Wednesday, January 3, 2018

FTM 423 - OUR FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2017

These are our favorite movies of 2017.



Download this episode here. (70.8 MB)

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56 comments:

  1. I hate to say it, but I want to clarify that Disney did not acquire Fox News, only the film and television division. the Fox News Channel and Fox Business Channel, the Fox studio lot and several national sports channels will be left in the hands of Rupert Murdoch.

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    1. Thanks for clarifying. I must have mis-read at the time of the acquisition.

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    2. No problem! Obviously their main focus is that they want to compete with the likes of Amazon, and in order to do that you've gotta be big. In that respect, Disney sure is big now.

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    3. While it may not be true, the thought of Laura Ingraham bringing on Goofy and Gaston to argue or defend whatever stupid point she just made is the funniest thought I will have all day.

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    4. I want to watch that right now.

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    5. Can anyone 100% confirm that Gaston doesn't already work at Fox News? That does seem like a pretty perfect match.

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    6. He did a summer internship there, but couldn't deal with the rampant misogyny.

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  2. I don’t have a top 10, but one if my top of the year is Wonderstruck. A movie that nobody saw and nobody is talking about it. Which makes me sad

    I wouls also put Logan and War For The Planet Of The Apes. Two movies that can only exist because there’s a history predeceding them and they are the culmination of that history

    All in all, a year that’s as good as any other years, but not a years that stands out to me other than for the existence of these 3 movies

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  3. Great listen as always! I have a sort-of top list this year but I really only LOVED a few films. The ones that coincide with you guys are "John Wick 2", "Get Out", "Baby Driver", "A Ghost Story", "Three Billboards...", (Adam - I really liked your thoughts on this one even though I loved the film. I didn't have the same reaction but some of the stuff you mentioned will be in my mind upon a revisit), "The Florida Project" and "It".

    On a technicality - my favorite film of the year is "Blackcoat's Daughter". It was #3 on my list last year - I've seen it six times since then and I like it better than any film I saw in 2017.

    If Blackcoat's wasn't technically released in 2017, my #1 of the year is "I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore". I loved that film. I feel like most people who saw it think it was just a throwaway Netflix film and don't realize that it won the grand jury prize at Sundance. Not that awards really matter to me, but why they didn't market it more to include that bit of info or give it a theatrical release is odd.

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    1. Totally agree with you on "I Don't Feel At Home..." Lynskey's performance is one of my favorites of the year.

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  4. I'm in the middle of listening - just wanted to bring up something I notice kind of often - I think they always change actresses's makeup throughout a film and often their weight, too. And the angles they shoot, they make them more flattering or unflattering. That might be kind of obvious because why wouldn't they do that if they're trying to get a point across, but I guess I notice it a lot because women in film are like always supposed to look a certain way if they're happy and successful (and desirable to men), etc. ANYWAY. Just...something I notice. Sometimes those happy ending scenes - I'm like WOW, that is a major body transformation that did not happen overnight. Ok back to listening...

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  5. I didn't really LOVE any movie this year (last year there were two, A Monster Calls and Arrival), but there were a lot of really good ones. I haven't bothered making a list, but I grouped the movies I really liked into two categories:

    Movies I enjoyed because of course I did:
    - Baby Driver
    - Get Out
    - The Disaster Artist
    - Thor: Ragnarok
    - It
    - War for the Planet of the Apes

    Pleasant surprises and movies I want to champion:
    - Raw
    - Colossal
    - The Endless
    - The Party
    - The Euthanizer
    - On Body and Soul

    (Really want to see The Shape of Water, Lady Bird, The Post, Three Billboards, The Florida Project, Molly's Game, Brigsby Bear and Coco but they aren't out in Finland yet.)

    Haven't listened yet, usually listen at work and I have the rest of the week off, so I'll save it till next week.

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    1. A Monster Calls is terrific. I'm so sad it didn't do all that well.

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  6. I love the reading that South Korea is like Gloria's children, and the reason she can't leave. Colossal is definitely in my honorable mentions, and I wouldn't be surprised if I liked it even more on a rewatch. I too was bummed by the ending of The Florida Project, but I think that one needs a rewatch too. My Top Ten this year is:

    10 - Coco
    9 - Gerald's Game
    8 - Dunkirk
    7 - Ladybird
    6 - The Disaster Artist
    5 - Brigsby Bear
    4 - The Shape of Water
    3 - Get Out
    2 - Your Name
    1 - Star Wars: The Last Jedi

    I also CANNOT understand the criticisms of that movie!

