By Anonymous on Dec 25, 2017 09:30 pm From fantastic sequels to superhero movies to directorial debuts, 2017 was an amazing year for films! Which were the absolute best? Here are our top 10 movies of 2017!
2017 will be remembered as one of the greatest years for games, but we shouldn't overlook the achievement in tech and gaming hardware. New consoles changed the way we play; Nintendo let us take our favorite games on the go and Microsoft launched the most powerful console yet. A resurgence of competition in the PC hardware market gave us better performance both in terms of processors and graphics cards. There's a lot to cover, so let's look back at the biggest gaming hardware launches of the year!
We did a lot of reflecting on what 2017 brought us in the gaming world, so help yourself to everything we've covered:
Nintendo took a gamble by going with a novel form factor for its latest console, but the Switch really hit it out of the park. Not only does it function as a traditional console on a TV when it's docked, but taking top-notch games on the go is really something special. While its Tegra-based processor can't hold a candle in performance to other modern consoles like the Xbox One X, Nvidia's mobile chip has more than enough juice to power beautiful games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. There's something truly amazing about being able to play these games on the big screen in the living room and then picking up where you left off 15 minutes later on the bus.
Microsoft Xbox One X
Microsoft Xbox One X
Microsoft's Xbox One X console arrived this year and largely lived up to the hype. While it may be cost-prohibitive for many at $500, it can give a significantly more expensive PC a run for its money in terms of visual fidelity and performance. The souped-up Xbox One features an upgraded 8-core CPU clocked at 2.3GHz coupled 12GB of GDDR5 RAM, and its integrated GPU delivers six teraflops. All those specs translate to higher resolutions and more visual detail; Gears of War 4 and Halo 5 look better than ever running at 4K. Xbox One X enhanced games have specific visual upgrades, but every game and even Xbox 360 get some level of improvement by default.
AMD RX Vega 64
AMD RX Vega 64
While AMD's RX 500 series cards were great value GPUs, they were aimed more at budget-conscious consumers. AMD inserted itself back into the conversation when it comes to high-end video cards with the RX Vega 64, and finally had an answer to Nvidia's GTX 1080. According to our tests, Vega 64 runs slightly better at 4K than the GTX 1080. The fact that it debuted for $50 less is icing on the cake.
AMD RX Vega 56
AMD RX Vega 56
If AMD's RX Vega 64 was a response to Nvidia's GTX 1080, then the company's more affordable RX Vega 56 is a response to the GTX 1070. In terms of specs, Vega RX 56 is a toned-down version of Vega 64 before it. Both cards used AMD's new Vega architecture, but the RX 56 features fewer stream processors and texture units, and slightly lower clock speeds across the board. Still, the card is a great 1440p GPU that that bests Nvidia's GTX 1070 in most cases.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
While the GeForce GTX 1080 was the fastest graphics card we had ever tested when it debuted in 2016, it has since been usurped by the GTX 1080 Ti. It's essentially an upgraded version of the GTX 1080 before it, performing around 30% better in gaming benchmarks. It's still based on a 16nm FinFET production process and is built around Nvidia's Pascal micro-architecture, but it features more CUDA cores, texture units, and video RAM. All of these enhancements make it the fastest GeForce card created thus far.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
Nvidia's GTX 1070 was hailed as the best mid-to-high range video card when it released in 2016, and AMD gave it a run for its money with the RX Vega 56 this year. But in what seemed like a game of leapfrog, Nvidia released the GTX 1070 Ti afterward. It launched at an MSRP of $450 and stepped up to the Vega 56 in benchmarks that the original GTX 1070 lost in.
AMD Ryzen CPU Series
AMD Ryzen CPU Series
AMD made a comeback in the CPU space as well when it released the Ryzen series. Ryzen 7 topped the consumer-level options with the 1800X, 1700X, and 1700 models, all of which are 8-core / 16-thread CPUs using the new Zen architecture. The mid-range Ryzen 5 family of CPUs soon followed with 1600X and 1600 that packed six cores and 12 threads. The 1500X and 1400 models offered four cores and eight threads. Ryzen 3 CPUs are great entry level quad-core processors. AMD was able to pair multi-core performance previously reserved for workstation CPUs with unprecedented value.
