The Post is a perfect film for today's climate, plus the 10 best movies I saw in 2017

The Post, the latest film from master craftsman Steven Spielberg, is set in 1971, and it easily feels like present day.  In fact, I'd say we live in a current political time not seen since the days of Nixon.  It's a wonderful film that reminds us that, in the days of fake news, we need a free and independent press more than ever.   This film tells the dramatization of The Washington Posts efforts to publish a series of leaked federal documents (known as The Pentagon Papers), which exposed a targeted cover-up and a misinformation campaign by the government to lie the US into the Vietnam Wars.

This film also resonates in another way... specifically with issues of sexism both in and out of the workplace.  Merryl Streep's character is the lone female voice in a world of men, and has to work twice as hard to have her voice heard... even though she owns the paper.  As my friend Adam put it, you can't help but think of the Me Too and Time's Up movements while watching this film.

The Post is total gang busters from the start and doesn't let up until the end.  Sadly, I didn't know much about this subject, but it made it fresh for me.  I mean I knew briefly that the papers would get published, but I'm always marveled about the talent it takes to make a film interesting where you already know the ending (Spielberg also did this wonderfully in Lincoln).  This sense of urgency is developed through great editing as well as the wonderful performances by the group of actors in this film.  Tom Hanks and Streep shine in the meatiest roles.  However, its the group of supporting actors (like in a newsroom itself) that make this film sizzle.  Bob Odenkirk (so wonderful as TV's Saul Goodman) gives the standout performance among the supporting cast as Ben Bagdikian, the reporter who breaks the story for the Washington Post.  Bradley Whitford (continuing his stellar year after a great performance in Get Out) and Tracy Letts also shine as the "suits" representing the newly publically traded company.  Come to think of it, another theme of money and power permeating throughout the media is another interesting subject that is prevalent throughout the film.

I absolutely loved this film.  Yes, I have a few minor squabbles with the film (specifically the lack of another developed female character), but overall I highly recommend it.  It'll surely be in my top 10 of 2017.

Speaking of which... I've finally seen enough films to put together my top 10.  I am still missing out on a few Oscar contenders, so this list is incomplete.  Deal with it... and now, the 10 best movies I saw in 2017.



10)  Detroit - A total powder keg of a movie that is just as relevant to today's society as The Post.  Katherine Bigelow manages to cram the intensity of an entire riot into a small hotel for most of the film and you feel like the bomb could go off at any moment.

9)  Thor: Ragnarok - In a great year for the superhero genre, this one stood out for its originality, which is striking considering it's the 3rd Thor film.  The comedy was so fresh and the performances really drove this one.  Ragnarok is perhaps the funniest superhero film ever made.  Kudos to all involved with this one.

8)  The Big Sick - A totally refreshing dramedy which details the real life courtship between star Kumail Nanjiani and his wife.  Despite the topic of illness, it's a real delight.

7)  Logan - A fitting send off for Hugh Jackman's Wolverine... and an emotionally satisfying film that took a chance on an original story.  Though, with Disney's recent acquisition of  20th Century Fox, you have to wonder if this truly is the last time Jackman dons the adamantium claws.

6)  Blade Runner 2049 - The best looking film (by far) of 2017 from my favorite working director today.  It wasn't quite the financial hit that I expected, but that's because it was more of a cerebral piece of art than a mainstream action film.

5) The Post - Like I said above, a joyous film that tells a story that's just as important today as it was back in 1971.

4)  Good Time - Robert Pattinson completely breaks away from his Twilight days with his virtuoso performance as a down on his luck criminal having a very bad day.  This film was shockingly overlooked and undervalued this year.

3) Star Wars: The Last Jedi - The most polarizing Star Wars film since the much maligned prequels... and I'm not sure why.  It managed to shed the saga from its past, while heading in a new and exciting direction.  I absolutely loved it, and I'm very excited about where Star Wars goes from here.  It was dark, dramatic, and cute as hell.

2) Get Out - The subversive horror/comedy from Jordan Peele is unlike any movie we've seen in a long time.  It's timely, smart, funny... while at the same time working on its own as a thriller.  I hope it's the dark horse for Oscar season.

1) Dunkirk - Christopher Nolan's masterpiece.  In dark times, this film about the true meaning of bravery resonated with me in a way no other Nolan film has done.  It's an action spectacle that shows the importance of true leadership and courage.  My favorite film of the year.

