The Best and Worst Films of 2017

It is with much chagrin that I write this, my tenth annual list of the best and worst films I saw in the calendar year. (For the record, 2017 includes 38 films, 25 in theatres, the other 13 on DVD/BluRay, Netflix, or The Movie Network.) Much chagrin at the state of movie going, for me personally, and the movie business in general. The old adage goes "Be careful what you wish for". If 15 year old me wished for comic book films and sci-fi fantasy adaptations that looked as fascinating on film as they did in my head and home theatre technology that enhances sight and sound and media selection at my fingertips, I'd have been a very happy 15 year old. (For the record, I was a very happy 15 year old. My generation that bridges the analogue and digital eras is unique in our position of wonderment, adaptation, and understanding of the marvel and limitations of what our world wrought.)

Yet, with these wonderful cinematic accomplishments upon us, I am disappointed by what that progress means for the movie theatre experience and the economics of the medium. The selection at our multiplexes has only managed to shrink as our Netflix queue grows bigger with algorithmagically designed content. The shared movie experience seems reserved for tentpole films, more and more of which come with so much advanced hype, marketing, product synergy and social media awareness that the come down after the film can't help but feel like a letdown, no matter how great the movie is. The promise of big, exciting films are immediately in tough to deliver, and when they do (in some of the cases below), it still seems it's on to the next one. Those cinematic indies and surprises of yesteryear don't seem to warrant (or even receive) a space in the multiplex these days, as audiences can't gamble the cost of a ticket when home viewing presents a much cheaper, all in one option. It's a catch 22 of having to choose to see big expensive films in theatres at big expensive prices (at the expense of diverse, varied cinema) that try to justify the all around cost. It's a cycle that ends with the snake eating its own head. So what does this mean for the industry as it reinvents itself?

As Disney becomes the sole option of tentpole films (so much so that my daughter remarked how we didn't see a Disney Animated film this year--did they even release one?--a look back on the year shows how Disney has to maneuver the calendar to get out of its own way at the multiplex with its multiple universes and franchises. And now we can add Fox's Avatar, Apes and Aliens to that ever populating list). Pretty soon Disney will own the multiplex and we won't have other options. Thankfully, they are making great films but at what creative cost? A single studio doesn't make movies for many markets, they make media for the masses. The lowest common denominator approach to movie making has always been a staple of the studio industry and the reason behind Hollywood's love for countless sequels, reboots and imitations chasing trends, but there always seemed a space for creativity to break through, for an auteur voice to inspire us, for a counter narrative to emerge.

This is where my lament or chagrin spills from. If the shared film experience, the language of cinema as it were, can no longer be viewed at mainstream theatre exhibitors (a big shout out to the independent movie houses still holding their own and doing the best they can to preserve film viewing as it once was), where are the outlets for non "event" films, those best screenplay nominees and original creations hinging on raw, unbridled performances from actors without green screens? If you don't have an alternative movie house within driving distance, that outlet happens to be our TVs or computer screens and tablets. And if you're like me, that digi-analogue generation, the despair is real.

Because I know what we all tend to do when a movie is on Netflix, or a screen that sits in a room with other screens close at hand (or literally, IN hand). We don't focus on the narrative. We don't give of our time for a dedicated two hours, more or less. We multitask, we pause and rewind, we check Twitter (@JoeJamesFilm) and any other assortment of distracting behaviours not meant for the medium in its pure design. As much as I love all the advancement in media, I still value the act of sitting in a darkened theatre, with an attentive audience, and focusing on a film for its entirety. Where I can see the subtle glances or reactions that go unnoticed when your eyes aren't glued to the screen. Where I can see the expansive mise-en-scene as it was creatively intended and designed. Where I can hear the soundtrack mastered for intense and intimate moments to enhance the story beats on screen. When we fail to see a film in theatres, we fail to give that film its full worth, its true intentions and we limit its potential for our own convenience and comfort.

At the risk of sounding more and more like a crotchety old man, I share these thoughts only to contextualize the limitations put upon my own year end best list and bite sized reviews. We recently saw Wonderstruck at a Film Member screening (it wasn't playing at any large Cineplex that I could find and was an hour drive away for us) and I was struck by the fact that the film would not have the desired impact related to its themes of deaf culture and capturing history if we'd seen it in any other setting than a screening room. There was too much unspoken, too much in the visuals, in the use of sound (and absence of sound) that plays only in a cinema setting with an audience that came to share in that experience, in that storytelling moment.

I have a similar feeling about Baby Driver, which I saw in theatres and watched again at home. Having the opportunity to enjoy it in my living room was fabulous, but there are so many thematic elements that go unnoticed if one is anything but visually glued to the film. Seeing it outside of a cinematic setting only serves to potentially limit the total enjoyment and understanding of emotional beats, both visual and aural, that the creator lovingly crafted for us. By pushing films like these out of the market (Baby Driver did well--but it's not easy for original content to get a green light and succeed in the current marketplace) into niche places like VOD and Netflix, we are offering creators more outlets but not the one single form that the medium was birthed from. Instead, we are doing a disservice to the form by filling the movie houses with franchises that almost seem meant for the fractured distracted media landscape we now have, while films meant for our undivided attention don't have a place to be screened that way.

This is as much a rant on the state of the industry as it is my own frustration with being unable to see films like Dunkirk in a theatre this year. I don't intend to watch it now, because I don't believe it was designed to be viewed in anything less than a cinema scale in surround sound. And no matter how impressive my home theatre gets, will I give it the undivided attention it deserves in the luxury of my own home? Why can't I do this? I feel the same way when it comes to viewing older films with my daughter. Does it make any sense to watch it together at home, when going to see Ferris Bueller's Day Off or The Princess Bride in the theatre on a Saturday Morning Family Favourite weekend will give her a (somewhat) similar experience that I had watching it for the first time? (Ironically, neither of those I saw in theatres myself, so why does my argument here hold any weight? I think the point is that having her held captive in a cinema forces her to give those films I'm nostalgic about time to sink into her psyche in the way they did when I was a tween--when we had no other distractions).

I think what I'm trying to say in a rant that has certainly tested your patience (and I appreciate it if you're still reading) is that a movie can only be as good as the moment we give it. Whether that moment is in a theatre where our attention is optimized along with the audio visual output, or a multiple viewing at home on the couch, we must realize the art form for what it is, and judge it accordingly by our own personal efforts to engage. Many of the films I finally place in my Top 10 don't have the greatest grade from my first viewing. They are ones that grew on me in multiple viewings thanks to our sped up distribution process of home viewing. Or they are ones I saw in the right setting, with the right people. Or at the right time, when I was living or experiencing things of a certain age or time in my life. This is why we love going to the movies and I hope we never stop having that experience.

Now that you've lasted through the longest introduction/rant I've ever offered before my annual list...the best and worst films I saw in 2017 (listed in reverse alphabetical order) are...

