As another exhilarating year of film draws to a close, we have decided to put together an alphabetical list of the eleven most memorable flicks of 2017.
There were some tough choices to leave out but we’re fairly confident that you’ll appreciate the group of films that we have chosen.
BABY DRIVER
Ten years after directing the hit action-comedy Hot Fuzz, Edgar Wright made a welcoming return to filmmaking with his fast-paced and witty thriller.
Aspiring young actor Ansel Elgort shone in his Golden Globe-nominated role amongst a solid cast which has somewhat been overshadowed by Kevin Spacey’s off-screen misdemeanours! Nevertheless, it’s an ambitious and entertaining flick!
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Following on from their live-action remake of The Jungle Book, Disney flourished again with their new take on the ‘tale as old as time’.
Spot-on castings (including Luke Evans as Gaston) and stunning production details proved why the film deserved to be considered as memorable as its 1991 predecessor especially when it went on to make over a billion dollars in the worldwide box-office!
DUNKIRK
After working on the Dark Knight trilogy and Interstellar, Christopher Nolan went down the war route for his intense WWII drama based on the stories of the brave men trapped on Dunkirk beach.
Though the film relied on a terrific ensemble cast, its powerful story and technical achievements strengthened it further and we can only hope that the Oscars come calling!
GET OUT
One of the unlikeliest hits of 2017 came from Jordan Peele’s sharp and nail-biting thriller and also provided a strong social commentary on race.
British starlet Daniel Kaluuya showcased his acting potential as the unfortunate Chris with Allison Williams just as good as his suspicious girlfriend. Aided by plenty of scares and dry humour, the film has also become an unlikely Oscar contender!
IT
As one of the most successful horror films of recent years, IT proved to be a faithful and nostalgic adaptation of one of Stephen King’s most memorable novels.
Though fans of the original outing love Tim Curry’s version of Pennywise, Bill Skarsgard took the freaky character to a new level a’la Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker. A sequel is already on the cards and will be out in 2019.
LOGAN
After seventeen years and several films, Hugh Jackman finally brought the curtain down on his iconic role as claw-welding mutant Wolverine in this gritty outing.
The X-Men spinoff took the unconventional route of exploring the character’s final days through its violent storyline and tearjerker ending. The next man to don the claws will have a lot to live up to!
PADDINGTON 2
The first film was a delightful surprise to many but its sequel was just as heartwarming and colourful.
Though Ben Whishaw and Sally Hawkins excel again, it’s Hugh Grant who stands out most in his hilarious and over-the- top performance as the cunning Phoenix Buchanan.
In this day and age, it’s a relief to rely on films like this to make you smile and maybe shed a few tears!
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING
While the Amazing Spider-Man films proved to be a letdown, Sony and Marvel joined forces to help get the franchise back on track with their fun and exhilarating take on the web-slinging superhero.
British starlet Tom Holland delivered on all fronts as Spidey in a film that mixed Marvel action with a touch of John Hughes teen- comedy.
Perfect timing with Infinity War just around the corner!
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI
The eighth film of the epic space saga has been a diverse one for critics and loyal Star Wars fans.
Nevertheless, Rian Johnson’s work on the film broke new grounds with its surprise character revelations (Luke, Kylo, etc) and plot turns.
The action and humour is still classic Star Wars and it will be interesting to see how everything will pan out when Episode IX is released.
THOR: RAGNORAK
Following the disappointment of The Dark World, the Thor series delivered its funniest outing to date with this riotous third installment.
Previously-unknown director Taika Waititi helped to revitalise the adventures of the God of Thunder through a strong mix of humour and action whilst aided by solid performances from Chris Hemsworth and newcomers Cate Blanchett and Tessa Thompson.
WONDER WOMAN
Fans of the DC Universe were left worried after the underwhelming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice failed to deliver last year.
However Patty Jenkins restored the faith with her exceptional origin film, which smashed box-office records and benefitted from leading star Gal Gadot’s strong and charismatic take on the most famous superheroine of all time. Roll on the sequel!