Every year it gets harder and harder to pick just ten films to name as part of the square-eyed-geek best releases of the year. And 2017 certainly was an excellent time for cinema, from big blockbusters, to smaller independent films, to straight-to-streaming releases. As previous square-eyed-geek top tens, the ones that make it into this list must have a UK release date in 2017 (hence no Lady Bird or The Shape of Water), but no other rules apply. So without further ado, here are the releases that made 2017 sparkle:
10. La La Land
This was released so early in the year that it’s easy to forget it even existed. Yet cast your minds back and you’ll be reminded of a dazzling, toe-tapping, heart-warming piece of cinema that has one of the most astounding openings of any 2017 film. With great performances from Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, this becomes more than just a touching boy-meets-girl-and-falls-in-love story, the memorable songs and superb choreography transporting us to Mia and Sebastian’s world and showing us the ups and downs of their growing relationship. Yet as Damien Chazelle’s film takes an unexpected turn later on, this transforms into a tale we can all relate to in one way or another, making its final frames all the more impactful to watch.
9. Moonlight
Barry Jenkins’ Oscar-winning film is simple yet stunning cinema at its absolute best. This coming-of-age story which follows one boy from childhood to difficult teenage years to complicated adult life is mesmerising, Jenkins’ lyrical direction and beautiful cinematography washing over us and making us part of Chiron’s challenging world. As a tale of life and love, Jenkins nails every beat and moment too, deftly showing Chiron’s journey as he tries to understand his feelings and come to terms with his own true identity. The supporting turns from Naomie Harris as his drug-addicted mother and Mahershala Ali as a man who takes Chiron under his wing are just as entrancing, but it is Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes performances as Chiron at the different stages in his life that make the biggest impressions.
8. Okja
Bong Joon-ho’s film about a girl called Mija (Seo-hyun Ahn) and her super pig friend is an irreverent delight from start to finish. Set in the not-too-distant-future, this tale about a newly invented breed of ‘super pig’ (basically giant pigs) leads Mija and Okja on an adventure to the big city after Okja wins a competition for being the biggest super pig in the world, a prize that attracts the attention of a villainous corporation (lead by Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal deliciously hamming it up – no pun intended) and a group of animal rights activists. From excellent action sequences, bizarre humour, and a scathing commentary on the food industry itself, Bong Joon-ho holds up a mirror to our own world and dares us to question our own eating habits, with a brutally honest ending that will punch you in the gut. But what really impresses are the little moments between Mija and the entirely CGI character of Okja, the poignancy just as touching as any real onscreen relationship this year.
7. Get Out
Mainstream horror always receives tough criticism, particularly those films that have an aspect of social commentary about them. Yet Jordan Peele’s film is one that manages to do just that in an engaging, effective way while also becoming a huge box office success. Simple in its execution but daring in what it has to say, Peele’s story follows Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) as he takes a trip to meet his girlfriend’s (Allison Williams) parents (Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford) at their lavish family home. Chris guesses that his being black will raise a few eyebrows with this white upper-class family, yet soon things take a turn for the even weirder, Chris wondering whether his increasing paranoia is all in his mind or something even greater. Peele’s expert writing keeps a steady pace while leading us down one route, before pulling the rug out from under us and delivering one of the creepiest and unexpected twists ever, resulting in a horror that unpleasantly sticks in your mind.
6. Raw
This terrifying, disconcerting film gets under your skin in the best possible way, from the very first frames up until its horrid conclusion. Justine (Garance Marillier) heads off to veterinarian school, soon finding that it’s more than just studying, the brutal hazing rituals putting her strength to the test on a daily basis, especially when she is forced to eat meat despite her being a vegetarian. Writer-director Julia Ducournau builds an uneasy atmosphere, dropping sly hints as to where this might be heading as Justine starts to feel unwell and develop terrible rashes on her skin. Yet even that can’t prepare you for Raw’s full twisted story. Filled with beautiful, yet disturbing imagery that will haunt you for days after, as well as a spine-chilling soundtrack, this is unsettling stuff that is made all the more horrifying by Marillier’s multi-layered leading performance. And as Ducournau’s first feature film, it is one of the most assured cinematic works this year.
