Best of 2017 · Screenfellas Entertainment

2017 was an interesting year for film. We got films as celebrated as Guardians Vol. 2 and Thor: Ragnarok, as polarizing as Star Wars: The Last Jedi (if you're smart you love it though), and as mind-numbingly terrible as The Emoji Movie. But what remains the most memorable of the year? I don't have quite ten films, but three stood out to me as particular praiseworthy. In no particular order, my favorites of 2017 are...

1) Baby Driver. Rating: 8.5/10

Edgar Wright has already established his reputation as a creative, stylized director. I'm still lamenting the Ant-Man we didn't get to see. Wright's Baby Driver is not only an original story (i.e., not a sequel, prequel, reboot, or adaptation), but the soundtrack is incredible; the cast is stellar; and, of course, Wright's universe is stylish and sexy. If it weren't for the Kevin Spacey controversy, Baby Driver would likely have continued to be the darling of 2017.

2) The Big Sick. Rating: 8.75/10

What a surprise. I did not want to see this movie, but my best friend dragged me to it and I'm so glad she did. As I said in my review, The Big Sick is billed as a rom-com, but it's way more of a drama that is romantic and hilarious. The story of a real couple with real problems and real personalities. Kumail Nanjiani is a gem; Zoe Kazan is charming and real; Holly Hunter is a spitfire and Ray Romano is Ray Romano. It's got a bit of a cheesy ending, but the rest of the film makes that more than forgivable.

3) The Disaster Artist. Rating: 8.7/10

You knew this film had to be on my best-of list. Dave Franco fails the film fantastically but James Franco becomes Tommy Wiseau in a lovingly empathetic yet comical reflection of the Polish (?) prince of bad movies gone good. The film stays largely true to the actual events and dialogue surrounding the production of The Room and endears audiences to Wiseau's unconventional achievement of the American dream. (Franco should get the Oscar for Best Actor, but I think he'll only be nominated. If anything it'll get Best Adapted Screenplay.)