Year In Review: Best Movies of 2017

Best Movies of 2017

2017 was a pretty shit year for most of us. Donald 'Oompa-Loompa' Trump still reigns over America (unfortunately). The Oscars were turned into a farce when an envelope mix-up resulted in the wrong film being announced for Best Picture. But worst of all, violence and unrest spread across the world affecting innocent lives. I'm not often one to get political within these posts but this year, more than any other, the world of entertainment (both film and TV) served as a way for members of the public to escape the constant threats across the world that we seem to be waking up to every morning. And thankfully, film and TV responded by giving us some of the best shows and films we've ever seen. So, in my annual 'Year In Review' I'll be covering the best of the best and the worst of the worst too.

The time has come. Gentlemen, straighten those bow ties. Ladies, strap on those stilettos. With 2017 behind us, it means one thing and one thing only. I give you, the most prestigious list in the history of lists, my Best Movies of 2017. I'm kidding about all this hype by the way. At the end of the day I'm just some bloke currently sitting in a student flat that likes to talk about movies. Last year was a great year for the film industry and we reached numerous landmarks. We got more installments in beloved movie franchises such as the eighth entry in the Star Wars saga with The Last Jedi and numerous comic book movies for both Marvel and DC. There were also films that returned for a sequel/remake after many years e.g. Blade Runner 2049 and Stephen King's It. 2017 also treated us to a heap of original movies helmed by some of the greatest directors of our time. Edgar Wright stepped back into the limelight with the spectacular Baby Driver and Darren Aronofsky returned to the scene by giving us one of the most divisive films of all time in mother!. The calibre of the movies in 2017 was at such an extraordinary level that in my honourable mentions are films that I was sure would appear in my Best of list and it pains me that they aren't. There are also some films that might surprise you that missed out. It really was such a competitive year. As always, the rules for qualification are:
- The film must have been released in the United Kingdom between the dates of 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2017.
- Made for TV movies are not eligible.
Also, for further notice, this is MY list. You may be sitting there, reading this, thinking about the films that you loved and then may be disappointed that those films didn't appear on this list. I try to see as many films as possible throughout the year but there are times were some films slip through the cracks. The Florida Project was something I never got round to seeing but is apparently a cinematic masterpiece. Also, for my readers that live across the pond in the US; firstly, I'm sorry for your current political situation. Secondly, films that are current frontrunners for awards are yet to be released within the UK. Films such as The Shape of Water, Lady Bird and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri all have their UK release in the first few months of 2018 so they could possibly feature on next year's list. That also means that many films released earlier in the UK that were big in the awards scene last year may potentially feature in this list.

As previously mentioned, I do have a fair share of honourable mentions. I should stress that just because these films haven't cracked my Top 10 list should by no means detract from the pristine level of filmmaking and entertainment shared by all of them. It's just that there were ten films that were marginally better for me. A mention that might shock some to not be in my list is Logan, one of the most emotional superhero movies to date. Get Out also just misses out on my list which is sure to surprise many as it seems to feature on pretty much everyone else's Top 10. The Disaster Artist came within a fraction of joining my list as did mother! simply because of how it stuck with me mentally after seeing it. Other honourable mentions include; Fast & Furious 8 for being one of the most fun films of 2017, The Lego Batman Movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, Wonder Woman, Call Me By Your Name and Good Time. I highly recommend all of these films nonetheless. So, with the formalities out of the way, let us take a trip along the avenue of success and sing the praises of my Best Movies of 2017...



10. A Monster Calls

Bring the tissues for this one. I'm known the shed a tear or two in some movies, so long as they're well deserved, but during A Monster Calls, I can't remember sobbing as much as I did then. Thanks to a creative visual style expressed by J.A. Bayona, this film told a wondrous story that blends the magic of fantasy and the terror of grief and weaves them together in a beautiful tapestry. I can't exactly say this is a rewatchable film that I'd pop on for a Friday evening but the level of filmmaking on display is phenomenal. The performances are also sensational across the board with a breakout star in the form of Lewis MacDougall. Word of caution though; expect your heart to be torn in two and demolish packs of tissues as you sob your way through.

Check out my review of A Monster Calls.



9. It

The only film of 2017, possible ever, that made me fart in the cinema just from nerves. Initially, I was apprehensive about seeing this remake. Not only was this a beloved story by Stephen King that fans would riot over if it wasn't good but I am also petrified of clowns. They're a fear of mine. But, for the good of the film community, I overcame my fears for a brief period of time to see It and I'm ever so glad I did. Don't get me wrong, this is one of the scariest films I've ever seen. Does this have something to do with the main antagonist being in the form of an evil killer clown? Probably. However, remove Pennywise and the eerie performance by Bill Skarsgärd, you still have a thoroughly compelling horror movie with substantial scares but also a great study about The Losers Club as Andy Muschietti and co. seem to have cast the most talented young actors working in the industry. This film has everything and never bores you for a minute, even if I am watching it through slotted fingers most of the time.

Check out my review of It.



