2017's Best Of The Year
- Wrestling (The Fluffies)
First Published 3rd January 2018
Yknow, I'm a big wrestling nerd, and when I wanna do wrestling awards I wanna make it as goofy as wrestling can be, so let me introduce you to the first ever 'Fluffies' (You get it right!?). This'll be similar to my WWE Season Awards, except I'm involving all the wrestling I saw this year. Sadly I'm no Meltzer, so I haven't seen everything, I've just watched what I could.
Male Wrestler Of The Year - Kazuchika Okada
I think there is absolutely no doubt that Kazuchika Okada has one of the best, if not thee best, year in pro wrestling, every major championship match he had this year was a Match Of The Year contender, along with the greatest wrestling trilogy with Kenny Omega and being the longest reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. This couldn't go to anyone else this year.
Honourable Mentions:
Kenny Omega
Well, maybe it could've gone to this man. Omega has had an incredible 2017, not only the trilogy but he has just as many stand out matches as Okada, as well as winning the IWGP US Championship and being the main reason New Japan has started getting a lot of western fans attention.
AJ Styles
In a year of WWE where has been lack luster to say the least, AJ Styles was a consistent in having the best matches in the company. Sadly it was hindered by being an undervalued US Champion and having a slightly disappointing series with Kevin Owens.
Female Wrestler Of The Year - Asuka
Asuka has had another stellar year in pro wrestling, starting in NXT with her bouts with Ruby Riot, Nikki Cross, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce and Ember Moon, then later moving to the main roster on Raw. Admittedly her main roster run so far has not as good as her NXT run, but that aside she is the greatest female wrestler today.
Honourable Mentions:
Kairi Sane
Although my lack in eastern women's wrestling is obvious, Kairi Sane since turning up in WWE has been phenomenal. Winning the Mae Young Classic, and being featured prominently on NXT afterwards she is one of the best pro wrestlers in the world and it is obvious to see.
Shayna Baszler
When Shayna Baszler had her first match in the Mae Young Classic, I was absolutely in shock. She was an incredible story teller and athlete. Even from a MMA background you can tell that the love for pro wrestling runs deep in Shayna's DNA.
Tag Team Of The Year - The Young Bucks
It has to go the other two thirds of The Elite, The Young Bucks. I think at this point in their careers it's hard to put anyone else on the top of this list. I think their successful series Being The Elite puts them up their alone, using modern platforms to change the way Pro Wrestling tells stories is truly groundbreaking for the industry, but not only that but they produce some of the best matches on the planet.
Honourable Mentions:
The Usos
In the past couple of years WWE's Tag division has been dominated by The New Day, but The Usos took a risk to try and become more prominent again and it worked far better than anyone could have ever imagined. The twins have had a gimmick change and a heel turn that has only allowed them to come out of their shell more, they've upped their game when it came to tag matches, allowing their new heel personas to allow them to update their movesets and use dirtier tactics. A great year uce.
DIY
Before their split, DIY was probably the greatest WWE orientated tag team, they were the constant factor to all the great NXT tag matches this year, matches with The Revival and Authors Of Pain really elevated the whole NXT brand where most of the NXT Title matches were getting predictable.
Male Breakout Year - Braun Strowman
This was a pretty hard category out of the three mentioned here, but I think I truly need to praise Braun Strowman. His initial debut was not good at all, but since then he has absolutely become my favourite part of every WWE program he is included in. So entertaining along with being able to play the best Big Man since early Undertaker. I hope he rockets from here.
Honourable Mentions:
Travis Banks
Travis Banks has been on my radar for a little while, but his most recent run in Progress (also I heard some stuff from Fight Club Pro?) has added a new entire level to him as a performer and really shone everything he is capable of.
EVIL
Although been amazing for a while, EVIL this year has become my guy to root for in NJPW, not only a goofy but really cool gimmick, just an insanely talented performer. All his G1 matches were must watch, the one with SANADA and Okada immediately come to mind, plus his matches in the New Japan Cup and winning the World Tag League. Don't forget his firt shot at IWGP World gold at Kings Of Pro Wrestling.
Female Breakout Year - Toni Storm
Toni Storm this year has shown to be one of the most charismatic and enjoyable wrestlers in the world, this year saw her get the best notoriety from WWE's Mae Young Classic, getting to the semi-finals. But Toni also went through every other women's division this year, in Stardom she won two tournaments and their World Of Stardom championship, along with still holding their SWA World Championship that she won in July 2016. In Progress she became the first Progress Women's Champion too, and has been defending the belt in great matches ever since.
Honourable Mentions:
Shayna Baszler
See female wrestler of the year honourable mentions
Peyton Royce
At the beginning this year Peyton was entertaining but not reached her full potential, throughout this year with her iconic partner by her side, Peyton Royce has shown herself to be one of the best women's wrestlers in the WWE, not just that, but a character that has fully shown her potential.
