Watched 2017 Releases - RANKED Best to Worst
Every 2017 release I saw this year ranked.
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- DirectorLuca GuadagninoStarsTimothée ChalametArmie HammerMichael StuhlbargIn 1980s Italy, romance blossoms between a seventeen-year-old student and the older man hired as his father's research assistant.The best film of the year and perhaps even one of the best films ever made. Timothee Chalamet delivers the best performance of the year without a doubt - this film is an instant classic that will be remembered for years to come.
- DirectorEmer ReynoldsStarsFrank DrakeCarolyn PorcoJohn CasaniIt is one of humankind's greatest achievements. More than 12 billion miles away a tiny spaceship is leaving our Solar System and entering the void of deep space - the first human-made object ever to do so.A fascinating, beautifully crafted documentary with a fascinating story to tell. There is a sense of wonder and value for human curiosity and ingenuity.
- DirectorPaul KingStarsBen WhishawHugh GrantHugh BonnevillePaddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.Every bit as charming, sweet, funny, warm and moving as its predecessor - maybe even more so.
- DirectorJordan PeeleStarsDaniel KaluuyaAllison WilliamsBradley WhitfordA young African-American visits his white girlfriend's parents for the weekend, where his simmering uneasiness about their reception of him eventually reaches a boiling point.Truly, I have never been more tense, uncomfortable or scared in a movie theater - ever. It masterfully weaves comedy and scares with smart social commentary and defies expectations around every corner.
- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsSally HawkinsOctavia SpencerMichael ShannonAt a top secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity.Rarely does a film genuinely take your breath away, and transcend everything you knew about what film could do - The Shape of Water is effortlessly magnificent with incredible performances, beautiful visuals and utterly poetic storytelling.
- DirectorFrancis LeeStarsJosh O'ConnorAlec SecareanuGemma JonesSpring. Yorkshire. Young farmer Johnny Saxby numbs his daily frustrations with binge drinking and casual sex, until the arrival of a Romanian migrant worker for lambing season ignites an intense relationship that sets Johnny on a new path.This is an incredibly intimate journey of a young man's timeless connection with another man. Outstanding performances all round, beautifully shot, moving and emotionally satisfying.
- DirectorAki KaurismäkiStarsSherwan HajiSakari KuosmanenKaija PakarinenA poker-playing restaurateur and former traveling salesman befriends a group of refugees newly arrived to Finland.The script is razor-sharp, the satire and humor is pointed and hilariously deadpan, the characters are compelling, it explores a number of ideas about immigration, racism - and it is always entertaining.
- DirectorJRAgnès VardaStarsAgnès VardaJRJeannine CarpentierDirector Agnes Varda and photographer/muralist J.R. journey through rural France and form an unlikely friendship.
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsHarrison FordRyan GoslingAna de ArmasYoung Blade Runner K's discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former Blade Runner Rick Deckard, who's been missing for thirty years.It does everything a good sequel should do – there is a clear respect for the original film but instead of being a carbon-copy, it dares to expand on the visual, emotional and thematic elements of the original Blade Runner. There is an emotional depth here that was absent in Ridley Scott’s original Blade Runner.
- DirectorEliza HittmanStarsHarris DickinsonMadeline WeinsteinKate HodgeA Brooklyn teenager spends his days experimenting with drugs and looking online for older men to meet.Director Eliza Hittman explores notions of sexuality and masculinity in a modern age in an incredibly smart and nuanced way - all the while being visually poetic as well as dramatically and emotionally compelling. Harris Dickinson gives an absolutely mesmerizing performance.
- DirectorCeyda TorunStarsYaman BarlasSariArzu GölA profile of an ancient city and its unique people, seen through the eyes of the most mysterious and beloved animal humans have ever known, the Cat.A surprisingly profound and sweet documentary that explores our human connection to animals. There's something deeply moving in learning about this community's connection to these creatures.
- DirectorPatty JenkinsStarsGal GadotChris PineRobin WrightWhen a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, Diana, an Amazonian warrior in training, leaves home to fight a war, discovering her full powers and true destiny.Perhaps one of the best superhero movies ever. Gal Gadot shines among a fantastic cast - her and Chris Pine have beautiful chemistry and Patty Jenkins directs with gusto.
