My Top 10 Films of 2017!

What a year. What. A. Year. 2017 had been a truly crazy year for a number of reasons, but the only one I want to talk about today are films. 2017 was so crazy for films from blockbusters either bombing, or not making enough money that people thought they would, to the indie empire finally rising up taking audiences and critics alike, and the flipside to the increasing chasm between fans and film critics. I enjoyed 2017 in film so much. There was a lot of fun, happy, sad, emotional, anything you can think of kind of movies that came out, and here are my personal top ten films from that year.

10. The Big Sick

This was an indie darling from Amazon Studios that had everyone talking about it. It was amazing, best movie of the year, truly profound, deeply moving; those were all I could hear from critics and anyone who saw this movie. Suffice it to say I was skeptical. Could a movie really be that good? Thus, I waited. I didn't believe the hype. A part of me didn't want to join the hype, so I only saw it recently and all I can say is The Big Sick went above my expectations, and above the hype. This movie is so amazingly human that it felt like a warm blanket embarrassing me. Every character had faults, everyone was scared, this potentially traumatic event brought people together and allowed them to come face to face with their demons and problems. There are a lot of emotional moments, some funny moments, but like another movie on this list it's just a good damn love story.

9. Lady Macbeth

Profound. Stunning. Quietly rageful. These are the initial thoughts I had about Lady Macbeth. Florence Pugh is a force of nature in this film. Her performance, and gravitas in certain scenes are jaw dropping awesome. What should have been an alright, mostly boring, period drama about a young woman trying to understand her place is actually a powerful story about a woman trying to understand love while paving her own future by fighting against the male patriarchy she is forced to endure. This film held my attention and never let go as long scenes unfolded before me. It's splendidly shot, directed, but it's expertly acted and I really hope Florence Pugh gets some sort of nomination.

8. Colossal

Everyone says this, but I can't really start talking about why I love this film without stating just how original this film is. It's about a lot, but the basic plot is a woman coming back to her home town, reconnecting with all acquaintances, and summoning a giant monster to attack Korea whenever she's blackout drunk. Colossal is an emotional, engaging story that has giant monsters, an interesting story, and is a beautiful product. It deals with alcoholism, the male-female power dynamic, and like other films on this list is about what love means to you.

7. Coco

Pixar did it again. They put out a fantastic film that both adults and children alike will love, and this time they did something profound. They made the story rooted in Mexican culture, and dived head first into the Day of the Dead. Coco is absolutely refreshing, and a fantastic story about family. The colors and detail they were able to achieve in the backgrounds were glorious, and brightly colored. Spanish is actually spoken without subtitles! In a family film! What made me love this film even more is the simple fact that it's about culture, and the story resonated with everyone.

6. Get Out

It came out at the beginning of 2017, and nearly a year later it's still a movie not only I still remember, but a film that everyone who had seen it remembers. It's a very topical film that addresses racism in a twilight zone-esque type of story. It's also Jordan Peele's directorial debut, and he showcases his talent for capturing the creepy, uncomfortable, sometimes unnerving scenes with splendid acting. That third act twist was so original and spectacular. Definitely a must watch.

5. Ingrid Goes West

If there ever was a modern classic that reflects this generation it's Ingrid Goes West. I couldn't believe how spectacularly told this movie is. It's a movie that portrays a social commentary to this generation, the young adults who are all about social media and are either struggling for money or make millions off the social media outlets, instagram in particular. This film deals with loneliness, friendship, truth and lies, and so much more. I was squirming in my seat at how some scenes are far too true. The acting is phenomenal, and I think this is Aubrey Plaza at her best. The more I watch Ingrid Goes West the more I believe it's for this generation, showing the positives and negatives, and at times the absurd, that we can be. Then, the film ends on a very haunting coda that will stick with you for hours after. Good time all around.

