My best 10 films of 2017

2017 was a great year for cinema releases. Yeah, like always there was a lot of superhero stuff but The Justice League aside most of them were actually really good. But in between the blockbusters there was a lot of smaller beauty. You just had to be willing to go looking for it. 2017 was a barnstormer of a year for Irish cinema too. If this was a top 20 list there would be a lot more homegrown films on here.

My Top 10 of 2017. In no particular order. 

Prevenge

A darkly comic and plain dark horror thriller about a pregnant woman written by, directed by and starring Alice Lowe. She's one to watch. Ben Wheatley has a new rival.

The Lost City Of Z

The story of Percival Fawcett, a 1920's explorer. Directed by James Gray and starring Charlie Hunnam, this is a glorious return to old fashioned storytelling. Probably my favourite film of the year.

Wonder Woman

The best comic book film of the year and a fresh perspective on a tired(ish) genre. The no man's land scene is my favourite scene of the year. Gal Gadot is brilliant in the main role.

The Red Turtle

A bit of Studio Ghibli completes every list. The story of a man trapped on a desert island and the magic he encounters. A stunning piece of animation.

Drummer And The Keeper

A young man with a bipolar disorder and a teen with Asperger's syndrome strike up an unlikely friendship in this lovely Irish tale. Hilarious and upsetting in equal measure.

Raw

The queasiest film of the year but also one of the best. A vegetarian girl goes to college and discovers some strange urges. Blackly comic and full of metaphor, it's a hard but very rewarding watch.

Thor Ragnarok

The most fun comic book film of the year. I laughed more at this than a lot of so called comedies. The best Marvel movie since The Winter Soldier. 2 hrs of total entertainment. 

Logan Lucky

Steven Soderbergh's return to heist movies was a total success. Shorn of the smugness of the Ocean's 11 films, this is funny & heartwarming stuff that shows genuine affection for it's characters. Channing Tatum is rapidly becoming one of the most likeable actors around.

Cardboard Gangsters

A morality tale for modern day Ireland led by an amazing performance from John Connors. Vicious, terrifying, thought provoking stuff with a very very clear message to young men. Don't fuck about with drugs. It will not end well.

Patti Cakes

A New Jersey tale of a young woman's efforts to fight against the misery of her life and her surroundings. Great music & great performances ( Danielle MacDonald owns the film) The Rocky of 2017.