8. Moonlight

I have a story about Moonlight. Some of you may now know that when I first saw Moonlight, it failed to leave much of an impact upon me. I'll admit, I wasn't at 100% when I saw it but I chalked it down to it being yet another critics darling that I didn't see in the same light. However, ever since seeing Moonlight, it kept running around in my mind and I couldn't stop thinking about it and admiring Barry Jenkins' delicate directorial approach. So, after seeing it win the Academy Award for Best Picture (following a considerable amount of duress) and it continuing to mull over in my mind, I went out to see Moonlight again. Soon after, I turned around and went back in for my third viewing. Moonlight is a stunning work of art that may not immediately hit you in the sweet spot but serves more as a gentle nudge. Through luscious cinematography, an amazing score and brilliantly understated performances by every single cast member, Moonlight is a cinematic feat for the ages.

Check out my review of Moonlight.



7. Dunkirk

Cinema has never been so experiential ever since Christopher Nolan stepped foot in the world and his most recent triumph is Dunkirk, a telling of one of the biggest military disasters of all time as British soldiers are trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk whilst they wait anxiously for their ships home to arrive. Seeing this on the big screen was near cinematic perfection from every technical aspect. Editing. Score. Cinematography. Sound design. Nolan is such an immaculate filmmaker and has meticulously crafted the film down to every nook and cranny. Even the story is wholly unique as it navigates through three story arcs and three individual periods of time. Somehow, Nolan constructs this complex-sounding plot seamlessly. By transporting the audience right into the very heart of the battlefield (as if you were a helpless soldier), Dunkirk becomes one of the most immersive and intense war films of recent memory.

Check out my review of Dunkirk.



6. Star Wars: The Last Jedi

OK! OK! Haters, stop throwing stuff at me. I love what Rian Johnson did. I understand why people disagree and there are valid complaints but I adore the fact that The Last Jedi didn't take a predictable route, dared to flip the saga on its head and give us a challenging story. The story is unlike anything Star Wars has seen before and forms a unique narrative that paves the way for Episode 9 to strike it home. It's not flawless (otherwise it'd be higher) but those flaws are fairly minimal in my eyes. Johnson films the action sequences with a keen eye as he makes the most beautiful Star Wars film to date. Characters go in directions you wouldn't expect and I became fascinated with certain relationships (Kylo and Rey being a prime example). Mark Hamill does not disappoint as he returns as Luke Skywalker and The Last Jedi gives a fitting tribute to everyone's dearly missed Princess, Carrie Fisher. The Last Jedi may not be loved by all but for what it did to the saga and the variety of emotions it made me feel, it more than deserves a place on this list.

Check out my review of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.



5. War For The Planet Of The Apes

Matt Reeves and Andy Serkis; take a bow. Rise was a great introduction, Dawn was a brilliant way to continue the story and War was the cherry on top supplying fans and audiences with a perfect ending. For some, the title of WAR may have been a tad misleading but personally, I adore how Reeves went against the predetermined notion of war and, instead of a grandiose battle, we were treated to a more emotional look at war detailing the psychological aspects. War felt less like a Hollywood blockbuster and more of an epic movie of biblical proportions due to the Christ-like representation of Caesar. Also, on the topic of Caesar, Andy Serkis is criminally overdue for an Oscar at this point. It doesn't even need to be for Best Actor (although it should be) but The Academy should at least notice his pioneering work in the field of motion capture performance and reward him for it. In all three of these films, Serkis has never been less than masterful in his performance and in this final installment, it feels like he's shattered the roof and gone above and beyond. And don't even get me started on the visual effects because I could ramble on for ages about their beauty. I'm not even kidding due to the amount of times I had to remind myself that these were not real apes, was obscene.

Check out my review of War For The Planet Of The Apes.



4. Fences

Upon initially hearing about Fences, I knew I might like it but I would never have thought it'd appear on my Top 10 list let alone in the number four position however, Fences was one of the most emotionally satisfying experiences I've had at the cinema. Combining two mediums that I absolutely adore (film and theatre), the performances by Denzel Washington and Viola Davis are out of this world. The passion and feral emotion these two masters in their craft express is a joy to behold. Nothing can describe the pure delight in seeing two of the greatest actors show you why they're the best. The story of Fences is also a tremendous accomplishment as it manages to feel huge with drastic consequences yet takes place within one main setting surrounding a very personal situation. Fences swept me up from the very start and took me on a two hour cruise of talent that never dragged for a single moment.

Check out my review of Fences.



