Top 50 Best Films of 2021

I don’t know how to put into words how awesome this is. I have been arguing with people saying the Snyder Cut is real it is out there and Zack will finish what he started. And here it is baby.- Before seeing it.

Now after fully seeing it, I only have one problem- that it is I wish it was longer. Naw I’m kidding, he does over due the slow motion and the music video aspect at times. And even some lines are a little cheesy. But other than that holy crap this is the movie that really made me go I’m watching something special here. It is amazing from start to finish because I haven’t been this amazed by anything on this scale in a long time. I also got to say these are my heroes. These fools do not mess around which I love. I have to say that these actors are acting. I know that’s what they are supposed to do but I’m serious time after time I was believing in their performances in how much weight this all is. From Cyborg to Wonder Woman to hell even Flash with that end fight. He is amazing in that finally fight. Cyborg of course is more fleshed out and we even see him in human form which makes you realize just how much he lost. He goes through an incredible arc that any person with a brain will go stupid why was this cut out. I can go on and on about what this movie accomplishes but truly it resonated with me in how emotional I got watching a movie about superheroes. It makes me so happy to see Zack finish what he started. It is beautiful.
10/10

I guess I do have to count this as a 2021 movie but screw it this whole award season has fucked everything up. No matter what this movie came out in it is an amazing and interesting look on how people can cope with living. Not just after tragedy but just tired of how this life has beaten us down. Not everyone does this because they don’t have anyone look at David a character who has a son who loves him and even gives a place to stay. Even tho I have to say some topics are a little half baked but even at an hour and 40 minutes I never felt this movie drag. Even tho a lot of people may call this movie boring I never did. I fell in love with movie with more and more time passes. What totally won me over is that last conversation this movie has about accepting lost and moving on without that person you love. God damn this movie hits hard.
9/10

What an amazing film. Not just an animation film, an action film, or even a fantasy film but an overall great movie. It has beat for beat other similarities from other properties and yes predictable in some parts, but holy crap this has been missing in a lot of recent films. A three act structure that moves quickly and entertaining enough for everyone to enjoy. Characters that matter and are not there just to serve as the butt of the joke, but an overall message I can see generations can get behind. It is a lot of fun to be had here and it is as important and beautiful as any animation film has come across in recent memory. Stories like this and especially films like this scream out that animation is not just for kids. Sure you do have you side kicks and your physical gags that can be amusing for younger audiences. But just like all great fantasy stories this hits on all cylinders. By giving you characters you actually want to succeed and support. Let me reiterate you want these characters to win. You want this story to continue. Most importantly you understand all the motivation so it comes off more organically with an ending that is really emotional that I didn’t see coming. Disney has been getting a lot shit lately, with the Mulan debacle, to it as a company, Star Wars, hell to even this being a $30 rental. But this didn’t feel like a studio mandate to hurry up and cash in on the Asian rise. It feels more respected in many ways certainly more than any other Disney film in the past. So I love it.
9/10

It does look really good. And I like both actors including Sam Levison who is a pretty good director. And the black and white cinematography really does make me want to see this film more.- (Before I saw this movie.)

Z day has a third act monologue that is amazing. It floored me. I’ll be honest I like both these actors but I was hesitant to sit and watch only two of them for the whole movie. I have to say I’m glad I did. The only reason why that monologue works is because the first two acts are building blocks for that scene. Just the whole ending won me over. I love the last shot and the unfolding of the argument is handled so well that it captivated me to keep watching. I looked at my phone once while this was playing and put it back down immediately. I honestly didn’t think I would like this much but I did. As for awards chances in the 2021 Oscars, it did get shut out at the globes which the reason why this film was shown so early was for this film to get nominations. But sadly not Globes or SAG nominated this film. I can see the Oscars maybe, maybe nominate Zendaya but it’s looking less likely. But I’m going to count this as a 2021 film I mean I guess I have no other choice. So both Zendaya and John David Washington will be among the top best performances of 2021. Along with Sam Levinson for directing and writing to me.
9/10

