“History is not the past. It is the present.”
TOP TEN OF 2017
My Best of Stuffs Lists
By Ernest M Whiteman III
Once gain, I take pen in hand to writ for you my selections of various media “best of”.
TOP TEN OF 2017
My Best of Stuffs Lists
By Ernest M Whiteman III
Once gain, I take pen in hand to writ for you my selections of various media “best of”.
BOOKS of 2017
This has been another good year for me, book-wise. I was able to read a lot more this year and I have had my mind and eyes opened through reading for the first time in a long time. Is that not the purpose of books to begin with? Unfortunately, due to all the added reading, I have read “Three Kingdoms” only once last year. So, what did I think were the best things in books this past year? Please note that I will not include a list of brand new books, as I have not really gotten around to reading anything new. But without further ado:
10. New! “The Dark Forest” – Cixan Liu – The second part of the “Three Body Trilogy” or by the Chinese title “Remembrance of Earth’s Past Trilogy”. Here we find the planet earth preparing for an invasion from a distant race. I have only began reading this but the first part became so compelling that I do not wish to over-share the plot of the first book for fear of spoiling it for new readers. If you haven’t already, go get “The Three Body Problem”.
9. Still Reading: “The New Jim Crow” Michelle Alexander – Yes, I am still reading this because after every page I read, I have to put it down in frustration.
8. Still Reading: “GODLESS” Dan Baker – Lately, one of my personal heroes. About his de-conversion from an Evangelical minster to one of the nation’s leading atheist advocates. Still reading this one.
7. Digging Up Mother - Doug Stanhope: I checked this out from the library, as I am a fan of some of his stuff. He has a critical eye on some subjects that I think we need. Sometimes, he is an overbearing poor-me mope. I never got past the first three chapters before I lost interest. I think I am more interested in his spoken ideas than his written stories. However, I am very interested in his new book “This is Not Fame”. Maybe I will give that a try instead.
6. Life Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds Meaning – Dan Barker: another one from Barker makes the list. This one on how an atheist finds meaning in life beyond superstition and religion and how it can be a deeper connection. I started it but had to return it to the library because there was a loooong list of holds placed on it. That is an encouraging sign. Since I gave up religion, I knoew I could still be a good person without it. So, I will probably end up buying it at some point.
5. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me - Sherman Alexie: It was not until I began reading this that I realized that Sherman Alexie has his own literary tropes that he relies on. I could not finish it because of this. It got kind of repetitive. However, learning the mental anguish that comes with the number of brain surgeries that he has had recently, I cannot help but think that this repetitiveness is a byproduct of this. Also, the chapter titled “Abu Ghraib” s probably his most powerful piece of writing yet. So, read at your own peril.
4. “THE THREE BODY PROBLEM” Cixan Liu – FINISHED! About an alien invasion that takes place within an online multiplayer video game that asks a participant to try and solve “the three body” problem. I found it difficult to follow at first due to the nature of the sciences involved but I am enjoying it. But the plot goes beyond the conceit of an invasion through a video game and focuses on how humanity reacts and prepares for such an event since communications with the Trisolaris civilization has been established. Compelling read from start to finish. That one twist is pretty good. Check this out when you can.
3. “All of the Real Indians Died Off” - Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Dina Gilio-Whitaker: This delves into 21 common myths about Native Americans. I purchased this to examine Thanksgiving for a presentation I did in November. There is a lot to get into with this book. I am referencing it for a presentation on Stereotypes in March. Check it out if you can. The book, I mean. Not my presentation.
2. Invisible Natives – Armando José Prats – This is become my go-to text for dissecting Native American media representations. It introduces many concepts that help me in my own viewing and reviewing of film that have Native Americans represented in them. Prats’ examination completely transformed how I view non-Native representations of my people. I use this as a textbook in my “Native Americans in Media” course at UWP. I recently started to re-read it and have been underlining and making notes throughout. I give it as a gift as well. So, you may receive a copy at some point if we’re friends. I recommend this heartily.
1. “Three Kingdoms” Luo Guanzhong, translated by Moss Roberts (Still Reading) – You must be so tired of this. Read it if you can. I am updating my reviews of the various editions of “Three Kingdoms” that I did back in 2011. Some newer editions have come out and some other media versions will be included, such as comics, films, and video games. Yep, I am going there.
Now, on to music:
MY MUSIC of 2017
I know a lot of you do not really care about my taste in music. You never will. You all like the grungy-punk-electro-rap so-I-can-mention-MIDI-in-my conversations tip that makes you cool. Well, I never subscribed to being “cool”, no one ever thought I was cool, and I really do not care to be cool. “Cool” is fleeting. Good music is subjective and if you cannot comprehend that, I cannot convince you what makes “good music”. I just know what I like and what appeals to me. I also know that that prior text was written for past year’s list but think of it instead as my sample, that I am looping here, cool?
Here is what I got last year:
VARIOUS ARTISTS: Soundtrack to “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2” – this is jammed to the gills with songs from my youth. Yeah, I’m that old. It holds the charm of nostalgia but as with most things built on nostalgia, it only gravitates towards the recognizable. But an enjoyable gift nonetheless.
Art “Turk” Burton & The Congo Square Ensemble: Spirits: Then & Now – I got this courtesy of the artist, whom I met while sitting on a panel about Indigenous identity in partnership with the Southside Art Center. Art Burton is an interesting guy and I believe I heard his name when I DJ’d at KCWC, which was an Adult Contemporary station “Smooth Jazz and Other Things”. We played a lot of Lite Jazz. But in addition to being a jazz musician, Burton is a historian, studying black history in the Wild West. His forte is gunslingers and lawmen. I asked him his opinion of Wyatt Earp, “He was basically a pimp”. Which coincided with my own opinion. Anyways. This album is really good. Percussion is Burton’s specialty and he excels at it. The track “Cuba” is very cool as is the whole album. I am happy to have received it from the man himself.
U2: Songs of Experience – This is the latest offering from my all-time favorite band. It is phenomenal. At first, when they released their songs, one at a time on YouTube, I couldn’t get into them. Some I didn’t care for. Then, when the album came out and I listened to them as a whole, they all meshed so well together. Also, when a new U2 album comes out, I suddenly fixate on the previous album. For example, when “Achtung Baby!” came out, I started to listen more to “Rattle and Hum”, and when “Song of Innocence” came out, I listened more to “No Line on the Horizon” and so on. It is as if the new material makes me re-appreciate the last album more. But, for some reason, I am fixated on this album. I have not started to relisten to “Songs of Innocence”. Yet. “Lights of Home” is a great song. I enjoy all the callbacks to “Songs of Innocence” in the lyrics and melodies as well. Maybe, that’s why I haven’t gone back. All in all, a very strong album.
The National: Beast Sleep Well – The latest from my newly-favored band. When I was first introduced to The National, I bought their last three albums all at once and enjoyed every one. Here they explore new territory, kind of. I will always have a soft spot for “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness” which to me has become the perfect Skeptics Anthem. Check it out already.
