My Top 10 Films Of 2017.

Happy New Years!

As a gift for you, I wanted to make a list of my favourite films from 2017. I have not seen every film released in 2017, and some movies released in US in 2017 are being released here in NZ this year like ‘The Darkest Hour’ and ‘The Shape of Water’. If anything, this list will tell you more of my taste in film than anything else so don’t expect an exploration of the state of the film industry here mate.

My grading system: Every reviewer has a grading system, and majority are the same such as out of 10 or C- to A+. Because I like the MCU, my grading system is out of 6 Infinity Stones, and it can vary from either a full number (1, 2, 3 out of 6) or point numbers (1.5, 2.6, 5.9 out of 6). Some of the grades are different here from my original reviews.

So, let’s start:

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10 – Wonder Woman

“The DCEU has been criticized for being too serious and of course there’s no problem with that, but when style takes precedent over substance, it does sucks. This movie finally delivers a Wonder Woman film we’ve all been waiting for.

The film ticked most if not all the boxes for me, a strong female role model for kids to look up to not just for being a badass but being a hero with convictions (tick), amazing, spectacular action sequences (tick), Gal Gadot delivering as Wonder Woman/Diana (tick, tick), and a chance to see Chris Pines abs (TICK).

This is definitely the best film in the DCEU, but I disagree with some people in that the DCEU has still got a long way to go if they want to reach the magic of The Dark Knight (2008) or even go beyond it.”

Grade: 4.3 out of 6

 

9 – Spider-Man: Homecoming

“Overall, this was just such a great time. This for me is easily the funniest and funnest Spider-Man to date, cast with the perfect choices for our main characters and nothing else can be said other than bring me more please!”

Grade: 4.4 out of 6

 

8 – Coco

Coco is one of Pixar’s best movies ever. It’s the first animated movie since Toy Story 3 or Up to make me cry… or even M. Night’s the Last Airbender. I loved most of everything about it, the songs, the story, the characters, the visuals and did I mention the story? The emotional element in this film is like none before in an animated film, all the visuals are superb, and the film is crafted with such respect for the culture, how many movies can you say that about right? It may be too predictable and has a few other flaws, but they don’t undermine the film because it’s such an enduring piece of storytelling with such a satisfying twisting narrative.

Grade: 4.5 out of 6

 

7 – Dunkirk

“Any movie helmed by Christopher Nolan is an experience, no matter how ‘Good’ or ‘Bad’ or even ‘A-word-describing-what’s-between-good-and-bad’ his movies are, you leave his movies wanting to talk about it, a lot, which is what a lot of talkative geeks want. With a talented ensemble like this, mixed with a great script and a director of this calibre, it was destined to be great. Dunkirk is as visceral as cinema gets. The battle sequences are very gritty and tense and adds a realism to them that harkens back to ‘Saving Private Ryan’. This film left me physically and emotionally drained, but I still enjoyed it a lot.”

Grade: 4.5 out of 6

 

6 – Get Out

Considering this is Jordan Peele’s feature directorial debut, it’s even more amazing how well this movie turned out to be. There’s an emotional build up in this film that could’ve been handled poorly by another director, but the balance Peele brings is astonishing, the balance between chills and laughs is perfect, the balance between the scares and twists are awesome. Peele has a soft touch when it comes to the many moments and plot beats that require just ‘the right visual design to be believable and effective’, and this new time director gets it all spot on! Peele delivered one of my favourite horror/thrillers ever, and I hate horrors.

Grade: 4.5 out of 6

 

5 – Transformers: The Last Knight

… NOT!

 

5 – The Big Sick

The Big Sick is edgy, hilarious and lovable. There was a lot of hype for this film that I heard about, so I was really keen to watch it. This thoughtful film is more than just a rom-com, because it was surprisingly compelling.

