The Best Films That I Watched In 2017 pt. 1
A short while ago, we went over 50 of the best films that we've covered on the blog during 2017. This year, however, we started the End Of The Week Shorts, where I briefly talk about a selection of films I watch throughout the week. With the last shorts of this year having just gone up, we're going to look back at some of the best films I have watched this year.
You can see a version of this list on Letterboxd here, and a part 2 will follow. But, that said, let's jump into things...
Rear Window (1954)
Probably my favourite Hitchcock picture as it is one that forces him to work with characters just as much as plot.
Koyaanisqati (1982)
A mammoth experimental film, one without pretence, just awe-inducing splendour.
Broken Blossoms (1919)
You can say it's a D.W Griffith picture, but to watch Broken Blossoms is to see the magic of three people: Griffith, Bitzer and Gish.
A Bride For Rip Van Winkle (2016)
One of those films that you just feel lucky to have stumbled across, and one that stays with you for a long time.
Surf's Up (2007)
Shia LaBeouf's best movie? The best animated penguin movie? The best animated docu-drama? A highly underrated comedy? All of the above?
The Red Balloon (1956)
Incredibly simple, but nonetheless one of the most poignant films about childhood ever constructed.
Bio-Dome (1996)
Stupid dumb, but I still laugh - and almost as much as I did when I was a kid.
Earth (1930)
A soviet-montage movie that doesn't find its way into all of the textbooks, but is just as tremendous as - if not better than - the likes of Battleship Potemkin.
House (1977)
Insane, but not senseless. I'm still itching to watch this again.
Life (1993)
My favourite Peleshyan film, and one that has an image quality so evocative and magnetic that it is impossible not to be transfixed by all that transpires within it.
Ménilmontant (1926)
Devastatingly powerful and ingenious in its use of cinematic language, this is silent cinema at its peak.
Brief Encounter (1945)
One of the finest pieces of British cinema containing some of the most crisp black and white cinematography, and a powerful story to back it all up.
Magic Myxies (1931)
A fascinatingly beautiful piece of film history that combines some brilliant camera work and some slightly questionable science.
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957)
A tremendous reminder from 60 years ago that self-reflexivity in movies is in no way a new thing.
Come and See (1985)
When we think of war films, we often think about American war films. Come and See is a huge punch to the gut that shows war in a uniquely European way, and so puts much of American war cinema to shame.
You, The Living (2007)
Off-beat, black comedy at its finest. Absurdly rewarding.
A Monster Calls (2016)
Not perfect, but one of the ballsiest kids films I've seen a while that really deserves mention here.
48 Hrs. (1982)
1980s Eddie Murphy. Need I say more?
Los Olvidados (1950)
Surrealism and drama meet in the hands of a master.
Harvey (1950)
How can you not love Jimmy Stewart after seeing Harvey? Harmless, despite fleeting implications of darker themes, and a pure joy to watch.
Repo Man (1981)
A film that breezed past me as I watch it, but has creeped up on me many times as I've thought about it again. Can't wait to re-watch this one.
Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928)
Keaton, like all great auteurs, was a genre of cinema unto himself. Steamboat Bill Jr. is just one sparkling example of this.
True Heart Susie (1919)
As in Broken Blossoms, we see one of the greatest silent film trios meet, and the results are magical.
Top Hat (1935)
Maybe the best Astaire-Rogers picture, and it makes you look at La La Land with a tinge of despair. Hollywood doesn't know how to make musicals anymore - not like this.
Beauty And The Beast (1946)
Anyone who thinks 2017's Beauty And The Beast is a good film, kill yourself. Or just watch this masterpiece.
Godzilla (1954)
Everyone knows and should recognise it: The monster movie to end all monster movies.
El Topo (1970)
Jodorowsky at his finest. Equal parts ridiculous and profound, this one of the most unique films you'll ever see.
Bottle Rocket (1996)
Wes Anderson before he fully became Wes Anderson. A gem of a film, well worth seeing.
Pickpocket (1959)
Poetically, meticulously and brilliantly Bressonian.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Not as brilliant as so many claim it is, but a movie I've grown to appreciate more and more as I look at the growing heap of superhero movies.
Mean Machine (2001)
Another one for the stupid column, but a film I won't hesitate in saying I love.
