- While the state of the movies is very uncertain (as is the state of the world, come to think of it!), I can say one thing about 2021: after over a year without seeing a movie in a movie theater due to the raging pandemic, going back to the movies this past Spring was, truly, amazing. My first movie back, post-vax, was In The Heights. Seeing it on the big screen, in the ol' Burbank AMC 16's first-rate Dolby theater, was an experience I won't soon forget. The colors, the sound, the immersiveness and *bigness* of it all gave me chills. Because, man, as much as I'd made the best of a year of movies at home - for me, a passionate theater-goer, it just wasn't the same. So I was eternally grateful to go back to the movies in 2021. And as each new at-the-movies milestone rolled around - my first big action movie (F9!), my first new Marvel movie (Black Widow!) ... my residual nervousness of being in any sort of crowded indoor space was, mostly, offset by the feeling of sheer relief that, once again, I could go to my happy place.
Of course, that relief was somewhat fleeting. For one thing, a lot of my favorite LA-area theaters didn't survive the pandemic - notably the iconic Arclight Hollywood. Since moving to LA in 2005, I've had countless memorable movie-going experiences there. Avengers: Infinity War opening night, Q&A's with filmmakers, landmark movies seen for the first time with great crowds who loved film as much as I did. While some Arclight locations eventually re-opened under different corporate banners, we're all still waiting for news about the Hollywood location (and its historic Cinerama Dome) and crossing our fingers that it returns in some way, shape, or form.
For another thing, a lot of movie theaters failed to adapt as things evolved with the pandemic. When I went back that first time to see In the Heights, there was social distancing in place. Soon enough, social distancing was gone and it was back to business as usual. Later, some theaters thankfully began requiring proof-of-vax for admission, but others - like my local theaters here in Burbank, did not. The reason is that the City of LA is requiring this for theaters, whereas LA County - which includes surrounding areas like Burbank and Glendale - does not. I'm sure there are similar discrepancies across the country, and it's kind of ridiculous. Here's hoping that, as long as this pandemic is ongoing, more local governments get with it and require proof-of-vax for theaters, indoor restaurant dining, etc. And ... it's not just that. Pre-pandemic, theatergoing could be marred by inconsiderate people talking, checking their phones, etc. Now, post-pandemic, we have to worry about people not properly wearing their masks or, worse, deciding that they absolutely must scarf down a bucketful of popcorn even in the middle of an airborne pandemic. Why, people - why?! To adapt, my moviegoing has become much more strategic in the backend of this year - sticking to theaters requiring proof of vax, searching for emptier theaters, and going at off-peak times when possible. Not ideal, but worth it, to me, to see movies on the big screen.
Now, all of that said ... people, we've got a lot to talk about when it comes to movies. For one, we're seeing a total paradigm shift in who goes to movies and when and how often. The success of Spider-Man: No Way Home at the box office over the last few weeks has raised a lot of questions, and led some to be more optimistic about the future of movies and movie theaters. But was this one an anomaly - a lighting-in-a-bottle convergence of buzz and hype and fandom and multiple multiversal Spider-Men and people wanting to get to the movies at least one more time before new variants made the pandemic worse? And even in the face of Spider-Man's success, is the writing still on the wall for any smaller, non-event films of the low or mid-budget variety? Or, is it more so just that studios - desperate to attract big name talent, have let big name directors have carte blanche with their projects, even if those projects (say, remakes of sixty-year-old musicals) are not exactly hyper-commercial? The fact is, there's A LOT happening now, and it's still a total wild west in terms of where the movie business is at and where it's going. There's no question: streaming has changed everything. And once again, some of the year's best movies were Netflix or Amazon or even Apple originals. And even if many of those films received limited theatrical releases, people's behavior has changed irrevocably, and many are just perfectly fine watching films on their TV at home via streaming services they're already subscribed to - thank you very much. The problem, of course, is that this leads to more passive viewing selection vs. proactively seeking out the best stuff. It also hurts the overall movie-watching experience - because while many may not want to admit it, most can't go for a few hours anymore without multitasking on their phones. This is why the theater, in my view, is so vitally important to preserve. Putting screen size aside, movies are best enjoyed and appreciated with one's full attention given - with as few distractions as possible. The greater the immersion, the better. That's why I love seeing even smaller indie movies in a theater. For me, it's just a different, better experience.
