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A STAR IS BORN (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn

I've been really excited for this film, mainly because I wanted to see how Bradley Cooper did in his directorial debut. He knocked it out of the park. I was so impressed with his knowledge behind the camera and the beautiful tone he was able to strike throughout this film. The shots are gorgeous, but the theme is so well realized and these characters feel so real, which is a testament to Cooper's directing and his writing (alongside the always talented Eric Roth.) I really can go on forever about how impressed I was with what Cooper accomplished. It’s very difficult to make a film and it’s even more difficult to act in it as well, but he does both, arguably to perfection.

This film really lives and dies by the chemistry of the two leads. In this instance, it is what takes this film beyond a narrative we've seen before into greatness. Lady Gaga is outstanding. You’ve all heard how terrific she is in this movie, but the performance lives up to, and exceeds, the hype it has been given. She gives such a real, damaged, and hopeful performance inside this rich character and she's at the top of my list to take home Oscar gold this year, as of now. I do feel like people are sleeping on how amazing Bradley Cooper is in his portrayal of Jackson Maine. This is, without a doubt, the best performance of his career and one of the best of the year. Cooper vanishes and truly becomes this man. Every line he speaks and every action he takes just leads the audience deeper into this haunted character. This is one of my favorite performances of the decade....I’m serious. Their chemistry together is so real and incredibly palpable, that it forces you to root for them and fall into their journey. I also think Sam Elliott could get a Best Supporting Actor nomination because he is perfect and the best he’s been in years. He doesn’t have a ton of screen-time, but he has an immensely important role as Cooper’s brother. He’s seen the past of Jackson Maine, he knows his history, and he wears it on his face at all times. Elliott has one scene in particular that takes place in a car that blew me away. He just looks at the camera...that’s it...and it’s one of the best moments in the whole film.

The original music is important as well, and it is all fantastic! I genuinely really like these songs, as well as the vocal performances by Cooper and Gaga. This film really wouldn’t be the same if they were lip syncing to other people who did the original music, but thankfully it’s actually them. I’m actually a musician and I was genuinely impressed with the composition of most of these songs. With that said, their main appeal to people will be their lyrics, which are outstanding, poignant, and relevant to the story. If you've seen the other versions of A Star is Born then this can feel a tad formulaic I suppose. This isn't a groundbreaking new story, but it doesn't need to be. I love the simplicity on display because it’s a film about people and some stories never grow old. Beautiful character pieces are always interesting, and this is exactly that. "A Star Is Born" is easily one of the best films of 2018.

Grade: A

BlacKkKlansman (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn

BlacKkKlansman is the new film from acclaimed director Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing, Malcom X, Inside Man) and stars John David Washington and Adam Driver as police officers trying to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. I should also mention this is based on a true story, as the film describes in very funny text. I’m not a huge Spike Lee fan, but the films of his that I enjoy, I love. I think Inside Man is the most underrated heist film of all time, while 25th Hour was poignant in ways many didn’t see. It’s also impossible to deny the importance of his work and the talent he always carries behind the camera.

I’m excited for every new movie because I’m just a fan of cinema. However, I was really looking forward to BlacKkKlansman because it got tons of acclaim out of Cannes (winning the Grand Jury Prize,) starred Adam Driver, and seemed like a bit of an homage to blaxploitation cinema, a genre I grew up loving and still cherish. This film isn’t a blaxploitation film, but the influences of that cinema run deep with posters of Coffy and Shaft actually appearing on-screen. Lee even has his characters ask questions about the blaxploitation genre, which I found interesting. I digress.

What surprised me most about this film was how funny it was. This film is absolutely hilarious. My friend and I, along with our theater, were howling at some of the jokes present. I admire directors that can change tone on a dime, and Lee does that beautifully here. He can have you laughing until your side hurts, then he can take you into pain, where you feel uncomfortable watching the screen, all in a matter of minutes. He strikes this balance constantly, which I think elevates the film to great heights. This dynamic keeps the film from being too overpowering or depressing when dealing such an important subject matter like racism.

The performances are electrifying. John David Washington immediately makes a name for himself in one of the boldest, baddest, and entertaining performances of the year. This is one of those performances where you forget you’re watching an actor. Washington is so captivating in every frame, bringing this character to life just by the way he speaks, that I stayed glued to him for the runtime. I can’t wait to see what his career has in store for him.

He is supported by one of my favorite actors working, Adam Driver, who proves yet again how diverse and talented he is. Driver can play anything and he brings his best in BlacKkKlansman. He plays an undercover cop having to go inside these KKK meetings and he’s obviously uncomfortable and nervous, but he can’t show that to these people because he needs them to believe him. He’s able to hit that note to perfection so we, the audience, can see everything just from his expressions and the way he carries himself. Driver’s comedic timing is perfect (see Logan Lucky if you missed it) and with Washington, they make an amazing team.

Laura Harrier doesn’t get as much screen time as Driver and Washington, but she lights up the room in her supporting role. Her character, Patrice, and her performance are so bold and so loud, that she takes the spotlight when she’s on-screen, and you let her have it.

Spike Lee is one of the most influential and vocal filmmakers of all time. His films often have carried such importance with them, that I feel his actual talent behind the camera can get a little overlooked. He directs BlacKkKlansman with sheer precision. Every frame seems meticulously chosen with every edit being part of the greater picture. His direction blends all these elements and characters together beautifully, balancing the weight of the film on his shoulders in every scene. The music choices are also fantastic.

This is a timely film and one that will, rightfully so, spark conversation. Lee has a brilliant way at looking at these racial struggles of the past and how relevant they are today, often creating an unnecessary divide among people who agree with each other. Washington’s character, Ron, and Patrice have the same goals. They want the same thing for the equality of their race, but they have different views on how we get there. I thought this was a marvelous touch to the film that added an entire layer underneath everything that’s just as important as anything else going on.

If I was to pick out a flaw, I would say that I felt like the film had just a little trouble ending. I thought it was going to end a couple of times, but there would be one more scene, and then another. With that said, these scenes are all necessary. The last twenty minutes actually cut together a little too fast for my taste. The resolution feels like quick bullet points, while the rest of the film was a detailed power point. I would’ve been happy if Lee added ten more minutes to the resolution just so it didn’t feel like it was happening so quick.

BlacKkKlansman is a fantastic film that stays with you once you leave the theater. Spike Lee does a phenomenal job all around, bringing us one of his best films ever and my personal favorite of his catalogue. The cast is perfect, the entire crew brought this film to life beautifully, and I was engaged from start to finish. Go see this movie. I think it’s important that you do, but even without the importance of it: it’s just so damn good.

