That's it! The time has finally come for the summary of the best and worst from last year. But this is not rule-making; on the contrary, this is first and foremost a personal blog. So here, I am going to present to you my favourites from 2017. Have in mind that this is the first time that my list of favourites is about to have a lot of controversial choices, but nonetheless I've decided to list only those movies and performances that have really stayed with me after a long time, so you will not be seeing a lot of the Best Picture nominees, about which you can read here.
Before we begin, though, let's give some special praise to the movies that got so close to being in the final top10: The extremely entertaining American Made starring Tom Cruise; the true story of Barry Seal, a US pilot who became a drug-runner for the CIA. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, the movie that will most likely get the big award on March 4th is a really beautiful film that just happened to have some plot holes which cost it the spot in my top-10. The Post, Steven Spielberg's political drama about a group of journalists who fight for the freedom of the press. Dunkirk, Christopher Nolan's take on the true and scary entrapment of British, Belgian and French soldiers on the beach of Dunkirk during the early days of WWII, as well as Darkest Hour, Joe Wright's take on the same event (which he had also included a scene of in his highly-acclaimed film Atonement) but this time from Winston Churchill's point of view.
Some other films that deserve to be mentioned are the following: Get Out, the indie surprise which was not only scarily funny but also a social satire about racism and prejudice. Una Mujer Fantastica, the touching small film from Chile which narrates the struggles of a transgender woman as she has to face the relatives of her deceased boyfriend. One of the latest films from 2017 that I've watched and still haunts me is Only the Brave, the true shocking story of a group of firefighters in Arizona in 2013, starring Josh Brolin [No Country for Old Men (2007)], Miles Teller [Whiplash (2014)] and Jeff Bridges [The Big Lebowski (1998)]. Finally, the russian Loveless which introduces us to a family in ruins as they try to find their missing son (more about it here).
Before we begin, though, let's give some special praise to the movies that got so close to being in the final top10: The extremely entertaining American Made starring Tom Cruise; the true story of Barry Seal, a US pilot who became a drug-runner for the CIA. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, the movie that will most likely get the big award on March 4th is a really beautiful film that just happened to have some plot holes which cost it the spot in my top-10. The Post, Steven Spielberg's political drama about a group of journalists who fight for the freedom of the press. Dunkirk, Christopher Nolan's take on the true and scary entrapment of British, Belgian and French soldiers on the beach of Dunkirk during the early days of WWII, as well as Darkest Hour, Joe Wright's take on the same event (which he had also included a scene of in his highly-acclaimed film Atonement) but this time from Winston Churchill's point of view.
Some other films that deserve to be mentioned are the following: Get Out, the indie surprise which was not only scarily funny but also a social satire about racism and prejudice. Una Mujer Fantastica, the touching small film from Chile which narrates the struggles of a transgender woman as she has to face the relatives of her deceased boyfriend. One of the latest films from 2017 that I've watched and still haunts me is Only the Brave, the true shocking story of a group of firefighters in Arizona in 2013, starring Josh Brolin [No Country for Old Men (2007)], Miles Teller [Whiplash (2014)] and Jeff Bridges [The Big Lebowski (1998)]. Finally, the russian Loveless which introduces us to a family in ruins as they try to find their missing son (more about it here).
So, with these honourable mentions out of the way, let's get to business.
BEST ACTOR
This honestly is a no-brainer. Whoever has watched Gary Oldman along the years, surely knows what an amazing actor he is, but if you see him portray Winston Churchill you will be astounded and awestruck by his phenomenal transformation into this historic personage.
Joe Wright (director of Pride & Prejudice, Atonement and Anna Karenina) creates here a rather engaging political thriller, but in truth, the driving force of his film is none other than his impeccable protagonist. Oldman carries the whole film on his shoulders and gives the performance of a lifetime, the one which will hand him the long-awaited and highly-deserved Oscar.
Runners-Up
BEST ACTRESS
Margot Robbie proved that she could act back in 2013 with her big break that was The Wolf of Wall Street. It took her 4 years, however, to get her first leading role and that was Tonya Harding, the infamous ice-skater who was banned from the rink because of her involvement in an attack towards her opponent Nancy Kerrigan. Robbie manages to create an appealing character and does so extremely well, while being surrounded by a great cast that not only does not hide her but even helps her shine ever more. Robbie will undoubtedly bring us some great performances in the years to come.
Runner-Up
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Runners-Up
- Harry Dean Stanton for Lucky. The 91-year-old's swan song before he left us in September is everything Stanton always was: a calm presence full of talent and poise.
- James Franco for The Disaster Artist. Franco did the impossible: he turned one of the worst movies of all time into a rather entertaining film about friendship and about what it takes to follow your dreams; at the same time he transformed into Tommy Wiseau, one of the strangest-talking and acting people in Hollywood.