So, that does it for music. Not much but I don’t listen to the radio anymore and am often surprised by what is popular in music these days. Let’s look at what I got on home video this past year.
MY DVDs of 2017
Patience is the greatest key to finding the DVD that you want. I am so happy that places like Disc Replay, Reckless Records, and Half Price Books exist, because I find that, if I am patient enough, I can find my favorite movies on DVD for a steal. That is how I got my vast library of movies.
Dunkirk: Christmas Gift – one of the Top Ten films I saw last year.
Seven Samurai: Half Price Books – Who doesn’t own this movie. I bought a first print DVD from the Criterion Collection because I thought I should have one.
Black Girl: 50% B&N Criterion Sale – Bought this sight-unseen. This is about a Senegalese woman who travels to France to work for a white coupe only to be trapped in a routine of maid service. I began watching it, and have not found time to finish it. It is show in a beautifully raw way, French New Wave, by Senegalese director Ousmane Sembène, whose is considered the greatest director of Senegal. I will find time to finish this one as it intrigues me so.
Le Samouraï (Blu Ray): 50% B&N Criterion Sale – One of my all-time favorite movies. The seminal tale of the lone hitman following his own code, done in such a style of cool that has influenced so many other filmmakers, most notably, John Woo with “The Killer” and indie darling Jim Jarmausch and “Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai”. I don’t even have a Blu-ray player yet felt compelled to own this once it came on market.
Tampopo: 50% B&N Criterion Sale – Another one I purchased sight-unseen. I read the back and heard so many good things about this. It is sooo good, “delicious”, if you will. It is edited like a meal with asides, side plots, and vignettes to the main course of two truckers helping Tampopo become a world-class ramen chef. Endearing, sexy, funny, and shot beautifully. Check this one out if you haven’t already.
Arrival: Sale purchase – One of the Top Ten Films of last year for me. Probably one of the finest examples of science fiction in film for a long time. When aliens arrive, they try to communicate with us and we react only as a limited species can, with threats and violence. A great plea for patience and empathy. A great film.
I Am Not Your Negro: Sale purchase – the best film I saw this year. See Top Ten List below.
Ixcanul: the best film I saw last year. A young Mayan woman tries to escape an arranged marriage and other troubles. The mother is the best character in the story. The best movie I saw last year. So good, that, that bears repeating.
The Wind Rises: Sale purchase – Hideo Miyazaki’s then final film about aviation engineer Jiro Horikoshi. Told subtly and beautifully about a man, who has has a lifelong love affair with flying and his journey to adulthood. There has been minor controversy about this as a lovingly told film about the man who designed the planes that would eventually be used as kamikaze during WWII insulted some.
Taken for what it is, I can understand that. But it should not let you overlook, that rather than a faceless menace behind the Japanese aeronautics industry, there were human being struggling with the morality of what they were doing, whom recognized the futility of war, and whose love of crafting sort of overwhelms it all. This is a beautiful film in any respect.
The Chimes at Midnight: 50% B&N Criterion Sale – I would gladly call this Welles’ Masterpiece had it not been for “The Trial”, “The Magnificent Amersons”, “Citizen Kane” or “F for Fake”. His amalgamation of five Shakespeare plays to tell the sorted and sad story of Falstaff is his best piece of cinema, to be sure. His acting here is also top notch, vastly overlooked. One of my new favorite purchases from Criterion.
Logan: Father’s Day Gift – This was a sweet, touching gift from my little girl. Bonnie says it reminds her of Char and I.
As you can see, I got less DVDs this last year. Thank goodness for sales, resell shops and a whole lot of patience. Let’s move on to movies on the big screen. But first a look back at what I was looking forward to last year:
LOOKING BACK: The Top Ten Films I WAS Looking Forward to in 2017
1. Dunkirk – Christopher Nolan: SEE TOP TEN LIST
2. John Wick: Chapter Two – Chad Stahelski, David Leitch: Meh. The more I think about, the more “Meh” it gets…
3. War for the Planet of the Apes – Matt Reeves: SEE TOP TEN LIST
4. The LEGO Batman Movie – Chris McKay: SEE “Other New Movies I Saw in 2017”
5. Logan – James Mangold: SEE TOP TEN LIST
6. I Am Not Your Negro – Raoul Peck : SEE TOP TEN LIST
7. Saving Banksy – Colin Day: I never did get to see this. Mainly because I realized, I don’t give a shit about Banksy.
The MAYBE’S OF 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 – Enjoyed the first one. But, recapturing the flavor of a success is not success. They will need to really expand on the characters and story.
Thor: Ragnarok – SEE TOP TEN LIST
The Dark Tower – Did not see it
Murder on the Orient Express – SEE TOP TEN LIST
Wonder Woman – All right movie. Certainly not Oscar Worthy. There are better Women Empowerment movies out there that deserved a nomination before this comic book bore.
The “WHY BOTHER” of 2017
A short list of movies I will not bother to see, unless my little girl wants to see them, then, I will, because, I love her:
JUSTICE LEAGUE: I DIDN’T
GHOST IN THE SHELL: THIS TOO
STAR WARS EPISODE VII – Called “The Last Jedi”, I guess we all owed Carrie Fisher to go out and see this suddenly, right? I saw with my girl as she was also interested in the movie. Overall: It was bad; pandering to diversity does not make your film critique-proof. I mean, you already forgot you saw it, right? Looking forward to “Black Panther” now? The only thing I see on this movie is everyone desperately scrambling to defend it. Reminds me of Scientology.
HIDDEN GEMS (Maybe?) THAT I MISSED:
The Red Turtle – an animated gem that I so regret missing on the big screen
Raw – this is a cannibal film that Char was interested in. I wish we could have seen it.
Detroit – Heard lots of great things about this. Sorry to have missed it.
Colossal – I loved the premise but never got to see it on the big screen.
Ladybird – heard all the hype. It’s probably good. Can thousands and thousands of people be wrong? Constantly.
Molly’s Game – looked interesting
I, Tonya – Still a chance to see this one.
Loving Vincent – Love the technique they used but I missed this one.
Roman J Israel Esq. – I saw how it ended but the performance of Denzel Washington is the draw.
The Post – Which I still may see. Rewriting history as The Post often does.
TOP RE-SCREEN & SPECIAL EVENT SCREENINGS OF 2017
From the looks of it, I saw a lot of repeat screenings and special event screenings. Look out; there is a LOT of Orson Welles on this list. Besides being one of my favorite film directors, you have to admit, in his later years, there was a LOT of Orson Welles wherever he went! Ha! Here is what I saw as a re-screening or special event this year:
North By Northwest
Rifftrax Live: Samurai Cop
The Godfather
Rifftrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party
Unforgiven
Rifftrax Live: The Five Doctors
Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time
No reviews here, just a list. Some speak for themselves….
OTHER NEW MOVIES I SAW IN 2016:
Manchester by the Sea: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” Casey Affleck’s nonsense kind of ruins this otherwise very good film. I am always subjected to the opinions of dudes defending him, of how it’s all ruining his career. He’ll be fine. He can cry himself to sleep with his millions of dollars to dry his tears. Imagine being the women that have had to put up with his bullshit.
