28
Dec
I’m back!
Ok, I know what you’re thinking. She promised us more posts in 2020, and never delivered. Why should I care that she’s back. And here’s my response, you’re absolutely right, you don’t need to care that I’m back writing blog posts again. I really write them for my own enjoyment, so if you don’t care, feel free to stop reading now. But my year end movie guide is one of my favorite things to do each year. It gives me time to reflect on the movies I saw over the year and categorize them. 2020 was a wild ride, and I never got around to posting a movie guide and now we’re nearly at the end of 2021. So I’m combining the two years together since not that many movies were released last year anyway. Almost all categories have more than one film since I’ve combined the two years into one list.
Let me know in the comments which of my recommendations you agree with, which you disagree with, and what things you’ve really enjoyed watching the last two years. I’m always on the hunt for a new great show or movie.
Must See for Everyone: The Courier (2020), Respect (2021)
_The Courie_r (2020). Ok, hear me out on this one. The Courier is everything I wanted in a historical drama. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rachel Brosnahan. Cumberbatch plays a British businessman hired by the Secret Intelligence Service to deliver messages to a secret agent in Russia. This film is not only beautifully shot, but the production design blew me away. Cumberbatch delivers an outstanding performance (but are we really surprised?) and the story will keep you intrigued the entire time.
Respect (2021). This was by far the best movie I saw the last two years. There are some other fantastic movies that I’ve included on this list, but nothing even slightly compared to Respect. This biographical musical drama about the life of Aretha Franklin has me smiling, laughing, crying, and nearly every emotion in between. Jennifer Hudson not only delivers an incredible vulnerable performance as Ms. Franklin, but sings Ms. Franklin’s hit songs with an unparalleled enthusiasm. I’m likely biased on this movie as I think Aretha Franklin is one of the best vocalist of all time, and her songs make me feel all the emotions. The music in this film will blow you away, and the difficult trials of Ms. Franklin’s life will spur you to want to protect young female performers everywhere. Watch this with the best sound system you can find.
Must See for the Artistic / Sophisticated Movie Goer: Mank (2020), House of Gucci (2021)
Mank (2020). Nothing says Sophisticated Movie like a black and white film that focuses on the writer behind Citizen Kane. This movie isn’t for everyone, but it certainly is a unique film. Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried deliver incredible performances, and the costume design is out of this world.
House of Gucci (2021) starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver follows the story of the the Gucci family (yes the fashion brand) in the 70s and 80s. Gaga and Driver’s characters Patrizia Reggiani and Maurizio Gucci try to take over the Gucci brand from Maurizio’s father and uncle. Based on the book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed, this film will keep you intrigued until the very last minute.
Must See for the Action Adventure Fan: Tenet (2020), Shang Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings (2021)
Tenet (2020). I’ll always love a Christopher Nolan film. It’s been so long since I saw this film, but I remember not only being mesmerized the entire time while watching, but also several days after as my husband I continued to piece together what we had just seen. This is the first of Nolan’s films to feature a person of color as the lead character, which then made me wonder why none of his previous films have. As with almost all other Nolan films, this one explores the idea of time. And really that’s all I can say without spoiling anything.
Shang Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings (2021). So you guys know that I’m not big on super hero movies. I’ve been known to say controversial statements like, “There are two types of movies, good movies and super hero movies.” I’ve called all super hero movies the same. Well, Shang Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings proved me so so wrong. Many have called this the best stand alone Marvel movie, and I couldn’t agree more. You don’t have to have any previous Marvel knowledge to watch this movie and love it. Don’t like action sequences? Well, the action sequences in this movie are outstanding. Because the film is centered around martial arts, all of the action sequences are beautifully choreographed and cinematically shot. This movie will make you laugh at just the right moments while introducing you to loveable characters played by extremely talented actors.
Must See for the Romantic Comedy Fanatic: Holidate (2020) To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021)
Holidate (2020). This is a fun Netflix holiday rom com that will make you laugh. Starring Emma Roberts, and legend Kristin Chenoweth. Pop some popcorn, and snuggle up with your boo for a cozy date night.
To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021). Ok Netflix, you’ve done it once again. This is the third installment of the To All the Boys movies, and Lara Jean keeps our hearts glowing. If you haven’t seen the first two, watch those before jumping into this one. This is a light hearted coming of age rom com.
Must See for the Whole Family: Soul (2020)
Soul (2020). There honestly aren’t words for this movie, but I’ll do my best. Groundbreaking. This follows music teacher Joe Gardner who is trying to reunite his body and his soul after they are accidentally separated. The film explores the origins of human personalities and the concept of determinism in a way that is accessible for viewers of all ages. Once you watch the film, listen to writer and director Pete Docter’s interview on the Awards Chatter podcast. He shares about the early days or Pixar and how he came to write the Soul screenplay after winning the Academy Award for Disney Pixar’s Inside Out.
Must See for the Music Lover: Hamilton (2020), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020), In The Heights (2021), Respect (2021)
I couldn’t pick a favorite, or even 2 favorite music movies this time. There were just too many good movies that featured music.
Hamilton is the recording of the broadway show. Subscribe to Disney+ just for this movie (you can cancel after 1 month). If you don’t already love Hamilton, getting to see it up close will surely change your mind.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020) Netflix is really reigning supreme on this movie list. This film is about Ma Rainey, an influential blues singer in Chicago in the 1920s. The film is based on a play and follows a turbulent recording session of Ma Rainey and her band.
In the Heights (2021) This film adaptation of Lin Manual-Miranda’s first musical is colorful both visually and audibly. Each scene and each song bring vibrancy to the story of Washington Heights during a blackout in the heat of summer. The entire neighborhood is filled with people pursuing their suenitos (little dreams) for a better life.
Respect (2021) I already wrote about this movie in the must see for everyone category. But I felt I needed to include it here as well.
Must See Netflix/Streaming Movie: The Dig (2021)
The Dig (2021) was a random movie my husband and I watched on Netflix and were so pleasantly surprised by the endearing story. A 1939 Suffolk landowner hires a local archaeologist-excavator to tackle the large burial mounds on her estate. The findings of the dig are breathtaking and you’ll just have to watch the movie to find out what they are.
Must See Sequal/Remake: Emma (2020)
Emma (2020) Jane Austen books and movie adaptations are perhaps my favorite. They bring a sort of comfort and nostalgia to me as I was raised on their stories. The most recent adaptation of Emma is remarkable and thoroughly enjoyable. The story is ever the same, riddled with wit and irony. I’m always a bit skeptical of another film adaptation, but this one did not disappoint.
Don’t waste your time: Dune (2021)
Dune (2021) If you are a fan of the Dune books, you should probably stop reading now so that we can remain friends. But if you haven’t read the books, don’t waste your time seeing the 3 hour film adaptation of Dune. These were probably the worst 3 hours of my 2021 and for context I was involved in a minor car accident this year, and have had excruciating back pain all year. But none of those could compare with the pain this movie caused my eyes, ears, and heart. I’ve never felt such disappointment in the film industry. Granted I’m not a sci-fi fan to begin with, so I went into the movie thinking I’d be disappointed. But my main point of interest was that Dune received an 8 minute standing ovation when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Why it received this honor, I still have no idea. The film is not only incredibly boring, but the plot is so predictable. Please please please, do me the favor of watching any other film on this list instead of Dune.
Still on my list to see: Tick Tick Boom, Last Night in Soho, and The Power of the Dog
There you have it! My 2020 and 2021 Movie Guide. Let me know which films were you favorite, and if I missed any.