Top 25 Films of 2017

Includes Top 25 and honorable mentions from 2017.

Honorable Mentions:

“The Lost City of Z” (UK) – It is a cool exploration film that has more on its mind than just being an adventure film. Charlie Hunnam, Sienna Miller and Tom Holland head this stylish, engaging and inquisitive story about the enigmatic Percy Fawcett.

“Detroit” (USA) – Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal deliver another timely and harrowing film, this time about race riots in 1960’s Detroit. The tension and drama John Boyega, Anthony Mackie, Laz Alonso and Will Poulter bring to the screen is gut-wrenching, fantastic and brutal.

“Logan Lucky” (USA) – Soderbergh flexes his narrative genius again in this rollicking, clever and idiosyncratic heist film. Daniel Craig, Channing Tatum, Adam Driver and Katie Holmes are dangerously and hilariously brilliant.

“mother!” (USA) – Controversy is an understatement for this fable which pours on the symbolism in every shot; only Aronofsky could pack a film with imagery, metaphors, violence, social commentary, religious commentary and produce a compelling story.

“Split” (USA) - James McAvoy sinks into each of the main character’s personalities with precision, obsession and finesse; it is a relief to remember this is a fictional film. M. Night Shyamalan rages back into fine form in this slick horror/thriller.

Top 25 Films of 2017

25. “War for the Planet of Apes” (USA) – In the final chapter of Caesar’s story, Andy Serkis and Woody Harrelson pull out all the stops in the multi-faceted war between human and ape. The sleek special effects and the hard-hitting narrative create a powerful sendoff.

24. “Phantom Thread” (USA) – Daniel Day-Lewis sends off his illustrious film career with style, immense presence and commitment. Paul Thomas Anderson crafts a meticulous and twisted love story about obsession, art and beauty; all are heightened by the talented Vicky Krieps and Lesley Manville.

23. “The Post” (USA) – The timeless account of freedom of the press vs government is thrust forward in the amazing story spearheaded by Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Bob Odenkirk and Sarah Paulson. Spielberg’s wit, vision, grit and artistic touch shine through in this historical tribute.

22. “John Wick: Chapter 2” (USA) – Uncompromising, fast-paced, thrilling, fun, brutal and bloody, the second installment in the John Wick series extends the fantastic vision of the primary film. The addition of insights into the Continental adds depth, interest and intrigue to the franchise.

21. “Columbus” (USA) – The messiness of life and the intricacies of architecture are diligently, thoughtfully and poignantly explored in Kogonada’s film that features subtle, yet emotionally heavy performances by John Cho and Haley Lu Richardson.

20. “Wonder Woman” (USA) – It seems Gal Gadot was born to be Diana Prince and shows it in her most compelling, complex and convincing role. Patty Jenkins, as usual, crafts a succinct, compelling and hard-hitting film about an intriguing superhero.

19. “Coco” (USA) – While it is undeniably visually stunning, audibly entertaining, delightfully musical and most importantly fun, “Coco” is a deeply thoughtful and emotive film about family, love, culture, life and death.

18. “The Disaster Artist” (USA) – James Franco appropriately crafts and stars in a film-about-a-film in a creative, charming, sincere and inspiring manner that pays tribute to the friendship and team of Greg Sestero and Tommy Wiseau in their making of the cult-classic, “The Room.”

17. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (USA) – The second installment of the third Star Wars trilogy packs a punch in its exploration of the force, the significance of sacrifice and the meaning of hope. The film is boosted by Mark Hamill’s intricate and meditative Luke Skywalker and Adam Driver’s unstable, unpredictable and heavily tormented Kylo Ren.

16. “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (USA) – A dark, entertaining and twisted dark comedy that features three brilliant performances by Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell. Martin McDonagh forces the viewer to take in tragedy, shock, twists, redemption and relevancy all at once, but the product is thoroughly interesting and entertaining.

15. “I, Tonya” (USA) – Bolstered by astonishing performances by Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, the abusive, painful and heart-wrenching story about Tonya Harding comes roaring to life. It reveals multiple perspectives about the Hardings, showcases sweet stunts and comments on cyclical poverty.

