17 from 2017: Movie edition
From superhero movies to action blockbusters, here are the top 17 movies from this year
With 2017 coming to an end, I’ve compiled a list of the 17 best movies to hit the big screen throughout the year.
Coco: “Coco” is everything it’s hyped up to be and so much more. It is a much needed movie in a time where Mexicans are being painted as awful people and being thrown out the country for being wrongfully accused. It’s sentimental knowing there’s a movie where those labels are thrown out the window and shows how beautiful Mexican culture is. This is the first film with with a nine-digit budget to feature an all-Latino cast, which says a lot about the Latino representation in Hollywood.
Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman was the goldmine for the DC Extended Universe, coming in at No. 8 as the highest grossing film of 2017 and with good reason, too. The movie was both comedic and exciting and leaves you wanting more from Diana Prince. In a time where sexism couldn’t be more present, “Wonder Woman” is the movie the world desperately needed. Patty Jenkins has been recognized as the first female director of a superhero feature film, making this film an outstanding movie in the DC universe and in the fight against sexism.
It: The 1990 horror-cult classic is back after 27 years. Andrés Muschietti’s “It” is a twisted coming-of-age story. Seven middle schoolers hunt down a killer clown named Pennywise, each while battling difficult problems at home and school. Strange things start happening to each kid after each encounter, most notably to Bill, whose little brother Georgie went missing a year prior. The movie was thrilling and exciting, really doing justice compared to the 1990 classic. Fans can’t wait for “Chapter II” to come out in 2019, as Muschietti has proved he has what it takes to direct a cult classic. Bill Skarsgård is an accomplished actor, with “It” being one of the best movies he has recently released. “It” was driven with suspension and will definitely give you nightmares for days.
Spider-Man: Homecoming: The 2017 reboot of the “Spider-Man” franchise is nothing like previous “Spider-Man” movies. This movie has the perfect ratio of humor and action, with Tom Holland as a standout actor. “Homecoming” wasn’t the archetypal “Spider-Man” origin story, although it does leave avid fans questioning various plot holes. When fans got the first look at “Spider-Man” during “Captain America: Civil War” in 2016, they couldn’t have been more excited for the stand alone movie and fans weren’t disappointed. Holland’s interpretation of “Spider-Man” is child-like, unlike Andrew Garfield’s performance, which is more serious and angsty. The movie itself was enjoyable and entertaining.
Baby Driver: Driven merely by its soundtrack, the musical movie “Baby Driver” has Baby play the getaway driver for criminal mastermind, Doc. Having tinnitus, Baby blocks out the noises he hears by listening to music, in which he uses to keep him calm and focused. He doesn’t know what trouble he would eventually get into, after thinking he had paid his dues to Doc. The movie is exciting and action packed, with the characters chosen well. It was highly enjoyable and after being hooked into the movie, it leaves you never wanting the thrill to stop. Baby’s story will continue as this month director Edgar Wright confirmed a sequel. “Baby Driver” was thrilling and exciting, and you never knew what was going to happen next.
Get Out: The debut from director Jordan Peele, “Get Out”, is another Golden Globe nominee. The comedy-thriller is one of the most controversial movies to come out of Hollywood, considering racial based incidents these past years. The movie explores how racism can be terrifying and leaves you speechless after watching. Willing to take a risk, Peele’s race-based movie is equal parts comedic and horrifying with a sarcastic twist.
Beauty and The Beast: A tale as old as time is back on the big screen with Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as The Beast. The use of CGI in the film is what really brought the movie to life, as well as reviving the childhoods of many adults. The movie musical was magical, but the singing wasn’t. English-French actress Emma Watson isn’t a singer, so when she was cast as Belle, fans couldn’t wait to hear her singing abilities. She may look the part, but director Bill Condon should have taken notes from the film adaptation of “Les Miserables.” Watson was pitchy and flat in most songs, and she couldn’t hit high notes like Paige O’Hara. Other than the singing, the movie was beautifully made. The scenery was breathtaking and the effects for The Beast so realistic.
Logan: The final installment to the X-Men franchise was a perfect example of how live-action superhero movies should be made. It’s depressing and action packed, and there’s not a single scene in the movie that’s dull. Hugh Jackman says his last goodbye to the character that’s been with him for 17 years. He makes his last performance a great one.
