The Best Films of 2017 (So Far)

We are 6 months into 2017 and so far the films presented to us have been excellent, with the best ones having been sci-fi and thriller films. The comedies and dramas have been underwhelming, whereas the Guardians have guarded, the X-men have been more human, and the monsters have been sentimental. With a lot of more fantastical films still to come, here's my list of the best films so far...in no particular order.

This brilliant social satire is both a dark comedy and a sci-fy thriller. Jordan Peele's script has to be nominated for Best Orginal Screenplay, and the supporting cast is off the hook fantastic.

Samuel L. Jackson is so underrated because he's consistently great in everything he does. Kong is no exception. Here, the filmmakers are able to take the political energy of Apocalypse Now and shift it into this fantasy adventure film with some of the best sunsets in movie history.

I promised to write about this before and got lazy. Colossal is a hard hitting look and the man v. woman relationship dance with Anne Hathaway giving an award worthy performance as an alcoholic who realizes her actions effect more than just her. But Jason Sudeikis' "nice guy" old friend is the real find. Nacho Vigalondo's screenplay is after the idea that "nice guys" are monsters too when they try to win love through giving instead of loving.

This is not a mistake. This is M. Night Shyamalan's best work in decades. Here he begins to tie his world's together, creating his own Marvel-esque universe. James McAvoy should get some love come oscar season if there's justice.

Edgar Wright's indie Fast & Furious-lite is the perfect summer get-a-way film. The writing, the music, the cast...all of them are brilliant. Here's a film that everyone involved seems proud to be involved.

Gaurdians of the Galaxy Volume 2 is another rip roaring, heart tugging, excitingly funny film from Marvel. The first five minutes of Baby Groot dancing was worth the ticket.

OJ: Made In America was the winner of Best Documentary for 2016, but Hulu put it up in January. If you haven't seen this 10 part series, you missed the best documentary since Hoop Dreams. This should be required viewing in every senior government class.

Im pretty sure Hugh Jackman has become one of our finest actors. He's created an iconic Wolverine while also doing great theater, musical, and dramatic work in other films and plays. Logan is everything Christopher Nolan's Batman series hoped to inspire, which are great comic book films drenched in blood AND humanity.

Another strong documentary about the painful life of stand up comedians. I related a lot to this film, and if you want to understand where Hobbies end and obsessions begin, watch this on iTunes.

What's left for 2017?

So far I haven't seen all the trailers, but there here are five trailers that I think make 2017 look still very promising.