The Best of 2021
Counting down from No. 28 to No. 1
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28 titles
- 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".28.
THE FRENCH DISPATCH
Nice, although I still prefer the animated Andersons.
27. - CreatorLaurie NunnStarsAsa ButterfieldGillian AndersonNcuti GatwaA teenage boy with a sex-therapist mother teams up with a high-school classmate to set up an underground sex-therapy clinic at school.SEX EDUCATION 3/5
Only in this episode do writing and acting rise to the level of the first season.
26. - DirectorRobin WrightStarsRobin WrightDemián BichirSarah Dawn PledgeEdee, in the aftermath of an unfathomable event, finds herself unable to stay connected to the world and retreats to the wilds of the Rockies. After a local hunter brings her back from the brink of death, she must find a way to live again.LAND
Quite confusing: Robin Wright selects for her feature debut a theme that was pretty much covered with INTO THE WILD, directed by none other her former husband, Sean Penn. It’s engrossing nevertheless.
25. - DirectorDarius MarderStarsRiz AhmedOlivia CookePaul RaciDuring a series of adrenaline-fueled gigs, itinerant punk-metal drummer Ruben begins to experience hearing loss. When a specialist tells him his condition will rapidly worsen, he thinks his music career - and with it his life - is over.SOUND OF METAL
Touching without ever getting corny.
24. - DirectorDaniel BrühlStarsDaniel BrühlPeter KurthRike EckermannExplores the subjects of gentrification and social inequality in Berlin.NEBENAN
The two-cutting duel between a Berlin yuppie (Daniel Brühl) and his well-informed neighbor (Peter Kurth), a clever stalker if there ever was one. Nothing fancy, but persuading.
23. - DirectorTom McCarthyStarsMatt DamonCamille CottinAbigail BreslinA father travels from Oklahoma to France to help his estranged daughter, who is in prison for a murder she claims she didn't commit.STILLWATER
Matt Damon gives everything in this disturbing fictionalization of Amanda Knox’s murder-case. What the father puts himself through is painful, and the perverse result is that we start to root for him even when he steps over the line. Way over the line. The price for that is doubled by the final twist, that’s played out almost in passing. Credit to director Tom McCarthy. (P.S.: What’s with Matt Damon and the beards?)
22. - DirectorAdam McKayStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJennifer LawrenceMeryl StreepTwo low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn humankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth.DON’T LOOK UP
I don’t like broad satires very much, and I think Adam McKay has made much better films that were more subtle. (Not only VICE and THE BIG SHORT, but also TALLADEGA NIGHTS.) Then again DON’T LOOK UP has a lot going for it – the truth for instance, I figure; as well as some fine performances, starting with Leonardo DiCaprio and not concluding with Mark Rylance’s creepy bazillionaire.
21. - DirectorCate ShortlandStarsScarlett JohanssonFlorence PughDavid HarbourNatasha Romanoff confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises.BLACK WIDOW
Of course it’s a bummer to know that Natasha Romanoff is dead meat when BLACK WIDOW begins, but quite soon I forgot about that and I cherished the opportunity to see her (and Florence Pugh as her sister) back in action.
20. - DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsPenélope CruzMilena SmitIsrael ElejaldeThe story of two mothers who bond in unexpected way after giving birth the same day.MADRES PARALELAS
Solid Almodóvar/Cruz-stuff. Very solid.
19. - DirectorNora FingscheidtStarsSandra BullockViola DavisVincent D'OnofrioA woman is released from prison after serving a sentence for a violent crime and re-enters a society that refuses to forgive her past.In the last 20 minutes the plot takes more detours than needed. But until then it’s a dense, harrowing drama about Ruth, an ex-convict in her mid-40s who had been charged with killing a cop. She leaves prison after 20 years on parole and looks a) for a way to get untouched through the days in Seattle, having Copkiller practically written on her forehead; and b) reuniting with her much younger sister who has all but forgotten about Ruth and that terrible day decades ago.
The film is based on a BBC-miniseries which explains the feeling that too many things were crammed into the two-hour-runtime. (I could have done without the vengeful sons of the [likeable] police officer, whom we get to see in little flashback-snippets.) What’s more: the age-difference between the sisters seems a little awkward.
Everything else though is touching in a raw and lively way, starting with the supporting cast (Jon Bernthal stands out, Vincent D’Onofrio is a good guy for a change.) As for Sandra Bullock, she blooms in her very effective inward delivery of Ruth, reminding us of her other side: the toughie. She avoids all the traps of the role and refrains from begging for sympathy. A lot of that self-confidence stems from her trust in director Nora Fingscheidt, who makes up on her promise of SYSTEMSPRENGER and deservedly basks in her relentlessness again.
18. - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsTimothée ChalametRebecca FergusonZendayaPaul Atreides arrives on Arrakis after his father accepts the stewardship of the dangerous planet. However, chaos ensues after a betrayal as forces clash to control melange, a precious resource.DUNE
Denis Villeneuve chooses the grand opera for the latest adaption of Frank Herbert’s novel. Almost everything was dandy, but I opposed to the idea that Part II will land in theaters in 2024 at best. We’ll talk about the film then, hopefully.
