t’s been a crazy year for film. We’ve had some greats that have started to pave the way for women and for people of colour, and unfortunately some disasters which continue to baffle me (Step away from the contract Tom Cruise, and thanks for ruining The Mummy).
While some strides have been made, the industry has thousands more to make for women and diversity. Harvey Weinstein amongst others has been exposed by extraordinary people who have come forward with disgusting and horrendous stories that have been known secrets for years. 2018 is looking to be an exciting year and with Oscar nominations announced soon, fingers crossed it can make up for the snubs the Golden Globes announced.
Here are my favourites of 2017…..
1. Get Out.
In a directorial debut by Jordan Peele, Get Out broke boundaries and barriers. When Rose takes her black boyfriend home to meet the family things start to flip upside down to reveal a more sinister truth. It’s an important piece of cinema about the black experience that is a must watch for all. Its blend of horror and comedy is perfectly paired with its poignant and significant imagery.
2. My Cousin Rachel
An adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s 1951 hit of the same name, My Cousin Rachel is a classic mystery. Rachel Wiesz plays a perfect Rachel that takes us on a thousand twists and turns and makes us question if she really did murder her husband.
3.A Quiet Passion
Cynthia Nixon (known for playing Miranda, the character we all are, but never want to admit to, on Sex in the City) takes us on an acting masterpiece as beloved and reclusive poet Emily Dickinson. It’s a long film but provides a well explored insight into the life of one of the most important poets in history.
4. Hidden Figures.
The biographical story of three black female mathematicians who were integral to NASA and the Space Race. It’s a little know piece of history and the film shocked many. It’s an underdog story that has heart and grit.
5. The Founder
Michael Keaton proves his star power in the origins of McDonalds. It’s a surprising origin story and frankly a film many seemed to have slept on.
6. Split
James McAvoy is at his best in Split. It’s an acting juggernaut where McAvoy plays several other personalities. The film has its problems but has an intriguing ending.
7. Moonlight
The surprise winner of best picture at the Oscars, Moonlight is a beautiful and poetic film. Barry Jenkins’ coming of age drama is a triptych that is as complex as it is clear.
8. Colossal.
The indie hit of the year stars Anne Hathaway as Gloria, an unemployed writer, whose life is falling to pieces. When a giant monster starts to tear apart Seoul, Gloria realises she might be part of the problem. It’s as weird as it sounds and surprisingly works.
9. Wonder Woman
In the most highly anticipated super hero film of the year, this film triumphs when so many thought it would fail. It made $821 million worldwide making it the eighth highest grossing film of the year. With a development that started in 1996, it’s the origin story of Diana Prince/ Wonder Woman.
10. The Limehouse Golem.
Another Whodunit. London is up in arms as no-one can solve a string of murders. Elizabeth Cree, a theatre performer, sits in a cell awaiting Inspector John Kildare to solve the murder of her husband that is linked to the infamous Golem. It was a film that took me by surprise and didn’t get that much buzz.
And there we go. There are many that deserve an honourable mention such as La La Land, but they all can’t make the list can they.
