Best of the Year 10-5

The end of the year is drawing ever-closer, and I've started to compile a list of what I think are the best and worst of the year. This week, I'll be covering number 10-5 of the best of the year, and each week I'll be doing a new one of these lists, taking us right up until the end of 2017. So, without further ado, let's get into it. Oh, and it's worth saying that because I live in a fairly out-of-the-way place, there are a fair few films I haven't been able to see yet, so these are just the best of the films I've managed to catch.

10. Paddington 2

Was anyone really expecting anything less from a sequel to Paddington? Usually, the best kid's films are not necessarily for children - they're things that both the kids and their parents will absolutely adore, and Paddington 2 is one of those films. It's rare for a film to be as optimistic and affectionate as this one, and when I came out of the screening I was genuinely happy. It's a very heart-warming film, and the must-see kid's film of the year. Check out my review here.

9. My Cousin Rachel

This one seems to have slipped under quite a few people's radars, but I thought it was a brilliant adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's book. Rachel Weisz is brilliant as the titular cousin, but what really makes this film so good is how the source material was dealt with. All of the ambiguity of the story is kept intact here, and the cinematography is absolutely gorgeous to look at. This is underrated, and a must-see anyone who's a fan of psychological thrillers. Unfortunately, I don't have a review for this, but you can check out the Guardian review here (not sponsored.)

8. Mother!

Mother! may not be the best film of the year, but it is certainly the strangest. Directed by twisty-turny psychological horror aficionado Darren Aronofsky, this harks back to things like Black Swan and his debut Pi in some ways, but is also completely different to them in others. The film is almost beyond description. At its core, it's a home invasion film, but this is definitely the most unique one ever made. Javier Bardem and Jennifer Lawrence are brilliant in the main roles, and this is the kind of film people will be trying to unpack for a long time. Check out my review here. 

7. Okja

This is another film by a previously well-regarded director (Bong Joon-Ho), and proves that he still has what it takes to make a great film. This is one of the most politically-minded of all the films on this list. Despite that, it's a very fast-paced and surprisingly funny film, yet never loses sight of what it wants to say. As usual, Jake Gyllenhaal and Paul Dano are brilliant, and Tilda Swinton is very good as a devious company bigwig. Again, no review for this one, but check out the Independent's review here.

6. Get Out

Written and directed by famous comedy writer Jordan Peele, this one stays true to that some ways, but has an edge and fear factor that was left out of anything he's done before. This one is just as political as Okja, but it has very different themes. What I like most about this film is how inventive it is. The horror genre is one mired with mediocre-to-bad films, but this one stands out as one of the freshest and most stylish of the year, and it's also a very brainy film, and Daniel Kaluuya is brilliant as the star. Check out the Guardian review here.

5. The Disaster Artist

For me, this was definitely the surprise of the year. I went in expecting a fairly decent film, but actually, I loved this film. What could have been a film which had nothing more to say than something everyone already knew (that The Room is funny/Wiseau is weird) is actually an incredible heartfelt and affectionate ode to people who try to succeed when the odds are firmly stacked against them. Better yet, it shows Wiseau exactly as he was, good and bad: ambitious, naive, deluded and arrogant, despite how clueless The Room makes him look. This is essential watching for fans of The Room. Check out my review here.