It's quite late to do a top 10 movies for 2021, but I really wanted to watch all the nominated movies first because I know this year, I could with so much of them going on streaming sooner rather than later.
But first, a few honorable mentions:
Kate (8/10)
After watching this, I believed Mary Elizabeth Winstead as an action star. And even though plot wise this was as predictable as any assassin-trying-to-quit storyline, this was still fun to watch. And the kid was not annoying, played by Miku Martineau, who I want to see more of.
The Guilty (8/10)
To have Jake Gyllenhaal in this small, boxed-in movies, is salivating. And Antoine Fuqua delivered a very memorable suspense-thriller.
Cruella (8/10)
It pains me that this movie did not make my top 10 because I thought this was something special by Disney. And all the worry brought over from Maleficent was unfounded because this was on another level in its storytelling.
Don't Look Up (8/10)
This satire by Adam McKay was just hilarious and entertaining. That scene where Jennifer Lawrence reacted to Ariana Grande snapping at Leonardo DiCaprio is still stuck in my head. And everyone in this cast was great to watch.
And now, onto the top 10:
10) The Unforgiveable (8.5/10)
What this movie had going for it was keeping the audience guessing right until the end because we did not see that coming. Now, this plot point could turn campy and overused very fast if Hollywood and the rest of the world chose to, but right now, this movie and Mare Of Easttown did it well first.
9) Kingdom: Ashin Of The North (8.5/10)
I may have bent the rules a little bit because this technically isn't a movie. But with so many movies on streaming, and when it played like one, and it felt like one; it is one in my head. And I was so surprised at the quality of the production and story that, for quite a dry first half of the year, this came as a refreshing piece of movie.
8) Finch (8.5/10)
I didn't think much of this because the trailer did not sell it well, plus it's on Apple TV. But Tom Hanks brought his A game. This movie had a lot of heart, with a heartbreaking ending.
7) Eternals (8.5/10)
I loved how philosophical Marvel went with this property. And the best parts, unlike the usual MCU, came during the quieter moments when two characters were conversing about existentialism. I wish more Marvel movies will go this route, and I hope Chloe Zhao will continue with the sequel.
6) Old Henry (8.5/10)
Time Blake Nelson unleashed in this quiet Western. I was hooked from start to finish, and wished there were more of this genre today.
5) Being The Ricardos (8.5/10)
The main star of this movie was Aaron Sorkin and I'm shocked he isn't nominated for not just Directing but also Screenplay. Everyone in this movie looked great, and that's the director's credit. But this script was fantastic, with great pacing and dialogue. That's all the writer.
4) Spider-Man: No Way Home (9/10)
This was the Spiderman's version of Avengers: Endgame. But even without that comparison, the cast was so good. Andrew Garfield, Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe all could be nominated for Best Supporting. And Marisa Tomei's scene was heart-wrenching. And little did we know, this trilogy actually served as Peter Parker's origin story in this MCU. Kevin Feige has done it again!
3) CODA (9/10)
CODA destroyed me at the end when Emilia Jones sang and signed at the same time. This cast playing the foursome family was one of the best ensemble of the year. And the first half with all the ridiculous jokes being signed, I loved this movie dearly.
2) tick, tick... Boom! (9/10)
Andrew Garfield's best performance of his career, and he surprised the world with his vocal talents. The songs were not easy to sing and he performed them effortlessly, or made it looked so. What a character and what a story, and I hope he wins this year.
1) Belfast (9.5/10)
This movie stood out as the closest to perfection as a movie, directed by the great Kenneth Branagh. He introduced us to the cutest kid in movie played by Jude Hill. The way he shouted out, "It's biological." was close to a cinematic history being made. Also, one of the year's great ensemble in the casting. Also, this was beautifully shot in black and white, and beautifully scored.
No comments:
Post a Comment