Wonderstruck; I wasn't sure how this film would handle the dual narratives of the Brian Selznick book, but since he was the screenwriter too, it played out wonderfully, almost too faithful to the pacing of the original text. It maintains the mystery that one feels when reading the book and reveals its secrets visually much like the beautiful illustrations from the original source. An arty approach to the adaptation suits it, as the film Hugo before it (another favourite of mine) which unfortunately means not a lot of people will be able to see it in theatres. It doesn't help that the other book adaptation of Wonder was released the same month, causing even more marketing disruption. I haven't read or seen Wonder, but I can guarantee that fans of that would be equally inclined to enjoy Wonderstruck, as it is a literary and cinematic treat.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets; I can't quite understand the divide between audiences and critics sometimes. Then there are times where I don't understand either of them. I'm not sure what others expected from Valerian, but I went in seeking some more of Luc Besson's unimitable sci-fi imagery that he gave us in The Fifth Element. He delivered and surprised with one of the more gloriously crafted fantasy space operas in some time. Sure there are campy elements, but they are part of the world and he's in on the joke. The leads work for me and the musical score from Alexandre Desplat propels the film through the thousand planets and wild sights from start to finish. I go to the cinema sometimes to escape, to visit other worlds from the imaginations of creative artists. Visually and aurally, Valerian took me places I hadn't been to, and I went along for the ride. Too bad others couldn't suspend disbelief and critique for the time to enjoy it as much as my family and I did.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi; Expecting to be surprised by this franchise while satisfying countless fanboys at the same time seems to be impossible at this point. Play it safe, the movie will underwhelm. Change it up, the fans will revolt. Yet, somehow, the 8th film in this particular thread of the universe (where does Rogue One fit in? 3b? 4a? 3.5? Does it matter?) manages to fulfill its destiny by trimming all the fat and delivering all the action, starship battles, light sabre duels, character traits and dialogue that we love from the originals, while offering some new scenery, technology, creatures and components within our comfort zone. It straight up delivers, which is a tricky feat for a film sandwiched between a supposed beginning and ending chapter. Abrams teed it up and Johnson took it for a good spin by offering a truly entertaining Star Wars experience.

Spider-Man: Homecoming; Say what you will about reboots, this instalment of Spider-Man will forever serve as proof that a casting change and a reset can rejuvenate a beloved franchise and character. Holland brings such a youthful enthusiasm and exuberance to both sides of the role while being complimented with some fine supporting actors. The approach feels more like original comic book Spider-Man than ever before and the layers put into the villain role for Keaton to express creates a beautiful balance of emotional weight, menace and sympathy; a requirement for a truly fantastic comic book story. The moves that Spidey makes look right out of the comic pages, while the high school setting gives us a teenage web crawler in a way the previous films just quite couldn't convey. A supreme success that screams to Sony that when it comes to Spider-Man, Make Mine Marvel!

Lion; Lost in the La La Land/Moonlight Oscars stories, Lion's true life tale needed little outside drama to elevate its emotional journey of self-discovery. Sitting in a theatre, tears streaming down my face, I remember thinking how much I wanted others to view this film to gain a greater sense of empathy. By the time the credits roll, it's apparent how the themes of self-discovery and empathy extend beyond the lead character, while the impact of homelands and their connection to sense of self is beautifully conveyed in a directorial style that allows the heavy lifting come across in the rawness of the images and acting, as opposed to overly dramatic orchestration or camerawork. The power is in the story, and when the real life reunion is seen it makes me wish we were given a documentary to complement the narrative treatment, it's so beautiful and heartbreaking to witness. A film that must be viewed by all at some point in your life.

The LEGO Batman Movie/The LEGO Ninjago Movie; Could it be that the best comedy action happening this year was in the form of not one, but TWO LEGO movies? For previous readers of my year end lists, you'll know I always manage to sneak a second (11th?) film in somehow, and not having to choose between these two by allowing them to share a spot seemed like the natural thing to do. Both films use the unique LEGO animation style/brand to equally show love to the genres they're spoofing while sending them up Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker style, simultaneously subscribing to the genre tropes while pushing past them through the wonders of animation. Much like the better sitcoms we see these days, the people behind the LEGO franchise know that a film is funnier if we care about the characters, as the laughs hit harder when the heartfelt connection is layered lightly underneath it.

La La Land; There's no mistaking what an artistic achievement this film is stylistically and musically. It will forever live on in Oscar lore for all the wrong reasons, though it is deserving for many of the right reasons. Its original script and nostalgic vision from writer/director Damien Chazelle heralds him as an auteur to watch for years to come. Ryan Gosling has never been more charming and Emma Stone holds her own despite her flaws. (Oscar got the wrong best actor from this film in my opinion). Though it may fall trap to the hype that happens to heavily touted Academy Award films, give it a viewing free from all the awards attention and you will witness a musical that manages to be fresh and fascinating while also imitating and aspiring to Hollywood of yore. The music alone warrants the devotion that Gosling's character espouses for jazz, and if you need to know why, the film offers the education for you. Highly rewatchable, especially if you are in the camp that approves of the ending.

Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2; I was a little hard on this film upon first viewing. It felt crass at times, more of the same, and couldn't be the surprise hit that the first one was, my number one film of 2014. Once all that is put aside, a second (and successive subsequent viewings) reveal a film that goes deeper with the characters we've come to love, masterfully giving each an adequate amount of screen time to delve into their psyches and most personal demons and confront them and the familial connections causing the emotional crisis. All in a COMIC BOOK FILM?!?! How this pop culture sequel manages to pack in the pathos while wholly entertaining and delighting our socks off, is an outstanding unparalleled accomplishment. To craft a franchise film that is layered in a way that gets better with further viewings seems almost unheard of in an era of disposable sequels and lazy remakes. This one deserves to be considered a classic, like Mary Poppins, y'all!!

Coco; As the film's song suggests, you will remember Coco long after the credits. I've been out of favour of Pixar since the studio was taken over by Disney and started mining its catalogue for uninventive sequels while the parent studio produced original imaginative hits. Coco is a complete return to form for Pixar unseen since the trio of films from 2007-2009 (save for 2015's  excellent Inside Out). By this I mean, Pixar has crafted a film not made to sell toys with an appeal directly to pre-schoolers, but rather a multi-dimensional story that connects on a universal level while at the same time lovingly exploring a culturally rich experience. Coco's themes of ancestry and tradition and life and death resonate deep while entertaining and enlightening the audience with astonishing animation and expressive musical tones. It's a tough film to describe, which makes it a tough film to sell, which was never a problem for Pixar at its creative heights, as the studio's reputation itself was the selling point. With Coco, that status has been restored, with the Pixar we remember telling a story for all ages and races.

Baby Driver; A truly energetic, rollicking ride that says more with music and movement than it does through dialogue, but, oh, what delicious dialogue it has. The diner scenes delight, the apartment scenes are so sweet, and the chase scenes chaotic and kinetic. No one creates a tone and a cool like Edgar Wright and he assembled the right kind of cast to convey the charisma and craziness of each character. The flavour of this film harkens back to an early Tarantino era, when car chases clipped by in real time with real drivers doing real stunts without CGI (though I'm remiss to think that's not the case here, but at least it FEELS like there's none in play) all the while the soundtrack is calling out in a way that fuels the film far after the film has ended, taking it home on the road with us, a fresh assault on our minds that sticks with us like only a finely crafted pop tune. Original and fun, Baby Driver is a special film that comes from the mind of a director with a specific vision and the tools to craft that cinematic journey for us.