Tag Team Breakout Year - Authors Of Pain
You may feel like Authors of Pain were on top a long time ago, but although debuting in 2016, AOP didn't win the Tag belts till 2017, which means their whole dominant reign and great matches that connected with it happened this year. Authors Of Pain are the most surprising team, there were a lot of doubters to their ability in the ring but they have proven time and time again that they are
Honourable Mentions:
Benjamin & Gable
Although only forming recently after the WWE decided to push Jason Jordan as a singles competitor, Benjamin and Gable have completely taken everything in their stride, although at first they were a little rough around the edges and their baby face personas weren't garnering as much traction as they liked, they come out of the wood work as heels putting on spectacular matches.
CCK
Almost completely unknown until recently where they had taken on British Strong Style in Progress, the team of CCK is so over in the UK that it's hard not to mention their rise to success over this past year.
Top 10 Matches Of The Year
There will be less writing here, just take these as the best matches to watch from the year if you missed out or you wanna rewatch it all again!
10. Aleister Black vs Velveteen Dream - NXT Takeover War Games
9. Roman Reigns vs Samoa Joe vs Braun Strowman vs Brock Lesnar - Summerslam
8. Kenny Omega vs Tomohiro Ishii - G1 Special In USA (Day 2)
7. The Usos vs The New Day - Hell In A Cell
6. Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega III - G1 Climax (Day 18)
5. Tyler Bate vs Pete Dunne - NXT Takeover Chicago
4. Kazuchika Okada vs Katsuyori Shibata - Sakura Genesis
3. Kenny Omega vs Tesuya Naito - G1 Finals
2. Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega I - Wrestle Kingdom 11
1. Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega II - Dominion
Honourable Mentions:
As long, maybe even longer than the actual list. Please go check out all of these as well!
Travis Banks vs Pete Dunne - Progress Chapter 55, Johnny Gargano vs Andrade 'Cien' Almas - NXT Takeover Brooklyn, DIY vs The Revival vs Authors Of Pain - NXT Takeover Orlando, Kazuchika Okada vs EVIL - G1 Climax (Day 14), Kenny Omega vs Juice Robinson - Destruction in Kobe, AJ Styles vs John Cena - Royal Rumble, AJ Styles vs Shane McMahon - WrestleMania 33, AJ Styles vs Finn Balor - TLC, Triple H vs Seth Rollins - WrestleMania 33, Undisputed Era vs SAnitY vs Authors Of Pain & Roderick Strong - NXT Takeover War Games, The Young Bucks vs The Hardys - Supercard Of Honour XI.
Top 5 Feuds Of The Year
5. The Usos vs The New Day
Male Wrestler Of The Year - Kazuchika Okada
I think there is absolutely no doubt that Kazuchika Okada has one of the best, if not thee best, year in pro wrestling, every major championship match he had this year was a Match Of The Year contender, along with the greatest wrestling trilogy with Kenny Omega and being the longest reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. This couldn't go to anyone else this year.
Honourable Mentions:
Kenny Omega
Well, maybe it could've gone to this man. Omega has had an incredible 2017, not only the trilogy but he has just as many stand out matches as Okada, as well as winning the IWGP US Championship and being the main reason New Japan has started getting a lot of western fans attention.
AJ Styles
In a year of WWE where has been lack luster to say the least, AJ Styles was a consistent in having the best matches in the company. Sadly it was hindered by being an undervalued US Champion and having a slightly disappointing series with Kevin Owens.
Female Wrestler Of The Year - Asuka
Asuka has had another stellar year in pro wrestling, starting in NXT with her bouts with Ruby Riot, Nikki Cross, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce and Ember Moon, then later moving to the main roster on Raw. Admittedly her main roster run so far has not as good as her NXT run, but that aside she is the greatest female wrestler today.
Honourable Mentions:
Kairi Sane
Although my lack in eastern women's wrestling is obvious, Kairi Sane since turning up in WWE has been phenomenal. Winning the Mae Young Classic, and being featured prominently on NXT afterwards she is one of the best pro wrestlers in the world and it is obvious to see.
Shayna Baszler
When Shayna Baszler had her first match in the Mae Young Classic, I was absolutely in shock. She was an incredible story teller and athlete. Even from a MMA background you can tell that the love for pro wrestling runs deep in Shayna's DNA.
Tag Team Of The Year - The Young Bucks
It has to go the other two thirds of The Elite, The Young Bucks. I think at this point in their careers it's hard to put anyone else on the top of this list. I think their successful series Being The Elite puts them up their alone, using modern platforms to change the way Pro Wrestling tells stories is truly groundbreaking for the industry, but not only that but they produce some of the best matches on the planet.
Honourable Mentions:
The Usos
In the past couple of years WWE's Tag division has been dominated by The New Day, but The Usos took a risk to try and become more prominent again and it worked far better than anyone could have ever imagined. The twins have had a gimmick change and a heel turn that has only allowed them to come out of their shell more, they've upped their game when it came to tag matches, allowing their new heel personas to allow them to update their movesets and use dirtier tactics. A great year uce.
