Saturday, December 30, 2017

BEST FILMS OF 2017



Best Films of 2017
As I mentioned in one of my blogs, the average film viewer sees only 6 films a year.  And, the main reason for FilmsToSeeOrNot is to let film viewers, whether frequent or infrequent, know where to spend their money. 
 
As was the case in the past two years, this year got off to a slow start in terms of the number of films worth seeing.  In fact, it was even moreso in 2017 and, as a result, I’ve seen less films this year than ever before.

Still, there are more than 6 that are worth your time.  However, whereas in 2015, I had a Top 12 and last year a “baker’s dozen,” this year I’m back to a Top 11.

Note that there have been a lot of good B-films, mostly in the action genre, but there has been a dearth of any decent comedies. Perhaps it’s just that we’re not living in funny times.

I don’t believe film attendance is down because people are less interested in going to the movies, but because there are just not as many films worth seeing.  The best I’ve chosen aren’t formulaic.

As usual, in addition to the list of Must-See Films, I’ve, also, listed several “categories” from which you might pick more films based on your particular taste.  Full reviews of all these films are available in past postings.

So, here are the 11 Must-See Films and 18 Additional Categories in hopes you will be inspired to become more than an average viewer and go to the movies more often.

Note that I have, also, mentioned the Bottom of the Barrel, i.e., the films you should avoid at all cost. Finally, I have included my award picks for best actors and key production crew, as well.  (Note duplications exist in some of the Additional Categories with the Must-Sees and there are "ties" in some film and actor/crew categories where I just couldn’t narrow the choice to one.)

If you can’t find these films in theaters, go to Netflix or buy/rent the DVDs.  Those listed are all worth your while.

The 11 Must-See Films of 2017
(in order)

Dunkirk
                                                  Masterful & Noble…The Year’s Best

Lady Bird
The Most Fresh & Honest Film

Blade Runner 2049
Mesmerizing. Destined to Be a Classic
 
Wonder Woman
My Personal Favorite

I, Tonya
Best Acted

The Shape of Water
Most Unusual

Logan
The Toughest

Faces/Places
Most Charming

Gifted
 Total Family Fun

Baby Driver
Slickest

The Post
Most Relevant Story

Select Categories
Most Poignant Film (a tie)
Wonder

Book of Henry

Most Charming Film
Faces/Places

Most Thought-Provoking
Blade Runner 2049

Most Uplifting (a tie)
Wonder

Gifted

Most Interesting Film Story
Shape of Water

Most Surprising Fun
 Happy Death Day
 
Most Romantic Film (a tie)
The Space Between Us

A United Kingdom

Best Foreign Film
Julieta

Most Courageous Film (a 3-way tie)
Dunkirk

Mudbound

The Post
Best Hard-Action Film (a tie)
Logan

John Wick: Chapter 2

Best Black Comedy
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Animated Film
Boss Baby

Best Family Film (a tie)
 Beauty and the Beast

Jumanji

Best Comedy  
Boss Baby

Best Horror/Thriller
Get Out

Best Acting Ensemble (a tie)
Lady Bird

I, Tonya
Best Documentary
Faces/Places

Most Underrated Film
The Great Wall

The Bottom of the Heap
Most Overrated Film  
Mother
Look at me. I’m an artist.
Get over it.

Most Disappointing
Tulip Fever
 Wilted Flower

Worst Film (a tie)
Life 
Embarrassing For All Involved

Alien: Covenant
Pure Junk
Here Are My Award Picks for Actors & Crew
Best Actor  
 Gary Oldman – Darkest Hour

Best Actress (a tie)
 Margot Robbie – I, Tonya
Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird

Best Supporting Actor (a tie)
Sam Rockwell – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
 Woody Harrelson – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actress (a tie)
Alison Janney – I, Tonya
Laure Metcalf – Lady Bird

Best Director (a tie)
Greta Gerwig – Lady Bird
Patty Jenkins – Wonder Woman

Best Adapted Screenplay   
 Allen Heinberg, Zack Snyder and Jason Fuchs – Wonder Woman

Best Original Screenplay  
    Greta Gerwig – Lady Bird 

Best Cinematography (a tie)
Roger Deakens – Blade Runner 2049
Matthew Jensen – Wonder Woman 

 Best Editing
Joe Walker – Blade Runner 2049
Jonathan Amos and Paul Machliss - Baby Driver

Best Casting Director  
Lisa Beach and Sarah Katzman – Logan

Best Production Design
Dennis Gassner – Blade Runner 2049
Sarah Greenwood – Beauty and the Beast

Best Costume Design
 Jacqueline Durran – Beauty and the Beast

Best Soundtrack
Benjamin Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer – Blade Runner 2049

Best Visual Effects
Blade Runner 2049

Let’s hope for even greater viewing in 2018!