Honourable Mentions: Beauty & the Beast, Get Out, Gifted, Hidden Figures, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, Logan, Thor: Ragnarok, Wonder Woman

In all honesty, this is one of those years where I'm not completely enamoured with a few movies as lifelong favourites and on any given day, I would easily substitute one or more of the honourable mentions in place of most of the films on my Top 10 list. Most of the list I've had the opportunity to view multiple times which cemented their inclusion.

Now for the films I used to call the worst films of the year, though truly, the accomplishment of a film is rather amazing, so let's just say these are five films that managed to bungle a feat so amazing that it's a disappointment that another film wasn't able to be made in order for these ones to exist. In some cases, I wouldn't mind another crack at the same material, or the same cast with a better script. Like I said earlier, Spider-Man finally got it right, so there's still hope for these five...

Power Rangers; I don't even know how or why I saw this. When I think of this franchise, all it reminds me of is working at Blockbuster Video and seeing them constantly rented out and putting them back on the shelves. I still have no idea what the hell this thing is after all these years. Even after watching this film. I think it's part Voltron part Thundercats but I can't tell you what the difference is between all three of those things. The Rangers are different colours, because the Spice Girls and they are fighting something that is a different colour because Green Lantern. Come to think of it, even with those frequent rentals, I have yet to meet anyone IRL who says they like Power Rangers, grew up watching Power Rangers, or even ironically collects Power Rangers. Who are you, Power Rangers generation? And where are you? And what I said about reboots earlier...doesn't seem to apply here, even though this is like the zillionth version of what I'm told is essentially the same story over and over.

Justice League; I know the irony of the fact that all my confusion and failure to understand the Power Rangers above can be heaped upon me and my love for all things DC Comics. And I get it, that if this film is your entry point into these five characters and comic book lore, you'll be just as confused and bewildered. I am a fan, and I don't quite get what was the intent of this film. These five heroes are greatly cast, work well together (the lasso scene is a good example) but the sum of the film doesn't quite do them justice (sorry, I had to...it was a layup). Once again, Warner Bros. made a DC universe film that isn't entirely bad, it just doesn't fulfil its promise. These films are flawed and the fan boy that I am will still defend them, enjoy them on a certain level, but really hope for a future instalment that nails it from start to finish.

Jason Bourne; I know this one came out in 2016 but I watched it one day in June on TMN. I kept pausing it and rewinding to try and figure out what the heck was going on but it made no sense to me. I also thought if I watched the action scene from start to finish it would get better than when I was interrupted. Nope. Didn't change the choppiness of the editing without my own pauses and edits. Maybe that's what this film is. A choose your own Bourne adventure compiled from previous Bourne films, which is why none of it surprises and the storyline seems disjointed, convoluted and incomprehensible. Someone actually gave Greengrass some left over footage, told him to go assemble it how he saw fit, and then he and Damon filled in the rest with a shaky handicam and intense close ups. Utter waste of time. I think I was hoping by rewinding the PVR I'd get some of my life back.

Bad Moms; Remember what I said about giving a film a second chance? As either a reboot or reinterpretation? Well, I'm sorry that A Bad Moms Christmas happened but I don't blame them for trying. This is a beautiful cast that is full of extremely funny people. Unfortunately, those same women are at the mercy of the horrible male screenwriters who have no idea what to do with their talent. I'd much rather watch these funny ladies be actual moms. I'm sure their home footage would be funnier to watch than this mess. Bell and Kunis delight on every talk show appearance I've ever seen and made Forgetting Sarah Marshall the comedy classic it's come to be. Give Jason Segel an opportunity to pen a script for this cast, or better yet, let the ladies do it themselves. I know Christina Applegate can hold her own in an improvised situation. Just stop doing this disservice to them and us, please!

Allegiant; Movies take a long time to come to fruition. It takes a lot of hard work and sometimes, in the case of Allegiant, hundreds of people involved. This is why the creation of a worst list is unfair. People spent time and energy, not to mention that this is a book adaptation, which is itself an accomplishment to be celebrated, the completion of a novel or literary series. Yet, the most damning thing you can say about the end result of these creative endeavors, the medium of film and writing, is to say it is boring. That's simply what Allegiant's fault is. To take promising material, plenty of money, and produce something that is extremely boring is unforgivable. Now art is a matter of taste, but good art normally provokes a reaction; great art often inspires a divide or at least a discussion. Allegiant simply just is. Barely even laughable.

With that being said, I hope my own ranting didn't bore you. If it did, give me a thumbs down below. Better yet, tell me about YOUR favourite films of 2017, either through a comment below, a tweet or share your own faves with us. I'd rather be talking about good and bad movies while we still have theatres and not stare at my phone the way I stared at Allegiant with little to no response. Here's to a better year in 2018!!

The Best Films of 2016

It was four years ago that I didn't quite feel right ranking the cinematic achievements I'd witnessed in 2012, and here it is, another leap year, and I find myself doing the same in 2016. The films I saw in 2016 (37 in total, 28 of them in theatres) were in the majority, thoroughly enjoyable and well crafted films. Many that I anticipated to be dogs turned out to be surprisingly good and even the worst of the bunch had redeeming qualities. My movie watching continues to be predominantly trips to the cineplex, as my time at home is consumed by either work or reading, and when there's time for entertainment at home, it tends to be the emergence of excellent television content (Netflix, HBO, AMC and CW) that accounts for my time in front of the screen. I just don't seem to sit down to watch a full film at home, opting for the entire movie going experience for films I'm wanting to see.

Now that my daughter is getting older, we tend to mutually agree on films we want to see, and I must admit, her film choices resulted in some pleasurable surprises for me. Who knew The Angry Birds Movie would be the witty take on colonialism that it was, or that Trolls would be that much fun and Ice Age: Collision Course would provide animated laughs for the adults too, courtesy a Neil deGrasse Tyson cameo? Remakes and sequels accounted for more than half the films I saw, so it goes without saying, how exciting it is to see new, original ideas that seem few and far between. As a whole, the year was filled with the usual sequels or franchise instalments that disappointed, those that reinvented, and other studios continually delivering on high expectations. It's a small sample size, but here's my 10 favourite films I saw (in theatres, on home video or The Movie Network premiere in the calendar year of 2016) in no particular order, other than alphabetical...

 

Arrival; A refreshingly novel approach to an alien invasion movie, that plays the event as real and intimate, focusing on a few characters and their role in wondering what their arrival is all about. Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner (a DC/Marvel comic book team up!!) work well off each other, with Adams proving why she's one of the best actresses of the past decade (yet not having achieved an Academy Award while lesser actors have won against her). The film's approach to alien invasion, the importance of communication and the intricacies of love, language, and loss, make for a fascinating film that will make for interesting second viewing. I look forward to revisiting this film on home video when it is released.

