Time For A Look Back At The "Best Movies of 2017"

It's the end of the year, and time to take a look back at the best of the best.

I reviewed over 160 movies this year, and more than 20 of those received a B+ or higher final score. There were another 10 or so with a solid B that were very entertaining as well, so overall, it was a pretty good year for movies.

Documentaries gave me an additional 8 movies with a B+ or higher score.

My two favorites from that genre both dealt with music:

The Beatles: Eight Days A Week-The Touring Years (2016) Ron Howard's behind the scenes look at the birth of BeatleMania and the effect it had on the world.

Live-Aid: Against All Odds (2011) A sweeping look back at Live Aid and how they managed to pull off a show that experts said couldn't be done.


On the Animation front, only 4 serious contenders to the throne this year, and not a Disney/Pixar among them:

The LEGO Batman Movie, Storks, Trolls, and Boss Baby were all surprising hits in our house this year.

Now it's time to get to the Top 10 movies of 2017:

10) Hell Or High Water -

First, it's a heist film, so immediately I'm interested. Second, it's got Jeff Bridges doing a turn as a high octane Marshal that reminded me a lot of his character in R.I.P.D. Now, as I'm one of only 37 or so people that actually enjoyed that film, I was already hooked. :) A really engaging film and one of the first to land on the Best of the Year list and a year later, it's still standing.

9) Gifted -

A bearded Chris Evans on the Best of the Year and it's not 2018 for Avengers: Infinity War? That's right. Take one of the best feel-good movies of the year as Evans plays the guardian of his gifted niece who may be better off being raised by someone more qualified. Or perhaps love matters most of all when it comes to raising kids, no matter how smart they are.

8) Sing Street -

Because there's always room on a best of the year list for a musical. Especially a good one that takes place in the 80s. Luckily for me, I stumbled onto this one, and fell in love with it. And don't worry, even if you're not a fan of musicals, this one is done in such a way as to feel normal. The majority of the songs take place because the band is performing for a music video or practicing together. Very natural. :)

7) Hacksaw Ridge -

Perhaps someday Hollywood and the fans will be willing to forgive Mel Gibson for some drunken outbursts from nearly a decade ago. But apparently most aren't that willing yet. Maybe the real monsters that were uncovered in 2017 will help speed up the rehabilitation of Gibson's career. Either way, for those that are willing and able to move along, Gibson served up an emotionally charged true story from World War II that was a must see for the year.

6) The Big Sick -

One of the last great films of the year, is also based on a true story. Again, I missed that little subheading when I saw small images of the movie, so I was floored to find out it really happened that way at the end of the movie. You've been warned. Be ready to laugh, and bring along some Kleenex...you know...just in case you're human.

5) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 -

Whoa.
I know what you're thinking.
Don't the Marvel Studios films belong at the top of the list? Absolutely, and I'm sure we'll find something from the company there in just a second. But when you've got 3 great movies released in one year, something's gotta give. And no, it's not because it's too funny. One of the dumbest complaints I've heard about this, or any other movie this year.
 "Gosh darn it, I laughed too much during that film! Horrible!"
No, this one slides a bit down the list because it didn't have the Star Wars "wow, you've never seen anything like this" factor that the first one had. In fact, adding in the emotional father storyline, Vol. 2 then becomes The Empire Strikes Back. It's arguably better than the first one, but for me, Yondu's fate seals this one as not being quite the "must see repeat viewing" that the first one offered. Not because it's not good, it's because I'm tired of crying every time I watch it.
:)

4) Hidden Figures -

Speaking of space... how about another true story about the human computers employed by NASA to get our manned rockets into space! There's a lot of drama, action and social fury woven between the 3 tales that are interwoven into the race to get an American into space and to the moon before the Russians can do it. True stories often make the best stories for the movies.

3) The Founder - 

Case in point. :)
Look no further than this tale of Ray Kroc, the man who created McDonalds. Or... the man who stole McDonalds and created an evil empire. Or both. At the same time. Because this really is the story of the American way unfolding and you'll both love and hate Kroc, often at the same time within just one scene as he unleashes a form of entrepreneurial spirit the world had never seen before. Michael Keaton is brilliant in the role.