BEST ACTRESS
Margot Robbie proved that she could act back in 2013 with her big break that was The Wolf of Wall Street. It took her 4 years, however, to get her first leading role and that was Tonya Harding, the infamous ice-skater who was banned from the rink because of her involvement in an attack towards her opponent Nancy Kerrigan. Robbie manages to create an appealing character and does so extremely well, while being surrounded by a great cast that not only does not hide her but even helps her shine ever more. Robbie will undoubtedly bring us some great performances in the years to come.Runner-Up
- Jennifer Lawrence for Mother! I've always considered Lawrence a talented actress even though I was quite upset about her Oscar win back in 2013 for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook. This time, however, she is the lead in a quite difficult film that follows her with intense close-ups which monitor her emotional reactions and she thrives.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
I am surprised that Barry Keoghan did not get any recognition for his excellent work in Yorgos Lanthimos' The Killing of a Sacred Deer but these things happen, I guess. Keoghan (whom I first remember seeing in Dunkirk) plays the role of the disturbed boy who turns Colin Farrell's character's life upside down. He appears to be a reserved person who has grown up without his father (whom he lost after a mistake made by Farrell during a heart surgery) but soon, he subtly and discreetly turns into a maniacal revenge-obsessed attention-seeker who leads the protagonists to a crazy ride. Keoghan serves his part excellently and I honestly cannot think of this movie without his show-stopper performance.
Runner-Up
Runner-Up
- Woody Harrelson for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. If I had to choose one of the two nominated actors for a secondary role in this film, I think I would go with Harrelson simply because in just a few scenes he created a full well-rounded character whom I cared about and was touched by.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Speaking of scene-stealers, here comes the always flawless Allison Janney with her amazing portrayal of Tonya Harding's mother in I, Tonya. Known especially for her work on television [The West Wing (1999-2006)], this is Janney's first Oscar nomination and it is well-deserved. It is true that whenever she appeared on screen she stole the show. Janney got lost in the role of a foul-mouthed, egomaniac, rude mother who puts pressure on her child no matter what. Her performance was so realistic that one hopes Harding's real mother was not like that. Bravo, Allison.
Runner-Up
- Dafne Keen for Logan. Keen's first feature-length film appearance was so good that everyone was talking about her after seeing the film. The 12-year-old actress stood next to Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart and she had nothing to be afraid of - she was amazing.
BEST MUSICAL SCORE
Two were the scores that really caught my ear this year. The first was Benjamin Wallfisch and Hanz Zimmer's work on Blade Runner 2049. Their delicate score (reminiscent of and respectful to Vangelis's work on the original Blade Runner) may not be something that one can easily put on speakers and listen to for hours but surely served the story extremelly well - that is what a score is supposed to do after all. The second score is an easier one: it is Alexandre Desplat's soundtrack for The Shape of Water. His calm melodies manage to create emotions and sentimental reactions and at the same time they set the feeling for such a curious film as this one.
MY FAVOURITE FILMS
10. Logan
Superhero films have a specific style and character. They are big, fun, entertaining and action-packed. James Mangold's take on the superhero genre however was something else entirely. The 3:10 to Yuma (2007) and Walk the Line (2005) director took a different turn with his chance to direct such a film. He reintroduced us to characters that have been quite well-known for more than a decade and he gave them a gritty, realistic, western-like feeling that took the genre to new heights. It is not the first time that someone took this chance (Hellboy was an interestinly serious view on a superhero) but this time the translation of a comic book to the big screen happened more maturely and respectfully. Reminding me of another solemn comic-book gem from 2005 (Constantine) Logan gave new breath to the X-Men franchise and even though it is quite a sad - even depressing - film at times it unquestionably is a film to remember.
9. IT
Speaking of good adaptations, here we go to one of the rare examples of a director's good job on a Stephen King novel - the other three being The Green Mile (1999), The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and The Mist (2007) which surprisingly have all been directed by Frank Darabont. This time, though, Andy Muschietti is the one that achieves to really get the feelings one has while reading a King book. To do so, he divided the enormous novel into two parts and focused on the chapters taking place in the past. If you are not familiar with IT, it is a story taking place in the fictional town of Derry, Maine where children always seem to go missing. Our 7 teenaged protagonists, called the Loser's Club, are led by Bill (Jaeden Lieberher) who has also lost his little brother. The cause of these disappearances, as the children soon find out is an evil force in the form of a clown, named Pennywise (and played by Bill Skarsgard). As in almost every King story, there is a supernatural element surrounding the main plot, but IT is quite successful in looking past that and bringing to life the troubles and joys of friendship when you are young. The seven protagonists feel real and relatable as if you're watching a home movie from your teenage years and the evolution of the plot happens flawlessly. IT has been criticised for not beeing really scary or a true horror film, but what people don't get is that when it comes to a story written by Stephen King, honestly, it is not about how much you get frightened but about how much engaging the story and the characters were and about the way all these people evolved to get to the end.
