Top 10 Films for 2017

With the end of the year in close proximity and the best of 2016 lists currently making their ways around the internet (expect mine to be published at the start of the new year), let's not forget to make note of the possible great movies being released across 2017. Let's hope it's a better selection than this year!

Honourable Mention: La La Land

Okay, so I'm just gonna throw this out there: this is my most anticipated film for the entire year. It's got Oscar glory written all over it (although Moonlight and Manchester by the Sea are riding hot on its tail), is by the same people as 2015's Whiplash, and has a stellar soundtrack going for it. However, the film already made an appearance on my list last year when it was scheduled for a summer release. With the film pushed back to participate in the awards season, it being released in January for we Brits means that it's part of this list but a little unfair to include it twice. So just bear in mind: this is my true #1, but I want to give other films a bit of limelight. Other holdovers from last year that deserve some attention: A Monster Calls, Jackie, Miss Sloane, and The Founder.

#10: Paddington 2

Paddington was a surprisingly charming and sweet film which managed to prove to naysayers that the live action-CGI hybrid movie can actually be done well. It was funny, faithful, and a fun time at the movies. Add the factor that it made $270m worldwide on a $55m budget, and a sequel was truly expected. And with this sequel adding both Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson to the mix, it's safe to say that this little feature is a bear necessity in terms of 2017 viewing.

#9: Justice League

I'm being precautious this time. Man of Steel was a fine enough movie; Batman V Superman an incoherent mess (although I hear the extended edition is better), and Suicide Squad was just offensive to anyone who's ever used editing software. So while Wonder Woman is looking like it has a brighter future ahead of it - more on that later - Justice League is a riskier affair. Zack Snyder is still in the director's chair despite criticism, and the singular trailer hasn't quite grabbed me. But still - it's the Justice League uniting at long last on the big screen. How could I not put it on the list?

#8: Dunkirk

Yay, Christopher Nolan's back! With Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy and Kenneth Branagh! Also, Harry Styles, but let's not bad-mouth him until we see how he performs. Why so low on the list despite being a film by one of cinema's most popular modern auteurs? Quite simply, it's a war film, which has never really interested me so it's a riskier sell on my part.

#7: Baby Driver

Another highly-anticipated entry from a beloved modern director, Baby Driver marks the return of Edgar Wright following the conclusion of the Cornetto Trilogy (and his public departure from helming Ant-Man), meaning this latest effort has plenty to prove in terms of how good a filmmaker he is outside of his familiar element. With the likes of Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx in the cast, it's only a matter of time before we finally catch a glimpse of the new film - and I for one am excited to see what he has to offer.

#6: Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Kingsman: The Secret Service was a surprise success story for 20th Century Fox despite its suddenly-delayed release; a funny action flick that featured arguably one of the best action sequences in recent years in the form of a single shot showdown in a church. Add that it gave the studio proof that an R-rated action film could earn money (Deadpool doing even better a year later) and it helped pave the way towards bolder action movies. Plus the film turned out great. So why not higher on the list? Well, it seems a little rushed in my eyes, and the return of Colin Firth seems a little too shady, even if it ends up being a homage of sorts.

#5: Cars 3/Coco

In 2017, Pixar are returning to the two movie slate that they followed in 2015 with a sequel and an original film - both risky affairs. Cars 3 has the difficult task of following on from Pixar's worst movie, whereas Coco is a Mexican adventure into the underworld - which didn't exactly sell well back when The Book of Life was released. But with some solid people working on both projects and it being Pixar efforts, it can at least be banked on that both will be fine movies; whether they'll be up there with the classics is anyone's guess.

#4: Wonder Woman

Here she is! Out first female-led superhero movie in well over a decade and with an actual female director (Patty Jenkins), Wonder Woman is slowly but surely looking like Warner Brothers' best hope at igniting an actual sense of quality to the DCEU. Add the factor that Geoff Johns - who's been working on the current slate of DC shows for The CW and for the comics - co-wrote the screenplay and has been promoted to being essentially the head of the brand, and there's a little more hope to be had. Plus Gal Gadot was the best thing about BvS despite having little to do.

