My 2017 Movie Reviews

[Jondalar]

1. Blade Runner 2049 - A+ My favorite movie of the year. A piece of art.
2. I, Tonya - A, a great movie. It’s reminded me of the movie Goodfellas
3. Star Wars B+ - liked it a lot, thought it brought something new to franchise
4. Thor - B+ fun and well done
5. Logan A-, a good ending to a great character, the little girl was a great version of wolverine
6. Planet of the Apes - B+ good movie
7. Wonder Woman - B, good especially for a DC movie but not as good as critics said it was
8. Wind River - B-, eerie, good but not great
9. IT - B, good but not scary
10. Lady Bird - B- it was ok, it’s completely overrated, but nice, sorta boring, ending blah
11. Shape of Water - C-, beautiful but very weird, not into beastiality. Creepy.
12. Call Me By Your Name - B+, artful, the music, scenery help make this a good movie
13. Justice League - C-, blah, it’s DC I have low expectations
14. Annabelle Creation - B-, pretty good prequel
15. Get Out - B-, completely overrated but it’s ok, Rips off The Stepford Wives
16. Ingrid Goes West - B-, decent
17. Coco - A, excellent Pixar movie, very touching
18. Three Billboards C-, far fetched completely overrated crap, terrible ending
19. The Mummy- D, it sucked
20. 49 Meters Down - C, it was ok
21. Baywatch - F, horrible
22. Guardians of the Galaxy- B, better than first one
23. Spider man homecoming-B+, good movie

[jbrownsjr]

I saw Darkest Hour. I love history. I gave it an A-

[Jondalar]

I saw Darkest Hour. I love history. I gave it an A-

I haven’t seen that one yet. I need to see it and Phantom Thread and Dunkirk.

[jbrownsjr]

I haven’t seen that one yet. I need to see it and Phantom Thread and Dunkirk.

Dunkirk was great, too!

A-

[jbrownsjr]

I haven’t seen that one yet. I need to see it and Phantom Thread and Dunkirk.

I like history if you couldn't tell. :laugh:

[SisterNightroad]

I saw Darkest Hour. I love history. I gave it an A-
I've seen it too but only last month obviously; however I loved it, in my opinion Gary Oldman's performance was Oscar worthy.
I'm a sucker for history dramas too, I was the only person I know that loved Lincoln when it came out four years ago.

[Jondalar]

This was a really good year for movies. Sadly the Oscar nominations don’t reflect that but I haven’t watched the Oscars in over 5 years do why should I care.

[Newzchspy]

1. Blade Runner 2049 - A+ My favorite movie of the year. A piece of art. ** Very confusing if you weren't a Blade Runner fan **
2. I, Tonya - A, a great movie. It’s reminded me of the movie Goodfellas ** Great acting **
3. Star Wars B+ - liked it a lot, thought it brought something new to franchise
4. Thor - B+ fun and well done ** Meh, C+ **
5. Logan A-, a good ending to a great character, the little girl was a great version of wolverine ** X2, solid ending to the Wolverine franchise **
6. Planet of the Apes - B+ good movie X2
7. Wonder Woman - B, good especially for a DC movie but not as good as critics said it was I liked it, great directorial debut
8. Wind River - B-, eerie, good but not great A-, beautifully filmed
9. IT - B, good but not scary ** Meh, B **
10. Lady Bird - B- it was ok, it’s completely overrated, but nice, sorta boring, ending blah C- , totally did not get the point, movie went nowhere , not really a coming of age
11. Shape of Water - C-, beautiful but very weird, not into beastiality. Creepy. ** B+, love the old timey look and feel of it **
12. Call Me By Your Name - B+, artful, the music, scenery help make this a good movie ** Horrible movie, pointless and no beginning or end, just as bad or worse than Ladybird; art film if you're into that sort of thing **
13. Justice League - C-, blah, it’s DC I have low expectations
14. Annabelle Creation - B-, pretty good prequel
15. Get Out - B-, completely overrated but it’s ok, Rips off The Stepford Wives ** X2, we saw this genre 35 years ago, Stepford wives and Valley of the Dolls **
16. Ingrid Goes West - B-, decent
17. Coco - A, excellent Pixar movie, very touching
18. Three Billboards C-, far-fetched completely overrated crap, terrible ending ** Great acting, Frances McDormand is the real deal
19. The Mummy- D, it sucked ** horrible, couldnt get through about 1/2 of it
20. 49 Meters Down - C, it was ok
21. Baywatch - F, horrible Clunker of the year, The Rock and Efron should have drowned in that movie **
22. Guardians of the Galaxy- B, better than first one
23. Spider man homecoming-B+, good movie

