My Favorite Movies Of 2021
In 2021 I finally got back to the movie theater, and I did see plenty of movies. This list may still be on the shorter side because I didn't actually go to the movies again until late May. However, pre-vaccine if there was a movie out I was interested in and available to stream at home, then I did that. But of course I didn't see everything I might have wanted to see, so obviously there will be some omissions. So, without further ado here are my favorite movies, plus the honorable mentions and dishonorable mentions.
Favorites
Raya and the Last Dragon - Unfortunately, I had to stream it at home rather than go to theater because I had no vaccination yet, but I did really enjoy this movie. Maybe more on a second viewing. The visuals are stunning. Disney really outdid themselves there. I hope we will get to see more of this world in some capacity.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines - I don't care what anyone says. In my head, this movie was about an autistic family coming together and learning how to accept each other and work together. It is delightfuly quirky. It's a family of misfits and I loved it. And I just really love the recent trend of animated films focusing on family as a theme.
Cruella - The first movie I got to see back in the theater. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are just a blast and look like they're having a great time. It's a lot of fun, but I see this as a different Cruella than the one in the cartoon. It's a reimagining of the character and for the most part I really liked that. It was funny and the fashions were amazing. I hope it gets nominated for costume design. I'm sure it will. It almost didn't feel like a Disney film though. Something entirely different. It reminded me of The Devil Wears Prada.
Luca - I don't think it's the best Pixar film, but it was very charming. And I don't care what the director says, I can't help but feel there was something more between Luca and Alberto than just a friendship. Also, I have a bias towards Italy. Also, Disney seems to have a thing against the name Bruno.
The Tomorrow War - Yeah, yeah, a lot of people didn't seem to like this movie. It's got plot holes, and that's fair, but I personally think it's underrated and great. The aliens are damn scary. That one black dude had the most authentic reaction to them I've ever seen lol. And I felt like it actually subverted some tropes that are more typical of the genre.
Black Widow - Another I think is maybe underrated for a Marvel movie. It was really funny, and Florence Pugh stole the show. Move over Natasha, here comes Yelena! Give me a Yelena film and I will be very happy indeed. I was glad she came back in Hawkeye and she was great in that too. David Harbour and Rachel Weiss were also really good. It was just an excellent cast all around.
Jungle Cruise - It was very reminescent of Pirates of the Caribbean, but it was fun. Emily Blunt and The Rock were good together.
Free Guy - What a great movie this one was. It's near the top of my favorites for me. Hugely enjoyable. And I really think it had something to say about indie game developers vs the more big mainstream gaming companies.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - We get introduced to a new Marvel hero, and he's up to the task. Funny moments sprinkled in with awesome action. See the bus scene. Also, there's a dragon, and anything with a dragon is going to make me like a movie that much more.
No Time To Die - Others might feel differently, but I thought this was a strong end cap to Daniel Craig's run as James Bond. He was a great Bond. The ending was definitely a little sad though. I'm looking forward to seeing who takes up the mantle next. Craig played Bond for such a long time.
Dune - I read the book before seeing the movie and I thought it was one of the best book to movie adaptations. Actually probably better in some ways. This film was amazing and just amazing to take in. The cinematography is beautiful. Denis Villeneuve has yet to let me down with any of his movies. I'm only bummed that it's only covering part of the book, and they better get that second movie out there. But breaking it up into multiple parts was probably the only way to adapt it to do the novel justice.
Eternals - Another underrated Marvel movie? I personally really liked it. It is a lot of characters though, but the cast is great and diverse. I live for Kingo and Karun. I admit I might be biased because I enjoy stories about immortal characters and just watching them living through many periods in history.
King Richard - The story of the father of Venus and Serena Williams. Will Smith gives an excellent performance. It was well done, and I'm not a big sports person.
Encanto - Another beautiful movie from Disney also with family as the theme. I enjoyed the songs by Lin Manuel Miranda, and really loved all the different characters each with their distinctive personalities.
House of Gucci - Very good film. Great performance from Lady Gaga. Even funny at times. Did not really know the dark history behind the Gucci brand.
West Side Story - Fantastic. Great cast. It's been a while since I watched the original, but I've heard people say that it is even better.
Don't Look Up - The most hilarious movie I've seen in a while, and at the same time one of the most depressing. Basically replace comet with COVID and you have America today. I admit some of the satire was a little on the nose.
Spider-Man: No Way Home - This might just have to be my pick for favorite movie of the year. It's close between this and Dune and if a couple particular individuals didn't show up, my favorite might have swung the other direction. This movie is fan service. Like if a fanfic writer wrote it, but in a good way. It's just about everything I wanted, but at the same time it's bittersweet. And also a catalyst for this new phase of Marvel. If I had to give a critique though, it's that the story wasn't super impressive, but it was what it needed to be.