AMD's Ryzen Threadripper CPUs represent the company's highest-end "prosumer" processors that offer tons of cores. Three SKUs make up the Threadripper line: the 1900X, 1920X, and 1950X, which feature eight, 12, and 16 cores, respectively. While the leading 1950X CPU costs $1,000, it became the first 16-core, 32-thread processor to hit the consumer desktop market and is arguably the best multitasking CPU there is.
Intel Core 8th Generation CPUs
Intel Core 8th Generation CPUs
Intel came out strong with their own family of new CPUs. The eighth generation of Core CPUs released in October with the i7-8700K leading the charge. For the first time in the Intel Core lineup, the flagship consumer-level model increased core count, going from four to six cores with multithreading.
Intel gave a boost to the mid-range Core i5 lineup as well going from the traditional four-core setup to a six-core, but without multithreading. Regardless, the i5-8600K and i5-8400 offered high-end performance at an affordable price. With the new Core i3 family, gone are the days of settling for dual-core when you're on a budget now that these cheaper CPUs come with four cores.
AMD RX 500 Series
AMD RX 500 Series
AMD's RX 580 and 570 GPUs are upgraded versions of the company's RX 480 and 470 graphics cards released in 2016. They both still use AMD's older Polaris micro-architecture but feature a more mature 14nm manufacturing process that allows them to run faster. Both cards serve as good mid-range GPUs that can max out most games at 1080p and 1440p.
Nvidia Titan V
Nvidia Titan V
A $3000 GPU isn't something you'd consider for a gaming PC, but the prospect of having the Titan V running every game at 4K and max settings all while staying above 60 FPS is fun to think about. The Titan V was the first Volta-based GPU released to the public, although it's geared towards artificial intelligence and deep learning professionals. It's a technical marvel, but also a small peek into what Nvidia's future Volta GPUs can do.
Nintendo SNES Classic
Nintendo SNES Classic
Nintendo did nostalgia right with the SNES Classic this year, a follow-up to the NES Classic that came before it. This cute rendition of the original SNES packed 21 great games from the console's time in the early- to mid-'90s. Super Mario RPG, Super Metroid, Super Mario World, and Earthbound can be played on modern TVs with ease. Star Fox 2 even had its official release through the SNES Classic.
New Nintendo 2DS XL
New Nintendo 2DS XL
If you still haven't had the chance to play some of Nintendo's expansive 3DS library, we highly recommend the New 2DS XL that came out this year. It leaves the 3D capabilities behind like the original 2DS, but and adopts the clamshell chassis and larger screens of the XL systems. It's got a sleek, minimalist design, and packs the enhanced hardware of the "New" 3DS models that some games require. It's Nintendo's best DS system yet, and despite the platform's age, there are still many awesome games to enjoy.
Razer Phone
Razer Phone
The Razer Phone might have a mediocre camera, but it features a bunch of cool new tech. For instance, it's the first smartphone to feature a 120Hz variable refresh rate panel, which makes the screen look silky smooth whether you're gaming or just navigating the OS. It also features the best front-facing speakers we've ever heard on a phone. When you add in the fact that it uses top-tier components that include Qualcomm's leading Snapdragon SOC coupled with 8GB of RAM and a large 4,000 milliamp hour battery, you get a great freshman effort from Razer.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
The Pro Controller for Nintendo Switch is the best gamepad around for the system. It can be used wirelessly or wired, lasts 40 hours on a full charge, includes motion controls, and is super ergonomic and comfortable. The rubber handles ensure that the controller won't slip out of your hand. The triggers and bumpers feature a nice, tactile feel, and the analog sticks offer much more precision than the Joy-Con.
8bitdo SF30 Pro / SN30 Pro Controllers
8bitdo SF30 Pro / SN30 Pro Controllers
Not only are 8bitdo's SF30 Pro and SN30 Pro neat controllers that call back to the Super Famicom/Super Nintendo days, they're fully featured gamepads for the Nintendo Switch, PC, and Android devices. These sport modern touches, such as dual analog sticks, triggers, motion controls, and rumble (but not HD rumble). They even have home and screenshot buttons for Switch users. Both connect via Bluetooth and charge through USB-C. On a full charge, these can last up to 16 hours.
SCUF Infinity 1 (Xbox One) and Infinity 4PS Pro (PS4)
SCUF Infinity 1 (Xbox One) and Infinity 4PS Pro (PS4)
The SCUF Infinity 1 offers a cheaper, quality alternative to the Xbox One Elite controller. SCUF's gamepad has four programmable paddles that can be mapped to any other button, and the customizable analog sticks allow you to fine-tune them to your liking.
