Speak Now Storyteller

So 2017 has ended… which means it’s time for the “Best of the Year” to be revealed. So many movies, and going back through, I watched a lot but I also feel like I missed a lot. Hopefully, I do better in 2018 with actually watching the movies I actually WANTED TO SEE IN THE FIRST PLACE! But this post will have a few treats for you.

First, I’m going to name a few honorable mentions that I heard were good but I didn’t see. I may see them before the 2018 Oscars, but I haven’t seen them as of this list.

Best Movies I Didn’t See (But wanted to):

War of the Planet of the Apes, Okja, Dunkirk, Lady Macbeth, The Breadwinner, The Shape of Water, Wind River, Your Name., Detroit, Mudbound, Marshall, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, All the Money in the World, I, Tonya, Molly Game’s, Blade Runner: 2049 (this one I won’t watch until I see the first one).

These next few movies were ones that I saw and loved, or really liked but they didn’t quite make the list. This does not mean they’re not as good as the ones actually on my list, it just means that they didn’t make it into the top 10. Click the titles and you can see my reviews for the movie.

Honorable Mentions:

Beauty and the Beast, Wonder, Hidden Figures, Girl’s Trip, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Red Turtle, Baby Driver, The Lego Batman Movie, John Wick: Chapter 2, Colossal.

Now without further ado, these are the movies that are my favorite of the year. This is my personal opinion and I’m sure everyone is not going to agree with me, but that’s okay. These movies were the ones that made a lasting impact on me and that I would consider my favorites and the best of the year. I reviewed all of the movies posted, so click the title and you can check out the reviews!

My Top 12 Best Movies of the Year:

I was gonna do just ten but then I forgot I saw Logan, and then I watched Call Me By Your Name and it was already hard enough to pick my list, so I decided to do 12. It’s my list. lol.

12. Sleight 

Now, I don’t think this movie is like the best thing ever, but I was so shocked while I watched it that I couldn’t stop talking about it after. Movies that I might consider the best, will also be movies that affected me in a way that I can’t stop thinking about it. Jacob Lattimore was fantastic here, and I think he has a bright future ahead of him. The story is one we’ve seen before, but it has combined elements that make it unique. I think it’s a great watch. I really enjoyed it!

11. Wonder Woman

This is a monumental movie for everyone. Seeing a female lead comic book movie, where the character is handled so well that she can stand on her, now that’s something special. Gal Gadot was very good as Diana, she had innocence, but she was strong and it was so cool watching the fight scenes. Chris Pine also stood out as Steve Trevor, he wasn’t just a love interest, he was a strong character who stood on his own as well. This movie is special and it was great watching it. The scene in No Man’s Land and in the little city were probably the best scenes in this film. Fantastic. It was also great seeing so many women kick ass on Themyscira.

10. Spider-Man: Homecoming

I had a lot of expectations to see Tom Holland take on this role in his own movie. In the 20 minutes that he was in Civil War, he was great and I was convinced. Seeing this movie, was like watching the animated cartoon or reading some of the comics. While I like the other two actors who have played this role, I think Holland manages to encapsulate the role with perfect balance of being both Peter and Spider-Man. This movie is also not about his origins, but more along the lines of how he became the hero we recognize. He is also a kid, so there is an innocence about him as well. Michael Keaton is also a great villain, he was an every man but he was scary. I very much enjoyed watching this movie and I can’t wait to see where they continue to go with this young character.

9. Split

I love James McAvoy, he is such a great actor. He plays five different characters that we actually see in this movie. Technically, I would have loved to see him play all of the personalities but I’ll take what I can get. There is a “twist” involved, and without the twist, it’s a fantastic movie, and I know for some, the twist will make or break the movie. The story is also very interesting in how it’s handled. Great movie.

8. The Disaster Artist

A surprising movie that doesn’t make fun of the worst movie in the world, but tells the story behind that movie. It could have easily been a parody of Tommy Wiseau and The Room, but instead it talks about life in Hollywood, and how hard it is to make it out there. It’s funny for everyone, especially those who enjoy the spectacle of the movie it talks about. This is probably James Franco’s best acting, he’s so natural and it’s obvious that he’s having so much fun in this role but he also keeps it from bordering on the “ridiculous” but instead the human.

7. Thor: Ragnarok

The best of the Thor franchise. It took a chance to not only have a serious nature, but to balance the comedic side of the Thor character. It allowed Chris Hemsworth to show that not only is he an actor star as this character, but that he is funny. We were introduced to Valkyrie who was great, Loki and Bruce Banner return as good and interesting characters. This is the first time we truly see Hulk living in the spotlight, even talking and having conversations. It’s big, it’s colorful and bold. This movie is a lot of fun and the music… oh man. Definitely the best of the Thor trilogy.

6. Logan

I almost forgot about this, but this is the Wolverine movie we all wanted. It was great to see Hugh Jackman’s swan song in this role. It was Rated R, brutal, beautiful and emotional. I cried watching this movie. Not only was Hugh Jackman the best he’s been in this role, but Patrick Stewart, who also has been Professor Xavier for the same amount of time, was also the best he’s been in his role. Dafne Keene, was X-23 was a standout and I hope she goes on to do great things. It was sad to see him go but Logan is a movie that is the bow to a great character.

5. Call Me By Your Name

I just watched this movie and my entire list imploded. This movie IS SO GOOD. Armie Hammer is definitely a standout in it, but Timothee Chalamet was also very good. The relationship that blossoms in this film, happens very organically, and it does touch on how it is to experience love for the first time. It was very realistic. I was glued to the screen. So good.

4. Get Out

A very surprising movie, taking a very interesting look at how black people are viewed. It does have a lot of interesting things to say, especially in the first two thirds of the film, and while I had my problems with the third act, I think this movie had some great acting, great direction by first time director Jordan Peele. and the imagery says a lot. This is definitely an experience that should be enjoyed by movie goers.

3. IT

I do not generally like scary movies, but this movie is fantastic and I had a great time watching it. The acting from the young actors is so good, that I cannot wait to see what else they do, the story is great and while it was scary to me, I enjoyed how the fears played into the character growth of the young people. I can’t wait for Chapter 2.

2. Coco

Pixar has done it again. A movie that celebrates a culture and family. Coco is an emotional roller coaster of a movie in which things are discovered, earned and lost. I cried watching this movie, the music is mostly memorable but the singing is all great.

1. Lady Bird

This movie felt like I was watching someone’s life. It felt so real and like a documentary that it can relate to anyone’s relationship with their mother. Now, I’m sure that everyone doesn’t have an exact copy of this relationship between mother and daughter, but there are parts that relate. An extraordinary movie, with fantastic acting.

I hope you enjoyed this list. Please let me know what you thought were some of the best movies of the year were down below!

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