Top 20 of 2021

This year changed my outlook on film because of my goal of seeing at least one feature-length film a day in 2021. This raised my expectations of the films I viewed and enjoyed because it was to fulfill a mini goal inside of my larger goal of seeing 10,000 feature-length films in my life. This goal exhausted me and by the end of 2021, I was a little burnt out on seeing movies.

In June, I returned to the movie theater and expanded my journey through Missouri to see various movie theaters across the state; I saw many of the following films on small town screens.

Social media largely influenced my selection of films because I began to follow movie buffs around the world. Many of the “stand-out” films I posted about earlier this year and the Top 20 films came from these recommendations, such as “Boss Level”, “My Hero Academia: World Heroes Mission”, and “The Killing of Two Lovers.” I thank all the movie buffs out there for these recommendations.

I give a shout out to my favorite movie-watching buddy of all time – my awesome wife, Amy. She challenges and supports these crazy movie adventures. I love all her insights, ideas, and thoughts about movies, theaters, and more.

In 2021, I was thrilled, scared, frightened, saddened, energized, stirred, and elevated by these twenty films.

20. “Boss Level” (USA) Dir: Joe Carnahan, Str: Frank Grillo. This is a film I can watch again and again. Grillo, Gibson, Watts, and Yeoh are on point and having a ball in this sci-fi mystery. Carnahan is the driving with the pedal to the metal with thrills, action, and clever camera moves.

19. “The Harder They Fall” (USA) Dir: Jaymes Samuel, Str: Jonathan Majors. A thumping and rollicking contemporary twist on the western genre full of memorable characters played by the rising Jonathan Majors, smooth Regina King, chameleon LaKeith Stanfield, and formidable Idris Elba.

18. “The French Dispatch” (USA/Germany) Dir: Wes Anderson, Str: Benicio del Toro. This is one of the more depressing and somber Anderson films, which is probably why it sadly wasn’t widely enjoyed. The brilliant ensemble cast led by del Toro, Brody, Swinton, Seydoux, McDormand, and Chalamet shine in their dark comedic roles.

17. “The Suicide Squad” (USA) Dir: James Gunn, Str: Margot Robbie – IMAX. Rough, dirty, cringy, grimy, and uncomfortable begin the describe this film because this is what a superhero film should look and feel like. Morals and ethics are tossed around like they’re Peacemaker’s rag dolls.

16. “My Hero Academia: World Heroes Mission” (Japan) Dir: Kenji Nagasaki, Str: Daiki Yamashita. The depth of characters impressed me about this anime film because the protagonists’ and antagonists’ backstories ooze with tangible detail. The splashes of colors, pulsing stories, and exciting action make for an entertaining ride.

15. “Licorice Pizza” (USA/Canada) Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson, Str: Alana Haim. This is Anderson’s tribute to love, complex emotions/feelings, growing up, and having fun as a youth. It was a treat to see the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s son on screen and Alana Haim in a coming-of-age role.

14. “The Killing of Two Lovers” (USA) Dir: Robert Machoian, Str: Clayne Crawford. This intimate, mature, and visceral look at a toxic relationship is heightened by Machoian’s knowledgeable direction and the honest performances by Crawford and Moafi. The wide-angle shots are the most haunting and painful parts of the intense story.

13. “Tick, Tick..Boom” (USA) Dir: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Str: Andrew Garfield. Manuel solidifies himself as a talent on stage and the silver screen. Garfield delivers one of his finest performances since Silence and Hacksaw Ridge.

12. “The Green Knight” (Ireland/Canada) Dir: David Lowery, Str: Dev Patel. Nature is at the forefront of this medieval film in all the splendor of its color, beauty, danger, and awe. Patel sinks into his role as a knight trying to discover himself and Vikander is hauntingly mysterious as Essel.

11. “House of Gucci” (USA/Canada) Dir: Ridley Scott, Str: Lady Gaga. Scott, Gaga, and Driver are firing on all cylinders in this hilarious biopic about the ill-fated Gucci family. Gaga proves to be an acting powerhouse in her turn as the clever femme fatale, Patrizia Reggiani.

10. “Zack Snyder's Justice League” (USA) Dir: Zack Snyder, Str: Ben Affleck. The long-awaited Snyder cut amazed and impressed from Cyborg’s compelling central story to Batman’s moral dilemma to Superman’s dark turn. The largest improvement on the 2017 version is the focus on the villains: The Joker, Dark Seid, and Steppenwolf; these characters make the film shine and flourish with brooding tension.

9. “King Richard” (USA) Dir: Reinaldo Marcus Green, Str: Will Smith. This movie oozes with good feeling and uplifting messages about a family against all odds. Smith brings his best performance to the big screen. This film finally featured tennis how it properly should be played on the big screen.

8. “No Time To Die” (UK) Dir: Cary Joji Fukunaga, Str: Daniel Craig. This is a heart-wrenching tribute to Craig’s 007 where he faces off versus the creepy Safin, cunningly played by the talented Rami Malek. The action is hard-hitting, and sets are breathtaking; this is a Bond film at its finest.

7. “Copshop” (USA) Dir: Joe Carnahan, Str: Alexis Louder. A fresh take on the police movie with a visceral and unforgiving performance by the established Alexis Louder. The heart and soul of this film is based in the villainous performances of Butler, Grillo, and Huss. By pitting these three movie stars against the protagonist, the heart-pounding performances in this fun, dirty, violent, and wild ride are heightened and magnified.

6. “Dune” (USA) Dir: Denis Villeneuve, Str: Timothee Chalamet. Villeneuve continues to push the storytelling and technical capabilities of film with Herbert’s “Dune.” Every sequence is a work of art in its camerawork, beautiful set design, throbbing sound, splendid costumes, monumental lighting, and impressive acting. The most surprising part of the film is Stellan Skarsgard’s eerily haunting and unforgettable portrayal of Harkonnen.

5. “Mass” (USA) Dir: Fran Kranz, Str: Jason Isaacs. The more and more the view sinks into this this film, the more uncomfortable they will get because they’re locked in the room listening to this captivating and painful conversation. Isaacs and company are pitch perfect in their roles. Every moment is pure, unrelenting tension.

4. “Drive My Car” (Japan) Dir: Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Str: Hidetoshi Nishijima. Weighty themes of regret, infidelity, grief, and acceptance are handled carefully in this movie about the production of “Uncle Vanya.” The accomplished structure of the film turns the mystery genre on its head by adding rich depth and intense backstories.

3. “The Tragedy of Macbeth” (USA) Dir: Joel Coen, Str: Denzel Washington. It’s like seeing Macbeth for the first time. The cinematography is stunning and every shot is worthy of being a painting. Washington and McDormand are mesmerizing with their full talents on display making the fateful murderers bursting with life and depth.

2. “Red Rocket” (USA) Dir: Sean Baker, Str: Simon Rex. Baker serves up another gem examining the lives of impoverished Americans with cool imagery, meticulous camerawork, and thoughtful storytelling. Rex delivers a performance of a lifetime as a washed-up adult film actor who leeches off everyone to stroke his ego.

1. “The Last Duel” (UK/USA) Dir: Ridley Scott, Str: Matt Damon. Damon, Driver, Comer, and Affleck deliver thought-provoking performances in an uncomfortable film that thought deserves more attention. Scott is better than ever with visceral action, seething commentary, crisp cinematography, and haunting imagery in this biopic of late 1300’s France.

What are your favorites of 2021?