Allyson Johnson’s Top 5:
Gorgeously shot with some magnetic breakthrough performances, The Fits defies genre and coming of age convention by creating it’s own box to live in. Vibrant and lyrical, The Fits was one of the biggest surprises of the year so far.
4. 10 Cloverfield Lane
Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman give a pair of tremendous performances in this science fiction spiritual sequel to Cloverfield. Minimalist, taut and itching with fervent paranoia, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a wonderful endorsement of innovative genre films.
3. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Farcical, fantastical and full to brim with wit, Taika Waititi’s latest before he traipses off to the Marvel world is a marvelous little jaunt into an outlaw, family film. With a visual comedic flair likened to the best of Edgar Wright, Waititi’s newest film excels in bringing optimistic humor to the forefront.
2. Green Room
Viscerally violent, Green Room is the single most terrifying film I’ve seen this year due to realist way the horror is shot. The late Anton Yelchin is yet again wonderful in a leading role with Imogen Poots delivering her single best performance to date.
1. Midnight Special
Faith, parenthood and spirituality take center stage in this film about “otherness”, solidifying Jeff Nichols’s place as one of America’s greatest filmmakers. Stunning performances elevate narrative excellence in this subtle and moving look at what it means to selflessly love someone.
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