DIY
Before their split, DIY was probably the greatest WWE orientated tag team, they were the constant factor to all the great NXT tag matches this year, matches with The Revival and Authors Of Pain really elevated the whole NXT brand where most of the NXT Title matches were getting predictable.
Male Breakout Year - Braun Strowman
This was a pretty hard category out of the three mentioned here, but I think I truly need to praise Braun Strowman. His initial debut was not good at all, but since then he has absolutely become my favourite part of every WWE program he is included in. So entertaining along with being able to play the best Big Man since early Undertaker. I hope he rockets from here.
Honourable Mentions:
Travis Banks
Travis Banks has been on my radar for a little while, but his most recent run in Progress (also I heard some stuff from Fight Club Pro?) has added a new entire level to him as a performer and really shone everything he is capable of.
EVIL
Although been amazing for a while, EVIL this year has become my guy to root for in NJPW, not only a goofy but really cool gimmick, just an insanely talented performer. All his G1 matches were must watch, the one with SANADA and Okada immediately come to mind, plus his matches in the New Japan Cup and winning the World Tag League. Don't forget his firt shot at IWGP World gold at Kings Of Pro Wrestling.
Female Breakout Year - Toni Storm
Toni Storm this year has shown to be one of the most charismatic and enjoyable wrestlers in the world, this year saw her get the best notoriety from WWE's Mae Young Classic, getting to the semi-finals. But Toni also went through every other women's division this year, in Stardom she won two tournaments and their World Of Stardom championship, along with still holding their SWA World Championship that she won in July 2016. In Progress she became the first Progress Women's Champion too, and has been defending the belt in great matches ever since.
Honourable Mentions:
Shayna Baszler
See female wrestler of the year honourable mentions
Peyton Royce
At the beginning this year Peyton was entertaining but not reached her full potential, throughout this year with her iconic partner by her side, Peyton Royce has shown herself to be one of the best women's wrestlers in the WWE, not just that, but a character that has fully shown her potential.
Tag Team Breakout Year - Authors Of Pain
You may feel like Authors of Pain were on top a long time ago, but although debuting in 2016, AOP didn't win the Tag belts till 2017, which means their whole dominant reign and great matches that connected with it happened this year. Authors Of Pain are the most surprising team, there were a lot of doubters to their ability in the ring but they have proven time and time again that they are
Honourable Mentions:
Benjamin & Gable
Although only forming recently after the WWE decided to push Jason Jordan as a singles competitor, Benjamin and Gable have completely taken everything in their stride, although at first they were a little rough around the edges and their baby face personas weren't garnering as much traction as they liked, they come out of the wood work as heels putting on spectacular matches.
CCK
Almost completely unknown until recently where they had taken on British Strong Style in Progress, the team of CCK is so over in the UK that it's hard not to mention their rise to success over this past year.
Top 10 Matches Of The Year
There will be less writing here, just take these as the best matches to watch from the year if you missed out or you wanna rewatch it all again!
10. Aleister Black vs Velveteen Dream - NXT Takeover War Games
9. Roman Reigns vs Samoa Joe vs Braun Strowman vs Brock Lesnar - Summerslam
8. Kenny Omega vs Tomohiro Ishii - G1 Special In USA (Day 2)
7. The Usos vs The New Day - Hell In A Cell
6. Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega III - G1 Climax (Day 18)
5. Tyler Bate vs Pete Dunne - NXT Takeover Chicago
4. Kazuchika Okada vs Katsuyori Shibata - Sakura Genesis
3. Kenny Omega vs Tesuya Naito - G1 Finals
2. Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega I - Wrestle Kingdom 11
1. Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega II - Dominion
Honourable Mentions:
As long, maybe even longer than the actual list. Please go check out all of these as well!
Travis Banks vs Pete Dunne - Progress Chapter 55, Johnny Gargano vs Andrade 'Cien' Almas - NXT Takeover Brooklyn, DIY vs The Revival vs Authors Of Pain - NXT Takeover Orlando, Kazuchika Okada vs EVIL - G1 Climax (Day 14), Kenny Omega vs Juice Robinson - Destruction in Kobe, AJ Styles vs John Cena - Royal Rumble, AJ Styles vs Shane McMahon - WrestleMania 33, AJ Styles vs Finn Balor - TLC, Triple H vs Seth Rollins - WrestleMania 33, Undisputed Era vs SAnitY vs Authors Of Pain & Roderick Strong - NXT Takeover War Games, The Young Bucks vs The Hardys - Supercard Of Honour XI.
Top 5 Feuds Of The Year
5. The Usos vs The New Day
The Usos and The New Day absolutely reinvigorated the WWE tag division this year with several of their great matches and amazing promos. This whole program has really brought The Usos out of their shells and allowed them to become even more popular faces than they were before. Meanwhile The New Day continue to be WWE greatest asset.
4. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs Shane McMahon
This is an on going story as of writing this but it's prominance from 2017 has to give it a space here. Unlike most I don't mind Shane McMahon wrestling matches as I find he's entertaing outside the ring and he is willing enough to try anything in a match to get a reaction, it also helps being paired with the best performers around today with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who for the most part this really shows off. Sami Zayn's perfect baby face persona has vanished and now we've gotten a even better heel. This is also made even better when you add teh real life and on screen chemistry he has with best friend Kevin Owens, who has been the best consistent character in WWE since his debut.
3. Travis Banks vs Pete Dunne
Progress have been one for great storytelling and there is no exception here, realising the popularity of Pete Dunne and how amazing he is as a heel called for a underdog babyface to counteract, and they found it in the most unlikely place, great heel Travis Banks. The story is maybe a little by the numbers but it doesn't matter when the performers and the company they are in are so good.
2. Aleister Black vs Velveteen Dream
Aleister Black and Velveteen have created a very subtle and extremely curious feud that plays with sexuality but also character study that is hardly ever seen in professional wrestling, all based around the idea that Aleister Black won't say Velveteen's name. If you can grab the network to watch the progression of this in NXT I highly recommend you do.
1. Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega
I don't think this is very surprising to many. After having the best trilogy in wrestling history with each match jammed to the rim with beautiful story telling there is not much more you can say. You just have to watch the matches to understand.
Event Of The Year - Wrestle Kingdom 11
Just an amzing show from top to bottom, the last four matches of the show were all immediate match of the year contenders in all wrestling review companies. It couldn't be any better than this.
Promotion Of The Year - New Japan Pro Wrestling
Due to the Omega/Okada trilogy, the abundance in popularity of The Bullet Club, and the G1 Special in USA it has allowed New Japan to reach the western audience it was always lacking, especially in a year where WWE have been the dullest it has been in the past 3 years. New Japan's 2017 was a year of growth and showcase, their isn't anything better than that.
Thank you all for getting this far and reading my first annual Fluffies. Hopefully many more in the future. Don't forget if you like these kind of award posts that I'll have one for my annual WWE Season Awards the day after WrestleMania, looking at the ups and downs of their Mania to Mania season. Thanks!
4. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs Shane McMahon
This is an on going story as of writing this but it's prominance from 2017 has to give it a space here. Unlike most I don't mind Shane McMahon wrestling matches as I find he's entertaing outside the ring and he is willing enough to try anything in a match to get a reaction, it also helps being paired with the best performers around today with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who for the most part this really shows off. Sami Zayn's perfect baby face persona has vanished and now we've gotten a even better heel. This is also made even better when you add teh real life and on screen chemistry he has with best friend Kevin Owens, who has been the best consistent character in WWE since his debut.
3. Travis Banks vs Pete Dunne
Progress have been one for great storytelling and there is no exception here, realising the popularity of Pete Dunne and how amazing he is as a heel called for a underdog babyface to counteract, and they found it in the most unlikely place, great heel Travis Banks. The story is maybe a little by the numbers but it doesn't matter when the performers and the company they are in are so good.
2. Aleister Black vs Velveteen Dream
Aleister Black and Velveteen have created a very subtle and extremely curious feud that plays with sexuality but also character study that is hardly ever seen in professional wrestling, all based around the idea that Aleister Black won't say Velveteen's name. If you can grab the network to watch the progression of this in NXT I highly recommend you do.
1. Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega
I don't think this is very surprising to many. After having the best trilogy in wrestling history with each match jammed to the rim with beautiful story telling there is not much more you can say. You just have to watch the matches to understand.
Event Of The Year - Wrestle Kingdom 11
Just an amzing show from top to bottom, the last four matches of the show were all immediate match of the year contenders in all wrestling review companies. It couldn't be any better than this.
Promotion Of The Year - New Japan Pro Wrestling
Due to the Omega/Okada trilogy, the abundance in popularity of The Bullet Club, and the G1 Special in USA it has allowed New Japan to reach the western audience it was always lacking, especially in a year where WWE have been the dullest it has been in the past 3 years. New Japan's 2017 was a year of growth and showcase, their isn't anything better than that.
Thank you all for getting this far and reading my first annual Fluffies. Hopefully many more in the future. Don't forget if you like these kind of award posts that I'll have one for my annual WWE Season Awards the day after WrestleMania, looking at the ups and downs of their Mania to Mania season. Thanks!
2017's Best Of The Year - Games
First Published 31st December 2019
Yknow I love making Best Of The Year lists, but I am merely just one simple manboy. I don't go out of my way to do any of these things for a job, which means I don't always have the best all rounded opinion on everything that came out this year. But I do want to share my thoughts on things I did see and did enjoy, so here is MY Games of 2017!
