Malawski's Movie Mania

Best of 2017  https:// letterboxd.com/moviemaniac9500/list/best-of-2017/ Wo rst of 2017                                https://letterboxd.com/moviemaniac9500/list/worst-films-of-2017/

Home is where the heart is, and for Christine McPhearson aka "Lady Bird", that is not in her native home of Sacramento, California. "Lady Bird" is the self-given nickname for her and she only wants to be known by that name. What's in a name anyway? This film chronicles the rebellious teenager as she struggles with her family life, friends and personal identity. I haven't seen this good of a coming-of-age film since 2014' s " Boyhood".  Though this film didn't take nearly as long to film, it's very similar to that film, when it comes to the subject. This film is an amazing, highly rare film of the indie genre that goes unrecognized at times. Job well done Ms. Gerwig! Making her sensational directorial debut, Greta Gerwig, uses heart at the center of this emotionally charged film. It's also a film that has the usual teenage, adolenscent, drama that insues for what feels like an eternity, but it isn't. There is an ocassional slip...

Pixars line of movies consists of this: What if Toys had feelings, What if Bugs had feelings, Cars, Feelings have feelings, and last: What if the dead had feelings? Pixars latest tackles the annual Mexican holiday Dia De Muertos aka "Day of the Dead". This festive celebration is when ancestors who have died go back to see their living relatives. Now if you ask me, this holiday sounds like it's a bunch of voodoo, but that's how I see it. Once I saw this film, I knew I'd get an education on this holiday, celebrated by millions. This film may not have comedy, maybe a little, but, this film is a beautiful, colorful and detailed piece of work. Perhaps it is one of the most visually stunning films I have seen this year. What makes this film so colorful, is the detail and all that the film shows. It's truly something that is spectacular. Director Lee Unkrich, works his way in this film gracefully and so authentically, that those who didn't know what this holi...

In 1980's Chicago, investigative journalist for the " Chicago Tribune ", Lee Strobel wrestles with God. He is an Athiest, turned Christian. He spent a few years desparately trying to debunk Christianity and God. He realizes that there is indeed a God and that he now has faith. Hollywood hasn't been real good at depicting Christ in a must have, inclusive way. Like it does with other groups of people. This film sets a precedent over all films trying to depict God, but fail to do it in a original way. This is one of 2017's most touching films. Granted that other films like: "God's Not Dead" and " Son of God"  are Christ-centered films, they didn't reach an emotional impact on those who may be struggling with their faith. This film is a wonderful depiction of how God reaches the Lost. Actor Mike Vogel did an amazing and powerful performance of the acclaimed journalist turned pastor and professor. He presents Strobel as a major skeptic o...

When it was first announced over a year ago that a sequel-of sorts to the iconic Robin Williams film was in the works, I was floored. I thought that Hollywood cannot dishonor one of its greats by trashing a film like 1995's "Jumanji" , a film that is also based on the popular children's book. It would get completely trashed for Williams' absence. Oh boy was I wrong. This film does justice to the original. It may be even better. For that alone, I think Williams would be proud of this film and all its amazement. The promotional material for the film: still photos, trailers, etcetera, made it look horrible and I had already made up my mind. Thinking that this film was going to be trash wasn't the right thing to do. This film is hilarious. It's entertaining and action-packed, and it's also, touching. Director Jake Kasdan crafts a special, action film that has lots of comedy, including (several male genitalia jokes), which, by the way, is something that m...

The eighth installment of the sci-fi saga picks up directly where episode 7 ends.  The shot of Rey-(Daisy Ridley) on an island located on some planet wasteland- handing a powerful lightsaber to a lonesome Luke Skywalker-(Mark Hamill). And the rest is history. It's definitely one of the more action action-packed films in the series. It entertains from start to finish, despite it having a less than exciting ending getting people confused after that. All the while, this addition to the "Star Wars"  franchise, is exciting and emotional, and funny. I could care less about a tribute to Han Solo, -(but it would be nice to have had.) It's the fact that seeing other characters reel in what happened to him is quite the tear-jerker. In this movie, the millennial with daddy issues, aka Kylo Ren, aka Ben Solo, is still an evil apprentice to the supreme leader of the notorious "First Order". And just as things started to get right with him, he still manages to be seduce...

He's a social outcast, a softy, and a flower bull-(meaning that he likes to sniff any flower he sees.) But most of all, he is a bull with a big heart. Based on the children's book, this animated adaptation is filled with splendor. It's got an emotional side of animated films not seen since " UP" . Adventure is definitely out there for the "big little guy". What's great about this film is that it has something for everyone. The adult humor in this will go right over youngsters heads, like a scene in which Ferdinand is literally a "Bull in a China shop". He was made to be terrifying and born to fight. He decides that he doesn't want to live that traditional life. From the makers of " Ice Age" , comes a children's film for the ages. What makes this film wonderful, is the craft and overall presentation of what the film is. Veteran " Blue Sky" director Carlos Saldanha uses the source material to depict the film as...

The one movie this year that is psychologically twisted, and thought-provoking. It is a movie that toys with your inner mind and thought, with so much originality and depth making it all the more memorable. What this film triumphs at, is the constant sense of depth and a riveting narrative to play out on screen. Unlike Christopher Nolan's " Inception", this film has heart, humor and twists at every corner, like "you didn't see that coming!" It was unknown to me that a film of this kind could be as entertaining, while tackling some touchy issues like racism and slavery. I was impressed beyond belief. For his directorial debut, half of the comedic duo Key and Peele, Jordan Peele. Peele crafts an immense film, in regards to the subject, story line and characters. He certainly has made a name for himself as a director.    He does whatever he can to get audiences talking. It works to the highest level. I know that I will remember this film for a long time. Pr...