Agent Palmer

I have a reverence for WarGames. It is one of my favorite movies of all time, and while I hold it in a sort of sacred category among movies, that does not mean that the direct-to-video sequel WarGames 2: The Dead Code is unbearable to me as it evidently has been to others.

I enjoy the film for what it is: a sequel for another time with a respectful honoring of the original. Is it the greatest film? No. Is it an decent popcorn film? Perhaps for some, but for me it is enjoyable; no more and no less.

Keanu Reeves seems to split movie fans more than any other actor I know. I recently heard two people in my life that have never met say to me that he is “not a good actor” like a judge, jury, and executioner. And to me, two people is too many, though I believe there are usually no rules for how people feel about movies or actors, I usually let the hot air blown at me pass by and disappear.

Most times an actor is criticized this way, there is a lot of evidence to back it up. When people say it about Reeves, I don’t get the impression they put their full mind behind the statement.

There is something equally timeless and out of date about the 2001 film “Antitrust.” Despite this or because of it, the thriller is still interesting to watch and enjoy.

As the fictional tech billionaire in the film, Gary Winston loves to say that things are binary, and this film fits that description. Sure, it is fiction, but at its core there is a discussion that takes place all the time under the surface: when it comes to software, you’re either open source or you’re not.

Lots of movies come out every year. Some are good, some are bad, some are geeky fan services, but one thing remains the same, year after year: I am always surprised by something being better than I thought and something else being a letdown.

I’m not sure what will happen once the lights dim in the theatre this year, but I know that if it all works out, I’ll be seeing a good portion of these 17 movies in 2017.

This is my list, and it’s based on just my own thoughts and feelings. Will you be seeing any of these with me, and what will you be watching instead?