The Year in Movies - 2017

I am an unashamed movie nut.  Every year at the end of December I pontificate on the best and worst from only the movies I saw during the concluding year. I’ve also included what I considered to be the worst movies of the year, because that’s almost more fun. I’ve chosen a quote from each of the top ten movies. If nothing else, the films below (except for the bottom two) were hugely enjoyable. Again this is only one man’s opinion and reflects only the movies I saw this year. I await the inevitable criticism from my progeny. I went into this thinking this had been a down year for movies, maybe I’ve just been distracted but as I compiled the list I found it harder and harder to get down to just ten, the toughest for all the years I’ve been doing this. So despite my initial thoughts this was a very good year in movies. Maybe I’ve just become jaded or my journey through bad cinema for the past two months have numbed me to the good ones. At any rate – here it goes.

Best Movies of 2017

#10 – Guardians of the Galaxy 2 – sequels can be tough especially when the original was so much fun and innovative. Peter Quill is still a lot of fun to watch and the interplay with his band of misfits didn’t lose any of the edge or hilarity which makes them so watchable. Adding Kirk Russell is never a bad thing along with the killer raccoon and baby Groot edged out some tough competition to nab the final spot.

Quote:

Mantis: When I touch someone I can feel their feelings. [touches Quill's hand]

Mantis: You feel... love!

Peter Quill: Yeah, I guess - Yeah, I feel a general unselfish love for everyone.

Mantis: No. *Sexual* love...

Peter Quill: No. No, I don't.

Mantis: [points at Gamora] ... for her!

Peter Quill: No!

[Drax begins laughing hysterically]

Drax: She just told everyone you deepest, darkest secret!

[Drax continues laughing]

Peter Quill: Dude! Come on! I think you're reacting a little bit!

Drax: You must be so embarrassed!

[continues cracking up]

Drax: Do me! Do me! Do me!

#9 – Logan – A movie that surprised me in that it acknowledged the first generation of the X-Men had run their course. It allowed original stalwarts Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart to say goodbye to their characters in meaningful and heartfelt ways. It wasn’t all candy canes and unicorns either but gritty and a little bit crushing. The addition of a young girl with Logan’s abilities was a great idea as he’s forced to confront the loneliness that was so central to his character.

Quote:

Logan: Take your friends and run... They'll keep coming, and coming... You don't have to fight anymore.

Logan: Go... Don't be what they made you.

Logan: Laura.

Laura: [crying] Daddy.

Logan: [smiles] So... this is what it feels like.

#8 – Get Out – It’s hard to imagine a new twist on a horror movie but Get Out achieved that and was smart and funny throughout. It takes the class/race struggle and stands it on its head while somehow making a TSA agent the hero of the hour. The viewer has to figure out what’s happening as clues are dropped relentlessly and you spend the entire movie almost shouting at the main character to do what the title suggests.

Quote:

Chris Washington: How did you find me?

Rod Williams: [looks at him] I'm the T.S-motherfucking-A. We handle shit. That's what we do. Consider your situations, fuckin' handled.

#7 – Wind River – Another movie that surprised me with its depth.  Jeremy Renner steals the movie from Elizabeth Olsen as a father dealing with the death of his daughter who is called into the investigate the murder of a friend’s daughter. You could see in this in the middle of a heat wave and still be chilled to the bone. It reminded me a lot of CJ Box’ excellent series of books, a lot of heart on display.

Quote:

Cory Lambert: If you shy from the pain of it, then you rob yourself of every memory of her, my friend. Every one. From her first step to her last smile. You'll kill 'em all. Take the pain, Take the pain, Martin. It's the only way to keep her with you.

#6 – Bladerunner 2049 – Okay, so I must be the one guy that just loved this movie along with its long ago predecessor. Ridley Scott embraced the mythology of the original but told a pretty compelling story liberally layered with mystery and heart in its own right. Harrison Ford is specializing in taking conic roles from his early career and imbuing them with the years his character has endured. I loved it.

Quote:

Wallace: All the courage in the world cannot alter fact.

#5 – Lady Bird – I wouldn’t have seen this movie without my daughter’s recommendation and it turned out to be one of my favorites for the year. The two performances of a mother and a daughter confronting their way through the daughter’s senior year in high school rang so true and it’s a tribute to the two actors involved. It wasn’t easy to watch at times but it was fun throughout with a lot of sly humor inserted amongst the angst.

