Top 10 films of 2017
Disclaimer: I started my film reviewing blog from late June, so most of the films on this list (not all of them, though) are from June onwards. (Also, films such as Darkest Hour, Lady Bird, Three Billboards and The Shape of Water haven’t been released in the UK as yet so they won’t count towards 2017’s list.)
Here are my favourite 10 films I’ve seen this year. It actually turned out to be a lot trickier than I imagined narrowing it down to just 10, so here’s a few honourable mentions: Thor: Ragnarok, The Big Sick, The Ritual, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 and The Limehouse Golem. So, without further ado, here’s my top 10 films of 2017:
While it has since become quite polarising in terms of people’s opinion on it, I personally enjoyed The Last Jedi (but I’m not a die-hard Star Wars fan so maybe that has something to do with it). It had decent acting, a decent story and Daisy Ridley.
- 9: Girls Trip
Shortly after I started my blog I made a mission to try and catch whatever films are released, and I went into Girls Trip without any knowledge of it (and after a slightly disappointing film in 47 Metres Down) except for the fact that it’s about four women who get drunk together. I had no excitement about it as that’s a story that’s been and done before, but Girls Trip blew me away from the get-go. A surprisingly hilarious movie from start to finish.
I’ve been a fan of this series of films (except the early 2000’s version), and the previous two films in the franchise were decent so I was eagerly awaiting this film, and it did not disappoint. It looked amazing, the action sequences were brilliant and the story itself kept me intrigued throughout. It’s still a weird series of films in which we find ourselves cheering on apes over humanity.
- 7: IT
It was scary, it was funny, it was exciting and it was entertaining, IT had me on the edge of my seat throughout with its good cast of actors and the characters written for them and an iconic villain.
- 6: Logan
Not my favourite superhero film of the year, but a very, very close 2nd. Logan sees the end of Hugh Jackman’s time as the Wolverine and he ended it with a fantastic performance, and if superhero films were more recognised at the Oscars it would easily get an acting nomination. It’s a film we can all relate to on so many levels beyond being a superhero, as ageing and family ties and friendship all take a lead, too.
- 5: Get Out
There’s a lot of talk at the moment about how well Get Out may do at the 2018 Oscars, and it’s nice to see a horror film getting some recognition. It’s use of horror, comedy, romance and social satire all come together to create a wonderfully entertaining film.
Based on the true story of the infamous Battle of the Sexes game of tennis, Emma Stone stars as Billie Jean King as she struggles with the pressure of the tennis match and her sexuality. Steve Carell is also hilarious and the pair have a great chemistry together. I’m surprised it didn’t get as much attention as I felt it deserved but I was really entertained and intrigued by this film.
- 3: mother!
Nine of the films on this list I left the cinema knowing I’d just seen a film I enjoyed: this is the exception. Mother! was such a polarising film as it divided those who loved it and those who hated it much more than The Last Jedi has lately. It is a chaotic ride from start to finish with fantastic acting and a wonderfully subtle meaning behind it. It may have took me a while to love it, but love it I do.
- 2: Dunkirk
World War II has always been a topic I’ve enjoyed reading about and watching, so I was naturally excited about Dunkirk. And what a film it was. Surely a certainty to be in attendance at the 2018 Oscars, Dunkirk beautifully captures the horror that those on the beaches of Dunkirk would have been facing. I’ve heard complaints against its lack of characterisation, but I treat the location itself as a character and that is brilliant. Hopefully Darkest Hour will be just as good as a sister-film to this, focusing on the other side of the water.
- 1: Wonder Woman
I told you I liked stuff about World War II, this film is set during it, too! I went into Wonder Woman with no interest what-so-ever: the DCEU was producing shocking films, there were an awful lot of superhero films coming out and it’s a character I really have no interest in, but I was blown away with this film. Great writing, great acting, a great story and great visuals, it finally showed us that DC could produce a decent film (although they subsequently made Justice League which proves maybe this was a one-off). Easily in my top three superhero films of all time (that list will come eventually), Wonder Woman is also my favourite film of 2017.
Well, that’s my list. What do you think? Put your favourite films in the comments below 🙂
Steve James 