See my bolded agreements above and additions below:

Hostiles: B- ; didnt get the whole retiring out east in Chicago, BUT before retirement, gotta take Indian Chief on his final journey to home even though I've killed hundreds of them and hate the guy; A redemption of his own soul before retirement; Acting ; B, Plot C **

The Commuter (Liam Neeson): I think he's grapsing for last straws on the Taken franchise, even though he wasn't a saviour in this ...........C+ movie at best

Darkest Hour: Not really what happened, but in their best Hollywood style, they make a story out of inaccurate facts; Great acting; A- KST is oddly so hot in a non-hot sorta way and Gary Oldman is a great actor.......the Prequel to 4 Wedding and a Funeral.....or Love Actually......

[Jondalar]

See my bolded agreements above and additions below:

Hostiles: B- ; didnt get the whole retiring out east in Chicago, BUT before retirement, gotta take Indian Chief on his final journey to home even though I've killed hundreds of them and hate the guy; A redemption of his own soul before retirement; Acting ; B, Plot C **

The Commuter (Liam Neeson): I think he's grapsing for last straws on the Taken franchise, even though he wasn't a saviour in this ...........C+ movie at best

Darkest Hour: Not really what happened, but in their best Hollywood style, they make a story out of inaccurate facts; Great acting; A- KST is oddly so hot in a non-hot sorta way and Gary Oldman is a great actor.......the Prequel to 4 Wedding and a Funeral.....or Love Actually......

Thank you for your comments. You are like the third person who has talked about the Darkest Hour. I need to see that film.

P.S. Wonder Woman was not Patty Jenkins directorial debut. She directed Monster, a movie about serial killer Aileen Wournos. Charlize Theron won an Oscar for it.

To me, Call Me By Your Name was a postcard from Italy. However I can understand why someone wouldn’t like it.

I’m glad you saw The Stepford Wives connection in Get Out. I thought it was a rip off. It was the first thing I thought of when I saw that movie.

[SisterNightroad]

I still haven't seen Call Me By Your Name, I thought I didn't really want to see it because I haven't got much faith in Guadagnino after seeing in my youth Melissa P. and having discovered about his remake of Suspiria last year, but maybe I'll give it a try since everyone keeps telling me it's beautiful.

[Jondalar]

I still haven't seen Call Me By Your Name, I thought I didn't really want to see it because I haven't got much faith in Guadagnino after seeing in my youth Melissa P. and having discovered about his remake of Suspiria last year, but maybe I'll give it a try since everyone keeps telling me it's beautiful.

That’s the special thing about Call Me By Your Name - it’s very artful. The music, the scenery and the whole tone just captures the perfect summer. The affair just sorta happens and then it’s over. But it makes you want to go to Italy.

I’m really happy that Luca is directing Suspiria. He is all about atmosphere. He is perfect for it. The vivid colors in the original is right up Lucas sleeve. Everything has to beautiful, sort of like Argento. And he makes sound and music as important as Argento. Trying to wrap my head around how Melanie Griffith’s daughter got in he movie though.

[SisterNightroad]

That’s the special thing about Call Me By Your Name - it’s very artful. The music, the scenery and the whole tone just captures the perfect summer. The affair just sorta happens and then it’s over. But it makes you want to go to Italy.

I’m really happy that Luca is directing Suspiria. He is all about atmosphere. He is perfect for it. The vivid colors in the original is right up Lucas sleeve. Everything has to beautiful, sort of like Argento. And he makes sound and music as important as Argento. Trying to wrap my head around how Melanie Griffith’s daughter got in he movie though.
Then one day I'll give it a try, I'm always suspicious about movie's portrayals of Italy in the world because either they try too hard and end up being abstruse like "The Great Beauty", or they give a too simplistic and slightly cartoonish depiction like "Eat Pray Love".