Quote:

Marion McPherson: I want you to be the very best version of yourself that you can be.

Christine 'Lady Bird' McPherson: What if this is the best version?

#4 – Dunkirk – I wondered what Nolan would do with this epic story that’s been largely ignored until recently. He did throw a few of his signature curveballs with a staggered and interwoven time line but that was fun after you figured it out. He paid tribute to all the right things about the heroism of that pivotal battle but also showed the very human costs involved. Truly epic.

Quote:

Blind Man: Well done lads. Well done.

Alex: All we did is survive.

Blind Man: That's enough.

#3 – 3 Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri – The biggest surprise of the year telling the story of a woman trying to shame the local police into solving her daughter’s murder. Frances McDormand must win another Oscar for her searing portrayal of a woman refusing to cow to society’s standards. This very dark comedy features fabulous performances from Woody Harrelson and especially Sam Rockwell as the targets of the mother’s wrath. Pain enough for everybody as this story ripps into the fabric of a Midwestern small town. Go see it for McDormand though.

Quote:

Mildred Hayes: So how's it all going in the nigger- torturing business, Dixon?

Dixon: It's 'Persons of color'-torturing business, these days, if you want to know. And I didn't torture nobody.

#2 – Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Okay, you knew the Star Wars movie would make it, especially one from the original story line. While this is Luke’s story it also adds flesh to the new cast of characters gracefully and in some cases heartbreaking ways. There are also some sit up and be shocked moments that have been missing since Luike first learned about her parents in The Empire Strikes Back. Best movie in the series since that one.

Quote:

Rose Tico: We're going to win this war not by fighting what we hate, but saving what we love!

#1 – Wonder Woman – Who knew Gal Gadot could actually emote! She dominates in the best movie of the year providing the beauty, depth, and physical presence the role calls for. She steals every scene she’s in even though they were set up that way. The action is almost non-stop which is difficult in an origin story but this marks one of the first times DC has figured out how to properly mine their treasures of comic book characters.

Quote:

Etta Candy: I'm introducing myself. It's Etta Candy. I'm Steve Trevor's secretary.

Diana Prince: What is a secretary?

Etta Candy: Oh, well, I do everything. I go where he tells me to go, I do what he tells me to do.

Diana Prince: Well, where I'm from that's called slavery.

Etta Candy: I really like her.

Honorable Mention (Last Cuts from Top Ten):

John Wick 2 – Keanu continues to wade through legions of bad guys for his violent response to being forced out of retirement. This works on a number of levels. 

Big Sick – A really funny and well written exploration of cross cultural romance, something I know a little bit about ( the cross cultural thing – not the writing). 

Atomic Blonde – Charlize dominates as a cold warrior who kills her way through Berlin as the wall is coming down. Lots of twists and turns but she owns this movie from the first minute. 

Hitman’s Bodyguard – Two master practitioners of the one liner face off as Samuel L Jackson and Ryan Reynolds match bullet for bullet in a very entertaining road picture. Lest I forget, the incomparable Salma is also along for the ride kicking butt with the big guys. 

Valerian and the City of A Thousand Planets – This would have easily made the top ten if the male lead had even an ounce of physical presence. This would have rivaled the 5^th Element if they had cast anyone other than the candy ass that they did. Everything else worked. 

Man Who Invented Christmas – So much fun to see the beloved characters like Scrooge and Marley appear to haunt Charles Dickens as he composes a Christmas Carol.

Worst Movies of 2017

The Circle – I didn’t think it was possible to make a wretched movie featuring Tom Hanks but they did. They underused him (and made him a villain) while the movie collapsed when placed on the shoulders of Emma Watson. 

Snatched – Amy Schumer fails to follow up on the recent trend of successful female centric raunchy comedies. Just not very funny which is problematic for a comedy, Schumer’s time may be waning, even Goldie couldn’t help.

2017 Superlatives:

Best Comedy:  Hitman’s Bodyguard

Best Horror Movie:  Get Out

Best Drama:  Wind River

Best Romance:  Big Sick

Best Action:  John Wick 2

Best Special Effects:   War for Planet of the Apes

Best Scene of the Year (by far):  3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri when the police chief coughs up blood and McDormand’s steely façade vanishes for just an instance as basic human decency inserts itself.

