling just as trapped in this cruel world. The film quietly builds to an intensely satisfying ending that makes the whole ride feel at least some what worth it.

16 – I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House

In contradiction to enjoying the reality of Hounds of Love, this film feels like a great “dark and stormy night” type tale. Telling the story of a retired horror author, the writing in this film is perfectly poetic. Ghost stories aren’t usually my type of horror film, but this one was different. It’s quiet tone and slow pace make it different than your run of the mill jump scare horror film, achieving an atmosphere and creepy feel that gets more and more unsettling as the film progresses. This film is not for the impatient, but if you appreciate smart writing and effective atmosphere, this film is worth the spooky sit.

15 – Raw

“Gorgeous” is not a word I thought I’d use to describe a cannibal film, but here we are. This film is gorgeous! Everything from the delicate tone to the beautiful cinematography, Raw is unlike anything I’ve seen. Julia Ducournau perfectly crafts an interesting coming of age film with a cannibalistic twist. The lead performance by Garance Marillier is intensely dynamic. In some scenes she feels dainty and shy, while in others she feels fierce and devilish. Usually stories of cannibals center around tribes deep in the jungle, but this story of French veterinary college students feels a lot closer to home. The authenticity of the characters and story ground this film in a way where a lot of horror films fail. All of these aspects make it hard to call a horror film, but then you remember some of the more gruesome moments of the film that solidify it in the genre.

14 – Shimmer Lake

Why aren’t more people talking about this film?! This intensely smart and clever crime movie was an absolute blast to watch. With some great comedic performances and a darkly funny script, this film does a lot of unique things in a great way. It’s as if the Cohen brothers made a version of Momento. The story of the film is told backwards, starting with how the tale ends and resolves with where it begins. You’d think there’d be no room for surprises in a story told like that, but you’d be very wrong. There are jokes that occur in the first act of the movie that don’t really land until the third act and that’s incredible! I’ve honestly never experienced a comedic movie in this way and the filmmakers do such a great job with the device. Anyone with a Netflix subscription should see this movie as soon as possible.

13 – Lady Bird

What a sweet, sweet movie this was. Greta Gerwig’s charming homage to Sacramento is familiar story told very well. It doesn’t really do anything “new” with the coming-of-age genre, but it tells it in one of the most genuine ways I’ve seen put to film. Every moment felt real and as if it had actually happened to Gerwig. The chemistry between all of these characters that you care about feels believable. Every cringe-worthy teenage emotion comes rushing back to you as you watch them on screen. I was totally immersed. 

12 – IT

In a world where reboots are a dime a dozen, it’s hard to come across one that actually seems worth the time. Andy Muschietti’s IT was well worth my time. After rewatching the original made-for-TV miniseries this year, I realized the only thing I find good about it was Tim Curry. When it’s good, it’s really good, but those good moments were less than I remembered from my first watch. The remake of IT is the inverse! There were a few moments that get a little hockey for me, but overall, I thought this was big-budget horror at its best. The reimagined Pennywise is terrifying, the characters are well rounded and played by amazing young actors, and the story goes to some darker, more grotesque places. Muschietti’s stylish camera moves really stood out to me as him milking that budget for all its worth. Speaking of money, I’d be remised if I didn’t mention how big this movie was for the horror community. After tearing the arm off the box office, people really started paying attention to what good horror movies can do.  IT is a slick creep-fest that revitalized my love for that horrifying clown.

 

11 – Caché

I had heard of this film from some sort of list discussing intense movies. It didn’t really explain much of what happens in the movie, and now after seeing it, I understand why. This is a very slow burn, but man does it burn. This movie does so much with so little that happens. The acting is incredibly believable, which makes the tension and the stakes feel very real. There’s no big jump scares, no gratuitous violence, and no monsters; just really creepy things happening to real people in a real way. I was definitely squirming the whole time, only to find relief when the credits started to roll. Oh wait… nope, still felt the tension all the way THROUGH the credits.

 

10 – Too Late

Sometimes you come across a movie so intriguing that you wonder why people aren’t talking about it. I don’t know why people aren’t talking about this movie. The story is told in 4 uninterrupted 20 minute single camera takes. This film is all around impressive. Unfolding like a stage play, this film is a great homage to crime and noir films from the past. It was also shot on film, which adds to the classic aesthetic. With all of these events taking place in real time, you really feel these scenes and get immersed into the story. I had heard very little about this movie before seeing it, but very glad I decided to throw it on. This movie takes a little patience, which I understand isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it really rewards those willing to put in the time.

