Before I begin with my list of favorite films, I’d like to write my thank you to all who have given your valuable time to read a review, listen to a podcast episode, even just dropping a like on Twitter or FB. Whether you decided to go to the theater, watch streaming, or avoid the movies altogether – I appreciate your support.
There were so many good to great movies this year, it was actually difficult to cut it down to 10. If you have time, and can find how to watch some of them, please check out my honorable mentions – Riders of Justice, The Green Knight, The Last Duel, The Tender Bar, Nobody, A Quiet Place Part 2, The Mitchells vs the Machines, Cyrano, Spider-Man: No Way Home and On the Count of Three.
Now, let’s get started.
10 – Saint Maud
Not for the faint of heart or easily offended. This incredibly slow burn horror was finally released stateside this past year. It follows a young nurse who suffers Joan of Arc style delusions that feel more malevolent than they do sacred. Her decreasing sanity is made worse by her self-imposed responsibility to free her patient from demons. I’m a sucker for unnerving horror and this one fit the soul-destroying bill. It’s a slow moving movie, but it always has the ability to keep the tension high. This one made the list due to me not being able to forget some scenes almost a year later.
Best Scene – The ending. I don’t want to spoil it, but Maud attempts a very public miracle. Unforgettable imagery. <Shudder>
9 – Mass
Mass should be required viewing. It is some of the finest acting in recent history, the dialogue is masterful, and it details a very heavy, but necessary conversation. Without spoiling what the conversation is about, this is a simplistic experience about two sets of parents in a small room trying to come to terms with a horrific tragedy that happened years earlier. Be warned, that this movie will own your emotional well-being for a day following. This is maybe the furthest thing from escapism as every moment feels real. I’m sure I’ve scared you away from a depressing movie, but it’s one that will enrich your future cinematic experiences.
Best Scene – Ann Dowd, who truly deserves the title of Dame, has held back for the most part. She finally shares the story of her son (the guilty party) and what his life has been like.
8 – Nightmare Alley
I wish Guillermo Del Toro made all the movies he had been attached to. His films are some of the most inventive, yet strange, for an A-list director. Nightmare Alley is a remake of black and white noir, but Del Toro keeps that grimy noir feel in this version. The story is of a wandering grifter who enters the shady world of traveling carnivals and encounters several colorful characters and picks up a few tricks. Along his journey, he encounters a psychiatrist who involves him in a con that may bring him big rewards, but comes with high stakes. The setting, the lighting, the eerie score and acting all make this his best movie in a decade and something that will stick with you.
Best Scene – Bradley Cooper’s character attempts to con a wealthy magnate into seeing the ghost of his dead wife. Things don’t go as planned as the millionaire confesses his atrocious crimes.
7 – Tick, Tick… Boom!
This movie musical wasn’t even on my radar. I was feeling burned out on the overwhelming amount of Lin Manuel Miranda (the movie’s director) in pop culture. Also, I never cared about the musical Rent or really knew about its creator, Jonathan Larson. It took approximately two minutes for me to fall in love with this story about an almost 30 year old tortured soul who hasn’t yet hit his inevitable potential. Andrew Garfield deserves the Oscar for his performance of a composing workaholic who gets the chance to sing his emotional turmoil through his near one-man stage show spliced with the narrative of his life. 2021 is the year of the musical, and this one is the best straight forward musical.
Best Scene – The best inspiration often comes from exercise. Larson is in a writing rut and decides to swim laps at a public pool. He sings each of his aggressive thoughts in regards to each stroke, slow people in his lane, and how to keep focus, when all of a sudden he has a Beautiful Mind moment as the swimming lane markers become the sheet music for the one song that his play needs.
6 – Malignant
Writer/Director James Wan has created some of the most memorable horror movements in the past two decades. He’s proven himself to the point of getting a blank check from WB. So, what does he decide to do with it? He makes a bonkers 70s style grindhouse action horror. The surprises in this movie are entirely ridiculous, but somehow they also improve with every viewing. The movie takes itself so seriously that it almost feels ironic. It’s almost as if Wan knows it’s beyond silly, but still films it with sincerity. This is one of those cult flicks that I will be able to rewatch every year.
Best Scene – The fight in the police precinct is a divisive choice in a horror flick, but it proves how well Wan controls action and choreography. It’s like a beautiful ballet of blood.
5 – Dune
Dune somehow walks the tightrope of being made exclusively for deep lore science fiction nerds and being made for mass audience consumption. In my opinion, it does both extremely well. While this adaptation has been attempted before to humorous results, director Denis Villeneuve bring his ingenuous touch to the space/spice epic. The cast alone is reason to see this movie, but you’ll find yourself sucked into an incredible audio/visual ride.
The benefit of this movie is also its downfall. This is only part one to the story that Villeneuve wants to tell. It allows the movie to breathe and never rush its exposition. This franchise has all the potential of a new Lord of the Rings. However, if the sequel(s) lose some spice, it will be tough to enjoy this movie on its own. That said, from what I’ve seen, I have nothing but confidence in this crew. I only have hope because fear is the mind-killer.