Arrival (2nd): See DVD’s above.
Split: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” Actually, I was spoiled when I heard that Bruce Willis reprises his “Unbreakable” role and was so looking forward to him helping the young woman out of captivity. It would have fell in line with where we left him at the end of that movie. But, it also kind of disappointed me that it was part of that “Cinematic Universe”. I know the crybabies are crying that Charles Xavier was not nominated, but who cares. It’s now all just become another comic book series…
John Wick: Chapter Two: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” – As stated before, the more I think about it, the more “Meh” it becomes.
The LEGO Batman Movie: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” It did, then, I saw “Coco”.
Kong: Skull Island: Stupid is as Stupid does. We are hard-working Caesars that deserve our bread and circuses.
Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” It does what the standard sequel does, gives us more of the same. Shove in as much 80’s nostalgia as you can and you have a shitty blockbuster….
Alien: Covenant: Added nothing new to the “mythology” of Alien. The more layers peeled back, the shallower it becomes.
Wonder Woman: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” That disastrous fifth act with all the ‘splosions ruined what could have been a neat, concise origin film ala “Superman: The Movie”. As I said, there are much better Woman Empowerment movies out there.
Baby Driver: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” I didn’t care for this one is why. Kevin Spacey ruins it now. That shithead.
Spider-man: Homecoming: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” Meh. It was just Meh.
Atomic Blonde: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” It is a fun, enjoyable action movie that I recommend. Just not one of the best movies of 2017.
Wind River: A crock of shit. Don’t watch it.
Lucky Logan: Funny and enjoyable but nothing outstanding.
It: Not very scary and too dependent on nostalgia. Better than the TV miniseries. Yeah, I said that. Still the creepiest aspect about it is how it sexualized the young female lead. That quarry swim scene is fucking creepy.
Blade Runner 2049: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” I was never a fan of the first one. I enjoyed it as a set piece but it was not a favorite of mine. Here. It is just more of the same, you know = standard sequel.
The Foreigner: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” It did, then I saw “Coco”. This was sitting at Number Ten since I saw it. It is always good to see stars like Jackie Chan still busting ass to give his best. And this is easily the best Old Man/Serious Jackie films. Plus, Pierce Brosnon doing his best Fred MacMurray as a reformed IRS Terrorist is hysterical. Pretty much a variation of “The Limey”, a genre we need more of.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” I know it is nominated for Best Picture and all but the problems I have with it outweigh the one scene that is the heart of the film: The fact that the spousal abuser is forgiven and the racist redeemed outweighing a mother’s grief make this too problematic for me to recommend despite the great performances of MacDormand and Harrelson.
The Disaster Artist: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” Why celebrate mediocrity? Because we are in on the joke, is why.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” The Backlash to the criticisms to this movie reminds me of how Scientology goes after the people who speak out against it. Same tone. Really. What does not help “The Last Jedi” is the fact that “The Force Awakens” did absolutely nothing to make me care about the new characters of this new trilogy. I don’t care what happens to them.
The Shape of Water: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” Pretty good. It was. It obviously does not need me to recommend it to get awards for heaven’s sake. To quote, well, me: “It was probably the best of his recent oeuvre. Check it out if you are into that sort of thing. What del Toro does well is he makes the world he created make sense, does body horror very well, and he makes being hit on by Michael Shannon creepier than sex with a fish man. That is talent.”
That takes care of all the new films that did not make the Top Ten. I hope hearing about them helps.
So, lets take a look at the year ahead as it just gets started:
Looking Forward to in 2018:
Proud Mary: Opened early in January but it has been doing smash-bang at the theater I work at. I hope to see it as soon as possible.
Black Panther: Ryan Coogler is breaking boundaries in a more direct way than ever has been before.
Early Man: Anything from Aardman Studios, the home of Wallace and Gromit, is always worth a look to me. Except “Chicken Run”. I have never seen “Chicken Run”. I don’t know why.
Ocean’s 8: I love this idea of an all women version of Ocean’s Eleven. The cast looks stellar and the trailer looks fun.
Incredibles 2: I am so against the idea of a sequel to “The Incredibles” but I may as well see it.
Scarface (Joel and Ethan Coen): I did not now this was even a thing. If they do with it what they did with their adaptation on “True Grit”, it is worth a peek. I have never seen the Depalma version. Not interested.
Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse: Saw the trailer and was immediately placed on my Looking Forward To List.
Creed 2: When they announced he casting of the Son of Drago? This shot up from a Maybe to a Looking Forward To…
“Maybe’s” of 2018
Annihilation – Natalie Portman trying to catch a ride on that “Arrival” gravy train…
A Wrinkle in Time – Oprah Winfrey nearly puts this off the list but director Ava DuVernay makes it worthwhile…
The New Mutants – Loving the horror direction they appear to be going in. Worry not, it will become a schlock superhero standard save the world thing by the end of it.
Avengers: Infinity War – After all of the build up, might as well take a look.
Ant-Man and Wasp – really liked the first one. Doubt they can capture the same magic. Might be the Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2 of the Ant-men films = standard sequel = more of same.
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies – loved the humor show version of “Teen Titans Go”. I don’t know why people got their pants twisted when it went the humor route.
“Why Bother” of 2018
Solo – if you really stop to think about it; neither are any of the “stand alone” movies, stand alone, because they depend so heavily on referencing Star Wars 1977, nor are they necessary because Star Wars is about the Skywalkers, plain and simple. George Lucas stated that…
Deadpool 2 = Standard Sequel = More of the same = More “It’s almost like they can’t afford the rights” jokes which made the first one lame. I have a couple of ideas for these but fans want their references and nothing that really rattles the cages…
Xmen: Dark Phoenix – I hope they make something good of this but I am burnt out on the Young X-Man Adventures.
Aquaman – garbage like the rest of the DCEU and Aquaman was never cool.
Venom – One word, like the actual character: unnecessary.
Death Wish – white man wish fulfillment = gunning down black men.
The Predator – I think I am tired of Predator movies now. I don’t care who’s directing it. You just can’t top that first “GET TO DA CHOPPA” film.
So here we are at last:
This has been another good year for me, book-wise. I was able to read a lot more this year and I have had my mind and eyes opened through reading for the first time in a long time. Is that not the purpose of books to begin with? Unfortunately, due to all the added reading, I have read “Three Kingdoms” only once last year. So, what did I think were the best things in books this past year? Please note that I will not include a list of brand new books, as I have not really gotten around to reading anything new. But without further ado:
10. New! “The Dark Forest” – Cixan Liu – The second part of the “Three Body Trilogy” or by the Chinese title “Remembrance of Earth’s Past Trilogy”. Here we find the planet earth preparing for an invasion from a distant race. I have only began reading this but the first part became so compelling that I do not wish to over-share the plot of the first book for fear of spoiling it for new readers. If you haven’t already, go get “The Three Body Problem”.
