Let’s list the most significant films of this year, for both positive and negative aspects; more than merely being sorted by quality, they are divided into different informal categories of interest.
Note: the shortlist includes only films released in Italy, or shown in a prominent international film competition, during 2017.
THE MAGNIFICENT THREE
- Paterson by Jim Jarmusch
One of Jarmusch’s most structurally simple and minimalist works is an enchanting and profound essay (or maybe we should call it an ode) on everyday poetry and the capability to devote the right attention also to little things in life. In every relationship, every job, every place, every life, even the most apparently empty, conventional and meaningless, it’s possible to find love and serenity, especially through culture and every big or small passion that is deep and authentic.
The author’s typical touch, so delicate, spontaneous, ironic and citationist is, needless to say, unmistakable, as adorable and contagious are the main characters and their performers.
- The Age of Shadows (Miljeong) by Kim Jee-woon
The talent of this korean director (A Bittersweet Life, The Good the Bad the Weird) is beyond repute, but in this incredible work of art he succeeds in mixing innumerable genres (history, adventure, thriller, romance, comedy and so on), cinematic styles and references to create a charming and captivating show of visual mastery and narrative ability.
- Your Name. (Kimi no na wa.) by Makoto Shinkai
It is really difficult not to be hit or moved by such a wonderful story narrated with such a smart, spontaneous and modern touch. Beautiful characters and animations, notably refined and well-paced editing and narration, and that melancholy, sweet and profound taste which is one of the principal characteristics of the japanese cinema and Anime in particular.
THE CERTAINTIES
- Blade Runner 2049 by Denis Villeneuve
- Arrival by Denis Villeneuve
- Mother! by Darren Aronofsky
- The BFG by Steven Spielberg
- Jackie by Pablo Larraìn
- Personal Shopper by Olivier Assayas
- Happy End by Michael Haneke
- Song to Song by Terrence Malick
- Loveless (Nelyubov) by Andrey Zvyagintsev
- Okja by Bong Joon-ho
THE DISCOVERIES
- Fences by Denzel Washington
- A Man called Ove (En man som heter Ove) by Hannes Holm
- Hidden Figures by Theodore Melfi
- Sami Blood (Sameblod) by Amanda Kernell
- Lady Macbeth by William Oldroyd
THE GUILTY PLEASURES
- A Cure for Wellness by Gore Verbinski
- What Happened to Monday? by Tommy Wirkola
- The Bar (El Bar) by Álex de la Iglesia
- Victoria & Abdul by Stephen Frears
- Suburbicon by George Clooney
ANIMATION
- My Life as a Courgette (Ma vie de Courgette) by Claude Barras
- Cinderella the Cat (Gatta Cenerentola) by Ivan Cappiello, Marino Guarnieri, Alessandro Rak, Dario Sansone
- A Silent Voice (Koe no katachi) by Naoko Yamada
DOCUMENTARIES
- Voyage of Time: Life’s Journey by Terrence Malick
- Life, Animated by Roger Ross Williams
- Score: A Film Music Documentary by Matt Schrader
THE DISAPPOINTMENTS
- Silence by Martin Scorsese
- Murder on the Orient Express by Kenneth Branagh
- Allied by Robert Zemeckis
THE FLOPS
- Hacksaw Ridge by Mel Gibson
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by David Yates
- Loving Vincent by Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman
BEST MUSIC
(clic on a film to show the soundtrack tracklist)
- Arrival – Jóhann Jóhannsson
- Jackie – Mica Levi
- The BFG – John Williams
- A Cure for Wellness – Benjamin Wallfisch
- Your Name. (Kimi no na wa.) – Radwimps
