My Top 10 Movies of 2017

I watched 57 movies from last year, but I didn't find it so hard to rank them this time around. As a result, most of these choices won't be surprising (I think I have more Oscar movies than I usually do). Here are my favourites from 2017 followed by the usual list of honourable mentions, because there are always more than 10 movies that I loved, and I still want to show appreciation for them.

10. Ingrid Goes West

While it is not the first movie to get into social media addiction and the various misuses of said technology, it may be the most effective. It's the kind of movie where you end up pitying the characters for their vices, unless maybe your addiction is as unhealthy as theirs are. Also one of the best performances of Aubrey Plaza's career.

9. The Disaster Artist

 I actually have never seen The Room in its entirety, but I feel like I don't need to because I've seen enough clips, pop culture references, and this movie to understand how and why it became a sensation. James Franco controversy aside, this is some of his best work; it is a tricky line to tell a story about Tommy Wiseau without looking like you're making fun of him (the guy is just so weird that even simply presenting the facts can turn him into a punchline), but his core motivation is always there, and underneath all of the hilarious bizarreness is a nice little story about friendship and trying to make your dreams come true.

8. Mother!

A controversial choice, because so much about this movie is over the top, intense, and disturbing - so much so that it even received Razzie nominations - but as an introvert I found it effective in creating an atmosphere of overwhelming anxiety, and as a creative person I ignored the religious allegory and instead saw it as an interesting commentary on the creative process.

7. Logan

I'm honestly not that interested in watching the previous two Wolverine solo films, but I made sure to see this one because I knew it was going to be different. It's not an epic action blockbuster full of high concept CG and set pieces; I mean, there is action in it, but overall it's a sentimental road trip movie that feels more grounded than most comic book movies, and a satisfying farewell to two beloved characters from the X-Men movie franchise.

6. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

It's refreshing that this story is less about revenge and more about the failure of the police department to properly follow up on past cases still awaiting their due justice. It's not an easy topic to deal with, but one that should perhaps be at the forefront more often.

5. I, Tonya

While it may borrow some stylistic cues (and its lead actress) from The Wolf of Wall Street, this movie is a lot of fun thanks to its rockin' soundtrack, big performances, and sense of humour. I don't know how much of it is accurate, but I did end up feeling bad for Tonya in the end.

4. The Shape of Water

Guillermo Del Toro is a little hit and miss for me (Pan's Labyrinth is, of course, a masterpiece, but I've been lukewarm on some of his other works). I think this one was successful because it captured a similar tone, charm, and aesthetic as Pan's Labyrinth, plus Sally Hawkins was adorable here.

3. Dunkirk

I'm not that interested in war movies, but I would say war is not only the setting here, but the villain as well. This is not the kind of movie that glorifies soldiers and celebrates patriotism and/or victories in battle; instead, Dunkirk is an intense, harrowing, and angst-ridden ordeal following the efforts of large numbers of soldiers simply trying to get home by making their way through deadly battlegrounds. As a point of comparison, it reminded me a lot of Gravity, only not in space: a purely cinematic experience with minimal dialogue and a lot of disaster.







2. 24 Hour Comic

After The Pistol Shrimps last year, I really was not expecting to be putting another documentary in second place when I watch so few of them, but here we are! 24 Hour Comic follows a group of artists holing up in a comic book store to take the ultimate challenge: create an entire 24-page comic all by yourself within 24 hours. I had a blast listening to everyone talk about their concepts and their creative processes, the nature of the comic book industry and creativity itself, and the playful banter they shared with each other while they worked. I'm recommending this one specifically to the types of people who are interested in art and storytelling.

1. Get Out

For me, this was the smartest and most inventive film of the year. I don't want to spoil anything, but certain aspects reminded me of Being John Malkovich (which is fairly high on my list of all time favourites), and it kept me guessing while it continued to thrill and entertain me. I don't claim to know what it's like to be black in a white society, but if this movie is an accurate allegory for that experience - as many have said it is - then I'm sorry, black people.







Honourable mentions: Split, Band Aid, The Florida Project, Thelma, Columbus, The Sweet Life, Colossal, Dave Made a Maze, Blade Runner 2049, The Villainess, Loving Vincent, Battle of the Sexes, Phantom Thread, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2





Previous lists: 2016 / 2015 / 2014 / 2013 / 2012 / 2011 / 2010