8. I, Tonya
There are so many people debating about the real story that is hidden behind this film. Did Tonya Harding really know about the attack on Nancy Kerrigan? Did she plan it as well? Was she completely ignorant? No matter what the true events are, Graig Gillespie's movie (which is fiction - not a documentary) manages to be entertaining, fast, quick-witted and such a fun ride. After all, as the movie starts there is this statement that I, Tonya is based on various interviews and personal accounts; and it really feels like it. I, Tonya seems like Tonya Harding's dreamy absolution. She wants to shout out loud that she had nothing to do with the attack on her ice-skating opponent back in 1994, but, at the same time, as the film includes scenes that the characters claim that "never happened" or that they "don't remember them happening", you never really know what is real or not.
Regardless of the true events, however, I, Tonya offers us a couple of really delightful hours and a look on some unforgettable performances by Margot Robbie and Allison Janney. What is more, it is ironic, criticising, full of both funny and sad moments and a damn good dark comedy.
7. Loving Vincent
Loving Vincent has entered this list because of its originality that emits love and respect for the renowned artist Vincent van Gogh. Presented to us in oil-painting reminiscent of van Gogh's technique, Loving Vincent is not a biography but the quest of Armant (Douglas Booth), son of postman Roulin, to deliver the artist's last letter, addressed to his late brother Theo, to some worthy recipient. As he does so, he starts to unravel van Gogh's last days on Earth and wants to discover what really happened to the great - yet lonely - man. For people who are familiar with the artist - but also for those who aren't - Loving Vincent is an emotional tale about van Gogh's life and troubles, his lost loves and his loneliness. Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman approach this subject with love and admiration for the great painter and they have also been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
6. Mudbound
Netflix has started producing some of the best films out there and Mudbound is no exception. It is the story of two families, the McAllans and the Jacksons, who live next to each other on a farm during the 1940's. They face difficulties and unresting situations together, yet there is one thing that separates them: their skin colour.
The McAllans, Henry (Jason Clarke) and Laura (Carey Mulligan), who move to the farm with their kids, don't seem to care that a black family is living next to them, but Henry's father (Jonathan Banks) is a racist and doesn't fail to show it. The Jacksons, on the other hand, have learnt how to endure the constant racism that they experience in their daily lives, but when their oldest son, Ronsel (Jason Mitchell) comes home after fighting in WWII, he has changed inside and cannot grasp how people see him and treat him differently when he has sacrificed everything for his country. At the same time Ronsel returns from the war, so does Henry's brother Jamie (Garrett Henlund). The two form a friendship which is based on their similar traumatic experiences but which will not be easily accepted by their community.
Mudbound is a slow burning film that tells a not highly original yet very poignant tale: that of racism and social prejudice that affects even those who wouldn't naturally be affected. It is the humane story of people who have been the target of unjust brutal behaviour for years and for that it manages to shock, move and touch its audience (yet, the Academy not so much, as it has only been nominated for Best Cinematography, Screenplay, Original Song and its supporting actress, the renowned singer Mary J. Blige but not for Best Picture).
Regardless of the true events, however, I, Tonya offers us a couple of really delightful hours and a look on some unforgettable performances by Margot Robbie and Allison Janney. What is more, it is ironic, criticising, full of both funny and sad moments and a damn good dark comedy.
7. Loving Vincent
6. Mudbound
The McAllans, Henry (Jason Clarke) and Laura (Carey Mulligan), who move to the farm with their kids, don't seem to care that a black family is living next to them, but Henry's father (Jonathan Banks) is a racist and doesn't fail to show it. The Jacksons, on the other hand, have learnt how to endure the constant racism that they experience in their daily lives, but when their oldest son, Ronsel (Jason Mitchell) comes home after fighting in WWII, he has changed inside and cannot grasp how people see him and treat him differently when he has sacrificed everything for his country. At the same time Ronsel returns from the war, so does Henry's brother Jamie (Garrett Henlund). The two form a friendship which is based on their similar traumatic experiences but which will not be easily accepted by their community.
Mudbound is a slow burning film that tells a not highly original yet very poignant tale: that of racism and social prejudice that affects even those who wouldn't naturally be affected. It is the humane story of people who have been the target of unjust brutal behaviour for years and for that it manages to shock, move and touch its audience (yet, the Academy not so much, as it has only been nominated for Best Cinematography, Screenplay, Original Song and its supporting actress, the renowned singer Mary J. Blige but not for Best Picture).
5. A Man of Integrity
A Man of Integrity might be a straight-forward movie but don't mistake it for being naive. It is an opus aiming to criticise the oppresion that the little man has to experience every day; at the same time it is an enraging portrayal of the Iranian system and - why not? - of every country's system. It is a political comment against the establishment and the fact that one cannot survive if he goes against it. A Man of Integrity is unsettling, thought-provoking and infuriating and that makes it a great film that everyone should watch.
