2021 Film List: What have we learned this year?

My movie list is based off style, enjoyment, and fullfilment.

Style: How does it look visually? Is the cinematography lazy? How well does the blue screen blend with the actual set? I ask myself these everytime I watch a film.

Enjoyment: Is this film entertaining? Even a sad movie doesnt have to be boring. Many have said a 4 hour movie can feel like 2. Vice versa. There is a balance.

Fullfilment: Is this a happy meal, or a 4 course meal? Is this script basic, or does it ride the lightning between pretentious, and just plain genius?

Justice League

My number 1 simply for the fact Zack Snyder was able to give the entire world his take on these characters. Finally. After years of struggling with Warner Brothers. Im assuming you know that drama by now. Google is your friend. Beautiful movie. Self indulgent? Absolutely.

Spider-Man No Way Home

3 generations united. The fan community is finally presented with the idea of unity. Everyone's Spidey matters now. Again, beautiful movie. A little shaky with the fight sequences. I actually would've enjoyed a 4 hour cut. Ie Justice League. I'm a superhero geek though.

The Suicide Squad

Unapologetically ballsy. Funny. Visually stunning. James Gunn is in his bag.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage

Visually on point. I would've preferred a longer cut. However the Carnage was definitely brought. Woody is the goat.

Willy's Wonderland

A silent Nicholas Cage fighting demon furries. Pure filmmaking at it's finest.

Mortal Kombat: Battle of the Realms

Everything the live action reboot wanted to be. Sigh.

Candyman

Respected the past. Added to the lore. Visually creative. Loved it.

Dont Look Up

I needed a good end of times movie, and this was perfect timing. Political? Yeah but they were spot on with it so it was hilarious.

Shang Chi

Underrated for me as I was excited for this movie. Almost escaped the MCU aesthetic. Almost. Hard hitting fight choreography.

The Many Saints of Newark

Is it the best mob movie? No. But we all needed a trip back to Newark. Breezy. That's either a pro or con depending who you ask. If you haven't noticed. I like long movies. With that at least you get the film to air out a bit.

Halloween Kills

Bloody? Yes. Script? Not so much. Cinematography is great. I strongly believe they shouldn't ignore the other Jamie Lee Sequels. People dont forget. Respect the lore.

Mortal Kombat

This had so much promise. And I'll never forgive Warner Brothers. This deserves a separate article. But I will digress. Flawless at times, but the lows are too fatal for me to put this in my Top 10.

The Matrix: Resurrections

Big ideas. Didnt commit fully. Sloppy fight choreography. Happy for the OG's though.

Raya and The Last Dragon

Sleeper hit for me. I wasnt going to watch it.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

Cool story. Wasnt scary at all. I cant watch the first one because it's THAT scary.

Godzilla Vs Kong

Sick movie. Hollow earth. Cinematic for sure. That's it.

Eternals

Visual. Needed more time with the characters. Rewatchability? We'll see.

Black Widow

Big Ideas. Wasnt bad. The Russian stuff was my favorite.

Cruella

Didnt know I would enjoy it. Visually lovely.

Army of the Dead

Great flick. Not big on zombies.

The Unforgivable

Deep. Emotional. Weak ending.

Malignant

Weird movie. Wont watch it again.

F9

They did Han dirty. All the Tokyo Drift guys were the punch line. Lazy script. Weak cgi.

The Forever Purge

Interesting angle this time around. I like that every movie in this franchise is told from a different perspective.

Batman: The Long Halloween

It was dope. But there's so many Batman animated movies now they all blend together.

The Little Things

Jared Leto can act.

Dune

Visually interesting. Just not for me. Not yet.

Jungle Cruise

Try hard rip off of "The Mummy, 1999". And they know it.

Home Sweet Home Alone

It had some laughs I wont lie.

Judas and the Black Messiah

Great film. Not something I'll watch again.

Tick Tick Boom

Dont have a strong opinion on this. I didnt like the ending. Too abrupt.

Justice Society World War 2

I dont remember it.

Fake Famous

Great incite on todays social media age.

Coming 2 America

Pg 13. They started singing. Eddie Murphy could, and has done better

Fearstreet

They almost nailed it. Gore was there. Needed more meat.

The Tomorrow War

Boring to watch.

Space Jam 2

I didnt like the first one either.

I literally found something to enjoy in all these movies. Except for one.

He's All That

The disrespect. Unbelievable. I feel bad for the original actors for signing on. They just wanted to stick with a franchise that was partly responsible for their success. I understand wanting to comeback. But this wasn't it.

Going into 2022 I just want filmmakers, and studios to find better balance. Hey Warner Brothers. Stop cutting scripts. Your movie will probably feel hollow. Let your movie breathe. Dont skimp on choreography. Build practical sets as much as possible. You'll let movies like Dune get made but will chop up Mortal Kombat no questions asked. That's a problem. And absolutely this isnt just a Warner Brothers problem. Marvel Studios may hire auteur directors but theres always a chance those pre viz fight sequences will have that Mcu feel to them. Do better. 2021 had huge highs, and huge lows. Whichever you decide to dwell on is on you. We have the Snyder Cut. We have seen Spidey's unite a fan community. Anything is possible.