- DirectorRobin CampilloStarsNahuel Pérez BiscayartArnaud ValoisAdèle HaenelMembers of the advocacy group ACT UP Paris demand action by the government and pharmaceutical companies to combat the AIDS epidemic in the early 1990s.Aside from being incredibly moving and emotionally devastating, 120 BPM is an interesting look at the nuts and bolts of an activist group. Totally engrossing with terrific performances.
- DirectorRian JohnsonStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaMark HamillRey develops her abilities with the help of Luke Skywalker, as the Resistance prepares for battle against the First Order.Simultaneously enthralling and infuriating - a terrific follow up to The Force Awakens with surprises, humor and excitement aplenty.
- DirectorJames FrancoStarsJames FrancoDave FrancoAri GraynorWhen aspiring actor Greg Sestero meets the weird and mysterious Tommy Wiseau in an acting class, they form a unique friendship and travel to Hollywood to make their dreams come true.An affectionate, hilarious and heartwarming look at the making of the best worst movie ever made.
- DirectorLaura PoitrasStarsJulian AssangeSarah HarrisonJacob AppelbaumThe story of WikiLeak's editor-in-chief Julian Assange as seen by documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras.An excellent follow-up to Citizenfour from Laura Poitras (one of my favorite documentary filmmakers) - if only very, very slightly less effective.
- DirectorMatt ReevesStarsAndy SerkisWoody HarrelsonSteve ZahnAfter the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind.Rounds out a fantastic trilogy of what may be Hollywood's best reboots to date. Deftly blends visual spectacle with raw emotion, exciting set-pieces and a sprinkle of humor when necessary.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsMeryl StreepTom HanksSarah PaulsonA cover-up spanning four U.S. Presidents pushes the country's first female newspaper publisher and her editor to join an unprecedented battle between press and government.Spielberg shows considerable restraint in the schmaltz department this time around. The Post is exhilarating, tense and well-acted.
- DirectorTaika WaititiStarsChris HemsworthTom HiddlestonCate BlanchettImprisoned on the planet Sakaar, Thor must race against time to return to Asgard and stop Ragnarök, the destruction of his world, at the hands of the powerful and ruthless villain Hela.It's charming, entertaining, colorful - and the only one of these things that feels like it was directed by an actual human being.
- DirectorAinsley GardinerCasey KaaRenae MaihiStarsTanea HekeRoimata FoxNgapaki MoetaraA powerful, challenging story surrounding the tangi (funeral) of a small Waru boy who dies at the hands of his caregiver and how his death impacts the community.
- DirectorJohn TrengoveStarsNakhaneBongile MantsaiNiza JayXolani, a lonely factory worker, travels to the rural mountains with the men of his community to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood.Raw, powerful and daring; explores cultural notions of masculinity in a constantly compelling way with terrific performances all round.
- DirectorJoão Pedro RodriguesStarsPaul HamyJoão Pedro RodriguesXelo CagiaoFernando, a solitary ornithologist, is looking for black storks when he is swept away by the rapids. Rescued by a couple of Chinese pilgrims, he plunges into an eerie and dark forest, trying to get back on his track.Daring and strange - there are so many unanswered questions, and I couldn't possibly explain to you what it's about or what happens without sounding certifiably insane, but I am so fine with that. I was completely mesmerized.
- DirectorLee UnkrichAdrian MolinaStarsAnthony GonzalezGael García BernalBenjamin BrattAspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer.Visually stunning with emotional depth, terrific music and profound ideas about death to boot.
- DirectorMalcolm D. LeeStarsRegina HallQueen LatifahJada Pinkett SmithWhen four lifelong friends travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival, sisterhoods are rekindled, wild sides are rediscovered, and there's enough dancing, drinking, brawling and romancing to make the Big Easy blush.It's hilarious - the best comedy of the year without question, but Girls Trip also has some surprising emotional depth. You come to care about its characters and the decisions they make, and their bond as life-long friends is palpable.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsFionn WhiteheadBarry KeoghanMark RylanceAllied soldiers from Belgium, the British Commonwealth and Empire, and France are surrounded by the German Army and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.An intense, visceral and overall unforgettable movie-going experience - if an emotionally detached one.
