#1 War of the Planet of the Apes
Caesar: “I did not start this war. I offered you peace. I
showed you mercy, but now you are here to finish us off for good.”
This movie claimed the number one spot this year because I
saw it multiple times in the theater and at home. And also because usually with
a trilogy they get worse and worse. This one however got better and better. I
write this as I look at my Pop bobblehead of Casesar the leader of the apes.
His character progression from the beginning to the end had me at hello. Or
whatever his first words were. You could literally see the weight of leading
his apes to freedom in his face. Which leads me to mention the special effects
in this were nothing short of incredible. Andy Serkis deserved an oscar nom. I
love how this third movie played somewhat like a classic western. Such
parallels to todays topics. I could go on and on.
#2 Mollys Game
Molly Bloom: “I was raised to be a champion. My goal was to
win. At what and against whom, those were just details.”
The true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who
ran the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker game and became an FBI target.
From the writer of greats like a few good men, moneyball and social network.
This was Aaron Sorkins first time directing and i was impressed. Jessica
Chastain drew me in from her opening narration to the very end. I so badly
wanted to know who player X was. I researched more about the real Molly and who
played as soon as I could. She was a go getter and not affraid to put herself
in intense situations. Fascinating story that was written and directed in a way
that just kept my attention alert.
#3 I, Tonya
Tonya Harding: “America. They want someone to love, but they
want someone to hate, and the haters always say. 'Tonya, tell the truth!'
There’s no such thing as truth. I mean it’s bulls***! Everyone has their own
truth.”
Oh man i loved this movie. It was weird and hilarious and
traggic and sad all at the same time. It had such a style to it that I found
refreshing and made what could have been a tv movie into something way more
entertaining. Loved Margot Robbie as Tonya and especially loved Allison Janney
who played her mom. I hope she wins the Oscar. The clothes and hairdos were
straight out of the 80’s. I especially loved when the guy sitting next to me
opened a can of soda. I looked over and it was TAB. Paired perfectly with this
crazy film. Her bodyguard...I have no words. I will remember this movie for
years to come.
#4 The Greatest Showman
James Gordon Bennett: “Does it bother you that everything
you are selling is fake?”
P.T. Barnum: “Do these smiles seem fake?”
I remember when I was just a kid my mom had me reed a biography
on P.T. Barnum. I don’t remember much about it except that he was always in
search for the weird and strange and different. I don’t know how much the movie
really reflects who he truly was but that doesn’t matter. It was fun. From the
first music beats to the last, its a fun ride. I loved the choreography and the
costumes and the message tho a bit heavy handed. But the music is the shining
star. At first listen it was good. The movie just made my heart happy. I love a
musical so I rejoice when they are successful in hopes they will make more.
#5 Maudie
Maud Lewis: “A window. How I love a window. A bird, whizzin'
by. Bumblebee. It's always different. The whole of life. The whole of life
already framed. Right there.”
I am so sad this movie didn’t get any big award attention.
Tho I think it was considered released in 2016. But I saw it in 2017. Sally
Hawkins and Ethan Hawke gave stand out performances if you ask me. Its a true
story about an arthritic Nova Scotia woman who works as a housekeeper while she
hones her skills as an artist and eventually becomes a beloved figure in the
community. Its sweet but heart wrenching as well. Her poor humble life and
circumstances did not kill her spirit inside. She painted bright colorful
landscapes that when looking at them you would never imaging where she lived or
who she was married to etc. But this movie sat with me long after watching it.
I had to look up more about the real Maudie. Please watch this movie.
#6 Three Billboards outside ebbing, missouri
Gabriella Forrester: “So, Mildred Hayes, why did you put up
these billboards?”
Mildred Hayes: “My daughter, Angela, was murdered seven
months ago along this same stretch of road here. It seems to me the police
department is too busy torturing black folks to solve actual crime.”
I love Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell so much and this
movie lets them shine! You would think you were getting a movie about solving a
crime which the three billboards are drawing attention to. But instead you get
a very unpredictable dark comedic drama that introduces themes and ideas and
social commentary that give you plenty to talk about after watching it. It
explores anger, revenge, violence and kindness and keeps you guessing where its
going. Definitely for mature audiences with its subject matter, language and
violence.
#7 the Shape of Water
Giles: “When he looks at me, he does not know how I am
incomplete. He sees me as I am.”
At a top secret research facility in the 1950s, a lonely
janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being
held in captivity. I read somewhere where they described this movie as an adult
version of beauty and the beast. For mature audiences as well as #6 on my list.
Two of my top ten movies showcase Sally Hawkins. What a stand out she is
becoming in my list of favorite actors. She plays a mute and yet you still are
captivated by her. The movie is visually stunning and i am so happy to see
Guillermo Del Toro getting much deserved attention. Pan’s Labryinth is among my
favorite movies. This movie is unique and different. "Water is like love,
it has no shape. It takes the shape of whatever it inhabits. It's the most
powerful element in the universe. It's gentle, flexible, but breaks through every
barrier."-Guillermo del Toro
#8 Lady Bird
Shelly: “She has a big heart, your mom.”
