10 Best games of 2017

Honorable Mentions: Disk Jam, Mr. Shifty, Life is Strange: Before the Storm, Destiny 2, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, LawBreakers, The Walking Dead Season 3, Hob, Stories Untold, Fortnite: Battle Royale, Sonic Mania, Flinthook, Ruiner, Pillars of the Earth,The Sexy Brutale, Hollow Knight, Ticket to Earth, West of Loathing.
Note: This list consists of the best games released in 2017 that I played. There are several games that came out in 2017 that I did not have a chance to play, and therefore could not qualify for this list (including titles such as "Divinity: Original Sin II"). I've also decided to exclude games that are incomplete (such as Early Access games like "Dead Cells" and "Pit People" or incomplete episodic games such as "Pillars of Earth").

Runner-Up: What Remains of Edith Finch

If I had to give an award for the biggest surprise of 2017, it may be this one. Not necessarily because I thought it was going to be bad, but because it was so much more than I thought it would be. "What Remains of Edith Finch" is a narrative driven exploration game; you play as Edith Finch, who returns to her childhood home as a teenager. You explore the house, learning of your relatives, while the Finch curse (which has claimed the lives of many family members) looms overhead. If I had to choose a specific genre for this game, it's one that makes the eyes of many a gamer’s roll into the back of their head; "What Remains of Edith Finch" is a walking simulator. The majority of the game is you just walking throughout the house while a narrator tells the story. What this game does better than most of the genre though is that it actually includes gameplay. Whenever you learn of your relatives you often get a little section of varied gameplay to break up the monotony. It adds a lot to a game that already has a strong narrative telling a beautiful story. I do believe there is a place in games for walking simulators, despite what others may say; and it you ask me "What Remains of Edith Finch" has set a new standard for what the genre can, and should be.

10. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

In all honesty, I'm not a big fan of horror games; the only one in recent years that I really loved was 2015's "Until Dawn." It was a stroke of genius, playing off the horror films of the 1980s; it was fun, scary, and creative. While there have been a few since then that I've heard good things about, it wasn't until this game that I felt the need to pick up a horror title. "Resident Evil 7: Biohazard" is the latest installment in the ground breaking "Resident Evil" Franchise. What started out as survival horror in the 90s would turn into an action horror series in the mid 2000s; but with RE7 the franchise gets back to its roots. You play as Ethan Winters, who has traveled to rural Louisiana in search of his wife who has been missing for three years after you receive a message from her. But once he arrives at the backwoods home off an old plantation, he comes face to face with some sort of mutated family that is making it their mission in life that he never leaves that house. RE7 is one of the most genuinely terrifying games I've ever played. From the opening moments, I was scared. Unlike previous installments in the series, this game takes place in a first person perspective. Because of this and what feels like a relatively small FOV, every time you turn a corner you're scared, you never know what's coming. Coupled with an intriguing story and exceptional ambiance, I really was scared. My only complaint is that the game relied a little too much on the combat, which is often very weak. Throw in a couple anticlimactic, but frustrating boss fights, and you take a lot away from such a great game. Even so, if you can make it through this game without your heart racing, you are braver than me.

9. Cuphead

Every year, there's always an indie title or two that manage to really take the video game world by storm; and this past year that game was "Cuphead." Beginning development back in 2010, this was a game many questioned whether or not it would ever come out; considering how long ago it was announced, and how long the studio has been showing it off while simultaneously pushing back the release day. "Cuphead" is a 2D action platformer, very much similar to old-school games such as "Contra." You play Cuphead, a young boy who loses a game of chance to the devil and is forced to go collect the souls promised to the devil in order to keep years. A fascinating little title, "Cuphead" is simple but manages to really shine. While the gameplay is solid and nothing really that special, what gained notoriety would be the art. Drawn to look like cartoons from the 1940s, this game has some of the most unique aesthetics I've ever seen. Accompanied by a great soundtrack, fantastic boss fights, solid combat, and difficulty that will make you want to pull your hair out (while fun for me, it won't be for everyone) and "Cuphead" has to be the indie darling of 2017.

8. Pyre

Over the past few years, Supergiant Games has gained a reputation as one of the best development studios in the world right now. Noted for the beautiful art styles and scores they bring to their games, as well as a variety of other unique mechanics, they've gained a strong following and critical acclaim. And their latest title is far different from anything they have put out so far. "Pyre" takes place in a strange, Middle Eastern inspired land. You play as a faceless character picked up by a traveling band of nomads. They bring you into their group because of a unique skill you posses, the ability to read (which is outlawed). So you set out traveling the world with your new group of companions in the hope of finding a better tomorrow. Supergiant's previous two games were action based; but this one, not so much. When progressing through the story it is basically a virtual novel. You and your companions talk, you chose from a select amount of dialog on occasion, and then you move on. The interactive part of the game comes from these rituals you must perform. Basically it's like basketball. It's 3v3 where you must get the ball into your opponent’s bonfire to weaken them. While simple on the surface, it's some of the most fun I had in a game in 2017. "Pyre" is another impressive notch in the belt of Supergiant, and really cements them as one of the industry's best studios.

7. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
"Wolfenstein: The New Order" was a surprisingly great game released back in 2014. Coming out of nowhere, it was unanimously praised as one of the best FPS campaigns in the past few years. The game gained a following, so a sequel was sure to come, and this year we received "Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus." TNC picks up shortly after the events of its predecessor. BJ Blazkowicz survived his injuries and is saved by his fellow rebels. In a world ruled by Nazis, his group is one of the last true resistance groups. Unsure of what's to come, but knowing that he has children on the way, Blazkowicz sets out to finish off the Third Reich once and for all. Now, to be honest, TNC is not as good as its predecessor. It has more than a few issues: various technical issues, some bad level design, it gets preachy time to time, and a few of the major protagonists aren't the most likable in the cast. But the biggest issue is that it doesn't feel as fresh as its predecessor. The New Order was a great surprise, while the New Colossus is more of the same. That being said, it's still great. Memorable characters, several cool levels, top notch gun play, an interesting alternate history story, and just being absurdly fun. "Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus" is a hell of a ride start to finish.

6. Horizon Zero Dawn

Making a video game is a big investment. It costs millions of dollars, tens of thousands of man hours, and years of development time. So when a studio sets out to make one, they need to be sure and get a publisher on board to help distribute and market the game. So when Guerrilla Games, a Dutch based company known only for an above average first person shooter, went to Sony and pitched a new IP that involved a female protagonist in the post-apocalypse hunting robot dinosaurs with a bow, they must have been really confident. "Horizon Zero Dawn" takes place many years in the future when mankind is holding on to whatever life they have left, residing in a primitive state devoid of modern technology. Living alongside them is some sort of race of robot animals that take many shapes and forms. You play Aloy, an outcast who attempts to join a nearby village; but after members of the village are attacked she sets out to stop the group responsible. And along the way she gets wrapped up in a plot that will change human history. HZD was a surprise hit early in 2017, being met with critical praise and strong sales. Noted for its design, combat, story, lead character, and some of the best technical graphics we've ever seen on a home console, it took the industry by storm and has become one of the PS4's best selling exclusives. With an ending that suggests a sequel is on its way, we haven't seen the last of this new franchise yet.

5. Nioh

If you ask me, the most influential video game franchise of the last decade would have to be the "Souls" series. The first installment was "Demon's Souls" in 2009, but the franchise began to hit its stride with "Dark Souls" in 2011. Since its introduction, countless games have emulated it; the term "souls-like" label has even been coined. While this term is thrown around often, only a few games really met the criteria regarding combat, difficulty, play style, and mechanics. While many have tried this style outside of the "Souls" franchise, in my opinion only one has succeeded. "Nioh" is a third person, hack-and-slash action RPG from Japanese developer Team Nija. You play a legendary Western samurai during feudal Japan, fighting various demons and other enemies. The story of this game is confusing to say the least, but you don't play it for the story. This is the only game to really get the "Souls" formula correct. The combat is fast and frantic, it's extraordinarily difficult, and there are layers on top of layers of mechanics that need to be mastered. "Nioh" is not for everyone, and is one of the hardest games I've ever played; but if you give it a chance you'll be rewarded with one of the year's best.