5. Call Me by Your Name
Luca Guadagnino’s enchanting film takes us on a beautifully immersive coming-of-age journey alongside the young Elio (Timothée Chalamet), who finds his world inexplicably shaken by a visitor (Armie Hammer) who comes to work with Elio’s Father (Michael Stuhlbarg) over the summer. As Elio and Oliver’s relationship begins to steadily grow against the stunning sun-drenched Italian backdrop, Guadagnino wisely focuses on the quiet moments between the pair as much as the times when they do eventually bear their souls to each other, making for an almost mesmerising realism that is felt throughout. A magnificent film that revels in the true poignancy of its tale and which will have you fighting back tears towards the end, particularly during a hugely powerful scene between Chalamet and the incredible Stuhlbarg.
4. The Big Sick
Written by Kumail Nanjiani (who plays himself) and Emily V. Gordon, this true story about a guy and a girl who fall in and out of love, only for her to suddenly become seriously ill, is as funny as it is touching. Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan’s great onscreen chemistry and director Michael Showalter’s lightness of touch make this unconventional rom-com surprisingly realistic, yet it is Nanjiani and Gordon’s perfect writing that creates a lasting impact, so much so that when it does end you feel almost lost. With Nanjiani proving himself to be a brilliant leading man able to handle both the comedy and poignancy of such a story, as well as superb supporting turns from Holly Hunter and Ray Romano as Emily’s parents, this is an effective, moving film and one you’ll want to revisit time and time again.
3. Thor: Ragnarok
While Marvel have always reveled in the fun moments of their films, Taika Waititi brings the humour to the front and centre of this entry into the Thor trilogy, allowing Chris Hemsworth to really let his hair down as the God of Thunder (or have it shaved off entirely). The plot might be the same old quest to defeat a big baddie after ultimate power (this time Hela who wants to take control of Asgard), but a new setting (the planet of Sakaar) and the return of some familiar faces (Tom Hiddleston as Loki and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk) make this a blast from start to finish. Plus the new characters thrown into the mix are hard not to fall in love with, especially Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Cate Blanchett as the villainous Hela and (of course) Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster.
2. Free Fire
Ben Wheatley’s 70s set film about a gun deal gone wrong is a hilarious, frenetic action thriller that is perfectly and admirably constructed. The one location (a dingy warehouse) adds to the tension and the threat of those deafening shootouts, the humour becoming deliciously slapstick in some moments as each of the characters tries to save their own skin. A stellar cast adds to the fun, with standouts being Jack Reynor’s reckless lackey, Armie Hammer’s suave businessman and Sharlto Copley’s South African arms dealer. Expertly paced throughout and with superb direction from Wheatley, this is a film that is never less than gripping, and which demands repeat viewings.
1. The Florida Project
The power of childhood imagination is at the forefront of Sean Baker’s film, and something that makes this tale of life on the margins of society all the more devastating to watch. Following the adorable but mischievous Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and her friends Jancey (Valeria Cotto) and Scooty (Christopher Rivera) as they run riot around the motels they call home, Baker’s story revels in the daily exploits of these kids as they play and laugh, the threat of poverty hanging just on the peripheries and something they have obviously learnt to live with. Yet as Moonee’s mother (Bria Vinaite – astounding) finds it increasingly difficult to make the weekly rent money the motel manager needs (the incredible Willem Dafoe in a brilliant supporting role), Moonee’s sunny world starts to come apart at the seams, even if she doesn’t always see it. Filled with genuinely funny moments, mesmerising cinematography that shows the beauty of places we wouldn’t normally stop to look at, and a feeling of spontaneity which keeps the realism of the story of utmost importance, this is a stunning piece of cinema that builds to a magical, albeit harrowing conclusion – one that you will find it difficult to recover from. An incredible, captivating piece of cinema: which is why it’s my number one film of 2017.
(Those that just missed out on the square-eyed-geek top ten: The Disaster Artist, Dunkirk, Toni Erdmann, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, My Life as a Courgette, The Red Turtle, Lady Macbeth, Baby Driver, It).
So that’s it for another year. There’s already some films on the horizon in 2018 that are sure to light up our screens in the best way possible, such as Annihilation, Black Panther, You Were Never Really Here, Isle of Dogs, A Quiet Place, Ocean’s 8 and Avengers: Infinity War. Happy New Year everyone! And I hope that 2018 has lots of great things in store for you.
(Think something is missing from the top ten? Leave a comment below!).
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