 

9 – The Blackcoat’s Daughter

Here we are to talk about another Oz Perkins piece (see #16). I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House succeeded by relying on its atmosphere to create suspense, and we’re seeing that at play again here. Perkins really knows how to quietly implement dread into the viewers’ consciousness. But while IATPTTLITH‘s sense of dread remained pretty “quiet” throughout film, The Blackcoat’s Daughter gets to a point where the terror is gut wrenchingly tense. This story spends most of the film burrowing under your skin, only to release its bite in the very end, making it that much more potent. I’m a sucker for dark, brooding horror films, and this is one of those films. The whole mood of this film is palpable; you feel the cold weather, you get claustrophobic inside the prep school, you become scared of the characters and what they might do. This gorgeous film is great to look at, but sometimes dares you to look away.

 

8 – The Shape of Water

I am admittedly not the biggest fan of most of Guillermo Del Toro’s films. He leans a little too much on the “fantasy” side of genre filmmaking. I like his movies, but I’ve never loved any of them. I can now say that I love at lease one of them. The Shape of Water is a GORGEOUS piece of cinema. Everything in this movie clicks; the soundtrack, the characters, the mood, the romance, the friendships, etc. I went into seeing this with the expectation of seeing a “monster movie”, but was floored to find out I was getting a straight up romance. Not only that, but a romance that works! A romance that you feel, that you root for. I know it’s fun to crack jokes about the whackyness of this film, but I was pulling for these two. I never knew I’d feel this connected to a woman falling in love with a fish-man, but I found myself forgetting what he was and focussing on who they were as characters. Besides the romance, this film as an homage to films also worked for me. All the little details of “classic” Hollywood make for a magical movie going experience. I hate to sound too “Disney” about it, but this film is a delight to watch. Del Toro really delivers with this amazing combination of classic horror, romance, and thriller all rolled into one unique story.

 

7 – 20th Century Women

I promise I also like feel good movies. The thing I found most interesting about 20th Century Women was that not only was it a coming-of-age story for the teenagers in the movie, but really it was a coming-to-terms movie for all of the characters in the film. The teens are finding love and finding out who they are, the twenty somethings are coming to terms with adulthood, the parents are coming to terms with growing older and maybe becoming distant from the former. This film handles its characters in a very sensitive and interesting way, giving everyone their time and giving them all a worthwhile arc. This film energized me. The story was so dynamic and really captured the spirit of each moment. I love a film that can have you come out feeling inspired and happy without doing it in an overly hammy way. This film will probably hit everyone a little differently, which is great! A mother would see this film differently than I did and a teenage girl will see this film differently that an early 40’s man. But even with all of these points of view going on, the film shows us we all can agree that sometimes life is weird and you just need to go along for the ride and have a good time.

 

6 – Let The Right One In

Being a horror fan, the name of this film gets heard a lot. I knew it was one of those classics that I hadn’t seen yet, so I sought it out. The only thing I knew about the story was that it was about vampires in some sense, which honestly played into the reason why I hadn’t really gone out of my way to see it. Not a huge vampire fan. I am though, now, a huge fan of this movie. This film walks a line of being so quiet and fascinating to then turning it up to eleven with its terror and visuals. This wasn’t your run of the mill vampire love story, but rather a unique and modern take on how that story might actually play out. You become so invested and attached to the characters that you forget you’re watching a horror film until something truly horrifying happens to remind you. For a director to be able to pull you around like that takes some serious chops; bravo. Also the talented kids in this film really carry its immense weight on their shoulders terrifyingly and believably. I’m a little mad at myself for taking this long to see this movie, but so happy I finally did.

 

5 – The Florida Project

Speaking of talented kids! I don’t think I was prepared for what I was walking into when seeing The Florida Project. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so happy, sad, inspired, and destroyed all throughout the course of a single movie. This film is prime slice-of-life storytelling, so I’ve heard some people say it was boring. But that blows my mind. There is so much on screen to chew on take from this film! Brooklynn Prince is so full of character and childlike wonder, you can tell she’s not acting. Sean Baker is a master of capturing these moments and making them feel incredibly real. Bria Vinaite goes from instagram personality to complete movie star in this role that seems made specifically for her. I don’t need to tell you how good Willem Defoe was, but I will anyway. Dafoe is usually such a strong presence, but here he is mild mannered, kind, and supportive of the guests of his hotel. This goes to show the talent he posses and his ability to really fall into whatever type of character is needed for the film he’s in. All of the aspects come together beautifully (as well as presented on 35mm film for added gorgeousness) to show us a heartbreaking reality for some less fortunate than us, but all told through the hopeful and naive lens of a child.