We are all aware of subverting expectations. I mean it’s the one thing people want without actually wanting it. Because whenever a really good movie does i.e. The Last Zedi people complain the crap out of it. Anyhoe enough about that movie this movie is awesome. Kinda like last year’s also Spanish Netflix film The Platform, this is a smart, interesting, and truly captivating of a fun crime thriller. I like cold crime thrillers and this is one of the good ones because holy crap I felt the cold. Wind River, Fargo, and so on, this film is apart of that great list of movies. Half way through I thought it was just a fun little thriller. But then the last 20 minutes happened and I’m telling you it made a B level movie into an A territory. I think all the performances from the prisoners to the cops are all great and add more entertaining trying to figure their backstory which this movie gives you enough to keep your attention. You have your favorites and you can tell which ones are going to live and die but I’m telling you the journey to that place is worth it. You get a lot of the characters motivation which I have to say is missing in a lot modern films where characters do dumb stuff for no reason. Some characters are dumb but at the moment it adds more tension because this are not big name actors so you don’t know if all these people will live or die. This is a great ride that will keep you guessing throughout this film. Thrillers are easy to come by because they are so many of them. But good ones like this that have great characters, an interesting story, and thrills for any audience member who enjoys films that give you the thrill but also ones that hit you in the gut.
9/10

This film does so much right. The performances are all fantastic, director Shaka King masters whatever obstacle is thrown at him, and last this ending hits you like a ton of bricks harder than any ending probably will this year. But the second half of this movie feels rushed to get to that emotional ending that does take its time. Fred Hampton was 21 when he died and I’m sorry but Daniel Kaluuya looks old in his last moments. It was a little distracting. But I was buying his age up until that point. The movie does so much right but gets a little wrong here and there. This movie still rocks and moves at a brisk pace it is just there something missing. Maybe more time but even might have felt tagged on or forced. Still one of the best movies this year.
8/10

This is movie is awesome. The first hour may not be as exciting as it should be because I myself wasn’t fully engaged into the story yet. But after that first hour this thing gets into hyper speed and blasts off like a rocket. The action is shot really well, the space battles are some of the best I have ever seen, it is a smart science fiction film that doesn’t try to over explain everything, and the story itself really pulls no punches. This movie is dark in some places and people die. I mean the story is about this organization trying to kill this little girl. It is exactly the type of film I love to watch and have a good time with. O yeah so glad to see so much talent on screen do an incredible job with some killer performances. Just cool characters. Some straight out of a Guy Ritchie movie which is more than I can ask for.
8/10

I am a huge JT fan so if he is doing a drama film where he is actually trying to act I’ll be there. (Preview)

It hasn’t been getting a lot of good reviews. But for me I was moved by this emotional story dealing with second chances to not let anyone decide what your actions dictate who you are. JT is really good here. But also surprisingly tho the script is also very emotional that it did get a tear out of my eye. It is not over the top with it’s what seems to be a cliche story but it still has enough here to make anyone enjoy this movie. This is what Hillbilly Elegy wishes it had done. No narration which is a good choice because it would have been too corny and no big speech about how important it is to be a good person. Which it is true. However, this movie is not about beating your head in with a message it is a very entertaining drama that yes you may have seen before but with some excellent performances, some good writing, and okay direction it did put a smile on my face at the end. Along with any film to make me cry it gets my recommendation to watch. (Actual review)
8/10

Believe or not this is my most anticipated film of 2021. Kind of. Like most people Bob Odenkirk is just flat out an amazing actor. Anyone who even watches at least one episode of Better Call Saul can tell you that. But I’m so excited to see him as a lead in an action film. I also have faith in director Ilya Naishuller from Hardcore Henry to give us something special and I’m looking forward for this movie.- Before seeing it.

First movie back in theater and it couldn’t have been a better choice. It may not be the home run I was expecting but it still delivers on laughs and some awesome action scenes. Just a couple of things tho I wish it was a little more gory basing Hardcore Henry was extremely gory. Also director Ilya Naishuller who has directed music videos before for his band really shows here. I don’t mind if a movie gets repetitive with action scenes and feels like a video game but even here I have to say it did feel like a video game mixed with a music video.

Aside from that this is an incredibly entertaining ride that I was having so much fun with. Saul Goodman is proving that Bob Odenkirk should be cast in more movies because he is flat out an outstanding choice for the lead here. He really does put in the time to seem like a regular guy so when his first fight scene happened and it doesn’t have any music or quick cuts I knew it was going to be good. That’s the best fight in the whole movie.

So if they do plan on doing more of these than I have to say I would be open to see where this story would continue.

8/10

So this will get a 2021 release but it is a play for the 2021 Oscars that has 2020 films so does this mean this is a 2020 film which again why did the Academy push back like that. We had a hole throughout November and December so why couldn’t these film come out during those time. Same thing with Malcom and Marie and Judas and the Black Messiah. But I think you can count these as 2021 movies but it is just very weird.- Before I saw the movie.

