Writing about movies.
Now sure, 2020 was a wash - but what did you expect? Did you want me to take time out of my very busy life to say “Tenet is the best film of 2020, if only by default.” Well, there you have it. Let’s move on. Life is short, and we’ll all be worm food before too long, anyways.
A brief aside for my… *checks page stats* 3 readers - before I continue: 2020 was the best year of my life, bar none. I know that’s a very loaded and controversial statement to make, but it’s true. 2021 has been just as good and challenging in its own special way. Not that any of you care, nor should you. The End Times™ are upon us.
So without further ado… I present: “The Top 5 Films of 2021!”
Yes, there are only five. I tried to stretch it out to 10. But it would have been disingenuous.
5. Don't Look Up
Don't Look Up (2021) Director: Adam McKay Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, and literally everybody else Genres: Sci-Fi, Drama, Apocalypse IMDb Synopsis: "Two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth." |
EFR-Certified Film Grade: B+
4. Last Night in Soho
Last Night in Soho (2021) Director: Edgar Wright Starring: Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith Genres: Horror, Mystery, Fantasy IMDb Synopsis: "An aspiring fashion designer is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer. But the glamour is not all it appears to be and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something darker." |
EFR-Certified Film Grade: B+
3. Bo Burnham: Inside
Second things second: There was a decent stretch of time where this masterpiece, “written, edited, shot and directed by bo burnham,” was a serious contender for my favorite film of 2021. This film is beautiful, heartbreaking, hilarious, awe-inspiring, and more than a little pretentious. But above all, Inside is self-aware. This is one that took me several rewatches to fully appreciate, but I think Burnham has really made something special here. Perhaps the perfect send-up of the pandemic lifestyle, Inside managed to balance biting social commentary, isolation-induced anxiety, and about seventeen other themes without missing a beat. God bless you, Mr. Burnham.
And yes, I’m listening to the soundtrack as I write this.
EFR-Certified Film Grade: A
2. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) Director: Jon Watts Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Willem Dafoe Genres: Superhero, Adventure, Sci-Fi IMDb Synopsis: "With Spider-Man's identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man." |
Between a few decent popcorn flicks, some hit-and-miss TV, and whatever Eternals is, it wasn’t until the outstanding Loki series that I finally felt the Avengers: Endgame-induced Marvel fatigue finally begin to dissipate. And I’m glad it did, because Spider-Man: No Way Home capitalized on my renewed marvel for Marvel in all the right ways.
Possibly the closest thing to a live-action Spider-Verse that we’ll ever get, No Way Home is far more than cheap tricks and crowd-pleasing callbacks (of which there are plenty). This film manages to give the MCU’s Peter Parker actual pathos and sneakily crafts the best spidey origin story we’ve seen on the big screen, with the possible exception of Into the Spider-Verse. Nearly every emotional beat landed for me in this film, and while some of the humor does wear thin upon repeated viewing, I think No Way Home swings for the metaphorical fences and somehow succeeds. This film is a near-perfect conclusion to this most recent Spidey trilogy, and I’m so excited to see what Marvel does with this character next. Shoutout to Tommy H, Zendaya, and Willem DaGOAT.
And yes, Andrew Garfield steals the show.
EFR-Certified Film Grade: A
1. Dune: Part One
Dune (2021) Director: Denis Villeneuve Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac Genres: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Fantasy IMDb Synopsis: "Feature adaptation of Frank Herbert's science fiction novel about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy." |
Sure, some critics have dinged it for clearly being a “Part one of two.” Sure, the third act is long and a bit drawn out. It’s not a perfect film, but the imagery Villeneuve & Co. create is still etched into my brain, accompanied by Hans Zimmer’s killer score. At roughly the one hour mark, I remember turning to my younger brother and saying, “God, this film is so fucking cool.” And I still feel that. Dune will likely be measured in hindsight by the success or failure of its sequel, but for now I am wholeheartedly optimistic that this series has been placed into the right hands. I can’t wait to see what happens to Timotheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Chalamet’s Paul Atreides next.
EFR-Certified Film Grade: A+
Honorable Mention: Free Guy
EFR-Certified Film Grade: B
Honorable Mention: Midnight Mass
EFR-Certified *TELEVISION* Grade: A+