Rath Awards 2017

I say this every year, I know, but it's hard to believe this is the 7th (!!) Annual Rath Awards already. 2017 was an awesome year where I grew a lot and, while it may have been a whirlwind, I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

For the segments that we're discussing in particular -- a reminder that these Awards cover MUSIC, TV, GAMES, and MOVIES -- it was an eventful and well-spread out year of quality, meaning things were harder to track because there was So. Much. 

But here's my best stab at summing up my personal favorite things of 2017 as defined by the above mediums. As always, this is a LOOOOOONNNGG post. Tag it, read a section, come back to it, read some more. Or just read the whole damn thing in one, awesome sitting. Your call! Either way, I want to hear from you in the comments. Agree? Disagree? Love my selections? Want to murder me? Let me know! (Except the last one...keep that to yourself). 

And if you'd like to read any previous installments of the Rath Awards -- which is seriously a trip through time and blogging quality, I assure you -- click the corresponding years here: 2016 // 2015 // 2014 // 2013 // 2012 // 2011

This was an odd year in music for me because I felt as if all my favorite songs were singles, the weapon of choice for artists now it seems. I did my best to build my nomination list throughout the year but really struggled to include full albums. I sincerely almost thought about forgoing this medium this year. But luckily a combination of end-of-year releases and tracking in Spotify led me to more than enough albums (almost too many) to try and choose from. Shall we?

BEST IN GENRE | R&B
War & Leisure by Miguel
SYRE by Jaden Smith

Winner: SYRE by Jaden Smith
Runner-up: War & Leisure by Miguel

Another year, another seemingly lacking R&B genre. Perhaps it's just that I don't pay attention to this genre as much anymore? Either way, Jaden Smith came out of nowhere to surprise me this year -- say what you will about him and his cooky exploits, but SYRE is a trip that shows a professionalism I didn't expect from him. 

BEST IN GENRE | ALTERNATIVE

I See You by The xx

hopeless fountain kingdom by Halsey

LANY by LANY

Gone Now by Bleachers

The Aviary by Galantis

Presence by Petit Biscuit

Winner: Presence by Petit Biscuit
Runner-up: LANY by LANY

I think that perhaps the alternative genre had quietly one of the better years of any genre. It delivered throughout the entire year and Presence was a joyful surprise for me on what I dub "New Music Friday". I clicked on it because of the great cover art and the rest is history -- it's some fantastic listening music and one of the more intricate albums of the year. 

BEST IN GENRE | RAP & HIP-HOP
I Decided. by Big Sean
DAMN by Kendrick Lamar
BOOMIVERSE by Big Boi
Double or Nothing (& Metro Boomin) by Big Sean and Metro Boomin
cybersex by Blackbear

Winner: DAMN by Kendrick Lamar
Runner-up: Double or Nothing (& Metro Boomin) by Big Sean and Metro Boomin

I mean...was it going to be anything else? Other than Big Sean having one HELL of a year, Kendrick's album was a powerhouse of lyrical ability and hard hitting beats. It elevated his game and was a worth successor to his earlier albums. 

BEST IN GENRE | POP

Funk Wave Bounces Vol 1. by Calvin Harris

Memories...Do Not Open by The Chainsmokers

Witness by Katy Perry

Red Pill Blues by Maroon 5

Beautiful Trauma by P!nk

reputation by Taylor Swift

Winner: Beautiful Trauma by P!nk
Runner-up: Red Pill Blues by Maroon 5

A bit of an odd year for Pop as I feel like some of the albums I placed in there bleed into other categories, but from a pure pop standpoint, I think P!nk has a killer album with a lot of popular, highly-listenable tracks, a surprising number of which are both catchy and biting. 

BEST HIT SONG
Stay (feat. Alesia Cara) by Zedd
Something Just Like This (feat. Coldplay) by The Chainsmokers
Shape of You by Ed Sheeran
...Ready For It? by Taylor Swift
What Lovers Do (feat. SZA) by Maroon 5
What About Us by P!nk
Super Far by LANY
No Promises (feat. Demi Lovato) by Cheat Codes
Friends (feat. Justin Bieber) by Bloodpop

Winner: Stay (feat. Alesia Cara) by Zedd
Runner-up: Friends (feat. Justin Bieber) by Bloodpop

The disclaimer that these songs were at/near the top of the charts, this is always a fun award for me because boy oh boy do I love a catchy tune. And a lot of these give me energy throughout my day, or at the gym, or on a dancefloor, but ultimately Stay was well orchestrated enough to earn my top spot...but followed very closely by Friends because #canwebefriends?

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

P!nk

Big Sean

Kendrick Lamar

Taylor Swift

Ed Sheeran

Demi Lovato

LANY

Winner: Big Sean
Runner-up: P!nk

Obviously these are all some big names on here by Big Sean deserves the credit and praise for providing some fantastic end caps to the year. He stared 2017 off with his solo rap album (of which is in the running for my AOTY) and then closed out the year with a collaboration with Metro Boomin for an utterly impressive display of hard, gym-worthy beats and flows. To put out one great album in a year is impressive. To do it twice is almost unheard of. 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
5 | LANY by LANY
4 | reputation by Taylor Swift
3 | Double or Nothing (& Metro Boomin) by Big Sean and Metro Boomin

1 | DAMN by Kendrick Lamar
2 | Presence by Petit Biscuit

Every year it's an exciting new adventure making my albums of the year list. Some years it's easy (and hard not to do a Top 10) while others its a struggle to get to 5. This year existed somewhere in between and the placement of each of my choices was difficult. But DAMN by Kendrick is so potent that it deserves top spot. It's Kendrick pushing himself but also delivering on what he does best. Unrelated side note: despite her career-worst initial single (yes, "Look What You Made Me Do" was that bad), reputation is a very worthy follow up in TSwift's resume.

Television, unsurprisingly, continues to be in its Golden Age. There's just so much quality TV out there to watch that this is definitely the medium I struggle, and will likely continue to struggle most to see everything I think I should. There will likely be huge omissions in here because I don't have services like Hulu or Showtime or whatnot but there's not much I can do about that. I'm but only a single man...who still watched a lot of damn good TV this year. 