Captain America: Civil War/Doctor Strange; What would a Top 10 list of mine be without cheating to include an extra entry? Marvel's one-two punch this year (the 13th and 14th films in the franchise, for those counting) could make an argument that the franchise just keeps getting better and better. Though I've enjoyed single films in the Marvel cinematic universe better, these two instalments need to be acknowledged for their ability to continue to deliver high quality, highly enjoyable, visually exciting movies. Despite DC's best attempts to counter (Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad were both enjoyable for me, more often than not), Marvel continued to show how to appeal to mainstream moviegoers and comic book fanboys and fangirls alike. Bring it on, Marvel. Excelsior!!

Deadpool; I haven't watched this since I saw it in theatres in February, so I'm curious if it will be every bit as tantalizingly naughty, fun and violent as I remember it. If it holds up the second time round and has the repeat viewing quality that I imagine it does, I deserve to be ridiculed for giving it an A- upon release. Despite being a comic book reader/collector for decades, Deadpool isn't one of my interests, so delivering on the character for non-fans and kickstarting what will hopefully be an era of superhero films that are in on the joke while kicking our asses with a sense of humour (which bodes well for our upcoming friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man), this film was the superhero movie we needed, and probably one FOX didn't deserve. At least we got to see what the character would be like when he actually talked. Now, if he'd just shut up for a second!!

The Hateful Eight; It's been almost a year since I've seen this film. I'm not sure I can watch it on a small screen. It was glorious to view in theatre (and I didn't get to go to one of the 70mm screenings that were in select cities). Yet, I'm pretty sure that this feature film would be as equally enjoyable as an audio podcast, or a minimally dressed stage play. That's the type of cinematic treasure one gets from Quentin Tarantino; a feast for the eyes and a delicious dose of dialogue for dessert. The cherry on top of this snowy western is the amazing cast that delivers the script its due. Tarantino claims to not have many films left in his cannon, which is a shame, because year end Top 10 lists won't be the same without his name mentioned. For me, this one was a welcome entry that surpassed my expectations.

Kubo and the Two Strings; Another Laika film, another Top 10 worthy achievement. The stop motion studio continues to make highly original and inspired works of art unlike any other animation department on the planet. More importantly, Laika films pay as much attention to visual detail as they do to crafting an interesting and compelling story. These films are truly treasures to behold, and Kubo is no exception. The voice work by a host of excellent actors delightfully matches the fantastic elements of the film. Kubo's journey is exciting, adventurous and unexpected. For what is often thought to be geared (or marketed) towards children, Laika films like Kubo and the Two Strings pack more emotional punch than most adult fare. Here's to another decade of brilliant animation and inspired storytelling from the minds of Laika.

Kung Fu Panda 3; I have a close to indescribable love for the Kung Fu Panda films. Five years had passed between this instalment and the sequel to 2008's original, which had me concerned going into the theatre. There also didn't seem to be much push or faith from the studio, dumping it in January with little to no fanfare. However, Kung Fu Panda 3 is every bit as charmingly silly and lovingly true to kung fu as its predecessors. Though the characters may be wearing thin, it is still a joy to hear all the voice actors reprise their roles in the midst of full on animated action hijinks. What this film brings is a spiritual element that the first two consciously downplayed, venturing into territory that feels neither forced nor frivolous, but rather organic in its growth as a franchise and the continuing story of the unlikely panda master of chi, Po. A fitting bookend to my favourite trilogy, animated or otherwise.

Mad Max: Fury Road; I tried to see this in theatres in 2015. Several attempts were thwarted, rescheduled or postponed. It wasn't until an afternoon in March that I got around to watching the PVR'd premiere on my television. I can't begin to imagine how amazing, how intense and how mind (and ear) blowing it must have been in AVX or IMAX. I could care less for this franchise, and despite the armful of Oscars it collected, I still wasn't prepared for what a breathtaking experience this was. Hype usually kills whatever surprise or amazement that treats the audience member that takes an early trip to the theatre. Not true for this film. This is one for the ages. Many films from 2015 will be forgotten (anyone recall which film won Best Picture?) but this one will remain in cinema minds and all-time best lists in perpetuity. See it!!!

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life; At the risk of sacrificing any semblance of credibility I may have had in your minds, I offer you this film for pre-teens right next to Mad Max: Fury Road. This is not to say these two movies even exist in the same universe, let alone the same galaxy. However, I was pleasantly surprised to bear witness to a family film that balanced silly middle school shenanigans with real emotional elements and crazy animated interstitials, all in one, and actually delivering on all fronts. There are a zillion ways this film could, and should have failed, but it managed to crack me up, make me smile and laugh, shed a tear and pump my fist in a way that few films have, especially those geared to pre-teens. I thought about reconsidering this movie's inclusion on my list several times, but felt it could be filed under other overlooked (and questionable) inclusions I'm prone to fall favour to on these Top 10 lists of mine (for further evidence, see Shoot 'em Up, John Wick, and Blade: Trinity).

Moana; It's difficult to comprehend how decades have passed and here we are with yet another attempt at depicting an Indigenous culture by the Walt Disney corporation. Thankfully, tremendously, amazingly, they've learned some lessons since Pocahontas and have given us a much better representation of the ways and beliefs of (still pan) Polynesian people. It's a fine line to walk amongst representation, appropriation, misrepresentation and celebration of culture. Wonderfully, through a more careful approach, Disney managed to do a LOT of good in Moana, offering us a film that young Indigenous women can be proud to watch, that also just so happens to have an amazing soundtrack to go along with the stellar animation and excellently crafted relationships in the film. I choose to claim this film a triumph, with a beautiful heart and spirit that resonates long after the first (of many) viewings.

Sing; There's something to be said for the audience you see a film with, as they can both make and break a viewing. The best comedies I can recall are ones I saw with people who love to laugh, in crowded theatres. Sharing the enjoyment is an infectious phenomenon, which is also why I continue to write these lists, year after year, in hopes that you, too, will share in some of the pleasure I found in these films. Seeing the presentation of a work in progress, Sing, at the Toronto International Film Festival, was a truly memorable experience, as the crowd laughed at each carefully animated beat and clapped after every single musical performance in the film. If unabashed happiness and unbridled joy were to be summarized into an animated film, the result would be Sing. It is such a fun, heart pumpingly paced movie that hits the highs and lows superbly, it begs to be shared with loved ones, which is what we did on two additional occasions to end the calendar year. My hope is that 2017 can bring the optimism of a Buster Moon to both the cineplex and our own lives. May the magic touch your life in the year to come, in darkened theatres and in our brightly coloured days so you don't worry about a thing.