For PS4 users, the Infinity 4PS Pro is a refined version of the 4PS that sports two programmable paddles and grippy analog sticks. Both of SCUF's controllers also feature a hair-trigger mechanism that make trigger pulls a bit quicker.
TCL P-Series (55P607) 4K HDR TV
TCL P-Series (55P607) 4K HDR TV
For several years, 4K TVs have been quite expensive, but TCL's 55P607 proved that you could get an excellent, yet affordable 4K TV. In addition to giving you ultra high definition, the TV does HDR, which makes colors more vibrant and lighting more realistic. To top it off, it's a smart TV that comes with Roku support built right in and costs around $600.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Headset
HyperX Cloud Alpha Headset
HyperX is relatively new in the gaming peripheral space, but it has carved out a niche with its headsets. The Cloud Alpha released this year and is one of the most ergonomic options with its dense, plush ear cups and leather-bound headband. It also stands out in terms of audio quality; bass booms, high frequencies aren't distorted, and mid tones come out clean. The detachable mic outputs clear voice chat as well.
SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth Headset
SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth Headset
Voice chat has been a tough problem to solve on Nintendo's system, which is what makes the SteelSeries Arctis 3 with Bluetooth a great option for Switch owners. It has the standard 3.5mm connection but can also connect to a second device for voice chat simultaneously through Bluetooth. The Arctis 3 is comfortable, light on the ears, and provides decent sound quality.
Logitech Powerplay Accessories
Logitech Powerplay Accessories
Logitech has been making strides in creating the best wireless peripherals, but it also did something a little different this year. Powerplay is the wireless charging ecosystem that keeps mice charged. It consists of a charging base (powered via USB) that sits underneath a mousepad and a rechargeable core that snaps into either the G703 or G903 wireless mouse. The core picks up its charge from the base, which means you'll never have to worry about your mouse dying.
HyperX Pulsefire FPS Mouse
HyperX Pulsefire FPS Mouse
For its first shot at a mouse, HyperX was on target with the Pulsefire FPS. It share a similar design to a few competitors, like the Razer Deathadder, but the Pulsefire is light and ergonomic. The rubberized grips on the side make it easy to pick up for those that use a claw grip, and it's hunch is just the right size for those that prefer a palm grip. HyperX also used the high-end Pixart 3310 optical sensor to ensure precise tracking.
Razer Blackwidow V2 Mechanical Keyboard
Razer Blackwidow V2 Mechanical Keyboard
The Blackwidow is Razer's flagship gaming keyboard, and it had a revision this year. Five macro keys, full RGB backlighting, and a padded palm rest round out the keyboard, but the key here is choosing between three of Razer's own mechanical switches. Each color-coded switch offers a different feel; Green has a loud tactile click, Orange has a tactile bump that's quieter, while Yellow gives you that smooth, linear keystroke.
Corsair K68 Mechanical Keyboard
Corsair K68 Mechanical Keyboard
Corsair's K68 isn't as fancy as many other mechanical keyboards, but it revels in simplicity. The K68 takes on a similar design to the Corsair Strafe, but the K68 has a rubber-like casing underneath the key caps. Not only does it make keystrokes quieter, it prevents spillage from damaging the board itself. We tested this ourselves by hesitantly pouring water on it, and the keyboard performed fine afterwards. The K68 also sports Cherry MX Red linear switches and has red LED backlighting.
If 2017 was an outstanding year for games, then the same can surely be said for movies. It's a great time to be a fan of superhero, sci-fi, horror, action, and other genre films, with some truly memorable releases giving us laughs, thrills, chills, and excitement during the last 12 months. It was so good, in fact, that you'll surely disagree with our list of the best 10 movies for 2017, as some clear fan favorites didn't make our final cut. But that was the challenge for the GameSpot crew; to distill the best of the best, to try and come up with our definitive list of the movies you must see. But just because your favorite may not have made our Top 10, it doesn't mean to say they're not worthwhile. So tell us what you think of our selections in the comments below, and list our your own personal Top 10 for 2017. But for now, click through and find our what GameSpot's selection came down to.
10. The Disaster Artist
The Disaster Artist is a movie about the making of Tommy Wiseau's cult-hit The Room. With James Franco in the leading role, The Disaster Artist explores the relationship between Tommy, the enigmatic visionary director, and Greg Sestero, a young, bright-eyed wannabe actor played by Dave Franco. The film manages to avoid the pitfalls of making Tommy Wiseau, an unusual and unpredictable man at the best of times, the butt of every joke, and instead tells a hilarious and empowering tale of one man following his dreams against all odds.