House Sprite and Rush to Depart

And We're Having Even More Fun than She Is!

My wife and I continue to revel in the presence of the FBR and all that entails. There has been no lapse in her development in a sense of self and she’s already an ardent negotiator, especially on the subject of Dora the Explorer. She is a true joy to have around even if it forces her grandparents to shed some of the rust off their child care procedures. She engaged in a series of art projects with her abuela yesterday and proudly displayed her artwork when I got home.

Art work Yesterday

When Not Guitar Strumming

An inevitable part of my wife’s preparation for a trip to Panama involves a visit to the salon. The FBR’s presence required that take place last night after I got back from work. This had the second order effect of placing me in charge of dinner, bathing, and putting to bed for the FBR. These are tasks I’m usually gently restricted from, for what seems to be obvious reasons to the women in my life. The FBR and I teamed up for an inspired effort and even threw in a quick FaceTime call to her parents. This is where the importance of Dora comes in as a negotiating tool. I had way too much fun for such mundane daily tasks – I think the FBR hugs had a lot to do with that.

Back at it Today

With Play Dough!

My wife returned shortly after the FBR went down for the night and we immediately launched into Christmas de-decoration. In a couple hours we the tree divested of lights and ornaments and safely cooling out on the deck. It wouldn’t have made sense to leave it up baking for the next two weeks. I’m still going to miss seeing it when I come through the door each day. My wife adjourned upstairs to continue her ritual luggage packing, she has three bags over the weight limit which will require some adjustment. Another sign the holiday is fading away as will the arrival tonight of my daughter to seize control of the FBR back. My wife and I have an early morning flight tomorrow and we hope to spend the upcoming two weeks entirely at the new condo. Other than my annual movie post which I hope to knock out later today my next post will hopefully be from a tropical beach setting which is totally welcome since we’re setting records today in Worcester for the coldest day on this date in history.

The Bad Cinema project count rises to #88 out of 100, with a late night viewing of Horror High, deliciously bad with a bunch of 1970s Dallas Cowboys featured.

Threatened Commute and Excess Marshmallows

You Try Leaving this Behind!

My commute for the last couple of days has faced a severe challenge. One that I’m not sure I’m ready to handle. It has become nigh on impossible to willingly leave the house because of our houseguest. The FBR is spending the week with us since her parents have to work and their day care center shut down for the week. I count that as a huge win for us. The issue with the commute is that I find it hard to leave the house.

Pulling Her Chair Up to Share Breakfast With Grampa

Could Not Ask for Better Early Morning Company

And Pertinent Conversation

When She Isn't Taking Abuela Out for a Spin

Second Breakfast With Abuela

She's a Hobbit!

She makes it known in no uncertain terms that she doesn’t expect me to leave and is smart enough to read my face in that I don’t want to go. She compounds the effort by giving me repeated hugs as I try to head out the door and then waving in a heartbreaking manner when I try to close the door. My wife is a bemused spectator to this whole cat and mouse game. When I come home for lunch I’m greeted with a “”You’re back Grampa!” and more hugs. I may never return to work although I do explain as I wheedle my way out that I have to work to buy her more toys. She seemed to accept that rationalization.

The Newly Crowned Marshmallow Queen of Greater Worcester
With Escort at the Scene of the Crime

I know it’s hard to believe that I left any stone unturned in yesterday’s epic post-Christmas post but I neglected to highlight the role the ABFA played during the dinner prep. As my son and I were headed down the home stretch the ABFA volunteered to add the miniature marshmallows to the sweet potato dish before it went into the oven. When I turned around to put the dish into the oven I found that she had literally carpet bombed the dish. Every square millimeter was covered with marshmallows. Both my son and I stopped to laugh as the sweet toothed ABFA had taken full advantage of her position. When served it was a huge hit with the assembled diners. Unfortunately I was so shocked by the display that I didn’t take a picture of this singular treat – take my word for it – it was heroic!

Nice Photo of My Wife's Family Christmas Dinner in Panama
Note the Patriot's Shirt on the Nephew

The Bad Cinema project count remains at #87 out of 100, for the foreseeable future for obvious reasons.