Honourable Mentions: Finding Dory, Hell or High Water, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Magnificent Seven, Zootopia

Traditionally, I would offer you my 5 worst films of the year, along with snarky commentary and snake tongued barbs. Yet, as I reach the end of typing the Top 10 films, I'm left feeling as though 2016 had enough vitriol and negativity, that I will forego the usual and point out how wonderful it was to hear the sounds and songs of David Bowie, Leonard Cohen and George Michael in the movie Sing. Their gifts are their songs and we are better for having lived and loved them. It's always better to celebrate than to construct hate. Please take a moment to share your favourite films of 2016 in the comment section, or just give me a thumbs up (or down) if you enjoyed reading.

Peace and Be Wild! I wish U love...

The Best and Worst Films of 2015

Looking back at the year that was, it was a year where dreams came to be the theme of 2015. Hollywood has been referred to as "the Dream Factory" and this is clearly evident in my Top 10 films. In fact, one of my Top 10 films included a literal depiction of the Dream Factory at work in the mind of a young girl. As I stated in last year's best list, it's my own young girl that informs what I see in theatres and at home. Last year I surmised what it would be like to be able to sit next to my daughter as she sees classic films from my past for the first time. Thanks to Cineplex's Family Favourites series, I was able to do exactly that, taking in a screening of Ferris Bueller's Day Off on a Saturday morning in November. My daughter was the same age I was when the film first came out and time and generational change gave both of us a different perspective on the film. It was an amazing experience and the reason why films continue to capture our imagination, for young and old, despite the ever changing evolution of formats and places to screen them.

Strangely enough, we continue to hear about the decline of movie attendance, lost to streaming services and digital downloads, yet each year brings us a new record box office. Talk about having your cake and eating it too!! Looking back over the decade and a half that I've been doing a Top 10 list, it's odd to discover that despite the changes in my life and the changes in media consumption methods, I manage to maintain a pretty steady average attendance at the cinema. This year I saw 20 films in theatres (a couple of movies twice) and when I include movies I watched at home either on new release DVD, or its premiere on The Movie Network, the total amount of films I saw in 2015 amounts to 31. That seems low, considering some years I saw that many films in theatres alone. The only reason I can surmise for this discrepancy (aren't we watching more at home these days?) is that television has become so good, that the entertainment hours in my home have been devoted to Game of Thrones, Daredevil, Sherlock and the like. What does this mean for 2016? We will have to see, as the latest episode of Sherlock was actually screened in theatres to sold out audiences AFTER it aired!

With that, let's get to the list of the best and worst films I saw in 2015...

10. The Martian; I said this year's films are all about dreams. This film rekindles the dreams of the space race era, when putting a man on the moon was a shared goal across the globe. This time, the mission to rescue a man stranded on Mars unites us in marvelling at science, laughing in the face of insurmountable odds, and igniting hope through ingenuity. The story of how this film came to be from its origins as a series of blog posts from the author, is itself a dream of great art in storytelling finding an audience, and an excellent script ultimately finding its way into the hands of an accomplished director and superb cast of actors. The fact that this film became a box office success is a testament to how we long for good stories that make us laugh, make us cry and propel us past our fears and limitations.

9. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation; Who could have dreamed that this fifth instalment of the Mission Impossible franchise would continue to thrill and excite us at the multiplex? Tom Cruise, that's who. The actor who insists on performing his own insane stunts has managed to keep the IMF interesting by giving us consistent action and breath holding moments provided by directors with vision, style and clever casting. Though ultimately forgettable beyond the action set pieces, these movies deliver what we want in early August...big, amazing popcorn entertainment, utilizing the latest advancement in cinematography and stunt work. Never shying from filming with real people in real situations, the Mission Impossible series keeps upping the ante and letting Bond and Bourne know that the next move is theirs. Whatcha got, super spies?

8. John Wick; In many ways the antithesis of MI5, Keanu Reeves reminds us as John Wick, that thrills can come from a stripped down action film without big F/X and excessive explosions. The thrill of discovering a new character, in an original film, by an exciting new director is a treasure whenever it happens. The sequels and franchises we grow to love all start with an origin that first shocked us with its fresh take on a genre or an original premise or clever mash up of pre-existing elements. John Wick seems to be all of these at once. Credit Keanu for continuing to take jobs that interest him, as he seems impervious to the criticisms throughout his career. John Wick 2 is set to come out this year, with another stellar cast. Do yourself a favour and catch up by watching this one, holding your loved ones close by.

7. Ant-Man; The final film of Marvel's "phase two", Ant-Man felt like its own stand alone film, with a story and cast and sensibility that seemed like it could exist in its own universe. Funny, with a cheekiness that has almost evaporated from recent comic book adaptations, Ant-Man succeeds on the casting of Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas, who both bring their acting past into the film to great effect. I had serious concerns when Edgar Wright was replaced (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World may very well be the best comic book adaptation we've ever seen) but Peyton Reed did an excellent job continuing the tone and other aspects I'm sure were planted by Wright. One of two films I saw twice in theatres in 2015, Ant-Man's visual aspects were enhanced by the upgraded audio and visuals that only modern day movie theatres offer us.

6. Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Or reawakens, or revisits, or returns. All rehash and reboot arguments aside, the seventh Star Wars film returned our childhood dreams and play scenes to all their glory, giving us the story, the droids, the scoundrels and lightsaber action we'd all been longing for. If you told me that my own child would be more excited than I ever was about using the Force, I'd say you were dreaming. Well, J.J. Abrams delivered on those dreams, giving us the most joy inducing Star Wars instalment of this century. We've already returned to the multiplex to experience this one in D-Box, making it a true motion picture to remember forever. This movie may be making box office history as I type this, but it's the cultural impact that can't be overstated. Do YOU know anyone who plays "Avatar" or "Titanic"?

5. Tomorrowland; A movie about dreamers, for dreamers. Tomorrowland is the biggest call to optimism, to believe in a better place, to forge a future that dreams to solve the problems of today. In other words, an impossible film to market and an easy target to crack cynical about. Yet for my daughter, for the future I want her to create for herself, this is a film her generation needs. Sure, there are a lot of problems with the structure of the film, not to mention the fact that it is built around a souvenir token from a section of theme park. But it's the ideals that Disney's founder believed in, the dreams he inspired with his own optimistic vision that are at the core of this enterprise. There's a curiousity and ingenuity that we may have lost through the generations but Brad Bird's inspired adventure sparks us to reclaim it for Earth's future.

4. Inside Out; Pixar return to form with another film for parents disguised for kids. That means tears of joy, tears of sorrow, and a complex look at the rest of the emotional landscape brought about by a child turning into an adolescent. The voice actors give memorable dimensions to what could have been one note characters and the artistic team of animators provide a three dimensional (and two, and abstract) canvas for the internal mechanics of the young girl's mind to come to life. Emotionally honest, Inside Out is a wonderful example of what happens when a studio collaborates to make something right, refusing to settle on an easy path, willing to rework a concept until it rings true. Inspired, heartfelt, and beautifully animated, Inside Out is more likely to be loved even more when our kids are themselves, adults.