James Franco's transformation into Tommy, The Room's writer/director/executive producer/financier/leading man (and maybe he's also a vampire), steals every scene and serves as a reverent homage to the man himself. Wiseau, who is infamous for having a completely unplaceable accent and a mysteriously bottomless pool of money, wants to make a real Hollywood movie, despite not having the slightest idea how. The Disaster Artist chronicles this journey through making The Room, and also through the eyes of his exasperated cast and crew, who simply have to stand by while he makes every film making mistake possible.
While Wiseau succeeds in finishing his movie, The Room is widely considered to be one of the worst films ever made. Over its 99-minute run time, viewers are treated to an utterly bizarre plot, shots that are only ever half in focus, and dialogue that no human would ever say. Tom Bissell, who co-wrote the book The Disaster Artist is based on, is completely right when he says, "It is like a movie made by an alien who has never seen a movie, but has had movies thoroughly explained to him." And yet, since its limited release in 2003, The Room has become a cult classic, regularly playing to sold out theatres all over the world.
The Disaster Artist fully embraces just how rabid and obsessive The Room's fanbase is, recognizing that many intimately know the intricacies of its bizarre scenes and know every one of its infinitely quotable lines. It does an impressive job of conveying just why people love The Room so much, and it's peppered with niche references that diehard fans will appreciate. The side-by-side recreations of some of The Room's most famous scenes are an absolute highlight, and the attention to detail shows just how much love Franco and team put into The Disaster Artist.
The Disaster Artist could have simply poked fun at Wiseau's eccentricities, but instead it's a heartwarming celebration of one man's dream to create a real Hollywood movie. And despite the odds, the naysayers, and the questionable quality of the resulting movie, he completely succeeded.
9. Lady Bird
It's extremely difficult to find anything truly bad to say about Lady Bird. The comedy-drama is void of many of the tropes and cliches we've seen so many times in the coming-of-age teen genre, and when Lady Bird's credits roll and audiences head towards the exits, one thing can be heard over and over again: "That's me!" This may be one of the most touching and heartwarming films (that's not a Pixar movie) we've seen on a big screen in a long time.
Lady Bird tells the story of Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson, played by the incredibly talented Saoirse Ronan. Lady Bird longs to leave her Sacramento home for a new beginning in college on the East Coast. Yet, her mother believes she doesn't have a shot in hell to get into a great school. The film's strongest force is the bond between Christine and her mother (Laurie Metcalf). Ronan and Metcalf deliver a complex and heartbreaking performance that will leave you wanting to immediately call a family member and tell them you love them.
While the mother and daughter duo are the heart of the film, the secondary cast is absolutely enthralling. Gerwig manages to get pitch perfect performances from Christine's best friend Julie (Beanie Feldstein), and her early crush-turned-friend Danny (Lucas Hedges). Hedges' role, in particular, is extremely well done; the amount of depth and character development is stunning for such a small role with so much going on in 90 minutes.
Lady Bird puts a fresh face on the coming-of-age story, while having a wealth of true-to-life characters. With its wonderful performances and incredible direction, Lady Bird is easily one the best films of the year.
8. John Wick: Chapter 2
Keanu Reeves's action credentials were already sealed by lead roles in Speed, Point Break, and The Matrix. But with the star now in his 50s, no one expected him to suddenly headline a new series of action thrillers, let alone some of the best American action movies of recent years. But that's exactly what the John Wick movies have delivered.
John Wick was modestly budgeted and only a moderate success at the box office in 2015, but rave reviews and its popularity on home entertainment formats not only paved the way for a sequel, but gave director Chad Stahelski a much larger budget to play with. Stahelski fully embraced this opportunity, making a film that both expanded what we knew about the first movie's hidden world of criminals and assassins, but also dug deep into the characters and unleashed some incredible set pieces.
While the first movie saw Wick as the hunter, seeking revenge for the death of his dog while trying to get his car back, in John Wick: Chapter 2, he became the hunted. It was a smart move, for while there was much pleasure seeing Reeves dispatch every adversary through a lethal combination of bone-crunching martial arts and extravagant gunplay, a seemingly invincible hero can quickly become a boring one. In Chapter 2, Wick seems genuinely vulnerable, and his inability to get out of an increasingly desperate situation provides real stakes and much-needed character depth. Reeves again plays to his strengths, using his star-power and letting his physique and moody intensity do the talking. The movie has a great supporting cast too--from Ian McShane's hotel "manager" and Lance Reddick's concierge to new roles for the likes of Common and Laurence Fishburne.