4. Okja
Okja is one of those films that since watching it many months ago, it has not left my mind and it still has a spot in my heart (after breaking it, that is). The movie is set in the not so distant future when a meat company, led by Swinton's character, wants to produce the best meat in the world. The company creates some genetically enhanced pigs and sends them to various farms on the planet so they can raise them in different ways and thus participate in a worldwide competition. It is ten years after that the real story begins. Our pig is Okja which has been raised by a little girl, Mija (Seo-Huyn Ahn) and her grandfather in Korea.
The girl and Okja have a beautiful relationship, as Mija treats the animal not only as her pet but also as her friend. Okja in no ordinary beast; it is huge and extremely strong in addition to it being amazingly smart. Not long after, however, the company representatives come and take Okja back to their factory. Thus a long hunt begins as the little girl tries to find and save her friend along with the help of members of the Animal Liberation Front.
The story of Okja is crazy (despite being Bong's most accessible movie) and quite futuristic. It does not feel very far from what happens right now in the world - or what could happen in the near future - but the most important thing of all is that Okja is a rather touching and eye-opening film. It does not hold back when it needs to show you the hard side of the food industry and it does so boldly and exceedingly sentimentally - even thinking about it I am welling up with tears. We all root for Mija to find and save her friend, but what will happen to the other animals that wait for their turn to be slaughtered? Being artistic and surprisingly funny at times, Okja is rather thought-provoking and even if it does not mean to make you become a vegetarian, it sure as hell makes you wonder how you have stayed nonchalant about meat-eating all your life.
3. Mother!
What can someone say about the movie that has been the recipient of all types of comments, from thriving and flattering to dismissive and humiliating ones? Yet, here you see it, in the list of my most favourite films from the past year. Without getting into spoiler territory (because for me, it is much better when I know nothing about the film I am watching), all I can say is that Mother! tells a simple story disguised as a horror film and it does not give the audience any clues beforehand about what they are going to watch. For at least half of the movie, one can sit and watch wondering what the hell is happening, because Aronofksy has chosen not to be straightforward about it. [It is funny to think that after the horrible reviews the film got in the US, Jennifer Lawrence would go to talk shows and would reveal the actual plot of the film so that it would be easier for the viewers to watch it.]
Whether you get it immediately or not, though (for me it happened mid-through), Mother! is not an easy film whatsoever; it is fast and chaotic, it is claustrophobic and suffocating, it is a constant question mark of "where will it all lead to" and certainly it is not for the masses. But (and here comes the reason why it is here on the list) if you understand it and if you really see what's hiding between the lines, it is truly clever. The moment the revelation happened in my mind, everything became clear and I started mentally rewinding the film and seeing every clue that was reluctant to be handed it to me easily. Aronofsky made a bold choice making this allegorical film and I applaud him for that. And even if you are one of those who did not like it (and you are not alone), you should at least admit that the last 1/3 of Mother! is exceptional directing and editing and that no one could have done it better than Darren Aronofsky.
2. Wind River
The plot is as this: Cory [Jeremy Renner of The Avengers (2012)] is a veteran tracker who works for the Fish and Wildlife service and one day finds the frozen body of a young Native American woman lying barefoot in a forest. The local sheriff calls the FBI whose representative is Jane [Elizabeth Olsen, also from Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)], an inexperienced agent who needs Cory's tracking abilities to find the cause of the woman's death.
The less you know about the story the better, because, at first sight, it might seem unoriginal but in truth Wind River does not abide by the clichés; instead it is a stressful thriller, gritty and even graphic at times. The plot goes to places that no one expects making Wind River an unpredictable, action-packed, suspenseful must-see.
1. Blade Runner 2049
The first Blade Runner was based on Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" so it had somewhere to go and a story to tell. This time, however, Blade Runner 2049, only uses characters and names from the novel and it gives us its own interpretation of what it thinks these characters have been doing and how (or if) the events of the first movie have affected their evolution. Villeneuve and the writers have had some big shoes to fill because even though Blade Runner hadn't been extremely successful in its time, it gained a cult status along the years, so the expectations were high; and were exceeded in my opinion.
Blade Runner 2049 is slow and extremely long. It is a sci-fi mystery thriller but it takes its time to introduce you to everything and it does not toy with suspence. Instead, it is immersive and exceptionally atmospheric. Villeneuve's direction is like an homage to the original's feeling of cold distance but at the same time it does not repeat its recipe. Blade Runner 2049 is not your typical sci-fi movie with big action scenes and aliens invading but it is so beautiful and mesmerizing that if you give it your time, it will definitely be an experience that you will never forget.
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