The "Stevies"

The "Stevies"

With the Academy Awards a little under a week away, I figured it is time to release my nominations for the brighter side of the year in film in 2017. Some people may say that this past year was not a good year for movies but I say to them that they just must not have watched very many movies.

(nominations are in no particular order and are my personal opinion)

Best Fight

One of the best things about movies is getting to see fantasies played out before your eyes. What you could once only dream of appears as reality for the runtime of the movie. And some of the most exciting of these realities involves a fight or two.

• Las Vegas (Blade Runner 2049)
• John Wick vs. The Bowler King (John Wick: Chapter 2)
• Opening Scene (Logan)
• Mike Myers Bank Robbery (Baby Driver)
• Stairwell Scene (Atomic Blonde)
• Final Shootout (Wind River)
• The Storms of Crait (The Last Jedi)

Most Surprising

Walking into these movies, I was not expecting anything great. In fact for some of them I just wanted to get the movie over with. But I ended up having a lot of fun with them and would recommend that you see them as well.

• A Cure for Wellness
• The House
• It Comes at Night
• Only the Brave
• Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Best Ensemble

One person delivering a good performance is pretty standard in movies. But having the entire cast firing on all cylinders is a sight to behold.

• Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
• The Big Sick
• Only the Brave
• It
• Logan Lucky

Best Use of "Take Me Home, Country Roads"

2017 saw the use of the John Denver classic in quite a few movies, enough to make you wonder why it happens so often. This is presumably due to a new licensing deal.

• Alien: Covenant
• Logan Lucky
• The Golden Circle

Best Looking

One of the most overlooked parts of a movie is ironically the way it looks. When a movie knows how to properly compose shots, it leads to some amazing works of art that could be framed and hung in living rooms around the world.

• A Cure for Wellness
• Alien: Covenant
• Dunkirk
• Wind River
• Blade Runner 2049

Best Special Effects

Bad special effects can essentially ruin a movie that otherwise had good performances and a compelling script. Luckily these movies put the time and effort to churn out something special.

• War for the Planet of the Apes
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi
• Blade Runner 2049
• Okja
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2

Best Actress

• Allison Williams (Get Out)
• Tiffany Haddish (Girl's Trip)
• Frances McDormand (Three Billboards...)
• Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird)
• Margot Robbie (I, Tonya)
• Jessica Chastain (Molly's Game)

Best Actor

• Barry Keoghan (The Killing of a Sacred Deer)
• Michael Stuhlbarg (Call Me by Your Name, The Shape of Water, The Post)
• Vince Vaughn (Brawl in Cell Block 99)
• Kyle Mooney (Brigsby Bear)
• Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick)
• Paul Walter Hauser (I, Tonya)
• James McAvoy (Split)

Best Film

• Lady Bird
• Dunkirk
• Brigsby Bear
• The Shape of Water
• The Killing of a Sacred Deer
• Blade Runner 2049
• Logan
• Get Out
• Baby Driver
• Logan Lucky

Black Panther

     Black Panther is directed by Ryan Coogler (Creed) and stars Chadwick Boseman (42), Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station), and Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave). It tells the story of the Wakandan prince, as he rises to the throne and must deal with problems arising from within.
     The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to make good movies. That is the easiest way to sum them up. At a certain point, they start to run together. Is any worse than the last? Not really. At the pace with which they must put out films, it is not hard to see why the films do. But Black Panther showed a new avenue for which the stories to be told. Ryan Coogler is one of the hottest up and coming directors, with a festival darling in Fruitvale Station, followed by one of the best sequels/reboots in film history in Creed. At this point, MCU films are going to be good; the question that now must be asked is if it will rise above what came before it, or if it will join a long line of good movies?
     The best part of the movie is the world which it builds. One of the biggest drawbacks of many MCU films is the color palette, which often draws on grays and blacks. But Coogler showcases Wakanda in all its technicolor glory. From flying cars to cityscapes, the world feels fresh, alive, and perhaps most importantly new. I wish we had gotten to spend more time in Wakanda, because the time that is spent there is some of the most exciting of the whole movie.
     Another issue most MCU films have is weak villains. Aside from Loki (who is more of an anti-hero at this point), no villain has been very compelling. However, Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger helps to change this narrative. His motivations are clear and personal, making him a force to be reckoned with. He is also significantly more charismatic than T'Challa is, and at a certain point you feel like maybe you should be on his side.
     The actions scenes have fun dynamics, but certain moments are too dark and it is hard to tell exactly what is going on. The long take in the casino was unique and not something I had seen before. Although the final battle was a bit stale, certain elements that I won't spoil helped to bring some new energy to these scenes.
     Overall, Black Panther is a solid movie. It stands above some of the more recent output from Marvel but just misses out in being in the top tier. Bonus points for a solid soundtrack.

When should you see it?
Wait a Week

Blade Runner 2049

     Blade Runner 2049 is directed by Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners) and stars Ryan Gosling (The Notebook), Harrison Ford (The Fugitive), and Robin Wright (Forrest Gump). It tells the story of a young blade runner, who uncovers clues which could lead to a change for robots and humans forever.
     While many consider the original Blade Runner to be the definitive science fiction film, time and time again I struggle to even sit through it. With a seemingly infinite number of different cuts, it is hard to keep track of which Blade Runner you are even watching. Despite my aversion to the original, I was still hotly anticipating the sequel. Villeneuve is the hottest director in the science-fiction genre and Ryan Gosling is an actor who makes interesting choices.
     I will admit it; the first time I saw Blade Runner 2049, I felt the same as when I watched the original. I did not like the movie. It was again very cerebral, asking big questions with a sparsity of action. But a few months later, I decided I would give it a second chance. And man am I glad I did.
     The highlight of Blade Runner 2049 is in the special effects. From flying cars to cityscapes, the attention to detail is awe-inspiring. It does not feel like we are watching something out of a computer but rather something that was shot on location. Not all the locations are pristine either, they feel grimy, dirty and lived in. This is not a future I want to live in, despite all the advancements in technology they have.
     Somewhat surprisingly the relationship and romance on display was incredibly moving. The most interesting part is that it is between a robot and a hologram. Yet, the love you see between the two is beautiful.
     The central mystery is also very engaging. The implications that are presented from the revelation is something that will forever change the world. But the story still feels very personal. Rather than an all out war or a world ending scenario, the climatic action sequence is very small, but the weight is still palpable.
     The second viewing I had of Blade Runner 2049 made me realize the masterpiece it truly is. I am still not quite sure what I was thinking the first time I watched it. Denis Villeneuve continues to be a director to watch out for. His next movie is reported to be Dune.

When should you watch it?
Opening Night