5. Puyo Puyo Tetris
Although previously released in Japan, 2017 was the year this game was released in english to the west. Although not a huge blockbuster of a game from this year it was one that I took a chance on and I loved it. The game mixes both popular puzzle games into several different modes, you can also play just Tetris or just Puyo Puyo. Absolutely worth it.
4. Life Is Strange: Before The Storm
The prequel to the great game Life Is Strange, Before The Storm had a lot of things riding against it. The protagonist of this game was a secondary character of the original game, with most players previously not being a huge fan of her. It had the voice actor strike, which meant every reoccuring character in this series had to have a completely new voice actor. Also it was pretty obvious that the hook of the original (the reverse time power) would not be returning for this game. All of this added to the fact that Dontnod wouldn't be making the game instead Deck Nine. And I've gotta say almost every change created a better game, although the original was amazing this hit some emotional notes that I don't think the original did. Absolutely incredible episode experience.
3. Persona 5
Admittedly while writing this I have not finished this game, 100 hours of game play is enough bang for your buck but the game gives you more than game time. Probably one of the finest RPGs, you are a kid in high school who happens apon a secret realm where you fight monsters to cure horrible peoples hearts, along with the crazy premise it presents lovely character progression with all party members you find in the game. An experience I never had before, a must play for PS4 owners.
2. Super Mario Odyssey
Mario's triumphant return to 3D open world platforming was just the game everybody needed this year. Tight controls along with stunning visuals, sometimes incredible difficulty, Mario had it all and it could be enjoyed by anyone at any age. The game was a perfect system seller for the Nintendo Switch, which had an awesome opening year. The game has so much to give to the curious and the skilled.
1. Horizon Zero Dawn
Although next to other games I've played this year, Horizon looks like a perfectly average game. For me however Horizon has completely broken boundaries in Open World Action. I've never played a game that has weapon controlling that feels so slick and fluid, these weapons are just a joy to fire, especially the main weapon the bow. Along with the weapons the game play of shooting certain mechanical parts of robot animals is some of the most fun game play I've ever played. With that point, the idea of a post apocalyptic world that has now created tribes once again but the technology of the previous world has stayed and become animalistic creatures is so intriguing, and that story does not disappoint. If you get a chance to try this game or pick it up, please do you will not regret it.
Although previously released in Japan, 2017 was the year this game was released in english to the west. Although not a huge blockbuster of a game from this year it was one that I took a chance on and I loved it. The game mixes both popular puzzle games into several different modes, you can also play just Tetris or just Puyo Puyo. Absolutely worth it.
4. Life Is Strange: Before The Storm
The prequel to the great game Life Is Strange, Before The Storm had a lot of things riding against it. The protagonist of this game was a secondary character of the original game, with most players previously not being a huge fan of her. It had the voice actor strike, which meant every reoccuring character in this series had to have a completely new voice actor. Also it was pretty obvious that the hook of the original (the reverse time power) would not be returning for this game. All of this added to the fact that Dontnod wouldn't be making the game instead Deck Nine. And I've gotta say almost every change created a better game, although the original was amazing this hit some emotional notes that I don't think the original did. Absolutely incredible episode experience.
3. Persona 5
Admittedly while writing this I have not finished this game, 100 hours of game play is enough bang for your buck but the game gives you more than game time. Probably one of the finest RPGs, you are a kid in high school who happens apon a secret realm where you fight monsters to cure horrible peoples hearts, along with the crazy premise it presents lovely character progression with all party members you find in the game. An experience I never had before, a must play for PS4 owners.
2. Super Mario Odyssey
Mario's triumphant return to 3D open world platforming was just the game everybody needed this year. Tight controls along with stunning visuals, sometimes incredible difficulty, Mario had it all and it could be enjoyed by anyone at any age. The game was a perfect system seller for the Nintendo Switch, which had an awesome opening year. The game has so much to give to the curious and the skilled.
1. Horizon Zero Dawn
Although next to other games I've played this year, Horizon looks like a perfectly average game. For me however Horizon has completely broken boundaries in Open World Action. I've never played a game that has weapon controlling that feels so slick and fluid, these weapons are just a joy to fire, especially the main weapon the bow. Along with the weapons the game play of shooting certain mechanical parts of robot animals is some of the most fun game play I've ever played. With that point, the idea of a post apocalyptic world that has now created tribes once again but the technology of the previous world has stayed and become animalistic creatures is so intriguing, and that story does not disappoint. If you get a chance to try this game or pick it up, please do you will not regret it.
2017's Best Of The Year - Albums
First Published 30th December 2017
Yknow I love making Best Of The Year lists, but I am merely just one simple manboy. I don't go out of my way to do any of these things for a job, which means I don't always have the best all rounded opinion on everything that came out this year. But I do want to share my thoughts on things I did see and did enjoy, so here is MY Albums of 2017!
