The 10 Best Films of 2017

"Hey Man!" Welcome to 2018! Our government is on the brink of shutting down again and we are one step closer to Nuclear War! But hey! Look on the bright side! It's award season! And before we find out what films are going to be nominated for an Oscar this Tuesday, I invite you to read down a list of films that probably aren't gonna be nominated, but nevertheless, I believe were the best from the rest in the year 2017! And if you have any opinions, or a different list of favorite films throughout the year, feel free to jump into the comments section!

                                                                           10. IT

Look at that creepy mother-f*cker! Let's get something clear here: I HATE Horror movies! That's why you can imagine how shocked I was at how much I enjoyed this movie. On the surface, you think that "IT" is just a creepy clown movie, but it is so much more than that! It's a coming of age film that deals with the concept of facing your fears in a world that does not care about you! The young cast that headlines this movie showcases so much talent to oppose the legit terrifying performance of Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise the Dancing Clown. IT is scary, creepy, funny and ultimately a fun ride!

                                                                         9. Okja

Basically a big metaphor for the meat industry, "Okja" is the only Netflix original movie on this list. Following the classic story of a girl and her super-pig. "Okja" exhibits heart similarly seen in movies like "E.T." or "The Iron Giant." Although sometimes cute and heartwarming, the story of "Okja" can make you down right sick to your stomach. I can't say it is an easy watch, especially if you have pets. All and all, it is a film worth watching once, and I have not eaten a hot dog since...

                                                                       8. Dunkirk

War. War never changes. But director Christopher Nolan puts a new spin on how time factors into war in his latest film, "Dunkirk." Telling the daring story of 400,000 men trapped on a beach in enemy territory, "Dunkirk" follows three different story-lines converging on the land, sea, and air. Full of tension and drama, Nolan directs this war epic with nothing but the utmost respect and confidence.

                                                        7. Spider-Man: Homecoming

I like to think of this as the perfect summer movie. As many of you know, I am a big fan of TWO genres: Superhero movies and Coming of Age films with an 80s vibe. "Spider-Man: Homecoming" is the best of BOTH WORLDS! Following a young Peter Parker trying to balance his social life in high school and his ambitious goal of becoming an Avenger, Marvel Studios and Sony team up to create a near perfect blend of quirky comedy and heart-pounding action. "Spider-Man: Homecoming" packs a punch while also delivering one of the best plot-twists of the year!

                                                            6. Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Ooooooooohhhhh!!! CONTROVERSY!!! Out of the fans this movie has split in half, I was on the side that actually liked the movie. I personally consider "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" to be one of the best written Star Wars films ever released. And while also the riskiest, this Star Wars movie is jam-packed with unforgettable character moments and set pieces never seen before in the franchise. And as dark as this film can get, it also aims to tell an inspiring story of not letting the past define your future, and I believe that is a message everyone can get behind.

                                                     5. War for the Planet of the Apes

Unexpectedly moving. That is how I choose to describe "War for the Planet of the Apes." The grand finale of a rebooted trilogy offers more than just apes with guns. It's a depressing tale complimented with incredible CGI and mo-cap performances. Rather than being built on action, "War" offers a plethora of character moments that ironically makes the apes more human than actual humans.

                                                             4. Blade Runner 2049

So a long time ago in a galaxy far away, I watched the first Blade Runner film from 1982, and despite people calling it a "cinematic masterpiece," I hated it. So when I learned that a sequel had been announced, I truly did not care. Then one random Friday night occurred, and I was invited by a couple of friends to go see it at an art house theater I never heard of. By the time the credits started rolling, I was left in a daze of shock and awe. "Blade Runner 2049" is as beautiful to watch as it is compelling. Although long and slow, "Blade Runner 2049" earns my attention with its immersive performances from the cast, damn-near phenomenal cinematography and stunning visual effects. "Blade Runner 2049" asks questions you will be stuck trying to answer for hours beyond.

                                                                  3. Thor: Ragnarok

One of the funniest movies of the year, "Thor: Ragnarok" proves to be more of a slap-stick comedy that happens to have weird creatures, space gods and a friendly walking, talking pile of rocks. Directed by the hilariously eccentric Taika Waititi, "Ragnarok" follows Thor trying to stop the Goddess of Death, Hela, from destroying his home of Asgard. All while imprisoned on the gladiator fighting planet of Sakaar. This movie is just a flat out fun fast-paced thrill ride that will keep you smiling from beginning to end. Full of colorful and mesmerizing visuals to compliment the action and adventure, "Thor: Ragnarok" leaves you with the urge to go back and visit Sakaar!