#3: War for the Planet of the Apes

It's strange to think that a trilogy of prequels has so far been a great move. 2011's Rise was a solid setup for what could have been an easy cash-grab, whist 2014's Dawn was one of the year's best movies despite a familiar premise. And with things getting even tenser between man and monkey, the next and potentially final instalment to the series is looking as strong as ever. Add an action-packed teaser and another great performance from Andy Serkis, and this Apes continuation could end up being the best one yet.

#2: The Marvel Collection (Logan/Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2/ Spider-Man: Homecoming/Thor: Ragnarok)

Next year is such a packed one for fans of the Marvel brand - whether it be for the big Cinematic Universe, the X-Men fans or just those who love Spidey - that it's too difficult to separate them all. Each new entry has plenty to be excited about; from the dark and gritty farewell to Hugh Jackman's beloved Canadian grump to a Thor/Hulk team-up venture across the Nine Realms, it's hard not to be excited about any of them. Add the little tidbits we've seen for each one (the trailers for the first three have been amazing, whilst Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi's Thor short was hilarious) and it looks like a solid year for the True Believers. Why not #1? Well, it wouldn't be fair to make it a four-way tie, plus there's one movie that comes out before all of them that deserves plenty of praise...

#1: The LEGO Batman Movie

Yep, I'm giving the top spot to a DC movie. But not just any DC movie, a DC movie which is bound to make people laugh out loud and look at the Caped Crusader in a whole new light. Will Arnett's interpretation of the character was one of the best bits of The LEGO Movie, so giving him a solo movie set within his own world that takes a comedic look at his legacy is just the right thing to cleanse the palette after his previous cinematic entries. Add some spot-on castings with the likes of Ralph Fiennes and Michael Cera, some fun visual gags and plenty of Easter eggs to be found (the trailers have already hinted at Gremlins and Daleks making an appearance), this early 2017 release is bound to be a hit. Also be sure to keep an eye out on The LEGO Ninjago Movie, who's short film in front of Storks promises more of the same calibre of comedy.

Other Noteworthy Releases:

• Kong: Skull Island
• Beauty and the Beast
• Alien: Covenant
• Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
• Star Wars: Episode VIII

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) Film Review

When the much-beloved Harry Potter franchise drew to a close back in 2011 with the $1bn-grossing Deathly Hallows Part Two, most would have expected that the Wizarding World had finally been complete following a solid decade of adventures featuring the Boy Who Lived. However, the past few years has seen a sudden invigoration for the franchise, with a sorta-sequel stage play set some years after the final book's epilogue and now a multi-film franchise based entirely on a textbook that Harry and company read during their time at Hogwarts. Yes, that's right: a multi-film franchise based on a textbook. Granted, it has its creative liberties thanks largely to the fact that the book consists mainly of creature descriptions, but one would assume that it's quite a big move to hedge a multi-million dollar series on a school book – although considering what else studio Warner Brothers has been universe-building as of late, it makes sense to them. But with author and creator J.K Rowling taking the screenwriting helm for the very first time and director David Yates returning to the series after a brief Tarzan detour, all should probably be set for a magical adventure... 

It's 1926, and the Wizarding World is in a state of panic thanks to the attacks across Europe by the evil Grindelwald and his sudden disappearance. With New York City already facing some problems thanks to mysterious attacks on No-Majs (or Muggles, as Brits refer to them as), it perhaps isn't the best time for one Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to arrive from London with a suitcase filled with bizarre animals and accidently switch it with an aspiring baker (Dan Fogler's Jacob Kowalski) at the bank. So when a good few number of these beasts – including a magpie-esque Niffler and a bird-snake hybrid Occamy – ends up escaping the case, Scamander must team up with Jacob, disgraced Auror Tina (Katherine Waterson) and her legilimen sister Queenie (Alison Sudol) in retrieving all the missing specimens once again, whilst being under threat by high-ranking Auror Percival Graves (Colin Farrell); who’s secretly trying to figure out his own quest involving a family devoted to the destruction of witchcraft. With all his animals let loose "in alien terrain surrounded by millions of the most vicious creatures on the planet" and a bigger threat at large, will the quiet and secluded Newt become the hero he may need to become?