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  7. While I still stand by a lot of my criticisms, I do wish I had been less flippant about BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99. It's a stronger movie than I gave it credit for.

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    1. Because a man takes the hits and admits his mistakes :-)

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  8. I have what I feel are a lot of legitimate criticisms with Last Jedi which have more to do with the structure and pacing of the movie than with the direction of the franchise. Not going to get into it here, and I didn't in the comments for the TLJ episode either because I don't want to shit on something other people are really enjoying. I just wish there wasn't this insane backlash against the movie because it's made it really hard to discuss the movie in a context other than the massive divisiveness of it.

    Don't really have much in the way of a Top 10 myself this year as it would largely be a lot of the same movies that were already discussed. I do have to say that my #1 though would be T2: Trainspotting, even though I still hate typing out that title.

    In addition to just being a huge fan of Boyle and his aesthetic, I think what spoke to me a bit was how it shows the consequences of wasted youth. I'm sure most of us can't relate to being heroin addicts in our younger days but I think the movie taps into a more general feeling of facing down some of the bad choices you've made in your life. I remember way back in one of Chris Rock's big stand-up specials he mused that while most people say life is short, it can feel long when you've made the wrong decisions. That sentiment is pretty well encapsulated when Renton laments that after his heart attack and subsequent surgery the doctors said that he could live another few decades but while he could piss away 2-3 years he has no idea what to do with that much time.

    I guess what I'm saying is, stay in school kids!

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    1. I know it didn't come out right when I was talking about the "legitimate criticisms" of the movie, so sorry about that. I don't mean to say that there aren't any, just that I keep hearing people say they exist but have yet to hear what they are. I think my complaint is more that some people seem to think that by saying "there are legitimate criticisms," that they are actually criticizing the movie. Does that make sense?

      Still need to see T2!

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    2. Patrick, I completely understood that you weren't saying that there is no legitimate criticism one could level against TLJ, and I know most people who like the movie acknowledge it has some flaws. I'm just saying it's a shame that the "it's not MY Star Wars" people are so loud that it drowns out all other criticism of the movie and has caused fans of the movie to have to push back against that. I think you guys did a great podcast on it, and I also think that like most Star Wars movies this one is constantly going to get reexamined and reevaluated in the months and years ahead and hopefully it gets to a point where it's easier to discuss without having to acknowledge the people who are being way too precious about the franchise.

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    3. Yes! Ross I completely agree with you about T2: Trainspotting, I haven't created a list yet, but it's in my Top 3 for sure. I keep going back to it and finding things that I love. Boyle lays everything out in his commentary track and I just love him more and more with each film.

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  9. Great podcast, cool dudes! Lots of head-nodding in agreement. Here’s my top five:

    5) SPIDER-MAN HOMECOMING. Yes, I know that this is a movie born from contract negotiating, and it’s also a stealth Iron Man sequel, but the amount of pure fun outweighs all that. The Washington Monument rescue is classic Spidey.
    4) STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI. I would put this at number one, if not for the internet. I thought it was so thrilling and exciting, and I walked out of theater feeling pumped. Then I checked social media, and total strangers were practically screaming at me with hatred over my liking the movie.
    3) THE SHAPE OF WATER. Every bit as good as everyone’s been saying. Great acting, great visuals, and provocative in the best way.
    2) PATCHWORK. Easily the biggest and best surprise of #ScaryMovieMonth. A wildly entertaining throwback to the likes of Larry Cohen and Frank Henenlotter.
    1) IT. No other movie had a bigger “wow” factor for me. Genuinely likable characters and fun haunted house-style scares. Just everything we love about movies.

    Honorable mentions: BABY DRIVER, THREE BILLBOARDS, DAVE MADE A MAZE, THE BLACKCOAT’S DAUGHTER, LADYBIRD, GET OUT.

    Obligatory list of superhero movies I liked: WONDER WOMAN, GOTG2, THOR RAGNAROK, LOGAN, LEGO BATMAN. (JUSTICE LEAGUE and DEATH NOTE? Not so much.)

    Haven’t yet seen: WISH UPON, HAPPY DEATH DAY, FRIEND REQUEST. I'm still not convinced these aren’t all the same movie.

    Most forgettable, mediocre movie that I bought the Blu-ray of and watched way too many times: POWER RANGERS.

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    1. I would watch a sequel to Power Rangers if it were just that cast hanging out and they never fought.

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    2. i surprisingly didn't hate Power Rangers. not that it's the greatest movie ever made. it does takes a while to start, but when it does, i had a ball

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    3. If Star Wars is higher for you, then it should be higher for you. Honestly, screw what other people think. The only person who has to love the things you love is you.