- DirectorBong Joon HoStarsTilda SwintonPaul DanoAhn Seo-hyunA young girl risks everything to prevent a powerful, multinational company from kidnapping her best friend - a fascinating beast named Okja.A daring and strange piece of ambitious film-making. It juggles disparate tones, varied performances, consistent surprises and great visual effects.
- DirectorJulian RosefeldtStarsCate BlanchettErika BauerRuby BustamanteCate Blanchett performs manifestos as a series of striking monologues.Wow. Just wow. Cate Blanchett is totally mesmerizing - further cementing her as one of the greatest actresses of our time. Fair warning, though - this is NOT a film for everyone.
- DirectorChris McKayStarsWill ArnettMichael CeraRosario DawsonA cooler-than-ever Bruce Wayne must deal with the usual suspects as they plan to rule Gotham City, while discovering that he has accidentally adopted a teenage orphan who wishes to become his sidekick.Consistently hilarious, clever and visually inventive with a surprising amount of heart. This film has a better emotional understanding of the Batman than BvS could even dream of.
- DirectorPaul Oremland100 Men reflects on 40 years of gay history via a countdown of Kiwi filmmaker Paul Oremland's most memorable shags, featuring candid and moving interviews with past lovers.Smart, insightful and moving look at various aspects of gay history and culture in an interesting way.
- DirectorAndy MuschiettiStarsBill SkarsgårdJaeden MartellFinn WolfhardIn the summer of 1989, a group of bullied kids band together to destroy a shape-shifting monster, which disguises itself as a clown and preys on the children of Derry, their small Maine town.A strong horror film with solid scares and creep factor, but an even stronger coming of age film with rich characters and engaging emotional arcs. The young performers are terrific.
- DirectorSebastián LelioStarsRachel WeiszRachel McAdamsAlessandro NivolaA woman returns to her Orthodox Jewish community that shunned her for her attraction to a female childhood friend. Once back, their passions reignite as they explore the boundaries of faith and sexuality.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsChanning TatumAdam DriverDaniel CraigTwo brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina.Ocean's Eleven with hillbillies. It's pretty great actually.
- DirectorRuben ÖstlundStarsClaes BangElisabeth MossDominic WestA prestigious Stockholm museum's chief art curator finds himself in times of both professional and personal crisis as he attempts to set up a controversial new exhibit.Strange, uncomfortable and fascinating - if slightly overlong and uneven. If you are prepared to meet it halfway - you will be rewarded.
- DirectorBenny SafdieJosh SafdieStarsRobert PattinsonBenny SafdieJennifer Jason LeighAfter a botched bank robbery lands his younger brother in prison, Connie Nikas embarks on a twisted odyssey through New York City's underworld to get his brother Nick out of jail.Robert Pattinson delivers an outstanding performance in this odd but compelling and stylish little film.
- DirectorKogonadaStarsJohn ChoHaley Lu RichardsonParker PoseyA Korean-born man finds himself stuck in Columbus, Indiana, where his architect father is in a coma. The man meets a young woman who wants to stay in Columbus with her mother, a recovering addict, instead of pursuing her own dreams.A refreshingly gentle film. It's perhaps a little too languid for its own good - but it benefits from emotional honesty, compelling performances (especially from John Cho) and beautiful visual composition.
- DirectorJake KasdanStarsDwayne JohnsonKaren GillanKevin HartFour teenagers are sucked into a magical video game, and the only way they can escape is to work together to finish the game.Really funny and entertaining. It plays with video game conventions in a clever way, has some neat performances - Jack Black steals the show constantly, and has a surprising amount of heart. Much better than the marketing suggests.