BEST NEWCOMER
Dark
The Punisher
American Vandal
Big Little Lies
Legion

Winner: Dark
Runner-up: Big Little Lies

Clearly I missed a lot of this year's newcomers, but I'm still proud of fitting in the shows I did despite only giving up on a couple of long-standing shows during the off season (does anyone care what happens on Walking Dead anymore? I sure don't). Dark proved to be an engrossing...ahem...darker time-travel narrative with echoes of Stranger Things and It. Don't let the subtitles (it's in German) throw you off from a technically brilliant and captivating story. 

BEST SUPERHERO SHOW

Arrow

The Flash

DC's Legends of Tomorrow

The Punisher

Legion

Winner: DC's Legends of Tomorrow
Runner-up: (TIE) Legion and The Punisher

As great as newcomers Legion and The Punisher were, there's really not much more fun to be had this year than Legends of Tomorrow when its in its groove, which is pretty much every episode these days. Currently sitting atop the Arrow-verse in terms of quality and week-to-week intrigue, Legends of Tomorrow has somehow, shockingly, become a zany, quirky, but incredibly fun ride through time with some of the most likable heroes in recent memory. They're a dysfunctional family, but damn do they know how to have some fun. Also...note how The Defenders is nowhere to be found. Because it was f**king awful.

MOST ANTICIPATED
Better Call Saul Season 4
Westworld Season 2
Jessica Jones Season 2                        

Winner: Westworld Season 2
Runner-up: Better Call Saul Season 4

Truth be told this is a short list because, well, not all that much has been confirmed for 2018. It could come, but for the most part the biggies (i.e. Game of Thrones) are being hush on their return as it could likely bleed into the next year. Doesn't really matter though because I'm excited as hell for HBO's new-age GoT to get back to the Wild West. I still may not understand everything that happened in the heady finale, but the intrigue and mystery from Season 1 will surely carry over into this awesome show.

BEST EPISODE

Chicanery | Better Call Saul

Lian Yu | Arrow

The Thief | Master of None

The Spoils of War | Game of Thrones

The Book of Nora | The Leftovers

The Ricklantis Mixup | Rick and Morty

Thanksgiving | Master of None

The Gate | Stranger Things 2

Winner: The Book of Nora | The Leftovers
Runner-up: Chicanery | Better Call Saul

Holy s**t was this a difficult one this year. There were so many great hours of TV that it's hard to pick one and I sincerely thought I might have a tie. Hell just picking between all the Master of None and Leftovers episodes was difficult enough then you throw other shows in there. How's a guy supposed to choose? In the end, Leftovers made it easy with a touching, somber, but fitting finale. We got an answer [if we/you want to accept it] depending on how you look at it and this beautiful, under-watched show got a near-perfect sendoff. Not to mention there was plenty of piano solo so I basically cried the whole time I guess...

BEST ACTOR

Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill in Better Call Saul

Michael McKean as Chuck McGill in Better Call Saul

Aziz Ansari as Dev in Master of None

Kit Harrington as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones

Justin Theroux as Kevin Garvey in The Leftovers

Winner: Justin Theroux as Kevin Garvey in The Leftovers
Runner-up: Michael McKean as Chuck McGill in Better Call Saul

This was an easy decision and that shouldn't be an insult to the other nominees. Justin Theroux is a tremendous actor and The Leftovers allows him to display his wide range of emotions, mainly pain and torment, while also allowing him to be darkly humorous. Season 3 was a capstone performance and a love letter to the series from its main character.

BEST ACTRESS

Danielle Brooks as Tastee in Orange is the New Black

Robin Wright as Claire Underwood in House of Cards

Lena Heady as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones

Carrie Coon as Nora Durst in The Leftovers and Gloria Burgle in Fargo

Nicole Kidman as Celeste in Big Little Lies

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things 2

Kristen Bell as Eleanor in The Good Place

Winner: Carrie Coon as Nora Durst in The Leftovers and Gloria Burgle in Fargo
Runner-up: Nicole Kidman as Celeste in Big Little Lies

Despite the other amazing females on this list, this one has been a lock for Carrie Coon for quite some time, particularly for her co-star role of Nora Durst on the final season of The Leftovers. Her quest becomes the most important and intriguing one on the show and she gives it everything she has. In Fargo, she plays a quirky cop who's just seekin justice doncha know? And does equally impressive work with subtle humor. In the land of TV, it was undoubtedly Carrie's year. 

BEST SHOW | COMEDY

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Orange is the New Black

Rick and Morty

The Good Place

Modern Family

Master of None

Winner: (TIE) Master of None and Rick and Morty
Runner-up: (TIE) Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Good Place

Clearly, I can barely make up my mind here as 4 out of 6 nominations won something, but it was a great year for comedy. While Brooklyn Nine-nine undoubtedly made me laugh the hardest and The Good Place is about as smart as it gets, there were two shows that challenged me more. Rick and Morty had a poignantly dark season while still managing to be hilarious and it's clear that show knows no bounds or limitations. On the flip side we have Master of None with a near-perfect season of special episodes that are so thoughtful and unique from one another you just can't help but fall in love and laugh at Dev's antics. Two mightily worthy shows here.

BEST SHOW | DRAMA

The Leftovers

Fargo

Designated Survivor

Better Call Saul

House of Cards

Game of Thrones

Stranger Things 2

Dark

The Punisher

Big Little Lies

Legion

Winner: Stranger Things 2
Runner-up: (TIE) The Leftovers and Better Call Saul

Although Better Call Saul had a Breaking-Bad-quality season and The Leftovers was...well...The Leftovers, I still can't deny that some of the most fun and intrigued I've been while in front of my TV this year was with this group of kids. Naysayers of Season 2 can go get lost in the Upside Down because it was a well-paced, acted, funny, and adventurous time that expanded the story and gave us some great character moments (Steve and Dustin, anyone?). Not to mention, it probably has the best original music of any medium this year. Yes...even better than the movies.