Split: A chilling and mysterious film about mental illness was all anyone could talk about when it first released. “Split” is a psychological-horror film about Kevin Crumb, who used his mental illness to cope with the abuse from his OCD mother and kidnapped three teenage girls. James McAvoy has proven himself to be a versatile actor, playing 23 different people living in one body. McAvoy makes viewers feel as if they’re watching different people on screen. It’s interesting seeing how the various personalities interact with each other and how they each interact with the girls. The movie was suspenseful and leaves you at the edge of your seat, waiting to see what’s going to happen.
Dunkirk: Scoring a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture, “Dunkirk” was Christopher Nolan’s first historial movie. Following the British soldiers in the middle of World War II where they are evacuated out of Dunkirk, France, viewers see the struggles of the Battle of Dunkirk and how more than 350,000 troops were evacuated. The movie was an amazing interpretation of the war, but even well-crafted movies can have their annoying moments. “Dunkirk” was no exception as the time skips throughout the movie, leaving viewers confused. Despite this, “Dunkirk” leaves you at the edge of your seat, and that’s what Christopher Nolan does best.
Guardians of The Galaxy: Vol. 2: Following the success of the first “Guardians of The Galaxy,” Vol. 2 doesn’t live up entirely to the first. The comedy-driven movie would have been difficult to make as a sequel, but it’s not a direct sequel in any way. In various scenes, Vol. 2 feels like a prequel to the first “Guardians” movie. It looks more like an origin story rather than a direct sequel. The comedy woven throughout the movie drowns out the few emotional moments for the characters. The movie felt too childish compared the the first. The comedic relief is what makes the Marvel Cinematic Universe what it is, but it’s time to tone it down a bit.
The LEGO Batman Movie: “The LEGO Batman Movie” is a different approach to a classic superhero franchise. “LEGO Batman” is in no way whatsoever a serious movie like other Batman films. It’s enjoyable and although it can’t live up to “The LEGO Movie,” it’s clever and witty. It’s amusing even to older audiences with various pop-culture and older Batman references. Robin is also what makes the movie so funny and entertaining, providing humorous one-liners. The Joker and Harley Quinn make an appearance as the main villains, and they just add the perfect amount of wickedness without overdoing it.
Everything, Everything: The latest screen adaptation of a young adult novel is a creative movie about risking your life for freedom. Maddy is a smart girl who cannot leave her house because of her severe combined immunodeficiency disease illness. When Olly moves next door to Maddy, they form a deep connection and do whatever it takes to be able to be together. Although it was a typical young adult movie, the teen angst present was too much. The movie was hidden behind this ‘young love’ facade, but everything takes a turn for the worse. “Everything, Everything” is a sweet film that will tug at your heartstrings, without it being grossly romantic.
Power Rangers: After 22 years, Saban Entertainment returned to the big screen with “Power Rangers,” a reboot of the ‘90s original series. It didn’t earn much at the box office, but the representation is important. It’s the first feature film where viewers see an autistic and LGBT superhero. The movie was way too rushed, leaving plot holes and awkwardly introducing some characters into the plot line. The fight scenes are astounding, but fans of the original series were disappointed in what could possibly have been a better movie.
Justice League: DC Extended Universes’ fifth feature film, “Justice League,” was supposed to be a gold mine for the DC Universe but turned out to be a minefield. Introducing new characters to the DCEU was supposed to be exciting and should’ve given viewers a new perspective not coming from the comics or TV shows. Fans were ecstatic, but their excitement soon turned into disappointment. The movie felt too rushed and left major plot holes that couldn’t be resolved within the two hour movie. The DCEU hasn’t been releasing decent movies since “Man of Steel,” but fans of the original Justice League were expecting more of the movie. For starters, only five of the original Justice League members were present in the movie. It would have been amazing if Green Lantern was reintroduced in the DCEU.
Flatliners: Another remake of a popular ‘90s film has surprising moments spread throughout. Claiming itself to be a ‘horror’ movie, the comedic advances ultimately save the movie from being a complete disaster. It’s a nice stand-alone movie for viewers who forget it is a remake.
Murder on the Orient Express: A modern day murder mystery, “Murder on the Orient Express,” is a flawed movie hidden behind an A-list cast. The movie has strong elements woven throughout, but they could have been better utilized. The excessive use of CGI makes the movie almost nauseating to watch, but in plenty of scenes it flows really well. The murder mystery film is one-of-a-kind, so audiences were pretty excited.