- DirectorByun Sung-hyunStarsSol Kyung-guIm Si-wanLee Kyoung-youngA young cop finds his loyalties divided after befriending a notorious criminal while undercover in prison.Overcomes some narrative cliches with a nasty sense of humor, terrific editing and a mostly successful tonal balance between brutal violence, dark comedy and compelling drama.
- DirectorChad StahelskiStarsKeanu ReevesRiccardo ScamarcioIan McShaneAfter returning to the criminal underworld to repay a debt, John Wick discovers that a large bounty has been put on his life.
- DirectorAngela RobinsonStarsLuke EvansRebecca HallBella HeathcoteThe story of psychologist William Moulton Marston, and his polyamorous relationship with his wife and their mistress who would inspire his creation of the superheroine, Wonder Woman.Looks like a standard biopic on the surface but actually tells a fascinating story with an even more fascinating central relationship. Luke Evans, Bella Heathcote and Rebecca Hall are exceptional. Would make for a terrific double feature with Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman.
- DirectorLuc BessonStarsDane DeHaanCara DelevingneClive OwenA dark force threatens Alpha, a vast metropolis and home to species from a thousand planets. Special operatives Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.If Jupiter Ascending were to meet Disney's Atlantis or Treasure Planet. This is an odd blend of stuff and I fell in love with it. Visually breathtaking and overwhelming, it's also a lot of fun. It's an entertaining big screen spectacle (flaws and all) and should be treated as such.
- DirectorCarla SimónStarsLaia ArtigasPaula RoblesBruna CusíAfter her mother's death, six-year-old Frida is sent to her uncle's family to live with them in the countryside. But Frida finds it hard to forget her mother and adapt to her new life.Explores grief, anger and loneliness through a child's eyes in an uncomfortably raw, honest way. Laia Artigas gives one of the best performances of the year.
- DirectorAlexander PayneStarsMatt DamonChristoph WaltzHong ChauA social satire in which a man realizes he would have a better life if he were to shrink himself to five inches tall, allowing him to live in wealth and splendor.I liked the first two acts a lot and then it kinda lost me - but it had built up enough good well up to that point. It works best with its (pardon the pun) smaller scale ideas - it starts to get quite unwieldy with big BIG ideas and that's where it starts to fall apart. I'm glad I saw it nonetheless.
- DirectorJon LucasScott MooreStarsMila KunisKristen BellKathryn HahnAs their own mothers drop in unexpectedly, our three under-appreciated and over-burdened moms rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for mothers: Christmas.Plays a bit like an extended sitcom episode but the bottom-line is I laughed a lot - non-stop.
- DirectorChristopher LandonStarsJessica RotheIsrael BroussardRuby ModineA college student must relive the day of her murder over and over again, in a loop that will end only when she discovers her killer's identity.
- DirectorMarc MeyersStarsRoss LynchAlex WolffAnne HecheA young Jeffrey Dahmer struggles to belong in high school.Ross Lynch gives one of the best performances of the year so far. The film largely succeeds at blending coming-of-age high school dramedy with chilling serial killer origin story - a tricky juggling act and it works really well.
- DirectorNacho VigalondoStarsAnne HathawayJason SudeikisAustin StowellGloria is an out-of-work party girl forced to leave her life in New York City and move back home. When reports surface that a giant creature is destroying Seoul, she gradually comes to the realization that she is somehow connected to this phenomenon.You've ever seen anything like it - or that you ever will see anything like it ever again. Colossal is so many things all at once - daring, funny, smart, uncomfortable and dark.
- DirectorTerry GeorgeStarsOscar IsaacCharlotte Le BonChristian BaleSet during the last days of the Ottoman Empire, The Promise follows a love triangle between Michael, a brilliant medical student, the beautiful and sophisticated Ana, and Chris - a renowned American journalist based in Paris.
- DirectorTarik SalehStarsFares FaresMari MalekYasser Ali MaherA maid witnesses a murder at an upscale hotel and a policeman is assigned to the case, but it soon becomes clear that important people don't want the case solved.Reminiscent of 2015's Sicario in a number of ways, this film starts out as a clinical murder mystery which transforms into a much deeper story about the corruption and deceit of individuals that society should be able to trust.
