Several films this year showed daring vision and/or had such an impact on cinema that their effect will be felt in terms of decent, different movies being made in the worn-thin genres of romantic comedy and horror.
The Big Sick
There is no genre of film more likely to disappoint, offend or regurgitate shameful clichés than the romantic comedy. So thank you Kumail Nanjiani for crafting not only the best romantic comedy to hit theaters in years, but for sharing a fresh and honest, deeply personal and incredibly funny story that happens to be told from the point of view of a lapsed Muslim Pakistani immigrant. Wow.
mother!
[FULL REVIEW]
Likely the most polarizing, perhaps even most hated film of 2017 is also the boldest and most unapologetic vision of any film this year. It didn’t make any money, further alienated Darren Aronofsky from mainstream cinema and may have ruined Jennifer Lawrence’s career. But who cares — and I mean that — because it told a vivid, original, deeply complicated story about the human condition that could be interpreted on any number of levels. It boasted some of the best performances of the year — I’m looking at you, Michelle Pfeiffer! — and it was original. Hats off to you, mother!
It
Dude, how creepy was It?! Not just creepy, but an outright, no-holds-barred horror movie that happened to gross nearly 700 million globally. Do you know what that means? Not just a sequel. It means good things for horror movie fans — decent directors will be handed larger budgets to hire better actors populating stronger stories set in more interesting locations with better FX. Nice!
CLICK HERE FOR THE TOP 10 FILMS OF 2017
Read more from Hope at MADDWOLF and listen to her podcasts THE SCREENING ROOM and FRIGHT CLUB.