I don't have a lot to talk about here because my year of music is usually a mix between music that was released this year and everything that hasn't, so for me I've only really listened to about 10-12 albums that came out this year, and I didn't enjoy all of them, so I could make a full 10 list, but near the bottom of that list would be stuff I just don't like, so in the spirit of giving props to things that are the 'best' I'm going to give you my Top 4. I'm still going through some of the stuff from this year so maybe this is in contention for a revise in the future.
4. IDLES - Brutalism
Politically charged, thrashy punk music that feels legitimately angry and gritty. Their is real protest here, real issues that can be felt, unlike (a favourite of that year to be honest) Slaves and their album 'Are You Satisfied?' this record does not pull any punches. The one difficult thing here is that some tracks can drag and blend into each other, especially within the middle, but both ends of the album have some absolute bangers. My favourites include, Mother, Well Done, 1049 Gotho, Rachel Khoo and Slow Savage.
3. Paramore - After Laughter
I did a full review of this album when it came out, and although I didn't think it was as good as Paramore's previous effort it still manages to provide an amazing up-beat catchy pop record that completely infects you with happiness and dance. Hard Times is absolutely on of thee singles of the year, no question. If you are looking for a great pop record this year then After Laughter is the way to go. My favourites include, Hard Times, Rose-Coloured Boy, Told You So, 26 and No Friend.
2. Kendrick Lamar - DAMN
Probably the most high profile Hip-Hop record of this year is one of my favourite records of all time. As someone who was introduced to Kendrick last album and didn't understand the hype (I still thought TPAB was a 3.5-4 calm down) this album makes me understand now. An album that is catchy from start to finish, has very interesting subject matters from start to finish and that is just so easy to listen to, DAMN is one of those Hip-Hop albums that will be talked about for years and years. My favourites include, DNA, YAH, ELEMENT, LOYALTY, HUMBLE and LOVE.
1. BROCKHAMPTON - SATURATION Trilogy
The most insane, out-of-left-field, incredible music project of 2017 is obviously the one that came out of relatively unknown hip-hop boy band BROCKHAMPTON. Some of the most refreshing, incredibly layered music to come out this year, but not only that, this band went out of their way to do 3 full length releases in one year, with amazing production quality and filming, editing and releasing all the music videos and a TV show. This groups worl ethic is incredible and they have music to match. I couldn't stop listening to all three of BROCKHAMPTON's SATURATION albums this year and any fan of hip-hop and pop need to sit down and devote their time to trying all or any o these albums out. Because these are three seperate albums and that they are all incredible it is gonna be hard to whittle this down to a few song recommendations, so here is 5: HEAT, GOLD, JELLO, SUMMER, BOOGIE.
2017's Best Of The Year - Films
First Published 27th December 2017
Yknow I love making Best Of The Year lists, but I am merely just one simple manboy. I don't go out of my way to do any of these things for a job, which means I don't always have the best all rounded opinion on everything that came out this year. But I do want to share my thoughts on things I did see and did enjoy, so here is MY Top Ten Films of 2017!
10. Dunkirk
A film like this only really comes around every so often, and when it does it becomes absolutely breathe taking. Dunkirk is a masterclass in story telling, with a story out of order, similarly to my favourite film of all time Pulp Fiction, it allows the viewer on first watch to try and piece together the timeline of the film, and when the films stories cross paths into a single moment it is amazing. To the same effect the story prevails through lack of dialogue, the quiet stillness of the film is atmospheric but communicative too. The sound design in this film is ultimately the best and worst part, the sounds that you hear in the cinema are completely riveting and encapsulate you in it's world, but because of this I don't think this film would have the same effect in a normal living room. This film is made for a cinema and seeing it in anything else probably conveys it as a dull war movie.
9. Thor Ragnarok
As the MCU keeps going the luminous 'superhero fatigue' feels less and less likely, Thor is the perfect example of why this is, Marvel allow themselves to take such creative directors and give them a boat load of money allowing them to do what they please. Taika Waititi takes everything great from he's previous work like What We Do In The Shadows and Hunt For The Wilderpeople. Most specifically the comedy! In reality it is just a very charming, hilarious and sometimes emotional movie.
8. Killing Of A Sacred Deer
Imagine finishing a movie and really really enjoying it, your brain all over the place constantly thinking about it with a big grin on your face, then all of a sudden, an old man from the back of the theatre says: 'That was fucking shit.'. Welcome to Killing of A Sacred Deer, as polarising as Mother! but more interesting and enjoyable to watch. This probably has loads of amazing layered meanings, probably some allegories, I love to think about that stuff, but for a post-modern film to be as enjoyable just on its face as a story is truly a mark of greatness. Immediately creepy from the get go, intense and strange, Killing Of A Sacred Deer is a film I absolutely fell into, after IT earlier in the year and Stranger Things last year turning me onto Horror films, Killing Of A Sacred Deer felt like a new form of Horror a refreshingly creepy and quiet movie. Definitely worth a watch if you are the open minded movie goer.