Fans who loved the first movie's brief look into the world the Continental--the chain of hotels that operate as neutral ground for rival assassins to meet, negotiate, and relax--were amply rewarded with a more detailed exploration of the rules and conventions of this killers' playground. As for the action, it was unquestionably the year's best. With kinetic, inventive gunfights, car chases, and hand-to-hand combat, the movie finds a seemingly endless supply of locations and styles in which to present its mayhem. From the opening confrontation with Russian mobsters to the brilliantly clever silent subway shoot-out and climactic showdown in a hall of mirrors, it was all spectacular stuff.
7. It
In a year of truly excellent horror movies, Itwas an absolute standout. Director Andy Muschietti not only put his own stamp on Stephen King's seminal 1986 novel (and the 1990 TV miniseries), but also created an utterly terrifying cinema experience. Despite being chapter one of two, It feels like a complete story that manages to balance a heartfelt coming of age narrative with a deeply unsettling and terrifying tale of a supernatural menace.
It takes place in a small town named Derry in the late '80s. Every 27 years, the people of Derry are terrorised by a child-eating, shape-shifting creature that calls itself Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The adults of the town know deep down that something is wrong, but seem not to care or are simply unable to act. As children continue to go missing in the town, either with their bodies turning up in pieces or never turning up at all, a group of misfits band together to try to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Pennywise's ability to shapeshift into what you're most afraid of was criminally underused in the 1990 TV miniseries, and while Tim Curry delivered a haunting performance as the sewer dwelling clown, Bill Skarsgard's slobbering, unsettling take on the character elevates It from cheap scares to genuine dread whenever you sense his presence.
The kids in It have a truly fantastic dynamic, with Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard as Richie "Trashmouth" Tozier and Jack Dylan Grazer as Eddie Kaspbrak providing much-needed comic relief from the relentless horror of Pennywise's antics. There's ample opportunities for "your mom" jokes, poking fun, and caring for each other. Their friendship is the heart of the story, and it's a joy to watch it play out in such a heartfelt way on screen.
2017's adaptation of It came with some smart changes from the original book. The writers bumped the original timeline from the late '50s up to the '80s, not just to cram in a truly incredible number of New Kids On The Block jokes, but to provide a more relatable backdrop for the audience. They also removed the controversial sex scene from the novel, and crafted an ending that simultaneously teed-up the sequel and rounded the first film off neatly.
It is a fantastic adaptation of one of King's most famous and popular novels, and it accomplishes a rare feat: it does the source material justice, while also making marked improvements to an impressive but flawed masterpiece.
6. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
If you were upset that Star Wars: The Force Awakensstuck too closely to the template set by A New Hope, then the first half of The Last Jedi might just give you heartburn. The latest Star Wars film has more than a little in common with The Empire Strikes Back, including a beginning that sees a devastating Imperial attack on a Rebel base (now known as the First Order and the Resistance), a plucky young Jedi at a remote planet trying to seek training from a wizened old master, and a group of our heroes being pursued through space by a huge armada.
But at about the film's halfway point, The Last Jedi makes several stunning narrative choices, swerving at just the moment when everything seems like it's becoming too predictable. Characters you thought you knew act in surprising (but ultimately understandable) ways, while situations find resolution in unexpected outcomes. The Last Jedi is, for the first time in this new Star Wars trilogy, surprising in all the right ways.
It does all this while staying true to the core of what Star Wars is; rollicking adventures set in a galaxy far, far away, where the forces of good try to prevail against the almost overwhelming forces of evil. There are setpieces in this film that rival in excitement and spectacle anything seen in previous Star Wars films, starting from the riveting and tense opening space battle all the way through to the climactic standoff on the red, dusty surface of the mineral planet Crait. The Last Jedi, too, retains the heart of the series, making you feel as much for the new cast of Rey, Finn, and Poe as you do for the series' original heroes. And if you felt Han Solo was a little shortchanged in The Force Awakens, fear not; both Luke SKywalker and Leia Organa shine in this film, and get the endings (if they are endings) these two iconic characters richly deserve.
