The 2018 Academy Awards are upon us, and the nine nominated movies for best picture are immersed in controversy. 2017 was the year spotlighting hot topic issues; the year of #metoo, and the scandals that rocked Hollywood to it’s core.
While previous years have been suffocated by #OscarsSoWhite, I thought this year’s content was more progressive with subject matter, but apparently I’m a little off base. The Guardian asks relevant questions like “is Three Billboards racist? Is The Shape of Water plagiarized? Is Call Me by Your Name pedophilic? And, most importantly, why have this year’s films struck such a nerve?”
Let’s not forget that I, Tonya managed to be snubbed from Oscar nomination glory, because critics and moviegoers argued that the subject of domestic abuse was handled carelessly. Ugh…some of these gripes are really reaching y’all…
It’s truly the year where no film goes un-scrutinized, and while I can argue against some, I can’t argue against all complaints. Let’s not forget that movies aren’t judged on merit, but are elected and campaigned to be the best. But does that make them the best of the best? This year has had much to celebrate cinematically, but it’s been weird wading through another controversial year in Hollywood.
On a happier note, let’s all raise a glass to future Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell!!
Here are my top 10 personal favorite films of 2017.
Plot: “The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage.”
Director: James Gunn
Actors: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista
Bottom Line: I had absolutely no idea that a comic book movie could be so emotionally intense. As much as I loved volume 1, volume 2 was an even better cinematic ride for me, and I remain stunned as to how this series got me into the comic book universe!
Plot: “A mother personally challenges the local authorities to solve her daughter’s murder when they fail to catch the culprit.”
Director: Martin McDonagh
Actors: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell
Bottom Line: This is one of those movies that highlights the greatest acting abilities of it’s entire cast. Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson are at the top of their game here. Watch out, Oscars, Three Billboards is coming for you!
Plot: “At a top secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity.”
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Actors: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon
Bottom Line: Holy hell is Sally Hawkins triumphant in this role! While I don’t think del Toro deserves the Best Director Academy Award, I can agree that this is some damn good work from one of Hollywood’s most unique directors.
Plot: ” In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X, somewhere on the Mexican border. However, Logan’s attempts to hide from the world, and his legacy, are upended when a young mutant arrives, pursued by dark forces. ”
Director: James Mangold
Actors: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen.
Bottom Line: Probably one of the most well-crafted comic book movies of a generation, Logan doesn’t follow the typical narrative one would expect from Marvel (or DC). It goes above and beyond, and it’s another Marvel masterpiece that has my eye on the comic book universe. WHERE ARE THE ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR THIS FILM???
Plot: “After being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.”
Director: Edgar Wright
Actors: Ansel Elgort, Jon Bernthal, Jon Hamm
Bottom Line: While some of my blogger friends weren’t as jazzed about this movie as I was, it’s undeniable that this is one hell of a ride. With such an all-star cast, this is another homerun hit for director Edgar Wright. Plus, how adorable is Ansel Elgort?
Plot: “A young girl risks everything to prevent a powerful, multinational company from kidnapping her best friend – a fascinating beast named Okja.”
Director: Joon-ho Bong
Actors: Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Seo-Hyun Ahn
Bottom Line: After watching the Netflix original movie Okja, I was an emotional wreck and am looking at food in a whole new light. Director Joon-ho Bong made me reconsider my diet in a way I’d never imagine and had me in hysterical tears once the credits rolled.
Plot: “It’s time for a young African-American to meet with his white girlfriend’s parents for a weekend in their secluded estate in the woods, but before long, the friendly and polite ambience will give way to a nightmare.”
Director: Jordan Peele
Actors: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford
Bottom Line: One of the more intelligent (and surprising) hits of 2017, Get Out left me in awe in the very beginning of the year (didn’t this come out as early as April??). This is undoubtedly a gigantic leap for black cinema and easily one of the best films of the year.
Plot: “In this singular exploration of legacy, love, loss, and the enormity of existence, a recently deceased, white-sheeted ghost returns to his suburban home to try to reconnect with his bereft wife.”
Director: David Lowery
Actors: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, McColm Cephas Jr.
Bottom Line: I gained more insight of the possibilities of life after death from a ghost in a sheet than I have in thirty-one years from any textbook. The complexities of the afterlife may be more simple than we’ve imagined and may not be what we expect. While this one flew swiftly under the radar, I urge everyone to give it a go.
Plot: “Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises amongst the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the activity is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.”
Director: Craig Gillespie
Actors: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney
Bottom Line: With her cigarettes, blue nail polish, heavy metal playlist and self-made tacky leotards, Tonya was the anti-image of figure skating. This is probably the most fun I had all year at the theater, and Margot Robbie’s complex performance deserves the Academy Award!
Plot: “Allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire and France are surrounded by the German Army, and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.”
Director: Christopher Nolan
Actors: Fionn Whitehead, Barry Keoghan, Mark Rylance
Bottom Line: Dunkirk is a masterpiece. Full stop. This is probably the only true Academy Award movie of 2017 through and through, and it’s going to get sadly snubbed. White knuckled, heart racing and teeth clenched, this movie engulfed me entirely, and I was only ten minutes into it. Don’t catch this one at home; it needs to be seen on the BIG screen!
There you have it – my top 10 favorite movies of 2017. Was I missing anything?
Let me know your top 10 would be!
On the Screen Reviews 
Hey, Dunkirk is my #1 film of 2017 too.
I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be, but it just blew me away from start to end! I’ll go check your list out 🙂
Well, here is that list as of today.