So how do we save theaters? That's a question slightly above my pay grade. But I think lower ticket prices, more safety measures during the pandemic (requirement of vax!), promotional partnerships with streaming services, more premium viewing experiences, and more "eventizing" of movies (even smaller ones!) can go a long way. Here in LA, Licorice Pizza was released early in just one theater in Westwood. But seeing the film became a real event - the marquee was done up with 70's-style flare (matching the movie's setting), and a pop-up pinball arcade was opened adjacent to the theater. It was a real scene, and was super cool. And people went in droves to see the movie. More stuff like this!
Now, all of that said, it was great to be able to watch great content at home during times when going to the theater was not a good option. Windowing is continuing to shift, and I do think that movies becoming available for early digital PVOD rental, only a few short weeks post-theatrical, is a net-positive for the business. My sense is that a lot of movies - especially older-skewing ones - have had a good chunk of change added to their overall revenue because of early at-home availability.
Of course, there's also a more macro question here: does the next generation of potential movie-goers even care that much about movies? In a world of shortform social media videos, gaming, etc. - does sitting still for 2 or 3 hours to watch one thing really appeal to Gen Z and younger? It will be interesting to see if many movies are able to break out in the next few years with younger generations, save for the occasional Spider-Man-sized event.
Finally - whew! - we got A LOT of movies in 2021. Remember: a number of "2020" movies didn't actually come out in 2020. And so a lot of early 2021 movie viewing, for me, was catching up on films like Nomadland, Minari, I Care a Lot, One Night in Miami, and The Father that, while eligible for this year's awards season, had only screened for a handful of critics the year prior. So you'll still see those films on my Best Of list below. Also, because of production delays and COVID concerns, a huge number of movies were back-loaded into the last couple months of the year. So we had the usual parade of Oscar hopefuls in October, November, and December - but ALSO a ton of pushed-back blockbusters like Dune, The Eternals, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Thank the movie gods that Dune eventually re-released in IMAX in December, after its initial October run was cut short. This meant, too, that many a movie got lost in the shuffle. Movies already challenged by older audiences staying home also had to deal with an insanely crowded marketplace (which included not just theatrical releases, but streaming movies too). It meant that some great films like Nightmare Alley and Red Rocket perhaps didn't get the attention from fans that they deserved.
So ... it was a year of many movies, and a year of a lot of very good movies. Even great ones! Where 2020 was sparse, 2021 was overstuffed. Even with all the movies I've seen (and I've seen ... a pretty good amount!), there are still a ton of strong-word-of-mouth films I still haven't got too. I still want to check out Drive My Car, Lost Daughter, and Parallel Mothers among others. But, I can only watch so much, and so, here's my list.
- Seen by select critics in 2020, Nomadland released to the public early this year and, over the last 12 months, no other film has stuck with me as much. A powerful, unforgettable film, I wholeheartedly endorsed the movie's Best Picture and Best Director win at the 2021 Oscars. Chloe Zhao created a masterwork with this movie, and Frances McDormand delivers an all-time great lead performance. This is a poignant film about a broken America and the people barely getting by within the systems we've created.
- I'll confess - this was a very tough year to narrow down my favorites. And with Licorice Pizza in particular, I went back and forth ... a lot. A couple of things about the movie nagged at me. I wish that writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson had ironed out some tonal issues, in which a racist character somewhat invites us to laugh with him as opposed to at him. And yet ... I get what PTA was going for. And still ... I can't shake the feeling that this was the best new release film of 2021 - a masterful look at a moment between eras, between childhood and adulthood, between failure and success. It's funny, heartbreaking, and feels "real" in a way that few other movies in recent memory do. It's got some of the year's most laugh out loud moments (Bradley Cooper!), most amazing performances (Alana Haim!), and most memorable sequences (that backwards truck drive is one for the ages). An imperfect (but such is life, and such is art) masterpiece, and one of PTA's best films to date.