- DirectorRezo GigineishviliStarsIrakli KvirikadzeTinatin DalakishviliAvtandil MakharadzeThe movie describes real events that took place in 1983, when seven young Georgians, all from intellectual elite families, attempted to flee the Soviet Union by hijacking an airliner. The crisis ended with a storming of the airliner by Soviet special forces that resulted in eight dead. The surviving hijackers were subsequently convicted and executed.A really interesting true story told well for the most part. The pacing is a little uneven but the film provides a good sense of who these people were, why their story mattered - all while being a genuinely tense thriller.
- DirectorDavid LeveauxStarsLily JamesJai CourtneyChristopher PlummerA German soldier tries to determine if the Dutch resistance has planted a spy to infiltrate the home of Kaiser Wilhelm in Holland during the onset of World War II, but falls for a young Jewish Dutch woman during his investigation.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsKenneth BranaghPenélope CruzWillem DafoeWhen a murder occurs on the train on which he's travelling, celebrated detective Hercule Poirot is recruited to solve the case.A mystery-thriller lacking in mystery and thrills. It's well made, the production design is lavish and the performances are fine but the overstuffed and overqualified cast doesn't work in its favor and it is lacking in tension.
- DirectorKevin PhillipsStarsOwen CampbellCharlie TahanElizabeth CappuccinoTeenagers Zach and Josh have been best friends their whole lives, but when a gruesome accident leads to a cover-up, the secret drives a wedge between them and propels them down a rabbit hole of escalating paranoia and violence.A totally unsatisfying ending aside (as well as coincidental similarities to My Friend Dahmer), Super Dark Times juggles horrific violence with surprisingly nuanced teen drama - and is mostly successful at it.
- DirectorJordan Vogt-RobertsStarsTom HiddlestonSamuel L. JacksonBrie LarsonAfter the Vietnam war, a team of scientists explores an uncharted island in the Pacific, venturing into the domain of the mighty Kong and must fight to escape a primal Eden.It's fun, it's scary, it's amusingly self aware - John C. Reily is a highlight as are the genuinely impressive set-pieces. Empty popcorn entertainment, but there's nothing wrong with that if it's done well - and Kong: Skull Island is done well.
- DirectorDavid LeitchStarsCharlize TheronJames McAvoyJohn GoodmanAn undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.One solid and stylish - if uneven and kinda convoluted, kick-ass action flick.
- DirectorBrian FeeStarsOwen WilsonCristela AlonzoChris CooperLightning McQueen sets out to prove to a new generation of racers that he's still the best race car in the world.Not quite as strong as the first film but a solid return to form. Much like Monsters University, Pixar offers an unexpected but honest and emotionally satisfying message to its audience.
- DirectorDavid SorenStarsKevin HartThomas MiddleditchEd HelmsTwo overly imaginative pranksters named George and Harold hypnotize their principal into thinking he's a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dimwitted superhero named Captain Underpants.Visually inventive, dazzlingly colorful, consistently entertaining and briskly paced. More for youngsters and youngsters at heart, but its sense of innocence and fun is totally infectious.
- DirectorRupert SandersStarsScarlett JohanssonPilou AsbækTakeshi KitanoIn the near future, Major Mira Killian is the first of her kind: A human saved from a terrible crash, who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world's most dangerous criminals.Barely scrapes the surface of the original's profound ideas and themes. That said, this remake is beautifully designed, thrilling and explores identity in interesting ways - if not all that much.
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsAnsel ElgortJon BernthalJon HammAfter being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.The universal acclaim of Baby Driver eludes me somewhat. A masterpiece it is not, and totally deft with blending its various elements it is not. When it's not so pleased with itself it's kinda fun.
- DirectorCarlos SaldanhaStarsJohn CenaKate McKinnonBobby CannavaleAfter Ferdinand, a bull with a big heart, is mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure.Light, fluffy and simplistic - succeeds mostly on its admirable cuteness and great vocal performances from John Cena and Kate McKinnon.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattZoe SaldanaDave BautistaThe Guardians struggle to keep together as a team while dealing with their personal family issues, notably Star-Lord's encounter with his father, the ambitious celestial being Ego.A solid sequel - if one that is a little too focused on answering questions raised in the original rather than telling it's own unique story. It's opening title sequence alone however is breathtaking and one of the most memorable scenes in a film this year.