I see Phantom Thread at your #3…kind of bummed I missed out on that one
Let’s hope you get the chance to see it when it comes on TV soon.
Terrific list. I may move a few of the films around, but only disagree about one of the films on the list – that said, a strong year for films, and a surprisingly quiet Oscar period – no real scandals…oh, and I would put “Lady Bird” on the list but I just love Greta Gerwig and was very impressed with her direction.
Which film did you disagree with? Sadly, Lady Bird bored me, but I remain in the minority with that opinion. Thanks for commenting!!
I just didn’t like “Three Billboards” as it went on – for reasons that would be spoilers so I won’t elaborate – that said, it really was a strong year for film! Your list was very articulate – bravo!
I completely understand the dislike for Three Billboards; I wasn’t wild about it, which is why it’s #9…but I definitely hear you. Thank you!!
First off you didn’t miss anything because this is your personal list which makes it A-OK. Other that that you missed everything until #3! 😂😂😂
No seriously, I enjoyed your list. I won’t rehash my utter dislike for “Billboards” or my lonely point of view on “Get Out”. But I will stress how great it is to see “A Ghost Story” so high. I think you and I have talked about that movie a great deal. So glad it has stuck with you as has me. And a great big “CHEERS” for “Dunkirk”. Also my #1 and nothing came close to beating it for the top spot. It truly is a masterpiece and I don’t throw that title around loosely .
Link your top 10 list in the comments! I’ll definitely check it out to see what I’m missing on here! Thanks for commenting, Keith 🙂
https://keithandthemovies.com/2017/12/27/top-10-films-of-2017/
A good few of those just missed out on my top 10 – agonizing some of them. Here are mine, in no particular order:
The Handmaiden
My Happy Family
Dunkirk
Clash
The Florida Project
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
In This Corner of the World
mother!
Loveless
On Body and Soul
Our lists are so different, which is why I love reading film twitter’s personal favorite lists! I was slightly bored with The Florida Project…there could have been more solid editing in that film. I turned off Killing of a Sacred Deer, because I was falling asleep/can’t handle that director. And, I have no comment about mother!
[…] Originally published at On The Screen Reviews. […]
Ugh…Baby Driver…..
But I’m glad to see Tonya and Dunkirk this high. Margot should be winning that Oscar.
Margot deserves that Oscar…
Great picks! A few of these made my list too. I love that Okja is here, that’s such a great film.
Thanks, Brittani!
Fantastic list with many solid and interesting choices 🙂 I haven’t seen Baby driver and I,Tonya 😛 but I’ve heard great things about them. Great to see Shape Of Water, A Ghost Story and Dunkirk!! Fully agreed. Dunkirk is an awesome film and was told in such a poetic and visually arresting way. Great list Courtney!
Thank you!!!
Hope you can check my list I just posted!! 🙂 Would love to hear your thoughts!
Link it in the comments, so others can find it too!
https://filmandnuance.wordpress.com/2018/02/15/best-films-of-2017/
Here it is! https://filmandnuance.wordpress.com/2018/02/15/best-films-of-2017/
https://filmandnuance.wordpress.com/2018/02/15/best-films-of-2017/
Some good picks here.. and a few I’m not so sure about myself but I’m not surprised Dunkirk is on the first spot. It was a great movie, I just.. saw some movies that I thought were better. 😀
Haven’t seen A Ghost Story yet though, don’t know if I want to see it….
What was I missing from your list?
Mettel likes that peach movie 😛
Peach movie?? Oooohhhhhhh….haha I missed that one
Love your picks 😍 Still need to see A Ghost Story but I think I’ll like it as much as you. I don’t have a Top 10 yet because I still have a few to watch, but hopefully I will by the end of the month!
Thanks! Link me when you finalize your top 10!
Great list. I’ve seen 8 of the 10 and really enjoyed every one of them. And Dunkirk is a very worthy number one. To your point about where you should watch it, I actually saw it at home and was still fully immersed. It was THAT powerful.
Oh wow! That’s surprising! I saw it in Dolby digital and was ENGULFED in its magnitude!
Yay on Shape of Water, LOGAN and DUNKIRK. Those are such terrific films and I personally would be rooting for Shape of Water. I barely remember the Guardians sequel though, and I haven’t seen ‘Billboards’ or ‘Get Out’ (boo me!). Baby Driver was fun, I think it made my Honorable Mentions.
Definitely catch the ones on this list that you missed! I have a feeling Threw Billboards will sweep the Oscars.
Well I’m glad Shape of Water ended up winning Best Picture, though I am hoping to see Three Billboards this weekend if timing works out.
Great work! Love that Dunkirk took the top spot, and I could not agree more with what you said about A Ghost Story. That thing tapped into my heart in a way I did not anticipate. Can’t wait to watch it again actually.
Thank you, Alex!! I wish more people had seen A Ghost Story…i don’t even know if it had a theatrical release 😦
Definitely would like to see Baby Driver get some more love!
I really loved all things Baby Driver. Thanks for commenting, Jay!!
Nice diverse mix. I’ve seen 6 of them. I Tonya was so entertaining and I’m rooting for Margot Robbie to win on Sunday! Definitely rewatch potential written all over it, besides Get Out, Call Me By Your Name, and Phantom Thread which I can see myself revisiting as well of this year’s oscar nominees.
Think I’m in the minority not caring for A Ghost Story (slow pacing) and Logan (the claw violence).
Thanks, Chris! I’ll be rooting for Margot too, although I don’t think she’s got a shot, sadly.