How can I describe 2017 as a whole so far? Well, if you would've asked me before June: I would've said a bit disappointing. But, now, I'd say this is a surprising year because there are some movies that exceeded my expectations such as movies like Life or even Power Rangers. But, also, there some decent sequels out there and the genre to beat is: the superhero genre where there is one great movie, one very good origin movie and a solid sequel. Plus, the best movies so far that I have jotted down are pretty varied but four of the five movies share one aspect that is certain to entertain audiences: action.
However, you cannot forget the trash that has been in the bin for a while from the beginning of 2017 to now. I have to say that usually in the past few years that there is a clear choice for the worst movie in the midway point but there are three movies in the running that deserve the crown. So, I'd say my #1 is not etched in stone right now but it is a battle. So, let's get to it:
The Best Movies of 2017...So Far
5. John Wick: Chapter 2
This is a more coherent film than most blockbusters today that is filled with interesting backdrops of the criminal underworld and also to John Wick as a character. It is a thrill ride that is full of non-CGI choreographed fights that is brutal and unbelievable and a story that you are invested in to see where Wick would go as he continues to try to get out of the world. But, he has to pay a price. Still, Keanu Reeves gives it his all again.
4. Wonder Woman
First off, I want to give a round of applause to Patty Jenkins, her team and Warner Bros. for promoting this well and to have enough confidence in this movie to take the DCEU franchise in a positive direction. It is a movie of epic proportions that the audience is thrilled in Wonder Woman and the Amazonians kicking butt, the crummy state of London during the war and a great romantic chemistry between Chris Pine and Gal Gadot that is reminiscent of Casablanca and Superman. It is still the best one in that inconsistent franchise and can hopefully prompt Warner Bros to do their job and have great superhero films.
3. Get Out
It is one of the best horror films of the decade without question. And, just recently watching it again, you start to pay attention how director Jordan Peele crafted this movie subtly foreshadowing certain points or events that will take place later. It is also takes a cultural twist on its narrative that is refreshing and quite thought-provoking that it will chill your spines. Plus, the performances by Daniel Kaluuya, Alison Williams, Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener is what elevate this movie into another level and not make it a standard, cliched horror pic. Peele is telling us something with this story.
2. Baby Driver
It is a late addition to the list. But, Edgar Wright continues his successful streak of making energetic, original and fun movies. It is a movie that incorporates pop music into the action that drives the narrative forward and you are entertained by whatever direction that Wright has supplanted onto his vision. Ansel Elgort headlines a fantastic cast with Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Jon Hamm, Eiza González, Jon Bernthal and Jamie Foxx. Plus, the movie is a bit unpredictable in how the story is crafted with all of the action in its quiet and noisy moments with all of its adrenaline.
1. Logan
This is a fond farewell to Hugh Jackman's portrayal to Logan after 17 years and director James Mangold takes it home. Even with balancing the action and comedy, there is poignancy to all of its characters and Jackman, Patrick Stewart and Dafne Keen do a wonderful job. The movie earns its sentimental emotions. With themes of immigration and redemption in the driver's seat, it is all about Wolverine and Professor X writing a new chapter to the new batch of superheroes that are suppose to protect the world. But, first, Logan has to protect the girl from harm so their mutative world will have a positive future. It is enlightening.
The Worst Movies of 2017...So Far
5. The Circle
Emma Watson and Tom Hanks. Two talented actors in a very disappointing letdown about the world of social media. This movie feels like a dated movie of The Social Network that is set in the 1990s that also would mix in with The Firm. Emma does look sad and confused as she has gotten a good paycheck but it is not a great movie to remember on her resume of films. And, Hanks is sipping coffee like he is an evil and older Mark Zuckerberg trying to ruin privacy.
4. Fifty Shades Darker
There they are again: Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson sleepwalking through the pier waiting for the director to cue them that it is time for a sex scene. Heck, this may be what they look like strolling on-set. Jamie is thinking: "Boy, I can't wait to get this sex scene over with so I can make more money and move on to one more of these concoctions of terrible and dull romance stories." And, Dakota looks too awkward to even continue in one of these movies. All I can say that this is the best comedy of the year as you can laugh, drunk or not drunk, when they recite the dialogue from the screenplay and the book. And, don't worry, there is sex in the movie and not as much. But, it will not awaken you from your nap.
3. Baywatch
Oh, yes. It is adorable to see Dwayne Johnson defending this movie. He is smiling and thinking that he will get some dough for his promotions and his million-dollar smile. These two women next to him look like that they want to quit being part of the movie and enjoy their vacation. It is a bad vacation promo that mixes Michael Bay's style with a rookie studio's visual effects department like some kid messed around with the final product. Oh, and there is dialogue and jokes in this movie. Well, a first draft of the dialogue and jokes at the very least. I hope. Oh...no. That's what we were all give from the Baywatch team.
2. Transformers: The Last Knight
If you look very carefully, Mark Wahlberg is pretending to talk to someone on the phone while shooting this movie. It'd be funny if he called his agent and go hostile on him thinking, "How much of this pain can I take?" I'm with ya, pal. Me and the rest of the world have to see Michael Bay's latest creation of this franchise. Hey, he has a good record with Peter Berg. And, Bay can retreat to whatever fresh story he can come up with.
1. Unforgettable
Rosario Dawson is looking at Katherine Heigl like she is some sorority friend that she loathed and that she never invited and then it turns into a cat fight for the rest of the film. Maybe, a catfight that is sponsored by Twitter and Facebook. But, to have provide word-of-mouth, they need to get drunk. Maybe, the director and the writers were drunk while filming this and they actually got into an incoherent and baffling fight that is soap-operaish and melodramatic. It's a Lifetime movie that even Lifetime would be embarrassed of promoting and airing on television. This is a horrendous piece of trash that I bothered to care less about. Why was Dawson even in this movie? Well, I can answer this: To make it better. But, it's like connecting two pieces of the puzzle and 998 pieces are left all over the two-story house and you want to just leave. Yikes!
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