The summer movie season is almost over, and while box office numbers have indisputably been weak, leaving some like myself to doubt the longevity of Hollywood filmmaking, that doesn't mean that there has not been some quality films released. Here are my top five films of 2017 so far, listed in revere order to create some suspense, possibly.
5) Get Out
A $4.9 million dollar film that went on to be a global box office success beyond even studio expectations, the comical but creepy Get Out shook up audiences with its contentious storyline about a black man meeting his white girlfriend's family. While putting a new take on the uncomfortable experiences for black people being around a majority of whites, the film also does a decent job of building suspense and diverging from viewers expectations. There is a possible Oscar nomination for Best Picture, and for all things, a horror movie?
4) Logan
Comic book superhero movies have rained in exorbitant profits for the Hollywood film industry for well over a decade, leading to sequel after sequel to the point where there has finally been some box office fatigue for the expensive films more recently. But fortunately for the more sophisticated movie goer, 21st Century Fox took a risk with what seems to be the concluding Wolverine film and the last stand for its star Hugh Jackman. Tossing the CGI effects and tired plot lines of previous comic book hero films, the writers and directors of Logan decided end the Wolverine series with a sordid Western and brought the violence in the film to an R rating. With superior acting performances by Patrick Stuart and Jackman, the film had some Oscar buzz until people thought about it a little more and realized that it's probably to violent for the Academy. This movie was way better than I expected it to be and I found the ending to be emotionally touching.
3) Baby Driver
Another film that was an absolute blast and did well at the box office, Baby Driver launched audiences into mania with its synchronized action and music, creating an original movie experience for audience members who think they have seen it all (like me). Featuring a diverse but exhilarating soundtrack and white-knuckle stunt driving, Baby Driver was a fresh concept served during a summer of sequels. I even enjoyed the romance between main character Baby (Ansel Elgort) and his sweetheart Debbie (Lily James). Jamie Fox and Kevin Spacey help bring some star power to the film. While the ending may have fallen just a little from the frenetic pace of the film, I would recommend seeing the movie in theaters before its gone for good.
2) War for the Planet of the Apes
While it may have disappointed at the box office, War for the Planet of the Apes was way better than any movie about apes should ever be. I saw it twice and I'll admit to tearing up the second time. Matt Reeves directed the hell out of the movie. The growth of Caesar as a character from being tyrannical and despotic to a Moses-like savior was a great arc, placing the perfect capstone onto a surprisingly entertaining and deep trilogy. If you missed War for the Planet of the Apes, you missed out.
1) Dunkirk
Just barely beating War for the Planet of the Apes, I have to give the top spot to Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk. I believe that Christopher Nolan will likely win the Oscar for Best Director, because I just can't imagine anyone winning after the man strapped Imax cameras onto World War II airplanes. The storytelling decision to divide three plot lines into one week, one day, and one hour paid of masterfully and while the score, special effects, and sound were superbly crafted. The film packs a punch, reminding audiences that war is just as much about survival as it is about winning. And the fact that some of the main actors are so young reiterate how young the soldiers are who are sent off to war. If you haven't seen Dunkirk yet, go see it. It's Christopher Nolan's masterpiece.