7. Get Out
Get Out uses the current social climate about racism to not only create a film that is just inherently 2017, but also a film that creates genuine real life horror around racism. I'm sure (as a white man) I would connect more to the lead character in Get Out if I were black but this still makes it a great film, not only does it scare me it makes me uncomfortable to watch, knowing that there are white people out their who are probably one step away from actions that are shown in the movie. If that wasn't enough add a dash of fantastical horror ideas and you've got a scary but also madly entertaining flick that also does a lot of social talking.
6. IT
Probably thee film that changed my perceptions on genre and allowed me to be more open to EVERY film that I could see. As someone who has always avoided horror films whenever he could, the immediate buzz around IT was too intriguing not to try. I finally understood the thrill of being sacred and the amazing story telling that can live around it. IT (like Stranger Things) feels like a labour of love for all things Stephen King and all things 80s, not shying away from some of the weird and creepy subjects of the book, but also not being afraid to take out the worst parts either, IT will go down as one of the greatest horror movies of all time.
5. Spider-Man: Homecoming
It took long enough, but finally, we got to see Spiderman interact with other heroes in the MCU, the next challenge was making the best Spiderman movie since Spiderman 2 in 2004. Well I'm happy to report that they did just that. Homecoming purposefully is not an origin story, which we have already had 2 of. It is a coming of age story, a high school romance story and a underdog story, some of the lowest stakes out of the most recent MCU films and it stills feels important, we have amazing performances from Tom Holland and Michael Keaton who manage to make these characters problems, which are small in the grand scheme of the MCU, feel like the most important thing to them, not only that but the basis of both their characters stems from the 10 years of the MCU we've had and that is possibly the most refreshing aspect.
4. Baby Driver
One of my favourite directors, Edgar Wright, releases he's fifth feature film this year and it is possibly his best. Baby Driver is one of the most unique movies of this generation. Creating an action film that could also be classed as a musical, syncing up moments from the film with pieces of music is one of the most satisfying and incredible visual/audio experiences you can have within a film. Possibly my favourite movie scene (at least top 10) of all time comes from this movie purely because of the track picked and the way actions in the film sync up with it. Although later shadowed by the whole (horrible) Kevin Spacey sexual assault, it still is a superb film that deserve a watch by everyone who reads this.
3. The Disaster Artist
If you haven't seen the best worst movie The Room, then this movie will not make much sense to you, it would still be enjoyable and it will be very funny just on face value, but the true joy of this film comes from being a fan of The Room. In that sense is this really Top 3 best films of 2017? For me it definitely is. As a fan of The Room, The Disaster Artist creates a genuine story from something that is completely ridiculous. Not just that but James Franco absolutely nails Tommy Wiseau and that only boosts it to this spot. Compelling drama and emotion, covered with hilarious moments and incredible acting.
2. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
After a great but by-the-numbers Star Wars movie in The Force Awakens, Rian Johnson provides the most refreshing and shocking take on Star Wars and it prevails in every aspect. The Last Jedi takes your expectations and twists them several times in a way that completely enthrals you. It is the best Star Wars movie since the original trilogy by virtue of it playing with story beats and ideas that the films feel like they purposefully ignore. Their is one character that I particularly hate in this film but is the only aspect of the movie that annoys me. I can't say more nice things about this movie and the fact that it is getting so much backlash from fans is completely baffling me, I just don't understand it.
1. Blade Runner 2049
Dennis Villeneuve has quickly become one of my favourite directors, with last years movie Arrival being in my Top 5 and now Blade Runner 2049 being this years number 1, I feel compelled to watch every movie he has put out. Blade Runner 2049 is the most beautiful movie I have ever seen, not only that but the story carrying on from the original is even more compelling than that first movie. I feel the 1982 movie was made to set up this one. It is an absolute crime that this movie flopped at the box office but I'm so glad I got to see it anyway. A modern masterpiece in every sense, if you haven't seen this you owe it to yourself to give it a watch.
10. Dunkirk
A film like this only really comes around every so often, and when it does it becomes absolutely breathe taking. Dunkirk is a masterclass in story telling, with a story out of order, similarly to my favourite film of all time Pulp Fiction, it allows the viewer on first watch to try and piece together the timeline of the film, and when the films stories cross paths into a single moment it is amazing. To the same effect the story prevails through lack of dialogue, the quiet stillness of the film is atmospheric but communicative too. The sound design in this film is ultimately the best and worst part, the sounds that you hear in the cinema are completely riveting and encapsulate you in it's world, but because of this I don't think this film would have the same effect in a normal living room. This film is made for a cinema and seeing it in anything else probably conveys it as a dull war movie.
9. Thor Ragnarok
As the MCU keeps going the luminous 'superhero fatigue' feels less and less likely, Thor is the perfect example of why this is, Marvel allow themselves to take such creative directors and give them a boat load of money allowing them to do what they please. Taika Waititi takes everything great from he's previous work like What We Do In The Shadows and Hunt For The Wilderpeople. Most specifically the comedy! In reality it is just a very charming, hilarious and sometimes emotional movie.