About Suspiria, I just don't support the concept of "remake" itself, I usually think they're just an excuse to gain money without putting imaginative effort in a project. I believe that the only acceptable way to "remake" a movie would be to totally distance from the precedessor doing something totally new with the original idea, however in this case it wouldn't end up being a remake at all but a work "loosely based on -".
Exactly, Dakota Johnson????

[jbrownsjr]

I've seen it too but only last month obviously; however I loved it, in my opinion Gary Oldman's performance was Oscar worthy.
I'm a sucker for history dramas too, I was the only person I know that loved Lincoln when it came out four years ago.

Gary Oldman was sensational. He was Churchill down to his bones. So proud of him for that performance.

[SisterNightroad]

I haven’t seen a lot of movies at the cinema this year for a lot of different reasons (fewer occasions, lack of people who have my same tastes, scandalously high ticket prices) and I’ve switched to watching old movies and tv series on streaming sites.

The Darkest Hour – 8/10 Beautifully shot and acted, with epic dialogues and a great work from both Gary Oldman and the Makeup department that truly brought Churchill alive

Murder on the Orient Epress – 6/10 Enjoyable, fun movie, but I didn’t appreciate the effort to modernize such a vintage story to meet today’s studios stadards.

It – 8/10 As a King fan I was both excited and prejudiced towards this movie, but I ended up being surprised by how they've been able to blend fidelity to the deepest ideas of the original work and the need to follow the guidelines of the big studios.

Blade Runner 2049 – 7,5/10 I love the original movie that I saw as a teenager, and I’ve decided to not see it again before the sequel in case it could raise too much my expectations. However I ended up being wrong, it is aesthetically a beautiful movie, Ryan Gosling did a good job shouldering almost all the weight of the film on his shoulder alone, however I am not sure it deepened and expanded enough the themes of the original.

The Circle – 6/10 I like Emma Watson, but I didn’t like this movie like I thought. The idea was very interesting but atmosphere wasn’t enough dystopic and ended up dulling the movie.

Despicable Me 3 – 7/10 I didn’t have any expectation for this movie and I’m not very familiar with the franchise, so I ended up enjoying it for its simple but goodhearted humour, it was the right choice for an evening at the ancient open theatre in the next town.

[SisterNightroad]

Gary Oldman was sensational. He was Churchill down to his bones. So proud of him for that performance.
Yes, I have a crush on him since when I saw him in Bram Stoker's Dracula.

[FuzzyPlum]

Gary Oldman has played so many great roles. My favourite would have to be in Sid and Nancy- he was absolutely incredible in that film.

[Jondalar]

Gary Oldman has played so many great roles. Mt favourite would have to be in Sid and Nancy- he was absolutely incredible in that film.

I love Sid and Nancy!!!! Great performance. His performance in the 5th Element sticks with me too.

[FuzzyPlum]

...yes...and Leon

[lilyfee]

I’m glad you saw The Stepford Wives connection in Get Out. I thought it was a rip off. It was the first thing I thought of when I saw that movie.

Jordan Peele has talked extensively about how Get Out was meant to be a cross between The Stepford Wives, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and Rosemary's Baby. He alluded to many films in the horror genre but I didn't think they overpowered the narrative, which I found to be original and full of symbolism. I thought the film was excellent, especially the ending! (I won't spoil it, but I'll just say, TSA!):nod:

Coco was probably my favorite of the year! I heard someone say that if you don't cry during this movie then you must be a serial killer, and I agree wholeheartedly!:laugh:

I thought a lot of the movies met my standard of a "good" movie, but few stood out. I've heard the most buzz about Ladybird but I just couldn't bring myself to see another coming of age story.

For the Oscars, I'm rooting for The Shape of Water (the most beautiful to watch) or Get Out (the most fun to watch).

I'm glad that Wonder Woman did well in theaters because I'm hoping for a second one that's even better!

