MLK Day has passed which means it’s time for two things, my final two end of the year movie articles! 2021 brought an assortment of riches in terms of films as we got back to some semblance of a movie year. There was still a pandemic raging (and still is frankly) but I appreciated the ability to go back to theaters if I wanted or to enjoy movies at home. When it came down to figuring out my top 10 films of the year I was hit with my usual struggles. This was an epically strong movie for films in the 3.5 star range, so strong that I could probably do a top 13 if I were into ties. I am not however, so some hard decisions had to be made. You can find my full ranking of this year’s movies here but for now enjoy my top 10 movies of 2021.
Honorable Mentions: The Tragedy of Macbeth, Operation Hyacinth, Drive My Car, No Sudden Move, Blood Red Sky
Top 10 Movies of 2021
10. King Richard
Reason: Megawatt star power from everyone in the cast and a script that can acknowledge realities alongside the glitz.
Most Memorable Moment: Richard and Oracene speak their minds in a kitchen
Unsung MVP: Jon Bernthal’s ability to play loving exasperation
9. Parallel Mothers
Reason: Melodrama of the highest degree and Penelope Cruz rising to the challenge of Almodovar’s material
Most Memorable Moment: Janis has to tell Ana the truth
Unsung MVP: Aitana Sánchez-Gijón detached coolness
8. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train
Reason: Adapting an incredibly emotional arc and living up to the standards of amazing animation the show has set
Most Memorable Moment: Rengoku talking to his mother
Unsung MVP: The floating beings in Tanjiro’s consciousness
7. Passing
Reason: Excellent performances, strong directorial decisions by Rebecca Hall at every turn, and incredible cinematography
Most Memorable Moment: The two women share a look by the window
Unsung MVP: Sexual tension, but between who?
6. Dramarama
Reason: Pitch perfect performance and the inhuman grip and understanding Jonathan Wysoki has as a director to blend this much dialouge and staging
Most Memorable Moment: Gene reveals Oscar’s secret
Unsung MVP: The Mrs. Havisham costume
5. Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Reason: Brilliantly recreating a near forgotten event, perfectly blending talking heads and footage, and building to an incredible vocal climax.
Most Memorable Moment: Mavis Staples and Mahalia Jackson sing together
Unsung MVP: The 5th Dimension
4. Judas and the Black Messiah
Reason: Tense, yet beautiful filmmaking with incredible performances everywhere you turn.
Most Memorable Moment: Fred gives a speech in a church
Unsung MVP: Dominique Fishback
3. Benedetta
Reason: One of the most unhinged movies I’ve ever seen and yet also an interesting examination of faith. Members of the cloth are not immune to their human foibles.
Most Memorable Moment: The town square foolery
Unsung MVP: Sheer curtains and peepholes
2. The Power of the Dog
Reason: A movie that plays well during first viewing and grows in the mind thereafter. Campion working in God-tier mode and actors who dive head first.
Most Memorable Moment: Peter and Phil have a conversation over a shared cigarette in a barn
Unsung MVP: The opening voiceover
1. A Hero
Reason: Nobody is doing it like Farhadi when he wants to stress you out. An incredible tale about one decision that has ramifications that seem to never end.
Most Memorable Moment: Rahim’s son tries to film a video in support of his father
Unsung MVP: Amir Jadidi’s smile
