2017 is coming to a close. This year I wrote twenty full reviews on a diverse collection of films. I also wrote opinion pieces on past films and movie characters. In total I created 23 posts this year. Before the year closes, I'm going to write one more post about my favorite new films that I reviewed this year. If you would like to read my original review for any of these films, click their title at the top of their paragraph. Without further ado, here are my seven favorite films from 2017.
Out of all the films I wanted to review this year, I was most nervous about writing a review for Patty Jenkins'
Wonder Woman. Considering how the majority of movies released this year featured lengthy and often overbearing social commentary, I was worried this film would unnecessarily focus more on the importance of our heroine's gender and less on her character and heroics. After the film ended, I left the theatre thrilled that Allan Heinberg's screenplay didn't play the gender card once. It was quite the opposite, as the film found ways to promote all of its character's strengths and flaws in relevant and meaningful ways. Beyond surprising me with its story and memorable characters, my experience watching
Wonder Woman was the most fun I had at a super-hero film all year. This film is a win for DC, a win for audiences and a win for showing people that even if your film has an agenda it does not need to be forced or pushed. Sometimes a film can be great all on its own, and because Wonder Woman embraced this it is a film worth watching and rewatching even after 2017 concludes.
John Musker and Ron Clements, the writer and director duo of
The Princess and the Frog,
The Little Mermaid and
Aladdin, have added another Disney classic to their repertoire, and this one's in 3D.
Moana is the story of a brave young woman who was born on an island. She's willing to fight sea monsters and sail with demigods all to save her world. The only problem is she has no idea what she is doing. It's a unique adventure about the importance of heritage, courage and identity.
Auli'i Cravalho debuts as the voice of Moana, and she has impressed me with her power house singing voice and performance conviction to match it. Dwayne Johnson acts alongside Cravalho, as a formidable and humorous demigod with some equally impressive musical vocals. What makes this film stick in my mind more than anything else are
Moana's visuals. As the film consists of multiple naturalistic elements (the tide, the grass, the ground) animating this film was not an easy task. Within seconds of looking at this film it is clear the animators did not ship out this film with mediocre visuals. They put incredible effort into
Moana's scene scapes and beautiful oceans, in order to make them look as stunning as their technology allowed. Along with a few catchy songs with some well developed lyrics,
Moana is an adventure I will continue to sail back to again and again.
The first film I reviewed this year was an adaptation of August Wilson's famous Pittsburg play,
Fences. Before the film was made, many directors deemed the play "unfilmable." Denzel Washington had none of that, and thanks to his efforts and impeccable direction August Wilson's play is now a heartfelt and emotionally ripe feature film. Starring Washington himself, Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson,
Mykelti Williamson and Russell Hornsby,
Fences is a brilliant showcase of charismatic performances and real people. The line delivery, emotional subtext and painful pregnant pauses are powerful here, and the masters of all three of these are Washington and Davis. Seeing these two interact as an 18 year married couple is the primary highlight of
Fences' experience. This is the story of a family; a story full of pain, passion, good times, bad times and all the uncertainties in-between. Complimented by Washington's impeccable direction and accented with Wilson's unforgettable script,
Fences rings true. It will continue to ring true day by day and year after year.
2017 has been a year of firsts and lasts. In the world of cinema, this year featured Hugh Jackman's last performance as the Wolverine, a role he's been playing since the year 2000. For Jackman, there was no better way for his character to go than in James Mangold's
Logan. In the world of X-Men movies, there is no other film as desolate and intense as this. By treating his film as a western, instead of a tropic super-hero film, Mangold has allowed these well known movie characters to breathe and bleed in a new and untamed way. Across
Logan's vapid and hopeless wastelands, Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen and Boyd Holbrook give life to the film. Each of them brings a performance that will pull out an audience response, upon any one of these character's deaths or salvations. Full of raw dialogue, visceral confrontations and violent howling blood, Mangold has written and directed a compelling and iconic Wolverine story; one that will forever influence the mythos of X-Men and all new super-hero stories to come in 2018 and beyond that horizon.
In this year where it seemed so many people were bent on taking the world apart, director Mel Gibson created a biopic about one brave medic who wanted to put a little bit of it back together.
Hacksaw Ridge is the incredible true story of World War II veteran Private Desmond Doss. In a world that told Doss to stand down and fall in line, this young man believed what was right and stuck to his guns, by never firing one. Doss religiously followed the Bible's teachings, and because of his beliefs he wanted to join the army as a medic where he would never have to pick up a gun. Doss' story is a unique piece of history, and the film based on his story is remarkable. Like Doss the humble hero, this film is a humble portrayal of his life. Where the film could boast of Doss' life, the screenplay shows Doss giving thanks to God's strength. Where the film could show national approval for the image of the U.S. military, it takes a step back to show these soldiers as human beings, and so it honors them and the reasons why they fought. Complete with a heart wrenching score, an undaunted screenplay, and powerful performances from Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, Sam Worthington and Vince Vaugh of all people,
Hacksaw Ridge is an awe inspiring humane film. Every time I have watched it, this film has proven it is one Heaven of a war film, because it certainly ain't Hell.
Out of all the films on this list, I fear to think of this one. Martin Scorsese's
Silence is an epic about two Catholic priests and their trials in 17th century Japan. Father Rodrigues, played by Andrew Garfield, and Father Garupe, played by Adam Driver, are on a mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bring salvation to the people of Japan. How little they know, for to seeds of faith, Japan is a swamp. While it would have been easy for Scorsese to illustrate Japan is a vapid and vile land,
Silence's masterful cinematography and mesmerizing locations show Japan as a gorgeous landscape that audiences may not be able to take their eyes from. In addition to this the film's editing and sound design are engrossing.
Silence's score is composed of cicadas, waves, rain, wind, and foreboding drums and distressing pipes. These naturalistic sounds are a haunting reminder to viewers that terrible tribulations are coming for them, and there is nothing they can do to stop it. By the time a viewer allows one of
Silence's many questions to enter their thoughts, they have been consumed by
Silence's story, and this film will linger long in their thoughts after the years end.
Silence is a spiritual thriller. Watching it demands a strong will and belief. This film has tried my spirit every time I watch even a clip from it. I am hesitant to watch this film again, though I feel compelled that I should watch and be tested by
Silence at least once a year.
Ever since I heard Just Hurwitz's musical compositions in January, I have been singing and dancing to them anytime the moment arises. Since I saw the purple painted skyline of what Sebastian calls "the city of stars," I have not been able to walk by a lamppost without feeling the sudden urge to sing and tap dance. Since I have experienced Damien Chazelle's original technicolor cinematic musical
La la Land, I have seen cinema with a new dream like perspective and have developed an open appreciation for the storytellers from Hollywood and around our globe. Every time I watch
La la Land I discover something new, a greater truth illustrated in its screenplay, a deeper meaning within a song's lyrics, a reference to another film, a subtlety in Ryan Gosling's performance, a highlight in Emma Stone's portrayal of Mia's growth and development, a set piece or prop that has significance behind its reappearance, or a new experience from my life that gives me greater connection to the characters and draws me closer into Chazelle's story. I've seen dozens upon dozens of films this year, and few of them have been able to capture a moment, a balance between reality and fantasy, quite like
La la Land has. It is visually captivating, poetically written, emotionally resonant, musically appealing and always worth watching. This one's for the fools who dream, and will continue dreaming in 2018.
Thank you to all my readers and all the filmmakers who created these seven incredible films. Here's to the next year of great cinema and great views.
#7 Wonder Woman
#6 Moana
#4 Logan
#2 Silence
#1 La la Land
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