Amy's Best of 2017 List

I keep seeing everyone's "Best of 2017" lists - from movies to albums to books - and I decided to make my own list this year. There was so much NOT to like about 2017, but nonetheless, I'm sharing a few highlights from my unique point of view as an older, wiser woman entrepreneur, wife and mother. I think you'll notice a theme.

Best Movies

Wonder Woman - It was THE BEST of the genre and the cherry on top was that it starred a bad-ass woman superhero played by a former Israeli military actress Gal Gadot, who also happens to be a woman, and it was directed by a woman, Patty Jenkins. For me this makes it the best movie of the year, maybe even one of the best things that happened this year. Most importantly it was a blockbuster financial success. I cried because I was so moved by the strength of Wonder Woman's character and the fact that so few movies portray a woman so positively in this type of role. Yes she was attractive so the men could enjoy watching her too but she was also legit. Maybe Hollywood will now make more action movies by women for women.

Ladybird - Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, Ladybird was a unique and unpredictable coming-of-age film about a young woman and her relationship with her family that left me wanting more. Additional note, it has one of the highest Rotten Tomato rankings ever for whatever that's worth.

The Shape of Water - The movie deals with people’s differences, as well as the strength of one woman's love and determination. A great performance by Sally Hawkins who barely speaks a word throughout the entire movie yet she's utterly captivating.

Atomic Blonde - Charlize Theron plays an elite M16 agent in one of the most physical roles maybe ever created for a woman. I completely agree with this critic's characterization that although it was a bit over-the-top, "it will satisfy your appetite for woman-powered heroism."

The Post - Because Meryl Streep plays Katherine Graham, one of my personal heroes and the boss of the The Washington Post. She was a female executive at a time when women weren't executives. I haven't seen it yet but I know it will be one of the best movies of the year hands down, because it's about a great woman of our time played by one of the greatest actors of our time.

Best Songs

Praying" by Kesha - It's one of "the defining songs of the year for all the wrong reasons.” With the public reckoning and tidal wave of sexual abuse and harassment cases in 2017,this song is like an anthem for the moment. Kesha endured abuse by her producer and yet she sounds triumphant in this song. If you haven't heard it give it a listen and you will understand what I mean when I say it's one of the best of the year.

"Greenlight" by Lorde - It's about heartbreak and finding a way to move past it and to find happiness. I found hope in the idea that maybe this year was full of red lights and that next year will be one where we get to drive through more green lights.

"What about Us" by Pink - I realized the song title is a question - What about us? I've come to believe that Pink is commenting on the way those in power have let us down. Pretty poignant.

Best Music Industry Female

Beyoncé - Because while pregnant with twins she did more in a year than many do in a lifetime, including setting a new standard for maternity fashion, turning in a show-stopping Grammy performance and getting an apology Album from her husband. She’s a working mother in a category of her own.

Best New Artist

SZA - Because she has a great voice, she made me like hip hop, she's a good songwriter and strikes me as independent and powerful. Plus she's the only woman on her record label TDE.

Best Podcast

Pod Save America from Crooked Media - Because even though Jon, Jon, Tommy and Dan are admitted "Bro's" I love them and consider myself a "Friend of the Pod." The show has been been described as a "political conversation for people not quite ready to give up or go insane." It's engaging, funny and smart. The addition of Crooked Contributors Erin Ryan and Ana Marie Cox has me feeling even better about this crew.

Best Late Night Host/Show

Samantha Bee - I cannot say enough about Samantha Bee and her brilliance this year. She is the only woman to host a late night talk show and not surprisingly feminism and sexual harassment are frequent topics. She delivers every night with both hilarious comedic moments and some serious commentary. With a million people tuning in recently she commented "Both parties have had their share of sexual harassers and predators. This is about men. Sorry, woke bros, but guys can be creeps! #NotAll Men. The extent of their creepiness seems to be a surprise to everyone except women.” This segment has more than one million views on YouTube. For this and many other memorable segments I thank Samantha Bee for helping me stay sane.

Best TV

The Handmaid's Tale - Nothing will compare this year to the Handmaid's Tale for me. It's frightening, it's intense, it's beautiful, it's human and at times it can be inspirational. When women become barren, fertile women are enslaved as Handmaids in a futuristic society. Their names are taken from them and they are forced to be referred to as possessions - "offred" - as in the head of her household (Fred). We could not stop watching it and I'm afraid part of the reason is that the idea of a society under military dictatorship where women are subjugated does not seem as crazy as it once did.

Big Little Lies - Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz - great story, great writing, great acting and with Kidman and Witherspoon being two of the Executive Producers what more do I need to say.

Grace and Frankie - You will never see women like this anywhere else on TV. They are beautiful, old, funny and raunchy. They started a business in their 70's and remain friends with their gay ex-husbands. There is definitely ageism in business and in Hollywood so it's great to see that the show has been a hit.

Game of Thrones - Last but not least, my absolute favorite thing of 2017 besides my husband, children and family. GOT has everything - incredible characters, incredible story lines, eye popping cinematography with each episode coming off like an epic action film. It's almost unparalleled in TV history in my opinion. But you know what I liked best? All of the women ended up in power. Although there was a lot of nudity and violence against women in the early part of the series, the women are now in control. Cersai is heinous but you've gotta hand it to her. She's shrewd and ruthless unmatched by almost all of the men. With Daenerys the Queen and her dragons, Sansa, Queen of the North, Arya a trained assassin and Brienne of Tarth the warrior and survivor; season seven was the Year of the Woman.