Before I get into each part or chapters of the film. Let me just say, I have seen bad movies. I have seen badly written movies, badly acted movies, and boring movies. This is no where near any of those things. Sure yes it is crowded and some chapters are not as good as the other. But I am no where near a person who gives a movie a pass because of who is in it, but even with its problems I still can enjoy and take away a lot of what this movie has to offer. Let’s break this shit down.

Prologue: The shortest because all it is, is a scene later on in the movie to try to say how did we get here.

Chapter 1: Student. It is a development story between him and his future wife, Emily, played here by Ciara Bravo. It kicks the story off so I understand for it being so visual because it has to grab your attention and bring you into what is going to happen throughout the rest of the movie. The chemistry between the two are really believable for how young they are you buy into just how love is between them and why Tom’s character is so heartbroken over their break up.

Chapter 2: Solider. It’s the first half of Full Metal Jacket. The frame ratio is shrunk to make you feel claustrophobic almost like there is nowhere to run. You are stuck here with these men, well the point the movie is trying to make is how young these men are who put into this position and none of them are prepared to what is to come. Which makes the next chapter so predictable.

Chapter 3: Cherry. These two chapters are probably the least interesting because it is a retread of Full Metal Jacket just told in a different type of lens. It is more flashy but where you end of is the same story that ultimately goes exactly where you think it is going. I don’t want to spoil it but these two chapters don’t do anything you haven’t seen before it is just a showcase of how visually stunning this movie can get.

Chapter 4: Home. Now to me, chapter 4 & 5 is where this movie picks up and gets my blood pumping. Because it made me care. We see both Tom and Emily put through the ringer of drug abuse and it does not shy away from it. Yes it still is very flashy and style over substance but I think it at least to me it’s gets more interesting to watch. It may be a chore for some people to sit through but I was impressed of the ups and down these two went through. It made at least to me why the parts of our lead character life matter.

Chapter 5: Thief. My favorite part of the movie. Bank heists are some of my favorite type of movies. And as long as you can make someone sympathetic and make you route for the robber to me you have done your job. I just saw another bank robbery movie where the movie makes you sympathetic of what happened to the robbers and you just go I don’t care for even the slightest. The opposite is here. It is also really funny and sweet in a very messed up kind of way that I just love watching.

Epilogue: It is just a very emotional music video where it is a time lapse to catch up and end the movie on a high note. It almost succeeds but the movie took me on such a roller coaster ride that I ultimately fell for this movie.

Again it is not perfect but it is ambitious and some subject matters it does not shy away from the true horror of what so many other will shy away from.

8/10

I’m not saying if you can’t attach yourself to this character then you are a misogynist but this movie is in the same vein as something like Nightcrawler. And we definitely don’t have a problem with that movie. I also got to say this movie has the balls to do what promising young woman failed to do at the end. Rosamund Pike is more than capable to give a good performance but this is perfect casting to a point where I can’t see anyone playing a character like this. She is so damn good i feel like she should be in the conversation with the top 5 best actress not just this award season but if given more roles she could take in that top 5 spot. She is remarkably perfect as this character along it is amazing to watch her win in this movie where a lot of movies don’t let the villain be the hero. It is an awesome ride. But yes I can understand if you couldn’t get involved in this movie. But I found it awesome.
8/10

With so many movies hitting Netflix they really have diversified their portfolio to be different from the rest. And this is a great example to take different routes in making a documentary. This is all things that even some great narrative movies have accomplished. It is a crime drama, a whistleblower to all of these elite colleges who are legit oblivious to what was happening in front of them, and even more fascinating it is also a thriller. Seriously I love the reenactment format they choose for this documentary because it made it that much more fascinating to see they did they really say all of this. Apparently all of this happened which just to goes to show you that people will say anything when they don’t know they are being recorded. At an hour and a half this is a great documentary to touch on something tho I think it is 45% in fault of the parents and the rest is the colleges. These places should know better. White boy Rick here just knows how to play the game. Don’t hate the player hate the game.
8/10