4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

I can already hear the sounds of fury coming from those seeing that this game is only number four on this list. In my defense, there are good reasons why. I'll get to what makes this game great in a minute, but let me talk about what annoyed me. This game had some mechanics and overall direction I was not a fan of. First would be that every weapon in the game has degradation, so the more you use it the more likely it is to break. This isn't a fun mechanic; it's annoying to be in the middle of a fight only to have your weapon break and having to pause the combat while you switch to a new one. I'm also not a fan of how "leveling up" in this game works. To level up either your help or stamina you must collect certain items from shrines scattered throughout the map (shrines are puzzle based challenges). Now the problem is to level up, you need to beat several of these shrines; so to get your health up just a few more hearts will require an annoying amount of work. It would have been better to require only one shrine to level up, but for it to be a bigger affair. Instead of it being one of many you must complete, finding and finishing a shrine could have been a big deal. I understand the choice to use many shrines, each shrine focuses on different puzzle solving mechanics, there is a gradual increase in difficulty the further you get from the starting area, and completed shrines can be fast travel points. I just would have preferred for completing a shrine to be a more notable thing and a bigger individual challenge. And my last real complaint would have to be your mobility around the map. Yes you can get a horse to move more quickly, or jump off a high ledge then glide for periods of time, but most of the game you'll just be running. The issue is that it's connected to your stamina, so you can only run for a few seconds, then walk while your stamina regenerates, then run again. It's annoying, and getting from point A to B is made more difficult than I feel is needed. And the only way to get your stamina up is to complete shrines which can be a pain. The game is very large, and compared to other open world games it feels more tedious to travel across the map. This game could have been perfect, but there are some annoying mechanics that hold it back. That being said, it's still great. The art, music, world design, story, combat, and just about everything else is top notch. If you have a Switch or a Wii U, flaws and all, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" is one of the best games you can buy.

3. Nier: Automota

Most of the time, when a sequel for a game is announced it makes sense why It was; the original was successful, the fans wanted it, or some other logical reason. So when it was announced that the 2010 action RPG "Nier" was getting a sequel, many scratched their heads. "Nier" didn't sell particularly well, receive glowing reviews, or even have that big of a cult following; so why "Nier?" As more was shown it began to make a bit more since. "Nier: Automota" was more of a spiritual successor, taking place in the same world but thousands of years later and having almost nothing to do with its predecessor. At first I wasn't interested, but when I found out the exceptional Platinum Games was developing the title I became  intrigued. "Nier: Automota" takes place thousands of years in the future when humans have left the earth and all that remains are various machines. You play as 2B, a highly advanced combat robot tasked with fighting the machines on behalf of humanity. And the story that follows gets to crazy to talk about. Upon its release N:A was met with wide acclaim for its combat, art, characters, and multiple endings that are unlocked after beating the game through once (some of the endings involve you playing as other characters seen in the story). N:A is a creative, inventive, and fun as hell game that did surprisingly well commercially and critically. It's one of the best action games I've played in years, and certainly one of the best games we've seen in 2017.

2. Super Mario Odyssey

I've got to say, the Switch had a pretty great first year when it comes to games. "Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," "Xenoblade Chronicles," "Splatoon 2," and the re-release of "Mario Kart 8;" but if you ask me the clear standout for the Switch's best exclusive this year was "Super Mario Odyssey." This game starts off like many of its predecessors, Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach. Mario does his best to stop his nemesis, but Bowser is victorious and Mario is cast off into some far off land and loses his trademark hat. When he awakes Mario is greeted by Cappy, a hat like ghost in the Cap Kingdom. Cappy tells Mario that like Peach, his sister has been taken by Bowser, and that he wants to help Mario save them. Mario agrees, and Cappy tags along by replacing his hat and lending his unique powers. Now the two set off to find their loved ones on a flying ship called the Odyssey. As ridiculous as that plot sounds, don't let it turn you off from this game; there's a reason it's so high on this list. "Super Mario Odyssey" is an absolute treat; it is Mario at its best. Stellar level design, beautiful worlds, tons of stuff to explore and collect, tons of new gameplay mechanics, and a sense of nostalgia that reminded me of playing "Super Mario 64" when I was younger. My only criticisms would be that the game has a tendency to rely a bit too much on nostalgia (most notably the 2D sections that can be clever, but don't bring a whole lot to the game), and the control scheme (with some moves tied to motion controls, and unless you hold the Joy-Cons in separate hands, my least favorite way of playing the Switch, feel very awkward with every other control scheme). Minor complaints aside, I had a blast with "Super Mario Odyssey." If you plan on picking up a Switch any time soon, this would be the first game I recommend you buying.

1. Persona 5

Okay, so this one is technically cheating since it was originally released in 2016. "Persona 5" first launched in Japan in September of last year, and didn't make its way to the rest of the world until this past April. When I do my list of the best movies of the year, I'm very strict regarding when a movie is released and if it qualifies for that list. But that's because movies coming out in different countries in different years is very common; while in video games, that's much more rare now-a-days. So for this I'm making an exception since it was EASILY the best game I played this year. Also, it's my list so f*ck it I can do what I want. "Persona 5" is the latest installment in the ground breaking JRPG franchise. You play nameless, mostly silent protagonist who moves from a small town to the big city after being falsely accused of assault by a powerful politician. Shortly after arriving you feel something is very wrong with the city, and are brought into a strange web of conspiracies you cannot explain. You learn that you have the ability to enter the minds of people, referred to as their castles. So you decide to use this power to steal the hearts of criminals and make them change their ways. You found a group known as the Phantom Thieves with some of your friends in the hopes of making the world a better place. Not only is "Persona 5" the best game I played in 2017, it’s one of the best games I have ever played. The only noticeable complaints I can think of is that the game takes a few hours to give you your freedom, and that the English voice acting isn't anything special. Other than that, it's pretty damn close to perfect; the turn based combat, music, art style, visuals, design, style, story, characters, writing, and just about everything else are truly phenomenal. What always looked like a promising game turned into the must have exclusive for any PS4 owner, and certainly the best game that I played in 2017.

5 Worst Movies of 2017

Honorable Mentions: Bright, The Book of Henry.

Note: This list is made up of what I thought were the worst movies released during 2017. It's important to remember that there were many bad movies released in 2017 I was not able to watch.

Runner-Up: A Bad Moms Christmas
Now to be honest this isn't that bad of a movie. It made this list by virtue of me only seeing a few bad movies this year. That being said, it's still far from good. "A Bad Moms Christmas" is the sequel to 2016's "Bad Moms." This time around it's basically the same thing but at Christmas, and the moms to the bad moms stop by. This movie really is nothing special, it's about as middle as the road to unimpressive as it gets. There are a few decent jokes, but that's about it. The performances feel phoned in, the plot and writing are mediocre, and much of the comedy doesn't land. Compared to the rest of the movies on this list it doesn't seem so bad, but "A Bad Moms Christmas" feels like a cash grab; cheap to make, easy to profit off of. And on top of that, they totally set up the opportunity to make a third film; which, if I had to bet money, won't be any better.

5. Flatliners

On a list of movies that I never thought would get a remake, "Flatliners" would have at least gotten an honorable mention; but here we are. The plot of the original revolved around some medical students purposely stopping their hearts, to have them resuscitated so they could see what happens when you die, and then some spooky stuff happens. An interesting enough concept for what was an alright movie. The 2017 version is ultimately the same overarching plot, but with ghosts or demons or something. "Flatliners" is just dumb, that's it. It's not scary, or funny, or entertaining, or any other beneficial property; it's just dumb. Nothing that happens makes sense and they don't explain anything. The only saving grace from my viewing experience was that I watched it with friends and we roasted it in the theater. "Flatliners" isn't a truly terrible movie. It's just 110 minutes of nonsense that I wish to never watch again.

4. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
If we're really lucky, the title of this movie will ultimately be true. "Resident Evil" started as a video game franchise in the 90s, and was a pioneer in survival horror games. Since then the series has produced several of the best horror games of all time, but its film franchise counterpart hasn't been as lauded. The "Resident Evil" film franchise started in 2002 with a decent enough movie, then quickly devolved into a truly terrible series. "The Final Chapter" is supposedly the last installment (although the ending of the movie actually leaves them open to doing more unfortunately). Here's the run down, an evil corporation developed a virus for convenient back story reasons that can cause terrible mutations in people turning them into zombies. Alice is immune to the virus, and has made it her mission to destroy the corporation. "The Final Chapter" takes place years after the virus was released, and only a few thousand humans are left on earth. Alice decides to head to an underground bunker owned by the corporation to finish off the masterminds of the end of the world. There are other plot points but who the hell actually cares? This is as about as brain dead "entertainment" you can get. It's dumb, popcorn nonsense that a few people may enjoy. I just don't like this series, it could have been great but really it's just terrible. "The Final Chapter" isn't the worst installment in the series, but it's still pretty bad.