- DirectorSudhanshu SariaStarsDhruv GaneshSiddharth MenonShiv PandittA weekend trip between friends takes a sudden turn, making them each question what love is and what it means to them.A dark, sad, honest relationship drama. It's not what I expected, and those hoping for emotional satisfaction should look elsewhere.
- DirectorKoki ShigenoStarsShôta IidaKumiko IshidaKatsuya KobayashiIn 'Ramen Heads,' Osamu Tomita, Japan's reigning king of ramen, takes us deep into his world, revealing every single step of his obsessive approach to creating the perfect soup and noodles, and his relentless search for the highest-quality ingredients. In addition to Tomita's story, the film also profiles five other notable ramen shops, each with its own philosophy and flavour, which exemplify various different aspects the ramen world. Mixing in a brief rundown of ramen's historical roots, the film gives viewers an in-depth look at the culture surrounding this unique and beguiling dish. This is a documentary record of 15 months in the lives of Japan's top ramen masters and their legions of devoted fans.
- DirectorTom McGrathStarsAlec BaldwinSteve BuscemiJimmy KimmelA suit-wearing, briefcase-carrying baby pairs up with his 7-year old brother to stop the dastardly plot of the CEO of Puppy Co.It's visually inventive, has a good energy to it and is more amusing than entertaining.
- DirectorTrey Edward ShultsStarsJoel EdgertonChristopher AbbottCarmen EjogoSecure within a desolate home as an unnatural threat terrorizes the world, a man has established a tenuous domestic order with his wife and son. Then a desperate young family arrives seeking refuge.I liked the first half a lot, but once the film begins to reveal its hand, it unfortunately descends into overly familiar and predictable territory. A rare case in which a film's ambiguity does not serve it well.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsVicky KriepsDaniel Day-LewisLesley ManvilleSet in 1950s London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover.A luscious film with terrific performances that I found mostly unpleasant to watch. I am wrong on this one, I know.
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsBen AffleckGal GadotJason MomoaFueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman's selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his new-found ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.Not the obnoxious train wreck I was expecting. It's a mess, disjointed, and winks - HARD, but it's pretty fun despite itself.
- DirectorHiromasa YonebayashiStarsHana SugisakiRyunosuke KamikiYûki AmamiBased on "The Little Broomstick" by Mary Stewart, a strange flower grants a girl magic powers.Beautifully animated with messy, borderline incoherent storytelling. Ponoc Studios succeeds in matching the visual lushness of Ghibli productions, but have a long way to go in matching narrative sophistication.
- DirectorF. Gary GrayStarsVin DieselJason StathamDwayne JohnsonWhen a mysterious woman seduces Dominic Toretto into the world of terrorism and a betrayal of those closest to him, the crew face trials that will test them as never before.
- DirectorZacharias KunukNatar UngalaaqStarsBenjamin KunukKaren IvaluJonah QunaqInspired by the John Ford film The Searchers, an Inuit woman and her daughter are kidnapped by three Inuit men, while her husband and son are away. The Inuit husband sets out on a journey to find his family and punish the perpetrators.An abrupt ending and overly languid pacing prevents Searchers from being truly great - but it's solidly unique and mostly works.
- DirectorTakanori TsujimotoStarsKevin DormanMatthew MercerErin CahillChris Redfield enlists the help of Leon S. Kennedy and Rebecca Chambers to stop a death merchant, with a vengeance, from spreading a deadly virus in New York.
- DirectorFellipe BarbosaStarsJoão Pedro ZappaCaroline AbrasAlex AlembeBefore entering a prestigious American university, Gabriel Buchmann decided to travel the world for one year, his backpack full of dreams. After ten months on the road, he arrived in Kenya determined to discover the African continent. Until he reached the top of Mount Mulanje, Malawi, his last destination.Beautiful to look at, sometimes poignant with solid performances from it's supporting cast and interesting ideas about travel and cross-cultural interaction. But your enjoyment of the film depends on how much you can empathize with its protagonist - Gabriel. I found him to be obnoxious, unbearable and hard to root for.