[Jondalar]

Jordan Peele has talked extensively about how Get Out was meant to be a cross between The Stepford Wives, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and Rosemary's Baby. He alluded to many films in the horror genre but I didn't think they overpowered the narrative, which I found to be original and full of symbolism. I thought the film was excellent, especially the ending! (I won't spoil it, but I'll just say, TSA!):nod:

Coco was probably my favorite of the year! I heard someone say that if you don't cry during this movie then you must be a serial killer, and I agree wholeheartedly!:laugh:

I thought a lot of the movies met my standard of a "good" movie, but few stood out. I've heard the most buzz about Ladybird but I just couldn't bring myself to see another coming of age story.

For the Oscars, I'm rooting for The Shape of Water (the most beautiful to watch) or Get Out (the most fun to watch).

I'm glad that Wonder Woman did well in theaters because I'm hoping for a second one that's even better!

Shape of Water is beautiful movie but I thought the movie was creepy, bizarre. There seemed to be too much sex scenes (masterbation...) that weren’t necessary. It gave me a bad feeling. My friend didn’t like it either. It seemed like the movie was promoting beastiality. Eliza ended up reminding me as someone from the Adams Family. I didn’t find her to be this lovely human being. I thought she was a weirdo. This movie may win best picture because people want to see the director be honored but it’s no where near as good as Pans Labyrinth. This movie and Three Billboards are the front runner s but I didn’t like either of them. Good thing I don’t watch or support the Oscars anymore.

Get Out was ok but my big problem with it was it didn’t seem original at all. Even the ending with “Sunken Place” was just a rip off of “the further” from the Insidious movies.

I’m happy Wonder Woman did well too. I hope they make more superhero based on women. Captain Marvel is already on her way!

[Jondalar]

Jordan Peele has talked extensively about how Get Out was meant to be a cross between The Stepford Wives, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and Rosemary's Baby. He alluded to many films in the horror genre but I didn't think they overpowered the narrative, which I found to be original and full of symbolism. I thought the film was excellent, especially the ending! (I won't spoil it, but I'll just say, TSA!):nod:

Coco was probably my favorite of the year! I heard someone say that if you don't cry during this movie then you must be a serial killer, and I agree wholeheartedly!:laugh:

I thought a lot of the movies met my standard of a "good" movie, but few stood out. I've heard the most buzz about Ladybird but I just couldn't bring myself to see another coming of age story.

For the Oscars, I'm rooting for The Shape of Water (the most beautiful to watch) or Get Out (the most fun to watch).

I'm glad that Wonder Woman did well in theaters because I'm hoping for a second one that's even better!

I forgot about Coco. This movie was a huge surprise to me. Yes, I hid my eyes and did cry at the end. I even bought the song. The movie was beautiful.

[RudieCantFail]

If you want to hear me blather about Dunkirk, The Hitman's Bodyguard, and Blade Runner 2049, here you go!

Dunkirk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21uEYuLtxyA

The Hitman's Bodyguard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFtgzvlu17o

Blade Runner 2049: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVXMpsZdYgA

I have The Last Jedi and All the Money in the World written up, but I haven't had the time to make videos for them. lol, this is why I stick with older movies.

[Jondalar]

If you want to hear me blather about Dunkirk, The Hitman's Bodyguard, and Blade Runner 2049, here you go!

Dunkirk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21uEYuLtxyA

The Hitman's Bodyguard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFtgzvlu17o

Blade Runner 2049: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVXMpsZdYgA

I have The Last Jedi and All the Money in the World written up, but I haven't had the time to make videos for them. lol, this is why I stick with older movies.

Good job. Good reviews.

[RudieCantFail]

Thank you, Jondalar!

I liked Logan a lot too and thought it was a fitting conclusion. I didn't like Planet of the Apes as much as you did, but I could appreciate it as a film. I know that this sounds stupid, but I didn't gel with the fact that there weren't any human protagonists that could speak. I know that it was supposed to show that the apes had more humanity than the humans, but it was too much ape visually for me.

I liked The Last Jedi too, but I can understand why fans disliked it.