                                                                          2. Logan

And from the funniest film of the year, comes the saddest. "Logan" gives actor Hugh Jackman his final performance as the legendary character we know as "the Wolverine." And my God, he does not disappoint! After discovering he has a daughter, Logan takes the new young mutant, Laura, and the last remaining factor of the X-Men, Charles Xavier across the country in an effort the escape the enemies hunting them and what's left of Mutant-kind down. The action is raw and brutal, but the acting is as powerful as it is compelling. "Logan" brings to the table a film that even rivals "The Dark Knight." As the most emotionally driven Superhero Film to date, it is safe to say that it is best to watch this with a box of tissues at hand.

                                                                          1. Get Out

STAY WOKE! Literally coming out of nowhere, Director Jordan Peele (yep. from "Key and Peele") creates a horror film that is intense as it is insightful. When Chris decides to go with his girlfriend, Rose, to visit her white family in a house located in the middle of nowhere, what follows is an unpredictable series of unfortunate events that calls into question the content of everyone's character. Smart, funny, and sometimes uncomfortable, "Get Out" crawls under your skin and stays there after you have finished watching...

Best Films of 2017...So Far

Aloha, and welcome to the debut of the latest editorial on J-Bang Reviews, the Best Films of 2017...So Far. June has come and gone, and has left us at the half way mark of the 2017 year, and since January, films have been PRETTY KICK ASS so far. We had some movies that range from the good that came out to be "better than expected," to the sleeper-hits, that no one even saw coming, but once word of mouth came along, became box office hits as well as cultural phenomenons. (Not to mention how successful these pictures have become thanks to the diversity found in the directors studios trusted with the vision, so yeah, THAT'S AWESOME) Anyway, a couple of rules: This list only incorporate the THEATRICAL releases of films this year, so unfortunately, don't expect "Okja" or "I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore" to be on this list, (Even though they are some pretty groovy pics that I do recommend). And the second rule here is film is subjective (meaning everyone has a right to a different opinion (even though it's sometimes wrong.) That being said, instead of being ranked from 8-1, these films are being categorized in 2 tiers: Tier Beta (films that range from okay to pretty good, like you can watch them if you want but whatever) and Tier Alpha (Holy $#*%!, YOU NEED TO GET OFF YOUR A$$ AND GO SEE THESE SPECTACULAR MOVIES FILLED WITH GREAT STORYTELLING AND AMAZING CHARACTERS! I LOVE THIS, also...WHY AM I CRYING) Anyways, here's the list:

Tier Beta

Alien: Covenant

Out of the entire Alien franchise, I'm willing to confess that my favorite film out of all of them is James Cameron's "Aliens." This movie is no "Aliens" but it is very similar to Ridley Scott's original film, "Alien" in terms of both eerie tone and mystery. It also can be gory as F*ck! Although "Covenant" can be some what weird and random at times (i.e. When two androids, who are also brothers, kiss for no reason) it can also be spectacularly horrifying. The film is at its best when the monsters themselves, the Xenomorphs, show up on screen, and it is complimented by the wonderful cinematography captured throughout the narrative. It does have a slow burn however, and you basically have to survive a boring first hour before anything exciting even happens, but all in all, it's a pretty okay film.

Kong: Skull Island

Big. Mean. And Extra Thick! "Kong: Skull Island" is exactly what it was supposed to be, a big, dumb, and fun monster movie! Displayed through colorful and extremely dynamic cinematography, Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts brings the big, giant ape to life in a 1970s Vietnam-esque atmosphere. Skull Island wastes no time getting to the action, and what develops is a "balls to the walls" special effects extravaganza. Sure, out of a stacked cast of actors and actresses, some performances end up being slogged down or underutilized due a lack of evenly spread screen time, but when the monsters of Skull Island finally pop up on the big screen, it's hard not to get caught up in the spectacle.  

The Fate and the Furious

So somehow, I managed to see this movie 2 months after it came out without hearing anything about it or getting plot points spoiled for me. So basically, on some random Thursday, I decided I wanted to get out of the house, and go to the theaters. I spotted that "the Fate of the Furious" was still playing, so I bought a $5 ticket and waited for the absurdity to ensure. I never expect much from a "Fast and Furious" movie, but what developed was an actually compelling story that presented to me one of the best narratives to be produced out of the "Fast and Furious" franchise. I know, crazy right?! Sure, it's still full of crazy, dumb, physics-bending moments (i.e. The Rock breaking a concrete bench off the wall and doing frickin pull ups with it) but the action is fluent, the actors continue to be charismatic with their roles, plus, where else are you gonna find a movie where Jason Statham beats up bad guys with a gun in one hand, and a baby in another?