2017 was a weird year for gaming. If you had only a PS4 and an Xbox One, it probably felt pretty barren aside from a couple exclusives as most everything that's uber-exciting comes next year. I wouldn't say it was outright bad, but with those two consoles I didn't play much that pushed the industry forward or wowed me. But if you had a Nintendo Switch, then my God, what a year you had! Arguably three classics came your way within the span of a few months and even more astonishing, you could now play them on the go. Which...is why I caved and got a Nintendo Switch late in the year. My work travel will likely increase in 2018 and from the sounds of it, there were some unmissable games on hand for the ultra-cool portable console. I'll probably not ever get around to reviewing them because they're so far behind now, but I felt it appropriate to include them here as they are more than worthy of several awards. 

MOST ANTICIPATED (confirmed in 2018)
God of War
Red Dead Redemption 2
Far Cry 5
Anthem
Spider-man

Winner: Red Dead Redemption 2
Runner-up: Spider-man

We'll start with the award that has nothing to do with this year and talk about just how awesome 2018 may be, especially if you have a PS4 -- which looks likely to have a year similar to Nintendo's 2017. But at the very least we'll all be getting the gift of more Red Dead from Rockstar which is sure to be nothing short of incredible given their track record as of late. 

BEST SOUNDTRACK / ORIGINAL SCORE
Horizon: Zero Dawn

Destiny 2

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Assassins Creed Origins

Winner: (TIE) Horizon: Zero Dawn and Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Runner-up: (TIE) Destiny 2 and Assassins Creed Origins

Clearly it was a great year for music in games as you can see by the double tie we have going on. I felt like music added so much to the games I played this year -- the tension, excitement, quieter moments, emotion, etc. A lot of it stemmed from the original music that continues to get better and better in games. The top two games there are not only two of the year's best games, but also feature some of the most compelling music of the year.

BEST GRAPHICS
Horizon: Zero Dawn
Mass Effect Andromeda
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Assassins Creed Origins
Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Star Wars Battlefront II

Winner: Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Runner-up: Horizon: Zero Dawn

The PS4 often runs the yard on this category not necessarily because of it's powerful hardware, but because it features developers who know how to milk its hardware for every once of power. Naughty Dog is the king of doing so and it showed in their newest Uncharted chapter with visuals that were so painfully gorgeous and real it made the adventure you were on feel all the more in-your-face. That's what good graphics are supposed to do.

MOST FUN

Horizon: Zero Dawn

Destiny 2

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

Super Mario Odyssey

Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Star Wars Battlefront II

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War

Winner: Star Wars Battlefront II 
Runner-up: Super Mario Odyssey

My review hasn't gone live as of the time of writing this, but suffice it to say that Battlefront II has its fair share of problems. Being fun (once the games actually begin) is not one of them. The on-foot gameplay still has the thrill of being intense Star Wars-fueled riots, but it's really the space battles in this second installment that are absolutely breathtaking. Personally, they're maybe my favorite piece of gaming to come from this year (not saying Battlefront II is my favorite game though) and they can often be intense, close games that make you really feel like a talented pilot in space. Whenever I'm in space in this game, I'm giddy. 

BEST MULTIPLAYER
Call of Duty WWII
Destiny 2
Star Wars Battlefront II

Winner: Destiny 2 
Runner-up: Call of Duty WWII

It wasn't nearly as iconic of a year as last years multiplayer scene unfortunately and some other key MP games that came out (PUBG comes to mind) I never got to. Nonetheless, Destiny 2 is a worthy winner here as the game was a better fleshed out version of its predecessor and featured(s) a lot to do with friends and against them. The improved Crucible mode (PVP) is also an added bonus. 

BEST CAMPAIGN

Horizon: Zero Dawn

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Assassins Creed Origins

Winner: Horizon: Zero Dawn
Runner-up: Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

There hasn't been a game for quite some time that has had me feeling the wonder and the mystery of the world at nearly every turn. Horizon, the best PS4 exclusive this year and the single best new IP to come out of 2017, always kept me wanting to learn more and eagerly progress through it's smart level design, memorable, intricate machine-beasts, and tight, bad-ass gameplay. It was truly a treasure and has stuck with me for many months. 

BEST STORY
Horizon: Zero Dawn
Assassins Creed Origins
Call of Duty WWII
Mass Effect Andromeda
Star Wars Battlefront II

Winner: Horizon: Zero Dawn
Runner-up: Mass Effect Andromeda

I may be alone in my choice for runner-up (I love my stories in space!), but I likely am not in yet another award going to Horizon: Zero Dawn. It was a post apocalyptic world of the strangest order -- one where humans are primitive, but some highly advanced technology exists and it was clear that something catastrophic happened. Expertly, this all unraveled evenly across the lengthy campaign and with answers that not only satisfied but shocked. Couple that with the fact that a good portion of the game is actually in Denver/Colorado (finding "Red Rocks" and "Mile High Stadium" clones are beyond cool) and I was drooling for every detail I could get. Simply incredible. 

GAME OF THE YEAR

5 | Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

4 | Assassin's Creed Origins

3 | Super Mario Odyssey

1 | Zelda: Breath of the Wild
2 | Horizon: Zero Dawn

This would have been a kind of weak list without those Switch games, I'm not going to lie. I'm not entirely sure what games I would have filled up two more spots with! But that's not the case and we were treated with some classic games. Zelda, even though I've not made my way through much of it, feels like a game that pushes the industry forward to a new level of quality and thinking, much like the runner-up, Horizon: Zero Dawn. It's gorgeous, fun, features some wildly awesome physics, and is almost impossible to put down, especially considering that you can, you know...play it anywhere. What a time to be alive!                

And so we finally make it to the beefiest section of these awards: movies! 2017 was a good year for cinema with a lot of films that were entertaining, but also many that connected with real life issues and trends occurring in every day life. Timeliness seemed to be a theme throughout the year and helped certain films to speak more powerfully across the medium. I saw my least amount of films this year at 61 (my record was 77 in 2015) but I'm perfectly ok with that and honestly, stepping back a bit helped me to appreciate movies more overall. So here's what I thought about those 61 films from 2017!

*Please note that all nominated/awarded film reviews can be found on the site. Linking all of them causes significant (and ugly) formatting problems so I've refrained from doing it here...because I'm picky*

BEST RETRO REVIEWED FILM
The Godfather
The Godfather Part II
The Godfather Part III
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Winner: The Godfather
Runner-up: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

While I may have seen less films in theaters this year, I did make it a mission to Retro Review a LOT of films. Mainly the whole Godfather trilogy and the Star Wars films. I enjoyed my time with each (mostly) but it was really the first Godfather film that I was absolutely blown away by. Memorable from start to finish and that rare older film that ages so well you'd think it may have been made yesterday. Truly a classic.

