Since Friday marked the halfway point of the year I thought it would be fitting to give you my top 10 favorite films of 2017 so far. So without further ado...
10. The Fate of The Furious
I'm a massive fan of this franchise and while these films have basically given up on a coherent plot, they've not taken themselves seriously and it has worked to perfection. When have something ridiculous and you don't make fun of yourself for it, then it makes for a boring movie, but when you just kick back and have some fun you get films like this. Out of the 8 films this had a lot of emotional connection to it and Charlize Theron was a perfect choice to be the villain in the film and the obstacles she created for the group are pretty intense. The film is pure destruction, but when you can just have fun in a film it makes for a better viewing experience.
9. Power Rangers
If you've know me for a really long time (since I was probably 4 or 5), then you know I love Power Rangers and as a 23 year old adult I'm proud to say that, This films tone is a completely different direction then what we were used to seeing in the tv series. The characters were great and I loved how they weren't put into the stereotypical roles based on race like the original series. It was just cool as a fan to see a more modern take on the franchise and give it new life. It struggled at the box office, but hopefully these record breaking merchandise sales we've heard rumors about will help this film get a sequel.
8. Beauty and the Beast (2017)
When this film was first announced people immediately got excited and when the announcements of each cast member were made, the excitement continued to build and some began to tout this as one of the greatest casts ever assembled for a film and some even pegged the film as an early Oscar contender. The film has big glaring problems int the sense that it was basically a step by step remake of the animated film, but the captured the sense of realism and seeing these characters we love come to life is a special treat.
7. Captain Underpants: The Epic First Movie
At first glimpse I personally thought this film would fail, but I'll admit I was wrong. It's a film completely geared towards kids, but there are some great jokes for adults as well. The animation style chosen was the perfect choice and it made me feel like I was watching The Peanuts Movie again. It has great characters and it does a great job of establishing a great franchise moving forward especially with so many books out there.
6. It Comes at Night
While 2017 hasn't been a stellar year for horror films yet (still quite a few films coming out later in the year), there have been a couple of great ones like this film. Horror films are the scariest when you can't see the villain and this film does that to perfection. It has a lot of great scares that will haunt you when you stop watching it and it really does make you questions how you would handle the situation and you lean back and forth between on what is the right and wrong thing to do.
5. Split
If you would've told me an M. Night Shyamalan film would be in the contention for one of my favorite movies of the year, then I would've laughed at you, but never the less here we are. It's not what we are typically used to seeing from Shyamalan in his recent works and he honestly in one fail swoop redeemed himself for for films like The Last Airbender, Lady in the Water, After Earth, The Happening and several other films and the fact this is apart of (SPOILER WARNING!!!!!!) the Unbreakable universe is an absolutely awesome thing to know and the fact we are getting Unbreakable 2 because of this film is just really great and I can actually say I'm excited for a M. Night Shyamalan film moving forward.
4. Wonder Woman
Just when you thought the DCEU was dead, it looks as if this film has given the universe a breath of fresh air. A Wonder Woman film has been trying to get off the ground for years and the fact we finally got it is a miracle in and of itself and it did not disappoint. One thing people had their reservations about was Gal Gadot and while she doesn't give the greatest performance in the world, she did just enough for me to really like the character and it gets me excited to see her continuous improvement for future films.
3. The Lego Batman Movie
When The Lego Movie was first announced, most people thought it would fail and when it didn't people began to believe you could a whole new universe starting by making movies based around Lego figures. One of the standout characters for The Lego Movie was Batman and making a spin-off film for him was the perfect move. When movies are self-aware, they make for more entertaining films and this film doesn't pull any punches. The film is made by Warner Bros. who hold the rights to all DC characters including Batman was willing to goes far making fun of everything that there is to making fun about Batman. From the 1960's tv show, to Batman & Robin, to the campiness of some of Batman's gallery of villains and how ridiculous some of them are. If you're a fan of Batman like I am then the jokes are that much funnier and hopefully we more solo Lego Batman films.
2. John Wick: Chapter 2
The first film was lightning in a bottle as the first trailer for it came out a month ahead of time and immediately people wanted to see it were not disappointed. The second film does a great job of building on what was established in the first film and it takes everything to a whole new level. The catacombs scene is easily one of the best scenes of the year and one of the best action scenes of all-time. Keanu Reeves was just made for this role and I couldn't imagine anyone else in it. The third film will hopefully build on the new stuff established and continue the momentum the franchise has as the current moment.
1. Logan
Is there any surprise this film is number 1. I've been gushing about this film ever since the first trailer came out back in the fall of 2016 and it did not disappoint. It's not your typical superhero film and the way they were able to show the true nature of Wolverine was just awesome. Hugh Jackman has been this character for 17 years and this is the final time he'll play Wolverine and while it is sad to see him go, this was the perfect sendoff for the character. Both Jackman and Patrick Stewart give the performance of their careers and they deserve a lot of recognition for what they did in this film. Hopefully the film can continue to carry its momentum towards Oscar season and may this film will be the first comic book film nominated for Best Picture mainly because it's a film that transcends the genre for the better.
So ladies and gentlemen what are some of your favorite films of the year so far and what do you think of my list? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.
