2017's 10 Best Films

As always, this list is composed of what I have seen.  Still a few out there I've yet to see, but gotta hit the deadlines!

10 - Columbus:  A beautifully created film about loss and discovery, with some of the richest and deepest characters 2017 could muster.

9 - The Founder:  The story of the man who took McDonalds from small town hangout to international powerhouse, and the lives he crushed to do so.  Outstanding work from Michael Keaton.

8 - Thelma:  This new take on ideas used in Carrie, amongst others, pack a hit in this Norwegian import of a strictly religious girl's sexual awakening and the unknown powers that lay within her that result.

7 - Blade Runner 2049:  While it likely won't be held in as high regard as the original classic, this long awaited sequel more than lives up to the original's standards. 

6 - Hidden Figures:  This film was heavily praised at the 2016 Oscars, but got a national release in 2017, thus making it eligible for inclusion here.  If you haven't seen it, you shouldn't toast the new year without doing so.  A magnificent true story of the first black women to help man into space.

5 - Thor: Ragnarok:  More light hearted and comical than most of its predecessors, this fall's MCU entry was the most fun I've had at the movies since the original Guardians of the Galaxy.

4 - Battle of the Sexes:  Outstanding retelling of the story of the titular 1970's tennis match between feminist Billie Jean King and male chauvinist Bobby Riggs.  Sure, some dramatic license taken but a great and fun watch. 

3 - Dunkirk:  A masterwork by Christopher Nolan as he retraces and recreates World War II's most heroic and least honored event...the rescue operation to save thousands of British soldiers from sure annihilation by German forces at the seaside city of Dunkirk.  Outstanding.

2 - Wonder Woman:  Not simply a great comic book film, but a fully realized and engrossing tale of someone so sure of themselves and their role in the world that they will not let the realities of life stand in the way of finding greatness.  Not simply an empowering film for women, but a celebration of following your own path.

1 - The Disaster Artist:  A film adaptation of the book chronicling the creation of the "Citizen Kane of Bad Movies", this career defining turn by James Franco becomes more a set piece that you are not observing.  You are in the film, you are seeing the events unfold merely feet away, not projected on a 40 ft. screen.  A good film pulls you into its world, but a great film makes you part of it, and that is why this is the hands down best film of the year.

2017's 10 Worst Films!

As always, this list is limited to what I've seen this year. 

10.  Better Watch Out - An Xmas set home invasion thriller with a twist, this lump of coal was only good for a smart turn by lead actress Olivia DeJonge.

9.  Justice League - Once again, the lead actress saves a shitty film, as Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman is the only reason to watch this huge, steaming pile of dog squeeze.

8.  The Emoji Movie - An even bigger steaming pile of Patrick Stewart('s character) than could have ever been imagined.

7.  The Dark Tower - No shock here, too much source material to script it like they did. 

6.  Baywatch - Utterly talentless and clueless cast fails to improve on Z rate TV show.

5.  The Snowman - Looked great, but a lead character named Harry Hole (ok, ho-lay) should have been my first tipoff.

4.  47 Meters Down - Should have been buried deeper.

3.  T2: Trainspotting - Taking NO cues from the classic original, this was less necessary than Fuller House.

2.  The Book of Henry - A film that dreams of being as clever as everyone making it thought it was.

1.  Alien Covenant - Apparently the once great Ridley Scott thinks that incestuous robots are a great lead in to the legendary original film.  Spoiler alert Rid, they're not.