The Best Films of 2021
The A Quiet Place sequel was a solid start to the year. Like the first movie, A Quiet Place Part II had an incredible sound design. A Quiet Place Part II was a movie that viewers needed to watch in a soundproof room with theater speakers. John Krasinski showed creative integrity by waiting until it was safe to release to theaters instead of caving in and releasing it to streaming services (Click the movie title for a full review).
The Night House is another movie with incredible sound design that viewers should watch in theaters. The sound design combined with the writing and Rebecca Hall’s performance made this movie just as subtle as A Quiet Place Part II. Hall managed to tell an entire story with her movement and facial expressions. She carried the film (Click the movie title for a full review).
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s directorial debut was incredible. He was wise to surround himself with talented people. Screenwriter Steven Levenson was able to adapt a play into a film in a way that no other writer has done before. Andrew Garfield completely transformed himself into Jonathan Larson. Another reason for Miranda’s success was the source material. The play he based the movie on had an excellent theme of Leaving your Mark vs. Time. Through luck, the film was able to bring that theme home more than the play ever could, considering Larson’s death not long after making his big break and Stephen Sondheim’s death shortly after the film’s release (Click the movie title for a full review).
Being the Ricardos
When the trailer came out, there were a lot of complaints about the casting choices and how Javier Bardem doesn’t look anything like Desi Arnaz. Kidman and Bardem did an incredible job transforming into Ball and Arnaz. Sorkin’s writing is what made it unique as well. The movie also did a good job relying on the camera work to tell the story.
Christmas with the Chosen
The Chosen released their Christmas special as a 40-minute Fathom Event. While The Chosen isn’t prestige television, the Christmas special had some interesting elements that set it apart from the rest of the show. There was more motivation behind every line of dialogue. The Chosen’s Christmas special also did a good job telling the story with the camera work
No Time to Die
No Time to Die was the best of the Bond films. While most of the Daniel Craig Bond films are known for their expert camera work, No Time to Die does the best at relying on such camera work to tell the story. The writing helps make that happen too. The other strength of the film was its practical and visual effects.
The Courier
This film had a transportive performance from Benedict Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch successfully transformed himself into Greville Wynne. Some of the other lasting impressions of this film included its excellent writing and production design.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
Cumberbatch is an incredible actor! Cumberbatch’s performance combined with the camera work, editing, and production design helped capture Wain’s mental deterioration throughout his life.