Danny: “She’s warm, but she’s also kind of scary.”
Christine McPherson: “You can’t be scary and warm.”
Danny: “I think you can. Your mom is.”
I saw this before all the hype of a perfect rotten tomatos
score. Going into it with that on the mind could really change how you feel
abot a movie. sheesh. Most coming of age movies don’t sit well with me for one
reason or another. Maybe because they make them all about sex. This one however
was fresh and new. I loved how quirky lady bird was. I loved the exploration of
her relationship with her mom. I laughed here and there all thru it and thought
to myself, I can see this getting funnier the more you watch it. Subtly quirkly
that you have to tune into its tone. Directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Saoirse
Ronan and Laurie Metcalf. What a great pairing that turned out to be.
#9 atomic Blonde
Lorraine Broughton: “I chose this life and someday it’s
going to get me killed, but not today.”
Um...the scene with the George Michael (RIP) father figure
song playing. Look it up. google it. Oh and the scene during “I ran” by flock
of seaguls. Don’t forget the “blue monday” new order song scene. The list goes
on. This movie has style and artistic exploration. It also has grit and a plot
that you better have gone pee before watching. There is an action scene where
Chalize starts out clean and ends completely dirty and bloody and beat up. All
without any camera cuts. Now thats some well thought out choreography. This
also brought a real authentic maturity level to fight scenes. The womens
movement should elect Chalize as president. She is kick ass in this. Loved the
80’s vibe. Definitely for mature audiences.
#10 Alien Covenant
Daniels: “You hear that?”
Christopher Oram: “What?”
Daniels: “Nothing, no birds, no animals, nothing”
I had to put this Alien film in the top ten because I have
always been a fan of the franchise. True, probably not the best but it did a
good job of bringing back the elements from the first two that we all loved so
much. Reviews aren’t great but people have a high expectation for alien movies.
Don’t avoid seeing it just because of the reviews. I think you’ll like it.
Movies that almost made the cut or just plain fun:
• Gifted
I will put the guarantee on this one that you’ll enjoy it.
It’s sweet and cute and just feels good to watch it. Chris Evans and the girl
have chemistry that feels genuine and real.
• Victoria and Abdul
Judi Dench always winds in my book. This movie was purely enjoyable to watch. I
chuckled all thru it. Please watch it. An underated gem.
• Wonder
I wanted to hate this movie. The trailer made it look like
emotional manipulation cookie cutter film making. But I have to say it did draw
me in and I was moved. Worth seeing.
• The Big Sick
This movie felt genuine and real to me. Maybe because it was
based on the leads real life.
Good heavy dramas:
• Detroit
Set during the 1967 Detroit riots. Horrifying to see what a
bad cop has power to do.
• All the Money in the World
The richest man in the world won’t pay a ransom for his
grandson. Interesting true story with great acting.
• Darkest Hour
Gary Oldman better win for this one. Incredible performance.
Loved seeing the war rooms etc that I visited when at the Churchill museum in
England last year.
• Wind River
Moody and atmospheric with dark tones and good character
development.
Best of the “popcorn” flicks:
• Fate of the Furious
Ridiculous and implausable with sub par acting. I saw give
me more. Man I love how over the top these movies are getting. Yet they still
tie in the “its all about family” theme.
• Kong Skull Island
Took me about 20 minutes to get into this one but was hooked
after that. The visuals and artistic direction in this one shine.
• Wonder Woman
A win for the womens movement. Female director. Female lead.
A well made superhero film.
• Spiderman
One of my favorites of the spiderman movies.
• Logan
I’ve been waiting for the rated “R” version of X-men. The
others are ok but seem to hold back. Man this one was gritty and real. Loved
it.
• Jumanji
Loved the Robin Williams one and loved this one too. So fun
to see the video game elements used in comedic ways. I wanted more of Jack
Black. Hilarious.
Over Rated:
• Get Out
Still confused what all the fuss is about. I found this
movie to be just ok. I mean worth watching but forgetable. The race themes were
obvious and shoved in the face. It was predictable and just ok.
• Dunkirk
Christopher Nolan has been a favorite director of mine ever
since Memento. If you have not seen that, you must! I was excited for this but
did not enjoy it. I mean the story is good but his director choices left me
scratching my head. Why split it up into air, land and water? I could barely
understand when anyone spoke and could barely recognize the characters from one
scene to the next. I didn’t get the sense of just how many were rescued and I
just wasn’t very moved. The soundtrack while amazing was also confusing. It
would be crazy intense during a scene when nothing really happened. huh? Its
not a dud but as I say above, over rated. Its shot beautifully and the
soundtrack is great and the story is worth knowing about.
• Murder on the Orient Express
Maybe this was my own fault but after seeing the trailers
for this my heart was getting so excited that we might be bringing back a good
classic whodunnit mystery full of fun and surprises and quirky characters.
After seeing it however it was none of that. The amazing cast was underutilized
and the story was rather boring. The only action scene felt forced. Worth a
rental but have lower expectations than i did.