[sue]

Gary Oldman was sensational. He was Churchill down to his bones. So proud of him for that performance.

True Romance,.....Love him in that film. Great film....

[FuzzyPlum]

Shape of Water is beautiful movie but I thought the movie was creepy, bizarre. There seemed to be too much sex scenes (masterbation...) that weren’t necessary. It gave me a bad feeling. My friend didn’t like it either. It seemed like the movie was promoting beastiality. Eliza ended up reminding me as someone from the Adams Family. I didn’t find her to be this lovely human being. I thought she was a weirdo. This movie may win best picture because people want to see the director be honored but it’s no where near as good as Pans Labyrinth. This movie and Three Billboards are the front runner s but I didn’t like either of them. Good thing I don’t watch or support the Oscars anymore.

Get Out was ok but my big problem with it was it didn’t seem original at all. Even the ending with “Sunken Place” was just a rip off of “the further” from the Insidious movies.

I’m happy Wonder Woman did well too. I hope they make more superhero based on women. Captain Marvel is already on her way!


I'm a bit late to it...I've only just watched The Shape of Water. Overall I thought it was pretty good. In terms of bestiality- I think you may have missed the major point of the film.

[Jondalar]

I'm a bit late to it...I've only just watched The Shape of Water. Overall I thought it was pretty good. In terms of bestiality- I think you may have missed the major point of the film.

Well glad you liked it. The main woman reminded me of someone from the Adams family. Watching her masterbate and have sex with the Black Lagoon creature gave me the creeps. Loved the art direction though.

[FuzzyPlum]

Well glad you liked it. The main woman reminded me of someone from the Adams family. Watching her masterbate and have sex with the Black Lagoon creature gave me the creeps. Loved the art direction though.


I don't know whether you missed the little clues- she was supposed to be a bit odd- she was a mermaid.

[iamnotafraid]

I don't know whether you missed the little clues- she was supposed to be a bit odd- she was a mermaid.

Now on Scout's honor, did you figure that out on your own?

[FuzzyPlum]

Now on Scout's honor, did you figure that out on your own?


Oh yes. She had supernatural water-controlling powers and matching scars on her neck that she'd had since she was a baby. Add in she was found in a river :nod:

[iamnotafraid]

Oh yes. She had supernatural water-controlling powers and matching scars on her neck that she'd had since she was a baby. Add in she was found in a river :nod:

I didn't notice her self pleasure scenes were associated
with the water. But I should have noticed the three scars
on her neck being gills since the monster didn't change them
to something they're not. He just healed them.

Though she still may not be mermaid. A second viewing
maybe in order.

[FuzzyPlum]

I didn't notice her self pleasure scenes were associated
with the water. But I should have noticed the three scars
on her neck being gills since the monster didn't change them
to something they're not. He just healed them.

Though she still may not be mermaid. A second viewing
maybe in order.


I didn't realise the mermaid association wasn't a widely held understanding/thought. As you say- she got a lot of 'pleasure' in water and knew exactly when it would rain. Furthermore, (just like Aerial) mermaids are not traditionally able to speak.

[Jondalar]

I didn't realise the mermaid association wasn't a widely held understanding/thought. As you say- she got a lot of 'pleasure' in water and knew exactly when it would rain. Furthermore, (just like Aerial) mermaids are not traditionally able to speak.

Huh? she was supposed to be a mermaid? that was not obvious

[FuzzyPlum]

Huh? she was supposed to be a mermaid? that was not obvious


Well, that was the way I looked at it. Looking online it seems there's some support for that idea. I like that sort of film- you need to think a bit and the answers aren't black and white but are open to interpretation.
One of my favourite films is Mulholland Drive- just because every single scene and every line of dialogue is meaningful and can be interpreted in different ways.

Edit: PS- sorry to take over this thread and probably should have spoilers...
Just read actress Sally Hawkins had the idea for a character who didnt know she was a mermaid. Del Toro liked the idea and asked her if he could use the idea in this film. Thus, I'm not sure the story started out like that but developed over the course of production.
PPS- Sally Hawkins is brilliant in a small UK film called 'Made in Dagenham'- I recommend it.