- DirectorKelly AsburyStarsDemi LovatoRainn WilsonJoe ManganielloA mysterious map sets Smurfette and her friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting race through the Forbidden Forest, leading to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history.Visually eye-popping and mostly amusing. Harmless fun for younger viewers with a standard message that is delivered in an interesting way.
- DirectorBill CondonStarsEmma WatsonDan StevensLuke EvansA selfish Prince is cursed to become a monster for the rest of his life, unless he learns to fall in love with a beautiful young woman he keeps prisoner.Faithful to a fault - the transition from animation to live action is a uneven in places (tonally especially) - but it's still beautiful to look at, solidly acted and I can't help but admire the fact that it is an unapologetic big Hollywood musical.
- DirectorStanley TucciStarsGeoffrey RushArmie HammerTony ShalhoubThe story of Swiss painter and sculptor Alberto Giacometti.Pleasant and light but ultimately repetitive and unfufilling. Rush and Hammer are great as expected, but I never really got a sense of what made either of the two men interesting or compelling. It's an okay directorial debut for Tucci, but it could have been so much more.
- DirectorDean IsraeliteStarsDacre MontgomeryNaomi ScottRJ CylerWhen Earth is on the verge of an alien invasion, five teenagers, who are infused with superhuman abilities, must harness their newfound powers to battle this threat - as the Power Rangers.It's stupid, cliched, and sometimes really annoying - but I had fun. Take that for what you will.
- DirectorJames GrayStarsCharlie HunnamRobert PattinsonSienna MillerA true-life drama, centering on British explorer Major Percival Fawcett, who disappeared whilst searching for a mysterious city in the Amazon in the 1920s.A film that simply stops rather than ends - and incredibly unsatisfying for the interesting ideas and developments that precedes its final minutes. It's fine - but it could have been great.
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsTaron EgertonColin FirthMark StrongAfter the Kingsman's headquarters is destroyed and the world is held hostage, an allied spy organization in the United States is discovered. These two elite secret agencies must band together to defeat a common enemy.It did NOT need to be 141 minutes long. It's thrilling off the top, there are some fun set-pieces, a game cast including Elton John but this sequel is overstuffed, tonally inconsistent and wears out its welcome.
- DirectorToa FraserStarsJamie BellMark StrongAbbie CornishBased on the Iranian Embassy siege of 1980, this action-thriller dramatizes a six-day standoff between armed Iranian Arabs and SAS soldiers ready for a counterattack.A taut, well-made thriller - but it offers very little in the way of context for why the events depicted mattered so much, and the efficient storytelling doesn't always work in its favor.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsMatt DamonTian JingWillem DafoeIn ancient China, a group of European mercenaries encounters a secret army that maintains and defends the Great Wall of China against a horde of monstrous creatures.It's a mostly thrilling, sometimes inventive - if predictable and forgettable, monster movie. Empty calories and nothing more.
- DirectorAlex KurtzmanStarsTom CruiseSofia BoutellaAnnabelle WallisAn ancient Egyptian princess is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension.I didn't think it was THAT bad. Granted - it isn't any good either, but it was fun enough, scary enough and entertaining enough for me. Your mileage may vary.
- DirectorJames FoleyStarsDakota JohnsonJamie DornanEric JohnsonWhile Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her.An improvement upon it's predecessor with even more unintentional comedy - the whole thing borders on parody and plays like an extended soap-opera episode. Take that for what you will.
- DirectorFelipe BragançaStarsCauã ReymondEduardo MacedoAdeli GonzalesJoca, a Brazilian boy of 13, and Basano La Tatuada a Paraguayan indigenous girl living on the border between the two countries, marked by the waters of the Rio Apa. Joca is in love with Basano and wants to do everything to win her love.A complete mess. It tries to do too many things all at once and never stays focused long enough for you to care. Cauã Reymond delivers the best performance in the film whereas the two young leads are precocious and completely insufferable. I found it unbearable.
