Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a great 2017. If you're looking at the bigger movies of the year, 2017 could be seen as a bit of a disappointment. but when you look at some of the smaller or more original films the year had to offer, I'd say this was a pretty great year for movies. This week I'll be counting down some of my favourites in film this year. The first entry in this best of 2017 will be my favourite 10 directors of the year. Just as a precursor, I have a few films that I just haven't had a chance to see yet so here are some notable directors that could make the list once I see their films: Paul Thomas Anderson- Phantom Thread, Steven Spielberg- The Post, Joe Wright- Darkest Hour, Darren Aronofsky- Mother!, Aaron Sorkin- Molly's Game. As much as those are some big names, I'm more than happy with what I have on this list.
As usual I'll start with some honourable mentions.
Matt Reeves: War for the Planet of the Apes
This is a movie I absolutely loved, and I think Matt Reeves is a pretty underrated director. The way he concluded this trilogy almost gave him a spot on this list, but unfortunately the pacing in some parts of the film is somewhat problematic.
Andy Muschietti: It
This movie surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. The way Muschietti built tension throughout had me more than captivated from start to finish. This is a great film and as much as I thought Muschietti did a great job, he just misses out on making this list.
Yorgos Lanthimos: The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Lanthimos' style is as evident in this film as it possibly could be. He builds a lot of tension through deadpan acting and abnormal dialogue and it made for a very unsettling watch. Another great film that just misses out on this list.
Patty Jenkins: Wonder Woman
Perhaps one of the most important films of the year, Wonder Woman was no doubt a huge success. I feel like Patty Jenkins needs to be mentioned if not for her strong work on this film, than for the impact it has made in the industry.
#10- Taylor Sheridan: Wind River
I wish more people were talking about this movie because it was one of the most intense and well crafted movies of the summer. Sheridan has a distinct style in the films he has written and he brings that style out even more in his directing. This film is tense and unfolds in a unique way and Sheridan proves that he is a director to keep an eye on.
#9- Christopher Nolan: Dunkirk
This might raise some controversy with its placement, but I think quite a few directors did a better job than Nolan. That being said, there's no debate that this is a very good film. There is an overarching tense feeling that covers the film and the war elements are extremely well directed. Nolan's attention to realism and detail is also very impressive. That being said, the way Nolan decided to tell the story tended to detract from the film from time to time.
#8- James Mangold: Logan
While Mangold may not have been able to accomplish everything he wanted to with The Wolverine, he managed to perfectly bring Logan/Wolverine to life for a final time. This movie is gritty and holds nothing back. This was the send off this character needed and Mangold was the perfect man to finish it.
#7- Kathryn Bigelow: Detroit
Bigelow is easily the most highly regarded female director out there and she continued her run of hard hitting period pieces with Detroit. This film is incredibly well shot and Bigelow brings the most out of each member of a huge ensemble cast. Very few moments of this film drag despite its long run-time and the imagery Bigelow brings to the table is both upsetting and eye-opening.
#6- Martin McDonagh: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
McDonagh brought a lot to the table with this film and made it his best yet. This film deals with a lot of difficult subject matter and McDonagh knows exactly when to use comedy and when to keep the tone serious. He brings great performances from his cast and makes the world the characters inhabit feel very believable.
#5- Greta Gerwig: Lady Bird
One of the breakout stars of the year, Great Gerwig has put her name on the map as a director. This film feels both incredibly real and wildly fantastical due to the tone set by Gerwig. This is one of the few examples of a short film feeling long not because it is boring but because everything is developed so well. Here's hoping Gerwig can snag an Oscar nomination for her strong work.
#4- Edgar Wright: Baby Driver
I've come to the terms that this movie won't get much love this award season, but it is still one of my favorites so it gets credit from me. Wright's directing is fantastic in this film, as each scene is choreographed to a tee. I love this movie and a lot of that love is because of Wright's stellar direction.
#3- Denis Villeneuve: Blade Runner 2049
I don't know why Villeneuve isn't being nominated for more because he took the daunting task of directing a sequel 35 years after the groundbreaking original and managed to make a film that stood up greatly alongside it. Villeneuve's pacing in this film is absolutely incredible as it never drags for a second in its near three hour run time. Villeneuve is one of my favourite directors and this is one of his best.
#2- Jordan Peele: Get Out
Show me anyone that burst onto the scene more than Jordan Peele did this year. He gave the horror-thriller genre an awesome new twist within a social commentary piece and it is one of the year's best films. I didn't expect much from this film with Peele being mostly known for comedy but he proved himself to be a name to watch out for. I really hope he gets an Oscar nomination because what he pulled off with Get Out is truly something special.
#1- Guillermo del Toro: The Shape of Water
I don't think any director's style covers a film as much as del Toro's in The Shape of Water. His designs for the set are incredible and are only matched by the gorgeous creature design him and his team pulled off. On top of how incredibly creative this film is, he directs the hell out of this movie. The film is well shot and through watching the film as well as interviews, it is clear that del Toro knows exactly what he needs to do to get the most out of every individual actor. His work in this film is nothing short of brilliant and takes my top spot.
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