Jonah Sparks
10. The Fate of The Furious
I'm a massive fan of this franchise and while these films have basically given up on a coherent plot, they've not taken themselves seriously and it has worked to perfection. When have something ridiculous and you don't make fun of yourself for it, then it makes for a boring movie, but when you just kick back and have some fun you get films like this. Out of the 8 films this had a lot of emotional connection to it and Charlize Theron was a perfect choice to be the villain in the film and the obstacles she created for the group are pretty intense. The film is pure destruction, but when you can just have fun in a film it makes for a better viewing experience.
9. Power Rangers
If you've know me for a really long time (since I was probably 4 or 5), then you know I love Power Rangers and as a 23 year old adult I'm proud to say that, This films tone is a completely different direction then what we were used to seeing in the tv series. The characters were great and I loved how they weren't put into the stereotypical roles based on race like the original series. It was just cool as a fan to see a more modern take on the franchise and give it new life. It struggled at the box office, but hopefully these record breaking merchandise sales we've heard rumors about will help this film get a sequel.
8. Beauty and the Beast (2017)
When this film was first announced people immediately got excited and when the announcements of each cast member were made, the excitement continued to build and some began to tout this as one of the greatest casts ever assembled for a film and some even pegged the film as an early Oscar contender. The film has big glaring problems int the sense that it was basically a step by step remake of the animated film, but the captured the sense of realism and seeing these characters we love come to life is a special treat.
7. Captain Underpants: The Epic First Movie
At first glimpse I personally thought this film would fail, but I'll admit I was wrong. It's a film completely geared towards kids, but there are some great jokes for adults as well. The animation style chosen was the perfect choice and it made me feel like I was watching The Peanuts Movie again. It has great characters and it does a great job of establishing a great franchise moving forward especially with so many books out there.
6. It Comes at Night
While 2017 hasn't been a stellar year for horror films yet (still quite a few films coming out later in the year), there have been a couple of great ones like this film. Horror films are the scariest when you can't see the villain and this film does that to perfection. It has a lot of great scares that will haunt you when you stop watching it and it really does make you questions how you would handle the situation and you lean back and forth between on what is the right and wrong thing to do.
5. Split
If you would've told me an M. Night Shyamalan film would be in the contention for one of my favorite movies of the year, then I would've laughed at you, but never the less here we are. It's not what we are typically used to seeing from Shyamalan in his recent works and he honestly in one fail swoop redeemed himself for for films like The Last Airbender, Lady in the Water, After Earth, The Happening and several other films and the fact this is apart of (SPOILER WARNING!!!!!!) the Unbreakable universe is an absolutely awesome thing to know and the fact we are getting Unbreakable 2 because of this film is just really great and I can actually say I'm excited for a M. Night Shyamalan film moving forward.
4. Wonder Woman
Just when you thought the DCEU was dead, it looks as if this film has given the universe a breath of fresh air. A Wonder Woman film has been trying to get off the ground for years and the fact we finally got it is a miracle in and of itself and it did not disappoint. One thing people had their reservations about was Gal Gadot and while she doesn't give the greatest performance in the world, she did just enough for me to really like the character and it gets me excited to see her continuous improvement for future films.
3. The Lego Batman Movie
When The Lego Movie was first announced, most people thought it would fail and when it didn't people began to believe you could a whole new universe starting by making movies based around Lego figures. One of the standout characters for The Lego Movie was Batman and making a spin-off film for him was the perfect move. When movies are self-aware, they make for more entertaining films and this film doesn't pull any punches. The film is made by Warner Bros. who hold the rights to all DC characters including Batman was willing to goes far making fun of everything that there is to making fun about Batman. From the 1960's tv show, to Batman & Robin, to the campiness of some of Batman's gallery of villains and how ridiculous some of them are. If you're a fan of Batman like I am then the jokes are that much funnier and hopefully we more solo Lego Batman films.
2. John Wick: Chapter 2
The first film was lightning in a bottle as the first trailer for it came out a month ahead of time and immediately people wanted to see it were not disappointed. The second film does a great job of building on what was established in the first film and it takes everything to a whole new level. The catacombs scene is easily one of the best scenes of the year and one of the best action scenes of all-time. Keanu Reeves was just made for this role and I couldn't imagine anyone else in it. The third film will hopefully build on the new stuff established and continue the momentum the franchise has as the current moment.
1. Logan
Is there any surprise this film is number 1. I've been gushing about this film ever since the first trailer came out back in the fall of 2016 and it did not disappoint. It's not your typical superhero film and the way they were able to show the true nature of Wolverine was just awesome. Hugh Jackman has been this character for 17 years and this is the final time he'll play Wolverine and while it is sad to see him go, this was the perfect sendoff for the character. Both Jackman and Patrick Stewart give the performance of their careers and they deserve a lot of recognition for what they did in this film. Hopefully the film can continue to carry its momentum towards Oscar season and may this film will be the first comic book film nominated for Best Picture mainly because it's a film that transcends the genre for the better.
So ladies and gentlemen what are some of your favorite films of the year so far and what do you think of my list? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.
Jonah Sparks
No comments:
Post a Comment