9. Still Reading: “The New Jim Crow” Michelle Alexander – Yes, I am still reading this because after every page I read, I have to put it down in frustration.
8. Still Reading: “GODLESS” Dan Baker – Lately, one of my personal heroes. About his de-conversion from an Evangelical minster to one of the nation’s leading atheist advocates. Still reading this one.
7. Digging Up Mother - Doug Stanhope: I checked this out from the library, as I am a fan of some of his stuff. He has a critical eye on some subjects that I think we need. Sometimes, he is an overbearing poor-me mope. I never got past the first three chapters before I lost interest. I think I am more interested in his spoken ideas than his written stories. However, I am very interested in his new book “This is Not Fame”. Maybe I will give that a try instead.
6. Life Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds Meaning – Dan Barker: another one from Barker makes the list. This one on how an atheist finds meaning in life beyond superstition and religion and how it can be a deeper connection. I started it but had to return it to the library because there was a loooong list of holds placed on it. That is an encouraging sign. Since I gave up religion, I knoew I could still be a good person without it. So, I will probably end up buying it at some point.
5. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me - Sherman Alexie: It was not until I began reading this that I realized that Sherman Alexie has his own literary tropes that he relies on. I could not finish it because of this. It got kind of repetitive. However, learning the mental anguish that comes with the number of brain surgeries that he has had recently, I cannot help but think that this repetitiveness is a byproduct of this. Also, the chapter titled “Abu Ghraib” s probably his most powerful piece of writing yet. So, read at your own peril.
4. “THE THREE BODY PROBLEM” Cixan Liu – FINISHED! About an alien invasion that takes place within an online multiplayer video game that asks a participant to try and solve “the three body” problem. I found it difficult to follow at first due to the nature of the sciences involved but I am enjoying it. But the plot goes beyond the conceit of an invasion through a video game and focuses on how humanity reacts and prepares for such an event since communications with the Trisolaris civilization has been established. Compelling read from start to finish. That one twist is pretty good. Check this out when you can.
3. “All of the Real Indians Died Off” - Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Dina Gilio-Whitaker: This delves into 21 common myths about Native Americans. I purchased this to examine Thanksgiving for a presentation I did in November. There is a lot to get into with this book. I am referencing it for a presentation on Stereotypes in March. Check it out if you can. The book, I mean. Not my presentation.
2. Invisible Natives – Armando José Prats – This is become my go-to text for dissecting Native American media representations. It introduces many concepts that help me in my own viewing and reviewing of film that have Native Americans represented in them. Prats’ examination completely transformed how I view non-Native representations of my people. I use this as a textbook in my “Native Americans in Media” course at UWP. I recently started to re-read it and have been underlining and making notes throughout. I give it as a gift as well. So, you may receive a copy at some point if we’re friends. I recommend this heartily.
1. “Three Kingdoms” Luo Guanzhong, translated by Moss Roberts (Still Reading) – You must be so tired of this. Read it if you can. I am updating my reviews of the various editions of “Three Kingdoms” that I did back in 2011. Some newer editions have come out and some other media versions will be included, such as comics, films, and video games. Yep, I am going there.
Now, on to music:
MY MUSIC of 2017
I know a lot of you do not really care about my taste in music. You never will. You all like the grungy-punk-electro-rap so-I-can-mention-MIDI-in-my conversations tip that makes you cool. Well, I never subscribed to being “cool”, no one ever thought I was cool, and I really do not care to be cool. “Cool” is fleeting. Good music is subjective and if you cannot comprehend that, I cannot convince you what makes “good music”. I just know what I like and what appeals to me. I also know that that prior text was written for past year’s list but think of it instead as my sample, that I am looping here, cool?
Here is what I got last year:
VARIOUS ARTISTS: Soundtrack to “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2” – this is jammed to the gills with songs from my youth. Yeah, I’m that old. It holds the charm of nostalgia but as with most things built on nostalgia, it only gravitates towards the recognizable. But an enjoyable gift nonetheless.
Art “Turk” Burton & The Congo Square Ensemble: Spirits: Then & Now – I got this courtesy of the artist, whom I met while sitting on a panel about Indigenous identity in partnership with the Southside Art Center. Art Burton is an interesting guy and I believe I heard his name when I DJ’d at KCWC, which was an Adult Contemporary station “Smooth Jazz and Other Things”. We played a lot of Lite Jazz. But in addition to being a jazz musician, Burton is a historian, studying black history in the Wild West. His forte is gunslingers and lawmen. I asked him his opinion of Wyatt Earp, “He was basically a pimp”. Which coincided with my own opinion. Anyways. This album is really good. Percussion is Burton’s specialty and he excels at it. The track “Cuba” is very cool as is the whole album. I am happy to have received it from the man himself.
U2: Songs of Experience – This is the latest offering from my all-time favorite band. It is phenomenal. At first, when they released their songs, one at a time on YouTube, I couldn’t get into them. Some I didn’t care for. Then, when the album came out and I listened to them as a whole, they all meshed so well together. Also, when a new U2 album comes out, I suddenly fixate on the previous album. For example, when “Achtung Baby!” came out, I started to listen more to “Rattle and Hum”, and when “Song of Innocence” came out, I listened more to “No Line on the Horizon” and so on. It is as if the new material makes me re-appreciate the last album more. But, for some reason, I am fixated on this album. I have not started to relisten to “Songs of Innocence”. Yet. “Lights of Home” is a great song. I enjoy all the callbacks to “Songs of Innocence” in the lyrics and melodies as well. Maybe, that’s why I haven’t gone back. All in all, a very strong album.
The National: Beast Sleep Well – The latest from my newly-favored band. When I was first introduced to The National, I bought their last three albums all at once and enjoyed every one. Here they explore new territory, kind of. I will always have a soft spot for “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness” which to me has become the perfect Skeptics Anthem. Check it out already.
So, that does it for music. Not much but I don’t listen to the radio anymore and am often surprised by what is popular in music these days. Let’s look at what I got on home video this past year.
MY DVDs of 2017
Patience is the greatest key to finding the DVD that you want. I am so happy that places like Disc Replay, Reckless Records, and Half Price Books exist, because I find that, if I am patient enough, I can find my favorite movies on DVD for a steal. That is how I got my vast library of movies.
Dunkirk: Christmas Gift – one of the Top Ten films I saw last year.
Seven Samurai: Half Price Books – Who doesn’t own this movie. I bought a first print DVD from the Criterion Collection because I thought I should have one.
Black Girl: 50% B&N Criterion Sale – Bought this sight-unseen. This is about a Senegalese woman who travels to France to work for a white coupe only to be trapped in a routine of maid service. I began watching it, and have not found time to finish it. It is show in a beautifully raw way, French New Wave, by Senegalese director Ousmane Sembène, whose is considered the greatest director of Senegal. I will find time to finish this one as it intrigues me so.
