DAR Films: The Best Movies Of 2017 So Far

(Compiled By @TrueGodImmortal, @CherchezLaPorsh, and @Peagle05)

Introduction By @TrueGodImmortal
-2017 has been a rather interesting year. While many of us have enjoyed the music and entertainment from the year, there has been a slight shortage in blockbuster movies. Sure, we've seen the usual movies do numbers, but even some of the expected success came in well below expectations. With that being said, today we wanted to step away from the domestic gross and the numbers and list the BEST movies we've seen this year. Granted, some of these movies might not make your personal list, and that's the beauty of opinions. We gathered our usual film panel and we all made 5-6 choices for movies we've seen and enjoyed so far this year. What makes the list and what doesn't? Let's take a look at the best movies of the first half of 2017.

*Get Out
(Chosen By @Peagle05)

-Clearly this was set to make the list. It's the most talked about film of the year without question and for good reason. It's essentially a movie that is multi dimensional and is just as much a comedy as it is a horror film. It showcases racism at its most privileged, and the pitfalls of interracial dating but amped up much higher. The "sunken place" became a regular statement for people after this movie and that's not even the deepest element of the film. Underlying topics include organ harvesting, liberal hypocrisy, among other things, and the ending is something that we all wanted to see but given the flow of the movie, weren't sure if we would. At the end of the day, this was the rare movie that executed the things we didn't know we would enjoy in a film to perfection. The acting at times can be a bit over the top, but that feels purposeful in some spots.

*Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
(Chosen By @Peagle05, @CherchezLaPorsh, and @TrueGodImmortal)

-This is the best movie in 2017 (so far) honestly. You would have to be impressed not only with the storyline and execution of this film but that it was a sequel and possibly better than the first. Everyone cast was perfect for the characters they played. You have to love the cast dynamic in this because it maintains the “family” intricacies that the Guardians have and of course Baby Groot is a highlight. There is an interesting element within the “villain” roles as well. There is a lot going on from the High Priestess to Ego to Taserface and Nebula, they all create just enough drama and obstacles to keep the movie highly engaging and action filled. As for a favorite scene, we have to go with the scene where Yondu and Rocket are in the cell and they convince Baby Groot to get Yondu’s prototype fin for his head and they all break out. We love that Yondu’s arrow is literally killing everyone while they walk so calmly and nonchalantly through the Ravager ship. In addition to this, you have to love the music, the effects and the camera angles to show the range of the arrow. It’s an incredible scene and one that makes Yondu a favorite in the movie. 

*John Wick: Chapter 2
(Chosen By @CherchezLaPorsh)

-This is the second installment in what we know is going to be a trilogy and it’s a great one. This picks up where the first one left off, with John Wick getting his car back and the dog he acquired in the first one. The twist in this is, Wick is called upon to keep his end of an oath with some dude named Santino and when he refuses, his life is up for grabs. Yet another bounty for John Wick. There is a ton of gun fire, a whole lot of blood shed and incredible stunts and choreography. As far as a favorite scene, I really enjoyed where John Wick kills “someone” in The Continental (he broke the rule) and it caused him to be excommunicated, thus making the bounty double. I loved the way they communicate between each other and how many people are actually “secret assassins”.

*Spider-Man Homecoming
(Chosen By @TrueGodImmortal)

-While this movie was just released and I've only seen it once, I think it's honestly one of the better Marvel movies. While not quite on the level of my personal favorites like Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Guardians Of The Galaxy, it's one of the better superhero movies that I've seen and Tom Holland nails the role as Spiderman. Laura Harrier is beautiful as Liz, and even Zendaya plays her role as "Michelle" (MJ) very well. It leads you into the next chapter in this Spiderman saga, and hints at  more character arcs in the future for everyone involved. The brief appearances by Iron Man and Captain America help make the movie ever more fun and comedic, and though I'll have to watch it once or twice more to really appreciate it, in the first watch it definitely deserved to make tbis list as one of my choices.

*Logan
(Chosen By @TrueGodImmortal, , @CherchezLaPorsh, and @Peagle05)

-This was a bitter sweet movie in general. Everyone loves Wolverine and it had to be sad for moviegoers knowing this would be the last time we’d see Hugh Jackman in this role. Many of us were unsure how they would incorporate this into the film, though now it was pretty clear the route they would take. This takes place in the future where Logan is taking care of a very sick Professor X and his own health is deteriorating. Things get a bit complicated when Logan is forced to watch over Laura who we find out very quickly has many similarities to Logan and take her to the Canadian border. With Professor X and Laura with him, Logan sets off to deliver the child and is met with some incredible obstacles. He faces some unfortunate casualties and some very hard goodbyes before he delivers the child. One would think what made this movie so successful is how true it was to the comic book version of the story. We know Wolverine doesn’t survive and the film was able to depict this very well. The fight scenes were fantastic and the storyline was on point all while making sure to capture the emotion from both the actors and the audience. Overall, this was an incredible film. The best scene here would be the one scene when X-24 encounters Professor X and everything that unravels after it. The fight scenes and the fleeing from the Munson family home are all just brilliant scenes.

*Wonder Woman
(Chosen By @Peagle05, @TrueGodImmortal, and @CherchezLaPorsh)

-I’m not really a DC Universe person as I usually gravitate to Marvel when it comes to superhero stuff, but this film impressed me. Gal Gadot is Wonder Woman of course, and although I’m not a fan of her, I think she did a great job in the role. The storyline was sprinkled with humor and remained true to the Wonder Woman storyline. I love that it started in present day France and as a result of a package from Wayne Enterprises that contains a photograph, we see the story of that photo unravel as the entire movie. It was great! It’s a superhero flick through and through but one that is also perfectly integrated with love, friendship and of course female empowerment and confidence. They spared nothing when it came to the fight and action scenes and made sure that the effects also supported the claims. This really was the movie needed to keep DC relevant after a string of lackluster films but this one is nothing short of great. The best scene? When Diana gets training on Themyscira and she becomes ready to fight on her own. She sets out to find Ares to end the war and suffering taking place on earth. 

*Fate Of The Furious
(Chosen By @Peagle05 and @TrueGodImmortal)

-Many might be surprised by this one, but the action in this one is top notch. The story adds another development and an element we didn't see coming as Dom decides to turn his back on his family during a job and the reality is, he has no choice. Eventually of course, Dom and crew get reunited, but for the most part, the movie is spent learning about the circumstances that led Dom to this and what ramifications could occur later on if he doesn't oblige with the reason he turned his back on them. In the end, all is well, but the road to get there is fun enough to include it on this list.

*Despicable Me 3
(Chosen By @CherchezLaPorsh)

-Although this was a short movie targeted for a much younger demographic, I loved it! Gru, Lucy, the minions and of course the villains make this movie extremely fun to watch. The anti-villain league fires Gru and Lucy for letting a villain get away. Gru also gets word that he has a twin brother so him, Lucy and the girls take a trip to visit. It’s at this point the movie starts picking up. We see the minions off doing their own thing (because they are upset with Gru), we see the brotherly bond and love between Gru and Dru develop and of course my most favorite, Agnes who still loves unicorns! If I had to choose a favorite scene, it would be when Agnes wanders off into a bar and has a conversation with the bartender who tells her that there is a forest where real life unicorns exist so she takes Edith to that forest. They do a stake-out until Agnes finds a unicorn and takes it home. 

This year is far from over and I'm sure films like Planet of The Apes and Thor will make it onto end of the year lists, along with others, but for now these are the films we felt entertained us the best so far.

-DAR