It is absolutely astonishing that this movie turned out well. I mean, whose idea was it to make a sequel to a 35 year-old weird sci fi movie that totally bombed upon its initial release? Movies with ridiculously belated sequels have a tough enough time, but to come up with something to follow the original Blade Runner seemed impossible and borderline irresponsible. The original had such a unique style and such a satisfyingly vague ending that dredging it back up for a sequel would surely end in disaster. But lo and behold, it was pulled off so well I could have never even dreamed it (even if that dream contained a unicorn). Directed by Denis Villenueve and starring Ryan “on fire” Gosling, Blade Runner 2049 is my easy choice for the movie of 2017. First of all, it is an absolute visual feast. Ridley Scott created a stunning movie world in 1982 and it is beautifully expanded upon in the sequel. There’s a fight scene in front of an Elvis hologram that’s particularly mesmerizing. But visuals are not the only winning element of this film. There’s an emotional story that asks central questions about humanity itself, thus continuing the great work the first movie started. Even at its near 3 hour run time, Blade Runner 2049 flies by and keeps you guessing. I can not recommend this movie enough, especially for fans of science fiction. Once again the Academy forgot to nominate the ACTUAL best movie of the year for its Best Picture statue; but is should be primed for some well-deserved technical awards.
P.S. Harrison Ford has now reprised his three most famous film roles in the last 10 years. Harrison, a word from all of us: please stop while you’re ahead. Nobody needs more belated sequels like Witness 2: Amish Ascending, Air Force Two: He Told You to Get Off His Plane, Seven Days Eight Nights: Does Anyone Remember Anne Heche?, or Fugitives: Attack of the One Armed Men. We’re good Harrison, we're good.
2. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
I think my thoughts from when this movie first came out still sum up how I feel now. And it held up even better the second time. Now, we will all hold our breath as we wonder whether or not J.J. Abrams will go back to playing it safe.
3. Lady Bird
Behind a Blade Runner sequel actually working, how much I liked Lady Bird comes in a close second for the biggest surprise of 2017. It’s a coming of age story about a petulant high school senior, self-named Lady Bird, that is hell bent on getting out of her hometown of Sacramento. Every relationship in Lady Bird just feels authentic. This is especially true when it comes to Lady Bird and her mother. Nothing is belabored or over the top, the story just unfolds without bludgeoning you over the head about anything. Plus, it has an absolutely perfect ending, something most coming of age stories struggle with. Of the 9 nominees, Lady Bird is my pick for Best Picture.
4. 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
3 Billboards, despite its backlash, was not only a great film, but a very timely one for 2017. We now live in a world where you are defined only by your extremes. Even if you do something as benign as become a presidential election meme or something that's just a fun fixer upper show in your small town, the backlash will come swiftly and utterly unfairly. So what do you do with a mean spirited mother in grief, a racist cop, and a troubled police chief? That's the question that 3 Billboards wants you to wrestle with. Each character is angry for different reasons, and the movie shows us where that anger takes us. It also asks us to look at people for more than just their faults. Are people defined by their worst qualities? By their worst actions? Can bad people still do good actions, and can they change? Our society would answer those questions by those articles I linked above. But life is not about our worst. "Bad" people aren't just caricatures, and 3 Billboards makes us live with this. Our world is so swift to judge, it's good to have a film that asks us not to do so. And luckily for us, we have a Creator that has that patience with us (2 Peter 3:9).
5. War for the Planet of the Apes
The intelligent ape Caesar, finishes his Moses-esque journey in the final installment of a very underrated trilogy of films. The War from the title doesn't end up being what you expect, and in a very good way. Caesar's arc from lab monkey to grizzled leader is a great ride, and this move is its fitting end. I can't decide if War or Dawn (or whatever they called the second one, I seriously can't keep the names straight between the first two) is my favorite, so I'll just choose to love all three of these movies.
6. Baby Driver
Director Edgar Wright has made his career with Simon Pegg action-comedies (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World's End), and Baby Driver proves that he's got much more left to say. The movie plays like an awesome mix of Guy Ritchie and Martin Scorcese; quick cuts, fierce action, and a killer soundtrack. Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, and Kevin Spacey all play slightly crazy bank robbers that use young "Baby" (Ansel Elgort) as their getaway driver. The driving scenes are particularly heart-pounding as you might imagine, but it's not just all action. Each character is three-dimensional and fleshed out. The romance between Elgort and his waitress girlfriend gives enough emotional weight to make the action interesting.
7. John Wick: Chapter 2
I saw the first John Wick on a guys trip and it was one of those situations where the movie lined up perfectly with the weekend. It was a complete blast, and had me saying "I'M THINKING I'M BACK" for months on end. Chapter 2 has every single thing that made the first movie great, and more. John Wick succeeds so well because of its world building. It gives you just enough insight into its underground of hit men and assassins that you keep wanting to learn more. But the draw of the film is the over the top Keanu Reeves action, and it is here in spades.
8. Dunkirk
Dunkirk is a technically flawless movie. It is expertly filmed in almost documentary-like fashion. We learn of the heroism of British citizens and soldiers as they evacuate from France in WWII. Dunkirk is also an incredible theater experience, the sound of every bullet and every plane flying overhead rattled my sternum in my seat. It's not necessarily a movie I'll ever watch again, akin to something like Schindler's List, but that doesn't underscore it's effectiveness as a movie experience.
9. The Big Sick
For me, this was a very pleasant surprise. I took a chance on The Big Sick as an in-flight movie a few months ago. I was somewhat expecting a dumb, raunchy comedy in the vein of 40 Year Old Virgin or Neighbors. I couldn't have been more wrong. Instead, I was treated to a delightfully funny drama about a guy (Kumail Nanjiani) who breaks up with a girl right before she goes into a coma. He then forms a relationship with her parents and learns to appreciate her even more, despite her illness. The Big Sick is a top-quality romantic comedy.
10. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Honorable Mention:
Molly's Game
Thor: Ragnarok
Logan
I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore
American Made
Jim & Andy
I, Tonya
Logan Lucky
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