Le Samouraï (Blu Ray): 50% B&N Criterion Sale – One of my all-time favorite movies. The seminal tale of the lone hitman following his own code, done in such a style of cool that has influenced so many other filmmakers, most notably, John Woo with “The Killer” and indie darling Jim Jarmausch and “Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai”. I don’t even have a Blu-ray player yet felt compelled to own this once it came on market.
Tampopo: 50% B&N Criterion Sale – Another one I purchased sight-unseen. I read the back and heard so many good things about this. It is sooo good, “delicious”, if you will. It is edited like a meal with asides, side plots, and vignettes to the main course of two truckers helping Tampopo become a world-class ramen chef. Endearing, sexy, funny, and shot beautifully. Check this one out if you haven’t already.
Arrival: Sale purchase – One of the Top Ten Films of last year for me. Probably one of the finest examples of science fiction in film for a long time. When aliens arrive, they try to communicate with us and we react only as a limited species can, with threats and violence. A great plea for patience and empathy. A great film.
I Am Not Your Negro: Sale purchase – the best film I saw this year. See Top Ten List below.
Ixcanul: the best film I saw last year. A young Mayan woman tries to escape an arranged marriage and other troubles. The mother is the best character in the story. The best movie I saw last year. So good, that, that bears repeating.
The Wind Rises: Sale purchase – Hideo Miyazaki’s then final film about aviation engineer Jiro Horikoshi. Told subtly and beautifully about a man, who has has a lifelong love affair with flying and his journey to adulthood. There has been minor controversy about this as a lovingly told film about the man who designed the planes that would eventually be used as kamikaze during WWII insulted some.
Taken for what it is, I can understand that. But it should not let you overlook, that rather than a faceless menace behind the Japanese aeronautics industry, there were human being struggling with the morality of what they were doing, whom recognized the futility of war, and whose love of crafting sort of overwhelms it all. This is a beautiful film in any respect.
The Chimes at Midnight: 50% B&N Criterion Sale – I would gladly call this Welles’ Masterpiece had it not been for “The Trial”, “The Magnificent Amersons”, “Citizen Kane” or “F for Fake”. His amalgamation of five Shakespeare plays to tell the sorted and sad story of Falstaff is his best piece of cinema, to be sure. His acting here is also top notch, vastly overlooked. One of my new favorite purchases from Criterion.
Logan: Father’s Day Gift – This was a sweet, touching gift from my little girl. Bonnie says it reminds her of Char and I.
As you can see, I got less DVDs this last year. Thank goodness for sales, resell shops and a whole lot of patience. Let’s move on to movies on the big screen. But first a look back at what I was looking forward to last year:
LOOKING BACK: The Top Ten Films I WAS Looking Forward to in 2017
1. Dunkirk – Christopher Nolan: SEE TOP TEN LIST
2. John Wick: Chapter Two – Chad Stahelski, David Leitch: Meh. The more I think about, the more “Meh” it gets…
3. War for the Planet of the Apes – Matt Reeves: SEE TOP TEN LIST
4. The LEGO Batman Movie – Chris McKay: SEE “Other New Movies I Saw in 2017”
5. Logan – James Mangold: SEE TOP TEN LIST
6. I Am Not Your Negro – Raoul Peck : SEE TOP TEN LIST
7. Saving Banksy – Colin Day: I never did get to see this. Mainly because I realized, I don’t give a shit about Banksy.
The MAYBE’S OF 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 – Enjoyed the first one. But, recapturing the flavor of a success is not success. They will need to really expand on the characters and story.
Thor: Ragnarok – SEE TOP TEN LIST
The Dark Tower – Did not see it
Murder on the Orient Express – SEE TOP TEN LIST
Wonder Woman – All right movie. Certainly not Oscar Worthy. There are better Women Empowerment movies out there that deserved a nomination before this comic book bore.
The “WHY BOTHER” of 2017
A short list of movies I will not bother to see, unless my little girl wants to see them, then, I will, because, I love her:
JUSTICE LEAGUE: I DIDN’T
GHOST IN THE SHELL: THIS TOO
STAR WARS EPISODE VII – Called “The Last Jedi”, I guess we all owed Carrie Fisher to go out and see this suddenly, right? I saw with my girl as she was also interested in the movie. Overall: It was bad; pandering to diversity does not make your film critique-proof. I mean, you already forgot you saw it, right? Looking forward to “Black Panther” now? The only thing I see on this movie is everyone desperately scrambling to defend it. Reminds me of Scientology.
HIDDEN GEMS (Maybe?) THAT I MISSED:
The Red Turtle – an animated gem that I so regret missing on the big screen
Raw – this is a cannibal film that Char was interested in. I wish we could have seen it.
Detroit – Heard lots of great things about this. Sorry to have missed it.
Colossal – I loved the premise but never got to see it on the big screen.
Ladybird – heard all the hype. It’s probably good. Can thousands and thousands of people be wrong? Constantly.
Molly’s Game – looked interesting
I, Tonya – Still a chance to see this one.
Loving Vincent – Love the technique they used but I missed this one.
Roman J Israel Esq. – I saw how it ended but the performance of Denzel Washington is the draw.
The Post – Which I still may see. Rewriting history as The Post often does.
TOP RE-SCREEN & SPECIAL EVENT SCREENINGS OF 2017
From the looks of it, I saw a lot of repeat screenings and special event screenings. Look out; there is a LOT of Orson Welles on this list. Besides being one of my favorite film directors, you have to admit, in his later years, there was a LOT of Orson Welles wherever he went! Ha! Here is what I saw as a re-screening or special event this year:
North By Northwest
Rifftrax Live: Samurai Cop
The Godfather
Rifftrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party
Unforgiven
Rifftrax Live: The Five Doctors
Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time
No reviews here, just a list. Some speak for themselves….
OTHER NEW MOVIES I SAW IN 2016:
Manchester by the Sea: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” Casey Affleck’s nonsense kind of ruins this otherwise very good film. I am always subjected to the opinions of dudes defending him, of how it’s all ruining his career. He’ll be fine. He can cry himself to sleep with his millions of dollars to dry his tears. Imagine being the women that have had to put up with his bullshit.
Arrival (2nd): See DVD’s above.
Split: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” Actually, I was spoiled when I heard that Bruce Willis reprises his “Unbreakable” role and was so looking forward to him helping the young woman out of captivity. It would have fell in line with where we left him at the end of that movie. But, it also kind of disappointed me that it was part of that “Cinematic Universe”. I know the crybabies are crying that Charles Xavier was not nominated, but who cares. It’s now all just become another comic book series…
John Wick: Chapter Two: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” – As stated before, the more I think about it, the more “Meh” it becomes.
The LEGO Batman Movie: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” It did, then, I saw “Coco”.
Kong: Skull Island: Stupid is as Stupid does. We are hard-working Caesars that deserve our bread and circuses.
Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” It does what the standard sequel does, gives us more of the same. Shove in as much 80’s nostalgia as you can and you have a shitty blockbuster….
Alien: Covenant: Added nothing new to the “mythology” of Alien. The more layers peeled back, the shallower it becomes.
