Best Films of 2021
By Zac Fallon, Matt Miller & Rusty Odom
10) Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s directorial debut is a powerful documentary music film, celebrating Black history, music and culture, with incredible, never-before-seen performances, interviews and footage. The film is a historical record of the six-week Harlem Cultural festival in the summer of 1969, featuring stellar performances from Mavis Staples, Stevie Wonder, B.B. King and many more. But this is more than a concert film. It speaks to the larger importance of music to our society and self identities while celebrating both the artists and the audience, music and history to create unique, genre-influencing documentary and music film. – MM
9) Inside
“Inside” brings the idea of a one man show to an entirely new level. Bo Burnham writes, directs, edits, composes, arranges and choreographs the entire thing. This is a herculean task but Bo , alone in a small building, takes it to the next level by operating the cameras, lights and props as well. Months of labor and solitude, filmed in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic all come together to make “Inside.” It captures the isolated feeling we shared all too well, even getting a little uncomfortable at times as Bo isn’t shy about including some of the overwhelming moments that come with that level of isolation.
Its a funny film on the surface. It’s mostly observational humor presented in smart songs and skits warning of the pitfalls of a more digitally and less physically connected world. Watching the toll of isolation and helplessness on Bo, as he produces a 90- minute escape for us, helps “Inside” hammer home the message that we’re not supposed to be alone and we don’t need to be entertained every moment, as the internet would have us believe. “Inside” serves as an ironically entertaining reminder of that. It’s a film that could only come from the 2021 we all shared, and just like the year itself, its not always fun. Bo took all those feelings and stuck them in a little time capsule… now streaming on Netflix. –ZF
8) Licorice Pizza
Paul Thomas Anderson never seems to lack confidence in his interpretation and representation of love, and “Licorice Pizza” is no exception. The film is both bold and safe, with Anderson venturing away from the more cynical perspective and technical prowess for an alt-romantic-comedy. Despite little to no acting history, Cooper Hoffman and Alaina Haim are exceptional; the perfect pairing that make the film what it is. Free of a restrictive plot, “Licorice Pizza” is about flawed people, working to find their identity and find happiness wherever it exists. It’s a fun, loose and nostalgic trip back to 1970’s California that only Anderson could create. – MM
7) PIG
Have you seen “Taken” or “John Wick?” Did you wish they were after a pig instead of dogs or daughters? Did you wish Nicholas Cage starred in those movies?
If you answered yes to those questions you need to see “Pig “right away. A fairly dialed back Nicholas Cage (by Nicholas Cage standards) is ready to exhaust all available resources to recover his prized truffle pig after it is stolen from him.
I turned this movie on expecting something campy but was pleasantly surprised. This is a satisfying action flick that just happens to have a pig playing the damsel in distress. It works wonderfully and will keep you engrossed and thrilled all the way through. It’s worth at least one watch for Cage to deliver the year’s best line: “I want my pig back.” -ZF
6) The Green Knight
I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a movie with a fox in it. And the fox in “The Green Knight” is as cool as any outside of the animated Robin Hood. If I said more about the fox, I’d give too much of the movie away and you’d have every right to be mad at me as a result.
This fantastical tale is a true acid-bath. My feeble mind couldn’t make sense of most of it, but I loved it nonetheless. I guess that’s the thing with witchcraft. It’s hard to understand. It’s a story of a man with royal blood trying to prove his mettle and making a mess of everything in the process. Or does he? The moral of the story teaches the viewer to abstain from trying to be so cool all the time. I think. -RO
5) C’mon C’mon
This late 2021 arrival from writer-director, Mike Mills (Beginners, 20th Century Women), brings powerful writing, seasoned directing, exceptional acting, stunning visuals and the perfect score to create a film that is captivating, emotional and joyful. Joaquin Phoenix is incredible, continuing to deepen his range and carry audiences with contagious emotion. Gaby Hoffman and Scoot McNairy add to the superb casting, but it’s 11-year-old Woody Norman that elevates this film. There are countless themes here that are filled with psychology and philosophy on serious topics, done in a grounded and humble manner that connects and delights. Visually, this black-and-white, city-jumping film couldn’t be better, and the soundtrack from Bryce and Aaron Dessner is the perfect companion. “C’mon C’mon” is a masterful film; each cinematic piece put together into a beautiful story of real, relatable hope in an unpredictable life. – MM
4) In & Of Itself
Derek Delgaudio performed “In & Of Itself” over 500 times in total. Most of those performances came in a small Off-Broadway theater in NYC. Directed by Frank Oz, this film adaptation of the stage show is a gripping and powerful performance that’s different than any you’ve seen before.
Pick any three random rotten tomatoes reviews of this show. Each one will dedicate a column inch or two to trying to explain why this show defies explanation. Derek and executive producer Stephen Colbert even struggled to find words to adequately describe it on Derek’s most recent “Late Show” appearance. It really needs to be experienced, not summarized.
With no summaries or spoilers, I will tell you that this 90-minute film made me laugh, cry and think deeply. It’s the type of movie that leaves you a little different than it found you all while defying expectations. Watch closely or you’ll miss the elephant in the room. -ZF
3) Old Henry
It’s no secret that Tim Blake Nelson can hold his own when it comes to a challenging role. And it’s even less of a secret that he can play rough-and-tumble as well as anyone who has ever graced the silver screen. But “Old Henry” might be his best role to date. I know, he’s had legendary performances over his decades-long career, but his turn as a reclusive Oklahoma father in this flick just might take the cake. It’s a story that owns some revisionist history perhaps, but it’s a thrill ride of a western and one that will age well over time. Nelson’s character, Henry, is a man who seems content to just raise his son and live off of the land until a mysterious horse shows up on the ridge above his homestead. Over the course of the movie, the viewer is compelled to believe that Henry is more than meets the eye and the big reveal is one that will make you laugh while also giving you a little jolt of energy. That’s when cinema is at it’s finest; when it really affects the viewer. And “Old Henry” is as good as it gets for film in 2021. – RO
2) Nobody
When I first saw that Bob Odenkirk (aka Saul Goodman) was playing the lead in an action film, my intrigue was met with suspicion. Could someone renowned for comedic roles take on the job of tough guy and be believable? It seems as if Ilya Naishuller’s, the director of “Nobody,” knew that I wasn’t the only one with hesitation. The film does an excellent job of slowly building Odenkirk’s character for the first segment. During that time, Odenkirk’s character (Hutch) just can’t catch a break. But after finding himself on the short end of the stick one too many times, he shows his true colors and what ensues is an hour and a half of sometimes hilarious but always captivating action with a twist sprinkled in periodically. Odenkirk does handle the job and by the end of it all, viewers are left wondering what took him so long to tackle this kind of film. Throw in excellent roles by Rza and Christopher Lloyd and it’s a must see for fans of action or revenge movies. – RO
1) Dune
“Dune” might not have been the top movie of the year for everyone, but it was on the list somewhere for almost everyone who submitted. And considering the route that this film took to get here, maybe it deserves top billing.
As one of the most influential sci-fi books of all time and an obvious inspiration for Star Wars, “Dune” has had a bumpy ride up to this point. David Lynch made a version of the film in 1984 that seems to last 7 or 8 hours but outside of a cult following, most viewers believe that version to have missed the mark.
Denis Villeneuve, however, was finally able to put together a masterpiece in this, part one of two. It’s one that fans of the series can enjoy as well as newcomers to the fold like myself. If part two is as good as its genesis project, we’re all in for a treat and hopefully by then, we can sit in a packed theatre enjoying this film and others together like we did in the stone ages. – RO