Sorry to Bother You (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn

This film was getting a lot of praise so I was really excited to see what Boots Riley had constructed and it is quite a surprise. Sorry to Bother You is very well directed, which is probably its strongest aspect. The other feature of this film that lends to its strength is its characters. They're all so well written and so diverse, that you can enjoy and embrace all of their quirks. They're all played wonderfully, with the standout for me being Armie Hammer. His character is so absurd and Hammer just embraces it. Lakeith Stanfield makes a great lead who takes us on this journey, often accompanied by the outstanding Tessa Thompson. Thompson is so damn good, that I just want her to be cast in every movie. She makes every film better with her presence and creative characters. However, the film was very stop and go for me. I would be really invested and laughing, but then it would kind of pump the brakes and stall out for 20 minutes. Then it would pick up and get very interesting before stalling out again. I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but it did take me out of it. This film also gets pretty...absurd. Riley takes this into absolutely ridiculous places and I enjoyed the farcical nature of his storytelling, but it does kind of come out of left field and take away from the story, even if the message was a bit heavy handed already. Sorry to Bother You is a bit of a mixed bag for me, but I think everyone will take something different away from this and I definitely recommend checking it out if you're at all interested. I didn't love it, but I can respect the insane creativity behind it and I can't wait to see Boots Riley does next.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn

I was actually pleasantly surprised by the first Ant-Man, I really enjoyed it. This film was enjoyable, but it lost a lot that made the first Ant-Man special. Paul Rudd is so great in the first film and I loved his character, Scott. Unfortunately, in this film, Scott just becomes a side character. I love Evangeline Lilly as The Wasp and I love her inclusion, but there's no reason to just throw Ant-Man to the side. You almost don't even need him...and his name is in the title! The cast is great across the board. I am a huge Walton Goggins fan, but his character could've been deleted. He serves no purpose except to try and slip in an extra action scene or something. The villain, Ghost, has a beautiful design, but they waste her. Her backstory might've been interesting if it wasn't all given to you in a 4 minute monologue. I wish they had deleted Goggin's character and built Ghost's backstory through visual storytelling. This film really would've benefited from another rewrite or two. The only emotional core to this film is Scott and his daughter, who is played brilliantly. I wanted more of that! This just felt like a filler movie between big Avengers films. With all of that said, I did have an enjoyable time with this film for the most part. It has some funny moments and I don't regret seeing it, it's just not special.

Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn

This film is the sequel to Denis Villeneuve's masterfully directed and Taylor Sheridan's wonderful screenplay of the 2015 Sicario. This isn't the type of film you would expect a sequel from, but Taylor Sheridan returned to write and he's probably my favorite writer working today so I was very excited. Villeneuve didn't return to direct and Roger Deakins didn't return as cinematographer so there's just no way this film could be as technically proficient and as gorgeous as its predecessor, but it didn't feel like it lacked anything. Stefano Sollima did a really wonderful job directing this sequel, but the star of the film, once again, is Sheridan's script. Sheridan's dialogue is always sharp, bleak, thought-provoking, and providing unique voices to each character. What's great about this film is the story is expanded much more so than the first. They go a little broader with this film and weave together a couple different characters to create one story. At the center of all this is really just a realistic look at what this war can do to children and innocence lost through this world of gritty, ultra realistic violence. Benicio Del Toro was the most interesting character of the first film and it was wonderful to have him be the center piece to this sequel. He has always been a brilliant actor and this is a role built for him and he owns the screen. Josh Brolin is, as he has been all summer, magnificent. I love the relationship these two characters have with each other. There aren't a lot of words spoken, but because of the amazing writing, you feel their trust with one another and the depths of their past. Their relationship is one of the most interesting assets of these films. I would also be remiss to not tip my hat to the absolutely stunning child performance of Isabela Moner. She is a terrific actor and a magnetic presence through this film. However, it’s not perfect. The film cuts back to this young man and that can hurt the pacing until you understand why it's there and then you realize it's wonderful. His arc does end up weaving into the narrative, but until you see what Sheridan does with him, it can feel like it loses its momentum. The film also makes a bold choice and backs down from it that I thought didn't need to even be there. I wanted it to either go for it or not even include that aspect into the narrative. That's all I can even note as “flaws” though.

I love Taylor Sheridan and I love this cast. Sollima did a great job coming on as director and his vision was fully realized on the screen. If you liked the first film, I think you’ll like this one.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn

Now that Disney owns Star Wars, they are going to continue to pump out movies like crazy. That's good and bad. It's good because Rian Johnson and The Last Jedi proved the company wants to take risks, which can lead to some wonderful films. It's bad because it can easily just become a way to make money and quality can suffer. I love The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, but I really didn't like Rogue One. With that said, I loved Solo!

Ron Howard was brought on after Lord and Miller were fired and he reshot 90% of the movie, really making it his film and having solo directing credit, no pun intended. This worried me, even though Howard is a wonderful director. No need to worry because he killed it! There are some remarkable shots in this movie and the action sequences are edge of your seat thrill rides! He did a great job making it to where his directing didn't fade into the background of the film. Instead, it shines as one of the best aspects of it, which was such a pleasant surprise for me. Sometimes with franchise films, the directing can suffer and blend into the film. Solo is full of beautiful shots and creative camera angles to immerse the audience in the action. Credit must also be given to the cinematographer, Bradford Young. He's previously worked on Arrival and A Most Violent Year and this man knows how to craft a gorgeous picture. He was a brilliant choice to be DP on this project and I'm really excited to follow his career moving forward. I've seen people say Ron Howard was a safe choice, but that's insulting. Howard has made some magnificent films in his career and Solo is another home run for him in my eyes. The acting is probably what surprised me the most with this film. I think Alden Ehrenreich was fantastic as Han Solo. You've heard a million people say he's not doing a Harrison Ford impression and he's not, which is a good thing! He feels like a young Han, but he makes the role his own, which I'm also sure you've heard a lot. When I say he makes it his own, I mean he takes command of the screen and really brings this character to life through his eyes. This is a younger Han Solo, a young man desperate for adventure and longing for something more. This is how Ehrenreich brings originality to the role. We haven't seen that side of Han and seeing it was wonderful. He nails some of Harrison Ford's mannerisms and speech patterns and he did an excellent job. There are times when Han can kind of fade into the background of this ensemble piece, which is very unlike Han Solo, but that's a small gripe about an issue that hardly ever occurs. The whole cast is great! Donald Glover is perfect as Lando, really embodying the character. He just eased into the role without any problems. Woody Harrelson is a consistent jolt of life, Paul Bettany is a beautifully menacing presence, and Emilia Clarke enhances every scene she's in. Emilia Clarke plays Qi'ra and she brought this character to life in ways I never imagined. She's such a badass and there's a lot of depth to her without a lot of exposition. I didn't expect many characters in this film to be that deep and I guess not all of them are. However, Qi'ra has so much bubbling under the surface and she had me smiling every time she was on screen. She's definitely a wonderfully welcome addition to the Star Wars universe. Clarke and Ehrenreich's chemistry is the driving force of the film. It's truly palpable. It feels like these two have history and have a past together. I bought into their relationship 100% and they took this film to a place I didn't think it would go.