3. The Walk; Why would anyone risk their life, not to mention round up a team of accomplices to help him break into (onto?) the World Trade Center in order to high wire walk between the twin towers? Because it is his dream. It's an act of beauty. It's art in its purest form. Thankfully, in the hands of accomplished director Robert Zemeckis, Philippe Petit's story is stunningly recreated to allow the audience to relive his dream in all its death defying heights. While the film builds towards its heart stopping climax, Zemeckis fills us in on the humour, the passion, the love and the drive that surround the key players. Though one man's madness fuels this dream, the film demonstrates how important friendship and love are in contributing to realize one person's vision in order to make their dreams come true.

2. The Little Prince; I have mixed emotions for this film. It's one of my all time favourite books which already had one of the most bizarre adaptations I've ever seen. A completely insane and disappointing film that was a product of its time and an attempt to visualize the philosophical elements of the novel in an artistic way. So when I first saw the previews for this animated adaptation, I practically wept. It appeared as though the novel had found the proper medium to convey the whimsical story. The paper animation is a sight to behold and true to the spirit of Le Petit Prince. However, other aspects of the latest adaptation are designed to appeal to children and mass audiences in a way that the 1974 film steered well clear of. Though this is for the better, it's the way this film captures the heart of the novel which makes it truly great.


...and the number one film of 2015 is...

1. Song of the Sea; Have you ever walked the halls of an art gallery and pictured the canvases coming to life? How about if they told a beautiful tale filled with magic, sweetness, adventure and family love? Song of the Sea is one of those special films that can't be duplicated, is difficult to describe, and is like a dream you never knew you longed for. Exquisite design goes into every single frame of a film that is crafted with much love and care. The Celtic mythology is magical lending this fairy tale its intricate imagery. The folk tale can be enjoyed by young and old, as the journey these young children take is sweet, endearing and delightful to watch. The music makes the images sparkle and the film could be wordless and still entertain thoroughly. This is a film everyone must see at some point in their life. Start while you're young.

Honourable Mentions: Jurassic World, The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tim's Vermeer

So that was the best I saw out of 31 films in 2015. Oddly enough, looking back at the comments I made about the Best of 2014 sort of dismissed the list as some slightly enjoyable films but nothing I was over the moon about. Now, having had a full year (and heavy TMN rotation) to rewatch the films from 2014, I can now correct myself in hindsight. I've probably watched most of last year's top 10 films close to ten times EACH, without feeling an ounce of boredom. In fact, it's the contrary. I am compelled to watch Winter Soldier EVERY single time it is on TV. The same can be said for Guardians of the Galaxy and Edge of Tomorrow. And not just "the good parts", but rather the entire film from start to finish. Theses films are that good. Same can't be said for the set of movies below...

The Top 5 Worst Films of 2015 are...

5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2; You get two films for one in the fifth worst film slot. Or at least you should have. In a completely unnecessary splitting of the final book, the studio behind The Hunger Games went for the cash grab and made two movies not quite as good as they probably could have been had they been scaled down into one single film. But I'm not entirely convinced this is true, as the final book wasn't as entertaining, gripping or intimate as the first two to begin with, which meant this third adaptation wasn't as exciting out of the gate. Not bad films, just disappointing and unfulfilling.

4. Minions; Again, not a horrible film, but disappointingly everything you'd expect it to be. When Despicable Me hit theatres, it was a surprisingly fun and wickedly unique entry into the children's animation market. I initially didn't fully grasp how indelible Gru and his little yellow minions would become. Fast forward five years and minion fatigue finally hit in the form of this film. In small doses, these guys make for a funny gag or a touching moment, but an entire film stretches the premise for far too long. There are excellent moments and big laughs here and there. The film itself is a bit of an accomplishment in that it plays like an animated Marx Brothers or Three Stooges silent reel, but when I search my memory banks for any aspect of the film, I come up empty. The film is easily forgettable, which is a shock, considering the darn yellow things seem to appear everywhere, branded on every product imaginable.

3. Pixels; I recently rewatched this movie and it's not as bad as I recalled. In fact, it's not as bad as it looks, even though it deserves all the Razzies it's nominated for. Much like the two films preceding it on this Worst of 2015 list, it's more about being a disappointing miss at what could have been a truly witty, entertaining nostalgic adventure. Instead, we have Adam Sandler doing his best not to act, Peter Dinklage making us wish this was an R-rated film, and Chris Columbus cartooning the whole experience into a traditional three act romp that sucks any innovation or cleverness out of a story based on our 1980s 8-bit digital time wasters. In a different director's hands (say, Edgar Wright) we may haven't had the budget, but we would have been treated to a much better treatment of this premise. And a lot less Adam Sandler, we can only hope.

2. Hotel Transylvania 2; Speaking of Sandler, there's more of him on this worst list. How did he become the new Eddie Murphy? Give this guy a paycheque and a bare bones premise and he's there with three of his friends to mildly amuse us in somewhat questionable "family" "entertainment". Once again, I must qualify that like the rest of this list, Hotel Transylvania 2 isn't entirely awful. There's a laugh here and there but in the end, it's another opportunity missed. You've got Mel Brooks in this film, yet there isn't a smidgen of Young Frankenstein hilarity to be seen within a mile of the script. Lots of talent gathered together to pump out a sequel without questioning whether it's better, if it can get better, or how to make it better. A complete opposite experience from Inside Out, this tale needed to be workshopped and worked over but was instead rushed out and crapped out all over us.

...and the worst film of 2015 is...

1. Being Canadian; Anyone who knows me or has been following my reviews  since the days of my radio show which originated the Keepin' It Reel idea, knows that I'm a champion of Canadian film and its filmmakers. So you'll be as saddened as I was to notice this film on TMN, PVR it, intrigued to watch it, only to spiral down its diminishing narrative look into what makes Canadians Canadian. With each amazing actor or celebrity that appears on screen, we are reminded simultaneously of the extreme talent Canada has given the world, alongside the impoverished identity of this film. Maybe I'm missing the meta-ness of this movie and the fact that it feels like funding ran out before it wrapped was in fact an intentional comment on Canadian art. Or perhaps the mere act of seeing all this Canadianess on camera is comment enough that the filmmaker's journey and narration are ultimately unnecessary. Let the celebrities and their cult of personality speak for themselves and in their diasporic fashion we will see what distills Canadians to be Canadian, as the sap flows far from the maple tree.

Dishonourable Mentions: Jupiter Ascending, Penguins of Madagascar (this could very well have been the worst film I saw this year---only problem is I don't recall a minute of it).

And with that we close a chapter on another year of bests and worsts. As I said at the outset, the theme was dreams, and these worst films weren't exactly nightmares, but dreams unfulfilled. I hope 2016 brings us cinematic experiences we never dreamed of before. From a Star Wars return to form, to Comic Book heroes fighting one another in Civil War and Dawn of Justice, we have franchises tempting us with new entries and promising fantastic excitement. There are book adaptations I never dreamed I'd see, like The Little Prince, The BFG, and Alice Through the Looking Glass. There's even a film I helped fund, Director's Cut, premiering at Slamdance this year. (By help fund, I mean "throw some jingle at", as Penn Jillette would say). But like my number one film, Song of the Sea, I'm hoping to see something new and original while feeling familiar and timeless all the same. I hope my reviews provide you with a comfort in knowing a trusted source, whether you agree or disagree. Whichever it is, I'd love to hear it. Leave a comment, click a thumb (up OR down) or give a retweet. Let's continue to share our cinematic dreams.