Previous post:
End Of The Week Shorts #38
Next post:
The Best Films That I Watched In 2017 pt. 2
More from me:
amazon.com/author/danielslack
You can see a version of this list on Letterboxd here, and a part 2 will follow. But, that said, let's jump into things...
Rear Window (1954)
Probably my favourite Hitchcock picture as it is one that forces him to work with characters just as much as plot.
Koyaanisqati (1982)
A mammoth experimental film, one without pretence, just awe-inducing splendour.
Broken Blossoms (1919)
You can say it's a D.W Griffith picture, but to watch Broken Blossoms is to see the magic of three people: Griffith, Bitzer and Gish.
A Bride For Rip Van Winkle (2016)
One of those films that you just feel lucky to have stumbled across, and one that stays with you for a long time.
Surf's Up (2007)
Shia LaBeouf's best movie? The best animated penguin movie? The best animated docu-drama? A highly underrated comedy? All of the above?
The Red Balloon (1956)
Incredibly simple, but nonetheless one of the most poignant films about childhood ever constructed.
Bio-Dome (1996)
Stupid dumb, but I still laugh - and almost as much as I did when I was a kid.
Earth (1930)
A soviet-montage movie that doesn't find its way into all of the textbooks, but is just as tremendous as - if not better than - the likes of Battleship Potemkin.
House (1977)
Insane, but not senseless. I'm still itching to watch this again.
Life (1993)
My favourite Peleshyan film, and one that has an image quality so evocative and magnetic that it is impossible not to be transfixed by all that transpires within it.
Ménilmontant (1926)
Devastatingly powerful and ingenious in its use of cinematic language, this is silent cinema at its peak.
Brief Encounter (1945)
One of the finest pieces of British cinema containing some of the most crisp black and white cinematography, and a powerful story to back it all up.
Magic Myxies (1931)
A fascinatingly beautiful piece of film history that combines some brilliant camera work and some slightly questionable science.
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957)
A tremendous reminder from 60 years ago that self-reflexivity in movies is in no way a new thing.
Come and See (1985)
When we think of war films, we often think about American war films. Come and See is a huge punch to the gut that shows war in a uniquely European way, and so puts much of American war cinema to shame.
You, The Living (2007)
Off-beat, black comedy at its finest. Absurdly rewarding.
A Monster Calls (2016)
Not perfect, but one of the ballsiest kids films I've seen a while that really deserves mention here.
48 Hrs. (1982)
1980s Eddie Murphy. Need I say more?
Los Olvidados (1950)
Surrealism and drama meet in the hands of a master.
Harvey (1950)
How can you not love Jimmy Stewart after seeing Harvey? Harmless, despite fleeting implications of darker themes, and a pure joy to watch.
Repo Man (1981)
A film that breezed past me as I watch it, but has creeped up on me many times as I've thought about it again. Can't wait to re-watch this one.
Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928)
Keaton, like all great auteurs, was a genre of cinema unto himself. Steamboat Bill Jr. is just one sparkling example of this.
True Heart Susie (1919)
As in Broken Blossoms, we see one of the greatest silent film trios meet, and the results are magical.
Top Hat (1935)
Maybe the best Astaire-Rogers picture, and it makes you look at La La Land with a tinge of despair. Hollywood doesn't know how to make musicals anymore - not like this.
Beauty And The Beast (1946)
Anyone who thinks 2017's Beauty And The Beast is a good film, kill yourself. Or just watch this masterpiece.
Everyone knows and should recognise it: The monster movie to end all monster movies.
El Topo (1970)
Jodorowsky at his finest. Equal parts ridiculous and profound, this one of the most unique films you'll ever see.
Bottle Rocket (1996)
Wes Anderson before he fully became Wes Anderson. A gem of a film, well worth seeing.
Pickpocket (1959)
Poetically, meticulously and brilliantly Bressonian.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Not as brilliant as so many claim it is, but a movie I've grown to appreciate more and more as I look at the growing heap of superhero movies.
Mean Machine (2001)
Another one for the stupid column, but a film I won't hesitate in saying I love.
Previous post:
End Of The Week Shorts #38
Next post:
The Best Films That I Watched In 2017 pt. 2
More from me:
amazon.com/author/danielslack
