Halfway Through 2017: Ranking the 20 Films I've Seen

20. Split dir. M. Night Shyamalan (5/10)

What's good? Anything good about this film begins and ends with James McAvoy, and even he's not entirely unaffected by its overwhelming mediocrity. In the hands of a better filmmaker and more importantly, a better script, this could've been an amazing performance. As it is it's a solid and entertaining portrayal of unhinged malevolence that could've been so much more. 

What's bad? The performances are overall pretty solid, but unfortunately actors can only do so much with M. Night Shaymalan's atrocious screenwriting that feeds characters with the most inane things to say. Conversations never flow in a natural or organic way which makes the film surprisingly unengaging for material that's so potentially incendiary. 

Worth a watch? Not really, unless you REALLY like James McAvoy. I was expecting to be troubled or somewhat unnerved by the subject matter, or maybe even the way it was handled, but in the end this is just a badly written, moderately OK directed and very forgettable film. 

Best scene? If I'm to be honest? The post-credits scene. 

19. Ghost in the Shell dir. Rupert Sanders (5/10)

What's good? It's visually striking and moderately well-acted, and is an improvement over Snow White and the Huntsman for Rupert Sanders.

What's bad? In the end, the whole race-bending issue over Major is one of the film's least striking problems. More prominent is just how lifeless it is for the most part. For something that's attracted such a large flock of fans and fanatics, you'd expect a film adaptation to at least have some fun with the source material, but instead it just feels like something that compiles an array of bits and pieces from better science-fiction movies. Plus, the ending and villains are all downright awful.

Worth a watch? There's entertainment value to be found in here in the visual aesthetic, but wouldn't particularly recommend it especially if you're a fan of the original. 

Best scene? The nightclub shootout. 

18. Kong: Skull Island dir. Jordan Vogt-Roberts (5.5/10)

What's good? Kong is an impressive visual/mo-cap creation, there's a couple of fun action sequences, and John C. Reilly's madcap take on the photojournalist from Apocalypse Now with a heart is genuinely a great performance. 

What's bad? Outside of Reilly, all the human characters feel so artificial and paper-thin. There never really feels like there's human stakes to the conflict, unlike the not perfect but far more impressive and immersive 2005 King Kong. The generic script never evolves into something more than 'thrust several cliches together in action setpieces and see what happens', and makes most things onscreen pretty unengaging despite being technically well shot and edited, especially when either big monkey or Reilly are not onscreen.

Worth a watch? You know what? I'll say yes because watching Reilly having the time of his life and a the king of the apes smashing things is at the very least, moderately entertaining which is more than can be said for the previous two films. 

Best scene? Kong's initial attack on the helicopters.

17. Baywatch dir. Seth Gordon (6/10)

What's good? Blasphemy for putting this so 'high' on my list? So be it. There's quite a bit of fun to be had in this film with some pretty funny jokes, and a genuine sense of camaraderie between its cast members.

What's bad? There's very little plot, and what little of it there is is extremely flimsy and not particularly interesting. Honestly I think the film would have been better off as a series of vigenettes.

Worth a watch? Yeah, why not. Not going to win any Oscars and it's not, strictly speaking, a 'good film'. But it's mindless fun, and that's what matters.

Best scene? The team infiltrate the Huntley Club/Ronnie's dance. 

16. The Promise dir. Terry George (6.5/10)

What's good? Sheds light on a very tragic point in history, the Armenian Genocide, and definitely massive respect to the people on board this film who give it their all, in particular Oscar Isaac.

What's bad? You know, I think if director Terry George had opted to direct this in a similar fashion to Hotel Rwanda, this could've been a far stronger film overall. This film spends almost too much time on a love triangle I had very little interest in, when in fact focusing on the three characters seperately could've made for a far more powerful and thought-provoking film.

Worth a watch? Yes. It's a flawed film in terms of technicalities and direction, but in terms of its central message and heart, it's in the right place.

Best scene? Mikael returns to his village. 

15. Beauty and the Beast dir. Bill Condon (6.5/10)

What's good? It may not have been a wholly necessary film, but like The Jungle Book last year (albeit to a lesser extent) it manages to recreate some of original spirit and energy of its classic source, while also finding ways to diverge from it in interesting ways, like its rewriting of Gaston and LeFou's relationship, and capturing the visual details of the household servants with a bit of a spin. 

What's bad? Emma Watson is just not a very good actress, I hate to say it. She tries her best, but her Belle is a bit of a downgrade from the original, who wasn't that great of a Disney Princess to start with anyway. The SFX for the Beast is also a bit iffy, Dan Stevens does his best with the role, and I kind of disliked the new songs they inserted into the film.

Worth a watch? If you like Disney films then this will tick some boxes, irk you in some ways, but you'll probably still like it overall. If you don't like Disney, stay far away. 

Best scene? 'Gaston' 

14. Fast & Furious 8 dir. F. Gary Gray (7/10)

What's good? When the film revels in its utter stupidity and lets fist fly, cars crash and egos butt heads, it thrives. From the prison breakout scene to the climactic finale on ice, even if your suspension of disbelief is strung out to its absolute extreme, you'll enjoy every dumb action scene, and Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson seeing who's got bigger balls.

