Sam’s Top 10 Movies of 2021
I think most of us collectively wanted this year to be better than 2020, and on the whole I think we were disappointed. Between the coronavirus continuing to run rampant and political upheaval, there was a lot to be unhappy or sad about. But…at least we had some good movies this year that were fairly original. I mean no studio (except the mouse house) wanted to put out their big IP products when they knew there was a chance their big-ticket property was not going to make money due to a worldwide pandemic. So the plus side of that is we get to see some more original works that producers and studios took a chance on, and they paid off. Also the previously-existing IP that we do get is unique and not made in a cookie-cutter fashion.
Anyway, here is the second most important list I will make this weekend!
10. Encanto
Disney is at it again. They made an original movie about the value of family with some fun songs while still pulling out the tear-jerker when they needed to. Of course, it can feel at times like this movie is a bit in the vein of movies like Coco and Moana. However, I will say its message about using your talents to do what you choose to and not only doing what others ask or expect of you is unique. Plus I could watch the song about sister Luisa a hundred times.
9. Dune
Usually, movies that are clearly only the first half or portion of a story do not do it for me. But you throw a hundred and sixty-five million dollars at Denis Villeneuve and tell him to make the granddaddy of all space opera stories, and you might just win me over. Incredible visuals, quality performances, and a strong setup make this movie something to watch. Hopefully the final product when it is combined with Dune: Part Two will be epic.
8. CODA
A pleasant and unique take on the family drama story and coming-of-age in a family where you are deeply needed is the kind of movie we needed to break up some of the more dower drama-laden awards contenders that came out this year. And my goodness does CODA deliver. Emilia Jones is a spectacular lead in the front seat of this project. Hopefully, we get more from her in the coming years. The rest of the cast, particularly her family and music instructor, make for a terrific ensemble.
7. The Suicide Squad
After one of Disney’s greatest fumbles of all time, Warner Brothers scooped up the ball and ran it all the way back as Auburn did versus Alabama in 2013. When James Gunn was fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 back in 2018, Warner Brothers asked him to do the same thing he had done with the most unexpected MCU hit and its sequel with their most bizarre team, the Suicide Squad. After bringing back key team members Margot Robbie and Joel Kinnaman and then casting some other high-quality talent in Idris Elba, John Cena, and Slyvester Stallone, Gunn was ready to rock and roll. And he delivered a romping, fun, hilarious, expletive-filled, violent, and stylish ride that fills me with joy every time I watch it. If my mom can laugh at an R-rated superhero movie, so can you. So get off your high horse and enjoy it.
6. Judas and the Black Messiah
True stories about important political figures matter just as much today as they did any number of decades ago. Getting to hear the story of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton was an emotional and powerful experience. Considering his life and eventual death’s impact on civil rights, this story was long overdue for the cinematic experience. Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield are a terrific one-two punch as the leads here and Dominque Fishback deserves credit for performance as well. Hopefully, this movie goes down as an important one in the 2020s.
5. Mass
Tragic stories can be difficult or even painful to watch especially when they involved school shootings. But the grace and poise with which Mass handles its subject matter deserves priase. In what essentially comes down to four performers sharing grief and conversing during a two-hour window, Jason Isaacs, Ann Dowd, Reed Birney, and Martha Plimpton each do some of the best acting work I saw on screen this year. Mass is worth a watch and some reflection.
4. A Quiet Place: Part II
After first-time director John Krasinski and his wife and star of the movie Emily Blunt made A Quiet Place and the idea of a sequel became possible, they had to ask themselves where the movie could go from there. Certainly, the world that had been created would contain survivors to meet and unique places to visit, but what kind of story do you tell when your last movie was an amazing love letter about what parents would be willing to do for their children? The answer became quite simple: show what children can be capable of.
3. Nobody
Imagine John Wick, but with an accountant played by the skeevy lawyer from Breaking Bad. Do you think that would be a good idea? No. Well you are very, very, very wrong. I have already gushed about this movie big time, so please go read my original review and then watch this movie (or maybe the other way around). I promise I did a good job and this movie is dope.
2. West Side Story
Again, I have already posted about this movie. But the end of the year brings about the best movies of the year usually. So I have to bring it up again. The fact that Steven Speilberg even attempted this and then surpassed the original in terms of quality is a marvel in and of itself. I only hope this movie can have a legacy that allows it to live on for a very long time.
AND THE BEST MOVIE OF 2021 ACCORDING TO SAM IS…
The Harder They Fall
What an incredible movie. How could I not recommend this? Style? Check. Action? Check. Huge and talented ensemble cast? Check. Important moral message about fathers and family? Check. It has everything you could want. This western has an amazing story to tell and a great filmmaker behind the lens to lead us there. I can only look forward to other great works Jeymes Samuel (aka the Bullitts) can give us going forward. Go watch it! It’s on Netflix. Turn off Stranger Things or Red Notice or whatever else you could be watching and check it. It. Is. Amazing.
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Until I make another list.