Best Scene – I wouldn’t say that Dune is an action movie, but when it delves into combat, it’s amazing. The Harkonnen fleet attack the kingdom in the middle of the night and the effects are jaw-dropping. It doesn’t hurt that Hans Zimmer scores these big moments with perfection.
4 – Last Night in Soho
The evolution of director Edgar Wright is a fun thing to witness. While he got his start by perfecting film comedy, his talents have matured. In Last Night in Soho, An aspiring fashion designer rents a room that transports her to the 1960s, where she experiences life by proxy of a wannabe lounge singer. But the glamour of that decade isn’t all it appears to be, as these events take a dark turn and start creeping into Eloise’s life.
Wright inserts his fandom into every film, and Soho allows him to broadcast his love of niche Italian horror and combine it with a killer 60s soundtrack. The vibe of Soho won me over as we get to view Eloise’s journey into the past, but it’s the third act with all of its revelations that completely brought it home.
Best Scene – The first time Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie) wanders into the nightclub and views Sandie’s night from the reflections of the room. Whether its through the reflections or seamlessly taking turns on the dance floor, the editing in this scene is first class.
3 – Bo Burnham: Inside
Yes, this counts. No, I don’t think I’d ever previously consider a stand-up special in a “best of” list. Yet, Bo Burnham took the first year of the pandemic and crafted a personalized masterpiece out of it. From the outside, this could be seen as a list of semi-humorous songs about the craziness that a lockdown brought on. However, Burnham tells a very real story of someone who struggled with panic attacks and is then kept in isolation for who knows how long. Similar to Tick Tick Boom, Burnham is a 30 year old tortured soul who is brilliant, but still has amazing potential.
Beyond the songs that explore what it means to be a white guy doing comedy, Instagram cliches, virtual communication, cancel culture, and depression; Burnham shows the crawling decline of his psyche, even when he performs for a laugh track crowd that will never be there, stuck in his living room with him. It’s amazing that a young comedian created these songs, all while creating a thrilling one-man show with lighting, clever edits, and stunning cinematography.
Best Scene – White Woman’s Instagram is spot on. Comedy is completely catchy. However, the moment that sticks with me is the final scene. After a year of isolation, Burnham’s front door opens slightly, giving him permission to leave. Burnham trepidly steps outside to a blinding light and once outside, realizes that he can’t get back inside, to his now-happy place. As he struggles with the door, the mocking laugh track cackles at his failings. We then realize that Burnham is watching this scene from inside his living room again. Insanity and complete submittal to complacency are achieved.
2 – CODA
Ruby (Emilia Jones) is the only hearing member of a deaf family. At 17, she works mornings before school to help her parents and brother keep their fishing business afloat. But, in joining her high school’s choir club, Ruby finds herself drawn to both her duet partner and her latent passion for singing. Her enthusiastic, tough-love choirmaster hears something special and encourages Ruby to consider music school and a future beyond fishing, leaving her torn between obligation to family and pursuit of her dream.
CODA is the most accessible film in my list. It’s a crowd pleaser with a heart. It somehow had my number and knew where all of my heartstrings were. As stoic as I attempt to be, it had me crying twice. I’m a fan of coming-of-age stories, but when you toss in a crisis of dreams vs responsibility, I can’t help but attach myself to the story. If, and when, I have moments where I need a cinematic pick-me-up, CODA will be first on the list.
Best Scene – Ruby and her father sit outside on the back of their family truck. Ruby’s deaf father still can’t understand why Ruby is so invested in singing. Yet, Ruby sings for him and holds his hands to feel the vibration of her vocal chords. Instant tears.
1 – Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Wish fulfillment redeemed my hopes for a project I had trouble believing would ever happen. The true Justice League went from an abandoned project that “didn’t exist” to a four hour realization that came to life due to fans’ desires. No other film has been in my thoughts more than Snyder’s cut this year. The length alone is enough to drive anyone away, but for me, each cut moment added wonderful clarity and emotional depth to the abomination that was somehow released in 2017.
DC has long been trying to play catch up with box office behemoth Marvel and will clearly deviate from this Snyderverse, but Justice League capped off the story I’d loved that began with Man of Steel and continued with Batman v Superman. It still doesn’t feel real. Yet, how amazing is the story of Victor Stone/Cyborg? JL reminds us that Wonder Woman is actually awesome. It also redeems Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill from those recuts that made Batman look like a comedic dope and and the less said about Superman’s CG face, the better. Each and every aspect of the experience feels more rich. There is love and craftsmanship that went into this. This is instantly a top 10 superhero movie and one that I’ll smile about every time I push play.
Best Scene – So many. But honestly, At the Speed of Force takes it. When all seems lost, well and truly everything is already gone, Barry Allen/The Flash takes a moment. He refuses to accept doom. While he previously never felt like he belonged to this team of gods, he now decides to prove his worth proclaiming, “Dad, whatever happens now, I just want you to know: your kid was one of them, dad. One of the best of the best.” All while racing back to bring back the fabric of reality. The score by Tom Holkenborg accentuates this and makes this one of the best moments in comic book movie history.
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