Does it feel like 2017 is halfway over? I remember just learning how to walk back in March. Time flies is my point, and it’s evident when I look back at all of the movies I’ve seen in these past six months. I already have three movies that have received a perfect 5 out of 5 from the prestigious #VicksFlicks! You’ll have to do your own research to find out which ones they are, but bet your sweet ass they’re on this list!
In no particular order, here are my 19 favorite films of 2017 so far. They’re all very different, yet equally excellent in their execution. Feel free to disagree, love, lash out, or just go see a few of them. I welcome it all!
GET OUT
Jordan Peele’s darkly funny, tense, and ingenuous horror film is a daring one, but he ain’t scared. Energized by critiques of our culture, the terror comes ripping through, as does the notice of one’s skin color.
COLOSSAL
Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis give monstrous performances in a crazy, beautiful film that bends the rules on fitting in to a particular genre. Romance, alcoholism, revenge, hatred, they all leave their gigantic footprint on a singular, yet strangely spectacular, story that becomes larger than life.
BORN IN CHINA
John Krasinski voices the right amount of childlike perspective in Disneynature’s newest astonishing documentary about China’s majestic land and its incredible inhabitants. Families, instinct and survival is identifiable to all creatures and the captured footage never ceases to amaze.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2
This spectacular sequel stands on the shoulders of the original & elevates this galactic gang’s story of who they are & the maverick family they’ve grown in to.The wit, excruciating emotion, killer tunes & visual splendor make this an extravaganza everyone needs to experience. GOTG is a standout Marvel franchise, & after these two volumes, it may be the greatest.
QUEST
The Rainey family in Philly face horrific hardships,but carry a heavy amount of hope in this sensational documentary about life. Their gratefulness and love beams through the screen; it’s a slice of life that’s tough but also awakening.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2
Director Chad Stahelski returns by turning it up a notch in ass kicking. This ferocious beast is an adrenaline-pumping, no holds barred sequel with Keanu Reeves turning murder in to an art form.
CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER
A surprisingly insightful documentary about a dying typewriter shop and the dissection of the machine itself. It’s a passion for many about seeing and feeling the process of creation that Apple can’t provide. New life is wonderfully given to typewriters as is our appreciation for a forgotten past time.
BABY DRIVER
A blast from beginning to end with soothing sounds of beats being dropped and cars dancing on the pavement. Director/writer Edgar Wright tunes up and unfetters a brilliant, dreamlike story that floors it, driving the thrills over the limit. The fired-up, phenomenal ensemble cast is on a joyride of serious speed, style and spectacle.
THE BEGUILED (2017)
Stellar performances all around, this film seduces and startles in a battle of the sexes. Decorated with loneliness, lust, and jealousy, Sofia Coppola’s beautifully twisted gothic thriller slowly simmers until its hidden hideousness fully erupts.
NOBODY SPEAK:
TRIALS OF THE FREE PRESS
Beyond a sex tape and privacy issues, this fascinating, alarming documentary is about our free speech trying to be distinguished by those who only like the sound of their own, greedy voices. A compelling warning of keeping our press free and the truth in focus.
LOGAN
Comic book movie my ass. This unstoppable, emotionally-charged, gritty bloodbath is something much more. Through the pain, scars, and sacrifice, James Mangold provides an affectionately human element to a mutant story. Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart are phenomenal, making their iconic characters’ last breath forever indelible.
THE BIG SICK
This sharp, funny rom-com freshly explores the realities of modern day relationships and centuries-old cultures in winning fashion.The cast is sensational playing flawed people trying to figure out love, taking on the awkwardness, forgiveness, and tension that follows it.
BACKPACK FULL OF CASH
An alarming, infuriating documentary about our public education disappearing with the kids being the ones left to suffer for it. Privatizing schools makes no sense and cheating any child out of the opportunity to learn is damn disgraceful.
I, DANIEL BLAKE
An angered yet moving story that walks with dignity with one foot and empathy with the other. Ken Loach profoundly points to downtrodden, low-income sufferers to resonate that everyone needs a little help at times. Dave Johns is stellar as a blue-collar widower who hasn’t lost his wit and just wants to get back to work. If only it was that easy.
KONG: SKULL ISLAND
It’s a chest-pounding good time, literally and figuratively. A magnificent monster movie, letting the action and visual splendor leave you in awe. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts understands size does matter in this case, and he delivers on the most grandest scale possible.
THE LOVERS
A house built on love and lies, this delicately candid dramedy feels truthful to the difficulties of marriage and becoming strangers to each other after so many years together. Debra Winger and Tracy Letts are stellar as a couple that have made mistakes, but can’t give up on what they once had.
FIVE CAME BACK
A historical cinematic documentary about five legendary directors who served in WWII the only way they could—with their cameras. It’s an amazing exploration of war propaganda and incredible inspiration. With help of famous filmmakers of today, their stories of unimaginable sacrifice are shared, resulting in Hollywood careers and lives being altered forever.
NORMAN
Richard Gere is phenomenal as a non-stop, relentless fixer in the Big Apple trying to fill his empty promises. It’s a sharp, yet tragic story of a guy that deserves what’s coming to him, but he’s just so damn ingratiating that all you wish for him is forgiveness.
I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO
History is on repeat in this powerfully piercing documentary supplied by Baldwin’s crucial observations of race and oppression. His words are poetic, furious, and elegant, screaming for unity while asking pivotal questions we don’t want to answer.
“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter@SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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