Here's where some people will be divided (including me because it seems I liked it more than most critics): There's not a very strong narrative. It's really just a look into Han's early adventures that shaped him to be the man we know and love. I fail to see how this is an issue. It's a Star Wars heist film that chronicles the origin story of a character we love. I'm shocked that Star Wars fans aren't going crazy for this movie, but they are the hardest people to please. In the age of woke Twitter and screaming opinions, the negative opinions are much louder than the positive ones. I think plenty of people enjoyed this film. If you're having doubts, then put them aside. Please just see it for yourself.

I don't usually like to talk about other opinions or box office in my reviews, but this is a special occasion. This is a beautifully helmed adventure movie that I had a blast with. I found Rogue One to be weak and lacking any character depth or fun at all, but it did just fine. So what if Solo underperformed at the box office? Does that really even matter? Years from now, kids discovering this movie aren't going to give a damn about how much money this movie made. They're going to be in amazement as they see Han Solo and Chewbacca's early adventures together. For all the 45 year olds out there complaining, I have news for you: these movies aren't tailored to you anymore. These are films for kids and youth to inspire them and I think Solo will do that for years to come. This is the kind of movie that can lead to some kids falling in love with the magic of movies and that's all that matters to me. I just hope Disney doesn't retreat and think they're doing something wrong. Star Wars wasn't about money when George Lucas had a dream and released it in 1977. No one believed in it. But it changed the world and inspired generations of children to pursue filmmaking. Those kids are making the movies now! That fills me with more joy than anything else and I hope Disney continues moving forward because I want to see some Solo sequels. Like what you like and dislike what you desire. Just remember that these are movies made to inspire the youth. I'm 23 and I left the theater with a smile on my face with a dream growing larger and larger and wanting to shoot for the stars.

Solo is a straight up adventure movie. The team takes on opposition consistently and it provides for one hell of a fun time. I loved it. Give it a chance. Maybe you will too.

Tully (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn

Tully is directed by the endlessly talented Jason Reitman (Up in the Air, Juno) and written by Diablo Cody (Juno, Young Adult) and is the third collaboration between the two. Reitman and Cody began their work together on the critically acclaimed Juno. Reitman went on to direct Up in the Air, my favorite film of his, before rejoining Diablo Cody for Young Adult with Charlize Theron. That now brings us to Tully, which stars Theron once again. Reitman and Cody have obviously done great work in their careers, but Tully is the highlight of their collaboration efforts in my eyes. There’s something special in filmmaking when you see a director and a writer that have worked together before and are on the same page while being at the height of their talent.

Diablo Cody is a very unique screenwriter and has a very loud voice, one that really comes out in her dialogue that I’ve sometimes found to be a little too “in your face.” Regardless, there’s no denying her talent for crafting characters and her brilliance of weaving comedy and drama together. Tully is her most mature script to date. The film is ultimately about motherhood. You don’t have to be a mother to relate to it or enjoy it though, you just have to be a person.

Marlo is a mother who is bringing her third child into the world and really beginning to feel overwhelmed. Between neglecting her oldest daughter and ignoring red flags popping up around her son, life is beginning to weigh heavy on Marlo, who is played to note for note perfection by Charlize Theron. Ron Livingston plays her husband, a good man trying to support his wife financially but neglecting to support her and himself emotionally.

Enter Tully, the brilliant and eye popping performance of Mackenzie Davis. She was a standout in the Black Mirror masterpiece “San Junipero” and rose to even bigger stardom in Halt and Catch Fire. Last year, she starred alongside Ryan Gosling in Blade Runner 2049. I don’t usually just praise someone’s resumes in my reviews, but it’s important to acknowledge the next big star. Davis is that.

This film works on so many levels: Reitman’s subtle and gorgeous direction, Cody’s mature and heartbreaking script, the cast of characters supporting the plot and symbolism layered beneath. However, Tully soars to greatness thanks to the charisma of Theron and Davis on screen together. Charlize Theron has one Oscar under her belt and she is an early contender for another in my eyes. She delivers every line of poetic dialogue with edge and wit. Theron brings Marlo to life and makes it easy for you to peer into her soul and understand her, while seeing parts of yourself in her, even if you’re a young male with no kids. That’s the depths of this performance.

It’s hard for me to find the words to justifiably heap praise on Mackenzie Davis for this groundbreaking role as Tully, so I’ll just assure you that it’s not the performance you want to miss. She plays off Theron to perfection. There will be scenes where she will dig and pry for emotion or answers from Marlo, but she does so with such beauty and sincerity that you want to start talking to her about your problems. The dichotomy between the aged mother who feels like she’s left her life behind and the young, energetic fountain of youth and wisdom who sees everything in front of her really covers the depths of human emotions and what we lose and gain through aging and parenthood.

Jason Reitman knows he’s working with a brilliant script and wonderful performances. He’s very aware of when and when not to add his flair to the directing. Reitman has always had this way of making his films feel hyper realistic while also providing some form of escapism through the comedy that lines the walls. I mentioned that this is Diablo Cody’s most mature script to date. While I still believe Up in the Air is Reitman’s masterpiece, there is something very special about his work in Tully. I see a director knowing exactly where he is in his career and not being afraid to let his wisdom take the wheel. His direction consistently provides a delightful air of professionalism.

Tully might not be everyone’s style, but it is a film for everyone. This is a wonderful example of a great script, great directing, and great performances coming together on a subject that seems to only speak to a very small demographic and blowing the doors wide open to anyone who has felt alone and depressed, or to anyone who feels like the world is their oyster. Tully features both sides of the same aging coin and allows you to fall into it where you wish. I didn’t want to speak too much of plot or subtext because it’s best that you just experience it for yourself. This is a great film surrounded by really talented individuals coming together for a piece of art. I hope you find the time to seek this one out.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Movie Review by: Will Whalen

It has all led up to this moment… 10 years of films that have led up to one epic installment that will change the course of the MCU forever. This review will be completely spoiler free. It’s hard to review this without getting into spoilers but I promise, no big plot details will be given away here. Although, everyone in the world seemed to have seen this during the weekend, but in case you didn’t see this during opening weekend (which had the biggest opening weekend of all time), it will contain absolutely no spoilers.

Avengers: Infinity War is directed by the Russo Brothers and stars everyone that has ever been in a movie and also everyone who hasn’t been… Infinity War, as you may know, is about Thanos trying to collect all of the Infinity Stones so that he can take over the world and be the biggest and baddest villain ever. While he is trying to collect the stones, all of our favorite heroes are trying to find ways to stop Thanos and save the world, as the Avengers do.

