It's been quite some time since my last post... Between a full time job, relationship, and other obligations, Film Assessment has been put on the back burner. I still see most new releases, but finding the time and energy to write about them has been challenging. I know this is pretty late for both 2020 and 2021, but I wanted to share my favorite films from those respective years nonetheless. I intend to share my Top 10 Films of 2022 around the end of January and thought I should fill in the gaps first. I'd also like to clarify my intentions for Film Assessment going forward.
While it might seem as though I've abandoned my blog, that was never my intention. I hope to still write about movies from time-to-time. There were many films that I saw recently that I wanted to write reviews for. It's all a matter of time.
Top 10 Films of 2020
Honorable Mentions (Alphabetical order): Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, I Care A Lot, The Invisible Man, Mank, and Wonder Woman 1984.
10. Sound of Metal - Streaming on Prime Video
Sound of Metal's premise is compelling in its own right, but director Darius Marder's immersive approach to the film's soundscape accents the intrigue. One of the film's commendable aspects is that deafness isn't presented as a handicap. Though the protagonist initially perceives it as such, his journey towards acceptance offers uplifting affirmation to the deaf community. Riz Ahmed is exceptional in the lead role, offering a grounded performance that delves into the subtleties of sudden change and addiction. Olivia Cooke and Paul Raci also give strong supporting turns. Marder's drummer drama moves at a leisurely tempo, but the story's emotional momentum is dead on.
9. Da 5 Bloods - Streaming on Netflix
Spike Lee's most recent narrative feature just might be my favorite film that I've seen from the acclaimed director (granted I have a lot of blindspots). Chief among the film's winning qualities, Da 5 Bloods offers a fresh perspective on war and the toll it takes afterward. While the ensemble surround him is excellent, Delroy Lindo gives a career-defining performance that I still can't believe was ignored by the awards circuit. It's undeniably powerful to watch a group of Vietnam veterans revisit the place that scarred them, especially as they do so to retrieve their squad leader's remains. And in the wake of Chadwick Boseman's passing, his scenes have taken on a new light and hit like a ton of bricks.
8. Minari - Streaming on Showtime
More so than any recent release, Minari captures the experience of being an American immigrant. Writer-director Lee Isaac Chung credits the narrative as being inspired by his own upbringing. Telling its story primarily from a child's perspective, watching this small and intimate family drama feels like peeking into Chung's memory. Lee Isaac Chung's approach to the story immediately welcomes viewers into the tight knit family, even when the characters seem stand-offish at first. Minari is remarkably well-made and overflowing with rich performances. While Hollywood had a rough road back to normalcy, one positive result of the pandemic is that it enabled smaller stories to take the spotlight.
7. Wolfwalkers - Streaming on Apple TV+
Hand-drawn animated features are scarcely made anymore, especially ones as impeccably well-crafted as Wolfwalkers. Wolfwalkers contains a wealth of breath-taking hand-drawn animation and captivating voice work. It's an entrancing fantasy-adventure tale with a valuable message about making an effort to understand "the other."
6. Palm Springs - Streaming on Hulu
The time-loop mechanic most commonly associated with Groundhog Day has been implemented many, many times. However, Palm Springs rejuvenates the story device with a fresh take on the concept of reliving the same day over and over again - experiencing the phenomenon with another person. Sparks fly left and right between Andy Sandberg and Cristin Milioti, as their dynamic electrifies this quirky rom-com. And Palm Springs is not only hilarious and endearing, but also existential and introspective. It only seems appropriate that I'd be willing to watch it over and over.
5. Tenet - Streaming on HBO Max
Christopher Nolan has explored the depths of dreams, space, Gotham City, and the second World War, but his palindromic take on international espionage is an invigorating actioner. Though there was a scarcity of blockbusters released in 2020, Tenet stood head-and-shoulders above the rest. Tenet is Nolan at his most experimental and a visceral blockbuster experience filled with incredible stunt-work and a propulsive score from Ludwig Göransson.
4. Another Round - Streaming on Hulu, Hoopla, & Kanopy
Thomas Vinterberg experienced an unfathomable tragedy four days into shooting Another Round when his daughter Ida was killed in a car accident. His perseverance in finishing production on the film alone is inspiring. Even more inspiring, Vinterberg was later nominated for Best Director and Another Round wound up winning the Oscar for Best International Feature. Mads Mikkelsen is phenomenal in it, demonstrating incredible range. Watching his cohort of covert alcoholics was amusing to say the least. The film itself is a beautiful celebration of life and cautionary tale about the dangers of excess, but the journey behind it has only made me more appreciative of Another Round.