BEST MONTH

March

July

September

November

Winner: July (avg. score of 9.0)
Runner-up: September (avg. score of 8.6)

As you can see from the films laid out above, July was a great month at the movies across several genres. Along with Dunkirk, which was the only perfect score I gave this year, you had a fantastic final film in a trilogy, a lighthearted reboot of a beloved character, a touching comedy, and...well..Charlize Theron kicking ass. What more could you want in a month?

BEST SEASON
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Winner: (TIE) Summer and Fall (avg. score of 8.04)
Runner-up: Winter (avg. score of 7.93)

Again, a stellar, and wide ranging group of films in our first ever (and very surprising) tie of best seasons. You may not agree with every score, sure, but most audiences would agree that these films are some of the year's best (and biggest) spanning over a 6 month period. 

RATH'S WRATH (aka WORST MOVIE)
Rough Night

The Dark Tower

Geostorm

"Winner": The Dark Tower
Runner-up: Geostorm

I've seen less bad films this year (part of the reason for my lower film count) because I just can't justify the time they waste anymore. These three films were all pretty bad or forgettable but I fault The Dark Tower the most for just absolutely botching everything except the casting of Idris Elba. The premise was always going to be difficult to wrangle, but what we're left with is just an utterly vapid, forgettable, and awful attempt. It has not aged well throughout the year in my mind. 

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
A Cure for Wellness
Alien: Covenant
It Comes at Night
The Dark Tower
Justice League

"Winner": Alien Covenant
Runner-up: It Comes at Night

I'll likely get flak for the runner-up but that film's marketing was bulls**t. It didn't really hold a candle to Alien Covenant though in terms of what I was expecting vs. what I got. Covenant was a gorgeous film and exciting to a certain extent, but features characters so dumb that it's hard not to root for the Alien. Not to mention, Ridley Scott continues to pursue the asinine "engineered creatures" plot that I cannot garner any interest for. Suffice it to say I'll likely not be raring to line up for the next Alien installment, if there is one.

BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS

The Great Wall

Kong: Skull Island

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

War for the Planet of the Apes

Blade Runner 2049

Thor Ragnarok

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

Winner: War for the Planet of the Apes
Runner-up: Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

Star Wars probably has more "wow" special effects, but there's also a lot more obvious green screen in a handful of scenes (which is pretty much unacceptable for a film that may make $2B) so that's why it loses out here to War for the Planet of the Apes. Featuring the best motion capture out of the whole trilogy, it's an amazing thing to watch as the screen fills with humans and apes, and you're struggling to tell which ones are CGI and which ones are real. 

BEST SOUND | SOUND EDITING 
The Great Wall
The LEGO Batman Movie
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Wonder Woman
Spider-man: Homecoming
mother!
It
Dunkirk
Wind River
Blade Runner 2049
Coco
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
The Greatest Showman

Winner: Dunkirk
Runner-up: Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

This was one of this year's easiest awards on the count of Dunkirk's sound was a significant component to the experience of the film. Plane engines are horrendously loud (in the best of ways), bullets fire and ricochet with gusto, and explosions nearly get to that point where they leave ringing in your ears. It's loud, but incredibly effective. 

FUNNIEST MOVIE

The LEGO Batman Movie

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Baywatch

Spider-man: Homecoming

It

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Thor Ragnarok

Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri

Winner: Thor Ragnarok
Runner-up: (TIE) It and Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri

It was a super off year for comedy (mostly) as many of the targeted comedies fell flat on their face, not to mention there just didn't seem to be all that many. So audiences were forced to look elsewhere but there was still much to love. Thor Ragnarok winning this is no surprise because of Taika Waititi being at the director's helm. His awesome blend of humor comes alive with Ragnarok for jokes and physical gags that aren't just niche to fans, but funny to all.

BEST ANIMATED FILM
The LEGO Batman Movie
Coco

Winner: The LEGO Batman Movie
Runner-up: Coco

Yeah...soooo...I...uh...didn't see many animated films this year. You might say that they were the film type I cut down on the most and I felt like most of them looked painfully, dreadfully average. I did enjoy both of these films though but ultimately I love Batman and LEGO so he/it gets the prize. I'm still beyond impressed with these films' animation of all the separate LEGO pieces, but even as a film it was hilarious and heartfelt and *gasp* gave us the best Batman movie this year. 

BEST ACTION

John Wick: Chapter 2

Logan

The Fate of the Furious

Wonder Woman

Baby Driver

Atomic Blonde

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

Winner: (TIE) Baby Driver and Atomic Blonde
Runner-up: (TIE) John Wick: Chapter 2 and Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Honestly, this one came down to the last second where I called an audible. I realized that despite my issues with Baby Driver (which haven't set well with me I suppose), none of it was related to the action and the musicality of it all. It's a living, breathing film and so unique that it deserves this win...along with...Atomic Blonde! Not sure there's much explaining needed here other than Charlize Theron + extended ass-kicking scenes + 80s music = winning this award. Shout out to our double tie in the Runner-up section as well because it was a fun year for action at the movies!

BIGGEST SURPRISE
The Lost City of Z
Atomic Blonde
It
mother!
The Greatest Showman

Winner: The Greatest Showman
Runner-up: (TIE) The Lost City of Z and mother!

This is always a hard award to explain and it's really just determined at a personal level what I thought I'd get going into a movie and subsequently being pleasantly surprised (or in mother!'s case...just baffled) with what I got. We could talk all day about how The Greatest Showman drops the ball, but I also walked out of the theater with one of the biggest grins on my face of the year. Wasn't expecting that at all. 

MOVIE I MOST OVERRATED

Free Fire

Ghost in the Shell

Life

Justice League

mother!