The Best and Worst Films of 2014

Another year, another list of the best and worst films I had the opportunity to see in 2014.  I say "opportunity", as going to see a film or sitting down in the comfort of my living room or putting on a BluRay disc before bedtime seems to be a luxury these days.  Gone are the years where I'd see upwards of 50 films or so, most of them in theatres.  Nowadays, if my daughter wants to see it, we usually go see it in theatres, and if my daughter can't watch it, I tend not to view it even at home.  This seriously limits the breadth of films I used to watch, while at the same time makes my Best and Worst list a good indicator for families with a love for film.  However, as she gets older, we get to watch more grown up fare and I look forward to her eventually watching Pulp Fiction, The Shining, and Fight Club alongside her old man.

Oddly enough, I still manage to maintain an average of thirty or so films a year in my annual viewing schedule.  This doesn't seem plausible, but when I look at my list, binging tends to happen around vacation time, with long stretches of no films whatsoever.  Film watching tends to go in spurts generally, because when we see a film we enjoy, it makes us want to see more.  Until you see one that is brutal or just plain uneventful, making us think twice before spending our money.  Innovations like Netflix make it easier to watch more films we wouldn't otherwise see, while at the same time, opening us up to more misfires.  Be careful in 2015, it can be a minefield out there.

If I had to summarize the films I saw in 2015, I would have to say that there were many good ones that pleasantly surprised me, while at same time, very few that I can say I absolutely love.  This was the first time in several years that my number one film was a slam dunk, easy choice.  You'll have to read further to find out why and if you enjoy reading, please follow me @joejameskireel on Twitter to get reviews mere minutes after I see the film!!!  Here are the Top 10 Films (out of the 38 I saw in total, 22 in theatres) in 2014...

10. 2014 Oscar Bait films; Ok, so I'm cheating a little here.  Anyone who has read my previous Top 10s (if you haven't, go check them out...they are on the side bar or you can click on each year and go to the final post of each December), you know that I tend to try and squeeze an extra film in somehow, especially when I'm feeling like one isn't all that greater than another.

You may also have noticed that all the films being touted around this time, the award season films, I don't get to watch until a full year later, which makes them a blase choice for my year end Top 10, they're so old and (often) overhyped.  So, to save space while including a bunch of films I enjoyed last year from the 2014 Oscar race, my tenth spot goes to Gravity, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, American Hustle and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.  I know that last one wasn't on too many award shows, but it was a step up from the first Hunger Games film, in that it found a director equally comfortable with action and empathy.  Strangely, I've had zero urge to see Mockingjay Part One, probably because it is being unnecessarily split into two movies. Gravity was an amazing visual experience, Walter Mitty delighted in reminding us that Ben Stiller can still make quirky human dramas and American Hustle was just a lot of fun.  If you watched it willing to laugh, it was a hoot.  Look for more outdated 2015 Oscar films from 2014 to appear on my list next year.

9.  Into the Woods; Maybe it's because it was the most recent, or maybe because it was a rather enjoyable surprise, but this film was a riot.  I think I may be a Stephen Sondheim fan and not even know it.  Sweeney Todd was a deliciously evil treat and this adaptation is equally dark and funny.  From the opening prologue you are swept inside the fairy tale mashup and by the time the two princes thrash about by the rocky waterfall, you have thrown your love to this film even if it cause you agony!  Sure, the movie doesn't know when to end but when you have a play's worth of songs and you want to be faithful, you try to include as much as you can.  I'm not sure if it will hold up over time but in this day and age that is filled with fractured fairy tales in all kinds of books, film and television, this was a welcome nod to the original tales filled with fine performances.

8.  The Book of Life; I had a love/hate experience with this film.  I love it for what it is but hate it for what more it could have been.  Unlike the film in the ninth spot, this animated sight to see would have been more enjoyable if it played to the sophistication of children instead of treating it like kiddie fair.  The movie would have been better served to take a tone a little more Coraline or The Secret of Kells and lot less like Madagascar or Shrek.  The art work is astounding, filled with images and a style unlike most of what we've seen in 21st Century animation.  The underworld is spectacularly vibrant, not unlike Corpse Bride, but with a sense of culture and history.  The Spanish flavoured cover songs, a little annoying at first, started to grow on me throughout the film.  I look forward to viewing this one again to see if it maintains its joy or wears out its welcome.

7.  X-Men: Days of Future Past; This film was quite an achievement, taking what is essentially the seventh film in the franchise (counting the Wolverine films), with a returning director at the helm, and what should have been an overcrowding of cast members, to craft a solid, thrilling instalment that not only cleans up the storylines, but propels them forward.  The old and young versions of mutants play off each other's performances well, while Hugh Jackman's defining role ties it all together nicely.  Amazingly, while the old standbys deliver performances we've come to expect and enjoy, the newest mutants give us the most memorable moments, like the unforgettable scene of Quicksilver enjoying Time in a Bottle.  Like all time travel movies, there's a chance the timelines don't make sense but it doesn't detract from the pure enjoyment of this film.

6. The Boxtrolls;  Laika Studios does it again, offering us a wholly original tale, infusing their stop motion wizardry with European flair.  The marriage of the bizarre fantasy of the troll world with the preposterous aristocracy of the adult world makes for a zany story that appeals to young and old.  Staying to watch the end credits is enough to make you want to sit in your seat and view it all over again, with a behind the scenes peak at how the film was made.  Even still, the painstaking artistry on display is almost lost on account of the marvelous voice acting.  Though not as enjoyable for me personally as the previous two Laika films (Coraline and ParaNorman), it is still an extraordinary achievement that makes me dreading the time it will take for the fourth film to eventually be released from this pioneering studio.

5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier; Remember that amazing accomplishment I mentioned in slot number seven?  This film does much of that and then some.  Considering this is the 9th film (yep, ninth!) in Marvel's cinematic universe, the fact that it raises the stakes to the point where it may very well be the best entry yet is phenomenal.  Even more stunning is how enjoyable this film would be without any knowledge of the previous elements.  The script just zooms along with equal parts humour, action and intrigue and the cast is exceptionally game to meet every beat.  Both casual film viewers and hard core comic readers (and everyone inbetween) can enjoy this film for its conspiracy plot and thrilling action set pieces.  It also feels the most grounded of the Marvel films, as it deals with human characters, albeit ones injected with super soldier serum.  As I watch this currently on heavy rotation on The Movie Network, I'm wondering if it belongs even further up this chart.

