For the record, the best movie I saw last year was Get Out.

Though, obviously, my favorite movie and best movie don't actually line up here.

In terms of movie semi-objective quality, leaving off anything I can't be objective about (which, let's be real, my ability to be objective about Gifted is pretty much zero), the rankings would be as follows:

1. Get Out
2. Thor: Ragnarok
3. Hidden Figures
4. Spider-Man Homecoming
5. Wonder Woman and The Last Jedi (tie)
7. Guardians of the Galaxy II

I enjoyed everything I saw this year, including GotG II. Pacing was an issue for the last three and Wonder Woman I only saw once because I saw it while utterly enthralled but also knowing I wouldn't have that same experience a second time because I was also observing the structural flaws.

now all "let me tell you why Three Billboards is the worst film ever" (insert loud sigh here)

I've cooled on the film somewhat since I saw it -- I think seeing it in a packed house during a film festival with audience that was SUPER into it enhanced the experience quite a bit. Like, my entire theater burst into applause after Mildred reamed out the priest. Looking back, I think the voices feel a bit off. The dialog and especially the profanity sounds like it's coming out of a middle-aged Irish Catholic's mouth rather than from the individual characters. And I do agree with the criticism of McDonaugh being a bit tone deaf when it comes to his handling of race. But all that said, Frances McDormand's performance is fucking ferocious and still one of the favourite things I've seen on my screen last year. I don't think its massive Golden Globes wins will be replicated in the Oscars though, except for maybe McDormand. Who will need to battle it out with Saoirse Ronan (whose name I will never be able to spell without looking up.)

Poor Sally Hawkins. I thought she was great and expect she will be nominated, but odds are against her this year.

Cereal:

For those interested, my write up on my favorite films of the year is here

Thanks for linking to that! That was a fun read. I need to watch The Ghost Story at some point real soon.

Both I, Tonya and The Post are finally coming to my local theaters this Friday. But the one I am REALLY looking forward to is PT Anderson's Phantom Thread, which sounds like it would be COMPLETELY my thing, even though I'm not much of PTA fan (I have actually never gotten around to watching There Will Be Blood, which... I KNOW.) A movie about romantic obsession and complicated relationship power dynamics and fashion and Daniel Day Lewis making haute couture gowns! SIGN ME UP PLZ.

One movie I did finally catch up on this week: Agnes Varda and JR's documentary, Faces, Places. I am not a big documentary person but I loved this completely. What a lovely, gentle film, just overflowing with empathy. Its mediation on both importance and impermanence of arts and human connections really struck me. The last bit when they go to visit (spoilers) knocked me out for a loop. And the mix of playfulness and sorrow when they touched on Varda's failing vision, oh man.

I am a terrible film fan and know nothing about French New Wave (I think I saw, like, a half of Breathless during my 20's). Might have to check out some films by Varda now. Anyway, here is the trailer for Faces, Places. If you are lucky enough to live near where this is playing, I cannot recommend it enough: [link]

On a separate note: I CANNOT believe we have Black Panther next month and both Infinity War and the Han Solo movie in May. I am as big a nerd as the next Buffistas but gotta admit, the schedule for these tentpole films feel denser now. I still haven't recovered from The Last Jedi (which I loved) and I feel like I need a bit of a breather, honestly.

You saw SO Many more movies than I did, wow.

Well, many of the movies I see in the theater are due to being the +1 of my friend the film critic.

I've cooled on the film somewhat since I saw it

For the record, I have no problem with people not liking 3 Billboards or having issues with the presentation of race. I do have a problem with policing other people on Twitter in general (I mean, Jesus, just unfollow someone if you don't like what they talk about) but especially when you do the same exact thing you said other people shouldn't do. But anyway...

I think seeing it in a packed house during a film festival with audience that was SUPER into it enhanced the experience quite a bit.

Totally agree. I recently told Javachik that should see it in the theater for that reason. Plays better in a crowd. I enjoyed it when I saw it but I'd say beyond McDormand I wouldn't nominate it for anything.

Plays better in a crowd

Same with Get Out, although it sounds like that movie holds up well even on the small screen. I saw it with a local friend in a sold-out screening during a trip to New York City with a very diverse audience, and the energy in the theater was electric.

I saw Get Out in an almost empty theater.

My only problem with Get Out is now that I've seen it, I'm finding it really hard to watch again, knowing what's going on.

I was sad I missed the local theatrical run of Three Billboards, but I'm hoping the experience won't lose too much from being watched at home.

Movies I'm looking forward to include The Post, Hostiles, Black Panther, and Early Man in the next month or so. The film I'm really chomping at the bit to see is Call Me by Your Name, for obvious reasons.

I loved The Shape of Water, which hit me in almost the exact same region of feels that Amélie did. While I can see many of the narrative problems people could have had with it, I just cover my ears and sing lalalalala though negative criticism because it was the beautifully-acted and shot escapist faerie tale I was yearning to see.

Oh Plei, I watched Gifted on the plane last week and then immediately made my mother watch it. Then came home and read your stories.

I loved The Shape of Water, which hit me in almost the exact same region of feels that Amélie did. While I can see many of the narrative problems people could have had with it, I just cover my ears and sing lalalalala though negative criticism because it was the beautifully-acted and shot escapist faerie tale I was yearning to see.

Without the gratuitous body horror, that film would have been much higher on my list. I agree that otherwise it had a very Jeunet-Caro (who I love) look and feel.