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

"Winner": Free Fire
Runner-up: Life

I don't handle single-location films well, as I detail in my review of Free Fire, and that's partly to blame for me thinking back to when I was most bored in a theater this year and eventually coming around to Free Fire being on that list (after several films I already reviewed poorly). There's an OK film here, but not one that deserves to extend past 30-40 minutes and the combination of constant gunfire, single location, and annoying characters drowns out any witty humor there was to have. If I had to do it over, Free Fire would likely get a 5.5/10 from me. 

MOVIE I MOST UNDERRATED
mother!
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Blade Runner 2049
Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri
The Greatest Showman

Winner: Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Runner-up: Blade Runner 2049

mother! placement joke in both categories aside, these are often films I rate very highly already and wish I had given just a point or two more. Very rarely do you see LOW films here and me wishing they were higher. Blade Runner stuck with me longer than I thought it would (more so for its technical achievements though), but it's really been Three Billboards that I've been thinking about on a consistent basis. It gets better with time and it's a [darkly funny] film that has many intricacies about its characters, many of whom travel along satisfying full-circle arcs. It's definitely one of the best of the year.

MOST ORIGINAL

Get Out

Baby Driver

It Comes at Night

mother!

The Shape of Water

Winner: Get Out
Runner-up: The Shape of Water

On the surface Get Out may look and feel like a typical horror film, but it's got a lot more to say, some of it subtle, some of it not, and it exists along a spectrum of horror that very few other films do. It's certainly captivating but also really refreshing in a genre that all too often churns out turds. 

BEST SOUNDTRACK
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
The Fate of the Furious
Baby Driver
Atomic Blonde
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
The Greatest Showman

Winner: Atomic Blonde
Runner-up: (TIE) Kingsman: The Golden Circle and The Greatest Showman

Greatest Soundtrack is sometimes a complicated award and this year was no different. If I were to pick the "soundtrack" I'll listen to the most, this would go to The Greatest Showman (which is arguably "original score" too...) but it should really go to the movie that gained the most from its music, and that would be Atomic Blonde. Its 80s setting was really driven home by the fitting and catchy music. 

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Ghost in the Shell

The Circle

Wonder Woman

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Dunkirk

War for the Planet of the Apes

Blade Runner 2049

Coco

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

The Shape of Water

Winner: Dunkirk
Runner-up: Blade Runner 2049

It's hard to top Hans Zimmer in a Christopher Nolan film, even if it's not his best work. Even still, Dunkirk's original score added SO MUCH to the film to the point where it felt like the film's progression and pacing was directly hinged to the music. The constant ticking of the clock and classic Zimmer bombastic moments played an integral part in the magic that was Dunkirk and its shifting timelines. 

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
A Cure for Wellness
Logan
Kong: Skull Island
Baby Driver
Wonder Woman
It Comes at Night
Dunkirk
Wind River
Good Time
It
Blade Runner 2049
Murder on the Orient Express
Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
The Shape of Water

Winner: Blade Runner 2049
Runner-up: Dunkirk

Similar to Hans Zimmer, it's hard to beat Roger Deakins in sci-fi. Or at all really. Blade Runner was so effortlessly gorgeous scene after scene that it made a nearly 3 hour film feel a lot shorter as you sat in the theater, enamored in its shots and framing. Given that this year's cinematography list is one of the strongest in recent memory, that's no small feat for Deakins and in terms of two VERY important aspects of a film -- Original Score and Cinematography -- we had a hell of a year.

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST

Hidden Figures

The Fate of the Furious

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Baby Driver

Baywatch

Logan Lucky

It

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Thor Ragnarok

Murder on the Orient Express

Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri

Star Wars: Episode VIII -- The Last Jedi

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Winner: It
Runner-up: Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri

I was a BIG fan of It. Like...a lot. And anything that I attribute to the cinematography, atmosphere, or Pennywise himself is equally matched by this group of kids as the main cast. They're all lovable, hilarious, yet brave and I became attached to their well being over the course of the film. Certainly not the most high-profile stars on this list, but sometimes that's exactly what makes them so effective.

BIGGEST YEAR | ACTRESS
Emma Watson
Charlize Theron
Gal Gadot
Daisy Ridley

Winner: Gal Gadot
Runner-up: Charlize Theron

Probably the easiest award of this entire post. Gal Gadot went from "Who?" to "WONDER WOMAN!" basically overnight as she played the character in two of the year's biggest blockbusters, one of which was so damn good that the DCEU future is basically saved because of it. Factor in the fact that she looks like a goddess and, if you follow her on social media, has a heart as pure as Wonder Woman's and this award is more than deserved. 

BIGGEST YEAR | ACTOR

Dwayne Johnson

Vin Diesel

Tom Holland

Hugh Jackman

Andy Serkis

Winner: Hugh Jackman
Runner-up: Andy Serkis

Another very easy award this year. Jackman was the lead role in two of the most entertaining films of the year (Greatest Showman is fantastic, dammit!) while his swan song with Logan was poignant and, now that year end awards are coming out, underappreciated it would seem. He's an absolute star, one of the best leads you could have in a film, and as talented and charismatic as they come. 

BEST PERFORMANCE | ACTOR
Lewis MacDougall as Conor in A Monster Calls
James McAvoy as various personalities in Split
Hugh Jackman as Logan in Logan
Charlie Hunnam as Percy Fawcett in The Lost City of Z
Tom Holland as Peter Parker in Spider-man: Homecoming
Andy Serkis as Caesar in War for the Planet of the Apes
Will Poulter as Krauss in Detroit
Robert Pattinson as as Connie in Good Time
Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise in It
Sam Rockwell as Jason Dixon in Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri
Woody Harrelson as Bill Willoughby in Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri
James Franco as Tommy Wiseau in The Disaster Artist

Winner: Andy Serkis in War for the Planet of the Apes
Runner-up: (TIE) Sam Rockwell as Jason Dixon and Woody Harrelson as Bill Willoughby in Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri

Admittedly there is a large omission of Gary Oldman here but I wasn't able to get to Darkest Hour this year. Though...that shouldn't discredit the tremendous -- and rather unappreciated -- work that Andy Serkis has done in the Planet of the Apes series. Caesar is as human a character as any because of Serkis and War was his best performance yet in the best film of this surprising, tremendous trilogy. He's a talent without rival in Hollywood because of his mo-cap skills and as an actor he's a force to be reckoned with too.