3. Transformers: The Last Night
Now we get to the heavy hitters, with any of these final three movies being worthy of being called 2017's worst. And if I had to guess I suspect that "Transformers: The Last Night" will top many worst of the year lists and with just cause. In a franchise known for being terrible, you can make an argument the latest installment is the worst. "The Last Night" picks up a few years after the previous film, now Transformers are illegal on earth and are being hunted by government task forces. Then there's something about an ancient prophecy and King Author and a bunch of other stuff I don't feel bothered writing about. At over two and a half hours, this movie is bland, bloated, and boring. It's amazing how you can make such an expensive action extravaganza be so uninteresting. The humor doesn't work, the action is poorly choreographed and shot, the plot is nonsense, and the characters are wholeheartedly uninteresting. It's hard to say if this is the worst installment in the series, at this point they all just run together in a huge blob of garbage, all I know is that it's a true and utter waste of time.

2. The Emoji Movie
If anything, this movie just became one of 2017's biggest jokes. From its first announcement people couldn't really believe that it was an actual movie in development. The premise was supposed to be a modern day "Toy Story," but ultimately sounded kind of lame. The plot of the movie takes place in the phone of a high school student, and focuses on the "meh" emoji named Gene. Gene is supposed to make only one expression, but can't help but to make more. So worried that he may be deleted, he seeks out a hacker to fix his programming. If I had to point out a positive of this movie, I'd say that the animation isn't that bad; everything else is though. The characters are uninteresting, the plot is unmemorable, the writing and dialog are abysmal, and very few jokes even come close to landing. "The Emoji Movie" is one of those projects that makes you question how it got greenlit at all; and the fact it's not at the top of this list is impressive.

1. Fifty Shades Darker

This is it, this is the worst. I didn't see a lot of bad movies from 2017, but of those I did this was far and away the least enjoyable to sit through. The "Fifty Shades" film series is based off of the novels of the same name. What started out as "Twilight" fan-faction became a worldwide sensation. Despite being panned by critics, the erotic novels sold incredibly well; and the movies have been doing the exact same thing. The series revolves around the relationship between a plain girl named Anastasia Steele, and a billionaire named Christian Grey. After the previous movie, the two ended their relationship. Christian doesn't want to give it up and tries to win Ana back; she agrees but wants a more honest relationship. Then a bunch of nonsense happens and the movie ends. "Fifty Shades Darker" is insultingly bad. The writing, directing, acting, music, production, dialog, and storytelling are just atrocious start to finish. I thought the first installment in the series was bad, but this one ranks among the worst films I've ever seen. 2017 was filled with great movies, but of the bad ones that came out, "Fifty Shades Darker" is easily the worst.

5 Worst Movies Since Starting My Blog

Honorable Mentions: Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, The Counselor, Smosh: The Movie, Divergent, Insurgent, Alegiant, Dirty Grandpa, The Starving Games, Norm of the North, A Haunted House 2, Fifty Shades of Black.
Note: To qualify for this list, a movie must have had a theatrical release since my first blog post (November 9, 2012).

Runner-Up: The Hungover Games
Since starting my blog the one film that has had more spoof movies based off of it than any other would have to be "The Hunger Games." Based off the wildly successful young adult book series "The Hunger Games" managed to become a cultural phenomenon. With so much success, it was obvious parody movies were coming (unfortunately none of them were good). One that was particularly bad would be "The Hungover Games," which is centered mostly around "The Hunger Games" and "The Hangover" (considering "The Hangover" wasn't very relevant for years makes me wonder why it was such a big influence but that's beside the point). This movie plays out how you think it would, a couple guys get black out drunk and accidentally enter the Hunger Games tournament and have to survive, and craziness follows. The one job that a comedy needs to accomplish is to be funny; "The Hungover Games" was not. It is insultingly bad from beginning to end, and absolutely deserves a spot on this list. When the highlight of your movie is having moderately attractive pornstars play minor characters that get naked for some reason, you've made bad decisions.

5. Fifty Shades Darker
A few years back a movie titled "Fifty Shades of Grey" was released based off the erotic romance novel of the same. Like its source material, the movie was a financial success but critically panned. When I saw it I thought it was pretty damn bad, and one of the worst movies of the year; that being said, I will defend it to a certain extent. While terrible, I feel like the director really tried to salvage the film and make it work, even though the source material was awful. So while not good, they put in some effort. I didn't even feel that with "Fifty Shades Darker." The movie takes place not to long after its predecessor, in which the two leads broke up at the end of the movie. But after the passing of time Christian Grey once again goes after his beloved Anastasia, and they come to an arrangement that works. Then there some stuff about stalkers and a lot of other dumb side stories, then it's over. "Fifty Shades of Grey" was bad, "Fifty Shades Darker" is abysmal. Everything about this movie feels phoned in, I truly believe that they didn't even try. Terrible writing, acting, directing, cinematography, production value, and sound track results in what has been the worst movie I've seen in 2017.

4. The Internship Games
I'm not sure if this qualifies as a real movie, all I know is that it sucks and I hate it. The second "Hunger Games" parody to appear on this list, this one is undoubtedly the worst. I first heard of this movie through the grapevine, I forget where exactly but I believe it was on a forum where someone called this one of the worst movies they'd ever seen. So I gave it a watch and they were not wrong. "The Internship Games" takes place at a small office looking to hire an intern, the boss decides she wants the intern from her old university (an all black college), so she brings in several candidates and will chose the winner by modeling it after "The Hunger Games" (which they directly reference). Amazingly, it is less interesting than that because instead of fighting to the death the interns just vote who won't get the job. On top of being remarkably unfunny, poorly shot, and terribly written, this movie does something rather impressive; it manages to be incredibly racist. Every character in this movie is a caricature of a person from a certain country, ethnicity, or background. Each of the potential interns is a type of black stereotype (the hood-rat, the rich black kid who hates other black kids, the black guy from Africa who people make fun of, etc.), except for one girl who is white and is only there to be used for awkward racial tension and as a punching bag. But the movie has the audacity to end on a monologue on how racism is bad and that minorities have been given a bad shake in America. It undercuts its own message by being one long stereotype. This movie is abysmal, and certainly one of the worst I've ever seen.

3. Nine Lives
"Nine Lives" could have been a decent movie. It had a solid cast (including Oscar winner Kevin Spacey), an experienced director, and a budget of around $30 million. But in reality, the final result is insultingly bad. "Nine Lives" is a kids movie that not only insults the parents that are dragged into the theater, but the children it was marketed towards. The basic plot of the movie is that a businessman who neglects his family is being punished by an old man who puts his soul into the body of a cat until he learns his lesson. It's pretty much like the "Shaggy Dog," except unlike that movie this one has no redeemable qualities. Every actor phones it in, the special effects are laughably bad, the writing is cringe worthy and unfunny, and by the end of the film I was just glad that it was over. There's nothing good about "Nine Lives," and take my advice in that you should never watch it.

2. Inappropriate Comedy
Much like "the Internship Games," this barely counts as a real movie; but I will call it one since it actually includes notable actors (including Oscar winner Adrien Brody). To be honest I don't actually remember this movie very well, since I've tried my best to block it from my memories, but I'll try and explain it. The movie is a type of anthology, made up of a bunch of sketches mean to be outrageous and bring shock value. What makes this film even semi-notable is how it came about. Directed by Vince Offer, it is the spiritual successor to his 1999 movie "The Underground Comedy Movie" (which was shot in a similar style and is equally as terrible). Now if the name Vince Offer sounds familiar, he is best known as Vince the Shamwow guy, an infomercial presenter noted for his enthusiasm as well as going to jail for beating up a hooker. But back to the movie, it is truly horrendous. There is no redeemable factor of this movie, from start to finish it is just plain bad; and you can make a strong argument that it should take the number one spot on this list. But in reality, there is one movie that upset me even more.

1. Movie 43
Since I've started writing for this blog I have seen many movies, and early on in my career I would see most of those in theaters, including the bad ones; but over the years my tolerance for bad movies has diminished, and I rarely see them in the theater anymore. In case you were wondering, it all started with this "film." "Movie 43" is a sketch comedy movie that involves an aspiring screen writer attempt to sell his scrip to a producer. The movie shows off these scenes as well as the sketches from the script, each one a different scenario with different characters. When first announced, many were excited for "Movie 43," with the big selling point being the 43 big name actors attached to it. But when it came out, it was quickly panned as one of the worst movies of all time; and the worst part of the movie is that it knows it's terrible. The overarching plot of the movie is the writer trying to sell his script, but every time he explains a sketch the producer calls it terrible. Towards the end the producer agrees to make the movie, and says that it will be this century's "Howard the Duck" (one of the worst movies ever). So the movie just openly admitted that the sketches are absolutely terrible, and then proceeds to make you watch them. It's just slapping the audience in the face with its dick the entire time. This is the only movie I can remember walking out of the theater, being physically angry that I spent money and time to see it. Unfunny, uncreative, and insulting to anyone who calls themselves a movie fan; "Movie 43" is one of the worst movies ever made, and certainly the worst since I started this blog.