17. - DirectorPaul GreengrassStarsTom HanksHelena ZengelTom AstorA Civil War veteran agrees to deliver a girl taken by the Kiowa people years ago to her aunt and uncle against her will. They travel hundreds of miles and face grave dangers as they search for a place that either can call home.NEWS OF THE WORLD
This poignant western has all the ingredients of a classic, with Paul Greengrass’ masterful direction and the harmonious duo at the center (Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel). An instant classic it ain’t, though. Let’s wait for the test of time.
16. - CreatorDan HarmonJustin RoilandStarsChris ParnellSpencer GrammerSarah ChalkeThe fractured domestic lives of a nihilistic mad scientist and his anxious grandson are further complicated by their inter-dimensional misadventures.RICK & MORTY Season 5
The duo from animation hell was not as sharp this time around. But that’s niggling from top of the hill. And maybe my little brain was not able to decipher all the nuances. One thing’s for certain: I’ll take another look – just not as soon as in earlier years.
15. - CreatorChris ChibnallStarsDavid TennantOlivia ColmanJodie WhittakerThe murder of a young boy in a small coastal town brings a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart.BROADCHURCH Seasons 1-3
Yeah, it’s old, but it is one of the best things I caught up with. Olivia Colman is divine!
14. - CreatorHamid HliouaJulien LeclercqStarsGeert Van RampelbergCarlos SchramTracy GotoasMehdi, a qualified robber, and Liana, an apprentice thief, get involved in a turf war between drug dealers, and have to collaborate in order to save their loved ones.BRAQUEURS
Hear, hear: Belgium has a Mob-life. Three to four stories unfold at the same time in this sprawling urban thriller. Alliances form and get blown to pieces in a few seconds, the characters grow on you (at least most of them), and aside from some stupidities in the fourth episode, this was one of the best discoveries of the year. So I wasn’t offended by the news of another season coming in 2022.
13. - DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandZendayaBenedict CumberbatchWith Spider-Man's identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear.SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME
Surprise: Spidey x 3 was the real deal. I wish they would have chopped some fight scenes (at least several seconds of every fight scene), because the rest of the film is so full of life and downright daring in its pauses and silences and sad moments as well as the trips to the Multiverse. The jokes are good, Dr. Strange has splashy scenes, and the INCEPTION-like-sequences are fantastic. It’s good to see Tobey Maguire back and finally making peace with DocOck. Even Andrew Garfield gets his moment, rescuing MJ in a way he wasn’t able to do in the negligible AMAZING SPIDER-MAN. (They killed off Gwen Stacy in that one, can you believe it??)
The end is pretty shameless. But then again, wouldn’t you like to know how Peter Parker wins “his” MJ back?
The Real World
The capital crime at the Capitol (6.1.2021)
The last race of the Formula-1-Season (12.12.2021)
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E X C E L L E N T
12. - DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason StathamHolt McCallanyJosh HartnettA mysteriously stoic character is hired as a security guard by a cash truck company responsible for transporting a lot of money around Los Angeles each week.THE WRATH OF MAN
I never cared much for Guy Ritchie and his vulgar, stand-offish mise-en-scène. But he got me here from the get-go: a majestic shot of L.A. that sucks us right into this world of Mobsters and even bigger gangsters. The film is a vast improvement over the French original, starting with Jason Statham as a mystery man, gradually becoming a totally different character than you might have guessed in the beginning. And the action is benign.
11. - StarsJeremy RennerHailee SteinfeldFlorence PughSeries based on the Marvel Comics superhero Hawkeye, centering on the adventures of Young Avenger, Kate Bishop, who took on the role after the original Avenger, Clint Barton.HAWKEYE Season 1
I know what you’re thinking: Marvel? Again?! I was thinking the same thing, and after the first episode I was close to giving up. But then Clint Barton, the most boring Marvel-character, had a great changeover, and he got help from his obnoxious, charming, tough new partner: Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop upped the humorous side of the story. Thanks to Vera Farmiga there was an uncommon depth, Tony Dalton – the menace that gave me goosebumps in BETER CALL SAUL – provided additional jokes, a character from BLACK WIDOW was very welcome, and the action played out swiftly and inventively (e.g. the car chase in episode 3). Can’t wait for the continuance.
10. - CreatorScott FrankAllan ScottStarsAnya Taylor-JoyChloe PirrieBill CampOrphaned at the tender age of nine, prodigious introvert Beth Harmon discovers and masters the game of chess in 1960s USA. But child stardom comes at a price.QUEEN’S GAMBIT Mini-Series
Almost reluctantly we started watching this Mini-series about a female chess player, but right from the start we were smitten by characters, tone, setting, décor. And the otherworldly presence of Anya Taylor-Joy – which had bothered me so much in PEAKY BLINDERS – worked wonders here. A slamdunk for Scott Frank whom I’ve held in high esteem ever since his screenplay for OUT OF SIGHT (1998).