BEST PERFORMANCE | ACTRESS

Taraj P. Henson as Katherine Johnson in Hidden Figures

Gal Gadot as Diana Prince in Wonder Woman

Charlize Theron as Lorraine in Atomic Blonde

Jennifer Lawrence as Mother in mother!

Frances McDormand as Mildred Hayes in Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri

Saoirse Ronan as Lady Bird in Lady Bird

Sally Hawkins as Eliza Esposito in The Shape of Water

Winner: Sally Hawkins as Eliza Esposito in The Shape of Water
Runner-up: Frances McDormand as Mildred Hayes in Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri

This role HAD to be one of the most challenging of the year, if not outright the most. Not only is Sally Hawkins' character mute, having to converse via sign language the whole film, but she has to fall in love with a fake creature, or at least one that was fake when they were filming it. She had to bare a lot for the film (there's a double meaning there) but the movie is all the better for it. She makes the whole thing feel real and alive in only the way that a convincing performance can. 

BEST VILLAIN
Jason Isaacs as Volmer in A Cure for Wellness
Charlize Theron as Cipher in The Fate of the Furious
Kurt Russel as Ego in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Javier Bardem as Captain Salazar in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Michael Keaton as Vulture in Spider-man: Homecoming
Woody Harrelson as Colonel in War for the Planet of the Apes
The Germans / Survival in Dunkirk
Will Poulter as Krauss in Detroit
Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise in It
Julianne Moore in Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Cate Blanchett as Hela in Thor Ragnarok
Michael Shannon as Strickland in The Shape of Water

Winner: Will Poulter as Krauss in Detroit
Runner-up: Michael Shannon as Strickland in The Shape of Water

This is a particularly disturbing performance because it's based on a real event and a real person. Will Poulter dives deep into the role and emanates the evil of racism throughout Detroit. It's a hard movie to watch, as it's supposed to be, and a lot of that credit goes to Poulter's portrayal as one of the most despicable people we could see on film this year. It's not a superhero villain or dastardly espionage artist, but much, much worse.

BEST HERO

Mark Wahlberg as Tommy Saunders in Patriots Day

Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine in Logan

Chris Pratt as Starlord in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in Wonder Woman and Justice League

Ansel Elgort as Baby in Baby Driver

Tom Holland as Spider-man in Spider-man: Homecoming

Andy Serkis as Caesar in War for the Planet of the Apes

Tom Hardy as Farrier in Dunkirk

Charlize Theron as Lorraine in Atomic Blonde

Taron Edgerton as Eggsy in Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Chris Hemsworth as Thor in Thor Ragnarok

Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi 

Winner: Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in Wonder Woman and Justice League
Runner-up: Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine in Logan

Admittedly this was a hard and easy award to give. On one hand you have the old and new with Hugh Jackman hanging up the claws in arguably his best performance as the character and the other holds this bright, wonderful thing in Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman. Consider this award about as close to a tie as you can get, but ultimately Wonder Woman won out. She not only saved the DCEU (for now), but gave us a fantastic film (the final act is fine, people) that was uplifting and inspiring. Almost instantaneously she became a role model and the superhero that little -- and big -- girls around the world had been sorely lacking on the big screen.

BEST SCENES OF 2017
This one is always a blast to do, but a total beast to manage. Much like a Top 10 list, there's always going to be those that you wish you could have fit in, but couldn't. I've separated this award out into groups of 5 to make it a little more manageable. Please enjoy my favorite moments at the movies that I had this year!

15) "Don't worry. I got this." | Thor Ragnarok - There was a lot to love in Taika Waititi's Thor film, but I don't think I laughed harder this year than when an overconfident Bruce Banner jumps out of a spaceship onto the rainbow bridge, thinking he'll morph into the Hulk on the way down. And doesn't. It's physical and character comedy at its absolute best. 
14) Te-KILL-la | Baby Driver - Baby Driver had its share of music-matching-action moments but I found none more perfectly executed than this gun/car battle done to the classic, "Tequila". It was equal parts fun and intense and all parts technically brilliant. 
13) Throne Room Throw Down | Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi - Easily the most (read: only) shocking part of The Last Jedi, and for good reason. It was here were audiences were treated to a hell of a shocker, an awesome lightsaber battle, and the great unknown of where alliances were shifting. Gets extra kudos for some awesome choreography. 
12) Wolverine Rage | Logan - There were a few scenes in films this year that gave me chills. Seeing a battered Logan run through the forest, amped on an adrenaline drug, trying to save children and wrecking dudes left and right was one of them. At the end it's punctuated with a roar only Hugh Jackman or an actual lion could achieve and my hairs were standing on end. 
11) Detaching the AI | Blade Runner 2049 - Blade Runner has grown on me a bit after initially thinking it wasn't as heady as many said it was. But I focus more on the interesting and telling relationship between an android and an AI -- neither of which are human, obviously -- that feels real. It's here where 2049 is a cerebral experience and here where I've been thinking about it after the fact. 

10) "Country Road" / Rocket Man Saves the Day | Kingsman: The Golden Circle - It's no secret that I love me some Kingsman and, at least in my world, The Golden Circle delivered. While it may have lacked a "church" scene equivalent to the first, it had a outrageously fun end segment with a scene of bravery, some great action, and a series of Elton John cameos that could likely rank high in a list of best cameos ever. 
9) Stairwell Ass-Kicking | Atomic Blonde - Atomic Blonde had a handful of scenes that really stood out, but none more so than this brutal, extended, and nearly single-take fight scene that catapulted Charlize Theron into the annals of Action Heroism (if she wasn't already there). It's a well choreographed and visceral fight that was some of the best action of the year. 
8) Surprisingly Faster than the Flash | Justice League - Justice League hasn't gotten much love these awards, and for good reason. BUT(!) there were some great scenes in there, none more entertaining, cool, and funny than a certain character's return. Upon their return, the Flash must flank them, only to find that their eyes are tracking with him the entire time. It's really the character humor and Ezra Miller's dumbfounded face that sell the scene and it's the most enjoyable part to come out of a disappointing DCEU reset button...ahem...film.
7) The Sunken Place | Get Out - You know you've had some awesome scenes at the movies when something as iconic as "The Sunken Place" is #7. It's a moment of pure horror and movie-making skill; minimalist in all the right ways and depicting something so surreal that it can't be true. Can it?
6) Projector Nightmare | It - A lot of It's Pennywise was terrifying or dreadfully creepy, but none probably more shocking than a series of old pictures gone wrong, eventually spitting out a gigantic Pennywise into the garage. The kids are appropriately terrified, just as I was, in a wonderfully designed scene for the threatening menace.

