Finally, we are back to what feels like normal in the movies. After a very weird 2020, we had a good mix of everything both back in theaters and at home to stream. Blockbusters came back, people went back to the cinema, and we had our usual online debates. It truly felt like a great year for movies and it made it very difficult to narrow it down to 10 favorite films, but I went with what felt best so here are my picks for the best of 2021.
10. Nightmare Alley/No Time to Die
I couldn’t quite choose between these two so they just both make it. Nightmare Alley is one most have probably not heard of due to it coming out the same day as Spider-Man, but Guillermo Del Toro really delivered with this one. It is a slow-burn thriller with a wonderful Bradley Cooper performance that leaves you stunned by the end. No Time to Die is a film I loved as a conclusion to Daniel Craig’s Bond. It had intense action and a thrilling storyline throughout. I can see the criticisms, but also I don’t care. Let me enjoy James Bond. Bond is at home to rent and Nightmare Alley is currently in theaters.
9. The Power of the Dog
Netflix has been trying to get into the awards race every year, and Power of the Dog might just win it for them. This is one of those slow burn films where every little thing is deliberate and by the end, you are amazed how every detail came back to mean something. Benedict Cumberbatch should win an Oscar for this, but he does have some competition.
8. King Richard
One of his main competitors is Will Smith in King Richard giving what might be his best performance yet. On top of that, King Richard is just the most joyful and accessible awards film in a while. The story of how Venus and Serena’s father pushed them to be great is exhilarating and Smith commands your attention with every turn. HBO put this on your service now! Let people watch your Oscar movie!
7. Belfast
The awards films are all excellent this year, and that brings me to another great one in Belfast. Kenneth Branagh crafts his personal life story in this film about him growing up in Belfast, Ireland during times of high tensions between the Catholics and Protestants. All this is seen through the eyes of a child who just wants to make friends and be with a girl. It will leave you with the biggest smile on your face and have “Everlasting Love” stuck in your head. Available to rent now.
6. Free Guy
Yeah, that’s right, Free Guy is one of the best films of the year. It came out of nowhere and surprised the hell out of me with the amount of care and love it possessed. Ryan Reynolds did the same thing, but it works so well and Jodie Comer swings in and completely steals the movie. The last 15 minutes are pure joy and there are some really dumb criticisms out there about IP and whatnot. Who cares? Everything works in this and the film has a great message at the heart of it. Available to rent now and soon on Disney +.
5. Licorice Pizza
A Paul Thomas Anderson film is one of the best of the year. What else is new? Oh, only that he is using brand new actors who are captivating leads as we journey through this time of relaxation and wonderment through the eyes of PTA. It is certainly his most chill film to date which is a nice change of pace. Throw in a killer soundtrack and cameos that you never forget, and you get one of PTA’s most accessible and brilliant films. Currently in theaters.
4. Don’t Look Up
Don’t Look Up is awesome. I am thoroughly on the side of enjoyment on this one. Adam McKay was clearly very frustrated at the state of our society when it comes to politics and science so he crafted this devastatingly realistic film about a comet coming straight towards Earth that most do not want to acknowledge is real. You become just as frustrated as the scientist in this one as we slowly see the impact of ignoring clear facts has on our society. Another film whose criticism I am dumbfounded at. Also on Netflix
3. Tick, Tick… Boom!
It has been quite a great year for musicals, but Tick, Tick… Boom! Stands above them all. The true story of Jonathan Larson’s crafting of his first musical as he navigates what it is like to be a struggling artist in New York City during a time where friends are suffering and so are relationships. His music and direction in this are wonderful and Andrew Garfield joins Will Smith and Cumberbatch in the best actor race where realistically all three should win. This is not a film you will be disappointed in watching and it is also available now on Netflix.
2. CODA
This was the very last film I saw before writing this list and I am so glad I did. CODA is an emotional and powerful story about a woman who is the only one in her family who is not deaf. She dreams of being a singer, but her family also needs her for translation in their business. She must decide if she should pursue her career or sit back with her family for the rest of her life, and that line is so difficult to watch her walk. This film hits you with a heavy hand the way it ends you will have trouble holding back tears watching. You can see this on Apple TV+ now.
1. Spider-Man: No Way Home
It was going to be really difficult for Spider-Man: No Way Home not to be my favorite film of the year. It just had to be satisfying, and it blew all expectations out of the water. It has been years since having a heater experience like this and it produced moments I will never forget watching. We all saw this in theaters. Hell, it saved the theater industry and hopefully we continue to get more Spider-Men for years to come.