9. - CreatorMichael Patrick KingDarren StarStarsSarah Jessica ParkerCynthia NixonKristin DavisThe series follows Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s.AND JUST LIKE THAT Season 1 (or 7 of the Carrie-Bradshaw-show)
A lot of naughty things have been said and written about the sequel to SEX AND THE CITY. But I thought that especially the first episodes were sharp, witty, serious but funny, à point and appropriate. Of course Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte have seen more beautiful days, but age and ageing play a central, uncompromising role; and the fact that Samantha and Stanford were lost – either by script or literally – is handled with style. You can almost feel Kim Cattrall, waiting for her cue to step in and deliver a riposte. The producers were lucky that Mr. Big (Chris Noth) exited the series through the front door; two weeks later it might have damaged the whole series. (If you really believe that the accusations against him really just surfaced AFTER the first episode.)
Writing these lines, the last episodes hadn’t been aired. The show would have ranked differently. Where? Let’s just leave it at that for the moment: I would like to see more of this and less of Darren Starr’s other chickathon, EMILY IN PARIS.
8. - DirectorJ BlakesonStarsRosamund PikePeter DinklageEiza GonzálezA crooked legal guardian who drains the savings of her elderly wards meets her match when a woman she tries to swindle turns out to be more than she first appears.I CARE A LOT
When was the last time you saw a bitchy entrepreneur without any scruples you were really rooting for? Rosamund Pike – who has gotten better with every day gone by – has understood that con-woman Marla was a once in a lifetime-gig; yet she never becomes complacent, getting the most out of her character with aplomb. The ensemble was magnificent, with Dianne Wiest leading the way in a shrewd twist; Marla has to find out she fucked with the wrong people. But it is Pike’s movie, so I was genuinely shocked by the ending.
7. - StarsJack O'ConnellMichelle DockeryScoot McNairyIn the 1880s American West, murderous outlaw gang leader Frank Griffin hunts for ex-protege Roy Goode. Frank's chase leads him to La Belle, New Mexico--a town inhabited, after a mining disaster, almost entirely by women.GODLESS Mini-Series
Have I made myself clear how much I enjoy the work of Scott Frank? I’ve mentioned OUT OF SIGHT, but I could name MINORITY REPORT, GET SHORTY, A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES, THE INTERPRETER and THE WOLVERINE as well. His mini-series GODLESS premiered in the US on TV in 2017, but I didn’t catch it until spring 2021. What a great discovery. Although it doesn’t invent anything, it was just about perfect in putting together pieces for a great Western. The first episode is a small hump for impatient viewers, establishing numerous stories that gloriously come together in the course of the seven episodes. Jack O’Connell and Scoot McNairy had the best roles of their careers, Michelle Dockery was a revelation (at least to me), and Jeff Daniels clearly had fun playing a badass for a change. Actually, after a while, you could see the point of the bad guy – which doesn’t mean his behavior could be forgiven.
6. - CreatorDavid E. KelleyJonathan ShapiroStarsBilly Bob ThorntonNina AriandaTania RaymondeA disgraced lawyer, now an ambulance chaser, gets a case that could bring him redemption or at least revenge on the firm which expelled him.GOLIATH Season 4
The fourth and final season started kinda slow. But it ended highly satisfying. After having been shot in the back at the end of season 3, Billy McBride has moved to San Francisco and finds himself again in an unlikely uphill battle against a mighty, unscrupulous adversary that shapeshifts appearances based on who’s turning up the pressure – the menacing J.K. Simmons or Jena Malone, who is even less predictable. Billy Bob Thornton is fabulous again, as are Nina Arianda and Tania Raymonde. If this was really the swan song for one of the most memorable lawyer-shows ever, then let’s hope the three leads turn up soon in roles as meaty as in GOLIATH.
5. - CreatorMichael WaldronStarsTom HiddlestonOwen WilsonSophia Di MartinoThe mercurial villain Loki resumes his role as the God of Mischief in a new series that takes place after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.”LOKI Season 1 (esp. 1 & 2)
Wait, I know what you’re thinking: Marvel? Again?! I was thinking the same thing, but then this is Loki! It’s Tom Hiddlestone’s show, and the first three episodes are incredibly witty and call for repeated viewings. I’m not sure it all plays out as well and correctly with the Multiverse. But I’ll sure as hell be there to check it out come season 2.
4. - 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.LICORICE PIZZA
Is there really a chance for a happyend? For years I’ve been bickering about the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, not being 100% happy even with the films that I liked. For every PUNCHDRUNK LOVE there was a MASTER, for every MAGNOLIA a THERE WILL BE BLOOD, for every BOOGIE NIGHTS one INHERENT VICE. But now he has turned in his second coup in a row: After the cool and very British PHANTOM THREAD he has come up with this unconventional coming-of-age-wonder, the early 1970’s dripping out of every frame, but never ever leaving a trail of boasting. The two leads (Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman) are phenomenal, even Sean Penn was funny, and Bradley Cooper has a little role that cries for a spinoff with his character (Hollywood egomaniac Jon Peters) in the lead.
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