The Atlanta Film Critics Circle, of which I am a founding member, released its first-ever top 10 list and awards in early December. I’m proud that six of my top 10 films made the list, and I have yet to see two of the other four, so they still could make a revised list.
Get Out topped the AFCC’s and my list, followed by Dunkirk, Lady Bird, The Shape of Water (not on my list, but I cannot wait), Call Me by Your Name (make plans to see it when it comes to town), The Florida Project, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (not on my list), The Big Sick, Baby Driver (not in my top 10) and The Post (the other one I have yet to see). My top six were represented, but my bottom four—Wonder Woman; I, Tonya; The Disaster Artist and Mudbound—didn’t make it.
Timothée Chalamet was deservedly named Best Actor, though I voted for Harry Dean Stanton (Lucky) and voted for Chalamet for the AFCC Breakthrough Award. Sally Hawkins won Best Actress (The Shape of Water). I might concur once I’ve seen it; I went with Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird). Willem Dafoe (The Florida Project) was both the AFCC’s and my pick for Best Supporting Actor, and I had Best Supporting Actress Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird) only behind Allison Janney (I, Tonya). Three Billboards deservedly won Best Ensemble, though I preferred the teens of It.
Christopher Nolan certainly earned his Best Director nod (it’s hard to argue with Hoyte Van Hoytema’s cinematography win). I favored Jordan Peele’s John Carpenter impression, which did win for Best Screenplay. I still recommend Icarus, a Netflix documentary as good as many a fictional feature this year, but Jane and Kedi tied for Best Documentary. Coco is not Pixar’s best picture, but in a down animation year, not much else was better; check out my pick, Loving Vincent, if/when it opens in Athens. I have yet to see a foreign-language film eligible for this year’s awards, but look forward to winner BPM. I am already looking forward to next year’s awards!
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