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  10. This was so fun to listen to and also kinda rough for me considering how many movies I missed or haven't seen yet. Shape Of Water, Brigsby Bear and Logan come to mind. I'm gonna throw up a list anyway because everyone on here is cool and I don't want to do it on Twitter.

    10. Gilbert
    9. The Disaster Artist
    8. Colossal
    7. The Last Jedi
    6. Blade Runner 2049
    5. I Just Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore. (Saw it on inauguration day and the title spooked me and made me like the movie even more.)
    4. The Big Sick
    3. It
    2. Lady Bird
    1. Get Out

    I just remembered Band Aid. It's a really solid directorial debut from Zoe Lister Jones that maybe flew under the radar. I really appreciate stuff like 'Too Funny To Fail' and 'Colossal coming up periodically on the podcast since they kinda came and went a bit quickly. Thanks guys!

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    1. Btw, I'm definitely getting a hold of a tympani between now and the end of the year. You guys are to good for stock tympani rolls.

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  11. If I remember from years past, F This Movie! will provide an opportunity to post our own lists (cause everyone cares!) during the open thread this weekend. I personally love that cause it gives us listeners/readers an open forum to discuss.

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    1. No way was this a slight on you, sir. Just wanted to remind people. Though, I could be wrong and can't speak on behalf of F This Movie due to liability. :-P

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  12. Great show as always. This is always my favorite of the year. It was a bit sad not having Doug, but it's great you kept his"fake picks" joke alive! Happy New year!

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    1. I thought it was great that half the time they started to go off on a discussion about the fake pick anyway.

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  13. A delight as always gentlemen.

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  14. Still listening to this and appreciating it very much - 2017 wasn't the best movie-watching year for me so this will help narrow down the must-sees.

    JB - I let it go the first time you said it on the Underrated, Overrated and Ugly show but not a second time, sir! I love, love, love that you're giving Maudie so much love. Why do I love that so much, you might ask? Because it's set in MY beautiful home-province of NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA about one of OUR most successful and lovable folk artists. New Zealand? Dude! They have enough awesome celebrated artists, they don't need ours! :P As penance you should come visit Nova Scotia! It's wonderful here. Ethan Hawke loves it so much he lives here a bit.

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    1. Yes, several listeners have pointed this out to me on the Twitter machine. I am sorry. You need to come up with some sort of Canadian penance...

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  15. Thanks JB for taking Doug's fake pick role.

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    1. Re Doug

      I was listening to the podcast in a car with someone who had never listened before

      I had to explain why everyone was making fart noises!

      Ah...
      Doug we love you!


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    2. It's probably never a good idea to listen with someone who has never heard the show before.

      Hi, Dennis!

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  16. If The Last Jedi really wanted to try something different it would've went the way Kylo Ren proposed to Rey. He talked about a different route for the Star Wars verbatim, but instead we still have rebels vs the galaxy with that same old hope still alive. Like it or love it I just don't see how it's so different

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    1. The route you described though is the prequels. I think Last Jedi is saying the old way won't work this time so what do we do now?

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  17. I sometimes feel like I think about movies too much, like I should be focusing more on things that "matter". I often feel guilty after seeing a movie that genuinely affects me, as it usually takes precedent for days (sometimes weeks) on end. I constantly attempt to find others to partake in intellectual discussion about films. When someone doesn't reciprocate the desire to discuss or debate the weight of a film, it's a sobering and alienating feeling. Thank you F This Movie, for making me feel normal. I love that we don't love the same movies, but that we just love movies. As much as I wanted to hear you guys discuss my favourite film of the year (Call Me By Your Name), I was much more satisfied listening to hear the three of you champion films that meant something to you individually. From the sunny beaches of Canada (where every day is spring break), I thank you guys sincerely for making me feel at home.

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    1. Thanks Alex! More than happy to discuss Call Me By Your Name here if you want. Joking aside (at the end of the podcast), I really liked the movie. The last scene/end credits (no spoilers) is one of the most memorable/terrific moments I saw in a movie in 2017. I think Timothee Chalamet is the real deal. The Sufjan Stevens songs are terrific too.

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    2. I completely agree. The ending destroyed me, I had to take a couple days to walk it off. I don't think it's a coincidence that my favourite last year and this are romances (last year being La La Land), I'm powerless against a great love story. Timothee is having a year, we need to look out for him in the future. Between this and the "douche-tastic" performance in Lady Bird, it doesn't get much better. Stuhlbarg's final monologue and the score from the film being highlights as well. The fact that I could go on and on about this movie speaks to my love for it.