Honorable Mentions
Godzilla vs Kong - I didn't care for the last Godzilla movie much, but this was better. It gave Kong some humanity (is that the right word to use for a giant gorilla?), and I never expected I was going to be rooting for him. The foe reveal at the end was awesome. I still think they should do away with the humans altogether though. I just don't care about them much.
Cinderella - Another one a lot of people didn't like. It was different with its mix of covered songs and originals. I came for Idina Menzel and wasn't disappointed. I loved her villain song.
My Little Pony: A New Generation - Let's face it, Friendship is Magic had some big shoes to fill. I enjoyed this movie, I just thought there were too many unanswered questions and it felt rushed in places. I'm sure some of those questions will be answered when the series starts. And I feel like I'm really going to love these characters over time. I adore Izzy in particular.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage - It was fun, just not quite as good as the first movie.
Ron's Gone Wrong - I learned from this film the meaning of friendship. It doesn't have to be perfect and certainly can't be determined by an algorithim. It was very heartfelt, and at times quite emotional.
Red Notice - Another pretty fun movie. Not the best made, but it also makes fun of action movies in general. Ryan Reynolds stole the show with all his lines, as usual.
Tick, Tick … Boom - I didn't know this was going to be based on the man who created Rent. It's a tragic story, but it's about never giving up when tragedy is all around you. It's a tear-jerker. Andrew Garfield gives an amazing performance, and I think he deserves a Golden Globe win.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife - Nostalgia seemed to be the thing this year, and this one is no different. It was a good movie, it was just kind of a rehash of the first film though. Then the ending came. OMG, it was so touching and beautiful and a lovely tribute, but it also makes me so sad. Best ending to a film in 2021.
Dishonorable Mentions (I only have two this time. I guess it was a good year for movies.)
Army of the Dead - Sure, it was watchable, but also terrible and stupid. The opening credits was the best part. The rest is not worth watching. It's unfortunate because I thought the concept was a good idea: Pull off a heist during a zombie apocalypse, but no. This didn't work for me.
The Suicide Squad - I wanted to like this movie. I really did. I didn't care for the story. It was too ridiculous. Maybe it was supposed to be, but I don't care. I'm also not big on all the gore either. Two things I did like though were Harley Quinn and the rats. I'm glad the rats didn't get hurt. I love them. This would probably be my super power too lol. I would be blasphemed over this, but I did like the first Suicide Squad a little more.
And there you have it. My favorites, honorable mentions, and dishonorable mentions of 2021. Next will be my final list. My Notable Movies For 2022.
Favorites
Raya and the Last Dragon - Unfortunately, I had to stream it at home rather than go to theater because I had no vaccination yet, but I did really enjoy this movie. Maybe more on a second viewing. The visuals are stunning. Disney really outdid themselves there. I hope we will get to see more of this world in some capacity.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines - I don't care what anyone says. In my head, this movie was about an autistic family coming together and learning how to accept each other and work together. It is delightfuly quirky. It's a family of misfits and I loved it. And I just really love the recent trend of animated films focusing on family as a theme.
Cruella - The first movie I got to see back in the theater. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are just a blast and look like they're having a great time. It's a lot of fun, but I see this as a different Cruella than the one in the cartoon. It's a reimagining of the character and for the most part I really liked that. It was funny and the fashions were amazing. I hope it gets nominated for costume design. I'm sure it will. It almost didn't feel like a Disney film though. Something entirely different. It reminded me of The Devil Wears Prada.
Luca - I don't think it's the best Pixar film, but it was very charming. And I don't care what the director says, I can't help but feel there was something more between Luca and Alberto than just a friendship. Also, I have a bias towards Italy. Also, Disney seems to have a thing against the name Bruno.
The Tomorrow War - Yeah, yeah, a lot of people didn't seem to like this movie. It's got plot holes, and that's fair, but I personally think it's underrated and great. The aliens are damn scary. That one black dude had the most authentic reaction to them I've ever seen lol. And I felt like it actually subverted some tropes that are more typical of the genre.
Black Widow - Another I think is maybe underrated for a Marvel movie. It was really funny, and Florence Pugh stole the show. Move over Natasha, here comes Yelena! Give me a Yelena film and I will be very happy indeed. I was glad she came back in Hawkeye and she was great in that too. David Harbour and Rachel Weiss were also really good. It was just an excellent cast all around.
Jungle Cruise - It was very reminescent of Pirates of the Caribbean, but it was fun. Emily Blunt and The Rock were good together.
Free Guy - What a great movie this one was. It's near the top of my favorites for me. Hugely enjoyable. And I really think it had something to say about indie game developers vs the more big mainstream gaming companies.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - We get introduced to a new Marvel hero, and he's up to the task. Funny moments sprinkled in with awesome action. See the bus scene. Also, there's a dragon, and anything with a dragon is going to make me like a movie that much more.