The Russo Brothers did such a phenomenal job with Captain America: Civil War and impressed me and all audience members who saw it. So, I was super excited for them to do Infinity War since Whedon is out of the picture. In Civil War, they did a fantastic job at balancing all of the characters and all the stories that you genuinely cared for every single thing that happened throughout the film. With Infinity War, they once again do a great job at balancing all the characters. Although, not every storyline is as compelling as others and it also didn’t have a good balance of all of our heroes. That being said, there’s so many characters in this movie that it’s difficult for them all to have a compelling arc for the film. Be that as it may, every character has their moment, even if it’s just a small moment, and the Russo Brothers should definitely be applauded for handling a project of this caliber and executing it as well as it was. It’s actually amazing how someone can attempt to make one of the biggest movies of all time and it turn out to be great.

As far as the performances go in Infinity War, you already know that everyone is wonderful here. All of our favorite characters are great and all have a moment to shine. Although, all of our main heroes aren’t seen as much as you may hope for. They’re all scattered throughout the film and we get several moments (some great ones at that) with them. However, who takes the cake of having the most screen time would probably be Thanos. Which, by the way, Josh Brolin as Thanos was phenomenal. He absolutely steals the show in every scene he’s in. You’ll despise Thanos but Brolin gives us a fantastic and deep performance as Thanos and also gives us, quite possibly, the best MCU villain so far. The MCU is notorious for having some weak villains but here, Thanos is perfect. As I said, we get a lot of great moments with all of our favorite heroes. We got to see a good bit of Iron Man and Spider-Man. Also, seeing Doctor Strange use his incredible powers was fascinating and fun. But seeing the Guardians of the Galaxy back in action was, as always, such a joy. Not to mention, Drax is probably one of the funniest characters in the MCU. Although, I would’ve liked to have seen more Groot. 

Unfortunately, this film wasn’t perfect and I did have some problems with it. First off, it can feel a little uneven at times. There’s a struggle to balance all of the abundance of characters perfectly or we’ll get too much of one character and not the other and things of that nature. It also didn’t impact me as much as it should have in the slightest. Don’t get me wrong, I was jumping and excited and a couple of times, it had my jaw dropped all the way to the floor. But it just didn’t hit me like it should have. However, that’s basically it. There’s not a whole lot to complain about with Avengers: Infinity War. It’s an absolute blast and seeing this with a full crowd on opening night was a lot of fun. Despite all the annoying cheering and clapping during the film.

Avengers: Infinity War was a ton of fun. It was emotional, fast paced, funny, and just a great time and a wonderful installment in the MCU that will change the course of it forever. It was also a ballsy film that left me near in tears and wondering what the hell they’re going to do with the story. Next year, we shall see what happens in Avengers 4.

I’m going to give Avengers: Infinity War...

Isle of Dogs (2018)

Movie Review by: Will Whalen

Isle of Dogs is brought to us by the phenomenal Wes Anderson who is known for his hilariously quirky and unique films that inspire film buffs and dazzle even the most standard audience member. His latest film is a stop-motion animated picture, his second one at that, about dogs (and who doesn’t love a good dog flick) that is set in Japan. Isle of Dogs is about when the Mayor Kobayashi orders all Dogs to be sent to trash island, a boy hijacks a plane in order to fly to the island and rescue his dog, Spots.

Wes Anderson is one of my all time favorite directors and in fact, I absolutely love all of his films. There’s a couple that aren’t on the same level as his other films are but even those are still better than an average film or latest blockbuster out at the time. Anytime he has a new film coming out it’s like Christmas because it doesn’t happen very often and when it does, it’s at the top of my most anticipated of the year. His new film, Isle of Dogs, is one I was particularly excited for for many reasons. I love dogs, Japanese culture, it’s has an incredible voice cast from some of my favorite actors and I also love stop-motion animated films so I was immensely excited for this one.

Isle of Dogs has a great cast including voice work from Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Greta Gerwig, Scarlett Johansson and a whole bunch of other incredible actors that provided their amazing voices to all of the four legged creatures or the great human characters in this film. Edward Norton and Bryan Cranston were probably the biggest standouts for me and Edward Norton in particular had me laughing so much. The character Norton plays, Rex, had some of the best lines in the film and constantly had me laughing with every line spoken from him. Another character that had me laughing quite often was Duke, voiced by Jeff Goldblum. All of the dogs had such distinct and great personalities that I adored and thought was hilarious. Goldblum’s character is a big gossip and gives the fil a lot of wonderful lines. Another thing that I loved about the dogs is that it all felt like things dogs would say.  The banter between all the dogs will have you smiling and laughing so hard. The little boy in the film also had a ton of great parts with the dogs and was a wonderful character that I did not expect to like as much as I did. Greta Gerwig’s character was also quite entertaining and one that I loved a lot. That being said, the dog characters are definitely the highlight of the film and there’s so many wonderful moments and hilarious moments with them. Wes Anderson’s films always have such unique and wonderful characters so it’s no surprise that all the ones here were wonderful.

Wes Anderson is also known for his amazing direction including his spot on symmetry of shots and his beautiful wide shots that make his films pop with that “Wes Anderson style”. Isle of Dogs is filled with a ton of wonderful shots that could all be a gorgeous poster. The cinematography in this film is absolutely beautiful but that’s to be expected with any Anderson film. The cinematography always catches a particular feeling and hits it spot on. The shots in this film could fill an entire book of the glorious cinematography and also all the amazing design of sets and figures that are used. Anderson has now made two animated films and they’re some of my favorite animated films of all time without question. First Fantastic Mr. Fox and now the incredible and gorgeous Isle of Dogs. Anderson continuously impresses me with the films he makes and his incredible filmography.

As for issues with the film, I had almost none whatsoever. I feel that the very very end is wrapped up a little too quickly but that’s basically it. Isle of Dogs is gorgeous, entertaining, hilarious and a surprisingly surprising film that I adored. Isle of Dogs keeps your eyes glued to the screen with the amazing cinematography, entertained with the wonderful humor and great characters and keeps you on your toes with curve balls.

I’m going to give Isle of Dogs...

 A Quiet Place (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn

A Quiet Place is directed by John Krasinski and is exceeding expectations at the cinema right now. The film is really supported by a brilliant premise. In a somewhat post apocalyptic setting, a family must stay silent to avoid the creatures that hunt them based on sound. The opening of the film sets up the stakes in a brilliant sequence, allowing the audience to peer in on the danger that exists in this world.

What impressed me most about A Quiet Place is Krasinski’s wonderful direction. He really knows how to build tension through framing and shot length. The choice was made to shoot this on film, which I always love, and this is a great example of the medium of shooting fitting the project perfectly. Krasinski will reveal things to the audience before he reveals them to the characters, which is a great way to keep the audience on edge. Being on edge is easy when the stakes are this high. Literally the slightest sound will result in death. There’s really no escape when you are being hunted by these creatures so silence is golden. Therefore, the film is mostly without dialogue (another challenge Krasinski must face.) However, he does it brilliantly. He keeps you engaged from the opening frame to the very last one. There’s not a wasted second in this film.