5) In The Air | Dunkirk - Less a scene and more of a statement that anytime we were in the air with Dunkirk, especially on an IMAX screen, it was NUTS. I remember leaning into the curves and leans, eventually thinking to myself, "What the f**k are you doing?" but that's just how well captured flying is in this film. It's a ride like you've never had before. 
4) Weaponizing Light Speed | Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi - Just such an absolutely cool scene that I really shouldn't spoil given how recent the film came out. Suffice it to say that it utilizes light speed in a way you've never seen before to dramatic, effective, and gorgeous effect. There's an aspect of technical genius in this scene and it won't be forgotten in the Star Wars universe for quite some time. 
3) The Letters | Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri - This is another one that's less of a scene and more of a collection of scenes that really evolves many of our characters. To say too much about it would run into spoiler territory, but as many of these characters read their letters we're treated to some laughs, some tears, and some explanation for actions and acceptance of consequences. Some of the best character work of the year. 
2) Insanity | mother! - What a mindf**k of a scene in so many ways. Truthfully, despite my respect for it, mother! is a slog for about 85% of its runtime. The final moments though are so intense, claustrophobic, and crazy that you begin to appreciate everything that came before it as the extended metaphor really comes full circle. You won't know what's happening, and that's part of the point, and you won't be able to stop thinking about it for days after. 
1) No Man's Land | Wonder Woman - I feel like this scene stood for a lot more than just what it did in the moment of the film, and that's a cool, exciting thing. It's uplifting and honestly a bit emotional out of nowhere, showing a powerful character be an absolute true hero. Everything about this scene is perfect, particularly on the technical side, and it joins a well-respected list of Best Superhero Scenes ever, likely near the top.

MOST ANTICIPATED FOR 2018

Deadpool 2

Black Panther

Jurassic World 2: Fallen Kingdom

Ready Player One

Avengers: Infinity War

Winner: Avengers: Infinity War
Runner-up: Black Panther

As enticing and awesome as Black Panther is looking, I'd be a fool to NOT choose what will be a momentous event in cinema history, whether you love or hate (what's wrong with you?!) the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When you think of all the films, time, manpower, hours worked, money made, and plotting the MCU has collectively accomplished to get to this film in the first place, its truly unprecedented and I couldn't be more excited for what seems like what will be one hell of a film. 

BEST DIRECTOR
Peter Berg for Patriots Day
James Mangold for Logan
Jordan Peele for Get Out
Edgar Wright for Baby Driver
Patty Jenkins for Wonder Woman
Matt Reeves for War for the Planet of the Apes
Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
Darron Aronofsky for mother!
Andres Muschietti for It
Denis Villenueve for Blade Runner 2049
Martin McDonagh for Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri
Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water

Winner: Edgar Wright for Baby Driver
Runner-up: (TIE) Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk and Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water

It wasn't until I actually started to try deciding this award that I realized how freaking difficult it would be to decide this year. Easily one of the hardest decisions because so many of these films listed are the total visions of their directors. Ultimately though I wanted Edgar Wright to win this because A) he deserves a hit and the win he got in Baby Driver and B) he did something new and outside the box. The result was something like we've never really seen before -- but I immediately want to see more of -- and that's a special thing.

BEST BLOCKBUSTER

The Fate of the Furious

Logan

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Wonder Woman

Spider-man: Homecoming

War for the Planet of the Apes

It

Dunkirk

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Thor Ragnarok

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

Winner: Wonder Woman
Runner-up: Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

When I ask myself what the "best" blockbuster of the year is, I usually look for something that checks the following boxes: 1) made a lot of money 2) appealed/pleased fans and critics 3) fun and funny and 4) my general preference. The big story this year was just how bonkers Wonder Woman went at the box-office and it really was a movie event to behold and one hell of a blockbuster, no matter how hard you hold that slightly unoriginal ending against it. 

BEST INDIE / NON-BLOCKBUSTER
Hidden Figures
Patriots Day
The Lost City of Z
Baby Driver
Wind River
mother!
Good Time
Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri
The Shape of Water

Winner: mother! 
Runner-up: Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri

I don't necessarily give this award to mother! because it's my favorite of that list (hint: it's not), but more because of its daring nature to do something unexpected and new. It was probably the film that challenged audiences the most this year and it was certainly divisive in its end appreciation. In a time where we love our sequels, reboots, and remakes -- some more than others -- mother! dared to be something that could very well piss you off and that's not only refreshing, but it's part of what movies were made to do.

READER'S CHOICE | TOP 10 FILMS

This is always a fun segment because it allows me to gauge my Top 10 picks, but also hear from any of you what some of your favorite films were. The ask was to vote for your 3 favorite films of 2017 and with that data, some pretty clear winners emerge as votes come in. Below is how the films of 2017 fared and some brief comments from me on each. 