The Fortress of Sucktitude - My 10 worst movies of 2017

2017 brought was, in many ways, a good year for films.  From the breakout success of Jordan Peele's Get Out, to excellent blockbusters such as Wonder Woman and Dunkirk, to another successful chapter of the Star Wars saga, 2017 has plenty of great films to remember and cherish.  In fact, there's so many good movies, I'm still working on catching up with all of them.  My best movie list is very much still a work in progress, and I won't it ready for you, my loyal readers (ie my mom, wife, and a couple selected randos) for another week or so.  BUT I did see plenty of bad movies this year.  My DVD Netflix subscription allows me to watch terrible movies in the safety of my own home.

Before I dive into my bottom 10,there's also plenty of bad movies that I didn't bother seeing (looking at you Daddy's Home 2!) that could easily make the list.  Without further adieu... here's my bottom 10 for 2017.

10) The House - This should have been a no brainer... a Will Ferrell/Amy Poehler team-up about two down on their luck parents who open up a casino in their home to help pay for their daughter's college tuition.  Instead, everyone involved seems to be going through the motions in order to cash a paycheck.

9) Rough Night - Please, please, please stop trying to make "the next Bridesmaids."  This movie fails on almost every level.  Unfunny cast.  Poor writing.  Pointless plot.  ScarJo should not be a comedy lead.

8) Ghost In The Shell - 2017 was a rough year for ScarJo.  From her uninspired performance in the aforementioned Rough Night, to the white-washed version of Ghost In The Shell, she just seemed out of place.  The producers of this film, turned a legendary Japanese anime film, and turned it into a generic lifeless blockbuster.

7) Justice League - Superman's digital mustache removal alone landed this movie in my bottom 10.  Justice League may be my biggest disappointment of the year.   Any hopes that DC had turned a corner after Wonder Woman were sadly crushed with this total mess of a movie.  There's apparently a director's cut out there that differs majorly from this stinker.  I'd be interested to see if it ever gets released.  Is there a major reboot in store for DC?

6) Life - A total Alien rip-off to the point of insult to the original.  Shame on the producers of this total misfire of a film.

5) - Transformers: The Last Knight - I've spend enough money on Michael Bay films over the years that I could probably put his non-existent kids through college.  I've always held a special place in my heart for these Transformers films.  I can't quit them.  I know they're terrible, but I enjoy Bay's visual style so much that it doesn't matter.  The man can craft an action sequence like no one else.  That being said, The Last Knight was a total piece of crap.  No story.  Actors collecting paychecks left and right.  The wheels have finally fallen off this franchise.  Will I be there opening night for the next one?  Sadly, yes.

4) - Assassin's Creed - Hopes were high for this one to be the first good video game movie.  It had a great cast and an almost can't-miss story.  However, the film was a complete letdown from the opening seconds.  Most video game movies are faulted for not being true to the source material.  Assassin's Creed is guilty of being TOO true to the source... something that made it confusing to anyone not familiar with the game series.

3) - Baywatch - I love The Rock.  I've been an avid fan since his wrestling days and have seen almost all his films.  He revitalized the Fast & Furious franchise, was admirable in the G.I. Joe sequel, among others.  However, his non-franchise choices of late have been stale to uninspired.  I had high hopes for Baywatch.  It seemed like the perfect choice to get the 21 Jump Street, self-reflective comedy treatment.  I just wish it had the same writers.  This movie is one long wet fart of a comedy that had me questioning my Rock fandom.  If he keeps on this route, I am worried for his lasting power.

2) - Snatched - At no point during this terrible film is there anything close to resembling a coherent joke.  Snatched features Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn as mother/daughter on a trip gone wrong.  These two have almost zero chemistry together... not that the script gave them much to work with.  Amy Schumer is funny, but I'm not convinced she's a movie star.  I didn't think I could like anything less this year, until...

1) - The Dark Tower - Wow!  This not only the worst movie of the year, it's a candidate for worst movie of the 2000's.  Where do I begin?  After years in development limbo, THIS is what we're left with???  Who thought it was a good idea to cram 8 novels into 90 minutes of movie?  Idris Elba does his best to give this film some weight, but everything about this movie is terrible.  It was so bad, I watched the second half of it in fast forward on my DVD player.