3. The Father - Streaming on Starz
Florian Zeller's The Father is one of the most brilliantly conceived stage-to-screen adaptations I've ever seen. Where most films adapted from the stage feel stifled by the lack of locations, The Father turns that on its head. Zeller brings the audience into the headspace of an elderly man suffering from dementia by drastically changing the set and even his actors between scenes. And a series of seemingly contradictory details can be found in the dialogue, leaving viewers just as confused as the protagonist. Hopkins is outstanding in the lead role, showcasing a remarkable vulnerability. The Father is a film where every detail coalesces into a uniquely jumbled viewing experience.
Emerald Fennell's Promising Young Woman is an incisive revenge thriller intent on exhibiting the lasting repercussions of toxic masculinity and sexual assault. This isn't meant to be a startling revelation by any means, but an uncomfortable truth too often ignored or forgotten. I was astounded to learn that the film was Fennell's first feature credit as a writer and director due to how well she maneuvers through the twists and turns of such a heavy narrative. Central to the whole affair, Carey Mulligan is exceptional in the vindictive lead role. Mulligan masks Cassie's trauma with wry wittiness and assuredness, proving to be a very resourceful schemer. In just about every way imaginable, Promising Young Woman maximizes its potential. I suppose the title is also an apt description for Emerald Fennell as a rising filmmaker.
1. Soul - Streaming on Disney+
Soul is Pixar at its most imaginative, emotional, and existential. The first ballad between co-directors Pete Docter and Kemp Powers stirs the soul, occupies the mind, and unfastens the tear ducts. Soul instantly struck a chord with me, rivaling the beauty and sincerity of Pixar's most cherished work. It will resonate even more in the coming years.
Top 10 Films of 2021
Honorable Mentions (Alphabetical order): The Green Knight, In the Heights, Judas and the Black Messiah, The Last Duel, The Mitchells vs The Machines, The Power of the Dog, Spencer, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
10. Pig - Streaming on Hulu & Kanopy
Nicolas Cage is an actor that wholeheartedly devotes himself to every role he takes on. Equally expressive as he is introspective. Yet Pig may present his best work to date. Here, a pig is the object of Cage's fierce devotion. The pathos of Cage's performance sells his attachment to said truffle pig, which is reaffirmed by his underlying emotional trauma. Michael Sarnoski's outstanding directorial debut is a contemplative and sincere subversion on a seemingly ordinary revenge story. Instead of violent retribution, Sarnoski offers poignant observations on grief and a tranquil resolution.
9. Dune - Streaming on HBO Max
I've eagerly awaited the release of Dune since learning of director Denis Villeneuve's involvement. Subsequent release delays granted me plenty of time to read Frank Herbert's seminal science-fiction novel beforehand. The screenplay by Villeneuve, Eric Roth, and Jon Spaihts adapted approximately half of the book, and nearly did so flawlessly. I have small quibbles here and there, but the craft on display is nothing short of extraordinary, as evidenced by the 6 Oscars it won last year. A stacked cast of A-list actors and assured direction from Denis Villeneuve ensured Dune would be a well-rounded sci-fi epic. Dune filled the void of otherworldly cinematic adventures left by the lack of theatrical Star Wars releases since 2019, and I can't wait to see Villeneuve's take on the remainder of the source material. Desert power!
8. tick, tick... Boom! - Streaming on Netflix
I can't think of another film from 2021 that was defined by its lead performer quite like tick, tick... Boom! Andrew Garfield was deservedly nominated by the Academy for his dynamic portrayal of real-life lyricist, composer, and playwright Jonathan Larson. The source material itself is a semi-autobiographical musical about Larson. Since his untimely death, the show was re-contextualized. With the foresight that Larson wouldn't live to see the debut and monumental success of Rent, there's a hint of tragedy to this depiction of a struggling artist on the brink of his big break. tick, tick... Boom! marks an impressive directorial debut for singer-songwriter/playwright, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and features an eclectic mix of songs that can be best described as exuberant, sorrowful, and everything in-between.
7. Drive My Car - Streaming on HBO Max
Ryûsuke Hamaguchi's pensive examination of grief made for an engrossing viewing experience. The narrative is well-told and impeccably-made with rich catharsis. The film is nearly three hours long and all of the dialogue is spoken in Japanese, but the themes and emotional core of this story are universal. If interested in broadening your horizons, Drive My Car's story transcends the one-inch barrier of subtitles as a gripping cinematic tour de force.
