2017 has been a great year for movies overall. As the year closes, numerous films have made their case for major Oscar contention. The best part about this year is that there is no clear front-runner for Best Picture or Best Director, and that makes the race very exciting. My top 10 list changed a lot over the year, which usually isn’t the case. There has simply been a lot of great movies released consistently since February. Below is a list of my favorite films from 2017.
10. Wind River
Wind River was the biggest sleeper hit of 2017, without question. Written and directed by the extremely talented Taylor Sheridan, Wind River fired on all cylinders and was very well crafted overall. Jeremy Renner was also at his best in this one.
9. Call Me By Your Name
Call Me By Your Name has a great chance at winning Best Picture at this year’s Oscars. It is a great story of sexual and self discovery coupled with two magnificent performances from Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet.
8. Phantom Thread
Phantom Thread may be the strangest movie I saw in 2017. The story is so odd yet so captivating that when you walk out of the theater you’re pretty much speechless. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers another Oscar-Worthy performance and Paul Thomas Anderson crafts a meticulous script that will be dissected for years to come.
7. The Disaster Artist
Oh, hai Mark. I’m simply blown away with how awesome The Disaster Artist is. James Franco is the perfect Tommy Wiseau, so perfect that it’s almost scary. I still can’t believe that a movie that’s based on the worst movie of all time might get a Best Picture nomination. What a time to be alive.
6. Mother!
Mother! is one of the most controversial movies of the past 20 years. There is simply no in between when it comes to this one; you either love it or hate it. It was extremely captivating and filled with numerous metaphors and familiar themes. There’s a lot to be learned from this Darren Aronofsky masterpiece.
5. The Shape of Water
Guillermo Del Toro’s The Shape of Water is a beautiful, magical film. I walked out of the theater feeling hopeful, optimistic, sad, and fearful. As you can see, The Shape of Water evokes numerous emotions and that’s what makes it so great.
4. Lady Bird
Lady Bird probably has one of the simpler stories of any 2017 film, but the execution is perfect. There are moments that make you laugh and moments that make you sad. I foresee numerous Oscar Nominations and wins in this one’s future.
3. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
This is such an amazing dark comedy that’s filled with great performances all around from the cast. I loved the consistent tone throughout the film and how the characters played off of it. I really hope Frances McDormand wins the Oscar for Best Leading Actress, she was brilliant in her role.
2. Dunkirk
Dunkirk is an absolutely amazing film that is almost all told visually through action and character facial expressions. What Christopher Nolan and his crew did with the IMAX cameras when filming Dunkirk is unprecedented. The movie is so practical, the score and tension will make your palms sweat, and Nolan’s clear and concise vision makes for a thrilling cinematic experience.
1. Blade Runner 2049
Blade Runner 2049 is one of the rare sequels that is better than the original. It pays respects to the original, but expands on the universe so much that it gives it more depth than 1982 classic. Roger Deakins’s cinematography combined with the stylish production design makes Blade Runner 2049 very pleasing to look at. Technically speaking, Blade Runner 2049 is astonishing. However, I think the only Oscar that it will bring home will be Visual Effects.
Honorable Mentions:
- Baby Driver
- The Florida Project
- War for the Planet of the Apes
- Logan
- The Big Sick