1. "The Shape of Water"(2017)
Guillermo del Toro's Best Picture-winning masterpiece(sorry,"Pan's Labyrinth" fans) is a transcendent, gorgeously-rendered romantic fantasy that deserves to be considered this generation's "Beauty and the Beast". Sally Hawkins is heaven-sent as a mute cleaning lady at a top-secret government laboratory in 1962 Baltimore. Her unlikely courtship with a captive amphibian humanoid is one of the most visually-arresting and original films I've had the pleasure of viewing in the 21st Century. Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones and Octavia Spencer are all splendid in supporting roles. I can't imagine anyone not loving this film.
2. "Logan"(2017)
Hugh Jackman has played Wolverine a total of nine times since 2000. He saved the best for last. "Walk the Line" director James Mangold found as much inspiration from classic Westerns(ahem, "Shane") as he did from his Marvel source material, as an aged Logan must protect an ailing Professor X(Patrick Stewart) and his powerful 11 year old daughter(Dafne Keen) from militant mutant hunters. Needless to say, the X-Men's legendary leader goes for the throat, and an R-rating instantly separates his rip-roaring final adventure from all those Guardians and Avengers. For the sake of sorting out a VERY cluttered genre, this is one of the greatest superhero movies ever made.
3. "Darkest Hour"(2017)
Gary Oldman gives one of the decade's must-see performances(perhaps second only to his old pal DDL's Lincoln) in this stirring recreation of the pivotal three days in May 1940 that defined celebrated British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. History recognizes the heroism in his steadfast refusal to surrender the U.K. to Nazi rule, despite a bleak prognosis at Dunkirk(more on that in a moment). "Atonement" director Joe Wright captures this very specific time and place, and "Hour" should be officially added to school curriculums as soon as possible. This is an uplifting movie.
4. "Dunkirk"(2017)
The cult of Chris Nolan got bigger with this tense, breathless reenactment of the rescue of over 300,000 Allied soldiers in northern France. A bold decision to cut dialogue and characterization down to the bare minimum keeps our focus almost entirely on his directorial wizardry. This is one of the best looking AND best sounding movies of the 2010s, and it doesn't let up for 106 suspense-soaked minutes. Many already consider it one of the best WWII movies. Only a fool would try to argue. With Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, Fionn Whitehead, Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy.
5. "The Post"(2017)
Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg. Do I have to say anymore? This movie was great before a single frame was shot. Apparently, the sneaky U.S. government expanded it's clandestine efforts in Vietnam and lied about the level of incoming carnage to it's too-trusting citizens in the '60s(I'm as shocked as you are). Streep strengthened her already rock-solid rep as Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham, and her editor Ben Bradlee(Hanks) was nothing less than an American hero. Drawing uncomfortable parallels between the past and present world of politics, "The Post" instantly joined "Spotlight" and "All the President's Men" as a sobering testament to journalistic integrity.
6. "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"(2017)
A fiery Frances McDormand couldn't be denied her second Best Actress Oscar(the first was for "Fargo") in writer-director Martin McDonagh's third and most acclaimed effort to date. The failures of law enforcement in a rape/murder case are highlighted by three accusatory billboards(an actual occurrence that inspired McDonagh) that turn a small Southern town upside down. Best Supporting Actor winner Sam Rockwell has quietly become one of the most reliable performers in the biz, and we should be talking about the estimable Woody Harrelson a helluva lot more. The diligent McDonagh knows every inch of his unglamorous setting and it's colorful inhabitants. His next project is eagerly anticipated.
7. "Coco"(2017)
Pixar enacted the movie industry's diversification memo in this vibrant and charming tale of a Mexican boy with musical dreams that don't sit well with his traditional old-school elders. "Toy Story 3" writer-director Lee Unkrich has long been the sensational studio's secret weapon(and quiet co-founder alongside the more-celebrated John Lasseter), and deserved widespread recognition for crafting an original premise that ping-pongs our pint-sized protagonist Miguel between the 'Land of the Living' and the 'Land of the Dead'. A love letter to Mexican culture, "Coco" was rightly rewarded with the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
8. "Wizard of Lies"(2017)
Just when you thought he was done being the god of acting, Robert De Niro's subtle, simmering portrayal of Wall Street snake Bernie Madoff makes me want to call him the GOAT all over again. Madoff is the Adolph Hitler of corporate crime, and HBO deserves kudos for developing the kind of meaty material that doesn't show up the big screen often enough, with so many superheroes running around. A resurgent Michelle Pfeiffer is more than a match as his oblivious wife Ruth, in a story that's as intimate as it is insanely far-reaching. Madoff destroyed the lives of many families, perhaps none more than his own. "Rain Man" director Barry Levinson depicts this early 21st Century tragedy with a skill and confidence that recalls his award-winning heyday.
9. "I, Tonya"(2017)
Margot Robbie took a big step forward as disgraced figure skater Tonya Harding in this diverting biopic. If you were old enough to watch the news in '94, then you don't need to be told about the infamous attack on her Olympic rival Nancy Kerrigan(I was there and they were everywhere). It turned out that Harding's abusive hubby(Sebastian Stan) concocted the plan that would see her banned for life from the only thing she was ever good at(according to this movie anyway). "Tonya" generates sympathy it's subject may not entirely deserve, but that's the magic of cinema. Margot is terrific, as is Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner Alison Janney as her acid-tongued mother.
10. "Wonder Woman"(2017)
The summer's best blockbuster was a big win for DC in their decades-long conflict with Marvel, and a satisfying solo launch for the first female superhero. It took twenty years to put Wonder Woman on the big screen, and Gal Gadot was worth the wait. Director Patty Jenkins("Monster") harnessed the 'girl power' movement in pop culture and ably handles this origin story. Diana Prince was perfectly realized, as the Amazonian warrior goddess is transported from her hidden island home to WWI-era London to take the fight to Ares(the Greek god of war). Chris Pine, Robin Wright, David Thewlis, and Connie Nielsen provide strong support for the gorgeous Gadot. Sequels, please.
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