The Last Jedi is both a loving homage and send-off to the original trilogy, as well as the official launching point for the galaxy's newest heroes (and villains). If The Force Awakens' job was to make you excited about what Star Wars was, then The Last Jedi is here to make you excited about what Star Wars can be.
5. Dunkirk
Dunkirk is one of the most tense, nail-biting movie experiences of 2017, an intimate psychological war film that focuses on the escape and survival of a few young men rather than the heroic, larger than life tales of conflict.
The movie is based on the Dunkirk Evacuation, also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk or Operation Dynamo. It's an event that British PM at the time Winston Churchill called "a colossal military disaster," with the whole core of the British Army stranded at Dunkirk, surrounded by German forces.
Dunkirk pulls away from the firefights and skirmishes of squads and battalions, and instead highlights a more intimate aspect of war: survival. The entire movie is cast in doom and gloom, to the point that you celebrate every small victory on the screen, actively striving and rooting for the protagonists in a way that only the best war movies are able to capture.
The somber, intense, unimaginable pressure is incredibly captured and portrayed by the cast, which is chock-full of great British thespians like Mark Rylance, Kenneth Brannagh, Tom Hardy, and... former One Direction band member Harry Styles.
It's also hard to believe that the runtime comes in at a brisk one hour and 46 minutes, as the amount of ground it covered made Dunkirk feel more like an impassioned HBO special in the vein of Band of Brothers. Smartly entwining the story threads---land, sea, and air, each with their own timeframe of one week, one day, and one hour--Dunkirk is a tightly constructed pressure-cooker thriller. The tight framework is helped along by an ever-present ticking clock that dogs the soundtrack and perfectly encapsulates the pressure that the characters on the beach are feeling.
Dunkirk is a faithful retelling of one of the most pivotal moments of World War II, both exciting enough to bring us to the edge of our seats, but also emotional enough to bring tears to our eyes.
4. Logan
You know Logan is trying to be a different type of superhero movie right from its opening shot: Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), drunk, dishevelled, weary, waking up alone in the back of a car. There's no glamor to this superhero, no slow motion walk toward the camera, no dramatic three-point landing pose. It's just a man, down on his luck, alone.
What follows tells you everything else about what this movie wants to be. Wolverine gets attacked by car thieves, and after initially getting beaten severely, his claws finally come out. He slices off limbs, tears open stomachs, drives his adamantium appendages through skulls. Logan is a raw superhero movie, both in the graphic ways it shows violence, but also in the way it takes its key characters through their emotional nadirs.
As a send-off for one of superhero cinema's most beloved characters, Logan could not have been more perfect. Watching the character of Wolverine through the various X-Men and standalone films to then see him in Logan as this vulnerable, broken character is truly affecting, lending the film a gravity and weight few others in its genre have. Superhero films are often dismissed as being trivial; Logan is the rebuttal to that.
3. Coco
Pixar's Cocoturned out to be one of the most surprising movies of 2017, not least because the legendary Disney-owned animation house had some relative duds recently with movies like The Good Dinosaur, Cars 3, and Finding Dory. Fortunately, Coco is Pixar at its absolute best, a return to form that reminded us exactly what the studio is capable of.
It's not just that Coco turned such a respectful and reverent eye on the beautiful, underrepresented Mexican culture surrounding the holiday Dia de los Muertos--the Day of the Dead--or that it sets a new standard for art direction and fidelity in computer-generated animation, even by Pixar's already high standards. What really makes Coco so exceptional for anyone who watched it this year is simple. It's hard to think of a film that better captured what it's like to be part of a family: the joy and the warmth, yes, but also the grief, pain, and vulnerability of being utterly dependent on the members of your clan, whether you like them or not.
Coco follows Miguel Rivera, a young boy in a small Mexican town who wants nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of his musical idol, the legendary Ernesto de la Cruz, despite his family's deeply ingrained hatred of music. The story is helped along by inspired performances from new actor Anthony Gonzalez (Miguel), Benjamin Bratt (de la Cruz), and Gael GarcÃa Bernal (Hector), who round out an all-Latino cast that also includes a brief but heartbreaking appearance by Edward James Olmos.
In addition to the fantastic setting, art, animation, and characters, a couple of things really elevate Coco to become one of the best movies of the year--and Pixar's best film in years. For one thing, the story of Miguel's journey to the Land of the Dead in search of a family member who will give him their blessing to pursue a life as a musician is intensely relatable, not to mention full of genuinely surprising twists and turns. Even more crucially, Coco's music is unbelievably beautiful. Inspired by a variety of Mexican musical styles and artists, the movie's original songs run the gamut from hilarious to heartbreaking and everything in between, and it's hard to get them out of your head for days after you see the movie.