5 Best Movies Since Starting My Blog

Honorable Mentions: Django Unchained, Skyfall, 12 Years a Slave, Gravity, Gone Girl, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Human, Silver Linings Playbook, Spotlight, Before Midnight, The Act of Killing, The Place Beyond the Pines, Whiplash, The Raid 2: Berandal, Inside Out, The Handmaiden, La La Land, Moonlight, Tower, Zootopia, Midnight Special, Raw, Get Out, Baby Driver, Dunkirk, Good Time, Blade Runner 2049.
Note: To qualify for this list, a movie must have had a theatrical release since my first blog post (November 9, 2012).

Runner-Up: Ex Machina
Believe it or not, the Runner-Up spot was the most difficult choice when putting this list together. Some other films I considered for this spot included "Dunkirk," "Raw," "The Act of Killing," "The Place Beyond the Pines," and "Whiplash." But when it came down to it, there was only one real choice. "Ex Machina" is a science-fiction film from first time director Alex Garland, and is easily one of the best directorial debuts I've ever witnessed. The film follows Caleb, an average programmer at a tech company who wins a constant that allows him to visit and help the company's founder with a secret project, only to learn that the secret project is an artificial intelligence by the name Ava. "Ex Machina" is a horrifying, intense, and beautiful movie. This movie has the uncanny ability to make you uncomfortable while watching it. It touches on several complex themes in a mature way, and really is one of the ultimate "what-ifs" we've seen from sci-fi in the past few years. And if there's any justice in the world "Ex Machina" will, and should, go down as a classic.

5. Boyhood
"Boyhood" is one of the most impressive films in the entire history of cinema. For those who don't know, "Boyhood" is a coming-of-age drama from director Richard Linklater. It follows a young boy as he grows up over the course of 12 years. What makes this movie so impressive is that it was actually filmed over the course of 12 years. Production began in 2002, and didn't finish until the year of its release in 2013. Since the film's debut, it has garnered high acclaim from critics and has been called the best film of modern times by countless critics; it's even one of the best reviewed movies of all time on Rotten Tomatoes, and the best reviewed movie of all time on Metacritic. While not for everyone, "Boyhood" struck a chord with me. It reminded me of my own childhood, and gave me a sense of nostalgia I've never felt with another movie. This film is a triumph, an ambitious and beautiful movie that will go down as one of the all time greats.

4. Mud
Every once in a while, someone tells me how they watched a movie that I recommended through my blog. Since the beginning, it appears that the movie that most have watched based off of my recommendation would have to be "Mud." Directed by the exceptional Jeff Nichols, "Mud" is a southern drama that was my pick for the best movie of 2013. The film revolves around two young boys in the south who come upon a boat that was washed ashore on a small island in the Mississippi river, and learn of a man known only as Mud living out of it. They soon discover Mud is a wanted fugitive, but agree to help him rekindle an old flame and escape the state. "Mud" feels like something right out of a Mark Twain novel. Highlighted by several strong performances, beautiful cinematography, sympathetic characters, and exceptional direction from Nichols, "Mud" really is one of the best movies of the past few years. While Nichols last two films have not been as strong as this one, years down the line I'm sure he'll look back on "Mud" with pride as his magnum opus.

3. Mad Max: Fury Road
Throughout the history of cinema, there are only a few trilogies worth anything. There's "Back to the Future," "Lord of the Rings," "Indiana Jones," and a few more. One of those trilogies would have to be "Mad Max." Taking place in the post-Apocalypse, the series revolves around a former cop named Max Rockatansky. From the mind of Frank Miller, people thought the series had been put to bed decades ago; but years later Miller expressed interest in continuing the franchise with another movie. This untitled fourth film was supposed to begin filming in the early 2000s, but after countless issues it was stuck in development hell. It wasn't until a decade later that production picked up again, but with such a long time between films and the main character being recast, many were unsure. But when "Mad Max: Fury Road" was finally released, it was almost instantly praised as a masterpiece. Rewriting some of the "Mad Max" lore, "Fury Road" follows our title character as he helps several women escape captivity from a brutal war lord and cult leader. "Fury Road" is an impressive film to say the least. It features several of the best action sequences ever seen in a movie, as well incredible special effects. Coupled with interesting characters, a strong story, and a surprisingly well written screenplay, and you have what may be the best installment in such a beloved franchise.

2. Birdman

I remember walking into the theater with the intent to watch "Birdman." I knew fairly little about the film outside of what was shown with the initial trailer. I was intrigued but ultimately unsure, little did I know I was about to watch one of the best films of the decade. "Birdman" revolves around Riggin Thomson, a washed movie star most well known for playing a superhero many years earlier. Riggin hopes to revitalize his career with a Broadway play he wrote based off the work by Raymond Carter. But when troubles with the play and his personal demons begin to emerge, Riggin is pushed to his breaking point. "Birdman," much like "Fury Road," ranks among my favorite movies of all time; the style, the acting, the themes and motifs blend together with exceptional cinematography and an amazing soundtrack to create a truly incredible movie. A high point in the career of almost everyone involved, the fact that this movie only ranks at number two on this list shows how highly I respect the film that took the top spot.

1. Zero Dark Thirty
Since starting my blog, I've talked about this movie in multiple posts because I truly believe that it is the best movie released so far this decade. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, "Zero Dark Thirty" is about the CIA's hunt for Osama Bin Laden after the events of the 9/11 attacks. Primarily revolving around an agent known only as Maya, we see the CIA spend years tracking down the most wanted man in the world. Upon its release ZDT was met with equal parts praise and criticism. Praise as a film as a whole, and controversy regarding its depiction of torture and historical accuracy. Those flinging criticisms seemed to miss many of the film's points, but that's a conversation for another day. "Zero Dark Thirty" is a masterpiece. From the acting, to directing, to storytelling, and beyond, it is an incredible cinematic feature. Bigelow made waves years earlier with 2009's "The Hurt Locker," which would go on to win best picture at the Oscars and win her best director (making her the first woman to receive the honor); even so, many will argue ZDT is an even better film. Since starting this blog back in 2012 I've reviewed many great films, but I can honestly say the best of the best in my mind has to be "Zero Dark Thirty."

Blade Runner 2049 Review

     Within any given genre of film, there are a few movies that have acted as the new benchmark. For war there's "Apocalypse Now" and "Saving Private Ryan," for gangster movies there's "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas," and for horror there's "The Exorcist" and "Silence of the Lambs." Then there's science-fiction which has three that changed the landscape of the genre as a whole. First there was "2001: A Space Odyssey," a polarizing but thematic movie that has since been listed among the best movies ever. Second was "Star Wars: A New Hope," one that we all know and love that would launch one of the most popular franchises of all time. And finally, there was "Blade Runner." Released in 1982, "Blade Runner" was directed by Ridley Scott and was based off of the novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep." The movie followed Deckard, a police officer known as a Blade Runner who is tasked with tracking down rogue replicants (a type of android that occasionally lose their mind and become dangerous). Noted for its visuals, music, acting, themes, and story, "Blade Runner" has become a classic and is considered one of the most influential films of all time; personally, I'd go so far as calling it one of the best movies ever made. After its release, there were talks about a sequel for years but nothing ever panned out. Finally, after years of pre-production, the sequel founds its director and would be made. But the question remained, "do we really need a sequel to one of the greats 35 years later?" Many called the movie unnecessary, and that if it was anything less than exceptional it would tarnish the legacy of its predecessor. It would just be another useless sequel from made to make some money. Well the final product is finally here, and I am delighted to say that it does its predecessor proud.

     "Blade Runner 2049" takes place 30 years after the events of the original, and the world isn't any better than it was. K is a cop that works for the Los Angeles police department, and works as one of only a few Blade Runners. One day while on a mission to retire an old model replicant he discovers something strange at his home. After examining it back at the station, he and his commander realizes something is very off. K is ordered to follow the clues and see what's at the bottom of the rabbit hole; but if it is what they think it is, it could shake the foundation of the world order.

