Max Hechtman's Top 10 Movies of 2021
Screenshot from my Letterboxd account.
Signing off from 2021 with a look at my list of the Top 10 films I have seen this year. Happy New Year and see you in 2022!
1 - West Side Story
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg has done it again, bringing the timeless musical back to the big screen with an adaptation that breathes new life into the classic story for a new generation to experience. Will for sure be rewarded at the Oscars in March 2022, with a huge chance at winning Best Picture, just like the original 1961 film, which Spielberg's film heavily improves on in lots of aspects. Same goes with Ariana DeBose, who lights up the screen as Anita with the iconic "America" number.
2 - Dune
Directed by Denis Villenueve
The film's cinematography, visual effects and sound design make this a technical achievement only Denis Villeneuve can conjure up, complete with a heart-pounding score by Hans Zimmer.
3 - Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Directed by Questlove
A fascinating documentary unearthing a concert that no one had ever seen for years, until now. Seeing the surviving artists looking back at the never-before-seen footage makes this one of the best docs of the year, and one that will be truly rewarded with an Oscar nomination.
4 - Luca
Directed by Enrico Casarosa
Pixar continues to work its magic with Luca, through its heart-warming story, relatable characters and beautifully animated visuals.
5 - Respect
Directed by Liesl Tommy
Jennifer Hudson proves that she was born to play Aretha Franklin in this well-directed biopic about the Queen of Soul herself.
6 - In the Heights
Directed by Jon M. Chu
It was without a doubt, after watching its public virtual advance screening hosted by Warner Bros. (which made the film), going to be praised for its music, visuals, directing and stand-out performances from Anthony Ramos and an entire ensemble of talented stars. Lin-Manuel Miranda's first musical before he wrote Hamilton comes to life before our eyes and I surely do hope it will get discovered by more people as the years pass.
7 - Slapface
Directed by Jeremiah Kipp
An indie horror by Jeremiah Kipp, this is for sure to become an instant streaming hit when it arrives on Shudder in 2022. Zackary Arthur (Girl Meets World, The Nun) and Mike Manning (Cloud 9, The Call, Days of Our Lives) give stand-out performances as the two brothers whose relationship threatens to crack apart when the former makes friends with a dangerous monster. With a shocking twist ending to boot, this can indeed be considered one of the most original films of the year.
8 - CODA
Directed by Sian Heder
While it is an American remake of the 2014 French film La Famille Bélier, I was very lucky to have virtually attended the world premiere at Sundance and I can consider it to be one of this year's best "feel-good" films. A SAG nomination would be well-deserved, given Emilia Jones' breakout performance and the film's major contribution to increasing the representation of real-life deaf actors, with Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur and Daniel Durant successfully fulfilling that task.
9 - Flee
Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen
Finally got to catch this at TIFF after missing it at Sundance. A groundbreaking documentary using animation as a storytelling device to create the emotion and drama of its subject matter.
10 - The Power of the Dog
Directed by Jane Campion
A slow burner with powerful performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smitt-McPhee, that I was lucky to have seen virtually at TIFF this year. Not everyone will probably get through it due to its slow pacing, but Jane Campion still shows that she is one of the best directors of her generation. The Best Director showdown is 100% a two-way battle for her and Spielberg.