A very solid and enjoyable film. It reminded me of last year’s Emma. Which also happens to star Johnny Flynn. Both professionally well made with performances that amazing to say the least. My only quiver is that I honestly didn’t care much about Lily James and her storyline. She is an amazing actress and does a great job here. But the two characters I feel more in lined with and couldn’t take my eyes off screen were Carey Mulligan who has been killing it and of course Ralph Fiennes. Who we rarely see in a lead role anymore. Here he is playing his usual self but I found him much more interesting his story dealing with his wife and time spent on this job. He defends Mrs. Pretty along with being reliable and trustworthy never turning his back on her. That part of the film is enjoyable because a wrench is thrown into the mix so I had no idea where it was going. Sadly I knew exactly where Lily James and Johnny Flynn’s storyline was going. So I didn’t care that much. The movie I have to say ends quite beautifully to say the least. It is kinda depressing because ultimately I myself can predict well after reading about this particular time I know what happens next. So it was nice to see Basil Brown get his due. Because at the time this guy was not even mentioned of what he discovered. So it is nice to see both Basil Brown and for that matter Edith Pretty be given such a well crafted movie that made me care about them. So it does not uplifting or anything like that it is just I don’t know it is something I can say it did stick with me at the end.
8/10

Listen I don’t condone anything Nate Parker has done. Even back in 2016 when Birth of a Nation came out his handling of the situation with interviews. Listen I know people will be like separate the art from the artist but after seeing Promising Young Woman which beat for beat is telling the Nate Parker story even his “redemption” continuing his life with what happened in his rear view while others never forget. Do you see the parallels between what happened in real life reflected in this film. This movie however is trying to say something important and I’m actually glad he is coming at it swinging. Seriously this is an angry film in a good way because it backs up what it is trying to say. I’ll keep it simple the movie is good. The directing and writing by Parker himself is I would say is the strongest effort in the film. Especially the writing to me. I really like the writing and how the story unfolds. You can tell all actors are giving it all while I do have to say some of cops are a little over the top. I don’t know if that was intentional but these mother f-ers are screaming half their lines. But with the situation they are in I can understand. Honestly the story did grab me and refused to let go. Which for an hour and 25 minutes it was pretty enticing to see how far a father will go to get justice for his son. The other cast members like Omari Hardwick I really wished he had more screen time because he has a really tragic storyline which fits along well with what is going on in this movie. Something I need to point out is that this film is not pandering to one side. I know some might look at this story and think it is one sided, along with the fact that Spike Lee is producing this film. But this provides both sides. I’m not kidding they have both cops and non police officers having conversations back and forth about the brutality police have been doing for decades. It says yes a cop job is hard. Which I have to say the BLM movement have never stated a cop job is hard. This movie just wants people to be accountable. There is one character who is one of the filmmakers making this movie about this story and his speech about justice and accountability. That’s all these people want. That is what Linc who plays the main character who lost his son wants. The climax at the end is really tense and what a good climax should do which everything we have witness comes together at the end with a point and ends with a pulse pounding last moments. I know that some people will just shove this movie to the side because who is involved but please understand that this is an important movie about police brutality and the affect it has on the families which should overshadow what ever behind the scenes. This is a good movie with a great message which should not go unnoticed.
8/10 so far my favorite movie to watch of 2021.

I haven’t seen it. But I do live close to LA where the director Joe Carnahan held a special screening way back in February and the way someone I know who did go to the screening told me I would love this movie. Like it is almost Taylor made for me. With the exception of Mel Gibson. But I am looking forward to actual seeing this film myself.- Before seeing it.

Joe Caranha has a very specific way of making his movies and I never realize just how much him and I have so much in common. Seriously if I was making an action movie it would be something like this. Take no mistake this is an action science film with also a lot of comedy in the mix as well. Frank Grillo here is the best action star to get for your film. He is great as Crossbones but he really does shine in films like The Purge and even an underrated action film like the Wheelman is where he can really shine. I’m just a fan of these types of action movies and listen I hate Mel Gibson but he does play a pretty good bad guy.
7/10

Nic Cage’s name is Hero.

Maybe now it will come out.- o shit it’s out.

Yes, yes, yes, YES! It’s coming out this year for the summer and I can’t f-ing wait. Yes I’m huge Synder fan and this looks awesome. I also think of the story outside the movie. Zack dealing with his family issue and then after the WB fiasco to Netflix basically letting him do his thing. I don’t know if he will go into it but I find uplifting for someone who has been down to see someone excel in making a film their way. Plus as selfish reason my homeboy Raul Castillo who is not my home boy looks f-ing insane in this movie. The blonde locks and him screaming while shooting that gun looks awesome.

Edgar Wright is one of my favorite directors and it is a shame we didn’t get to see this film in 2020. But 2021 is looking kinda better. I really hope this will be awesome. October is a good date for this because this is a major turn in direction for Wright so I can’t freaking wait.

I love JLaw and I’m glad to see her back in action. I’m okay with her here as a lead and a nice little break is maybe what other people need. I certainly think she could be in a movie a year no problem but seeing what JGL has done in 2020 with hit after hit maybe a little break is what people need.