6. Mass - Streaming on Hulu, Hoopla, & Kanopy
Mass is a film that's deceptively simple. It depicts two couples meeting one another at a church to engage in a difficult conversation. I'll withhold revealing the said topics of conversation. The reason being that I went into this film blind, and thought the experience was all the better for it. The screenplay, blocking, subject matter, and performances truly make this film worthwhile. Despite a simple set-up, the film is astonishingly deep and the four primary actors are extraordinary, to say the least. Mass may not have been on your radar, but it's currently streaming on Hulu. If I've piqued your interest and you have a subscription or don't mind renting Mass, I highly recommend checking it out!
5. Licorice Pizza - Streaming on Prime Video & Paramount Plus
Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza is undoubtedly one of 2021's most original offerings. The title alone sets it apart... PTA's latest is another impeccable entry in his highly regarded filmography. Breakout stars Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim are destined to have fruitful careers as the two hold their own while sharing scenes with a host of household names. Their unique chemistry is the beating heart of the film. Their attraction may not be fatal, but it sure is toxic and amusing. Licorice Pizza is a hysterical coming-of-age comedy I'll surely revisit plenty in the years to come.
4. West Side Story - Streaming on Disney+ & HBO Max
The 1961 West Side Story is a favorite of mine, so I was very excited to discover how my favorite filmmaker would reimagine the beloved tragic romance. To nobody's surprise, Steven Spielberg improves upon the original in nearly every respect. The biggest differentiator being that Spielberg's adaptation is inherently more cinematic. The scope of Spielberg's production is larger and the characters feel fully-realized. The technical aspects of this film are truly astounding, and the cast knock it out of the park. Perhaps, the most refreshing aspect is how Spielberg and his longtime cinematographer Janusz Kamiński invited the camera to participate in the choreography. Spielberg's iteration is a meticulously crafted musical that won't soon be forgotten. For his first movie-musical, Spielberg rejuvenated a classic story that existed for over half-a-century. And that's what makes him the greatest living filmmaker.
3. The Matrix: Resurrections - Streaming on HBO Max
Twenty-two years after the original film exploded in the pop-culture zeitgeist, Lana Wachowski returned to the digital world she and her sister created. With legacy sequels and reboots now dominating Hollywood, a resurgence into the Matrix needed to set itself apart from its predecessors. To that end, Wachowski weaponizes nostalgia to offer meta-commetary on the state of franchise filmmaking and the enduring legacy of The Matrix. This approach may seem unorthodox, but is in spirit with the auteur-driven nature of the trilogy. It rules that Lana Wachowski steered a $190 M tentpole in this direction, resulting in one of the most thoughtfully constructed blockbusters made since The Last Jedi.
2. The Worst Person in The World - Streaming on Hulu & Kanopy
The Worst Person in the World sees a young woman undergo a profound journey of self-discovery and self-love as she navigates her love-life and career path. Jochum Trier's film is equal parts uplifting and devastating, maintaining a sense of emotional authenticity from start-to-finish. The Oscar-nominated screenplay is incredibly nuanced, and sincerely realized to a degree few other recent releases have achieved. Time and time again, the script by Trier and Eskil Vogt deeply resonated with me and felt tailor made for millennials. In the lead role, Renate Reinsve holds it all together with an incredibly dynamic performance that feels so true to life. And, for what it's worth, the well-acknowledged "running through Oslo" sequence is breathtaking. In a world where new media often feels artificial and fabricated, The Worst Person in the World is hopelessly devoted to reality. And what could be more cinematic than life itself.
1. No Time To Die - Streaming on Prime Video
Daniel Craig's 15-year tenure as 007 had ups and downs, but Craig's swan song fired on all cylinders. Director Cary Fukunaga blended old-school Bond with cutting edge craftsmanship, and the two were a match made in heaven. No Time to Die was not only the most thrilling action movie I saw in 2021, it was the film I felt most moved by as well. There was No Time to Die, but with a nearly 3 hour runtime, there was plenty of time to cry. Craig's fond farewell is in good company alongside the decade's best blockbusters thus far. Contrary to James Bond's martini of choice, Craig's swan song is an emotionally-stirring conclusion. Not one that was haphazardly shaken.
