I actually saw over one hundred new releases in the theater this year so I thought I would compile my top ten favorites of 2017 (click on the link to go to my original review of each movie).
I loved this dark comedy because it allowed two incredibly compelling characters to not only express their rage over untenable situations but to also find some sort of forgiveness with each other. It really struck a chord with me because I find narratives about tragically flawed people behaving badly but ultimately finding redemption to be incredibly cathartic (it is a theme in many of my all-time favorite movies). Both Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell give tour de force performances and I thought about this movie long after I left the theater.
What I loved most about this film is that, in an age of conformity, a group of misfits is able to triumph over a truly despicable authority figure and that, ultimately, love wins! All of the characters mirror the otherness of the humanoid they are trying to protect and I think it is a beautiful exploration of what it means to be different and that the monsters are not who we think they are. Sally Hawkins gives a remarkable physical performance that it is worthy of all of the accolades she is receiving.
This film is another that stayed with me long after I left the theater. I loved the juxtaposition of people living on the margins of society right next to Disney World, the Happiest Place on Earth. In a nation of great abundance, what do we do for the people who fall through the cracks? A young girl chooses to turn the tragic circumstances of her life into a daily adventure and I found myself rooting for her young mother, who despite some major character flaws and some questionable behavior, tries her best to do what she can for her daughter with limited resources. Brooklynn Prince gives a truly affecting performance as does Willem Dafoe.
This movie is a visual masterpiece that exceeded my expectations in every way (which is very rare). I've always been a fan of the original Blade Runner and, in this latest installment, Denis Villeneuve continues Ridley Scott's world-building to its logical progression to tell a compelling story of what it means to be human. There are some scenes that resonated very powerfully with me and I loved Ryan Gosling's performance.
6. Dunkirk
This movie was a truly immersive experience for me that literally left me breathless with brilliant cinematography that put the audience in the middle of the action, whether in an aerial dogfight or on a sinking ship. It is a powerful portrayal of one of the most defining moments in history and the subject is survival itself. The action is unrelenting and the three different timelines kept me completely engaged with the story. I loved the small acts of heroism with standout performances by Fionn Whitehead, Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, and Kenneth Branagh.
5. Logan
I enjoyed this film much more than I anticipated. I think it resonated so deeply with me because it is such a raw portrayal of a tortured man living with regrets who is ultimately redeemed by a young girl who faces the same demons. The tone is much more somber than the other movies in the franchise, and much more violent, but the message is one of hope about people who are different and the final resolution left me with tears in my eyes. Hugh Jackman gives a highly nuanced performance that, in my opinion, should generate some attention this awards season.
4. Lady Bird
As a huge fan of Greta Gerwig's particular brand of humor I knew that I would really love this film. It is a quirky coming of age story that perfectly captures the narcissism of youth as a teenager navigates her senior year and her combative relationship with her mother. I had a deep emotional connection to the character of Lady Bird and Saoirse Ronan is brilliant in the role as is Laurie Metcalf as her mother. It made me want to call my mother after I walked out of the theater.
3. Wonder Woman
In my opinion Wonder Woman is the best superhero movie, ever. I loved everything about it! Diana is such a dynamic character and Gal Gadot brilliantly captures both her strength and naivete. World War I has always been of particular interest to me and setting the narrative during the war to end all wars worked very well because her struggle is against war itself and man's inclination to evil. I loved that her relationship with Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) and his capacity for love is what redeems mankind in her eyes. I may or may not have had a tear in my eye during the No Man's Land scene!
This film is a fascinating exploration of a young woman's search for identity. The juxtaposition between the spiritual and the material is brilliantly portrayed as Maureen (Kristen Stewart), who is a medium and a personal shopper for a celebrity, is haunted by a ghost and a stalker. I honestly don't know which scenes are more menacing: the ghost in an abandoned house or the stalker's texts to Maureen on the train! Stewart gives one of the best performances of the year (I find her to be vastly underrated). I saw this multiple times in the theater and I've watched my copy countless times because this is a film that makes me think!
This film was easily my favorite at Sundance this year and that status was solidified after viewing it again in wide release. To be sure, there are long sustained shots without much action but I found them to be strangely compelling. The cinematography is beautiful and the score is one of the most evocative in recent memory. The ghost, even completely shrouded in a sheet with eye holes, is an incredibly sympathetic character and I was emotionally invested in his journey. I loved the theme that attachment to people, places, and things is what holds us back because this is something I think about a lot. It is a masterpiece and I loved it so much!
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