Wonder Woman

Anybody that knows me personally, knows that I am not a fan of the movies produced by DC Comics. That being said, I absolutely ADORED Wonder Woman! Starring the beautiful Gal Gadot and directed by female director, Patty Jenkins, Wonder Woman presents a story that is majorly different from your average male-led comic book movie. Set in World War I, Princess Diana of Themyscria follows fighter pilot Steve Trevor on an outreach mission to end the war in an effort to bring peace back to the outside world. The only thing that stops this film from being a "Tier Alpha" movie are the villains, who could have been better written and more developed. Full of compelling character moments and overpowered set pieces, "Wonder Woman" finds itself worthy of being mentioned among other movies such as the Dark Knight, Batman Begins and Superman II.

Tier Alpha

Baby Driver

Stupid title, but extremely fun movie! Directed by Edgar Wright, "Baby Driver" rides a narrative that is woven together with a creative and unique usage of music and editing. A crime movie about a young kid who is a get away driver for a crime organization led by Kevin Spacey sounds rad enough. But, when you go watch the film for yourself, you experience a story that uses sight and sound to further progress the tone of plot. See what is cool is that the music itself runs symmetrical to the editing thus, delivering scenes (both action and dramatic) that have more rhythm than a bunch of college students on a late Saturday night in Connecticut. "Baby Driver" was just recently released in theaters, so watch it while you can!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Hot Damn! Going into "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," I wasn't expecting it to be better than the first Guardians film. But guess what? IT WAS. I wasn't expecting it to be a visual roller coaster of special effects better than even Marvel Studios last film "Doctor Strange" but guess what? IT WAS! And I sure as hell didn't expect to be sobbing my eyes out by the time the credits started rolling but guess what? You guessed it! I....well, I did. Rather than recapture what made the first "Guardians of the Galaxy" film so successful, director James Gunn decided to change it up the tone and narrative by making this film into a sci-fi family drama that explores friendship, redemption and fatherhood. Complimented by a lit 80's soundtrack, Vol. 2 found itself being rightfully proclaimed as Marvel Studios most emotional movie!

Logan

Speaking of emotional...Oh Sh*t...MY HEART! This year has been nothing short but AMAZING for comic book movies, but when it all comes down to it, "Logan" needs to get some love and recognition come award season. "Logan" delivers Hugh Jackman's final performance as the aging metal clawed mutant who must protect his senile mentor, Charles Xavier and his estranged daughter, Laura from hostile forces chasing them across the country. Using elements from both the science fiction and western genre, this Marvel film full of gory action and tension delivers a gritty and heartfelt drama that will stick with you long after the credits roll.

Get Out

So when I first saw the trailer for "Get Out," not gonna lie, I thought it was some sort of "Key and Peele" comedy sketch. I did not take it seriously and had no plans on seeing it. THAT WAS... until I learned that for the longest time after initial release, "Get Out" had an unheard of 100% tomato-meter on Rotten Tomatoes. That type of thing turns heads. And so a couple guys and I rolled through to our local movie theater on Thursday afternoon and checked it out. And Sham...Wow! Produced by Universal Studios and Blumhouse Productions, director Jordan Peele uses horror tropes and Hitchcock-like suspense to deliver an edge of your seat psychological thriller about a black man spending the weekend with his white girlfriend and her family. This film is crazy unpredictable and full of exceptional character performances. It's smart! It's funny! It's creepy! It's the whole Damn Enchilada!!!!

J-Bang Reviews Present: Doctor Strange

Fun in a whole new Dimension. Yet again, Marvel Studios releases another superhero movie, and yet again, Marvel has made another Home Run. "Doctor Strange" follows renowned surgeon, Dr. Stephen Strange. He is as arrogant as he is witty, but when car accident takes away his ability to use his hands, he is fired from his job and begins a downward spiral into constant failure. That is...until he travels to Nepal and learns a supernatural way of repairing his hands.

