Movies You Probably Missed in 2017

Last year was a phenomenal year for movies. We had a ton of great features come out, stunning performances across the board, and a wide array of genres that people were starting to check out whether that be indies, horror, musicals, etc. In fact, 2017 was so good that I decided to once again don my epic thinking cap to present a whole other list, one that isn't the best, but by George they're not the worst movies to come out of 2017. Here are ten films in no particular order that you may have not had time, didn't know about, or dismissed from 2017 that you probably had missed and are now kicking yourself for.

10. Murder on the Orient Express

While this may be the most well known upon this list it is indeed a very underrated piece of art. It had a good opening weekend for the time it came out, and by some miracle was chugging along week after week, gaining that senior citizen business. While the fanbase for this movie is definitely older it's a shame that the younger generations haven't checked this out as much as they should. A lot of talented actors and actresses are in this film, and Kenneth Branagh's style is so juicy that you'll tuck yourself right in for this marvelous ride. The tension of this movie does not come from the murder mystery itself, but from the moral complexity the situation had ushered. If anything, please treat yourself to this for nothing else other than watching Kenneth Branagh being awesome with a fantastic mustache.

9. The Great Wall

I don't know what to say about this one. I'm assuming the "white washing" controversy had a lot to do with its poor box office Stateside, but it did phenomenal over seas. In fact, over 80% of it's worldwide box office was from foreign markets, and you know what that says? That says we Americans are too uptight, because this was a very pleasant, fun, good monster movie. The world they created with all the armor, weapons, and monsters is fun. You can tell everyone is having a blast, and that the writers actually put thought into the monsters. Do they look generic on a poster? Sure, but their design is subtle, and once you see them interacting you'll understand immediately that love and care was put into this project. As for the white washing...Matt Damon may be the one marketing the movie, but he ain't the star. The star in this film are humans from different nations working together, bringing together their different backgrounds to fight a common enemy. Matt Damon was not Mr. Perfect and overshadowing, instead he was used in the right ways. Take that for what you will, but The Great Wall is a very good, average, movie which will earn you a night of fun.

8. Gifted

Can we all just hug underneath a blanket and maybe shed a tear or two, because this movie is just...it's just good. The acting is done well, and for this film to be about a very young girl who happens to be a prodigy a lot of pressure was probably on McKenna Grace, the young actress who kills it, and she brought a really down to Earth at times tear jerker performance. We all know this good heart-warming story, nothing will surprise you, but it's all done well. A movie doesn't have to be big and epic to make you invested in the characters, it doesn't even need to be played to the audience. What Gifted does is wash over you like a nice summer breeze and allows you to feel happy and sad by the end.

7. Brad's Status

Now, for the complete opposite of Gifted, Brad's Status is brought to us by Amazon Studios, who is killing it in the indie department, and is all about...humanity. It's not necessarily a heavy film, but it tackles a heavy subject, a mid-life crisis, with dark comedy. It confronts the middle class man by showing him how his friends from college have been more successful while he stayed behind to make a family. He's questioning his purpose, what he did wrong, and most importantly the awkwardness that comes with life and trying to strive for what you're not. This film stars Ben Stiller as that family man who is successful, but not successful, and has a nice life, but not a fabulous life, and is ultimately stuck inside his dreams and hopes. He and Austin Abrams, who plays his son, have this great chemistry that has the perfect affection, awkwardness, disappointment, and nonchalant attitude towards each other that makes this film real. Brad's Status is a great film to ruminate over.

6. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

It hurts to know that so many people hate this film for being different. Maybe it's because I haven't been exposed to the pure King Arthur tale, but I found what Guy Ritchie was trying to do with this adaptation to be fresh and invigorating. My favorite part is definitely the music. Daniel Pemberton brings this insane testosterone into his music, and the only way to really describe this is for me to recommend you listen to "Assassin's Breathe" and "Run Londinium." For the movie itself, I find it brilliant. You can totally see where the studio stuck their fingers, and how this film was supposed to be longer, and all the other stuff, but for what it is King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is an injection of awesome. Ritchie is on fire in this by giving us so many great scenes with characters interacting, and facing challenges, and possibly giving one of the best Guy Ritchie exposition edits I've ever seen since Snatch. Charlie Hunnam is a fantastic King Arthur, and his dedication to this film really shows. You can see the passion oozing out of his eyes, and sweat, and then you have all the other actors doing a really good job, but then there's Jude Law. Jude Law was made for this movie. The amount of fun he's having playing the bad guy, and the layers he's showing onscreen to achieve his goals is absolutely spellbindingly chilling. And then, this film has the most epic clash between good vs evil in its video game style finale that'll push the adrenaline through your veins. I don't understand why people hate this.

5. The Hero

Wow. Just, wow. I know I should put more down than this, but there's only one scene I have to talk about for anyone to understand. Watch Sam Elliot, who plays an aging actor trying to get work, audition for a film and you will break. This one scene is so powerful, and is so important. Please just watch this movie.

4. The Wall

Coming in hot from Amazon Studios again(!) is The Wall. Like most of their films, The Wall is a very small movie that boasts big ideas and emotions. This is a war movie that focuses on the characters, and the story, over the action and spectacle. It's actually quite amazing how suspensful this film can be as we're trying to figure out where the sniper is, and how SGT. Isaac can communicate to his brethren. This tackles the big questions and conversations of war, but also being small and precise on what the plot is, a soldier pinned down behind a wall and nothing for miles around him. This film glued me to the screen and wouldn't let go until that jaw dropping end. Oh, and John Cena is in this...and he's actually quite good.

3. The Foreigner

Jackie Chan.

Do I need more?

Okay, fine, just in case. Sigh.

This is not a Jackie Chan film, but a film with Jackie Chan in it. He's still awesome, but instead of being a lovable kick-ass type of guy he's playing a grieving dad who has nothing left in this world. Focusing on more of the dramatics and psychological warfare, Chan goes against Pierce Brosnan to get the names of the men who killed his daughter. It's an incredible cat and mouse story that'll surprise you. Both Chan and Brosnan command the screen, with Brosnan being the physical actor commanding his performance, and Chan doing so much in so little that his presence will be felt throughout the film, and you could practically hear his inner turmoil as he starts methodically rampaging bad guys and good guys.

2. Brigsby Bear

Holy crap is this weird! Don't read anything about this, go in as completely blind as you can, you won't regret it.

1. Raw

Finally, one of my favorite foreign films of last year that pained me when I realized I didn't have room for it on my top 10 list, Raw. This is a gorgeous film that had me jumping not from the horror, or scares, but from the ideas and lack of limits this film will go for. Plot is, this vegetarian girl goes to college and has to undergo a hazing ritual that everyone goes through, the eating of a raw liver. After that, the girl starts to have cravings...I'd hesitate to call this a horror film, maybe a psychological horror film, but you'll be too awed and repulsed at how far these characters will go, and by the haunting finale you'll sit in your chair and just think. Think about how this film can be interpreted in numerous ways, how you could spend days analyzing  each scene, and how no matter what you'll never get this out of your head. Raw is by far the most surprising, stupendous, crazy film that had me reacting to it physically than any other film in 2017.

Phew~! Well, that's my list of 10 films you probably haven't seen last year. Please tell me what you think, whether you've seen any of these before, or if this inspired you to check them out. As always my blog is to introduce people to new films, and inspire them to go beyond their comfort zone. Each of these films are spectacular in their own way, and I truly hope I've introduced a few to you.