3. Blade Runner 2049

Now is when we get to the really nitty gritty. I'm not lying when I say that, depending on the day, these next three films could interchange positions but eventually, I settled on the final decision with how each film left me feeling. There's no other way of putting it; Blade Runner 2049 is nothing short of perfect. I've seen the film twice and on my second experience, I was looking for flaws. I can't find a single one. Ryan Gosling continues to have the best working agent in Hollywood as he has chosen yet another sensational film to star in. He gives one of his best performances as K, a Blade Runner tasked with tracking an unfolding mystery that will have drastic consequences for the world. Saying anything more about the plot would be too much of a spoiler because Blade Runner 2049 needs to be experienced for the first time as blind as possible. Denis Villeneuve still has yet to trip up as he takes the reins from Ridley Scott and drives this film forwards in the ideal direction. Villeneuve was also able to coax out Harrison Ford's best performance in years. You could tell Ford was incredibly passionate about returning to role of Deckard slightly more than he was about Han Solo. But I wouldn't be doing justice to the film if I didn't express my love for Roger Deakins and his unparalleled cinematography. This is, without a doubt, the most gorgeously shot film of all time. No other film this year, or ever, has left me frozen in my seat in complete awe.

Check out my review of Blade Runner 2049.



2. Baby Driver

As I mentioned in my Baby Driver review, Edgar Wright is a fucking genius. Baby Driver is a pure cinematic masterpiece that continuously provides me with a sense of extreme euphoria whenever I see it or even mention it. Apart from my number one choice, Baby Driver was the only film in 2017 to slap a smile on my face from the opening scene and it never dissipate until days later. Ansel Elgort proves himself to be a rising star with an incredibly charismatic performance and the relationship he forms with the glorious Lily James is the sweetest thing I've seen this year. Wright directs the film with such tenacity and uses his inspiration from classic car chase films of the 70s and 80s to fuel an adrenaline ridden ride like no other. Thanks to an entirely practical stunt team who perform the insane driving sequences for real, Baby Driver is an exciting jolt to the system and then some. Edgar Wright also utilises a soundtrack better than I think any director has before him. Never before have I seen a director manipulate the film to fit with the music. From the firing of bullets, the rev of the engine to even the steps of feet, everything about Baby Driver connect beautifully to the pumping soundtrack and what makes it even better, is that no matter how many times I watch it, I always pick up on new little nuances that I never noticed before. That is the true mark of a faultless film.

Check out my review of Baby Driver.



And here we go, the moment you've all been waiting for, my favourite movie of 2017 is...



1. The Big Sick

This was the most refreshingly pleasant movie of 2017. Based on the real life relationship between comic Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick grabbed hold of my heart and refused to let go until the credits. Thanks to the very deftly handled yet side-splitting humour, The Big Sick was a movie I had no expectations for but resulted in becoming one of the sweetest tales of love in recent memory. It isn't strictly speaking a comedy through and through because there is a hefty portion of drama crammed within but... Oh... Wait a second... It seems as if there's been a mix-up. It would appear that the wrong envelope was given to me resulting in the wrong film being announced in the top spot. The film actually in the number one position and my favourite film of 2017 and also one of my favourite films of all time is...



1. La La Land

Excuse the little joke. I had to jump on the Oscar debacle bandwagon somehow even if it is almost a year out of date. Also, I've got nothing against The Big Sick either. I thoroughly enjoyed the film but had to pick something to take the fall. Seriously though, check that film out. It is definitely worth your time. Back to the champion though. La La Land is perfection. Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Every miniscule detail of La La Land is absolutely faultless. Damien Chazelle made a remarkable debut with the fantastic Whiplash but La La Land exceeded all of my expectations and they were already sky high to begin with. Starting with the songs (seeing as it is a musical), this was a respectful throwback to the musicals of old and knew when to have the lavish and colourful group pieces and then switch to a more heartfelt and emotional solo. They're the kind of songs that quietly drum their way into your brain and never leave. Each song has a unique purpose and tells its own mini story within the space of two to three minutes whilst also serving a greater intent for the main story itself. Ryan Gosling (who has had a terrific 2017) and Emma Stone still share some of the most adorable chemistry and capitalise off of each other to deliver some awards calibre performances (it worked for Stone). The two dominate the screen like a beautiful homage to the works of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. La La Land is also a love letter to the dreamers of the world (as a few song allude to) and proves that dreams can come true - not necessarily in a sappy way but in a forthcoming and realistic sense. And finally, the quintessential reason as to why I love La La Land and how it has reached my number one spot, is the meaning it has to me. La La Land is certainly a movie that respects the art of film. For film buffs/enthusiasts/nerds, La La Land takes you by the hand and reminds you why you fell in love with film in the first place. If it's not the countless Easter eggs Chazelle has implanted throughout, it's the glistening finale that brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it. If someone were to ask me what perfection is, I'll point them to La La Land, my favourite and personally, the Best Movie of 2017.

Check out my review of La La Land.



That's it. 2017 is officially complete. It's been a journey hasn't it? Now, we look to the horizon and wait to see what 2018 has for us. Make sure you check in soon to see my final part in my Year In Review special as I take you through my Most Anticipated Movies of 2018. There'll be Avengers, Han Solo's and possibly a couple of surprise thrown in too. One's thing for sure; Sherlock Gnomes will be nowhere in sight. (That's a real movie coming out this year by the way. Look it up.)

If you like what you've seen here don't forget to share this with everyone you know, comment below and check out my other reviews. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you follow me on Twitter @LukeStapley1. Thanks for reading!!