Despite seeming like it has a few too many storylines going on for a simple Harry Potter/Pokémon mash-up (and in a way it does, as a good chunk of business involving a rich family and their aspiring senator son adds little to the overarching plot), Fantastic Beasts is thankfully a simple enough story to follow with some genuinely surprising twists and turns for its B-plot. Those hoping for plenty of animal escapades will likely be disappointed that the whole film doesn't focus entirely on said antics and the pacing does often ebb and flow to differing results, but when each and ever storyline correlates for the final act it makes the entire adventure a satisfying journey. The fun, of course, comes mostly from the creatures, with plenty of big laughs coming from Kowalski's bafflement over this strange new world and what each beast brings about, but the darker nature still compliments the light-heartedness of the main quest and the two together creates a solid main story – even if, as I said, the brief deviations towards the rich No-Majs adds very little to the overarching storyline.

In the lead role as Newt Scamander, Eddie Redmayne continues to prove to his critics that he's a solid actor. His eccentric but quiet protagonist is loveable and charming that it makes it difficult to really hate him. He does occasionally mumble his lines, but that's the only big problem he brings to the table. Katherine Waterson, on the other hand, has an unfortunate case of being a little underdeveloped as a character despite being the female lead. Her role as a disgraced Auror leaves her coming across a little stupid every time she bursts into a room in the MACUSA, and she repeatedly makes a certain upset face, but Waterson still does her best and still comes across as a likeable element. Dan Fogler is the biggest surprise, though, easily stealing every scene he's in and delivering a solid performance. He does start blending into the background as the film draws to a close – with no real impact in the climatic final battle – but also brings about the film's big emotional moment. Add to his chemistry with the lovely Alison Sudol (who also delivers), and he makes it as the film's MVP. Colin Farrell fits his menacing role well and in turn adds yet another solid performance to his resume; Ezra Miller's introverted Credence comes across as a solid counterpart to our hero's more charismatic side; Samantha Morton is menacing as the leader of the witch hate group; Carmen Ejogo makes for a fine, if underused, MACUSA President; Ron Perlman is equally underused as a shady goblin dealer, and Jon Voight turns up just remind us that sometimes he can actually turn up in good movies. 

On the technical side of things, David Yates makes a massive improvement over his work back in The Legend of Tarzan. It's clear that the Wizarding World is where he can make best use of his talents, as his previous experience on the final four instalments gives him a clear understanding of the excessive CGI and magical worlds. And with some fine cinematography work from Philippe Rousselot (who's worked on many a Tim Burton production alongside this year's The Nice Guys), some stunning visual effects work from the countless production companies and excellent costume design, the technical aspects all come together to create a great-looking movie; all while revelling in James Newton Howard's main theme music. The score does often bring about the familiar tunes of Hedwig's Theme from the original franchise, but it only helps tie together the two series.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them may not be what many people were expecting from a continuation of the stories within the Wizarding World, but it certainly works as one of the better semi-prequels to ever be released. Thanks to a mostly-great cast of characters, loveable creatures and a fine story to behold, it feels so good to return to the world of Harry Potter again, even if the studios want to milk it to the ground with four sequels. But as far as ambitious franchise builders go – especially in a year with Batman V Superman, Ghostbusters and Warcraft under its wing – Fantastic Beasts is certainly one of the best ones. A really good adventure to be had. 8/10.