10) Thor Ragnarok - The funniest film of the year and a highly entertaining Marvel film. It's easy to see why it made the list and it actually just narrowly missed mine (I usually try to find room for the film that made me laugh the most).
9) Baby Driver - A gem and highly unique movie that was entertaining for most of its runtime. I think it had a few shortcomings, mainly in the music variety and knowing-when-to-quit departments, but that shouldn't detract that it was unlike anything else we saw at the movies this year. 
8) The Shape of Water - Another really strong selection and our first "indie" of this year's trio. The Shape of Water -- perhaps more than any film this year -- was its director's vision brought to life. That's a very special thing when its Guillermo del Toro.
7) Blade Runner 2049 - No surprise here as this was the best sci-fi film of the year and probably the most technically brilliant (and gorgeous) outside of Dunkirk. Its box office flop is a mystery to me, though I think it's likely because not that many people have actually seen the original outside of movie geek/sci-fi geek groups. 
6) Dunkirk - Speaking of Dunkirk...Christopher Nolan didn't disappoint and gave us a tense, stripped back World War II film that was in constant motion and consistently had the intensity ratcheted up to 11. Definitely a ride. 
5) Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri - I'm glad that to see this on the list as this is a film I highly enjoyed (hint, hint) and it feels like a very complete movie. Great character arcs, humor, drama; it seemed to have it all. 
4) Lady Bird - I may not be on the Lady Bird train -- I think it was good/great, but nothing special -- but am glad to see other people supporting it so highly. Perhaps this is one that I just didn't connect with on a higher level for some reason or another. 
3) Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi - Not surprised to see it on here and I can't deny that it was a very entertaining film. Part of my disappointment with it lies in actual issues (an hour long subplot that ultimately goes nowhere) while I admit the other half is built upon wishes for plot developments that never happened. While I truly think there's a better version of this film out there (with drastically different conclusions), I did enjoy the hell out of Last Jedi's characters and action scenes. 
2) Get Out - Jordan Peele's horror movie that could. Despite coming out all the way at the beginning of the year, it's still the "talk of the town" and it's really not a shock to see it nearly claim the top spot. After a second viewing, I came to appreciate the film even more and it's truly one of the most unique, well crafted films of the year. 
1) Wonder Woman - A sign of the times it would seem? Just like the movie's success, Wonder Woman represented a lot more than just a DCEU entry this year. As a film though, it kicked total ass and was the first DCEU entry that I could see myself watching more than 1 or 2 times. Like it or not (and it's clear you guys LOVED it), Wonder Woman was one of the most significant and best films of the year!

RATH'S REVIEWS | TOP 10 FILMS
Before I dive right into my Top 10 films -- which is structured differently this year in order to build the suspense -- here are some films that narrowly missed the list. Some might say they would be my Top 20. In no particular order....or are they?

John Wick: Chapter 2 | Atomic Blonde | Wind River | Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | Baby Driver | The Greatest Showman | Thor Ragnarok | The Shape of Water | mother!

 

10 | Kingsman: The Golden Circle - Easily my "one for me" pick on this list, I just absolutely love me some Kingsman. It's predecessor was my #1 from a few years back and I truthfully enjoyed this one almost to the same degree. Anytime you put inventive action + spies + R-rated attributes together, I'll likely be enjoying the hell out of myself.

9 | Blade Runner 2049 - I still have my issues with the ending, but the ride there is an absolute blast, and that's what matters. This is some dark, serious, and gorgeous sci-fi that adds another notch in how badass and commanding Denis Villenueve is becoming, despite whatever this did at the box office. All involved should be proud.

8 | War for the Planet of the Apes - Given all the praise this film received, I'm surprised to not see it being mentioned more as it was the rare best (or at least tied for best) third film in a trilogy that surprised everyone. This third entry went pretty dark, but also brings its conclusion to a satisfying end point that's as poignant as it is sad. Throw in a compelling villain with the always-great Woody Harrelson and you've got a memorable and well-crafted blockbuster.

7 | Get Out - A recent second viewing helped me move past some of my original complaints of Get Out -- mainly a cliched violent ending -- by reconigzing how special it was as a talented blend of horror, comedy, social satire, and sci-fi. It works on so many different levels and it's easy to see why it's getting all the year-end buzz that it is.

6 | Patriot's Day - I usually have one of these "previous year" films that has a stupid limited release schedule and I can't see until it actually gets released to ya know...the majority of the public. Suffice it to say I understand why this isn't on more people's Top 10, but it's incredibly deserving of a place on mine. Easily the best Peter Berg/Mark Wahlberg film (which is saying something), Patriot's Day was an endlessly compelling, somber, and downright shocking portrayal of the Boston Marathon bombing. One of the most powerful films of 2017.

5 | Wonder Woman - It's about time a DCEU film ranks in my Top 10! Wonder Woman really only falters from a fairly typical superhero finale that's easy to forget among all the other greatness here. Its current-day significance in society aside, it was an absolute blast and had some tremendous fight choreography, not to mention the best scene of the year.

4 | It - It was a film that, at least for me, seemed to be firing on all cylinders. Technically it had some of the year's most effective camera work/tricks, the cast was a ton of fun, it was surprisingly hilarious, and Pennywise was an effective tool for doling out fear. There are some truly haunting moments in the R-rated flick, and the contrast between the kids and the adult/ancient clown terrifying them only upped the ante.

3 | Dunkirk - Dunkirk may not be a typical Christopher Nolan film that I'll re-watch on a consistent basis, but what a thrill ride it was for my first two viewings, one of which was in IMAX. Playing with time once more, Nolan built several intertwining stories around the rescue at Dunkirk crafting a war film with some miraculous feats, one of which being that we never actually see another enemy soldier until the very end. It's a brilliant film on many levels and has classic Nolan, and Zimmer, stamps all over it.

2 | Logan - Unfortunately it seems now that this is probably the most woefully ignored film of year-end lists and maybe even awards seasons despite being one of the best superhero films of all time. It finally gave us R-rated Wolverine, sure, but it did one better and gave us a story we gave a damn about and performances that were character/career bests for these actors in this role. A recent second viewing only further solidified my belief that Logan is an iconic film in the genre and the right way to close the book on a long-time hero.

1 | Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri - Color me shocked, but every year there's that one film I can't stop thinking about and this year, Three Billboards won out. Maybe it won't be the film from 2017 that I watch the most afterward, but damn! It just felt like such a complete film, even with an open ending that initially frustrated me and lately I've come to appreciate. Its characters are memorable and its conflict bitingly real while it deflty manages its humor (the second funniest film of the year, mind you!) and it's poignant drama. It's got a lot to say about anger, revenge, and how we hold on to that all while delivering a deeply satisfying film to accompany the message(s).


105 hours later and the 2017 Rath Awards are complete! I kid, I kid...kind of. This is always my favorite post and I hope that showed this year as well as previous years. I also hope 2017 was as kind to you as it was to me and let's keep our fingers crossed that 2018 is a stellar year not only at the movies but just in general!

As a reminder, all reviews for these films/games on are on the main site and I'd love to read your thoughts/comments/questions/hate mail below!

Thanks for the read!