All That And Then Some

What a Weekend With this Crew!

I sometimes caution myself not to get too excited about upcoming events or visits because nothing can live up to the anticipation I create for myself. Happily I once again deluded myself by underestimated how much fun it would be to have everyone gather for Christmas. I know, kind of shocking that even the sky high expectations I had could have been exceeded.

The Sleeping Game - FBR Checking to Make Sure I'm Not Cheating

One Angel Putting Another Atop the Tree

The FBR and my daughter arrived shortly after noon on Friday ahead of Friday’s snow and ice storm. Even though it had only been a couple weeks the FBR showed remarkable progress in communicating. She quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. We also played a new game together where we make believe we’re sleeping. It would a lot more restful if she didn’t jump on my chest to mark the end of the sleeping period. I’ll tell the story of the weekend through pictures mostly because words seem inadequate to fully redeem the joy of the past few days. I haven’t been near the computer for any extended time since last Friday and the fun with real people had everything to do with that.

Getting the Latest News

Morre Sleeping Games

Point of Order

Abuela Helping Out

Very Happy Times

The wild swings in weather led to a change in our Christmas plans. Instead of traveling up to New Hampshire on Christmas Eve after our first Christmas celebration on Saturday my Favorite Son and the ABFA decided it made more sense to just remain with us and conduct Christmas operations from our home. It made for a great weekend plus. Since Great Aunt and the Soxfather had to work they were not able to join us for Christmas this year so we arranged a full celebration on Saturday to include a full Christmas dinner (gluten free in honor of the Great Aunt). Another member of the family, Keene Friend, also joined us to complete the gathering with the exception of Wingman who had to work in New Jersey on Saturday.

Riggins' New Best Friend

Uncle Helping Build Tower for Demolition

ABFA Consultations

Happy Girls

My hat is off to everyone who drove to our house on Saturday as the Friday night ice storm decided to continue well into Saturday. I had some doubts around mid-day but the redoubtable crew all made their planned appearances and the fun was on. Riggins also joined us for the weekend because what is Christmas without a dog! It did bring some wistful memories of Buddy the Wonder Pooch who so thoroughly enjoyed the past few Christmases. There were no eviscerated stuffed toys this year.

FBR Assisting with Table Repairs

Out in the Snow on Saturday

C'mon Grampa

We were setting up for this first Christmas dinner when the leg fell off the dining room table. This would have been cause for panic or at least recriminations since my wife had been after me for the better part of six months to get it repaired. It went through eight moves with us and was a little worse for the wear. Thank God it was Christmas – at least in the recrimination department. I dug into my bag of tricks and with the help of gorilla glue and toothpicks to replace worn out screw holes I was able to get the table back in operation. The FBR was of limited if persistent help. She kept stealing the flashlight I needed to see when she wasn’t hurling herself at my unprotected torso while I was stretched out on the floor. We also made the mistake of laughing when she knocked over the tower of blocks we were playing with. Ever the entertainer this meant she would make a bee line for the rest of the weekend whenever something was assembled in order to knock it down – channeling her inner Godzilla.

First Christmas Dinner at Repaired Table

After dinner we went through the gift exchanging which had its own issues since I had to extract the gifts for the Rhode Island bunch and Keene Friend out of the mass of gifts that seemed to swell proportionally with the arrival of each new attendee. It was all too much fun, especially watching the FBR stop and play with each new gift that she opened. Christmas is liberally endowed with memories and I kept finding my mind wandering back to Christmases of my youth in Keene as I luxuriated in the presence of people who had shared so many of them with me. It was one of those evenings that I didn’t want to end but time has this nasty habit of continuing to progress despite my pertinent aspirations. The survivors all ended up on the couch in the Man Cave where we watched The Holiday together as the night wound down. Riggins has wormed his way into my wife’s heart enough that she even allowed him some Buddy like privileges in the couch climbing department. She misses him as much as I do.