It didn't hurt that Coco released in time for Thanksgiving. Even if you didn't spend the holidays with family, you probably wished you had after you walked out of the theater, blinking back tears in the sunlight. Bet you called your mom, too.
2. Blade Runner 2049
The futuristic world of Blade Runner has always stood out from other sci-fi. There are the minute details, like the fascinating specifics of the Voight-Kampff test, meant to sniff out Androids who've become indistinguishable from humans. Then there's the fact that Blade Runner has never been strictly a dystopian or post-apocalyptic story; the sorry state of its world can't be blamed on some catastrophe or authoritarian regime, but simply on humanity's upper crust moving off-world and leaving the dregs of society behind on an Earth that's all but used up. It's a story of hubris and decay that's simultaneously completely alien and hauntingly familiar.
Blade Runner 2049expands on those timeless themes while adding some for the present day. Is our increasing reliance on technology doing more harm or good? How advanced can something like artificial intelligence become before the technology is manipulating us, rather than the other way around? Is love real if it's nothing more than a programmed response, no matter how deftly the code was written? Is "real" love between two people really more than programming anyway?
That's heady stuff, mental lifeblood for fans of cerebral sci-fi like Blade Runner. Absurdly beautiful cinematography by the legendary Roger Deakins, a rumbling, synthesized score, and director Denis Villeneuve's impressive practical sets all added to the movie's otherworldly quality. But against all odds, this sequel captures all that was good about the original, not by surpassing it in spectacle or scope, but by once again using the setting, aesthetic, and themes as a frame to tell a hyper-personal story.
Ryan Gosling's K is the perfect protagonist. As the viewer, you see in him what you want to see, depending where your views line up; is he truly an android, devoid of real emotion, or is there something more bubbling up under the surface of those cold eyes? K's mission to track down a being whose mere existence has the potential to burn his society to the ground sounds like it should be too big, too overwhelming in scale, but Blade Runner 2049 never strays from the personal journey. Everyone wants to be special, even androids--no matter what they dream of at night.
Blade Runner may not have needed a sequel, but we sure are glad it got one.
1. Get Out
Jordan Peele, one half of comedy duo Key and Peele, made his feature film debut in 2016 starring alongside a kitten named Keanu. The comedian followed that up by making our favorite film of 2017: Get Out. Known more for being a gifted comedian in front of the camera, Peele showcased his talents as both a writer and director, penning one of the most genuinely original and creative screenplays in recent memory. It was Peele's fascination with the horror genre that inspired this standout social thriller.
Daniel Kaluuya plays Chris Washington, a young black man who's leaving town on a trip to meet his white girlfriend's parents for the first time. The film starts off rather innocently, except of course for the exceptionally awkward social interactions of the film's white "liberals" that serve to further alienate Chris.
Then comes the twist, an extremely horrific one. We don't want to give it all away, but it involves plenty of turns, and to say anymore would lessen the impact of this outstanding thriller. Peele's script is far from the only standout here. The on-screen performances are stellar across the board. The tearful, wide-eyed close-up of Kaluuya, Betty Gabriel's forced smile, and Allison Williams' insatiable appetite for Fruit Loops as she plans her new conquests are moments that will be forever burned into our consciousness.
Of course, exploring race relations on film isn't a new phenomenon, but Peele's incisive and heightened examination through the perspective of a black man is necessary and timely. He mixes a creepy-smart social critique with fright and suspense, resulting in a landmark moment for cinema, not just of the horror variety.
Atlus unveiled two new trailers for the upcoming Persona spin-off rhythm games during a festive streaming event. Alongside the trailers--which you can watch below--Persona 3: Dancing Moon Night and Persona 5: Dancing Star Night got official release dates in Japan; both will launch simultaneously on May 24, 2018 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita along with a few special edition bundles. There's currently no word on release dates for either game in North America.
The "Dancin' All-Star Triple Pack" is exclusive to the PlayStation 4 and includes both games in addition to a downloadable version of Persona 4: Dancing All Night, which released on June 25, 2015 in Japan (September 29, 2015 in North America) and was previously exclusive to the PS Vita. The bundle will also include the soundtrack for both new games in a four-disc set, all packed into a special edition box designed by series art director Shigenori Soejima.