I loved this film, and maybe it’s because I’m a sucker for movies with leads that have great chemistry, but even without the chemistry the story itself is heart-warming, emotionally honest, funny and moving in equal measure. Probably because it’s based on a true story. The fact that this was based on Kumail Nanjiani and writer Emily V. Gordon’s personal lives and their openness to explore it all with laughs and heartache made this film even more amazing than it already is.

Grade: 4.7 out of 6

 

4 – Baby Driver

“Edgar Wright takes movie genres, and puts his twist on it, creating some of the most creative movies out.

I loved this movie; definitely you can see that it’s an Edgar Wright movie. When a film maker conjures up an original movie and executes it well, we need to celebrate it. I’m keen to watch it a few more times; it’s that good, you need to go out and watch it! You won’t be disappointed! The performances from the a-list line up, the music, the style, the drama and the action all mix to make one of the best films this year!”

Grade: 4.8 out of 6

 

3 – Thor Ragnarok

“I absolutely enjoyed my time watching this film, so much so one of my friends had to tell me to be quiet because I was too loud when I laughed. No other straight comedy has made me do that, except Batman v Superman (sorry not sorry). The MCU have done it again, and it has left me wanting to watch it again immediately. It’s the first Thor film to make me excited to see another Thor movie, and it’s the first movie with Thor in it that made me really root for the character to succeed in the film! I left the film wanting more of basically everything, but I could argue that that’s what a good filmmaker should do, leave the audience wanting more. And although there are some holes in Taika’s game when it comes to directing, he still left me thoroughly entertained and wanting to see more.”

Grade: 4.9 out of 6

 

2 – Star Wars the Last Jedi

“When I watched this movie and I realised none of my expectations came true in the way I thought that it would play out, I was so pleasantly surprised. The second time I watched this film I went in not keen to watch certain scenes, but I also went in with a new perspective and ultimately most of the stuff I watched the first time that I didn’t like I now understand better and have a better appreciation for it. I loved this film, it wasn’t perfect, and I have some major issues with it, but I still really enjoyed this film. J.J. Abrams set the field for Rian to hit the ball out of the park, and he did so without relying on CGI… a bad analogy but I think this movie is amazing.”

Grade: 5 out of 6

1 – Baywatch…

OK, jokes gone too far now, sorry.

1 – Logan

“Logan is a sincerely moving and gritty human story, which enthusiastically abandons superhero formulaic traditions and templates, translating the antithesis of what we have come to expect superhero films to be. It has set the standard for genre defining films, because to lock it into a genre will only do it a disservice. It’s not just the best Wolverine film, or best X-Men film, or even one of the best superhero films, it can confidently stand alone as a cinematic experience worthy of multiple viewings, which I intend to do.”

Grade: 5.4 out of 6

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Links to my reviews:

Wonder Woman – (https://nerdonomicsnz.wordpress.com/2017/06/21/wonder-woman-set-the-bar-for-the-dceu/)

Spider-Man: Homecoming – (https://nerdonomicsnz.wordpress.com/2017/07/17/spider-man-homecoming-the-funnest-spider-man-film-to-date/)

Baby Driver – (https://nerdonomicsnz.wordpress.com/2017/07/22/edgar-wrights-genre-defining-touch-evident-in-baby-driver/)

Thor Ragnarok – (https://nerdonomicsnz.wordpress.com/2017/11/04/thor-ragnarok-in-top-10-comic-movies-of-all-time/)

Star Wars The Last Jedi – (https://nerdonomicsnz.wordpress.com/2017/12/30/star-wars-the-last-jedi/)

Logan – (https://nerdonomicsnz.wordpress.com/2017/02/26/logan-third-times-a-charm/)

Logan: Third times a charm.

 

Here’s my spoiler-free review of the film Logan, which I was lucky enough to go to the NZ premiere to watch.

Firstly, I think we need to thank Deadpool. Because if Deadpool didn’t succeed in the way that it did, 20^th Century Fox wouldn’t have taken the risk of creating a Logan/Wolverine film the way it should be. James Mangold (director) and Hugh Jackman pulled no stops as we progressed through decapitated heads, punctured limbs, sliced off body parts, and buckets full of fake blood that give Wolverine an animalistic savagery his comicbook counter-part has, but just couldn’t deliver in the previous PG X-Men films.

