ADAM’S FAVORITE FILM
EXPERIENCES OF 2021!
By Adam Mast
Another year is in the books and you know what that means? That’s right…That means it’s time for my obligatory “Best Films of 2021” list. It should be noted that there were a handful of noteworthy titles I simply didn’t have an opportunity to see; “Licorice Pizza,” “The Tragedy of MacBeth,” “Drive My Car,” “The Card Counter,” “Flee,” and “Encanto” just to name a precious few. That said, here’s a list of 10 films that left a big impression on me throughout another turbulent year. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did;
1. PIG
One of the year’s most underappreciated films also emerges as 2021’s strongest. Featuring career-best work by the legendary Nicolas Cage, this character-driven story of a reclusive chef searching for his kidnapped truffle-hunting pig is infinitely more poignant and heartfelt than the synopsis might lead you to believe. While I’ll always be a fan of Gonzo/go-for-broke Cage, this thoughtful and understated shade of the actor represents something more reminiscent of his quietly effective work in the underseen gem, “Joe.” “Pig” comes to us courtesy of first-time feature director, Michael Sarnoski and while it isn’t without its cynical moments, this is ultimately a hopeful and altogether moving film about the human condition.
2. NIGHTMARE ALLEY
“Nightmare Alley” might be the best higher profile movie of 2021 that hardly anyone has seen. At the very least, it’s Guillermo del Toro’s best film since “Pan’s Labyrinth.” A dark, atmospheric, engrossing, incredibly well-shot 1940’s-set noir epic about carnies, grifters, and geeks. This stunner of a movie follows confident (and manipulative) mentalist Stanton Carlisle (a phenomenal Bradley Cooper) and his rise to fame. Along the way, he becomes smitten with good-hearted Molly Cahill (an understated Rooney Mara) and hypnotized by psychiatrist Lilith Ritter (a fantastic Cate Blanchett.) He also crosses paths with a stellar roster of colorful supporting characters played wonderfully by the likes of Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, David Strathairn, Richard Jenkins, and Ron Perlman just to name a notable few. With William Lindsay Gresham’s novel as his playbook, the gifted del Toro pours his heart and soul into the breathtaking, transfixing, uncompromising, and sometimes brutal proceedings. “Nightmare Alley” is positively drunk in the pure love of cinema and we the filmgoers are all the luckier for it.
3. THE SPARKS BROTHERS
While the dream-like thriller “Last Night in Soho” was the more high-profile Edgar Wright-helmed release in 2021, “The Sparks Brothers” is the one that left the bigger impression. This high-energy, infectiously likable documentary traces the epic careers of Ron Mael and Russell Mael, a highly influential yet sorely underappreciated pair of sibling musicians whose decades-long time in the business has seen an impressive outpour of truly creative (and uncompromising) art-rock. Not familiar with the band? No matter. You don’t need to be to enjoy what was arguably the most purely entertaining movie of the year. A spirited blast from beginning to end.
4. MASS
“Mass” is provocative and gut-wrenching and while it is a very tough watch it also emerges as a must-see. This 4 character piece from writer/director Fran Kranz (an actor by trade who you might remember from “Cabin in the Woods”) finds the parents of the victim of a school shooting seeking answers from the parents of the shooter. The intimate, thoughtful, and emotionally-charged proceedings are shot like a play and for all the heated debate at the heart of this movie, “Mass” is sensitive, empathetic, and appropriately well-balanced. Further still, it refrains from judging its characters and opts instead to be as honest as possible in its depiction of a truly awful situation. Ann Dowd, Martha Plimpton, Jason Isaacs, and Reed Birney are positively stellar in a film you’ll want to talk about long after the end credits have rolled.
5. GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE
Fan service and nostalgia have been taking quite the beating in some circles but if relying on such things produces a movie as entertaining as “Afterlife,” then I don’t have a problem with it. Following the much divisive Paul Feig-helmed “Ghostbusters” reboot, Sony Pictures decided to give Jason Reitman (son of original “Ghostbusters” director Ivan) a shot at revitalizing the franchise and the end result is a wonderfully heartfelt ode to family. Truth be told, “Afterlife” owes just as much to Spielberg and the engaging Amblin movies of the 80s as it does to the franchise that inspired it. What’s more, Reitman has been very vocal about the fact that he made this film as a tribute to his father, to his daughter, and to the late Harold Ramis and quite frankly, it’s this sense of warmth that makes the movie so darn appealing. There’s a refreshing lack of cynicism here but most importantly, I walked out of the joyful “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” with a great big smile on my face.
