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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘Movies 101’ picks its fave films of 2017

Dan Webster

We tend to be a little late posting our Top 10 Films of the Year lists. And the reason for that should be obvious: The Inland Northwest is not a hotbed for movie releases.

In fact, some of the films making Top 10 lists across the country haven't even opened in local theaters. I'm talking about films such as "The Shape of Water," "Phantom Thread" and "Call Me by Your Name." Still, my "Movies 101" partners Mary Pat Treuthart, Nathan Weinbender and I did see a number of good movies in 2017.

We will discuss our respective picks, and the year overall, during the Spokane Public Radio show that will run at 6:30 p.m. Friday on KPBX (FM 91.1) and at 1 p.m. Saturday on KSFC (FM 91.9).

As for our choices, well, only four films made all three of our respective lists, which shows you how eclectic our filmgoing tastes are. Of those four, though, "The Florida Project" was the overwhelming favorite. I want to point out, too, that the film — though told mostly through the eyes of a 6-year-old girl — is about as far from a Disney project as you can imagine. It's a definite wrench to the heart.

Number 2? That went to Greta Gerwig's "Lady Bird." Anyway, here our lists are (and note that Nathan, cheater that he is, went to Seattle to see a couple of those that have yet to play around here):

Mary Pat's picks: 1.
The Florida Project, 2. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, 3.
Lady Bird, 4.
The Big Sick, 5.
Kedi, 6.
Get Out, 7.
Detroit, 8.
 Patti Cake$, 9. Wonder Woman, 10. Girls Trip

Nathan's picks: 1. Lady Bird, 2. The Florida Project, 3. Call Me by Your Name, 4. The Shape of Water, 5. Dunkirk, 6. Get Out, 7. A Ghost Story, 8. mother!, 9. The Big Sick, 10. Blade Runner 2049

My picks: 1. The Florida Project, 2. Lady Bird, 3. Lucky, 4. The Big Sick, 5. A Ghost Story, 6. Good Time, 7. I Called Him Morgan, 8. Wonder Woman, 9. Get Out, 10. Baby Driver