Those who want the PS Vita versions can get the "Dancin' Deluxe Twin Pack" which packs both new games along with their soundtracks on a four-disc set and a ton of DLC costumes. The costumes are for both games and call back to other Atlus franchises such as mainline Shin Megami Tensei, Devil Summoner, Devil Survivor, and Digital Devil Saga.
Cover art for both Persona 3: Dancing Moon Night and Persona 5: Dancing Star Night.
Fans of Persona 3 will recognize the characters and locations featured in the new extended trailer. The main character is busting moves on the roof of Gekkoukan High School, Yukari is getting her groove on at the Port Island Station, and Mitsuru and Akihiko are both getting footloose atop Tartarus. Gameplay appears to be similar to Persona 4: Dancing All Night with the six-step rhythm system and character dialogue outside of the playing through songs. Characters appear to be rendered in their respective 3D models during dialogue in place of drawn portraits, something previously seen in Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth. Also, the club-inspired velvet room from the Persona 4 dancing game makes a return.
In the trailer, you can hear remixes of the songs "Time," "When The Moon Reaches For The Stars," and "Mass Destruction," but there will be many songs to play through. Below is the full tracklist:
Brand New Days (Yuyoyuppe Remix)
Mass Destruction
When The Moon's Reaching Out Stars (Hideki Naganuma Remix)
Want to be Close (ATOLS Remix)
Shinsou Shinri (Lotus Juice Remix)
Deep Break Deep Breath (Yuu Miyake Remix)
Soul Phrase
Light the Fire Up in the Night 'Kagejikan' + 'Mayonaka'
Burn My Dread (Novoiski Remix)
When the Moon's Reaching Out Stars
Time (Atlus Kitajoh Remix)
Wiping All Out (Atlus Kozuka Remix)
A Way of Life (Atlus Kitajoh Remix)
Heartful Cry (Atlus Konishi Remix)
Light the Fire Up in the Night 'Kagejikan' + 'Mayonaka' (Sasakure.UK Remix)
Mass Destruction (Tetsuya Kobayashi Remix)
Subete no Hito no Tamashii no Tatakai (T.Komine Remix)
Burn my Dread
Subete no Hito no Tamashii no Tatakai (Daisuke Asakura Remix)
Kimi no Kioku (Atlus Meguro Remix)
Our Moment
Moonlight Serendipity
Mass Destruction (Persona Music Fes 2013)
Burn my Dead -Last Battle-
Brand New Days
Persona 5: Dancing Star Night
Coming off the heels of the eccentric jazz-fusion soundtrack of Persona 5, Dancing Star Night brings the cast and music together for another sonically-pleasing trip to Tokyo. In the trailer we see the cast getting their groove on at Shibuya Station, Shujin Academy, and in several palaces. Even Morgana is seen getting in on the fun at Kamoshida's palace and Futaba's showing off her moves at the pyramid of her own palace. Dialogue appears to also use 3D character models in place of drawn portraits, as seen when Caroline and Justine invade the Leblanc attic. Like Persona 4: Dancing All Night, the six-step rhythm system is used to play through the game's songs.
Remixes of "Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There," "Life Will Change," and "Last Surprise" can be heard in the trailer. But there'll be plenty more for fans since series composers Shoji Meguro, Atsushi Kitajoh, and Ryota Kozuka are all working together alongside other artists for remixed versions. Below is the entire tracklist:
Rivers in the Desert
Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There (Jazztronik Remix)
Keeper of Lust
Blooming Villain (Atlus Konishi Remix)
Hoshi to Bokura to (Tofubeats Remix)
Tokyo Daylight (Atlus Kozuka Remix)
Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There
Rivers in the Desert (Mito Remix)
Blooming of Villain
Life Goes On
Price
Whims of Fate (Yukuhiro Fukutomi Remix)
Beneath the Mask (KAIEN Remix)
Will Power (Shacho Remix)
Last Surprise (Taku Takahashi Remix)
Haha no Ita Hibi (Atlus Kitajoh Remix)
Life Will Change (Atlus Meguro Remix)
Jaldabaoth ~Our Beginning
Last Surprise
Life Will Change
Groovy
One Nightbreak
Rivers in the Desert (Persona Super Live P-Sound Bomb 2017)
From fantastic sequels to superhero movies to directorial debuts, 2017 was an amazing year for films! Which were the absolute best? Here are our top 10 movies of 2017!
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