No Time To Die - Others might feel differently, but I thought this was a strong end cap to Daniel Craig's run as James Bond. He was a great Bond. The ending was definitely a little sad though. I'm looking forward to seeing who takes up the mantle next. Craig played Bond for such a long time.
Dune - I read the book before seeing the movie and I thought it was one of the best book to movie adaptations. Actually probably better in some ways. This film was amazing and just amazing to take in. The cinematography is beautiful. Denis Villeneuve has yet to let me down with any of his movies. I'm only bummed that it's only covering part of the book, and they better get that second movie out there. But breaking it up into multiple parts was probably the only way to adapt it to do the novel justice.
Eternals - Another underrated Marvel movie? I personally really liked it. It is a lot of characters though, but the cast is great and diverse. I live for Kingo and Karun. I admit I might be biased because I enjoy stories about immortal characters and just watching them living through many periods in history.
King Richard - The story of the father of Venus and Serena Williams. Will Smith gives an excellent performance. It was well done, and I'm not a big sports person.
Encanto - Another beautiful movie from Disney also with family as the theme. I enjoyed the songs by Lin Manuel Miranda, and really loved all the different characters each with their distinctive personalities.
House of Gucci - Very good film. Great performance from Lady Gaga. Even funny at times. Did not really know the dark history behind the Gucci brand.
West Side Story - Fantastic. Great cast. It's been a while since I watched the original, but I've heard people say that it is even better.
Don't Look Up - The most hilarious movie I've seen in a while, and at the same time one of the most depressing. Basically replace comet with COVID and you have America today. I admit some of the satire was a little on the nose.
Spider-Man: No Way Home - This might just have to be my pick for favorite movie of the year. It's close between this and Dune and if a couple particular individuals didn't show up, my favorite might have swung the other direction. This movie is fan service. Like if a fanfic writer wrote it, but in a good way. It's just about everything I wanted, but at the same time it's bittersweet. And also a catalyst for this new phase of Marvel. If I had to give a critique though, it's that the story wasn't super impressive, but it was what it needed to be.
Honorable Mentions
Godzilla vs Kong - I didn't care for the last Godzilla movie much, but this was better. It gave Kong some humanity (is that the right word to use for a giant gorilla?), and I never expected I was going to be rooting for him. The foe reveal at the end was awesome. I still think they should do away with the humans altogether though. I just don't care about them much.
Cinderella - Another one a lot of people didn't like. It was different with its mix of covered songs and originals. I came for Idina Menzel and wasn't disappointed. I loved her villain song.
My Little Pony: A New Generation - Let's face it, Friendship is Magic had some big shoes to fill. I enjoyed this movie, I just thought there were too many unanswered questions and it felt rushed in places. I'm sure some of those questions will be answered when the series starts. And I feel like I'm really going to love these characters over time. I adore Izzy in particular.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage - It was fun, just not quite as good as the first movie.
Ron's Gone Wrong - I learned from this film the meaning of friendship. It doesn't have to be perfect and certainly can't be determined by an algorithim. It was very heartfelt, and at times quite emotional.
Red Notice - Another pretty fun movie. Not the best made, but it also makes fun of action movies in general. Ryan Reynolds stole the show with all his lines, as usual.
Tick, Tick … Boom - I didn't know this was going to be based on the man who created Rent. It's a tragic story, but it's about never giving up when tragedy is all around you. It's a tear-jerker. Andrew Garfield gives an amazing performance, and I think he deserves a Golden Globe win.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife - Nostalgia seemed to be the thing this year, and this one is no different. It was a good movie, it was just kind of a rehash of the first film though. Then the ending came. OMG, it was so touching and beautiful and a lovely tribute, but it also makes me so sad. Best ending to a film in 2021.
Dishonorable Mentions (I only have two this time. I guess it was a good year for movies.)
Army of the Dead - Sure, it was watchable, but also terrible and stupid. The opening credits was the best part. The rest is not worth watching. It's unfortunate because I thought the concept was a good idea: Pull off a heist during a zombie apocalypse, but no. This didn't work for me.
The Suicide Squad - I wanted to like this movie. I really did. I didn't care for the story. It was too ridiculous. Maybe it was supposed to be, but I don't care. I'm also not big on all the gore either. Two things I did like though were Harley Quinn and the rats. I'm glad the rats didn't get hurt. I love them. This would probably be my super power too lol. I would be blasphemed over this, but I did like the first Suicide Squad a little more.
And there you have it. My favorites, honorable mentions, and dishonorable mentions of 2021. Next will be my final list. My Notable Movies For 2022.