Here we are. It's hard
to believe that I've done one hundred movie reviews over the
course of nine years. Casually reviewing movies has been a lot of fun
and for those of you who have stuck around to read these things this
is my thank you gesture: the top ten best films I've reviewed. (FYI:
Each of these films' reviews can be found on this blog.)
- Looper (2012)
Looper is a
mostly forgotten sci-fi thriller movie that I think is criminally
underrated. I wish I could go back in time and sing its praises even
louder so that more people knew about it! If you've heard about
Looper's plot then you'll probably just think it's Terminator
set in the Midwest, but those who've seen it can tell you that it is
so much more than that. It's a thought-provokingly original story
that pits a hitman named Joe against his own future self. The tension
comes from watching how far old Joe will go to fix his reality and
how far young Joe will go to set things right in his own reality.
Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's dual performance as Joe is a
joy to watch and the action is tense. If you like smart sci-fi action
films then you've got to give this one a try.
- The Disaster Artist (2017)
Is
seems strangely appropriate that a movie famous for being terrible
would spawn a “making of” comedy-drama that is famous for being
outstanding. The Disaster Artist got me hyped up like few
other films have and it did not disappoint. If you've seen The
Room (2003) – which I recommend before watching this – or
read Greg Sestero's book The Disaster Artist then you'd know
that the story of The Room's production would have to be put
to film one day. A tale with this much weirdness and hilarity, but
also heartbreak and inspiration, demands it. And it's a tale that's
handily brought to life by a magnificent performance from James
Franco as the enigmatic Tommy Wiseau. Watching this outcast chase his
dreams makes for some great entertainment and a fine addition to the
feel-good genre of films.
- Baby Driver (2017)
If
this was a top 10 list of the funnest movies I've ever reviewed, then
Baby Driver could very well be #1 on such a list. Few other
films I've reviewed have such high-energy direction, cool characters,
gripping action and tension, and a unique use of music. While I've
never agreed with the notion that a film's music is itself a
character I would say that the way songs play in Baby Driver
set the tempo and mood for almost every scene. It's a different way
to experience a film and I hope more action movies take note of this.
- Gravity (2013)
Perhaps
the best-looking movie I've reviewed, Gravity is a beauty to
behold. Through the masterful cinematography, the viewer experiences
how isolated, cramped, and fatigued the astronaut characters are at
various points. Suspension is also sustained through the film's tense
score and the special effects are so well done that it's easy to
forget that more than 85% of what you're seeing was made in a
computer. While there's not too much going on story-wise Gravity
still manages to be an enthralling film, borrowing themes found in
other shipwreck/survival movies and adapting them to the most extreme
of settings, the final frontier. It's a true wonder of a movie, one
you can easily lose yourself in.
- Logan (2017)
While
it isn't a perfect movie, I do believe that Logan is one of
the best superhero movies of this decade and certainly the best I've
written a review for. In his last performance as Wolverine, Hugh
Jackman gets one hell of a sendoff with a brutal, heart-wrenching
movie that will be remembered by X-Men fans for years to come.
Finally we get to see a hard R-rated film about everyone's favourite
Canadian mutant which tells the story of the end of his life. It's a
great story in which an indifferent and cynical Logan realizes that
there is still hope for people like him and he finds value in
fighting for the next generation. I know I'm going to be watching
Logan many more times in my future, because it's a powerful
film and its main character is the best there is at what he does.
- Skyfall (2012)
In
2012, the 007 series was in dire need of a good movie. 2006's Casino
Royale was brilliant but its follow up, Quantum of Solace,
was a shoddy disappointment. It would be an excruciating four years
until Bond fans got their next 007 flick and if this one turned out
to be a stinker then the Daniel Craig era of Bond would be dead
before it had ever truly lived. Thank goodness Skyfall ended
up being an action tour de force that easily ranks as one of
the best James Bond movies ever made. With its masterful
characterization, fun action scenes, dazzling direction, comfortable
acting, cool musical score, and dry British humour Skyfall is
a film for all action fans. Though I still think Casino Royale
was better than Skyfall, I will say that the latter film is
the more accessible and perhaps more exciting of the two. Sam Mendes,
mission accomplished.
- Dunkirk (2017)
I've
already spoken at length about how much I've enjoyed this film. I've
written about the captivating cinematography, the pulse-pounding
score, the dazzling stunt work and practical effects, the exciting
action, and the uplifting ending. Dunkirk is an excellent
addition to the war film genre as it depicts a battle not often seen
in major films and it also brings focus to the fact that not all
combatants in war are indomitable heroes, sometimes they're simply
trying to survive unwinnable situations. In this regard I guess
Dunkirk is roughly comparable to Thin Red Line, albeit
less wordy and less boring. If that won't want to make you watch
Dunkirk then I don't know what will.
- Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Gosh
darn, 2017 was a good year for movies! With the deluge of lazy
cash-in sequels and remakes that Hollywood churns out nowadays it is
very refreshing to see a sequel that is worthwhile and does its
predecessor justice as Blade Runner 2049 does, and I'll admit
that I was worried when I heard news of this film being made. I
should've realized that those fears were unfounded once it was
revealed that Denis Villeneuve directed it and Hampton Fancher
(co-writer of Blade Runner) co-wrote it. Not only is it a
spectacular film to watch but it is about as faithful to the original
as one could expect, right down to the compositions, score, and
dialogue. Probably the biggest difference between the two films is
the ending; the original left audiences with an ambiguous ending
whereas the sequel concludes on a hopeful note. Overall, it easily
ranks as the best film I saw on 2017.
- Interstellar (2014)
I've
already mentioned this movie several times on Arnold's Benediction,
probably because it's so amazing that I can't stop thinking about it.
To me Interstellar embodies all the wondrous things that
movies can be about, showcasing how imaginative and creative movies
can be while also showing some heart with a moving story. And of
course it's all pulled off with the highest professionalism and
quality we expect of a Christopher Nolan film: great acting, effects,
cinematography, and music. In short, Interstellar is out of
this world! Heh heh.
- The Revenant (2015)
If
you've ever read my Top 20 Best Movies I've Ever Seen article
(November 2016) you may be surprised that this film is ahead of
Interstellar. I guess
I've re-evaluated my opinion on the two films because I now find The
Revenant the more interesting of
the two. It is a movie that is violent and visceral, yet also
hauntingly beautiful. Tom Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio give some of
the best performances of their careers and director Alejandro
Iñárritu creates a mesmerizing tapestry of a film that includes
numerous sustained shots and dazzling compositions. I'll admit that
it's a challenging film that isn't for everybody but it is a
rewarding one for those who pay close attention. Just let this film
take you away to a different time and place. It'll make you want to
not blink.
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