8. Killing Of A Sacred Deer
Imagine finishing a movie and really really enjoying it, your brain all over the place constantly thinking about it with a big grin on your face, then all of a sudden, an old man from the back of the theatre says: 'That was fucking shit.'. Welcome to Killing of A Sacred Deer, as polarising as Mother! but more interesting and enjoyable to watch. This probably has loads of amazing layered meanings, probably some allegories, I love to think about that stuff, but for a post-modern film to be as enjoyable just on its face as a story is truly a mark of greatness. Immediately creepy from the get go, intense and strange, Killing Of A Sacred Deer is a film I absolutely fell into, after IT earlier in the year and Stranger Things last year turning me onto Horror films, Killing Of A Sacred Deer felt like a new form of Horror a refreshingly creepy and quiet movie. Definitely worth a watch if you are the open minded movie goer.
7. Get Out
Get Out uses the current social climate about racism to not only create a film that is just inherently 2017, but also a film that creates genuine real life horror around racism. I'm sure (as a white man) I would connect more to the lead character in Get Out if I were black but this still makes it a great film, not only does it scare me it makes me uncomfortable to watch, knowing that there are white people out their who are probably one step away from actions that are shown in the movie. If that wasn't enough add a dash of fantastical horror ideas and you've got a scary but also madly entertaining flick that also does a lot of social talking.
6. IT
Probably thee film that changed my perceptions on genre and allowed me to be more open to EVERY film that I could see. As someone who has always avoided horror films whenever he could, the immediate buzz around IT was too intriguing not to try. I finally understood the thrill of being sacred and the amazing story telling that can live around it. IT (like Stranger Things) feels like a labour of love for all things Stephen King and all things 80s, not shying away from some of the weird and creepy subjects of the book, but also not being afraid to take out the worst parts either, IT will go down as one of the greatest horror movies of all time.
5. Spider-Man: Homecoming
It took long enough, but finally, we got to see Spiderman interact with other heroes in the MCU, the next challenge was making the best Spiderman movie since Spiderman 2 in 2004. Well I'm happy to report that they did just that. Homecoming purposefully is not an origin story, which we have already had 2 of. It is a coming of age story, a high school romance story and a underdog story, some of the lowest stakes out of the most recent MCU films and it stills feels important, we have amazing performances from Tom Holland and Michael Keaton who manage to make these characters problems, which are small in the grand scheme of the MCU, feel like the most important thing to them, not only that but the basis of both their characters stems from the 10 years of the MCU we've had and that is possibly the most refreshing aspect.
4. Baby Driver
One of my favourite directors, Edgar Wright, releases he's fifth feature film this year and it is possibly his best. Baby Driver is one of the most unique movies of this generation. Creating an action film that could also be classed as a musical, syncing up moments from the film with pieces of music is one of the most satisfying and incredible visual/audio experiences you can have within a film. Possibly my favourite movie scene (at least top 10) of all time comes from this movie purely because of the track picked and the way actions in the film sync up with it. Although later shadowed by the whole (horrible) Kevin Spacey sexual assault, it still is a superb film that deserve a watch by everyone who reads this.
3. The Disaster Artist
If you haven't seen the best worst movie The Room, then this movie will not make much sense to you, it would still be enjoyable and it will be very funny just on face value, but the true joy of this film comes from being a fan of The Room. In that sense is this really Top 3 best films of 2017? For me it definitely is. As a fan of The Room, The Disaster Artist creates a genuine story from something that is completely ridiculous. Not just that but James Franco absolutely nails Tommy Wiseau and that only boosts it to this spot. Compelling drama and emotion, covered with hilarious moments and incredible acting.
2. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
After a great but by-the-numbers Star Wars movie in The Force Awakens, Rian Johnson provides the most refreshing and shocking take on Star Wars and it prevails in every aspect. The Last Jedi takes your expectations and twists them several times in a way that completely enthrals you. It is the best Star Wars movie since the original trilogy by virtue of it playing with story beats and ideas that the films feel like they purposefully ignore. Their is one character that I particularly hate in this film but is the only aspect of the movie that annoys me. I can't say more nice things about this movie and the fact that it is getting so much backlash from fans is completely baffling me, I just don't understand it.
1. Blade Runner 2049
Dennis Villeneuve has quickly become one of my favourite directors, with last years movie Arrival being in my Top 5 and now Blade Runner 2049 being this years number 1, I feel compelled to watch every movie he has put out. Blade Runner 2049 is the most beautiful movie I have ever seen, not only that but the story carrying on from the original is even more compelling than that first movie. I feel the 1982 movie was made to set up this one. It is an absolute crime that this movie flopped at the box office but I'm so glad I got to see it anyway. A modern masterpiece in every sense, if you haven't seen this you owe it to yourself to give it a watch.