I can talk about his framing and camera techniques all day, but I want to acknowledge how he really got this movie right. It is an old school creature feature, don’t get me wrong, but at the center of everything are the characters. A Quiet Place is about family and what lengths a parent will go to in order to protect their children. This leads into the real scare here: What if you can’t protect the ones you love? Krasinski knew this is what the film is about and that’s why it shines to greatness.

The performances are all magnificent. As I mentioned, there’s not much dialogue, which means the actors have to give compelling performances using only their body language. John Krasinski is brilliant as a loving father trying to protect his children and connect with them in this new world. I found his need to connect just as compelling as his need to protect them. Emily Blunt is great, as usual, and she gives a really reserved performance until things start to spiral out of control. When that happens, her performance just gets even better.

The child actors are also terrific. They’re not fine. They aren’t passable. They are truly wonderful artists honing their craft. Millicent Simmonds plays their daughter, and she’s actually deaf in real life which only adds to her already layered performance. This girl is a star in the making. Noah Jupe plays their son and you think he would be weighed down by the amazing performances around him, but he rises to the occasion. There genuinely is not a single weak spot in this cast or their acting.

There are some cliches that cheapen the experience and the premise feels a little stretched by the end of it, but I don't want to take away from what an entertaining and beautifully crafted monster movie this is, one that’s about characters. This movie is tons of fun, but also beautifully crafted. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Charlotte Bruus Christensen‘s superb cinematography. She’s been a dynamic DP for a while now and she helms a beautiful camera on The Hunt, which I highly recommend. Her pairing with Krasinski is a film lover’s delight because this is a gorgeous film.

A Quiet Place is dominating the box office, so if you haven’t seen it yet then be sure to get in on the party. This is one of those films that can please mainstream audiences, but also please cinephiles because of the wonderful craftsmanship on display.

Ready Player One (2018) Movie Review by: Will Whalen

Are you ready to step into the OASIS? Ready Player One is finally here from one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Steven Spielberg and I have been looking forward to this ever since the trailer. I never knew anything about the book or anything but I’m a big fan of pop culture and video games and all the things referenced in the book/film so this was right up my alley.

Ready Player One stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn and a bunch of other great talents including the infamous Simon Pegg and Mark Rylance. Ready Player One is about when the creator of this virtual reality video game world dies, he releases a video challenging the world to find the hidden Easter egg and whoever does, will have complete control of the OASIS and his fortune.

Steven Spielberg is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time and has had many classics under his belt and with Ready Player One, he shows us why he’s one of the all time greats once again. Spielberg delivers an instant classic that many generations will love for years to come. I myself had an absolute blast and one of the most fun times I’ve had at the theater in all year. Despite the amazing direction and phenomenal visuals, the many pop culture references will have any nerd jumping with joy. There were many references and nods to other classic films and video games that had me smiling like a kid sitting in the theater watching the latest big blockbuster film that’s out. Also, seeing the Iron Giant on the big screen, was such a delight. Especially since The Iron Giant has such a fond place in my heart.

Spielberg delivers a visual extravaganza of pop culture and fun, suspenseful action but the performances are what also make this film as great as it is. Most of the performances are voice performances because of the Virtual Reality world of the OASIS but when the real life characters on the screen, no time is wasted and we get to know and love these characters quick. Tye Sheridan is the life of the film as the main character, Wade or AKA Parzival. I enjoyed his character inside the OASIS but enjoyed his actual performance just as much. He’s the kind of character that any kid who sees this would want to be. Same goes for Olivia Cooke who is always terrific in everything she’s in. Once again, she was great in this and already has such a promising career ahead. Ben Mendelsohn is always great and in Ready Player One, he plays the films villain and gave a fun villain performance that was exactly what this film needed. He wasn’t magnificent or anything but he was great as always. As far as being a great villain, he didn’t have much to work with but definitely tried with whatever he had.

As for issues, I honestly didn’t have many. At a certain point it feels like it’s almost over but there’s still a good 20-30 minutes left. It also has a lot of pop culture references or jokes that I feel like will fly over the head of younger viewers but that’s not necessarily an issue. There’s also a certain sequence that has to do with a classic horror film that I know a very young audience wouldn’t understand. However, this sequence is absolutely phenomenal and just the best and had me smiling and laughing like a mad man.

Definitely don’t miss this one if you can help it because Spielberg delivers an instant classic that will be a favorite for years to come. This is probably his best film in years as a matter of fact and I absolutely loved it. Plus, if you’re a big fan of classic pop culture, video games or just things of that nature, you HAVE to see this.

I’m going to give Ready Player One...

4 out of 5 stars.

Tomb Raider (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn

A video game adaptation usually means bad news, but Tomb Raider isn't bad. It's not great either, but it's enjoyable for the most part. I think this is a movie plenty of people will go see and have a good time with. I actually was really enjoying the first and second act of this film. The first half of it is really solid and then it starts to lose itself a little. It's exhilarating at times, but most importantly, it actually knows how to build Lara Croft as a person. That's the stuff I really liked in this adaptation. We see Croft riding her bike in London, working on her fighting skills, and trying to survive without her father’s inheritance. Her family name carries a lot of weight, but Lara really wants to be successful on her own. This adds a lot of depth to her character and makes you respect her as a person. The other part of her backstory has to do with her past relationship with her father and this adds to most to her character and the narrative that follows. The relationship is a little by the books and as you would expect it to be in a Hollywood movie, but Alicia Vikander and Dominic West are so fantastic, you forgive it.

Some of the escape scenes are ripped straight from the game, which was cool to see, and they're all helmed well. The most exhilarating action is Croft transversing a destroyed plane on a waterfall, another scene pulled from the game.  The last act, particularly the last 25 minutes or so gets really silly and too over the top. The film takes itself seriously the entire runtime (justifiably so) but then it takes a turn for the absurd at the end and it didn't work for me. Alicia Vikander is amazing as Lara Croft. She brings so much charisma and depth to a role that really wants to be fleshed out. She is the shining light in this adaptation. Her emotional performance is wonderful, which is expected, but her physical performance is really impressive. It’s clear she really cared about this role and gave her all to it. She becomes Lara Croft inside and out and the film is all the better because of it. My boy Walton Goggins is awesome too. His character set up is fantastic and he was being set up as a good villain and then they kind of stop trying with him, which was disappointing because you could tell he was loving it. Eventually they take him down the typical villain path and his charisma falls to the back of the film.

Overall, this is an okay film. It's your typical Hollywood blockbuster, but it has some exciting moments and some great character depth. The first half is pretty damn good actually. I wasn't expecting much so I had fun with it. You have to take movies for what they are. This isn't trying to be Citizen Kane. It's just trying to be a fun time at the movies, which it manages to be for about 2/3rds of it. 