 

4 – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MS

This movie’s heart is as big as its balls. The brutal honesty of this story really encapsulates small-town happenings with all the familiar faces. This film does such a great job of avoiding anything trite or cliche. McDormand as the strong female lead is tough as nails, but as kind and caring as a loving mother. Woody Harrelson’s police chief is patient and understanding. But out of all the characters, Sam Rockwell’s was my favorite. Without giving anything away, let’s just say his character undergoes the most transformation. Not to mention an extreme one-take shot that literally brought me to tears, just by the shear force of his performance in a moment of grief.  There’s not too much I can say about this brutal, tender, meaningful film other than I can’t recommend it enough. You’ll laugh, you’ll flinch, you’ll cry, you’ll feel.

 

3 – The Kill List

*pause for dramatic effect*… I happened across this little number while browsing through Shudder (a horror film streaming service). The director of The Witch (Robert Eggers) had curated some of his favorites that were on the service, so I decided to check them out. I loved The Witch so I trusted his judgment. Holy shit. When I started this film, I didn’t realize I was about to embark into one of my new favorite horror films of all time. This film is about two hitmen who start off executing a “normal” string of hit jobs, but soon realize something odd is afoot. For the first hour or so of the film, it’s an exciting, disorienting, grisly hitman story. Then it takes a hard turn. The film soon evolves into a dark, violent, hellish nightmare that strings you up and beats you until the credits roll. As I’ve said before; I enjoy movies that make me feel something. And oh man, did this one make me feel something. This film is absolutely hard to swallow. The ending is one of the most shocking I’ve seen. But if you’re a horror fan like I am, you’ll find the ride worth it and you’ll want to get back in line to ride it again immediately afterward.

 

2 – Get Out

I remember when I first saw a trailer. I thought to myself, “that looks pretty cool! I don’t know about Jordan Peele making a horror film though…” I was curious (and admittedly tentative) to see a comedian make a horror film. Horror-comedies are my least favorite subgenre, because to me, they usually feel like cheap, dumb student films. But the trailer made it seem like more than that. It was. It was much more than that. I feel privileged and honored that I got to live through and experience one of the most culturally relevant, perfectly timed, politically charged, and absolutely game-changing horror films. I don’t think any of us saw this one coming. First off, it’s an amazing horror film. It’s creepy, it’s tense, it’s brutal, it’s crazy, it’s perfect. Seeing this movie in a crowded theater was a joy; reacting with everyone in real time is such a fun experience. And that point also plays into the comedy of the film. Jordan Peele couldn’t have handled the comedy any better. There are plenty of great laugh-out-loud moments, including one toward the end that caused my entire theater to erupt in laughter and applause. But on top of putting out a great horror film, Jordan Peele put out a message. One that America needed to hear. This film should be a mandatory watch for each and every citizen; whether you’re black, white, hispanic, asian, horror fan, non horror fan, male, female… See this film. I bet you’ll like it.

 

 

 

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1 – A Ghost Story

This movie really hooked me from its trailers. I was so intrigued by the A24 ghost movie that wasn’t a horror film. I of course had to see. So I went to the last night that it was showing at the local art cinema by myself (it’s not sad; I love seeing movies by myself). The trailers for this film did a good job of being ambiguous, so I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into. I settled in to a seat pretty close to the screen in the small, intimate theater. The lights went down. And then it began. From the beginning shot, showing off it’s 4×3 aspect ratio, I knew I was getting into something different. The narrower aspect ratio made me feel more romantic and intimate with what was happening on screen. From there, this film delivered on being a sentimental, emotional, existential, ethereal, dream-like journey through the life (and soon death for one) of a couple in love. This film takes its time, allowing you float through the scenes and really be with these characters. The intentional and gorgeous cinematography immerses you in the mood of the film. The actors pull you in with their believable and powerful performances, even from behind a sheet. I’d also be remiss to not mention the nice, subtle nods to haunted house films. David Lowery really knows how to pepper in great details. This film ebbs and flows, quietly rippling through its plot, becoming more and more abstract and delicate. All leading to a quiet ending. Credits rolled. The lights came up. I sighed deeply and walked out of the theater with a smile on my face. This was my favorite film of the year, out of 365, because it made me view life a little differently. I left the theater and thought all night about what I just watched, and how it changed the way I view the world a little bit. It made me happier. It made me rethink how to perceive time, both literally and as a story-telling device. It made me think about the immense complexity and tiny simplicity of life. This film moved me.