2021 was another tough year for much of the world as we are still in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That being said, the world has seen great strides as vaccines have become widely available as it continues to try and move on as movie theaters have consistently made a comeback and film festivals have made a resurgence though the recent omicron variant has threatened this progress. At the end of the day, this year still saw its fair share of films, some new and some holdovers from 2020, but what did I think of what this year had to offer? Check out my picks for the top 10 best films of 2021 (along with information on how to watch/stream them in Canada and the United States)
- Malignant
Malignant is a bonkers film in the best way possible. This original concept, Giallo-inspired horror film from the mind of James Wan feels both retro and current. Very dark and featuring some incredibly over-the-top violence, it’s amazing to think that the film was made by a major studio like Warner Bros. but they certainly owe Wan. Though it almost definitely won’t be for everyone for aforementioned reasons, a great score, some stellar camerawork, and a phenomenal lead performance by Annabelle Wallis the film is sure to leave viewers on the edge of their seats all the way until the end as it is destined to become a cult classic. (Now available to rent on most major platforms in Canada and the United States)
- Mass
Who would have thought that a film about 4 people talking in a room for almost 2 hours would be so intense but Mass succeeds at that. This topical drama about the gun violence epidemic in the United States features four of the best performances of the year from Reed Birney, Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs, and Martha Plimpton, boosted by some strong editing as well as a sharp script and tight direction by Fran Kranz in his directorial-debut, the film overcomes its simple premise which may turn some away on paper. Though a hard watch, the film is still an important one that should be seen once and then never again. (Now available to rent from the mk2 Mile End virtual cinema in Canada and on most major platform in the United States)
- Spencer
Featuring the presumed Best Actress frontrunner at next year’s Oscars in Kristen Stewart, her performance in Spencer is definitely worth the hype. Pablo Larraín’s follow up to Jackie is another character drama based around a famous female figure with this one centered around Stewart’s Princess Diana (or Diana Frances Spencer). As beautiful as it is haunting and claustrophobic, one can’t help but feel for her and her clear discomfort and unease, trapped while in the reigns of the British royal family, Stewart’s exceptional performance goes a long way in bringing that horror tale to life. (Now available to rent on most major platforms in Canada and the United States)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home
The conclusion to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man trilogy, Spider-Man: No Way Home was arguably one of the most anticipated MCU films ever. So much so that the speculation and leaks kept flooding the internet and social media. Despite all of that, the film certainly delivered a fitting end while setting up a new beginning for Holland’s Peter Parker. Though it had a lot on its plate in terms of story and surprises, the film made it all work, offering plenty of satisfying moments of fan service along the way. Maintaining the spectacle one would expect from an MCU film, the emotion, action, and character beats all work as Tom Holland delivers his best performance yet as Parker. (Now available in theaters across Canada and the United States)
- The Humans
Another hyped film among different circles, The Humans is a compelling dysfunctional family dramedy masquerading as a hilarious psychological horror. Putting a family full of insecurities and various quirks in a creaky, old NYC apartment was certainly a recipe for disaster. While the production design, sound design, and cinematography only added to that unease and made the apartment into another character, an excellent script with a surprising amount of depth in terms of the film’s characters, direction, and performances from an all-star cast bring it all to life. (Now available to rent on most major platforms in Canada and to stream in the United States)
- Last Night in Soho
A passion project for writer/director Edgar Wright, Last Night in Soho saw Wright dive into horror for the first time. Despite the departure into a much different genre than what we are used to from him, his signature style and soundtrack remains. A neon-soaked fairy tale blending both the past and the present, the film is a tense and beautiful ride through the titular streets that is sure to leave viewers on the edge of their seats as the story ramps up to a crazy finale. This psychological horror works thanks to a pair of sensational performances from Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy. (Now available to rent on most major platforms in Canada and the United States)
- C’Mon C’Mon
Every once in a while comes a film that can only be described as cinematic comfort food and C’Mon C’Mon is now one of those films. This beautiful black and white fairy tale about parenting is beautiful, not to mention wholesome, emotional roller coaster of a watch thanks to a profound story full of moments big and small, acting as a coming-of-age story led by the dynamic pairing of Joaquin Phoenix and newcomer Woody Norman who both provide some of the best performances of the year. Meanwhile, the score and script were no slouch either. (Now available to rent on most major platforms in Canada and the United States)
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines
The best films make viewers feel things and that was what The Mitchells vs. The Machines did beautifully. This animated adventure tale at its heart was a story about family, specifically Katie and Rick Mitchell as it put all the Mitchells through the ringer but it was through that adversity that they truly came together. The potential end of the world will do that. In the midst of all that emotion was a thrilling adventure full of compelling moments that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats as well as make them laugh and cry. This ode to creativity through the imagination of Katie Mitchell, a character for whom countless will relate to grounds the experience as the cast as a whole and its script all make for a fun watch. (Now available to stream on Netflix in Canada and the United States)
- Belfast
The second black and white film to make my top 4, Belfast is another passion project from actor/writer/director Kenneth Branagh. This semi-autobiographical tale works as a coming-of-age story and a love letter to the city in the late 1960s through the eyes of a boy named Buddy (Jude Hill) and his family. Buddy was a great source of light among the darkness of the time period but despite this, the film allowed him to be young and have those moments of youth and youthful wonder. The anchors of course were the rest of her family as that dynamic and the chemistry between Hill in his first major film role, Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Judi Dench, and Ciarán Hinds drove home the film’s message about the power of family. Bring tissues. (Now available to rent on most major platforms in Canada and the United States)
- Flee
Flee wrecked me after seeing it at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and that damage is still there as this animated Danish documentary will surely wreck viewers emotionally with its thrilling and heartbreaking tale of the journey of a young Afghani refugee and his troubled past. Suffice it to say that Amin has been through a lot over his life as the animated format helps to hone in on the emotion and enhance the film’s storytelling and protect certain aspects of his story. Amin is a fantastic storyteller as his story will grab viewers and pull them into his journey and those complex feelings as the filmmakers stay out of his way. We just want him to be happy and hopefully now, he is. (the film is not available to stream)
Stay tuned for my Top 10 Worst Movies of 2021 list tomorrow.
*still courtesy of Elevation Pictures
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The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.
