2021 Best Movies (seen and on watchlist)
Movies from a year that is terrible, hopefully the variety of picks catch your eye
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- DirectorSean BakerStarsSimon RexBree ElrodSuzanna SonMikey Saber is a washed-up porn star who returns to his small Texas hometown, not that anyone really wants him back.low10/10, amazing and funny. a great character study and character movie in general. feels very real and has great location, camera work, acting, pretty much the full ten yards. It's so captivating it doesn't need music that much (and when it does, it's amazing). I feel like people are put off by the title like sexy beast and death of dick long and like both of those things you shouldn't judge it for it. it even makes sense once you've watched them. (Red rockets being disgusting usually associated with horny animals with no control and sexy beast being about the sex industry and what makes you attractive; love and shit). Probably shouldn't watch it with the family (unless they kkkoool) but it's great by yourself and or with friends. My favorite of the year
- DirectorPenny LaneStarsClive DavisCraig FergusonKenny GAn examination of the most popular instrumentalist of all time, Kenny G, and why he is polarizing to so many.high6/10
- DirectorBo BurnhamStarsBo BurnhamA musical comedy special shot and performed by Bo Burnham, alone, over the course of a very unusual year.solid9/10, a quasi comedy special/movie on quarantine that say's everything it has to. I really had no problems with it and with what he had to work with made a masterpiece. Of course he's a puppet master of lights but his editing and framing are immaculate. He's very sensitive (good quality) and hopeful for the people despite a very bleak situation. His acting and singing have improved tenfold. If RedRocket wasn't released this year then this would be top dog.
- DirectorShaka KingStarsLaKeith StanfieldDaniel KaluuyaJesse PlemonsOffered a plea deal by the FBI, William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton.low9-high8/10, very easy to love. It feels like he left a lot on the table to discuss like the relevant politics that we still struggle with today: to the government and the people who have to deal with it (who are actively trying to change it's corruption). The acting is astounding especially from LaKeith and Kaluuya but everyone did a standup job. The direction, set and clothing were major pluses as they were done by a professional and no hack. Good structure and tension building. I wouldn't say this is safe as it has many challenging views, but I would also bet a majority of people would like this movie regardless of politics.
- DirectorJoachim TrierStarsRenate ReinsveAnders Danielsen LieHerbert NordrumThe chronicles of four years in the life of Julie, a young woman who navigates the troubled waters of her love life and struggles to find her career path, leading her to take a realistic look at who she really is.low9/10, a very honest view on certain type of relationships and type of person. The main character is kind of a narcissist that doesn't know what she wants to be and the whole movie tries to find what that is. Sort of a coming of age film. You follow her at times on this awkward, exhilarating journey. The camera work is gorgeous while the acting is very very well done. Feels very real while having moments of surrealism and great editing. Greatly toned and 90 percent of the music fits. The writing comes from a place of pain and acceptance. There are slightly tropey things that happen but for the most part it stays grounded. Kept my attention the whole time. watch it
- CreatorRobert KirkmanRyan OttleyCory WalkerStarsSteven YeunJ.K. SimmonsSandra OhAn adult animated series based on the Skybound/Image comic about a teenager whose father is the most powerful superhero on the planet.8/10
- DirectorAlexandre MorattoStarsChristian MalheirosRodrigo SantoroLucas OranmianTo provide a better life for his family in the country, 18-year-old Mateus accepts a job in a junkyard in São Paulo for his new boss, Luca, but becomes trapped in the dangerous world of human trafficking.high7/10
- DirectorStephen KaramStarsRichard JenkinsJayne HoudyshellAmy SchumerDuring one evening, the Blake family gathers to celebrate thanksgiving in a broken-down flat newly rented by the daughter and her new man. As the darkness falls, we find that all have less to be thankful about.8/10, amy shumer is in this just to warn (I understand soldier) but somehow isn't bad or the worst thing in this movie, in fact just as great. Chalking that up to the director. Like compartment Number 6, claustrophobic and atmospheric. Kind of dream-like and haunting. People are mixed on this and I can sort of see why. The conversations are realistically awkward and passive aggressive, giving you this nagging feeling something is wrong. It's hard to label this movie. But I personally got immense entertainment and if your taste is similar to mine then you might enjoy as well.
- DirectorJuho KuosmanenStarsSeidi HaarlaYura BorisovDinara DrukarovaAs a train weaves its way up to the arctic circle, two strangers share a journey that will change their perspective on life.low9-Compartmentnumberhigh8/10, a great drama with great depth of field, blocking, acting cinematography and directing. Claustrophobic and anxiety inducing. Very likable characters. Not for everyone but I got what I think they were going for. Realistic in most areas, slightly dumb on rare occasions. But unlike most movies is forgivable here. Very russian so you better be russian to see this
- DirectorRadu MunteanStarsMaria PopistasuIlona BrezoianuAlex BogdanA humanitarian mission arrives in Transylvania, offering goods to locals. Maria and Dan, despite conflicts, find themselves assisting a disoriented local.high8/10
- DirectorMichael SarnoskiStarsNicolas CageAlex WolffAdam ArkinA truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregon wilderness must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig after she is kidnapped.low8/10, didn't expect to like this that much based on the trailer. surprisingly smart and tongue in cheek. say's a lot about the food industry and any industry in general. of course great acting from Nick Cage, very subtle (sometimes it's not but that's okay) and held back (in a good way). knows what it is and doesn't over indulge like the trailer made it seem like it was going to do. the partner Alex Wolf did an amazing job too playing the straight man, both had good chemistry as well so it meshes. not everyone will enjoy this but I surely did. watch if you like nick cage AND softcore art films that don't delve into much themes and abstract ideas (which I like just as much depending on execution)
- DirectorPascal-Alex VincentStarsDarren AronofskyMarc CaroJérémy ClapinA look at the life and work of Japanese animator Satoshi Kon.