     Making a sequel is hard, making a good sequel is harder, and making one of the best sequels ever 35 years after the original was released is something that should be impossible; but somehow "Blade Runner 2049" does just that. "2049" surpassed my expectations, what I thought would be a good movie turned into one of the best we've seen in 2017; and considering this was a film that actually topped the list of my most anticipated of the year I am so damn happy that it's as good as it is. So let's just get into it. First off all the credit in the world needs to go to the director Dennis Villeneuve. Going into this movie I already believed that Villeneuve was the best director currently working, but this film only proves it; and he has a serious chance at being considered for the Oscar this year. It's clear he had a vision of what this movie needed to be, a modern take on the source material that pays respect to its predecessor. It doesn't change too much, keeping the tone and style, but it changes enough that it keeps it fresh. It helps because the pace is a bit faster than the original (which is undeniably slow). While the pace does drag in a few parts during "2049," and as a whole the movie is a bit longer than necessary, I was never bored or disinterested with what was going on. What I always liked about the original film was that it was an interesting mashup of genres. A sci-fi neo-noir film, which is a type of movie we don't see very often. "2049" keeps that interesting mash-up while introducing a fascinating mystery, that keeps you guessing till the very end, while being centered on a very engaging plot. What help would be the several memorable and layered characters that feature throughout. Considering how iconic some of the characters were in the original, it's good to see the new ones continue to be interesting. It helps that every actor in this movie does a great job. From the leads Gosling and Ford, to minor characters like Leto and Wright, there is no weak link in this chain.

     What so many remember regarding the first "Blade Runner" was how it looked. It was gorgeous, with impressive special effects and world design that put most films to shame; and "2049" honors the original by continuing the legacy. "2049" is one of the most visually stunning films I've ever seen. Roger Deakins cinematography is gorgeous to say the least, the CGI and special effects are impressive and almost feel real at times, and the design of everything is just stupendous. It's obvious that the production design is simply top notch, with a lot of money put into an incredible amount of detail. The design of the world, costumes, technology, cars, weapons, buildings, streets, and just about everything else is incredible. The world feels real, tangible, and alive. "2049" is just beautiful, no ifs, ands, or buts. And accompanied by a creative score and it cements "Blade Runner" as one of the most fascinating film worlds ever made. "2049" reminds me a lot of “Mad Max: Fury Road," it feels like the movie that the directors of their predecessors wanted to make, but are no longer constrained by budget or technology; and that's a good thing. And of course, the screenplay for "2049" is great, as to be expected. The writing and dialog is well done, it's intelligent and thought provoking, and touches on a variety of themes. But with that comes the film's greatest weakness, in that it's not the original "Blade Runner." 

     When "Blade Runner" first came out, a lot of people didn't like it. It took years before people began to admire it, and years before it began to influence the genre. The reason is because it was doing things that we weren't seeing in other movies, and by being so different people had trouble appreciating it. The problem with "2049" is that while it does everything well, it doesn't necessarily do anything new. I feel that 35 years from now, it would be considered as ground breaking as its predecessor. Now this isn't anything new, this is something common with sequels; but it's an issue that kept rattling around in my head even while I was watching it. It's an inevitable issue that likely couldn't be avoided; but even so, it doesn't take away from what this movie really is. And what it is, is great.

     "Blade Runner 2049" is an incredible piece of cinema, and one to be admired. It flips the concept of a modern blockbuster on its head by not pandering to the common movie goer, but by trying to be something more. Is it as good as the original? I don't know. We're going to have to wait a few years before we can look back and judge it fairly. All I know is that it is the sequel I wanted, and one that I think any fan of the original wants as well. "Blade Runner 2049" is one of the best movies of the year, and one the best the sci-fi genre has seen in a long time. 

Pros: Visually stunning, gorgeous cinematography, impressive CGI and special effects, exceptional performances, memorable characters, great writing and dialog, intelligent and thought provoking, touches on a variety of themes, top notch production design, creative costume and world design, Oscar worthy directing, creative original score, impressive level of detail, engaging plot, mysterious and keeps you guessing, interesting mash-up of genres, pays respect to original, one of the best sequels ever, faster pace than original.

Cons: Still slow at times, little longer than necessary, not as ground breaking as the original.

5/5 Stars

10 Best Games of the Decade (So Far)

Honorable Mentions: Batman: Arkham City, Journey, Dragon Age Inquisition, The Walking Dead: Season 1, Borderlands 2, Dishonored, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, Uncharted 3, Hearthstone, Overwatch, Inside, Dark Souls 3, DOTA 2, Limbo, Bastion, Hotline Miami, FTL: Faster Than Light, Mark of the Ninja, Saints Row: The Third, Far Cry 3, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, Undertale, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Shovel Knight, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Doom, Nioh, Horizon Zero Dawn, Nier: Automata.
Note: There have been many games released during the 2010s that I have not had a chance to play, and therefore could not qualify for this list. I've decided to allow only one game from a series to qualify for this list, but I will allow multiple games from the same franchise (for Example, "Dark Souls 3" could not qualify for this list since "Dark Souls" appears on it, but I will allow "Bloodborne" since it is a spin-off of "Dark Souls" and not technically part of the main series).

Runner- Up: Bioshock Infinite
"Bioshock Infinite" is a rather polarizing game. Upon its release the title was met with near unanimous praise from critics and audiences, but over time criticism has risen. The biggest criticism regarding the game would be the combat. "Infinite's" combat was solid FPS, but lacked some of the depth of the previous games. The weapon wheal was gone, and environmental hazards seemed to happen less often other than very specific areas. Other criticisms included the a few plot holes as well as the fact by the end of the game you saw many of the plot twists coming. Despite these issues, I will still defend this game. The story was fascinating, and took place in a world like we've never seen before. The art style was beautiful, and while simplified, the combat was solid. On top of that, the game featured most of the series truly memorable characters. While not perfect, I think "Bioshock Infinite" is still great.

Runner-Up: Fallout: New Vegas
Believe it or not, the development of "Fallout: New Vegas" is more impressive than any game on this list. After the release of "Fallout 3," Bethesda expressed interest in having another installment in the "Fallout" franchise that wasn't one of the main games. They ended up getting the very talented Obsidian Entertainment to develop the new game. Known for their story telling, freedom of choice, and intricate plots, Obsidian seemed like the perfect studio. The problem was that they were given 18 months. 18 months to develop a massive action RPG is not much time, so they had to compromise. Theu had to use the previous game's engine as was, and few major changes to combat or the core gameplay were changed. On top of all that, upon release the game was highly criticized for bugs and glitches. But despite the issues, "New Vegas" has gone on to become a fan favorite from the franchise. The game's story was complex and interesting, featuring several factions, tons of freedom, several great story expansions, plenty of memorable side quests, and dialog that would make you laugh more than a few times. While "Fallout: New Vegas" might not have made any radical changes from its predecessor, and may have even suffered from its short development time, it doesn't change the fact that "New Vegas" ranks among the best western RPGs ever made.

Runner-Up: Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Much like "Bioshock Infinite," this game was polarizing for many. Upon its release the game was praised by critics, particularly for the game's combat, level design, technical prowess, and impressive detail. Despite the praise, there was more than a bit of criticism and it's hard to deny that that the game didn't deserve it. Regarding the plot, while interesting, it was disjointed and all over the place; and it required you to have a fairly detailed knowledge of the entire franchise storyline, for the games that take place before and after MGS5. The game also implemented a really scummy microtransactions model, that really limited some of the multiplayer components. But the biggest criticism was the most glaring, the game wasn't finished. MGS5 was rushed, so much so that many missions were re-skins of previous ones and the entire third act was cut from the game. Doing so removed a lot of the story, and denied closure for a few story lines; in all honesty, this game needed another year or so of development. Despite the issues, I will defend this game as something special. While not perfect, this game did so many things right and so much better than almost any other game; pitch perfect combat, an interesting (be it messy) story, several interesting and memorable characters, tons of freedom when completing missions, and a level of detail and creative game mechanics that put most titles to shame. On top of that, I think MGS5 is just a fun game to play. Ranking among some of my all time favorite games, "Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain" may be flawed but is still exceptional.

