KAUSERN REVIEWS TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2017 (SO FAR)

We're almost halfway though 2017 and I'm glad to report that this year's quality of movies are much higher compared to the first half of 2016. Most of the movies I watched this year are rated in the strong 7s.

Here's my Top 10 of 2017 (so far):

#10 MAD WORLD (8/10)

A difficult film to sit through not because it is bad but because of its subject matter; mental illness and the reaction from the Hong Kong public. A necessary watch.


#9 DANGAL (8/10)

The true story of the journey of India's first female wrestler to winning the Gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. A gamut of emotions; tender, funny and that "YES!!!" rousing finale.


#8 WONDER WOMAN (8/10)

I'm infatuated with Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman...(*deep sigh*)
So as the rest of the world; both male and female.


#7 HACKSAW RIDGE (8.5/10)

Mel Gibson is one of those rare directors who can pull off a balance between extreme violence and delivering a clear spiritual message. Andrew Garfield's performance as the anti-hero is solid and Oscar worthy.


#6 LA LA LAND (8.5/10)

The filmmakers reel you in with its beautiful, magical, immersive and believable chemistry between the two leads and then gut you where it hurts with that finale.


#5 THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (8.5/10)

"Adults who avoid intimacy or closeness with someone, usually stems from the emotional abandonment they experienced in childhood from one or both of their parents."
Daddy issues - that basically sums up the source material for this movie. Dark indeed but yet, it's extremely entertaining, filled with over-the-top LOL moments and definitely worth re-watching.


#4 GIFTED (8.5/10)

This movie about unconventional parenting has #SoMuchFeels I teared up in a couple of scenes. The performances here are so genuine and authentic especially from little McKenna Grace.


#3 COLOSSAL (8.5/10)

"If our personal issues are not dealt with overtime, it would grow into something so monstrous it would affect or even destroy our relationships."
Quirky, funny, refreshing, clever and tragic.


#2 GET OUT (8.5/10)

It's one of those very rare films that just gets better the more you think about it. An exceptionally tight and clever movie which masterfully blends social commentary with the horror genre. And it's funnier than expected.


#1 ARRIVAL (9/10)

For the thinking and patient viewers, they will find Arrival intellectually, emotionally and perhaps even spiritually very satisfying. Everything here from performances, cinematography, set design, sound and score are almost perfect. I genuinely felt the "painful hope" our heroine had to endure when she decoded the purpose of the aliens' arrival.


And...it's a wrap for the first half of the year! Can't wait for what the rest of the year has in store for us cinema goers. Looking forward!