So, here we are again. Another year, another series of movies, games, shows, and other kinds of media come and go. I've seen a lot this year. A lot of it I've liked, a lot of it I haven't liked as much. I've thought about some of my favorite media within this past year. Movies are one thing but this year has been host to some of the best TV shows and video games I've seen and played in a while. So let's count them down. First, here are my rules.

• There are only 5 items per category
• They have to have been released this year (that means no Oscar films or films I've seen for the first time this year
• Each list will have an honorable mention section of at least two entries.
• I will upload one top 5 every week. This week is my top 5 movies, next week will be my top 5 TV shows, and the week after that will be my top 5 video games.
• Ready? Okay.

5. Get Out

I didn't know what to expect from this film when I first heard about it. Would it be a horror spoof? Given that it was directed by Jordan Peele of Key and Peele that's what I certainly expected. What we got was a beautiful blend of comedy and absolute terror. It made for a smart, original, and stylish entry to the horror genre that I won't soon forget. The story alone is original and hasn't been done to the extent it has in Get Out. It features social commentary on race relations without affecting the story. In fact, most of the commentary is told through subtext with not even a single moment feeling out of place or uneven. It's a technically sound and near perfect movie with a satisfying beginning, middle, and end. What else can you want? Peele’s directorial debut feels like a page out of Hitchcock’s greatest and I can't wait to see what he does next.

4. It Comes At Night

Despite the title, this isn't a horror film. At least not at first. Yes, there is some mysterious zombie disease that the cast keeps running away from but that's not the focus. It's really more about existential horror than anything else. How terror and paranoia can corrupt us and turn is into the monsters we hope to defend ourselves from. Nothing is ever really explained which is almost unheard of in a movie like this. Normally, lesser zombie movies detail how the outbreak happened. Where it came from, how people are coping, etc. This film takes a tired and old concept and creates something really fresh and original here. Every performance is perfectly cast and acted especially Joel Edgerton. He gives a very fine-tuned performance that builds each time you watch it. If you're expecting a horror film, prepare to be disappointed. I recommend walking in with an open mind and you'll see something you don't normally see. It'll leave you scratching your head and as you unravel the mystery you sit there and think: who was the monster? Was it me? Was it them? How would I react in this situation?

3. Paterson

Hands down the sweetest movie I've seen all year. Everything about it just warms your heart and soul in the best possible way. It's a reflection piece; by the end credits, you'll have seen yourself inside it. By following a week in the life of one man the film almost makes you feel like you're this guy's actual friend. You know what time he wakes up every morning, you know where he's going, and so on. While there are little events here and there that shake up the daily grind and make for some good drama it still sticks to the same routine day after day. It's interesting and something I can't think of ever having been done this well. Paterson stuck with me long after I saw it. This film is so mundane it's almost magical. We follow a week in the life of a Paterson bus driver and poet, whose name also happens to be Paterson. His love life, his artistic pursuits, his hopes, and dream are all shown off remarkably well. While most of you probably know Adam Driver as Kylo Ren I'd say this is probably his best role. It's one I won't soon forget.

2. The Big Sick/Logan.

I know, I know. It's technically cheating but I just couldn't decide between these two. They're very very different films. One is a dramedy about a man and the woman he loves and the other is a dying man investing his last days in protecting the last thing he has to care about. Both resonated with me but for different reasons. Big Sick centers on a comedian who falls in love and loses that love only to get her back again. It's relatable and very well-written and acted. Logan tells the story of an old and worn out Wolverine. A character many have gotten to know for a decade as he fades away. It's touching and struck a chord with me because of how invested I'd been after years of following this same character. Hugh Jackman gives a powerhouse performance as does Kumail Nanjiani. Both stars kill it and both movies deserve your attention. Plus they're both on Amazon Prime so….get on it.

1. Baby Driver

B-A-B-Y, baby. This movie packs a wallop. It's a joy to watch from start to finish and stays with you long after it's over. Director Edgar Wright hooks you from the first shot and doesn't let go until the end credits. It's a heist film, it's a romance, its a comedy, it's a musical, it's Baby Driver. And that's something very special. Every performance is a blast to watch and every scene, synced beautifully to a near perfect soundtrack, stays with you. There's never a dull moment and you're always invested. Do yourself a favor and watch it like yesterday.

Honorable Mentions:

• The Disaster Artist : I liked The Disaster Artist, it was good. However, I didn't love it. As a fan of Tommy Wiseau's bizarre masterpiece "The Room" I had high hopes for this film. For those that don't know, The Room is probably one of the worst films ever made. Nothing makes sense, nothing works, the acting is terrible, and the film looks cheap despite having been made on a multi-million dollar budget funded by the filmmaker himself. The Room, and its creator Tommy Wiseau, are cinematic enigmas. Before seeing Franco's adaption of The Disaster Artist memoir I went out and actually read the book. Needless to say, it's much better than the movie and makes you identify with Tommy a lot more. Sure, Franco gives a great performance but it's just another addition to the peanut gallery of people laughing at the Wiseau sideshow. Greg Sestero's book was a detailed and heartfelt look into the soul of a deeply flawed dreamer. I recommend The Disaster Artist; more so the book but the movie as well. It's a good film, one worth seeing for James Franco's amazing performance alone. However, I can definitely say that it's a project that falls short of its potential.
• Spider-Man Homecoming: I've always loved Spider-Man; the original 2002 Sam Raimi film was actually the first film I'd ever seen in a movie theater. The character has stuck with me practically my entire life. Tom Holland gives a great performance as Peter Parker/Spider-Man but never quite reaches Tobey Maguire's iconic take on the character, at least for me. Apparently, I'm one of the few hardcore fans who feel this way. It's a fun film with interesting twists and showcases the best Marvel villain since Loki. I especially love it because it's one of the few Marvel movies you can watch completely out of context and still enjoy just fine.
• Star Wars The Last Jedi: As for The Last Jedi, I'm apparently in the minority of hardcore Star Wars fans who genuinely loved this film. I think that parts of it drag and it definitely went on around 45 minutes longer than it should have but it's solid. It takes your expectations and defies them which won't make you happy if you have any major investment in the franchise. This film isn't about who Rey's parents are or who Snoke is or anything fans have been speculating about for years. It's a new Star Wars movie that challenges everything you expect a Star Wars film to be. I'll admit that a good chunk of these attempts don't always land how they should (cough, cough, casino planet, cough). But it's a solid entry in the Star Wars franchise. If we're getting one to two of these films every year until we're dead it's important for them to shake things up a little bit.

Continued in Part 2 next week!