Runner-Up: Uncharted 4
One of the more recent games on this list is undoubtedly the most exciting. For nearly a decade, the "Uncharted" franchise has captivated the imagination of gamers worldwide; putting is in the shoes of an Indiana Jones style movie. "Uncharted 4" picks up a few years after the previous game. The legendary Nathan Drake has retired from the treasure hunting game, and has settled down into married life. But one day he gets a surprise visit, his brother, Sam, whom he presumed dead for years. Sam comes to him saying that he has info on a long lost pirate treasure, but he needs Nate's help. So one last time, Nate sets out to find his treasure; but as usual, things aren't as easy as he'd like. "Uncharted 4" is the last installment in the franchise, and I have to say it's a hell of a game to go out on. Exciting action, improved combat, incredible set pieces, and an engaging story. "Uncharted 4" had everything fans of the series expect, and much more. While I'm sad we'll never get to play as Nathan Drake again in another swash-buckling adventure, I'm glad the series went out on a high note.

10. Portal 2
"Portal" was one of the past decade's sleeper hits. Developed by Valve, it was included alongside "Half-Life 2" and "Team Fortress 2" in Valve's "The Orange Box." This fairly short single player game would go on to be lauded by critics and audiences, with many immediately demanding a sequel; and Valve finally delivered in 2011 with "Portal 2." Much like its predecessor, "Portal 2" is a first person puzzle game that has you traversing around various levels using teleportation portals created by the player's portal gun. You once again player as Chell, a mute woman used as a guinea pig by the sadistic computer program that runs the facility you are trapped in. With the help of a new friend, you awake from a long sleep in the hopes of obtaining your freedom. Noted for its clever puzzle solving and humorous writing, "Portal 2" went on to become one of the most acclaimed games of 2011. While not a massive leap forward over its predecessor, it improved on an already winning formula and still stands as one of this decade's most memorable titles.

9. Grand Theft Auto V

What can I say about this game that hasn't been said before? Released in 2013 for the PS3 and 360, the following year for PS4 and Xbox One, and in 2015 on PC, "Grand Theft Auto V" has become one of the best selling and most critically acclaimed games ever made. Changing up the formula a bit from its predecessors, "GTA5" has you playing as three characters that you can switch between in a moment’s notice. Featuring tons of weapons, countless cars, a multiplayer mode that has gotten better and better since its launch, and one of the most memorable single player campaigns ever put in a game (which includes crazy missions such as shooting down a private jet then chase after it on a dirt bike across the map to collect the cargo) it's not hard to see why people love it. Despite the countless criticisms and controversies aimed at the game over the years, ranging from its content to mods being temporarily banned all together, it doesn't change the fact "Grand Theft Auto V" is one of the best open-world games ever made.

8. Bloodborne
For almost a decade, the "Souls" franchise has produced some truly exceptional games (one of which will also appear later on this); but it's the 2015 spin-off that many will call the best. "Bloodborne" is a spin-off installment in the "Souls" franchise that took a very different approach than its predecessors. While the first few games in the franchise took place in medieval and dark ages inspired worlds, "Bloodborne" was modeled after 19th century Victorian Gothic with a notable Lovecraft influence; and it works perfectly. The combat is much faster and more frantic than its predecessors, with an emphasis on offense that lead to the best combat in the franchise. Also featuring some of the decade's most memorable boss fights, a unique and terrifying story that takes place in a compelling world, and one of the best expansions I've ever played, "Bloodborne" certainly earns its spot on this list. And just like the games that came before it, "Bloodborne" is pretty damn difficult.

7. Bayonetta
This is a hard game to describe, but I'm going to try my best. Developed by Platinum Games in Japan, "Bayonetta" is a third-person action spectacle fighter. You play as Bayonetta, the last witch of her kind in the modern world. You spend the game fighting the forces of evil as well as various angelic foes while discovering more about your past. There are many reasons that make this game worth playing. The interesting story, fascinating level and game design, or getting to play as the sexy title character if that's your thing; but the real reason you do it is for the gameplay. "Bayonetta" has some of the best combat of its type that we've ever seen in a game. "Bayonetta" is a gem, a weird title that is so unique and of its own there are few games out there like it. At the end of the day describing it cannot do it justice, just buy it and play it.

6. Dark Souls

If I had to choose the most influential video game released so far this decade, it might have to be "Dark Souls." Acting as a spiritual successor to 2009's "Demon's Souls," "Dark Souls" is a more refined and detailed game that keeps the same vision. Noted for its world design, combat, difficulty, and creativity, it was better received critically and commercially than its predecessor. What makes this game so influential would have to be the fact that for years, game after game has tried to emulate it. The recently coined term, "souls-like," is often used to describe difficult action-RPGs that feature tense combat where you can easily die resulting in severe consiquences. But since "Dark Souls" only a few games have been able to copy the feel that makes it so special. "Dark Souls" is something amazing, a game that revolutionized a genre and created its own sub-genre. It truly is one of the greats.

5. The Last of Us
Naughty Dog has garnered a reputation as one of the best developers in the world. First making waves with the "Crash Bandicoot" franchise in the 90s, they hit their stride with the "Uncharted" series in the late 2000s. But in 2013 they put out something different, "The Last of Us." TLOU began as a side project from the studio in the late 2000s, but was thrust into the spotlight after the release of "Uncharted 3." An action-adventure survival game, "The Last of Us" takes place in a near future when a parasitic outbreak wipes out half the globe by turning its victims into mindless husks. You primarily play a Joel, a smuggler who is asked to escort a young girl, immune to the parasites, named Ellie to a rebel group known as the Fireflies. Upon its release, "The Last of Us" was praised for its story and characters, with many calling it one of the best single player campaigns ever made. Coupled with solid combat, a great score, impressive technical aspects, and a unique multiplayer mode, and you have one of the best games of our time.

4. Persona 5
"Persona 5" is the most recent game to appear on this list, coming out in Japan in late 2016 and the rest of the world Spring 2017; but even after having my hands on it for such a short period of time, it's not hard to recognize it as a new classic. The "Persona" franchise first launched in 1996, and has continued to release new games every few years since. The franchise peaked with "Persona 4" in 2008, and the remastered version "Persona 4: Golden" in 2012 on the Vita. P4 has become one of the most critically acclaimed games of the 2000s, and is considered a benchmark when it comes to Japanese Roll Playing Games. So with so much to live up to "Persona 5" was anticipated by many; fortunately, it's amazing. Combining traditional JRPG elements with life simulation and time management elements, P5 is one of the most engaging games I've ever played. You play the leader of a group called the Phantom Thieves, who steal the hearts of criminals to stop their terrible acts. With a beautiful art style, a great soundtrack, tons of style, an interesting story, layered characters, and a single player campaign that stretches past 100 hours, "Persona 5" is one of this decade's true masterpieces.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Big, ambitious open-world games can be a very taxing experience. With so much to do, and often little guidance regarding the main plot, they can overwhelm some. But when you get your hands on a good one, you have something special. "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" is the third and final installment in the "Witcher" series by Polish studio CD Project RED. Based off the book series of the same name, you play Gheralt of Rivia, a type of monster hunter known as a Witcher. The game starts off with you looking for an old girlfriend named Yennifer, but your quest quickly goes astray when you are forced to battle a magical force known as the Wild Hunt while your homeland is going through a brutal and bloody war. "The Witcher 3" is the prime example of how you create an open-world game; great combat, well written story, tons of stuff to do, and dozens of side quests that are unique and memorable. On top of that, the game was accompanied by two exceptional expansions, "Hearts of Stone" and "Blood and Wine." This is the type of game that the developers can be truly proud of, because they really did make a masterpiece.

2. Red Dead Redemption

Earlier on this list I talked about "Grand Theft Auto V," an open world epic that shook the gaming world to its core. Developed primarily by Rockstar North, the star studio of Rockstar Games, they were also assisted by the smaller Rockstar San Diego. San Diego was most well known for the developing the various "Midnight Club" games, up until 2010 anyways. That year they released a true and unprecedented masterpiece, "Red Dead Redemption." The second game under the "Red Dead" name, RDR took place at the tail end of the Wild West in 1911. You play John Marston, a retired gang member who is forced by the US government to track down and kill his former gang members. RDR was universally praised upon its release for its gameplay, story, characters, combat, and open-world dynamics. To this day it remains one of my all time favorite games. Fortunately, just last year fans learned that a sequel was in development with a likely 2018 release date. The sequel has a lot to live up to considering the success of its predecessor. Even so, it doesn't change the fact that "Red Dead Redemption" is a modern masterpiece.