4. Call Me by Your Name

This is a film that if I saw again would probably be ranked higher, but alas I could only see it once since it's limited release. This film is about a lot of things, like every other film on this list, and every time I have to describe it I'm lost for words. It's an enchantingly beautiful love story. That's the simple review, but Call Me by Your Name has so much more to offer. It's about a young adult trying to figure out who he is among the world. He's trying to figure out his feelings on an emotional level while living through the very well captured long lazy summer days (seriously, this film captures long lazy summer days that no other film can. You can feel the heat and relaxation coming off the screen). Timothee Chalamet is excruciatingly amazing in this movie. At times he's acting circles around the more seasoned actors in the film, and you just have to wonder what you've been doing with your life when you're watching how amazing he is. But Call Me by Your Name isn't just a well told damn good love story, but it's a love story that continues after they've met and addressed their feelings. It's a story about what happens during their time together, and what happens after they both loved each other. You'll be sitting in silence during the hauntingly beautiful credits trying, and failing, to not shed a tear.

3. The Killing of a Sacred Deer

This film is not for everyone. Let me say that again. This film is not for everyone.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer is one of the strangest films to come out of 2017. From the specific way the actors act, to the weird details they have about this family, like their kinky sex, The Killing of a Sacred Deer will crawl under your skin and make you feel uncomfortable all the way through. Colin Farrell teams up with Yorgos Lanthimos for another spectacular outing into the psychological weird and this time it's Barry Keoghan who stands out. He plays this kid that Colin Farrell meets with, and it's awkward, and weird, and uncomfortable, but that only intensifies when the kid demands to meet Colin's family...and from their it gets incredibly stranger. Keoghan commands the screen whenever he's on because he is an enigma. Just when you start to figure out his character he changes. There's a fantastic scene in which Farrell confronts Keoghan in his basement, and it'll send chills down your body to see those two fantastic actors playing off one another. Farrell's character, in response to Keoghan, has to come to terms with himself, those around him, and how he affects everyone. He also has to come to terms with an impossible question, and the way he finally deals with it is chilling and one of the most intense scenes from 2017. This is a film that I need to watch again. It's a film that everyone who watches it needs to watch again, and again The Killing of a Sacred Deer is not for everyone.

2. A Ghost Story

I fell in love with David Lowery's fantastic storytelling when he did the Pete's Dragon remake, but it was this small film he did that made me a fan for life. A Ghost Story is an incredibly humanistic film about life and death, and why we're all here. It's incredibly small and nearly takes place in a single location. When a man dies he becomes a ghost, which looks like a Halloween costume, but damn if that costume isn't incredibly expressive. Anyway, it's about coming to terms with your death, watching in horror as your sense of time dramatically changes once your dead and a new family moves in, but you can't move out. You have to watch these people you don't know, nor care about. You meet the ghost next door, and find out you could be like this for a very long time, all the while slowly forgetting who you are. Then, the film plays with time and you're done. This is a fantastic beautiful story that will make you ponder the bigger questions in life, and make you have a better appreciation for ghosts made out of bed sheets.

1. The Lost City of Z

I can not express my love for The Lost City of Z in a way that would honor it. It is a phenomenal film that takes old school epics and shows you why they're great again. This film is about the obsession with adventure and the unknown. A life long dream, journey, passion, obsession, that will eat away with your over time, and will get stronger as you age always telling yourself "I was so close." This film takes the wonder, the dangers, the excitement, the testosterone, the grievances, the loss, the tragedy, and the ruin it can all bring to one's life. Charlie Hunnam has never been better. He soars in this two and a half hour epic that he has to shoulder, and he does with utmost gravitas. His physical transformation is applaudable, as with his acting. I really can't think of this film without gushing how beautiful it is, and how human it'll make us all feel. The Lost City of Z is truly a treasure as the last light in the frame before the credits role dims, and flickers out.

Well, that was my list of my favorite 10 films of 2017. How'd I do? Did I make any truly awful choices? Ones I won't be able to show my face again type of choices? Why don't you tell me yours, and leave a comment down below. Film is what brings passion to my life, and I love sharing and talking it. Until next time.