      I may very well, based on your continuous love of it over the last year, give Wish Upon a shot. My girl and I love watching movies akin to it, and it sounds just wacky and funny enough to be a good night in. Plus, I read Audrey Horne is in it so that's enough to bring me to the table.

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  18. I was scared for a minute that Patrick was leaving off It! Number one rules!

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  19. I kept waiting for IT to show up on someone's list, but especially Patrick's. For him to put it at Number 1 absolutely shocked me, like I thought it was going to end with The Shape of Water talk which felt fitting, lol. Idk. I've never read IT so I'm not as attached to the source material, to me it was solid. I'm willing to give it another watch, since I did watch the old IT and the new one in the same night and it was a little hard to seperate the two, plus I had a hard time getting away from The Stranger Things paralells that I kept feeling between the new IT and ST. I'm super excited to catch up on a lot of these movies, you guys really talked me into some movies I was on the fence on. The Florida Project was a surprise and I'm looking forward to watching that with my wife who has been telling me about it and dying to see it. The Shape of Water, the trailers had me interested, but man I just wasn't sure, but you guys have given it the total seal of approval for me. Lady Bird and Collosal for sure looking forward to those. Oh and of course Mother! What better way to kick off 2018 than to catch up on all the stuff I wasn't given a chance to see in 2017. When I look back at 2017 I think it was one of the strongest years for blockbusters in a long time: Guardians 2, Logan, Spider-Man: Homecoming, War for the Planet of the Apes, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi were all really strong entries in their respective series. Thank god someone mentioned Coco, that's really high on my list and one of my favorite Pixar movies of all time. That last scene, Remember Me...tears, just could not stop, like opening sequence of UP! Tier quality of emotions. Love listening to you guys, no sound effects needed, you guys are the best, thanks for the much needed homework assignments for the next month or so.

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  20. Loved the show guys. And I really enjoyed getting to hear Adam on this one! I always get joy from hearing people have unconventional picks on their Top 10.

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  21. I haven't seen any of your number 1 films

    I'm a bad person

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  22. Great show guys, though I am split between wanting to back JB on Murder on the Orient Express, which I also liked quite a bit, or complain that Kong Skull Island in no way deserves to be tossed out as a joke pick. Also, it is great to hear love for The Shape of Water, which I saw the other day and loved it.

    My top 10:
    10. Logan Lucky
    09. Colossal
    08. Thor Ragnarok
    07. Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri
    06. John Wick 2
    05. Wonder Woman
    04. Star Wars The Last Jedi
    03. Blade Runner 2049
    02. Baby Driver
    01. The Shape of Water

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    1. Yeah the Skull Island thing threw me too. Sure, it probably wouldn't be on any top 10 lists, but it's far from terrible enough to be a joke.

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  23. I really, really wanted to see Colossal, but when I went to the one theater that had one showing of it, they no longer were playing it. I went up to buy my ticket, and the person was like, we canceled the showing. And then I forgot about it, but this made me remember and now I'll have to watch it!!!!

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  24. Excellent show, guys!

    I live closer to work now, which means I JUST FINISHED this 7-hour podcast almost a week after it dropped (sorry).

    There are so many movies I have to see. No excuses, but having three kids under 5 means everything is SING or MOANA or TROLLS 5x a week. I can't even take my older daughter to see COCO. Not because she's a fraidy-cat (she is), but because I don't want to introduce her to the concept of DEATH (YET).

    That being said, my favorite movie this year is ALLIED. Shocked it's not on more peoples' lists! Have you guys seen it? It's like, is she a spy? I don't know! No easy answers, that movie.

    Again, really enjoyable podcast :)

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  25. I can not for the life of me understand Riske or his taste in movies. He'll pick something I almost fully agree with and in the same breath same something so far from anything that makes sense to me. I can't say I enjoy his takes but I will say it is definitely a unique point of view so I'm glad to see him on podcasts for that alone.

    Good work all.

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    1. Well...Thanks and I guess I hope I'm less frustrating?

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  26. Watched Cell Block 99 thanks to Patrick's list. I agree Vaughn is terrific, that's a very compelling character. Love the way quiet and stillness is used to set up explosive moments. I enjoyed it and it's something I might have skipped if not for the strong recommendation. Thanks!

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  27. I’m confused by Patrick referring to Owen Benjamin as a monster. I’ve admittedly never heard his standup but from what I gather this is most likely because he said parents shouldn’t give their pre-teens hormone blockers? Is that what qualifies someone as a “monster” nowadays?

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