Now, I'd like to pick one of Dave Chappelle's comedy specials for this category - since
he did release four of them last year, and they were all fantastic; but if we're sticking
with proper movies?
My vote for funniest film of the year goes to "The LEGO Batman" movie.
Another amusing family-friend adventure that perfectly satirizes the comic book genre with
some excellent references to the Batman franchise.
Will Arnett kept me laughing the entire time.
The symbolic and artistic "mother!"
was also definitely the weirdest film of 2017.
Despite the claustrophobic camerawork and increasingly disturbing narrative, it was
the phenomenal acting that helped keep this confusing parable somewhat watchable.
Patient viewers with religious backgrounds will likely appreciate this the most - but
outside of its cinematic accomplishments, I can't say I enjoyed it.
Excluding the horror movies that we'll talk about a bit later, "Gerald's Game" gets my
pick for scariest of the year.
Not in the jump-scare, monster-gore kind of way; but in the ever-present-fear way.
Adapted from a Stephen King story, the single-room narrative is literally anchored by a astonishingly
raw performance from the gorgeous Carla Gugino.
Handcuffed to a bed with no possible rescue or escape possible; her growing psychological
dread is what makes this Mike Flanagan film a real winner.
The most surprising film however has to be "Girls Trip".
Now, this may shock you; but I am not the target demographic for this female-focused,
African American road-trip comedy... but I'll be damned if I didn't enjoy the hell out of
it.
With some great messages concerning friendship and personal identity, it was a breakout role
from Tiffany Haddish glued everything together; and kept me pleasantly entertained throughout.
Now, to be fair; I really enjoyed "Logan" - but in the larger scope of superhero films;
this "serious and gritty" treatment didn't impress me as much as it seemed to for everyone
else.
Hugh Jackman was fantastic, as always - but having his swan song focus on a new mutant
child wasn't a direction I particularly enjoyed.
A solid send-off for some fan-favorite characters, this sadly wasn't close to the franchise's
best.
I thought it was somewhat overrated.
On the flip side of the coin, I found "King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword" to be vastly
underrated.
Far too many dismissed this as a lame swords-and-shields film, but Guy Ritchie's kinetic and modern
approach really worked for me.
The quintessential period-piece popcorn flick, this is a whiz-bang adventure with time-tested
characters; and worth giving a second look.
Although Hans Zimmer's intense score for "Dunkirk" challenged audiences with its aggressiveness,
its the music from "The Shape Of Water" that was the best of the year.
Alexandre Desplat expertly blends accordions, woodwinds, and flutes; for a whimsical and
romantic sound.
Resembling the best bits from "Up" and "Super Mario Galaxy", this was the perfect backdrop
to Guillermo del Toro's beautiful and unique sci-fi romance.
Adapting a hugely popular brand with super attractive leads should have been an easy
win for director Seth Gordon.
But "Baywatch" strays far too much from its iconic premise; spending more time examining
a dead man's ball sack than boob-bouncing lifeguarding.
With so much wasted potential this washed-up and unfunny bore is a disservice to its namesake,
and the most disappointing film of 2017.
Combining familiar trends in recent action films, director Joe Lynch once again impresses
with a gory shlockfest in "Mayhem".
The contained environment and high-concept plot allow for truly satisfying, hyperactive
violence; led by charismatic performers.
Since this was a VOD-release late in the year, it seems many haven't discovered it yet.
Which is why I'm naming this super fun, "shut-your-brain-off" experience as the most overlooked film.
Besides that hyperspace kamikaze move in "The Last Jedi", my vote for best moment of the
year goes to the funeral scene at the end of "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2".
The poignant folk-rock sounds of Cat Stevens helped deliver this goofy comic book franchise
to heretofore unseen emotional depths.
It's a beautiful, tear-jerking coda that illustrates just how special these characters have become.
That does it for this "Movie Night" excerpt - but if you'd like to watch more content,
click or tap the thumbnails on the left.
And don't forget to visit the Jogwheel YouTube channel to see full episodes of this show,
alongside all my other videos.
My name is Jonathan Paula, thanks for watching and have a good Movie Night!