We’re in the dirty, dystopian, Western-like world of 2029. A world where mutants are all but gone, Logan is not the fierce warrior we’ve come to know, but an alcoholic driver-for-hire, whose Adamantium is slowly killing him from the inside, caring for 90-year-old Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) who suffers from a brain disease that causes people within a mile or so to paralyze every time he suffers a seizure.

Their quiet life is quickly turned upside down with the introduction of Laura (Dafne Keen), who takes our characters on a journey running from evil scientist Dr. Rice (Richard E. Grant), cyborg-arm guy (Boyd Holbrook) and his Reavers. Special mention to Stephen Merchant as Kaliban who adds to the story, and not just comedically.

This is a contained X-Men film, building on the previous 7 films mythology, but more concerned with the story at hand. There’s no world to save, no city to clean-up, not even a damsel in distress to turn into a love interest, this is a family tale, told in the most Adamantium way possible. It’s a film about a passive, sorrowful, broken hero at the end of a long adventure trying to find peace. And the film is smart in creating unpredictability, we’re unsure of what this road will cost Logan.

The biggest strength of this film, is its focus on the man, not the superhero. It’s in the title of the film, named after James Howlett’s human alter-ego: Logan, rather than Wolverine, his superhero alias. The previous X-Men films have been about showboating their superhero powers, it’s what audiences expect going into a X-Men film, and I would argue most if not all superhero films. Here, we dive in Logan’s reluctance to be a hero, a complexity he’s been struggling with for a couple movies now, and Mangold explores these personal themes, such as Logan’s reluctance but also his feelings of guilt and isolation.

The character relationships here are unparalleled in superhero flicks. All the relationships add depth, emotion and a heartbeat to the film. The mentor-student/father-son dynamic between Jackman and Stewart is heart-warming. Seeing a broken, beaten and old(er) Xavier being cared for by an aging and ailing Logan is nothing short of heart-breaking. In previous films Logan uses the term ‘professor’ to show Xavier’s standing over Logan. Here, Logan doesn’t mention it once. They are now close, and we explore their bond and the mutual feelings of guilt which incredibly engaging. Also, Logan’s relationship with Kaliban is a great. The relationships aren’t just about emotional depth, but they help bring out our hero’s humanity. Also, these characters don’t just make a team, but a family. Unlike previous X-Men films, where they tried to make us think it was family, this film takes the time to tell a story of a family.

The standout is Dafne Keen, playing Logan’s daughter Laura. Keen holds her own with the 2 veterans, skilfully adding to the trio’s family dynamic. Keen presents a young Wolverine-like Laura whose walk between innocence and intensity is spectacular.

If this is Jackman’s swansong, he’s exiting stage left at the top of his game, to a thunderous applause by an audience demanding an encore. This is indeed an end-of-an-era, Jackman has donned the Adamantium claws a whopping 9 times in 17 years, and never has he been more nuanced in his delivery than here. His performance can be both exhilarating and tear-inducing in equal measure. Jackman’s legacy is the fact that his Logan/Wolverine has survived a Brett Ratner sequel, one bad Ryan Reynolds Deadpool, and a couple bad movies only to still be as loved and cherished by not only the comic book geeks (you), but also the general movie-going audience (you).

Logan is a sincerely moving and gritty human story, which enthusiastically abandons superhero formulaic traditions and templates, translating the antithesis of what we have come to expect superhero films to be. It has set the standard for genre defining films, and to lock it into a genre will only do it a disservice, it’s not just the best Wolverine film, or one of the best superhero films, it can confidently stand alone as a cinematic experience worthy of multiple viewings, which I intend to do.

 

Logan comes out March 2nd. Make sure you go watch it! and come back for my spoiler Review where I’ll share my grade.