1. Mass Effect 2

From 2010 to today, there have been countless astonishing games; more than anybody could possibly play. But of all the games that I have played released during this time, the best I've played has to be "Mass Effect 2." Developed by Bioware, "Mass Effect 2" is an action RPG that was released in 2010. You play Commander Sheppard, a human tasked with exploring and investigating several strange events that have taken place throughout the galaxy as of late. While you have a job to do, the real danger is a race of sentient machines known as the Reapers who threaten all life in the galaxy. So you and your crew set off to save the day. Simply put, "Mass Effect 2" is one of the best games ever made. With solid combat, a fascinating story, layered and memorable characters, interesting worlds to explore, and player made choices that greatly affect outcomes, it's something special. Probably my favorite game of all time, "Mass Effect 2" is one of the games that helped set the standard for western developed RPGs. While the games successors where not met with the acclaim that "Mass Effect 2" received, nothing could spoil the legacy of such an incredible game.

Dunkirk Review

     The talent pool of cinema's current directors is something to be admired. Some of the greatest filmmakers to ever live are out there right now making movies. Wes Anderson, Jeff Nichols, Kathryn Bigelow, Richard Linklater, and Denis Villeneuve just to name a few; but if you were to ask every cinefile in the world who the best director currently working is, I feel like Christopher Nolan would get the most votes. The British director Nolan made his directorial debut in 1998 with the well received "Following." But Nolan first made waves with the critically acclaimed "Memento" in 2000, which would go on to be called one of the best films of the decade by many media outlets. And in 2008 he became the director to watch with "The Dark Knight," which is widely considered to be the best comic book movie of all time. And with 2010's mind bending sci-fi thriller "Inception," he became a film legend. Since then Nolan hasn't been at his best, with the often criticized (but still praised) "The Dark Knight Rises" and "Interstellar;" but when it was announced that Nolan would be making a film about one of the most important moments of World War 2, I was immediately interested. "Dunkirk" is like no movie Nolan has tackled before, and the result might be the finest film of his already illustrious career.

     The Battle and Evacuation of Dunkirk was a British military operation that took place May 26- June 4, 1940. With several hundred thousand British soldiers trapped on the French beach with German soldiers moving in, all hope seemed lost. With Germans controlling the air, land, and sea around Dunkirk, the UK had trouble sending in support out of fear of losing valuable resources. In a last ditch effort they recruit civilian boats to try and pick up the stranded. The film follows a few different storylines at the tail end of the evacuation, turning into one of the most thrilling war movies ever made.

     Since the very first reviews for this film were released, I heard more than a few critics call it a masterpiece and one of the best war movies of all time; so going into the theater I had high expectations, and they were vastly surpassed. "Dunkirk" is a cinematic triumph, and one of the most impressive films I've seen in years. A little over half way through 2017, and we may have finally found what will be the best film of the year. First off, all the credit in the world has to go to director Christopher Nolan. Nolan direction is powerful to say the least; he has complete control over every little thing and has an incredible eye for detail. The way he directs even makes the calm scenes tense and thrilling, and at no point during the entire run time was I anywhere close to bored. Nolan is the type of director who loves the classic, and you can see it with "Dunkirk." This movie feels very old-school, both in the approach and scope; reminiscent of films like "The Hateful Eight," "Dunkirk" feels like a love letter to movies of yesteryear; which is only solidified by Nolan's choice to primarily use practical effects, including thousands of extras and boats/planes that were at the Dunkirk Evacuation. One thing that may upset some when walking out of this movie is that it's not like the war movies we've seen in the past few years; it's not an action movie. One thing that I've never liked about war movies is that many dramatize and romanticize war, "Dunkirk" does not. While there are some thrilling air battles, this is a movie about war and not the battles. More recent war movies like "Lone Survivor," "American Sniper," and "Hacksaw Ridge" often took terrible situations, and turned them into action movies for only the sake of entertainment. But "Dunkirk" comes off as a respectful adaptation of one of the most terrifying moments of WW2. Nolan did a great job with script, being respectful, but being constantly exciting. And as with every Nolan movie, it is truly beautiful. The cinematography is stunning; and with the choice to film in 65 mm (projected on 70 mm film), Nolan captures some of the most beautiful scenes I've seen in years. And the last thing I'll gush about over Nolan is his use of silence and sound. Very little is said in this movie, other than the ambient noises it's mostly silent. Characters only speak when necessary, which is a brave choice on the film's part that I respect. Most movies feel the need to pad the silence, to have characters talk just for the sake of noise. Not in "Dunkirk," and I respect that. The only real issue I have with the film is the story; not so much the story itself, but how it tells it. The problem is that the film shows us several storylines, but they aren't happening at the same time. In doing so the plot is hard to follow at times, and it takes a bit for you to be able to put the pieces together. Despite this issue, it doesn't change my opinion on the movie. "Dunkirk" is something special, something exceptional. It is the type of picture that bridges the gap from blockbuster to tour de force. Coupled with stellar performances from the whole cast and a beautiful score from Hanz Zimmer, and you have the makings for the best movie of the year. "Dunkirk" is impressive, a rare cinematic treat; one that should be seen, and admired, in the theater. Even with so many great movies under his belt, "Dunkirk" may be Christopher Nolan's finest hour.

Pros: Powerful direction from Christopher Nolan, stellar performances from the entire cast, stunning cinematography, beautiful score from Hans Zimmer, incredibly tense and thrilling, never boring, respectful adaptation of real life event, well written screenplay, exceptional use of sound and silence, impressive practical effects and production design, exciting air battles, feels old-school.

Cons: Story can be hard to follow at times.

5/5 Stars

Best Movies of the Half Year and Awards 2017

Honorable Mentions: The Lego Batman Movie, I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore, Okja.
Note: These are what I consider to be the best movies released so far in 2017. It's important to remember I haven't seen every movie to come out in 2017.

Runner-Up: John Wick: Chapter 2
Back in 2014, movie fans were delighted by the surprise hit "John wick." Following the title character as he goes on a revenge rampage against those who killed his dog and stole his car, what looked like a generic action movie from the trailer turned out to be one of the best from the genre in the past few years. Feeling like a world that came right out of the comic books, fans wanted more; and the creators delivered. "John Wick: Chapter 2" takes place not long after the events of the first movie; Wick has gotten his revenge and just wants to retire, but an old friend comes back into his life. Calling on an old debt, Wick is forced back into the role of a hitman in the hopes of eventually retiring. "John Wick: Chapter 2" doesn't change a whole lot from the first, but that's not a bad thing. It's just a bigger, better version of what was already a great movie. Praised by critics and audiences, a third film was quickly announced. While fans will have to wait a while to see how this story wraps up, I'm sure the end result will be worth the wait.

Runner-Up. The Lost City of Z
"The Lost City of Z" is the type of movie that was stuck in development hell for years. Based off of the novel of the same name, this movie was in the development stage for six years. Securing funding, logistics, casting, writing, and filming were apparently all a nightmare; but with all said and done, many will likely call this the best movie of 2017. "The Lost City of Z" is based off the true story of Percy Fawcett, a geographer and former soldier. Fawcett was hired to travel to South America to map some uncharted areas, but along the way he hears legends of an ancient city he calls "Z." The film chronicles his attempts to find the city, and everything that goes wrong along the way. "The Lost City of Z" is impressive to say the least; very old school, I can't even imagine what the crew must have gone through to film it. Beautifully shot with strong direction and performances, there's a lot to love about this movie. The only real problem is that it's too long, they could have cut about thirty minutes and it would have been perfect. Even so, this is a type of film we don't get to often, and one that many will love.

10. Hounds of Love
Movies of certain subject matters are often controversial, despite how good they are. Whether it be violence, sexual content, or perceived racism/sexism/bigotry, a movie's plot can be scrutinized just for being the plot. One film that premiered this year that was met with such controversy would be "Hounds of Love" from Australia. The movies revolves around a serial killing couple who kidnap, torture, and rape young women they pick up on the street; and a teenage they recently captured is their latest victim. A disturbing, unsettling thriller, many of the negative reviews around the film are less so about the movie's quality but its subject matter; with many denouncing the violence against women depicted in the movie. While I disagree with criticism like this, I see why some are upset. This is a worst case scenario for almost every woman in the world, and some might not like seeing such a case on the big screen. But that doesn't change the fact that "Hounds of Love" is a well made, intense thriller that will likely shake you to your core.