First things first, Benedict Cumberbatch is PHENOMENAL as Stephen Strange. He brings a charm that only Cumberbatch could have delivered, and for a British born actor, the American accent he got is SPOT-ON too. Oh, and DEAR LORD, the special effects are INSANE! There is only one way to watch this movie, and the 3 to the F*^king D!!! I haven't seen special effects this good in a movie since Inception. Cities get turned upside down, fiery whips spark all over the place, and colors splash all over the screen from dimension to dimension.

Although a great film, it does have one minor problem: The villain. Since Marvel movies are usually about the hero themselves, I don't expect the villains to be show-stealers, especially in an origin story but Kaecilius wasn't anything special. He was actually quite generic in my opinion. Mads Mikkelsen played the hell of the role, there's no denying that, but the script didn't really give him much to work with, especially since there are multiple villains in the movie. He was really fun to have with action scenes but other than that, he pretty forgettable.

Other than the villain, Marvel Studios yet again delivers another fun action, adventure film with both the Heart and Humor Marvel Studios are known and loved for. In an effort to introduce the world to a new kind of superhero, Marvel Studios simultaneously delivers a film that feels different and less-formulaic from all the other superhero films. "Doctor Strange" gets a J-Bangin score of 4 out of 5!

J-Bang Reviews Present: War Dogs

"War Dogs" or what I like to call "Diet Wolf of Wallstreet" stars Miles Teller as David Parkouz and Jonah Hill as Efraim Diveroli, two arms dealers hired by the United States government to supply the U. S. army with guns and ammunition. Of course, when a bad deal is made, sh*t spirals out of control and so begins the downfall of the two friends. I watched this movie from start to finish, and honestly, I will say...it wasn't "bad," but it didn't "THRILL" me it either. I'll explain more.

The movie is complimented by strong performances from the small cast, but the one that stood out the most for me is Jonah Hill's Efraim Diveroli. Although, Jonah Hill evidently is the comic relief of the film, Hill also serves as the ambitious hustler that ends up being corrupted most by the money made off the war profiteering. Hill showcases both the light and dark side of his character through his efficient acting, and "War Dogs" is better for it. Miles Teller is cool too...it's just Hill was that much better.

The problem I do have with this movie however is the pacing. The tone is more serious and dramatic than it is comedic, and throughout the runtime, there were moments where I even found myself bored. It wasn't until Bradley Cooper's Henry Girard enters the fray where I found myself intrigue in the story line again, which gets a little better once a clear conflict has been introduced.

"War Dogs" is mostly a character driven story that showcases the rise and fall of two very ambitious arms dealers, but as their journey is showcased to us, the tale ultimately feels shallow rather than inspiring. The story is interesting for those who are into "biopic-like crime dramas" but for me, it's pretty forgettable. In other words, it wasn't bad, it was just...sort of... "okay." "War Dogs" gets a score of 3.2 out of 5.

J-Bang Reviews Presents: Sausage Party (Rated-R Edition)

JESUS F#*KING CHRIST! There is literally NO LINE this movie won't cross! Brought to us by the stoner mind of Seth Rogen, "Sausage Party" tells the tasteful tale of a hot dog finding out the truth about the existence of food. As far as I know, "Sausage Party" is the first Rated R cartoon comedy to come out in theaters since the 90s, and the writers do everything in their power to make sure everyone who watches it knows that this movie is NOT FOR KIDS! Seriously, if you are a parent and think it's a good idea to take your 4 year old kid to see this film, I will officially nominate you for the campaign of 2016's "Bad Parent of the Year" award.

Aside from the hilariously raunchy jokes, AND THERE ARE A SHIT-LOAD, "Sausage Party" does end up delivering the promise of an original story that somehow correlates to a metaphor of religion and the system of belief. No character feels one dimensional, and practically all the main characters have a moment that feels more than deserved. Plus, even though everyone is practically a piece of food, the superb voice acting supplied by a cast head-lined by Seth Rogen, Kristen Wigg, Michael Cera, Edward Norton, and Nick Kroll help somewhat "humanize" this bizarre cast of characters. The best advice I can give for this animated fuck-fest is GO SEE IT for yourself! But I must warn you, like the talking Twinkie says, "Once you see that shit...IT WILL FUCK YOU UP FOR LIFE!" I'm giving one of my favorite movies of the year a J-Bangin score of 4.5 out of 5! "Sausage Party" guaran-freaking-tees a fun time at the movies...if you got the stomach for it that is! 

J-Bang Reviews Present: Suicide Squad

Bruh. If you are planning to go see Suicide Squad, don't even bother man. Starring Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and (supposedly) Jared Leto, Suicide Squad marks the first super-villain led team up comic book movie, and even though it has a couple of highlights, the whole film ends up being a convoluted mess that can't decide what tone it wants to be.

