my best films 2017

A list of the 11 best films that I saw for the first time in 2017 (out of the 110 that I saw this year) but that weren't necessarily released this year. (Those that were released in 2017 are marked with a *)

I log all my films onto Letterboxd (@jiaqi)!

The Best: Moonlight*
Heartbreaking story? Check. Gorgeous cinematography? Check. A soundtrack that makes me want to weep? Check. This film, which I watched once in the cinema in Geneva, once on the Hong Kong-Taipei flight, and once at a screening at Oxford, is definitely one of the best movies I've ever seen in my entire life. Oh my God. Oh my God!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!! It's perfect!!!!!!!!!

Second Runner-up: Paterson*
Quietly enchanting, a slow, gentle romance that asks nothing of you but patience and silence. My review says enough. No amount of Star Wars can make me dislike Adam Driver now.

Third Runner-up: Mad Max: Fury Road
Cheekily watched this during the 10-day break that I had in my final IB exams. Exciting and absolutely bursting with energy, with as many non-CGI stunts as humanly possible, this movie will take you on a great adventure and make you wonder why more blockbusters can't be like this. And that's without mentioning the COLORS.

Visually delightful: A Cure for Wellness*
Call me a philistine, but, ignoring the plot and stuff like that, the cinematography here, you must admit, really is wonderful! And it's always a treat to see my favorite dead man walking, Dane Dehaan.

Delightful to all 5 senses: Call Me By Your Name*
I read the original book by André Aciman over one sunny Sunday morning in June, and watched this marvellous adaptation on a chilly November night, but both times I was totally seduced by this narrative, which drips with romance and just oozes summer charm. The beautiful Italian landscape drenched in sunlight; the sounds of gravel crunching underfoot and the sultry beats of Love My Way; and yes, although these senses can't actually be satisfied by a movie (for now)––the feel of cool water on your skin and the wind against your face as you whizz around on your bike; the thick, sweet smell of apricots, and the dry smell of books; and, of course, the taste of a peach. After watching it, I thought about it a lot. I decided that I really do want kids so I can raise them to speak five languages and travel constantly and love music and literature and art!

Instant classic: The Raid & The Raid 2
I'm glad Gabriel made me watch these, because this ruthlessly violent Indonesian action film and its equally thrilling sequel are the kind of film that I could watch over and over again and never get tired of. Apparently the director choreographed the Kylo Ren & Rey vs. Snoke's guards fight scene in The Last Jedi, and you can really tell because it's the best scene in the whole movie. When I die please tell everyone it's because the blind hammer girl killed me.

Expectations met: Logan Lucky*
I absolutely love heist movies but it's hard for me to find a movie that is as good as Ocean's Eleven. Turns out only Steven Soderbergh is allowed to make heist movies, because this is even better than Ocean's Eleven in that, instead of slick Italian suits and million-dollar props, it features the gummy-bear bombs of the proletariat. I watched this on the plane on the way to the Maldives, meaning I didn't have subtitles, which is a shame, but I will definitely be seeing this movie many, many times again. I was super excited for Logan Lucky and I wasn't disappointed at all.

Quietly fascinating: Casting JonBenet*
This was the first of the many films that I watched from the couch during my 10-day break between IB exams, and, having never heard of the JonBenet Ramsey case, I was blown away by this meta-documentary––especially the final scene. If I made a true-crime documentary this is most likely what it would look like. So, so interesting. It's on Netflix so watch it now!

Nerve-wrackingly good: Perfect Blue
Watched this on Halloween because cinemas in Oxford were playing it to celebrate its 20th anniversary. My first Satoshi Kon and I am not disappointed. Thought-provoking and exceedingly creepy for me to watch as a woman. Probably one of the most terrifying films I've ever seen. And the twist...!

Nerve-wrackingly good: Whiplash
How can I not include Whiplash? So intense I thought I was going to die. (I also really loved La La Land, by the way, but I never saw it a second time so haven't been able to confirm my love for it amidst the many people who told me it was overrated. I mean, it was no Moonlight, but still.)

Nerve wrackingly good: Good Time*
Watched this with Seb in September; I'd heard good things about it on Letterboxd and was surprised that it was being shown. It's quite arty so I don't know if it's an Oscar contender, but Robert Pattinson gives a really good performance in this dizzying, exhilarating, neon-signs-and-techno-beat-and-kitsch symphony with a lot of yelling people that is ultimately very, very sad.