Thoroughbreds (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn

Thoroughbreds is the directorial debut of Cory Finley and stars Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy alongside Anton Yelchin in one hell of a ride. This is a remarkable debut from Finley. It’s always impressive when a young director is so clearly in control of his vision and that is obviously the case with Thoroughbreds.

The film examines empathy and psychopathic behavior, something we’ve seen many times in film, but not often explored as a comedy. We see it in American Psycho and even in the television program Dexter, but what’s interesting here is that Finley examines a character’s lack of empathy and psychopathic tendencies from the people around her, rather than just the character herself. This is where Finley’s screenplay is at its strongest.

This is a somewhat familiar premise, but the writing is so good that it feels incredibly fresh. The dialogue is subtle, yet very clever. There’s this brooding tone throughout much of the film, but it paves the way for laughs and more clever writing. Each character has a distinct voice and their dialogue always reflects their inner demons. I love that every character in Thoroughbreds is struggling with something and trying to find a way to resolve it or find a way to ignore it. Oddly enough, Olivia Cooke’s character seems to be the most comfortable and well put together, at least in her own mind, despite being a psychopath.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s character has this desire to peel back the layers of her friend’s brain and understand her for her own personal use. This is where the film thrives. The banter between these two characters is hilarious. It’s fast dialogue that lacks anything fancy, but it’s so smart and so dry, that it had me laughing the whole way through.

Finley then wisely introduces us to the brilliant Anton Yelchin and his zany character who acts as a huge counterweight to the two leads. He doesn’t have a ton of screen time, but he shines when he’s there. He will be missed greatly because he was one hell of an actor. I don’t want to spoil too much about these characters, but trust the screenplay here because the characters are so well written and so different, yet they are allowed to bounce off of one another with razor sharp wit, thank to Finley’s wonderful dialogue.

Finley’s script shines, but I don’t want to overlook his fantastic direction. First time directors often use a lot of handheld and it can often become obnoxious. Finley is clever in using locked down cameras through the film and it really takes the story to another level. Every camera movement has a purpose. There are a lot of slow dollies and they're all there for a reason. There are quick pans, slow tilts, and a lot of different set ups regarding the camera. The locked down camera was such a prudent choice considering the lack of empathy and fear one character contains. Despite the situation and stakes rising, our leads are always remarkably calm. The camera represents that. The wildest the camera gets is when another character begins to freak out, but the audience is always steady and grounded alongside the leads.

The framing is consistently wonderful as well. Finley makes sure to always have a beautiful lack of dead space, even when he frames characters on the far side of the screen. It’s impressive when a director is able to use the camera to help the audience inhabit a character’s mind and space, and Finley does this perfectly. I genuinely can’t wait to see what he does in the future. Even the lighting is dark and beautiful, constantly illuminating the depths of these characters, despite how dark they may be, and the score accompanies all of this to perfection, shooting a jolt of life into the veins of Thoroughbreds.

The performances are truly electrifying. Olivia Cooke commands the entire screen and Anya Taylor-Joy breathes creativity with every line of dialogue she speaks or look she cuts. These two women feel like seasoned veterans who have been knocking out killer performances for decades. I’ve been a fan of these actresses already, but these performances took them to new levels. They vanished into the skin of these people, letting Finley’s dark world absorb them along the way and it is well worth it for us audience members. Also, Anton Yelchin is so much fun and did a tremendous job in his final role. He’s the odd character out of place here and he played every note to perfection. He will truly be missed.

As you can see, I highly recommend Thoroughbreds. I don’t really have any issues with it, and with a film like this it’s always hard to try and find some. I think it meanders a little bit as it moves into the second act, but that’s it. I loved the whole experience this film provided and I really loved getting sucked in by the truly remarkable directing. Check this one out because it’s too well made and too much fun to let it slip under the radar.

Game Night (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn

It’s not very often that a movie genuinely surprises me, but Game Night was one of them. The comedy genre is one in which I feel like we have really been lacking in quality material. There are a lot of okay comedies and a lot of poor comedies that get released every year, but there aren’t many great ones. Game Night stands out in recent memory not only for being incredibly funny, but for being really well directed. I’m not just saying it’s well directed for a comedy, it’s well directed in general and it really gave life to this film.

The premise here is simple: A kidnapping game turns real and gives way to wild antics. However, Game Night never gives in to its ridiculousness. Instead, it embraces it and even goes down paths you wouldn’t expect. I was laughing 5 minutes into it, but I was worried that they were going to beat a dead horse with the premise. They keep the film fresh and funny for the entire runtime. It also flows incredibly well. There’s never a dull moment and never a gap in laughs. The writing is so clever and satirical toward the mystery genre. That really is the best thing about Game Night: it’s self aware. The screenplay keeps every character unique, even the side characters. Each person has different motives and are focussed on different things, which keeps the interactions between them endlessly entertaining.

The performances are all really funny, but Rachel McAdams owned her role. You could tell she was having so much fun with this movie and her comedic timing and skills within the genre shined bright. She’s mostly alongside Jason Bateman for the whole runtime and he’s hilarious as usual. Lamorne Morris’ character has a great running gag and his delivery is spot on with every line. I loved him in this movie, even if it is a small part. There’s also an actor that pops up in the third act that had me holding my side from laughing so hard. It was so great to see this guy show up, but it’s even better to see how much fun he’s having here. That’s what’s so wonderful about this film: it’s so much fun! We don’t get a great deal of movies that are just a fun time at the theater. Luckily, we have Game Night.

As I mentioned, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein do a tremendous job directing this film. I really hope they direct more films and even branch into different genres because it is obvious that they understand how to work the camera and a cast. Directing is more than just the camera and what you see. It’s a lot of behind the scenes work that not everyone can view on the screen. With that said, it’s obvious that they knew how to pull this cast and crew together and were able to convey their vision to everyone, that being the main job of the director.  Most comedies have a pretty simple shot structure. For a scene involving two people, it’s a shot - reverse shot, and repeat situation. Anything involving a car pans left to right. People run and the camera pans left to right or cuts after a few second to follow them up the street. There’s not always inventive camera work in the genre and this is where Game Night stands above all the rest. The shots are inventive and the visual medium is used for jokes as well. People forget that you don’t have to just get laughs through dialogue, you can use the camera, and it’s done beautifully here. There’s even a sequence shot to look like one long take that took me by surprise. It’s creative things like that sequence that kept this film hilarious and entertaining the whole time.

This isn’t a film that settles. It was obvious that the directors and everyone involved actually looked for opportunities to be creative and the film excels because of it. I also want to note that Cliff Martinez provides a really good score. He’s a composer working today that I’ve come to really like through his work with Refn, so it was cool to hear work from him in a comedy. Don’t sleep on this one because it’s actually worth your time. The film doesn’t think you’re stupid and deliver you stupid comedy because it thinks that’s what you want...it is inventive, it is well directed and performed, and most importantly, it’s really funny. I loved this film and I hope more people check it out.