Honesty, if I knew how to describe the plot of the movie to you, I would, BUT the funny thing is...I can't even find the plot of this film. Basically, Amanda Waller, played by Viola Davis, convinces the government to give her permission to create a team full of super-villains, that can perform black ops missions that involve other super-villains. One of my main complaints of this film is that everything...kinda, sort of...just.....happens. The whole story revolves around just ONE mission, and throughout the movie, characters give out clunky dialogue that is nowhere close to being cohesive with the pacing of the film. And out of the six members of the Suicide Squad, only Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn and Will Smith's Deadshot get the most exposure. With Harley and Deadshot taking up the most of screen time, we never really get the chance to care about the other characters. So when the movie is nearly over, and El Diablo and Harley Quinn starts spitting out motivational speeches about friendship, it feels forced and undeserved. Now don't get me wrong, Harley Quinn is one of the best characters to come out of this movie, and all her scenes with Jared Leto's Joker are surprisingly intense and end up being the best scenes of the film, but without screen time being equally shared among other characters, I begin to not give a shit when the other members of Suicide Squad begin to have a "moment." And the moment this movie TRULY shot itself in the foot was when they KILLED OFF the Joker!!!!!

Lol, JK,the Joker doesn't die, but it sure as hell felt like he did. Jared Leto was doing a great job of the Joker, but truly, ended up feeling like a minor distraction for the main characters of the film, instead of an actual adversary. The REAL adversary was just stupid and resulted in what I thought was a very lazy "Transformer-esque" final battle. Quite frankly, I rather this film had more Jared Leto, than more Will Smith, because it was evident and obvious through the editing that half of his scenes were cut out. I wasn't really into Deadshot's story arc throughout the movie and apparently, most of his lines felt forced instead of natural. 

Besides the visual effects and the stellar acting of Jared Leto and Margot Robbie, "Suicide Squad" tells a story worthy of being thrown in the TRASH. It provides plenty of goofy moments (not in a good way) that I'm sure Joel Schumacher would be proud of and ends up feeling light and underwhelming rather than a hefty, compelling action flick. Watching "Suicide Squad" is just as fun as watching a car accident.....and after watching the travesties that were "Man of Steel," and "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" (which I initially thought wasn't THAT bad) "Suicide Squad has OFFICIALLY made me done with watching the DC Extended Universe. "Suicide Squad" gets a 2.5 out of 5.

 

J-Bang Reviews Present: The Shallows

The Shallows, or I like to call it "The Revenant with a shark," stars Blake Lively as a surfer girl named Nancy, who happens to go to Med school and has a mother who died of cancer. But enough of the exposition. When Nancy goes surfing alone, she is attacked and severely injured by a Great White Shark and it is up to her to find a way back to shore without getting eaten alive.

After finishing my initial viewing of "The Shallows," I have come to the conclusion that it is a very tense psychological thriller that is WORTH the price of admission. Blake Lively proves that she is more than just a pretty face (and a hot body) and showcases her acting skills by virtually carrying a film all by herself. She portrays a protagonist that we can root for while her antagonist (the shark) proves to be especially sinister in its approach. To my surprise, the shark looked convincingly realistic, which is rare now a days with the over-reliance of CGI in the film industry. Plus, rather than being a "dumb eating machine," the shark showcases its own sense of determination in trying to eat Nancy as opposed to Nancy trying to escape the shark. Both play off each other's actions very well.

Just like "the Revenant," the Shallows does take a moment to give screen time to the nature and beauty that surrounds the situation ensuing between Nancy and the shark. Numerous money shots include a swarm of jelly fish, vibrant coral reefs and the sandy beaches of... well, who knows, they never really give the beach a name. Apparently, "it's a secret." The visual effects help create a stunning yet terrifying atmosphere that helps put the audience into the movie along with Blake Lively. And who doesn't want to be alongside Blake Lively? I mean...honestly?! Plus, I give huge props to the creators and writers of this film for just giving the movie a simple plot. "Girl gets attacked by shark. Girl is stranded and has no help. Girl must out-think and fight shark in order to survive." That's It. For a movie that is an hour and a half long, the simple plot helps moves things pretty quickly and prevents itself from dragging on and getting dull.

But the real question is "Does she survive?!" Go see the movie and find out for yourself. "The Shallows" gets a score of 4.2 out of 5. HAPPY SHARK WEEK!