What's bad? Like Baywatch, the villainous side of things bogs the film down greatly. There's no fun to be had in it, and it makes for some scenes that are almost too dark for a Fast and Furious film. 

Worth a watch? If you've been a fan of all/some of the Fast and Furious films so far, then yes, you will like this. But it won't convert any non-believers. 

Best scene? The Rock and Statham break out of prison. 

13. Trainspotting 2 dir. Danny Boyle (7/10)

What's good? Nostalgia is the main selling point of this film, and it fulfils that expectation, and then some. It works well as just a nice little reunion of these beloved (or perhaps not so beloved) characters, but also works in developing their stories. It never feels dull, and fares far better than most 2010s belated sequels to 1990s classics have. 

What's bad? I'll admit that though the film is never really dull, it does feel a bit too aimless at points, particularly in the final act or so. Where Trainspotting had a stronger dramatic core, this film has to force its way to find one at certain points, and I think the film would've fared better with a less over-the-top and melodramatic finale.

Worth a watch? I'd say so, it's a very endearing film and one that'll please fans of the original, if not necessarily become beloved by them. 

Best scene? Begbie and Renton 'reunite'.

12. A Ghost Story (7.5/10) dir. David Lowrey

What's good? It takes a very interesting concept and goes all out with it. The haunting cinematography and restrained long takes make for a very immersive experience, and the whole idea of a ghost grounded in realism is utilized very well. 

What's bad? Not that much that's bad so much as I don't think the film lives up to its full potential. It lost me a bit towards the middle, and when the film involves too much talking it loses most of its strength as a beautifully 'quiet' film. In the end, I think I was more involved with the overall 'mood' of the film than the story or themes it was trying to espouse.

Worth a watch? Yes. The Swiss Army Man of this year, one which must be seen to be believed, and it's important that offbeat projects like this get attention. 

Best scene? Any scene that's entirely dialogue-free. 

11. The Lost City of Z (7.5/10) dir. James Gray

What's good? Beautifully shot, and James Gray is a director with a real grasp on the small, human details of an epic adventure, with some very interesting characters and psyches playing off one another. Charlie Hunnam and Robert Pattison are both particularly good.

What's bad? Would not have minded a bit more of a brisker pace, and I think the nature of the real-life figure results in the third act feeling decidedly anti-climactic.

Worth a watch? Certainly - quite underseen and I do think that it was perhaps poorly advertised as an adventure film when it's a bit more of a character study.

Best scene? Fawcett meets Costin for the first time.

10. Free Fire dir. Ben Wheatley (7.5/10)

What's good? A very strong ensemble that works together well in generating laughs and tension, befitting of a plot which throws them all into one setting. It's just quite a bit of fun to watch these character trade verbal barbs and bullets, and it breezes past quite nicely.

What's bad? Some of the cinematography in this was very iffy, and though I was entertained by most scenes, the ways in which Wheatley cuts between the different parts of the shootout was at times extremely muddled. Also, some of the characters get way too little to do.

Worth a watch? Certainly, nothing overly bad to criticize and it's quite a bit of fun. 

Best scene? 'Annie's Song'

9. Alien: Covenant (8/10) dir. Ridley Scott

What's good? This is a really, really entertaining film. I was not expecting to enjoy myself as much as I did throughout this, considering I'm such a massive Alien fan. It's such a fun and at times pretty tense action-horror film with excellent performances from Katherine Waterston, Michael Fassbender, and Danny McBride, and a stellar ensemble to hold it up. Visually impeccable too. 

What's bad? Besides the characters who live, most of the cast are dead men walking because of the multitude of stupid decisions they make. Thus though it's fun to watch, seeing them getting killed off never evokes much of a response from the audience in the same way the original Alien crew did. Also, when the film tries to be too clever, it doesn't really work; it's most effective as a straightforward action film with some horror elements. 

Worth a watch? Definitely. Unless you're expecting something as great as Alien, I think anyone who wants some scares and entertainment will enjoy this.

Best scene? The backburster, or the opening scene. 

8. John Wick 2 (8/10) dir. Chad Stahelski

What's good? Action, action, action. Everything is taken up a notch, and makes for some truly breathtaking sequences.

What's bad? Too much universe setting up for the sequel that bogs the film down a bit in the third act. Also, they don't utilize some of the most intriguing elements from the first film enough, like the members of the contract killer's hotel, and has a very weak main villain.

Worth a watch? Definitely, some of the most fun I've had at the cinema this year even if I felt there could've been a bit more substance to it.

Best scene? A contract on Wick's head.

7. The Other Side of Hope (8/10) dir. Aki Kaurismäki 

What's good? A story of a Syrian refugee with a tragic past and a disgruntled divorced salesman-turned-restauranteer doesn't exactly scream 'hilarious', but that's what a lot of this film is. Part oddball comedy, part social satire, this is a film which knows how to derive laughs out of drama, and drama out of laughs. It's an intimate, small-scale film that really knows its characters and their predicaments well, and tells their little stories incredibly well. 