9. T2 Trainspotting
In 1995, British director Danny Boyle released "Trainspotting;" a comedy-drama about a group of heroin addicts and their dysfunctional lives. Since the film's release, it is widely considered to be one of the best movies of the 90s, and one of the best to come out of the UK. It was creative, funny, dark, and even heart breaking. It is truly an exceptional movie, and one of my all time favorites. So when, after 20 years, it was finally confirmed that the long awaited sequel was in development, I was excited. Picking up a little over 20 years after the events of the original, "T2 Trainspotting" catches us up with the beloved old gang. Rent Boy comes back to town, and gets caught up in the antics of his old friends; all of whom still hold a grudge against him because of the 16 thousand pounds they stole. "T2" is a good movie; it is well made, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it; I even thought it was even good enough to make this list. But that doesn't change the fact it pales in comparison to the original. This is a case where the sequel just can't live up to its predecessor. So while I will remember "Trainspotting" for the rest of my life, it's unlikely I will say the same about "T2 Trainspotting."

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

For almost a decade now, Disney's Marvel's Cinematic Universe has dominated the box office. The MCU quickly became the highest grossing film franchise of all time, and it doesn't look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. Much of this success has to come from their sleeper hits, the movies that less was expected from, such as "Guardians of the Galaxy." Released in 2014, "Guardians" quickly became a fan favorite; noted for its comedy, characters, action, tone, and visual , the movie was praised upon release and became a box office hit; so a sequel was obviously inevitable. Finally released in 2017, director James Gunn did not disappoint. Bringing more development to the charters without losing any of the laughs, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," much like its predecessor," has become a fan favorite; and I for one am certainly looking forward to "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."

7. Wonder Woman
The DCEU began in 2013, and for years struggled to get its footing. The first three films in this comic book franchise, "Man of Steel," "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," and "Suicide Squad," were all panned by critics and performed worse at the box office than the studio hoped for. So when it was announced that Wonder Woman was getting her own film, I was hesitant based off the track record of its predecessors. When finally released, I was relieved to discover that I was wrong. "Wonder Woman" takes place in the early 1900s, Diana is the princess of the Amazonian's on a mythical island. One day she saves a young man from drowning off the coast, a spy named Steve Trevor. Trevor explains he has information vital to stopping the Germans in World War 1. Diane believes it is her destiny to help, so she sets out alongside him to save the world. "Wonder Woman" is, by a wide margin, the best movie of the DCEU. Action packed, entertaining, with great characters involved in an interesting story, "Wonder Woman" was a treat to watch; now we just have to hope this franchise continues this level of quality in the future.

6. Uncertain
Documentaries are a rather underappreciated genre of movies if you ask me. When people think of documentaries they think of watching Nation Geographic features they were forced to watch when they were in grade school; but they can be so much more if done properly. "Uncertain" takes place in Uncertain, Texas, a small town on the Texas-Louisiana border with a population of just about 150 people. The film is simple; it follows the lives of several of the town's residents and the hardships of the past and issues they will face in the future. While it may not seem like much on the surface, it is beautiful to behold. This town is home to several interesting characters, many of which have tragic back-stories that have moved to Uncertain to get away from it all. Acting as 2017's first great documentary, I expect "Uncertain" to win a few awards when the end of the year rolls around.

5. Logan
2016's "Deadpool" was one of the best, and most important comic book movies ever released. It was funny, action packed, and a fan favorite; but most importantly, it was rated R. R-rated comic book movies are few and far between, and when attempted in the past they weren't big at the box office. But to the surprise of many, "Deadpool" became the highest grossing R-rated movie of all time. And by doing so, it opened the door for other comic book movies to receive the same rating, and in comes "Logan." The third, and final, stand alone Wolverine movie, and Hugh Jackman's last time to put on the claws. Inspired by the acclaimed "Old Man Logan" comic, "Logan" takes place in a near future where the X-Men are no more and mutant kind has been decimated. Logan lives in Mexico with Professor X, who is beginning to suffer from severe seizures that make his powers go crazy, and is working as a driver to save up money to buy a boat for him and the professor to live on away from civilization. One day Logan is contacted by a woman who asks him to escort a young girl across the border, and a series of events, he agrees to do so; but is hunted by a corporation that wants the girl back. I'll cut to the chase; "Logan" is the best "X-Men" movie and easily ranks as one of the best comic book movies ever made. With great performances, strong direction, and a gritty and violent story, it's a perfect movie to send Wolverine out on.

4. The Big Sick
If you ask me, romantic-comedies are one of the most difficult genres of film to make. It's hard to make a movie relationship to come off as serious and believable, but at the same time making the film as a whole funny without making the relationship seem ridiculous. "The Big Sick" manages to find that perfect balance between comedy and reality, probably because it's based off of reality. Based off of events that happened to co-writer and lead actor Kumail Nanjiani, we see what happens to him before he became famous. Kumail is a want-to-be comedian born in Pakistan and living in Chicago. After a set one night be begins talking to a young woman who was at the show by the name of Emily. They hit it off and begin seeing each other. The problem is that Kumail's parents are very old school, and are attempting to involve him in an arranged marriage with one of many single Pakistani women living in the area. But everything changes when Emily becomes sick and is put into a coma. At a cross roads in his life, Kumail needs to make some difficult choices. To my surprise, this might be my favorite movie of the year so far. You can tell that Kumail and the real Emily V. Gordon, now husband and wife, really put there all into this movie. Sweet, sincere, and often hilarious, "The Big Sick" is one of the best the genre has seen in years.

3. Get Out
When you talk about a sleeper hit, few are more prevalent than this year's "Get Out." Acting as the directorial debut (as well as being written by) comedic actor Jordan Peele, "Get Out" is a satirical horror-thriller that quickly became one of the most praised horror movies in recent years. Chris is young black man working as a photographer in New York and has recently been dating a white woman named Rose. The two plan on going away for a few days to Rose's parent's home, the problem is she has not told them Chris is black (but is confident they will like him). When the two arrive, Chris is greeted with open arms, but soon becomes suspicious feeling something is quite right in Rose's parent's community. "Get Out" was absolutely brilliant, and a true surprise. When reviews first began to come out, they were universally positive; this movie was one of those rare cases where I truly believe all the praise was worth it. One of the best horror-thrillers in years, "Get Out" may be an instant classic.

2. Baby Driver

Edgar Wright is undeniably one of the most talented directors to come out of the UK over the past few decades. With films like "Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz," and "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" under his belt, Wright is a director that's always worth paying attention to. So when I heard that he had another film coming this year, my interest was peaked. "Baby Driver" is an action-comedy following a young man that goes by the name Baby. Baby reluctantly works as a getaway driver for an Atlanta kingpin whom he's in debt to, but only has a few jobs left until they're square. And even though he's almost done, things get a bit complicated after he starts seeing a beautiful young woman named Debora. "Baby Driver" is one of the best action-comedies of the past few years. The action is fast and frantic; the comedy will make you laugh out loud more than once, and just about everything else is as good as it could be as well. "Baby Driver" has something for just about everyone, and I'm sure it will top many "Best of the Year" lists at the end of 2017.

1. Raw
Going into 2017, this was one of my most anticipated movies of the year. I first heard of it last September when it premiered at a film festival where it was reported that several audience members were throwing up and passing out, which peaked my interest. When we finally started to see glimpses of the movie online, we were grated with what looked like a fascinating little art-house horror. "Raw" revolves around Justine, a young vegetarian woman who is following in her family's footsteps and entering veterinarian school; but after a hazing ritual that involves her eating a piece of raw meat, she begins to crave something a little more taboo. From the opening scene to the final reveal, I was truly enthralled in this movie. It's a tour de force, and the best horror movie released in nearly a decade. Sexy, stylish, loud, and disturbing, I loved every second of this movie. It's a shame so few people know of it, and even fewer had a chance to see it since it has such a small limited release here in the states, but I truly can't recommend it enough. It's not just the best movie of 2017 so far, it's one of the best I've seen in years.

Best Actor in a Leading Role (Tie): Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out)/Hugh Jackman (Logan)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Patrick Stewart (Logan)
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Garance Marillier (Raw)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Tie): Ella Rumpf (Raw)/Zoe Kazan (The Big Sick)
Best Animated Feature: The Lego Batman Movie
Best Cinematography: Raw
Best Costume Design: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Best Director (Tie): Edgar Wright (Baby Driver)/Julia Ducournau (Raw)
Best Documentary Feature: Uncertain
Best Film Editing: Raw
Best Foreign Film: Raw
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Best Original Score: Raw
Best Original Song: Who's The (Bat)Man (The Lego Batman Movie)
Best Picture: Raw
Best Production Design: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Best Sound Editing: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Best Sound Mixing: Raw
Best Visual Effects: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Best Adapted Screenplay: Logan
Best Original Screenplay (Tie): Get Out/The Big Sick