No film could have ushered in the tumultuous year of 2017 better than my favorite, 20th Century Women, which became even more fitting as women across the country had enough of the harassment and abuse suffered under the shameless and predatory men that permeate our society, and decided to speak out, together, and with one unifying voice. When one of those "men" was "elected" to the highest office in the land, something was bound to snap, but no one knew when or how. With so much uncertainty in the air, this film - at least for me - calmed the nerves and reminded me of all the greatness that is still the majority. They just needed to speak up, and they did, and this portrait of strong women was just at the right place, and the right time. It's absolute perfection, and I can't recommend it enough. Technically it is a film from 2016, but was not released for most to see until January of this year, so alas, it tops THIS year's list. 

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Moonlight was very much a 2016 film, but I didn't catch it until this past year unfortunately. Equally fantastic in it's own right, if you haven't seen it yet, don't be me and wait any longer. Experience it, now. As for the rest, well, Call Me By Your Name was a total surprise, completely beautiful story-wise, set against a gorgeous Italian backdrop, just lovely all around. Dunkirk is riveting, Get Out is fantastic, unique, sharp and sports a genius ending that is thought-provoking without being "preachy," it's a must-see. Good Time is pure, exhilarating cinema at it's best (why this one didn't take off I will never understand). Mother! is a complete jolt, the new Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi is as perfect as a Star Wars film can be, Super Dark Times is just a total WOW - do NOT miss it. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is full of fantastic performances, as is I, Tonya, which lovingly allows Tonya Harding to get her side of the story out, and The Salesman continues to highlight the best of Iranian cinema.

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As always, and despite these being numbered, they are in no particular order, besides 20th Century Women, which is unquestionably my top film of the year. And also as always, click on the poster to check out each film's trailer!

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Cheers,