What's bad? Not a fan of the ending, which seems tonally all over the place, and I'd also say that the parts of the film which are pure drama, or pure comedy, are the weakest parts, it works best as a dramedy, or comedy with elements of dramatic pathos. 

Worth a watch? Definitely, particularly in these times it's as relevant as ever, and you'll probably have a good time. 

Best scene? The health inspectors visit. 

6. Lady Macbeth (8.5/10) dir. William Oldroyd

What's good? Florence Pugh gives an amazing performance as Catherine, a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage who soon figures out how to make the best of her situation, even if it involves a few less than savoury acts. I love how the film never tries to force you to sympathize or hate Catherine, but rather presents her every action with such cold and callous disconnect, making the moments where we see what she's internally going through all the more powerful. Despite being a very understated film, it's also extremely chilling. 

What's bad? Pacing is a bit off at points, and some standout scenes are followed by needless ones; really, whenever the camera strays from Pugh is when the film loses momentum, as the rest of the cast, though mostly serviceable, are far from being as effective as her character and performance.

Worth a watch? Definitely. A criminally underseen and I'd daresay that with more of a campaign behind her, Pugh could have made a play for a Best Actress Oscar nomination.

Best scene? The poisoning of Boris. 

5. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (9/10) dir. James Gunn

What's good? The action, visuals have only gotten better since the first film, and I felt the character dynamics in this one felt so natural and organic, and I just loved spending time with these great characters. Also the jokes, though slightly hit and miss, are hilarious when they hit the mark, and the underlying emotional poignancy though rushed manages to make quite the impact still.

What's bad? There's very little plot to speak of, and even though the villain and his motivations are well set up, it's slightly nullified by the very vigenette style of the film. Honestly, I can understand if someone thought this film was a mess, but it's that messiness which sort of endeared it to me.

Worth a watch? Hell to the yeah, unless you didn't like the first one, but how could you not?

Best scene? 'Come a Little Bit Closer' 

4. The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki (9/10) dir. Juho Kuosmanen

What's good? Honestly, I could rank places 2 to 4 on my list in any way. They're equally terrific films in their own ways, and this one is a terrific boxing film, but not in your usual fashion. It features the real-life story of a boxer who fits all the criteria of an underdog, but the story doesn't move in the way you'd necessarily expect. The screenplay and direction gradually reveal the film to be something else than just a tale about a boxer, but instead of a man who boxes and finds victory in something beyond the ring. It's an extremely low-key and loveable film that's funny and moving without trying.

What's bad? I loved the film, but some might find it a bit too understated and bare bones for its own good. And the ending is, indeed, anticlimactic, but I think it works extremely well for the tone 

Worth a watch? YES. Finnish dramedy is something that's been hitherto untouched on this blog, and this film has encouraged me to go on a new pursuit.

Best scene? Olli returns home to visit Raija.


3. Wonder Woman (9/10) dir. Patty Jenkins

What's good? Terrific action sequences and visuals, Patty Jenkins and Matthew Jensen such a strong eye for the horrors of war and the grandeur of the titular Amazon saviour. The score is breathtaking, the story has high stakes which result in a great deal of tension, and I loved how uncynical its approach to heroism and valour was. Gal Gadot's excellent and heartfelt portrayal of the badass titular hero and her dynamic with Chris Pine's equally impressive turn as 'above average' Steve Trevor makes for a very entertaining and powerful core to the film. 

What's bad? Honestly, I could go on about the generic villains, but I don't think they hinder the film that much. Ludendorff and Doctor Poison aren't the most interesting or original characters ever, but I did not mind them that much since they don't play that big of a part in the film overall.

Worth a watch? Definitely. Even if you don't like superhero films, I'd say this has a bit of something in it for everyone. 

Best scene? No Man's Land. 

2. Logan (9/10) dir. James Mangold

What's good? You know what, pretty much everything in this film is growing on me as I write it, from the performances to the visuals to the script and of course, above all, the strong emotional core it has in its central trio. Even its less important elements like the villains and the comedy are all done really well, and as someone who's not the biggest X-Men fan I loved it.

What's bad? Nothing much, really. Maybe a bit too much happens at the end of the second act for everything to have the right amount of impact, but it's not a big deal.

Worth a watch? Definitely. Although definitely go in with an open mind, and don't bring young children expecting a fun superhero film.

Best scene? Logan's last run.

1. Get Out (9.5/10) dir. Jordan Peele

What's good? As a massive Key and Peele fan, I was already interested in this film, but nothing prepared me for how great it would turn out. It blends biting social commentary on race with some truly terrifying moments, and some truly hilarious moments. Jordan Peele has proved to be one hell of a director, and his strong cast (most notably Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams and the underrated work of Betty Gabriel), strong screenplay, makes for an exceptional horror-comedy that goes beyond the call of duty.

What's bad? Some consider the ending a cop out, some feel the humour to be misplaced in parts. I myself think the film works almost perfectly on all those fronts, but I can see why some mind find it tonally bizzare.

Worth a watch? Yes, yes, yes, yes...

Best scene? No, no, no, no, no...