Overstocked Tree

Beloved Chaos 

Daughter and Keene Friend

Chex Mix Addict

Late Night Movie in the Cave

Riggins Gaining Couch Privileges

Sunday turned out to be the only clear day of the entire weekend and that was fortunate since my daughter and I had to trek down to Rhode Island to pick up Wingman who traveled up via train. We had to leave the Patriots’ game to do so but that turned out okay since we were able to listen on the radio as they finished toying with the Bills and put them away decisively by the time we were back in Worcester. We attended Christmas Eve Mass with the FBR and ended up sitting in the front row. Against all odds she was an angel, thank God for crackers and drawing games.

Happy Abuela

FBR Storming the Altar at Church

Abuela Explaining

Great Aunt and Soxfather in the House

Another Tower to Destroy

Riggins Jumping on Grampa

FBR Football

If She Puts the Sunglasses on - She Disappears

Stealth FBR

Christmas Eve involved some serious eggnog and the reunification of the New Jersey element. In a stroke of good fortune the ABFA’s parents decided to join us as well since travelling on Christmas day looked sketchy. I was trying to get the FBR into leaving a snack out for Santa as I told her how much St Nick like Coors Lite. My favorite Panamanian opined that Santa had way too much of that and Christmas cookies already. We topped the Eve off back in the Man Cave watching our traditional day before Christmas movie – Love Actually. My wife assisted (since I injured my hand on a stray turkey rib) as I prepped the Christmas turkey so it would be ready to start cooking first thing in the morning just as midnight passed.

Christmas Morning

FBR in Residence

ABFA and Favorite Son

The FBR Was Very Busy

She Loved her New Doll and Stroller

Watch out Ankles

As she is wont to do the FBR was up early and energized for Christmas morning. We’re still getting used to having a true young’un around so it took a while for everyone to wander down for the frenzied gift opening. The FBR was once again the star of the show and made all of her abuela’s many shopping forays totally worthwhile. It had started snowing overnight and continued well into the morning which made the morning seem even more special – especially since we didn’t have to drive in it.

Scooter and Cat Helmet

Riggins Positioned Near the FBR's Chair 

ABFA and Son Helping with Breakfast

Christmas Breakfast

Wingman with Scooter Lessons

After the much too generous gift giving we adjourned to the kitchen for our next tradition which was mimosas and fried dough – again with memories’ of prior Christmases flooding along with them. This was followed by what could only be described as a true Christmas miracle. My wife decided to join us outside to play in the snow. I call it the FBR effect. She stayed outside in the cold and played with the FBR for more than an hour while I cleared the driveway. This was the longest time she had ever been outside in snow in her entire life. She even made snow angels – I was in shock.

Rarest of Scenes - My Wife and Snow

And this is the Reason Why

My Favorite Son and I teamed up to prepare the Christmas dinner during the afternoon. I had a real sense of passing the torch this year as he carved the turkey all by himself and I was rightfully reduced to advisory role in most aspects of the dinner prep. It was kind of cool and a lot less tiring. I nevertheless found myself in deep tryptophan somnambulance that only a brief nap on the couch would address following the meal. The FBR adversely saw the stimulation of Christmas too exciting to actually sleep during her nap so she was a little punchy by the early evening.

Son and I Making Dinner

The dreaded departures started all too soon. The ABFA’s parents were the first to skate off down the hill as Worcester’s Christmas snow removal efforts left a lot to be desired. My son had the car loaded with gifts, the ABFA, and Riggins while dealing with an oncoming cold only to find his car wouldn’t start. Luckily I had a set of jumper cables that I didn’t even realize were still around. Wingman and I were able to get his car started and they made it home in good time.

Winding Down

Wingman and I ended up watching some late night football as the house recoiled from the weekend’s activity and buzz back to more regular rhythms. My wife, exhausted from her first efforts as a snow bunny, retired early, knowing she’ll need all her energy this week.

She’ll need the energy because the FBR will be staying with us until we leave for Panama on Friday. This will help me deal with my usual post-Christmas depression but could seriously tap energy reserves. It will certainly assist in dealing with the sadness of today’s departure of my daughter and Wingman. Their day care provider is closed for this week so we’re stepping in. My daughter will return Thursday night to pick up the FBR. So, as I stated at the beginning of what has evolved in a true tome, my Christmas was even better than my lofty expectations could have imagined.

The Bad Cinema project count remains at #87 out of 100, for the foreseeable future for obvious reasons.