2) Spider-Man: Homecoming -

Speaking of Michael Keaton... how great was he as The Vulture? And thankfully, for once, Marvel Studios doesn't kill the villain! Meanwhile, they also put out the best version of Spider-Man since... Captain America: Civil War. Whatever happened before that at Sony, can just stay at Sony. Now that Spidey is an actual part of the MCU, things are looking up.

1) Thor: Ragnarok -

Yesssss!
Go on, smile Chris Hemsworth! You guys deserve it. Not only was Thor: Ragnarok the best of the Thor Trilogy, it was the best film of 2017 and one of the best efforts Marvel Studios has put out yet. And that's like picking your favorite children. Again, I brush off anyone whose biggest complaint was this was "too funny". Thor's a god. He should be cocky and arrogant and a bit brash. The dude fights, and wins, all the time. At worst, Marvel can't make a movie with their version of Hercules anymore, because, he is basically this version of Thor. :) The movie was so much fun, and really, most everyone should have walked out of the theater looking exactly like Thor does in this shot; grinning ear to ear.

That's it for this year.

See you next year when Avengers:  Infinity War, Black Panther, and Ant-Man & The Wasp jockey to be in the Top 10 with 7 other movies. :)

The Best Television Shows of 2017

Here they are, the 10 shows that I enjoyed the most throughout 2017. Even those that are on the networks, I found once they moved over to Netflix to stream. 

So without further ado, here's the shows that made 2017 great...

Honorable Mention: 

Raising Hope: The Complete Series 

Raising Hope had sharp writing and a stellar ensemble cast. There were a few episodes that didn't click, but for the most part, every single episode was a winner. The entire series was streaming on Netflix earlier this year, but alas has departed at this point. As with most dysfunctional families that have hit the airwaves over the years, it was the underlying love for one another that was the key ingredient that kept audiences wanting to come back.

10) The Man in the High Castle: Season 2 

Back for a 2nd season on Amazon, this look back at an America that has lost WWII and is now under occupied German and Japanese control continues to steam ahead. With visions of what should have been, things are heating up as the Germans and Japanese are no longer trusting each other. It will be interesting to see how it all explodes next season!

9) Sneaky Pete: Season 1 

A series I assumed would be a 1 and done, Sneaky Pete starts slowly, builds, and then suddenly it's finishing up so quickly and you realize you don't want it to be over. Then they hit you with a killer cliffhanger, and that's when you realize how, and why, it needs to be back for at least one more round!

8) American Gods: Season 1

From Starz, American Gods brings us a bloody, violent conflict between the old gods that were brought to American shores by immigrants and the new gods of 21st Century America. Anything with Ian McShane in it is almost guaranteed to be good.

7) The Good Place: Season 1

The rare network show that I found on Netflix by chance. This tale of life after death is very witty and has a fun cast. Strong finish to the season threw the whole concept up into the air, so it will be interesting to see how they retool it for the 2nd and subsequent seasons. I'm sure some people know already, and I hope to find out next year. :)

6) The Defenders

Take the 4 Netflix Marvel franchises, mix together and fix the one issue they all had: too many episodes. You wind up with the crisp, 8 episodes that for me, are the highlight of what they've put out. Sadly, reading the internet, it appears the Defenders was also the least watched of all the shows to this point. My guess, and it's supported by comments I've seen far and wide...

I'm not watching that until I finish the other series I'm behind or haven't started yet.

Pfft.

There really isn't much in this one that's a spoiler for any series except Daredevil Season 2.
My advice: don't wait, move right along to this one.

5) The Great British Baking Show 

Leave it to PBS and the British to give you a cut-throat reality series where the contestants are nice, the judges are likable, fair and give you honest criticisms instead of just being mean. Seems like just the opposite of all the other reality shows, and maybe that's why this one is so refreshing and good!