6. CODA
“CODA”–which stands for child of deaf adults–is a crowd-pleasing heart-warmer about a young woman from a hearing-impaired family who desperately wants to break free of her fishing town constraints and become a professional singer. Given her situation, however, that’s easier said than done. Emilia Jones is terrific in the lead and she gets huge assists from co-stars Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, and Daniel Durant who all just so happen to be hearing impaired in real life. Of course, “CODA” isn’t about disabilities…It’s about abilities and that’s one of its most charming attributes. You may know where this movie is headed but it doesn’t matter because it has humor and heart to spare and in times like these, we can always use a terrific feel-good movie. “CODA” certainly fits the bill.
7. THE POWER OF THE DOG
“Piano” director Jane Campion is very choosy when it comes to projects–It’s been twelve years since her last theatrically released film–but there’s a reason for it. When she finally does zero in on a project, she’s all in. “The Power of the Dog” is a chamber piece of sorts and a very divisive one at that. The film takes place in 1925 and finds charismatic (and abrasive) rancher Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch) emotionally torturing those closest to him. On the receiving end of that torture are the likes of his brother George (Jesse Plemons), George’s new bride Rose (Kirsten Dunst), and her son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee). Of course, things aren’t always as they seem in this twisty adaptation of the Thomas Savage (that last name is fitting) novel. This is to say that calling “The Power of the Dog” unpredictable would be a gross understatement. Fueled by outstanding performances all around, Campion has fashioned a beautifully photographed slow-burn that’s sure to evoke plenty of conversation.
8. WEREWOLVES WITHIN
This terrific slice of comedy/horror might be the best genre film of 2021 that you didn’t hear about. Like any great marsupial flick, this delightful, high-energy gem takes the werewolf movie and meshes it with a classic whodunit (think “Knives Out” meets “The Howling.”) At the heart of “Werewolves Within” is a small, snow-filled Beaverfield under attack and it’s up to the new town ranger to figure out who might be offing the townsfolk one by one. Mixing horror and comedy can be tricky business but director Josh Ruben and crew are completely up to the challenge in a well-paced movie brimming with the kind of clever humor, jolts, and rapid-fire dialogue that would make the makers of “Shaun of the Dead” proud. It’s a shame this entertaining little movie wasn’t a bigger hit but I’m here to tell you that it’s well worth seeking out.
9. VAL
This candid, intimate, and poignant look into the career of Val Kilmer is comprised mostly of footage the actor himself has gathered throughout his years in the movie business. From his early days as a serious theatrically-trained actor to his foray into comical work with films like “Top Secret” and “Real Genius” to his celebrated performances in “The Doors,” “Tombstone,” and “Heat,” “Val” also takes the time to get personal, delving into the actor’s sometimes notorious on-set reputation as well as his long-fought battle with throat cancer which ultimately resulted in voice loss. It is the personal flourishes and the inclusion of his own son Jack that keep this stirring, thoughtful, and reflective documentary from turning into what could have just as easily been a vanity project. This is a terrific film.
10. MALIGNANT
From “The Conjuring” director James Wan comes this relentlessly bonkers Giallo-laced slasher movie. You’re best off going into “Malignant” completely blind because it makes the experience all the more enjoyable. Only to say that the sort of campy vibe that dominates a great deal of this movie, is completely by design. At the heart of this wild ride is a woman suffering from horrible visions as she sleeps. Said visions involve Gabriel, a wonderfully murderous force who is destined to be discussed in the same conversation as all of your favorite cinematic killers (i.e. Freddy, Jason, Michael, Leatherface, Pinhead, Chucky, etc.) In addition to his creativity behind the camera, Wan fully understands that there’s a fine line between what scares us and what makes us laugh, and with “Malignant,” he’s made one of the most surprising (and undeniably zany) genre films I’ve seen in quite some time.
Honorable Mention: “Belfast,” “King Richard,” “Dune,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Being the Ricardos,” “A Quiet Place Part II,” “Matrix Resurrections,” “Hive,” “Dream Horse,” “The Suicide Squad,” “Tick, Tick…Boom,” “Coming Home in the Dark,” and “Nine Days.”
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