- DirectorJoachim RønningEspen SandbergStarsJohnny DeppGeoffrey RushJavier BardemCaptain Jack Sparrow is pursued by old rival Captain Salazar and a crew of deadly ghosts who have escaped from the Devil's Triangle. They're determined to kill every pirate at sea...notably Jack.The weakest installment yet - and I'm a fan of the previous four. More of a follow up to At World's End, it expects you to still be emotionally invested in certain characters after their absence. Set pieces are well-staged, but this film offers nothing new, or at least if it's going to be more of the same, it's not as entertaining anymore either.
- DirectorDean DevlinStarsGerard ButlerJim SturgessAbbie CornishWhen the network of satellites designed to control the global climate starts to attack Earth, it's a race against the clock for its creator to uncover the real threat before a worldwide Geostorm wipes out everything and everyone.It sucks. That's it.
- DirectorMichael GraceyStarsHugh JackmanMichelle WilliamsZac EfronCelebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.Oy vey...
- DirectorMichael BayStarsMark WahlbergAnthony HopkinsJosh DuhamelA deadly threat from Earth's history reappears and a hunt for a lost artifact takes place between Autobots and Decepticons, while Optimus Prime encounters his creator in space.Maybe it's sheer bafflement at what I was watching that prevented me from hating it. It's not good - don't get me wrong, but every so often the action sequences are thrilling and (surprisingly) coherent and the characters stop talking just long enough that one can actually sit back and enjoy the carnage.
- DirectorMichael TiddesStarsMarlon WayansRegina HallDennis HaysbertNervous about finally getting married, a guy is forced to relive the same nerve-wracking hours over and over again until he gets things right on his wedding day.Not the completely unfunny train wreck one would expect with Marlon Wayans' track record. There are a few laughs - albeit few and far between, and Regina Hall is quite good in it, but whatever good will it'd built up was quashed by cloying sentimentality, schmaltz and poor pacing.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsCharlie HunnamAstrid Bergès-FrisbeyJude LawRobbed of his birthright, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword from the stone, he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy - whether he likes it or not.Not REALLY bad... but pretty bad. It's a mix of too many things that don't work well together with bland storytelling and uninteresting characters. Disappointed as a fan of Guy Ritchie.
- DirectorD.J. CarusoStarsVin DieselDonnie YenDeepika PadukoneXander Cage is left for dead after an incident, though he secretly returns to action for a new, tough assignment with his handler Augustus Gibbons.Mildly amusing at best and excruciating at worst - it's really, really stupid. If you think this might be your kind of movie then this is probably your kind of movie - in which case, God help you.
- DirectorJulio Soto GurpideStarsJustin FelbingerStephen HughesLindsey AlenaIn 2100, when humanity has abandoned the Earth, a colony of extravagant creatures still thrives in the deepest abyss of the ocean. Deep, an adventurous "dumbo" octopus and the last one of his kind lives there with his two unconditional friends: Evo, a nerdy and clumsy angler fish, and Alice, a neurotic deep-sea shrimp. When an accident destroys their home, the guardian of the abyss, The Kraken, will send Deep and his friends on a perilous journey to find a new home. In their mission, they will be joined by Maura -a voracious moray eel- and together they will travel to amazing places like the submerged city of New York, the Titanic or the Arctic, facing formidable enemies and hilarious situations. Will they be able to bring the oceans back to their former glory?
- DirectorAlastair RiddellStarsKieran FosterLuke ThompsonPeter HansenThe affluent farmer's son is everything Billy desires. The farm is everything the head drover wants. A story of forbidden love, revenge and a family torn apart, inspired by true events.Technically uneven, dramatically phony, ineptly paced, poorly acted (except for Foster and Thompson), overlong, exploitative - need I say more? Yet another film where queer characters are victims of tragedy purely to develop heterosexual characters. Also, a framing device that is forgotten about and totally pointless. This one made me mad. Worst film of the year.