4) GLOW: Season 1

You don't have to be a fan of wrestling or the actual GLOW series from the 80s to appreciate this one. I think if you are, then your enjoyment is even greater for what this series managed to pull off. So don't let the subject matter of this show put you off. It's the drama of what the ladies (and men) go through behind the scenes that drives this show.

3) American Vandal: Season 1

A note for note parody of the true crime shows that are on ever network, including Netflix's own Making a Murderer, American Vandal takes a silly idea and runs with it...and it works! Each episode ends with a new revelation of the case, and makes you want to click 'next episode' to find out what happens! One of the few shows on the list where I truly went the binge route and finished in 2-3 days.

2) Stranger Things: Season 2 

A return trip to Hawkins Indiana just in time for Halloween was pretty much the highlight of a great year of television. The Halloween inspired episodes played at just the right time of year, and fan momentum and expectations for the series were getting stronger from the end of last season to now. With new characters and a little more for Will to do this time around, there was pretty much something for everyone to enjoy this season. So enjoy it while you can, the kids are growing up, and we probably have 4 or fewer seasons of this show to look forward to.

1) Psych: The Movie

As with all television shows, they all ultimately come to an end whether the audience wanted them to or not. The best you can hope for is to go out on top, with the audience clamoring to have you come back, posting petitions for Netflix, Amazon or anyone to pick it up and continue. Or you can dare to hope that a reunion movie could happen somewhere down the road. And for Psych-os everywhere, that's just what we got as the year came to a close. A return to...San Francisco and it picked up in real time years after the series ended. Everyone was back in what the creators are hoping for the first of 6 potential Psych reunion movies. My fingers are crossed that the ratings were good enough, and this might become an annual holiday event.


So that's a wrap on the 2017 television season. We'll see if any of these return to the list at the end of next year, or which new shows manage to bump them from the list!

He Sees You When You're Sleeping..."Better Watch Out"

Better Watch Out (2017)

Rated R

Starring Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, Aleks Mikic, Dacre Montgomery, Virginia Madsen, Patrick Warburton

Directed by Chris Peckover

The Story:

Ashley (DeJonge) is coming over to babysit Luke (Miller) while his parents (Madsen & Warburton) go to a Christmas party. Luke has a serious crush on Ashley, and hopes to act on it that evening, but an apparent home invasion may dampen the mood and kill the Christmas spirit.

Sooo...

If you saw the trailer, and thought this is another entry in the horror comedy genre similar to the Netflix Original: The Babysitter and thought perhaps it's too similar of a concept, let me stop you right there.

That trailer gave away entirely too much of The Babysitter.

Better Watch Out played bait and switch, promising one movie, and delivering something much different.

While there were some amusing aspects and funny moments, Better Watch Out foregoes much of the comedy for a darker thriller that while you see much of what's coming, it's definitely not what was advertised.

Still, a fairly engaging film that keeps you guessing and second-guessing throughout until it's over, and then you still wonder if it's truly over.

For horror fans that like their Christmas horror soaked in blood, you will likely be disappointed as much of the violence is implied. Personally, that often works to the advantage for a film as the mind can often depict something so horrible, no special effects artist can even come close.

This likely won't become an annual Christmas tradition, but it might get added to the list of Halloween horror films. :)

Final Grade:  C+ / B-

Can Love Conquer All? "The Big Sick"

The Big Sick (2017)

Rated R

Starring Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Anupam Kher, Zenobia Shroff

Directed by Michael Showalter

The Story:

Kumail (Nanjiani) is a stand up comedian. He meets Emily (Kazan) one night after his performance. The two hit it off, and the next thing you know, they are seemingly in love. But life and conflicting cultural expectations interfere, and soon Emily is in a coma with a mysterious ailment, and Kumail realizes he may lose the one thing in life he's always wanted, before he even realized that's what he needed.

Well, let me start by saying that I wasn't paying attention to the poster for this film or its tag line: An Awkward True Story.

So when it got to the end of the film, like a sucker punch of emotion, the ending brought home how sweet and sincere this film really is.