Annihilation (2018) Movie Review by: Will Whalen

Annihilation is written for the screen and directed by the great Alex Garland and stars Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, Tessa Thompson, Jennifer Jason Leigh and several others and is about a biologist signing up for a dangerous and secret mission into an unknown place called the Shimmer where everything has been changed… for the worse.

Alex Garland is a fantastic writer and it seems that he really has a place in the world of science fiction and that’s what he does best. This is his second film that he’s directed and I was looking forward to this more than anything else this year just about. However, I never knew what to expect exactly. I watched the first trailer released like once and then avoided seeing anything else about it so I kind of went in nearly blind. And I’m glad I did. First off, Alex Garland has already made a name for himself with his writing but with Annihilation being his second film that he’s directed, he’s already on track to be a phenomenal director with an excellent filmography. With Annihilation, this is already one of the best directed films of the year and it looks absolutely stunning. Garland uses closeups and absolutely gorgeous wide shots that make this sci-fi film both beautiful and horrifying. The film itself is quite terrifying at times but he knows exactly how to use a shot to make certain moments even more so. The framing and each shot crafted was so beautiful. He handles sequences with such grace that it’s mind blowing. The cinematography in this film is absolutely stunning as well. I can’t wait to see what future sci-fi films Alex Garland will cook up next.

Now as far as the performances, the only person I knew was even in this was basically Natalie Portman. Which, was something that had me very excited. She’s one of my all time favorite actresses and seeing her in this sci-fi horror flick was a treat. I was also pleased to find out that Oscar Isaac, Tessa Thompson and Jennifer Jason Leigh are in this as well. Natalie Portman gives one of her best performances in a while and was fantastic here. She gives such a subdued and powerful performance. The other actors in this also do a fine job. Oscar Isaac is great as always but doesn’t get much screentime. Tessa Thompson was also another standout that I liked a bit. Although, her character could’ve used just a little bit more development. A lot of the characters are a little underdeveloped but you don’t mind because of the film surrounding it is so great and it’s not about all these characters. It’s about our main character and her survival and the Shimmer.

There’s a couple of sequences in this film that had me gripping my seat. There’s one in particular near the end that had me at a loss of breath while watching it. The score during this scene was absolutely stunning and had the theater shaking and my body shaking. The whole film had moments that made my jaw drop and made you feel like you were seeing something extraterrestrial. Not many films can make you feel such a way and so profound but Annihilation does. Nothing I can say can give Annihilation the credit it deserves. Especially without giving anything away. It took me a little bit to get my head right on writing a review for this because it’s hard to review this without giving anything away. This film may not be liked by your average audience member because it’s very ambiguous and has all kinds of themes that are open for interpretation. Which I absolutely loved about this film because not many films have that anymore. This is everything I want in a sci-fi film and more. I implore you to go see it.

I didn’t have hardly any problems with this. I loved every second of this mysterious and beautiful film and it’s almost perfect. This film floored me by the end of it and my review doesn’t really do it justice. See it for yourself and please see this on a big screen if you can. It’s worth it. Alex Garland gives us his best film yet and Portman delivers a chilling performance.

I’m going to give Annihilation…

Black Panther (2018) Movie Review by: Will Whalen

Black Panther is directed by Ryan Coogler and stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Andy Serkis and many more. Black Panther is about the prince of Wakanda, AKA Black Panther, returning home to officially take the throne after the death of his father in Captain America: Civil War. Of course, that’s not all that happens but I’m not going to reveal anymore about the plot because I didn’t know hardly anything going in.

Black Panther is probably one of the most anticipated Marvel films of all time and people were hyping it up like hell before it was even released. It’s already making a ton of money and it’s already becoming a new MCU favorite. But, is it actually that good?

When I heard that Ryan Coogler was taking on the project, I was instantly more excited than I had been already. Coogler has proven himself to be a fantastic director and makes overall great films. I absolutely loved Creed and what he did with that film was exceptional. To make a 7th film in a franchise and for it to be nearly as good as the best one, is amazing. I was excited to see what he would bring to the table with this and I gotta say, he brought it. Coogler handles this film with ease and crafting some gorgeous scenes and some awesome action. In Creed, he does masterful one take fighting scenes that left me speechless and he sure as hell tops the “oners” in Black Panther. The ones that he did were incredible but one in particular, was absolutely awesome that had me jumping with excitment. What Coogler does with this film is truly fantastic and my favorite thing about Black Panther.

Another thing that made Black Panther so great were the characters and especially the villain. Anytime a marvel film has a good villain, I’m always so grateful because almost all MCU films, have such poor and forgettable villains. Even if the film is great, a lot of the villains are more or less the same. Chadwick Boseman as the man himself was of course damn great. The motivations for his character is what made his character so good. It felt like it was real and you understand where he’s coming from and that he’s trying to change what his nation has been for so long and change it for what he thinks is better. You really understand all the characters and their motivations even if you necessarily don’t agree. The villain of this film is a man named Killmonger and was one one of the best MCU villains in some time. Michael B. Jordan is a terrific actor who has been in all of Coogler’s films and he really brought it in this. His character was also written very well and even though he’s a typical bad guy that kills innocent people sometime, you understand his mindset and why he does the things he does. However, there is one big problem I also had with his character and that’s that he just completely disappears after the very beginning of the movie for probably around an hour or so. You almost completely forget about him.

All the other main performances were great and I loved all the characters. Andy Serkis also gave a very wild and crazy performance that was quite entertaining.

I do have problems with this though and it’s definitely not a perfect film or a perfect superhero film at that. First off, I liked Black Panther a lot but not near on the level that everyone has been talking that it’s one of the best Marvel films and one of the all out best superhero films ever. This film was so hyped up beyond belief before it was even released and I don’t really understand why and I also feel like anyone that has given it a negative review, has been completely bashed for no good reason. It’s like any other film and people have opinions on it. One of my biggest issues with Black Panther however,  is that it became kind of a basic Marvel film for a good while. I was hoping for it to continuously be something new and unique but it, at times, was your typical Marvel film with all the tropes of one. I also think that the CGI is a bit heavy handed at times and it kinda took me out of the film just a little bit. Other than that, Black Panther was awesome and a great time. Coogler makes a Marvel film with fantastic direction, a great villain and awesome action. I can’t wait to see what Coogler does in the future and where they take this story.

I’m going to give Black Panther…

4 out of 5 stars.

Best Films of 2017 by: Will Whalen

Hello everyone! I know, we’re already a month into 2018 but some films that were 2017 releases didn’t come out near me till 2018 and I just had to wait and see them. However, it didn’t change much because (for the most part) my top films list is nearly the same as it was when I made it in December. So, here it is! This was a terrific year for film but these are my absolute favorites of 2017. 

First, I have a few honorable mentions: Molly’s Game, Alien: Covenant, John Wick 2, Get Out, My Life as a Zucchini, Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2, Call Me By Your Name, and All the Money in the World.