4.  Edge of Tomorrow (a.k.a Live. Die. Repeat.); Renamed for its home video release, this Sci-fi Groundhog Day was unfortunately a victim of a marketing campaign that didn't know how to sell the film with its original premise and Tom Cruise baggage.  Yet in the hands of Doug Liman, who has made some of my favourite films in my lifetime, the conceit of a soldier who regenerates to live the same day over and over again is rendered in a thrilling, funny, and thought provoking way.  For a film that revisits the same situations more than a dozen times, it never feels stuck in a moment or repeating itself.  Plus, like most Liman films, the action elements never lose sight of the emotional core of the story, making each dodge, punch and explosion resonate with meaning.  This film is quickly being (re)discovered as the overlooked gem of 2014.

3.  Muppets Most Wanted; A seventh Muppet sequel in the top three, you ask?  Maybe it's a benefactor of recent heavy rotation on TMN, or maybe it's just the revelation that after countless reviewing I'm still laughing and singing along with this film.  At first viewing, I think I'm so excited to see the Muppets in action that I feel a little let down once the movie is over.  Yet after recently seeing the sequels that came before and watching this back to back to back while wrapping Christmas presents this year, it's a solid, delightful entry that offers a fun parody filled with extremely talented comedic talent.  The songs are instant classics, once again from the talent that is Flight of the Conchords, even with Jermaine this time around!  Originally, I don't think I knew what I got with this film.  Now I know it was exactly what I wanted.  A Cockatoo in Malibu.  Give it to me.  The Muppets are incapable of being unwatchable.

2. Big Hero 6; I remember having high hopes for this film and being blown away by its action, humour and heart.  Baymax is a character that will stay with us in a way E.T., Wall-E, and Olaf have captivated a sense of wonder and innocence.  Yet underneath it all, there is a mean, fighting machine.  Getting the best of both worlds is what the Disney purchase of Marvel is all about and this film captures all the excitement and high octane thrills of a superhero comic with the kid friendly hijinx of a Disney adventure.  I'd like to revisit the film to see if the highs stay as fantastic and the emotional moments as dramatic as I remember.  Imagine a film you go to see that's funnier than you expected, more exciting than you thought and more emotionally driven than anticipated.  The mouse house continues an incredible run of magic.


...and the number one film of 2014 is...

1. Guardians of the Galaxy; For the first time since Pulp Fiction in 1994, I went to see a movie in the theatre three times.  For the first time ever, I saw a movie in the theatre three times in the first week of release.  I didn't plan to love it.  I didn't even plan to see it that many times.  Yet with each screening the movie seemed to get better and better.  It helped that I first saw it at the Drive-in, where I could enjoy the story and the laughter.  Then, seeing it in a movie theatre allowed me to appreciate the visual effects and cinematography in the manner of which it was meant to be seen.  Finally, the third time around in IMAX, gave me the opportunity to realize that the fun, the magic, and the excitement of the film truly represented all the reasons why we go to see movies with our family in the first place.  Generations in the past had their Star Wars or their Jurassic Park or Titanic.  This film is deserving of the groundbreaking, film generation defining monikers that great films of their time become known by.  The child in me wishes this film could be seen through my ten year old eyes, because it creates a universe unto its own and frolics in the joy of popcorn entertainment in a way that captures what it's like to be a kid all over again.  WE ARE GROOT!

It wasn't a very exciting year.  Looking at this list it seems more like ten good movies I saw this year; certainly not full of lifetime favourites and perennial rewatchers that lists of years past have provided.  I have watched most of these films more than once now and really enjoy them but they aren't ones that I will be listing off as all-time favourites, save for GOTG.

Honourable Mentions: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The LEGO Movie, Earth to Echo.

Now on to the dubious entries from 2014.  Here are the Top 5 Worst Films I saw in 2014…

5.  Rio 2;  This was more of a disappointment for us personally, as we had a birthday party go see this sequel cash grab.  None of the originality or amazingly detailed animated imagery of the first film, coupled with a really simple story and setting, Rio 2 is a franchise killer.  No need to follow these blue birds anywhere else in the future.  Leave them in the Amazon and on the Amazon discounted movie list.

4.  Dolphin Tale 2;  Another sequel made simply on the fact that the first instalment made more money than expected.  There was really no need to visit this tale a second time, as the actors seemed either bored or in the case of the young leads, not up to the task.  These are not child actors that grew into convincing performers like the Harry Potter cast did.  As I stated in my original review, why not offer this content in a documentary to spare us the uninspired acting?  The end credits sequence is more fascinating than the recreation of the moment in the movie.  If you have footage of the real event, give us that instead.

3.  Maleficent;  What happens when production and actor whims matter more than the movie itself.  Maleficent looks amazing (sets and effects are top notch) and Angelina Jolie hams it up in the title role with much relish and aplomb.  Yet the story feels hollow, forced and a sad attempt by Disney to reinvent a fairy tale in the manner that so many are being done nowadays to make the original villain a sympathetic figure.  The three fairy characters are annoying and poorly used as (unfunny) comic relief, while the rest of the film's human characters are either given little to do.  The creatures and magic are spectacular, but feel more like an effects reel for future projects, like the next Alice in Wonderland film, as they seem out of place or inconsequential to the story or there for the sake of beefing up the trailer of a film with very little substance.

2.  G.I. Joe: Retaliation; I remember seeing the trailer for this and thinking, wow, they are really stepping this franchise up a notch.  The first Joe was a guilty pleasure of campy acting and exciting action.  This one promised ninja battles and action heroes but failed to deliver any thrills.  It's no wonder one of the key players gets himself killed early, so as not to continue on in this ridiculous world of posturing designed to sell action figures.  Only problem being, kids won't ask their parents to buy them toys based on a movie based on a toy that doesn't offer anything to fuel their imagination.  Willis phones it in, yet again, and the Rock is wasted along with the promise of interesting ninja battles.  Cobra Commander wins this one, hopefully putting an end to G.I. Joe for good.



…and the Worst Film I saw in 2014 is…

1.  Free Birds; It's too easy to pass up the irony that this film is the true definition of a movie turkey.  See how not funny that last comment was?  That's what this film is stuffed with!  Get it?  "Stuffed"…turkeys.  See.  Not funny.  Considering that the movie is rather offensive to Native Americans, it's quite the statement that what's even more offensive is how Free Birds fails to be funny.  Or clever.  Or interesting.  Even on a childish level.  My own child didn't find any of it funny or mildly amusing.  She even told me that I probably shouldn't bother watching it.  Considering that she actually enjoyed most of this worst list, that should tell you how awful this film is.  I should have listened to her.  Be thankful that you've been warned to not waste your time on this drivel.  Get it?  "Thankful"…Thanksgiving…turkeys.  Yeah, it's that awful.


So there you have it.  Some pretty lame films I chose to sit through in 2014, so you don't have to.  Please leave a comment telling us your favourite and most hated films of the year, and click a thumbs up or thumbs down to let me know if you concur or disagree with what I had to say.  I will see you on Twitter @joejameskireel and encourage you to share and send me your faves and raves throughout 2015.  Check in on this blog for future reviews and enjoy the ones from the past by clicking through the archives.  Here's to hoping that oooh, child, things are gonna get brighter next year.