Well, we're already five or six days into July; so, you know what that means! Forced pseudo-best of the year lists cranked out to appease a perpetually content-starved audience. All joking aside, I've actually been a bit curious about doing one of these for quite some time. So, let's stop wasting time and get the ball rolling.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO
While it may not have the same WOW! factor that the first film had (as is the case with most sequels), that doesn't stop John Wick: Chapter 2 from firing on all cylinders in every other respect. Even though he's in his fifties, Keanu Reeves still retains the skill to assert himself as one of Hollywood's best action stars. Also, that mirror sequence still totally owns! This bit might seem shorter than the rest of these entries; but, I feel that's only appropriate. If you really think about it, these movies are less about the words being said, but rather the bullets being fired and I wouldn't have it any other way.
KONG: SKULL ISLAND
In light of the mild disappointment that greeted (and still haunts) Legendary Pictures' attempt at a new Godzilla movie back in 2014, what better way to combat a film that seemed almost ashamed of it's monster movie roots than to follow it up with an even bigger film that dives deep hogwild into the gonzo, B-movie camp that has endeared people to cinematic junk food like this for decades. Well, that and smashing it together with all those great movies about the Vietnam War. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts managed to put together the craziest monster movie I've seen since Lord knows when.
LOGAN
Comic book pictures seemed to be driving themselves into a creative ditch lately (what with their priorities shifting from giving us memorable stories/characters to expanding the already somewhat bloated cinematic universe). Thankfully, a movie like Logan came around to prove that this genre is still finding new ways to evolve and adapt in a ever-changing world (namely by avoiding more recent superhero tropes and going back to earlier drawing boards of other beloved categories of iconic cinema). James Mangold draws from a deep and rich well of reverence for the classic Western and the film is all the better for it.
WONDER WOMAN
At this point, I'm sure what else needs to be said about Wonder Woman. Gal Gadot is ethereal and immensely charming in the title role. We finally have a good female superhero flick, as well as a picture that's finally given the DCEU some much-needed goodwill from critics and moviegoers alike. That "No Man's Land" scene is going to go down as an all-time stunner. It's only been a month since it first hit the multiplexes and it already seems to be analyzed to death. One could say that level of coverage would hurt this film (and, in a different situation, I'd be more inclined to agree); however, I think that only goes to show how great this flick is. All the world was waiting for her to finally come to the big screen and she didn't disappoint.
BABY DRIVER
I highly doubt that there's going to be a movie where the experience of watching it is as visceral, entertaining, and eclectic as auteur filmmaker Edgar Wright's latest and greatest cinematic creation. With astonishingly kinetic action and a soundtrack to end all other soundtracks, Baby Driver is one for the ages. A true-blue, stunner that I predict will age like only the finest of wines. Saying anymore would be doing it a disservice. Run out and see it if you haven't already or even if you have.
Okay, that's my list. Bare in mind, I will be doing a bigger, potentially far different, list come the end of December. Speaking of which, the months that have passed since my Top Ten of the Year list for 2016 and I've had some time to reflect. With that said, keep your eyes peeled for a piece coming very soon about the flicks I wish I included in that list (consider it a sort of alternative list for that year). Also, yes, I'm aware of how much I raved about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2; don't worry, it'll probably make my end of the year list.
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