14. “The Square” (Sweden) – Ruben Ostlund crafts a clever satire of modern art and society, which delves into the significance of freedom of expression, elitism and egocentricity. Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, Dominic West, Annica Liljeblad and Terry Notary deliver comedic, ridiculous, and at times absurd performances in this contemplative story.

13. “The Shape of Water” (USA/Canada) – Bolstered by the visionary Guillermo del Toro, as well as honest performances by Sally Hawkins, Doug Jones, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer, this tale of love, secrets, society and life is magical and profound.

12. “Darkest Hour” (UK) – Gary Oldman melts into the complex, loving, calculating, fierce and astute Sir Winston Churchill in this powerful, emotive and timely picture about a defining moment in WWII.

11. “Logan” (USA) – Hugh Jackman, Daphne Keen and Patrick Stewart further prove the value and necessity for R-rated superhero films in this hard-hitting, entertaining, visceral, painful and brutal tribute to the Wolverine. The film features Hugh Jackman’s and Patrick Stewart’s most convincing recent roles.

10. “Lady Bird” (USA) – The combination of Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan results in a daring, personal, honest and poignant tale of adolescence and the beauty of unwilling to conform to societal expectations. Though it is a familiar story, the style and performance by Ronan are refreshing, exciting and inspirational.

9. “Call Me By Your Name” (Italy/France/Brazil/USA) – Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer display brilliant chemistry in this touching love story set in the breathtaking backdrop of the Italian countryside. Luca Guadagnino crafts a sincere, subtle and compound story about young love, summer fun, history and family support.

8. “Alien: Covenant” (USA) – Ridley Scott is unforgiving in the next terrifying Alien installment; Scott continues with his brilliant style and mythological adoration of the Xenomorph species. It delves into the meaning of being alive through a strong, creepy and formidable performance by the talented Michael Fassbender.

7. “The Big Sick” (USA) – Kumail Nanjiani gives an honest, true and heart-wrenchingly inspirational performance in a film about his own unconventional, poignant, painful and beautiful love story.

6. “Get Out” (USA) – Jordan Peele, in his debut, crafted a memorable modern horror comedic classic that cleverly discusses race relations, while potently telling a terrifying tale of deceit with sickening consequences. Allison Williams marvelously portrays a modern femme fatale in Rose Armitage.

5. “Dunkirk” (UK/Netherlands) – War is loud and chaotic. Christopher Nolan brilliantly portrays the inspiring rescue at Dunkirk by air, land and sea in an appropriately non-linear style that honored everyone involved in the harrowing historic moment. The attention to nuances, realistic scenes, precise sound, use of historic items and cinematography is utterly astonishing.

4. “Baby Driver” (UK/USA) – Style doesn’t start to describe this film. From the visceral shoot-outs to the breath-taking driving stunts to the hard-hitting soundtrack, Baby Driver proves to be a modern crime/action classic. Jumpstarted by Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Jon Hamm, Eiza Gonzalez and Jamie Foxx, this ride never lets the audience stop.

3. “Blade Runner: 2049” (UK/USA) – Denis Villenueve and Roger Deakins create an entertaining and progressive science fiction film, while paying tribute to Ridley Scott’s masterpiece. Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright, Jared Leto and Harrison Ford give enlightening, subtle and formidable performances in a film that has more on its mind than being just visually stunning sequel.

2. “Wind River” (USA) – This is the hard-hitting addition to Taylor Sheridan’s modern American frontier series (Sicario and Hell or High Water). Grounded in the gritty, careful and contemplative performances by Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Apesanahkwat, Graham Greene, this film examines the underrepresented Native American communities and crafts an entertaining and brutal crime/action thriller.

1. “The Florida Project” (USA) – This visceral, poignant, emotive, beautiful and moving film is based in phenomenal performances by the newcomers Brooklynn Prince and Bria Vinaite, as well as the amazing veteran actor, Willem Dafoe. It peeks into the lives of largely overlooked Americans, while bringing up acerbic questions about society.