Top 5 Movies of 2017

1. Dunkirk

Dunkirk is a visual masterpiece and probably one of the greatest World War II movie to date.  Its brilliance relies on its ability to portray the war efforts not only as a desperate act of survival, but also as a force that galvanizes and mobilizes a nation in defiance of overwhelming odds. Far beyond any other movie Dunkirk captured my imagination and transported me to a desperate when the fate of Europe was decided by the ingenuity, determination and moral conviction of men that refused to be accidents of history, much less their victim.

2. A Ghost Story

I can’t think of any other movie that takes its time to develop  and yet work so well.   Its slow pace offers an intimacy that rarely pays off in movies, but one that makes a world of difference in capturing the mood and feel of its characters. The cinematography is beautiful and inviting and true accomplishment in movie making.

3. Baby Driver

Summer is for blockbuster movies and  Baby Driver delivered.  It was a fun movie that not only deliver in its action, but also in its style. It was entertaining, creative, memorable and not a sequel. I may be overemphasizing it, but in an age of Marvel and sequels, it is refreshing to see something different and exciting. Cue the music and press the pedal!

4. Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour is a riveting (yet charming) take on Winston Churchill’s Herculean  efforts to save England from the Nazis and from the self-defeating English political elites.  As a film I was impressed  by its witty and fluent dialogue, which was not a surprise given that Churchill practically wrote half of the screenplay. I will be surprised if Gary Oldman does not get an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Churchill.

5. Logan

Not a perfect movie, but what a thrilling and refreshing take on the X-men.  Perhaps one last hurrah, before Disney takes over the X-men franchise (for better or for worse,  hopefully for the better).

Honorable Mentions (not in order):

Blade Runner 2049
The Disaster Artist
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
The War of the Planet of the Apes

About the list:  These are just my favorite movies of 2017.  My list is based on how much I enjoyed them and how much I appreciated the craftsmanship of the filmmakers.

2017 Movies that I haven’t seen but want to see:

Lady Bird
Get Out
The Florida Project
Menashe
Coco

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