Wonder Woman: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” That disastrous fifth act with all the ‘splosions ruined what could have been a neat, concise origin film ala “Superman: The Movie”. As I said, there are much better Woman Empowerment movies out there.
Baby Driver: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” I didn’t care for this one is why. Kevin Spacey ruins it now. That shithead.
Spider-man: Homecoming: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” Meh. It was just Meh.
Atomic Blonde: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” It is a fun, enjoyable action movie that I recommend. Just not one of the best movies of 2017.
Wind River: A crock of shit. Don’t watch it.
Lucky Logan: Funny and enjoyable but nothing outstanding.
It: Not very scary and too dependent on nostalgia. Better than the TV miniseries. Yeah, I said that. Still the creepiest aspect about it is how it sexualized the young female lead. That quarry swim scene is fucking creepy.
Blade Runner 2049: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” I was never a fan of the first one. I enjoyed it as a set piece but it was not a favorite of mine. Here. It is just more of the same, you know = standard sequel.
The Foreigner: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” It did, then I saw “Coco”. This was sitting at Number Ten since I saw it. It is always good to see stars like Jackie Chan still busting ass to give his best. And this is easily the best Old Man/Serious Jackie films. Plus, Pierce Brosnon doing his best Fred MacMurray as a reformed IRS Terrorist is hysterical. Pretty much a variation of “The Limey”, a genre we need more of.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” I know it is nominated for Best Picture and all but the problems I have with it outweigh the one scene that is the heart of the film: The fact that the spousal abuser is forgiven and the racist redeemed outweighing a mother’s grief make this too problematic for me to recommend despite the great performances of MacDormand and Harrelson.
The Disaster Artist: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” Why celebrate mediocrity? Because we are in on the joke, is why.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” The Backlash to the criticisms to this movie reminds me of how Scientology goes after the people who speak out against it. Same tone. Really. What does not help “The Last Jedi” is the fact that “The Force Awakens” did absolutely nothing to make me care about the new characters of this new trilogy. I don’t care what happens to them.
The Shape of Water: I know what you’re asking, “How did this NOT make your Top Ten?” Pretty good. It was. It obviously does not need me to recommend it to get awards for heaven’s sake. To quote, well, me: “It was probably the best of his recent oeuvre. Check it out if you are into that sort of thing. What del Toro does well is he makes the world he created make sense, does body horror very well, and he makes being hit on by Michael Shannon creepier than sex with a fish man. That is talent.”
That takes care of all the new films that did not make the Top Ten. I hope hearing about them helps.
So, lets take a look at the year ahead as it just gets started:
Looking Forward to in 2018:
Proud Mary: Opened early in January but it has been doing smash-bang at the theater I work at. I hope to see it as soon as possible.
Black Panther: Ryan Coogler is breaking boundaries in a more direct way than ever has been before.
Early Man: Anything from Aardman Studios, the home of Wallace and Gromit, is always worth a look to me. Except “Chicken Run”. I have never seen “Chicken Run”. I don’t know why.
Ocean’s 8: I love this idea of an all women version of Ocean’s Eleven. The cast looks stellar and the trailer looks fun.
Incredibles 2: I am so against the idea of a sequel to “The Incredibles” but I may as well see it.
Scarface (Joel and Ethan Coen): I did not now this was even a thing. If they do with it what they did with their adaptation on “True Grit”, it is worth a peek. I have never seen the Depalma version. Not interested.
Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse: Saw the trailer and was immediately placed on my Looking Forward To List.
Creed 2: When they announced he casting of the Son of Drago? This shot up from a Maybe to a Looking Forward To…
“Maybe’s” of 2018
Annihilation – Natalie Portman trying to catch a ride on that “Arrival” gravy train…
A Wrinkle in Time – Oprah Winfrey nearly puts this off the list but director Ava DuVernay makes it worthwhile…
The New Mutants – Loving the horror direction they appear to be going in. Worry not, it will become a schlock superhero standard save the world thing by the end of it.
Avengers: Infinity War – After all of the build up, might as well take a look.
Ant-Man and Wasp – really liked the first one. Doubt they can capture the same magic. Might be the Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2 of the Ant-men films = standard sequel = more of same.
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies – loved the humor show version of “Teen Titans Go”. I don’t know why people got their pants twisted when it went the humor route.
“Why Bother” of 2018
Solo – if you really stop to think about it; neither are any of the “stand alone” movies, stand alone, because they depend so heavily on referencing Star Wars 1977, nor are they necessary because Star Wars is about the Skywalkers, plain and simple. George Lucas stated that…
Deadpool 2 = Standard Sequel = More of the same = More “It’s almost like they can’t afford the rights” jokes which made the first one lame. I have a couple of ideas for these but fans want their references and nothing that really rattles the cages…
Xmen: Dark Phoenix – I hope they make something good of this but I am burnt out on the Young X-Man Adventures.
Aquaman – garbage like the rest of the DCEU and Aquaman was never cool.
Venom – One word, like the actual character: unnecessary.
Death Wish – white man wish fulfillment = gunning down black men.
The Predator – I think I am tired of Predator movies now. I don’t care who’s directing it. You just can’t top that first “GET TO DA CHOPPA” film.
So here we are at last:
EW3'S TOP 10 MOVIES of 2017
This time I will try to keep it to first-run, brand new movies, and not include re-screenings or special event screenings. I was surprised with how many really good, smaller, independent films that were out and no one was paying attention to at all. So here we go with what I thought were the best movies of 2016. It does come down to my own personal taste:
10. MIFUNE: THE LAST SAMURAI, directed by Steven Okazaki – Informative documentary mainly about the working relationship actor Toshiro Mifune had with Akira Kuraosawa. Mifune is considered the finest actor from Japan though his career has not reflected this in the eyes of his followers. This barely did anything to connect him to the Samurai Code or delve deep into his acting process. Still, it was informative of his works with Kurosawa. The audience I saw it with was more in awe of the title graphic “Narrated by Keanu Reeves” than anything else. It is a strong documentary nonetheless. Anything new with Mifune is bound to make my Top Ten.
9. GET OUT, directed by Jordan Peele: A great social experiment and expose of white fragility. Jordan Peele has exceeded expectations with his psychological thriller. This was scary, fun, funny at times, but the affect it had on its audiences is the true accomplishment. It had audiences cheering a black man killing a white family in their own home. This is one of the best movies I saw this year, and this has been pretty good so far, at least for my own movie-viewing experience. Jordan Peele is deft with story and direction, with a tale about a young African-American man, Chris, off to visit his Anglo girlfriend's family for the first time. What become a series of cringe-worthy interactions ratchets-up in tension as Chris slowly uncovers more sinister happenings and works to escape with his girlfriend.
Many folks have been unfairly labeling this a "horror" film, while it does have many horror film tropes, I would characterize it more as a social experiment. "Social experiment" said in my finest Joker impression. I think we need a Native version of this type of movie. While I am sure the horror-expert-wannabes will have everything to say about this, I found it fun, scary, entertaining, while providing uncomfortable social commentary not only within its narrative but upon the audience itself, which is a remarkable feat. Great job to Jordan Peele.
8. MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS directed by Kenneth Branagh: I am a Branagh Fan. Now, I am a fan of Kenneth Branagh as a director. He has tried his hand at almost every genre - Drama (Hamlet), Suspense (Dead Again), War (Henry V), Comedy (In the Bleak Midwinter), Horror (Maru Shelley's Frankenstein), Opera (The Magic Flute), and superhero (Thor). I appreciate the fellow. His "Henry V" showed me that you could Shakespearean drama exciting and romantic.
Here, he directs an adaptation of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express", where, true to the director's ego, he plays the mustachioed Hercule Poirot, while on a lavish train trip on his way to easement and rest, finds himself in the middle of a murder that falls to him to solve.
It was not until this film in particular that I recognized a sort of Branagh Style, a certain charm he brings to the proceedings as a director, both in the performances he codes from his all-star cast but in the lighting, tone, and bits of humor. It feels all very Branagh. Which is fine. I want to see this again. If there is a weakness it must be the ending, while true to the book it is based on, the idea being that when you are a man possessed with perfection that you imperfection stands out to you so much so that you must solve the problem until the right and wrong of the world that any given crime upsets are put back in balance, that sometimes you just have to follow your heart.
That finicky-feel good positivity sort of wrecks his character. I dislike that reason and logic are often throw aside to make people feel better. That wrecks us as a whole. Then, as with every movie that wants to build a "Extended universe", with a callback to a "murder on the bloody Nile", he reverts back to being that un-graduated character.
Still, I enjoyed it despite this flaw as I am a Kenneth Branagh fan and can overlook this as it is not a filmmaking weakness, which we seem to praise nowadays, but an ingrained storytelling one. Best badass line: There are only two people who know the truth, only two - your god, and Hercule Poirot. Time to sole this case!"
Here, he directs an adaptation of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express", where, true to the director's ego, he plays the mustachioed Hercule Poirot, while on a lavish train trip on his way to easement and rest, finds himself in the middle of a murder that falls to him to solve.
It was not until this film in particular that I recognized a sort of Branagh Style, a certain charm he brings to the proceedings as a director, both in the performances he codes from his all-star cast but in the lighting, tone, and bits of humor. It feels all very Branagh. Which is fine. I want to see this again. If there is a weakness it must be the ending, while true to the book it is based on, the idea being that when you are a man possessed with perfection that you imperfection stands out to you so much so that you must solve the problem until the right and wrong of the world that any given crime upsets are put back in balance, that sometimes you just have to follow your heart.
That finicky-feel good positivity sort of wrecks his character. I dislike that reason and logic are often throw aside to make people feel better. That wrecks us as a whole. Then, as with every movie that wants to build a "Extended universe", with a callback to a "murder on the bloody Nile", he reverts back to being that un-graduated character.
Still, I enjoyed it despite this flaw as I am a Kenneth Branagh fan and can overlook this as it is not a filmmaking weakness, which we seem to praise nowadays, but an ingrained storytelling one. Best badass line: There are only two people who know the truth, only two - your god, and Hercule Poirot. Time to sole this case!"
7. WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES, directed by Matt Reeves: Great Third Parts are Rare, Director Matt Reeves has done well with these last two films, showcasing the humanity of Caesar and his following against the brutality of humanity. At the center of this film, in the midst of the larger war, Caesar must come to terms with his own nature when his group suffers a devastating setback. Woody Harrelson is on-hand to be the antagonist of the story as Colonel McCullough, yet because the story is small and immediate, Harrelson's character is not used to its full potential. In fact, he is not as big a threat to Caesar's cadre as has been shown.
But what elevates the film is the core group of Caesar's tribe, Maurice, Rocket, and Luca, who struggle with Caesar in his downward spiral finding McCullough. Their struggles with intelligence is long past them, here, they begin to struggle with the morality that intelligence brings, very smart on the story writer's part. We are a long was from Caesar playing with James Franco. Andy Serkis is once again, so, so great as Caesar and the VFX for the ape character, so compelling, you forget they are all computer creations.
But what elevates the film is the core group of Caesar's tribe, Maurice, Rocket, and Luca, who struggle with Caesar in his downward spiral finding McCullough. Their struggles with intelligence is long past them, here, they begin to struggle with the morality that intelligence brings, very smart on the story writer's part. We are a long was from Caesar playing with James Franco. Andy Serkis is once again, so, so great as Caesar and the VFX for the ape character, so compelling, you forget they are all computer creations.
6. PIXAR’s COCO, directed by Adrain Unkrich and co-directed by Adrian Molina: Even though this is the first movie I saw in 2018, I will be revamping my Top Ten of 2017 because this was so good.
Miguel Rivera is a young boy who wishes to be a musician but in his family of shoemakers, who hates music, feels like he is the odd one out. He looks up to long-deceased music star Ernesto de le Cruz and when Miguel's family's ancestral ban on music, due to the family patriarch leaving his family behind to pursue music, leads Miguel being the outsider of the family. He believe de la Cruz to be his great, great grandfather and, being inspired, decided to make music his life. Unfortunately, when his family blocks his ambitions to play at the local talent contest on the Day of the Dead, Miguel takes matters into his own hands but end up on a quest to find de la Cruz in the land of the dead.
When Miguel steals de la Cruz' guitar, he is taken to the Land of the Dead where he meets Hector, a down-on-his-luck skeleton, who wants Miguel to return his photo to the Land of the Living, so he can be remembered. This is a visually stunning, highly emotional, fun, funny, and very entertaining. We enjoyed the humor the most. A lot of it reminded me of the reservation for some reason. The animation is great, the depth of field as Miguel runs through the streets at night were incredible. I really enjoyed the music as well.
Miguel Rivera is a young boy who wishes to be a musician but in his family of shoemakers, who hates music, feels like he is the odd one out. He looks up to long-deceased music star Ernesto de le Cruz and when Miguel's family's ancestral ban on music, due to the family patriarch leaving his family behind to pursue music, leads Miguel being the outsider of the family. He believe de la Cruz to be his great, great grandfather and, being inspired, decided to make music his life. Unfortunately, when his family blocks his ambitions to play at the local talent contest on the Day of the Dead, Miguel takes matters into his own hands but end up on a quest to find de la Cruz in the land of the dead.
When Miguel steals de la Cruz' guitar, he is taken to the Land of the Dead where he meets Hector, a down-on-his-luck skeleton, who wants Miguel to return his photo to the Land of the Living, so he can be remembered. This is a visually stunning, highly emotional, fun, funny, and very entertaining. We enjoyed the humor the most. A lot of it reminded me of the reservation for some reason. The animation is great, the depth of field as Miguel runs through the streets at night were incredible. I really enjoyed the music as well.
