Best of 2017: Midterm Report

Who is in the running so far?

By Josh McCormack

                                                 

*The Lego Batman Movie (dir. Chris McKay)

Every bit as good as 2014's The Lego Movie (If not better. Sue me.), The Lego Batman Movie is so fast-paced, full of truly hilarious sight gags, one of the best voice casts for any animated feature in recent years, and so full of easter eggs for not only fans of the Batman character, but for film buffs in general. A film made with complete love for the source material.

*John Wick: Chapter 2 (dir. Chad Stahelski)

While not as narratively focused or refreshing as its predecessor, John Wick: Chapter 2 takes the promise of the first film and turns it up to 11, both in the size of the fantasy world and the complexity of its fight scenes. Keanu Reeves, yet again, excels in the role he was born to play (other than Ted Theodore Logan, of course), and having opponents that are just as skilled as him makes for some truly beautiful hand-to-hand and gun-to-gun combat.

*Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 (dir. James Gunn)

Much like John Wick: Chapter 2, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 fails to capture the lightning in a bottle from the first film (which is still my favorite MCU entry thus far), however due to an incredible returning cast as well as newcomers such as Kurt Russell (YAY!) Guardians 2 is an exciting Summer blockbuster that is infused with something many of the other MCU films don't have; personality. James Gunn has written and directed a film that is bizarre, fun, funny, and even tearjerking at times. Michael Rooker is also a tremendous standout as Yondu.

*ALIEN: Covenant (dir. Ridley Scott)

While still a divisive film amongst the sci-fi/ horror community, I really enjoyed Ridley Scott's new entry in the ALIEN saga. More a story about creation than a typical horror film, Covenant finds a strong balancing act between the heavy ideas of Prometheus and the blood-splattering terror of ALIEN. Even with some glaring plot holes, this is undoubtedly my favorite film in the franchise since James Cameron's ALIENS.

*Wonder Woman (dir. Patty Jenkins)

Wonder Woman is the superhero film we need right now. Full of hope and an inspiring mindset, Wonder Woman is the first film with in DC's recent pantheon of films to be worth anything. It is fueled by a confident director who's working with great performers off of a truly engaging and witty script. Diana Prince is not only a role model for young girls, she's a role model for everyone who has gone to see this tremendous film.

*It Comes At Night (dir. Trey Edward Shults)

It Comes At Night is a horror film in which the horror comes from people's own paranoia. Though set in a post-apocalyptic setting in which some sort of virus has taken over, we don't really get any details on the virus or what it will do once it takes someone over. What the audience is left with is a family drama set between two separate families sharing a house. 75% of the film is nothing other than tremendous acting and a dark tone to really establish the dynamic of these people, but when the terror does seep in and no one is sure who to trust, it's truly nail-biting and haunting stuff. 

*Get Out (dir. Jordan Peele)

                                  

Jordan Peele's directorial debut was an unexpected turn for the known sketch-comic, but the results were absolutely thrilling. Much has been written about Get Out's incredible relevance when looking at post-Obama era racism, yet what makes the film work is how it's able to embed this political satire within the guise of a truly effective horror movie. When most Hollywood horror films feel the need to hold back and focus on doors slamming or strange noises in the distance, Get Out is not afraid to get dirty and in your face with both its scares and its politics.

*Logan (dir. James Mangold)

After nearly two decades on our screen, the X-Men franchise has put Hugh Jackman's Wolverine to rest in the best of ways. More road trip movie than typical superhero film, Logan makes strong use of its R-rating not only in terms of tons of gore (which it's full of), but also by dealing with heavy themes of loss and growing older. Hugh Jackman gives a career best as Logan, along with Patrick Stewart giving a tragic portrayal of the elderly Professor X. The young actress, Dafne Keen, also makes a tremendous impression as the young and deadly X-23. In the final moments of Logan, you will be more emotionally touched than any other super hero film to date. A true masterwork.

*Baby Driver (dir. Edgar Wright)

For my money, Edgar Wright's Baby Driver is the film to beat this year. Watching Baby Driver is like watching all that cinema has to offer in the span of 110 glorious minutes. Part Walter Hill film, part La La Land, and wholly original; Baby Driver is a film that I knew I was going to love within the first two minutes. Its pace is so fast, its writing is so lyrical, its cast is giving it their all, and the musical choices, ranging from Simon and Garfunkel to The Commodores, are perfectly synced up to the action that is being displayed. There's a confidence and a swagger to Baby Driver that is too cool to even attempt putting into words. It's stylistic, yet its style builds on the already strong characters rather than lessening their importance. Edgar Wright has yet to make a misstep in his career, and Baby Driver may be his best film yet. It's certainly my choice for the best movie of 2017 thus far.