100 Film Reviews Special: Top 10 Best Movies I've Reviewed

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.)

10. 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.

9. 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.

8. 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.

7. 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.

6. 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.

5. 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.

4. 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.

3. 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.

2. 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.

1. 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.

Top 10 Movies of 2017

  2017 is at an end, and it's been a great year for movies. Not a great year for the Hollywood establishment, mind you, but the movies last year were still great. My only regret is that in the past twelve months I focused too much on movies that were good and didn't take the time to go out and take risks. (I mean, watching bad movies sucks but at least it's fun to write reviews about them!) On the plus side, since I saw so many good movies this year, I can finally do a list like this: these are the top 10 best movies of 2017. Before I begin, keep in mind that this list only includes films that I saw in theatres in 2017. I did go to the theatres just 17 times since January so if there's a great movie you don't see here then don't get upset; I probably just didn't see it. (Or I didn't think much of it. You make the call.) Let's get started!

10. Ghost in the Shell

It's not racist, shut up. Ghost in the Shell is a fantastic sci-fi action spectacle with an amazing visual presentation. Fans of flashy, neon, 1980's-looking science-fiction will be very pleased at what imaginative concepts director Rupert Sanders and cinematographer Jess Hall have brought to life on the big screen. While the story of GITS isn't the most original, the film is held together by a strong performance from Scarlett Johansson. Despite knowing nothing about the original source material I found GITS thoroughly entertaining and I can't wait to see it again.

9. Split

(Yes, I'm aware that Split was first released at Fantastic Fest in 2016. But it didn't get released in theatres until this January so its inclusion here is fair. You got that?) I'm not exactly a big fan of M. Night Shyamalan and I knew that I was taking a gamble by going to see one of his films at the cinema. But I was impressed because Split was actually pretty good; the man should stick to thrillers. This unpredictable, claustrophobic flick is well directed and equally as well acted thanks to a standout performance by James McAvoy playing a dude with multiple personalities who kidnaps teenaged girls and locks them in his basement. All in all Split is an effective thriller that doesn't rely on convoluted plots or in-your-face special effects, just back-to-basics storytelling with a neat villain to keep your attention. If it sounds interesting to you at all, go check it out.

8. It

At number eight we've got another scary movie: It. It seems that Hollywood wants us to believe that all horror movies are fair game for a remake, but unfortunately the remakes are usually worse than the originals. It, however, is one of the few exceptions. This retelling of the story of Pennywise the murderous clown goes lighter on the story (and thankfully the run time) and heavier on the scares. The children characters are all well written and since the adult stuff is being saved for the sequel that means that we get more time to know them in this film. The 1980's setting was believable, not overly-done, and the scares were calculated just right. Horror fans rejoice.

7. Wonder Woman

Supergirl (1984). Tank Girl (1995). Barb Wire (1996). Catwoman (2004). Elektra (2005). Superhero/comic book movies centred around female characters don't have a very good track record, do they? So who better to buck the trend than the Amazing Amazon, herself one of the earliest superheroines. With its spectacular action scenes, neat setting, capable direction, compelling (some might say inspirational) main character, and superb performances from Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, Wonder Woman has also done wonders to make the DC Extended Universe enjoyable. This is largely thanks to its somewhat more lighthearted tone, something that this year's Justice League has also picked up on. It is true that Wonder Woman borrows a lot from 2011's Captain America. As to which one of those two films is better, it's up in the air... along with the invisible jet.

6. John Wick: Chapter 2

Since this movie came out on blu-ray I've rewatched it several times and it never gets old. The mind-blowingly well-choreographed and energetic action scenes are the most excitement I've seen in a film since the Darth Maul lightsaber duel in The Phantom Menace. Apart from that John Wick: Chapter 2 boasts intriguing world-building, spot-on acting from Keanu Reeves, kickass musical scoring, and distinctive visual styling. Since seeing this film in February I have watched the first film and while I found it to be very enjoyable I believe that the second instalment is the superior action experience. I simply cannot stress how refreshingly fun this film felt during my first viewing. To me it looks as if John Wick is set up to be one of the 2010s' best new action series.

5. The Disaster Artist

Haha, what a story, Greg. The Disaster Artist is a movie I've been waiting years to see and its arrival in December didn't disappoint. The story behind the making of The Room (2003) had a lot of potential, both comedic and poignant. This is something the writers and director (James Franco himself) knew well since the final product achieves weird hilarity and touching bromance/inspiration. Franco gives one of the most truly memorable performances of his career as Tommy Wiseau, a weirdo driven to succeed that you'll end up both loving and despising during this film's 103 minutes run time. I was slightly disappointed that there was some stuff from the book left out, but I do understand that it was sacrificed for the sake of a smooth pace. All in all, The Disaster Artist is a charming and fun feel-good flick. I would recommend seeing The Room first, but those who've not seen will still find this one enjoyable.

