Since re-launching this blog I also published 7 film reviews among other things, was invited to contribute my thoughts on film over at Reel World Theology where 7 more of my reviews were published and I was a guest on 2 podcast episodes. It's been a great year and I'm excited to continue to work towards becoming a full-fledged film critic and having more great discussions about movies in 2018!
Movie Pass was a game changer for me. I wish I would've known about it sooner. I didn't get my card until the end of the year, but I probably would've watched more if I had known about it earlier. It's an amazing value for film lovers, so check it out!
Here's my list of 24 favorites, ranked. Why pick 24 you say? Well, because I can:
24. Ingrid Goes West
This dark comedy is part social satire part tragedy. Highlights for me were Audrey Plaza's performance and some genuinely funny and sincere moments despite the fact that Ingrid is certifiably insane. Say what you will about how outrageous some moments are, Plaza does not hold back in her performance and in our our social media obsessed age, there's something to learn for everyone.
23. Your Name
Anime is far from my favorite genre, so you know they did something right here. I was awestruck by the beautiful animation and interesting premise.
22. Logan Lucky
Even though I expected more form this movie, there's no doubt I enjoyed it all the way through. You can expect delightful performances from Channing Tatum, Daniel Craig, and Adam Driver and a twist at the end that makes it a bonafide heist movie.
21. Downsizing
Reactions to this film were all over the map, but despite its shortcomings, I think there were some really great themes to wrestle through. That combined with an outstanding performance from Hong Chau and some moments that made me chuckle, I think more people should give it a fair shake.
19. Phantom Thread
20. Colossal
This film surprised me in a number of ways, despite the one-of-a-kind premise (AKA a drama that deals with addiction and also giant monsters in Korea) the story took a turn that was both unexpected and surprisingly deep. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's anything but boring.
19. Phantom Thread
This film is hard to talk about because of its simplicity and complexity. In what he claims is his last role before retirement, Daniel Day-Lewis gives an incredible performance that earned him an Oscar nomination, but it's the women that really elevate the story. Newcomer Vicky Krieps is stunning and Oscar nominated Lesley Manville brings the heat as well.
The best way to know if you'll like this movie is to find out if you enjoy Guillermo Del Toro fare. His unique and fantastical approach to storytelling is always a trip. It's a beautiful sweeping fairytale that has something to say about discrimination, love, and much more.
17. A Ghost Story
Perhaps one of the most wonderfully odd and unconventional stories of the year, I never quite know how to describe A Ghost Story to people. It's beautiful in its simplicity and is a story that has really grown on me over time.
16. Wonderstruck
It's not often that you come across a film where the child actors shine. It helps that director Todd Haynes painted a beautiful canvas for the characters to shine on. It's a slow story, but has a lot of heart.
Family dysfunction is Noah Baumbach's forte and he really outdid himself in this film. It's always impressive how easy it is to identify with his characters even when they're having a complete meltdown.
14. Baby Driver
This movie doesn't slow down for one moment. Edgar Wright used a phenomenal soundtrack to push forward his fun-loving story. There are some outrageous characters and moments per Wright's style, but there's no doubt it's one of the stand-out films of the year.
13. Darkest Hour
This film is pretty much everything you would want from a historical biopic. Gary Oldman's performance is jaw dropping. He portrays Winston Churchill with near perfection - both his vulnerability and power. That along with some beautifully composed shots makes it a worthy watch.
12. Wonder Woman
Watching Wonder Woman was one of the most empowering moments for women at the movies this year. Patty Jenkins handled the character with such deftness. Diana was both a badass and vulnerable in a way that made a whole new generation fall in love with the character.
This film is painful in its realness, but also a breath of fresh air in its tiny actors' buoyancy and love for life. The fact that both seemingly contrasting emotions are present in one film is amazing, even if exhausting at times.
The Last Jedi gave everyone hope that the franchise isn't headed for a rut. Not only did it do justice to stories that came before it, the characters were well-developed and it still had the usual action flick excitement and humorous moments.
9. Wind River
I walked away from this film learning so much about the Native American culture. The film is one of the best dramas of the year and I wish it was getting more love from critics and audiences. Jeremy Renner isn't in the running for best actor as far as I can tell, but he should be.
I was pleasantly surprised by this film. It didn't fall into the normal superhero genre trappings. It might win my personal award for most laugh out loud moments. With Taika Waititi at the helm I guess I shouldn't be too surprised since he has been one of my favorite directors in recent years.
7. I, Tonya
This is the second biopic that made my top 25 list, but where this film was really able to outshine the genre was in its tone and presentation of a story with lots of conflicting facts and voices. It's a fun, snarky film that proves that truth is stranger than fiction.
6. Logan
Similar to Thor, I didn't have high expectations for this film with superhero movie fatigue setting in recently, but James Mangold really transcended the genre with this beautiful and harrowing final chapter for Wolverine's story.
5. The Big Sick
I was immediately intrigued when I heard that The Big Sick was written by husband/wife team Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, especially since the movie is based on their real life romance. This film is a fresh take on the rom-com genre with some of the best comedic moments of the year from its cast.
4. Dunkirk
It's hard to believe that Christopher Nolan can outdo himself after the career he's had. Memento and The Prestige still remain at the top of my list of favorite films. Based on the incredible true story of the battle at Dunkirk, this film was one of the most immersive and emotionally stirring of the year.
3. Lady Bird
This film is deceptively simple. It's a coming of age story, but Greta Gerwig managed to deliver a fresh take on the genre with lovable characters and a sincerity that is simultaneously cringe-worthy and endearing. It's a story that everyone can relate to in some way.
2. Coco
This film left me speechless. Not only because of the gorgeous animation, but also because this film represented so much of my beautifully rich culture. It was the first time I felt that a story portrayed on the screen was able to do the Mexican culture justice. And it's just a great time all around.
1. Get Out
If you had told me at the beginning of the year that my top film of 2017 would be a thriller/horror film about a black guy meeting his white girlfriend's parents for the first time, I wouldn't have believed it. I am not a scary movie person. What Jordan Peele was able to accomplish with this film is unmatched by any filmmaker this year. It provided an opportunity for everyone who watched it to experience true empathy and understanding. And that's why it's the best.
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