Following in Darran and Phil’s footsteps, it’s time for me to look back with nostalgia and bitterness at 2017, the year that was. Changing it up a little (new year, new me), I’ve decided to recap the 5 best and worst films (and television, including Netflix originals) I reviewed at AccessReel this year. My first year at AccessReel has been incredible, and I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to share the highs and lows of film and television in 2017 with all the faithful AccessReelers! Without further ado, let’s count down the 5 best and 5 worst films of 2017 (the original reviews are linked to the film titles):
The Best (A.K.A Do yourself a favour and watch these immediately):
5. The Zookeeper’s Wife
If you wanna cry, this is the film for you.
“The imagery of WWII, which has been endlessly overworked and thus somewhat nullified in its affect, has been made refreshingly poignant with the inclusion of the animals.”
4. Lucky
Quiet, moving and beautiful, the swan-song performance of Harry Dean Stanton is a must-see.
3. Pork Pie
An absurdly entertaining romp across Middle Ear- I mean, New Zealand, in a yellow Mini.
2. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
An absolute punch to the gut, Three Billboards manages to tackle our deepest social anxieties with black humour. This film was a serious contender for the number one spot.
1. Brigsby Bear
A film that celebrates creativity in all its forms, Brigsby Bear is original and moving. The film is “…less about growing ‘up’ and more about growing ‘out’, about spreading your passion and excitement with those who accept you for who you are.”
The Trash (A.K.A. I sacrificed my eyes for you):
5. Flatliners
Okay, perhaps this doesn’t deserve to be called ‘trash’, but it was definitely on the lower end of the spectrum. The film started off with a lot of promise and then just…ended. Probably an unnecessary remake.
4. Hampstead
Again, not ‘trash’, but it’s earned a spot beneath the other numerous films of the year, so it was nothing special.
3. A Cure For Wellness
The premise was good, the trailer was promising. It was thrilling, Gothic, intriguing, but altogether, couldn’t make up its mind on what it wanted to be about.
2. The Mummy
There’s a reason Universal Pictures gave up on its ‘Dark Universe’ inter-film narrative. This film is the reason.
1. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
Given one of the lowest numerical ratings on Accessreel, this film was bad on pretty much every conceivable level – and not a ‘good-bad’ like The Room, just a ‘bad-bad’. It was a film which “…amazingly… where all scenes of character development, substance and meaning are condensed via montage and summary… still runs for just over two painful hours.”
Others receiving a ‘highly commended’, and a recommendation to watch, are Messy Christmas (Non ćè più religion), part of the 18th Lavazza Italian Film Festival, and the Netflix Original series Alias Grace, from the novel by Margaret Atwood.
Hope everyone’s 2017 has been safe and enjoyable, and all the best for the year ahead!