4. Logan

I've really liked Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. He's one of those few actors who's played the same character in so many movies that you can't imagine anyone else playing the role. It seems fitting that Jackman's (purportedly) final outing as Logan is his best. Imagine 2013's The Wolverine but with even more gritty badassery, more down-to-earth action set pieces, and a bigger emotional stake and you've got Logan, one of the very few movies I've gone to the theatre to see twice. It's violent, but also very emotional. It is easily the best X-Men movie in my opinion, and perhaps one of the best superhero films ever. If you like gritty R-rated action films or if you're looking for a superhero film that does things differently, then you need to check this one out.

3. Baby Driver

Even though I gave Baby Driver a 5-star review (which I still stand by) I wasn't quite sure where to put it on this list. Yes, it's an excellent film that's a lot of fun to watch thanks to its brisk pace, energetic camerawork, cool soundtrack, pulse-pounding action scenes, and lively characters. But the reason my review of it was so short was because there wasn't much to say about it in depth. Instead Baby Driver is an exercise in pure genre, taking all the best elements of crime-action films and packaging them into a sleek and stylish overall product. If you haven't had the chance to go see this one yet, do yourself a favour and check it out, because out of all the films on this list Baby Driver is easily the most enjoyable.

2. Dunkirk

For number two on this list we have the highest grossing WWII film ever made. Dunkirk tells the story of the allied evacuation from three different perspectives: soldiers on the beach, fighter pilots in the air, and sailors coming across the channel. It's a marvellous setup that provides plenty of moments of tense action as well as director Christopher Nolan's signature time-bending plots. His impeccable eye for spectacular cinematography is evident here, giving the audience a good look of working WWII-vintage props in action; CGI was used very sparingly. And of course Hans Zimmer contributes a soundtrack, this one adding a pulsating anxiety to the mix. This adherence to visceral realism makes the action sequences very gripping, recreating an authentic battlefield experience. And don't take my word for it; I took my grandfather with me on my second viewing. Having been a young boy in England during the war and serving in the RCAF, he confirmed that this film's aerial warfare was true to life (except for that gliding shoot-down near the end). On the whole, Dunkirk is one of Nolan's best films to date and will likely be remembered as one of the best war films of this century.

1. Blade Runner 2049

As good as Dunkirk was, my choice for 2017's best film was an easy one. In an age of slap-dash sequel cash-ins Blade Runner 2049 was made by people who truly cared for and respected the masterpiece that was the original Blade Runner from 1982. The story told in this cerebral sequel – which will turn your expectations upside down – builds upon and adds to the world set up in the original rather than just recycling the same plot and world elements. The visual effects are of the highest quality and they bring to life some of the most mind-boggling concepts and breathtaking environments. Sure, it doesn't look much like the classic 1980's film we remember, but this sequel takes place 30 years later so it makes sense in the context of the world 2049 takes place in. It's a great way of staying consistent within the series while at the same time showing us something new. This also comes from the dazzling visuals of director Denis Villeneuve and cinematographer Roger Deacons; few directors could have done a better job with such a project. Overall, Blade Runner 2049 is a remarkable achievement in sci-fi film and it's a real shame that it didn't do so well at the box office. It isn't most necessary sequel ever, but it is definitely a worthwhile one.

Movie Review -- Baby Driver

   Here I am with a review of a movie that's been out for two months, possibly the most late review I've ever written for a current movie. My bad. But after seeing how much ass Baby Driver kicks, I just had to let everybody know about it.

   Baby Driver is about Baby, a young getaway driver and music lover who's having trouble leaving the heist business all while caring for his foster father and trying to go on dates with a waitress named Debora. It's a movie that delivers the goods when it comes to interesting characters, good acting – especially from the likes of Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, and Ansel Elgort – good humour, and many thrilling car chases that make extensive use of stunt driving rather than CG phoniness.

   Perhaps the most interesting thing about Baby Driver is its sound design and editing. There's lots of popular songs in this movie – good ones, too – but 99% of them are contextual to the plot; the songs the audience is hearing are the same songs that the characters are listening to. When a character stops listening to a song, so does the audience. (I say 99% because there's one scene where R.E.M.'s “New Orleans Instrumental No.1” plays seemingly from nowhere.) When a character listens to music through only one earbud, the song half-fades away. Not only that, but a lot of the movie's sound effects and actions – like gunshots and car horns – are often timed to the beat of the song that's playing at the moment. It's a very different way of making a movie sound, and it lends a lot to Baby Driver's overall identity.

   The film's visual editing is also very energetic and tight. With lots of revolving shots and long following shots, the camera moves quite a lot, making every scene feel lively. If it seems like I'm talking more about Baby Driver's production than its plot and story, that's only because it's these elements that make the movie feel so fresh.

   And that's about all I have to say about Baby Driver, a really good crime-action film with a killer soundtrack. Its story may be a case of style over substance, but I'm not complaining when the overall product is presented with this level of joy and creativity. If you're looking for something fun, then hop on board.

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