So, here we go!

15. The Disaster Artist

I was really surprised by The Disaster Artist because I was really excited for it because of The Room and I was expecting it to be a comedy about how The Room was made. And if you’ve ever seen The Room, anyone would be excited for that reason. However, what I got was a surprisingly super touching film about friendship and achieving your dreams no matter what the cost is or no matter how many times someone says you can’t.

14. Dunkirk

Dunkirk was a war film from the incredible mastermind Christopher Nolan that wasn’t a typical war film. It wasn’t some character drama on top of being a war film but instead a more accurate look at war. It was about survival and this horrible situation that these brave men were stuck in and basically all had to fend for themselves. I only got to see it once and I was lucky enough to see it in 70mm film but I can’t wait to revisit it.

13. Good Time

Good Time was actually a great time (bad pun intended) and was one of the most stressful, thrilling and non stop downward spirals of a film I have seen in recent memory. Robert Pattinson also gave his best performance and really should’ve been nominated. It was also directed excellently by the Safdie Brothers who took risks. They did things in this that most filmmakers would never dare to do. If you’re easily stressed, maybe stay away from this movie. But, its a good time...

12. It

You’ll float too… when you see It. It was one of the best horror films I’ve seen in quite a long time and definitely one of the funniest movies of last year. We finally got a It film and it was so wonderful. Andy Muschietti did a great job helming this work and the phenomenal cast from all the talented young actors involved make this movie one of a kind and one of the best Stephen King adaptations.

11. A Ghost Story

A Ghost Story was such a special movie. This film explores death, grief, and the afterlife in one of the most beautiful films of last year. Casey Affleck also gave one of the best performances of his career and he was under a sheet the whole time. His performance spoke volumes and I would’ve liked to have seen him get some recognition. This film floored me and if you haven’t seen it, do check it out. It’s not a horror movie but it will haunt you.

10. Thor: Ragnarok

This was one one of Marvel’s best to date. Takai Waititi takes the Thor story into a new direction and made one of the funniest and one of the most all out entertaining films of the entire year. Just on a pure fun and comedic level, this was one of the best and definitely one of the most fun films of last year. Also, Waititi gave us Korg and I don’t think we can thank him enough for that.

9. T2: Trainspotting

Aye ya doss cunt! This is a sequel to one of my top favorite films of all time, Trainspotting. Trainspotting came out in 1996 and now here we are, 20 years later with a sequel. This could’ve easily not been good but with Danny Boyle once again behind the camera, our favorite skagboys back and with a wonderful script, this was a fantastic sequel and a beautiful one too. Plus, it’s Trainspotting! Plus, there’s a great soundtrack once again. 

8. Baby Driver

B-A-B-Y Baby! Baby Driver was an all out blast. It’s a fast paced, thrilling, exciting and wonderful film that has one of the best soundtracks to any film that has come out in a long time. All this is due to the amazing Edgar Wright who has made yet another great film with Baby Driver. 

7. Logan

Logan is the wolverine film we’ve all dreamed about. An R rated Wolverine film is exactly what the world of superhero films needed. In Hugh Jackman’s supposed final performance as the Wolverine, we got one of the all time best superhero films. It was directed gorgeously and had a story that I was in love with. It didn’t even feel like a superhero movie but more like a western. Patrick Stewart also gave a phenomenal performance and I wish our two main actors would’ve gotten some more praise. If this really is Jackman’s final portrayal as Logan/Wolverine, then what a hell of a way to send out on.

6. Split

M. Night Shyamalan makes a grand return to the screen with Split. It felt so incredibly good to be seeing a great M. Night Shyamalan film in theaters. James McAvoy gives one of the best performances of last year and this was absolutely snubbed at the Oscars. I won’t spoil this film but if you have never seen Shyamalan’s Unbreakable, watch it and then watch this. Trust me. I loved this film so much and absolutely cannot wait for Glass. Also, the dance scene... just watch this movie.

5. War for the Planet of the Apes

This is the third and (I think) final film in the new Apes series and was, believe it or not, a mesmerizing masterpiece. What they did with this film is absolutely mind boggling. It’s not some big over the top action movie. There are action scenes, sure. But no, instead it was a psychological warfare, revenge and prisoner of war film that was absolutely beautiful. Andy Serkis gave a chilling and insanely great performance as Caesar. What he did with this character in this film, was just wonderful. If you’ve never seen these films, they’re all great and I highly suggest watching them.

4. Star Wars: The Last Jedi

This film was one of the most fun times I’ve had the theater in quite some time. Rian Johnson took over for Episode 8 and took the Star Wars saga into a new direction and did something new, unique and just awesome. Of course, “fans” got pissed but anyone that loves film and any legit Star Wars fan, will love this one and appreciate what Johnson did with this. The Last Jedi also includes some of the best scenes in any of the Star Wars films. Sure, it does have flaws but this was a phenomenal spectacle and there’s one scene that I’ve been thinking about at least once a day since I saw this on opening night.

3. Lady Bird

This magnificent coming of age film is written by Greta Gerwig and is her directorial debut. This is a really special type of movie. It doesn’t even feel like it’s a movie but instead, just you watching people live their lives. And movies that feel so natural like that, are special. It’s also special because it’s so relatable. Whether you’re a boy or a girl or whatever, anyone can watch this and in some way, relate to it. It’s got excellent performances and it’s clear that Greta Gerwig has some real talent. I can’t wait to see what she does in the future. Lady Bird is going to be a teen classic for years to come.

2. The Shape of Water

When I saw this, I thought it may have taken place as my number one favorite of the year. Guillermo del Toro wrote and directed this and this is without a doubt, his best film yet and a beautiful masterpiece. Sally Hawkins is electric in this film alongside Oscar worthy performances from all of her costars. The Shape of Water absolutely floored me and left me in a puddle of tears. What blows me away, is how a movie like this gets 13 Oscar nominations. However, it’s well deserved.

1. Blade Runner 2049

Here it is folks. My personal favorite of the year. The movie that I thought was better than all the rest and that’s the cinematic marvel that is Blade Runner 2049. This was one of the best films I have ever seen. That’s not even a joke. On every level, it was so far beyond anything else I had ever seen. Denis Villeneuve directs this flawlessly but the cinematography from Roger Deakins, is probably the actual best from any other film I’ve ever seen. Each frame of this is dripping with dystopian neon noir and I couldn’t get enough of it. The score from Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch was so special and so hypnotizing. This is my favorite score to any film from last year as well. Ryan Gosling is in my number one film of the year yet again and this man is incredible. He gives such a subdued performance but one that spoke high volumes. It was also great to see Harrison Ford return as Deckard who also gave an amazing performance. Blade Runner 2049 should’ve been nominated for Best Picture and Best Director but I’m just happy it got some recognition. Either way, this film is a flawless masterpiece and was my number one of 2017.