5. MEKKO, directed by Sterlin Harjo: His Best Work Yet. I am including this for 2017 because this was the year I first saw it. "Mekko" is directed by Seminole director Sterlin Harjo. It is the story of a newly released prisoner as he navigates his way in the Native American homeless world of Tulsa, Oklahoma. There he must deal with not only the situation of being homeless but also the dangers of witchcraft that seems to be pervading the community he has become a part of. “Mekko” is possibly Harjo's best film to date, and this is already from such a strong filmography that includes "Barking Water" and "Four Sheets to the Wind". It is beautifully shot, beautifully acted masterpiece that can stand alongside any highly-praised Indie films. It is a wonder he has not been recognized sooner by the industry.
This film is intense and harrowing while being deeply humanistic and personal. It is easily one of the best films I saw in 2017 and why I placed it on this list.
This film is intense and harrowing while being deeply humanistic and personal. It is easily one of the best films I saw in 2017 and why I placed it on this list.
4. THOR: RAGNAROK, directed by Taika Waititi: Again, great Third Parts are rare. Even more rare is when the third film is better than the first two. Marvel's latest addition to their long, long, looooong series of film is most likely their best one, if not, their most fun, and it is done with the most serious, if not, their most stodgy character. This is the Marvel brand through and through.
Thor must try to prevent Ragnarok, the prophesied death of Asgard. But arriving to complicate everything is Hela, the Goddess of Death. You simply must see this, the second best Marvel film for me, after "Logan". Taika Waititi bring his unique brand to the blockbuster mainstream and it seems to be a big hit, which can be seen as another step forward for indigenous filmmakers. Now, if they would only sign me to do a Batman movie. I'm waiting by the phone DC.
Thor must try to prevent Ragnarok, the prophesied death of Asgard. But arriving to complicate everything is Hela, the Goddess of Death. You simply must see this, the second best Marvel film for me, after "Logan". Taika Waititi bring his unique brand to the blockbuster mainstream and it seems to be a big hit, which can be seen as another step forward for indigenous filmmakers. Now, if they would only sign me to do a Batman movie. I'm waiting by the phone DC.
3. LOGAN, directed by James Mangold: Great finale, ruined by the purchase of Fox by Disney… I was the Batman Guy in high school and a bit of a Math Nerd. One day a buddy of mine shows me his drawing of Wolverine stabbing Batman and all the gang laughs as if it were a put down. "Wolverine is more badass than Batman!" was the refrain. I had to agree. I, being the resident Comic Book Geek, had to tell them what was cool about Wolverine and that they could not fight because they belonged to different comic book companies. Yeah, I was that kind of KNow-It-All Shithead. (PS: Knowing about Pop Culture DOES NOT make you a "nerd".)
Wolverine is cool and a badass and I drew him in my notebooks as much as I did Batman. I used to draw a reservation version that wore a mullet and a Batman t-shirt. When the X-Men movies started I too was very much disappointed by the actor selected to play Wolverine. But he had won me over by the time "Days of Future Past" came around. It is indeed a somber affair, of a story about a man who has to learn to give a shit again about the world. Here, we find Logan, hiding out with sickened Professor X and Caliban in 2029's Mexico. All is revealed as a young girl is suddenly thrust into their lives looking for help. They hit the road on the run from the Reavers who seek to recapture her. Still, once I saw the X-24, it was a big, loud reminder that it is indeed a comic book movie. In fact, when the inevitable backlash happens with this film, the X-24 will be at the top of the grievances. For me, it only felt a tiny bit like the Silver Samurai all over again.
It has grown on my even more since I last saw it. Char and I gave it to one another as gifts. This movie has come to mean a lot to the both of us. It is the story of a father and daughter at its core that resonates most with me. I feel it is excellent in every way. I can even appreciate the X-24 being his true nature that he must conquer and that in the end, it is his daughter that does that for him. Great filmmaking.
This THE BEST X-MEN FILM TO DATE. It is what I want from my comic book movies in fact. This should be the baseline for all comic book movies, this and "The Dark Knight", which it has been compared to. Everything assembled here is great, acting, action, characters, scenarios, and cinematography. This is pop art elevated to high art. So, put on your pre-faded Wolvie tee-shirt, and your neck beard and go have a good bro-cry for the sixteenth time.
Wolverine is cool and a badass and I drew him in my notebooks as much as I did Batman. I used to draw a reservation version that wore a mullet and a Batman t-shirt. When the X-Men movies started I too was very much disappointed by the actor selected to play Wolverine. But he had won me over by the time "Days of Future Past" came around. It is indeed a somber affair, of a story about a man who has to learn to give a shit again about the world. Here, we find Logan, hiding out with sickened Professor X and Caliban in 2029's Mexico. All is revealed as a young girl is suddenly thrust into their lives looking for help. They hit the road on the run from the Reavers who seek to recapture her. Still, once I saw the X-24, it was a big, loud reminder that it is indeed a comic book movie. In fact, when the inevitable backlash happens with this film, the X-24 will be at the top of the grievances. For me, it only felt a tiny bit like the Silver Samurai all over again.
It has grown on my even more since I last saw it. Char and I gave it to one another as gifts. This movie has come to mean a lot to the both of us. It is the story of a father and daughter at its core that resonates most with me. I feel it is excellent in every way. I can even appreciate the X-24 being his true nature that he must conquer and that in the end, it is his daughter that does that for him. Great filmmaking.
This THE BEST X-MEN FILM TO DATE. It is what I want from my comic book movies in fact. This should be the baseline for all comic book movies, this and "The Dark Knight", which it has been compared to. Everything assembled here is great, acting, action, characters, scenarios, and cinematography. This is pop art elevated to high art. So, put on your pre-faded Wolvie tee-shirt, and your neck beard and go have a good bro-cry for the sixteenth time.
2. DUNKIRK, directed by Christopher Nolan: this is the other best movie of the year, after "I Am Not Your Negro", which edges this out based on historical significance. This is Christopher Nolan's take in the little-known Dunkirk Evacuation and it is a beautifully shot, extremely tense and suspenseful film. It is both heartbreaking and heart filling. Bravery in all its forms is on display. It is a tightly edited and overall amazing film with an incredible Hans Zimmer score that must be nominated. (I also love seeing the Nolan-haters become Dunkirk Historical Experts suddenly.) I will not describe the plot for you. I will just encourage you to see it. This is Nolan's best film after "The Dark Knight".
1. I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO, directed Raoul Peck: This film will not make any Top Ten Lists for all the truth it contains. No one really wants to hear about the African-American experience from an African-American intellectual. They want it framed as a something else, digestible – gangs, or crime. This documentary uses only the words of author James Baldwin as he begins work on a new writing: a biography of the Civil Rights Movement explored through the lives of three differing perspectives, via the lives of his friends Medger Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Sadly, he would never finish it. But what he uncovers echoes into our current era. The ending montage brings tears to my eyes. Sadly, this film will never make any Top Ten list for all the truth it contains…
So, tune in again next year to see if my opinions match yours or if yours are so much better in musical and movie tastes.
Until next year….
2018 Ernest M Whiteman III
So, tune in again next year to see if my opinions match yours or if yours are so much better in musical and movie tastes.
Until next year….
2018 Ernest M Whiteman III