- DirectorIlya NaishullerStarsBob OdenkirkAleksey SerebryakovConnie NielsenA docile family man slowly reveals his true character after his house gets burgled by two petty thieves, which, coincidentally, leads him into a bloody war with a Russian crime boss.low8/10, super super fun, probably the most fun film of the year besides maybe suicide squad but I like this more. This movie has incredible action where the character isn't invincible (which is a trope that should only ever be used if the character is truly unstoppable but has a secret weakness: aka the directors last film Hardcore Henry where the man is a robot so him surviving major damage makes sense. check that out if you got the chance though this is probably better but that's more risky in it's payoffs which I respect). The characters are fleshed out enough to not be cardboard cutouts which is enough for a film like this. The music choices fit very well and the villain was appropriate. There are themes you've probably seen before but they aren't in your face. good setups and camera work. of course astonishing fight chorography. give it a try and watch with friends or your dad, mine loved it
- DirectorJames GunnStarsMargot RobbieIdris ElbaJohn CenaSupervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.7/10, finally a GOOD suicide squad..... maybe too many superhero slow motion walking scenes but was immensely enjoyable besides that. perhaps surface level but that doesn't always mean bad.
- DirectorDavid LoweryStarsDev PatelAlicia VikanderJoel EdgertonA fantasy retelling of the medieval story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.low8/10, a modern classic. special use of coloring, thoughtful plot and smart writing. The directing feels inspired but it is it's own thing. The practical effects were great though the cgi ones at times seemed just okay (believable enough). also cum rag
- DirectorJuanjo Giménez PeñaStarsMarta NietoMiki EsparbéLuisa MerelasA sound designer finds refuge from broken relationships with her ex, her colleagues and her mother in the studio, where she can spend hours recording Foley and wild tracks, editing and mixing. But is her brain starting to slip out of sync?
- DirectorJimmy ChinElizabeth Chai VasarhelyiStarsBancha DuriyapuntApakorn YoukongkaewAnan SurawanA chronicle of the enthralling, against-all-odds story that transfixed the world in 2018: the daring rescue of twelve boys and their coach from deep inside a flooded cave in Northern Thailand.
- DirectorJulie CohenBetsy WestStarsJosé AndrésPaul BogaardsAntonietta BrownellJulia tells the story of the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women.
- DirectorJane CampionStarsBenedict CumberbatchKirsten DunstJesse PlemonsCharismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.low8-high7/10, a slow methodical burn that delves into male sexuality and masculinity. The score and cinematography are the best while the acting comes in a close second. The directing is pretty subtle as things aren't spelled out. Check it out for cumberpatch boi
- DirectorHong Seong-eunStarsJung Da-eunSeo Hyun-wooPark Jeong-hakA solitary woman re-evaluates her isolated existence after her neighbor dies alone in his apartment.
- DirectorJosef Kubota WladykaStarsKali ReisShelly VincentKendall MorrisA former champion boxer embarks on the fight of her life when she goes in search of her missing sister.
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsThomasin McKenzieAnya Taylor-JoyMatt SmithAspiring fashion designer Eloise is mysteriously able to return to 1960s London, where she encounters dazzling wannabe singer Sandie. But the glamour is not as it seems, and the dreams of the past crack and splinter into something darker.6/10, very disappointing. nothing you haven't seen before and this director is better than that. still not terrible just average good. doesn't even feel like this movie is his. some great camera work and editing, alright acting; just nothing compared to his other films (which I get he's trying something different but it doesn't work here unlike say Tarantino's Once Upon a time in Hollywood which differs in style but is undeniably him and executed very well). check it out because you may like it more than me (I have the same opinion on Dune too so I guess that put's me in movie jail).
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsTimothée ChalametRebecca FergusonZendayaA noble family becomes embroiled in a war for control over the galaxy's most valuable asset while its heir becomes troubled by visions of a dark future.6/10, very forgettable, poorly written and cast. he made blade runner 2049 before this and that movie is far superior. some scenes have great cgi and visual effects (including cinematography) but it's not consistent. I think I like the original Dune by david lynch more because that takes more chances and is more cohesive to me (I know crazy right). I don't know maybe part 2 makes me come back and realize I was wrong, I guess we'll see.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsBenicio Del ToroAdrien BrodyTilda SwintonA love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional twentieth century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in "The French Dispatch Magazine".7/10
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsAlana HaimCooper HoffmanSean PennThe story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.low8/10, an engrossing and albeit gross film about love between a 27 year old women and a 15 year old boy... yeah no way getting around that and it defending itself by implying he's older for his age and having adults treat him like an adult just feels like weird justification. They could have had a young person dating an old person but make it legal or they could have had a part showing the distinction in age and experience making their relationship shaky since they can't relate but I don't know if that would have added or detracted from the story. That being said it's really enjoyable for what it is. A good slice of life movie that sort of hangs out in the time period it's set in. Exciting and visually beautiful. Maybe a bit repetitive but overall I really liked it. This director hasn't made a bad movie yet. this, hard eight and inherent vice are his weakest but like come on, that's still a high bar if those are considered his weakest movies. btw I may be wrong anyway about it since they show the difference right away but something is still off you know lol