An Amazon Studios original film, while I watched it on disc through Netflix, it is now finally available to stream on Amazon for those with Prime membership.

Kumail's trials aren't isolated to his relationship with Emily either.

He also has to deal with Emily's parents (Hunter & Romano) who are initially not that impressed that he's even at the hospital when they arrive, but her perseveres in his devotion to Emily and his willingness to accept not being in his comfort zone around her parents.

Then there is dealing with his own family (Kher & Shroff) at home and their desire for him to marry within his culture.

A wonderful cast, a beautiful story, and Kumail more than easily carries the majority of the film on his shoulders.

Highly recommended if you haven't seen it already.

Final Grade: A-

The Wait For Iiiiiiiiiiiiiittttt....Is Over..."Psych: The Movie"

Psych: The Movie (2017)

TV-PG

Starring James Roday, Dule Hill, Maggie Lawson, Corbin Bernsen, Kirsten Nelson, Timothy Omundson, Zachary Levi, Kurt Fuller, Jazmyn Simon

Directed by Steve Franks

The Story:

It's been 3 years since audiences have been able to see what's been going on in the Psych office. They've moved from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. As Christmas is drawing near in San Francisco, it appears that someone is out for revenge against Juliet (Lawson) for crimes she has allegedly committed on the force. It's up to Shawn and Gus (Roday & Hill) to put their thinking caps on and see if they can outsmart the bad guy and save the day. 

As always, I try and remain as spoiler-free as I can, especially for new movies and shows that not everyone may have watched yet.

It boils down to this: if you were a Psych-o, you've been waiting for this moment for 3 years.

The show picks up right where it should. Life has happened, but thankfully, nothing major has happened to any of the characters...okay, maybe Woody (Fuller)... but we are brought up to speed as each character is reintroduced onscreen.

Plus, like many Christmas movies that aren't Christmas movies, except they ARE Christmas movies (Die Hard, Gremlins, etc), this one takes place during the holidays so you have an extra excuse to watch it, along with the 3 Christmas themed episodes every holiday season.

The only downside to the movie, not enough Lassiter (Omundson). That's where real-life stepped in as he suffered a stroke just before filming began, but thankfully he's doing well and was able to be in the film, albeit briefly.

Better news though, the creators have said they have a rough idea for 6 movies, if USA Network and the fans want to see them.

Hopefully the ratings and interest were there, and the next reunion won't be so far away.

While it did air last night on USA Network, it is now available through Amazon, VUDU or iTunes for $ 4.99 for digital streaming.

I bought my copy last night after the movie ended.

Now I can cancel my Sling TV subscription again, at least until Psych: The Movie: The Sequel

Final Grade: A

A Step Up In The Prequel Game... "Alien: Covenant"

Alien: Covenant (2017)

Rated R

Starring Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demian Bichir, Carmen Ejogo,

Directed by Ridley Scott

The Story:

It's been over a decade since the Prometheus mission failed miserably. Now, as the colony ship Covenant is heading towards its destination, a strange SOS lures it to a habitable planet. Ah, but what the crew doesn't realize is that the android David (Fassbender) has been up to all sorts of shenanigans in the meantime.

So basically Covenant goes all in with what Prometheus only teased audiences with: the Aliens.

If you're going to be the prequel for one of the greatest science fiction movie of all time, you have to eventually show us the little face-huggers.

Prometheus hinted at it, but mostly beat around the bushes about what story they were trying to tell.

Now, we're putting it straight into the title, and finding out that androids are directly responsible for the misery inflicted by these evil critters.

Fassbender gets to play dual roles as androids who are both good and evil, as one by one, the crew of the Covenant fall prey to David's dreams of godhood.

Still, it's enjoyable as the series comes ever closer to going full circle, and Scott apparently has plans for a few more of these.

Much like the Terminator series, anything after the first 2 has never lived up to the originals, but at least they're trying to create an overall narrative and salvage what they can go forward.

Final Grade: C+