- Through work, I'd been hearing about this one and anticipating it for a long while. But when I finally saw it (back in theaters, baby!), my already-high expectations were not just met, but far surpassed. Because this is that rare beast - a Weird Nicholas Cage Movie that's also a Great Nicholas Cage Movie. And when those twain do meet, it's a beautiful thing indeed. Pig has it's moments of vintage Nic Cage Cage-iness, but it's also incredibly powerful and moving and thought-provoking - a soulful meditation on love and loss that hit me as hard as any movie has hit.
- This one floored me. Much like the movie Jackie, this is historical biopic as horror story - a look at how royalty - and its glaring spotlight - trapped Princess Diana in a literal and psychological prison that she wanted nothing more than to escape from. Anchored by a seminal performance from Kristen Stewart as Diana, this one is a jaw-dropper. And it's got the best movie ending of the year to boot.
- The best big-budget blockbuster of 2021, Dune gave me that chill-inducing sense of awe and wonder that only a select handful of sci-fi and fantasy epics have ever been able to provide. Directed with incredible imagination and sense of scale by Denis Villeneuve, seeing Dune in IMAX was a monumental cinematic experience. Bring on Part 2.
- This Netflix original is, somehow, Lin-Manuel Miranda's first-ever directorial effort for film - and he absolutely knocks it out of the park. A musical tour de force about the life of Rent creator Jonathan Larson, the film brilliantly weaves together Larson's music from his one man show into a meta-story about the ingenue's life and creative struggles. Filled with memorable songs, this one's also got a career-best performance from star Andrew Garfield that's more than deserving of Oscar gold.
- From some of the same folks who gave us the brilliant Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, The Mitchells vs. The Machines is one of the best animated family movies in recent memory. The movie is funny, timely, and has a great message about supporting your loved ones as they chase their dreams. It's also visually dazzling and full of imagination. And a stacked voice-cast, too. Highly, highly recommended.
- Sean Baker, who directed my top-ranked movie of 2017 with The Florida Project, does it again with Red Rocket. Simon Rex delivers an incredible lead performance (note the way he subtly and not-so-subtly changes his tone of voice depending on who he's talking to and in what context) - in a film that is a wild, memorable, satiric parable of an America on the verge of Trump-ian hell.
- Another 2020 film that was only released to the public in 2021, The Father featured one of the best performances I've ever seen in a film from the legendary Anthony Hopkins (who rightfully won the Oscar at the 2021 ceremony). The film takes a grim subject - dementia - and creates a masterfully composed puzzle-box mystery around it ... leading to a film that has its share of melancholy but also never fails to entertain.
- When it comes to Wes Anderson ... haters gonna hate. But for me, there are few things as awesome in film as Wes Anderson at the top of his game - and he surely is with The French Dispatch. The film has Anderson's usual hyper-attention to detail and precision and impeccably-arranged stylized aesthetic (and yes, it's quirky af). But this one's also got a real message behind the meticulously-designed sets and costumes, for The French Dispatch is, ultimately, a moving ode to the dying art of longform journalism (and, specifically, to The New Yorker). In chronicling the adventures of intrepid writers committed to delivering truth, Anderson - in his own whimsical way - reminds us of what we've lost in this social media age.
- One of the funniest and most quotable comedies in years, Barb and Star was just the brand of absurdist comedy insanity we needed to get us through those dark days of early 2021. An instant cult-classic that you need to watch asap.
- This one had a lot of my favorite things - Film noir! Femme fatales! Weird carnivals! - but it still surprised me with some of the strange detours it took. It of course paid homage to classic film noir, but also with lurid shades of classic EC Comics - all with that unmistakable Guillermo Del Toro style and aesthetic. Cate Blanchett is the show-stealer, but the entire cast is excellent. Geek-out worthy for sure.
14.) Minari
-
Another 2020 holdover, Minari netted a well-deserved Best Supporting
Actress Oscar win for Youn Yuh-jung. This story of one immigrant family
struggling to live out the American dream - starring the always great
Steven Yeun - is filled with fantastic performances, memorable moments,
and a lot of heart. And it's surprisingly harrowing to boot.
15.) West Side Story
- Did we need another version of West Side Story? Probably not. And yet
... from moment one, this new adaptation is just Steven Spielberg,
seemingly, showing off - directing the hell out of this movie with a
level of skill that amazes, delights, and further cements his legend.
Spielberg and writer Tony Kushner don't just dazzle us, they also cagily
tweak the story to feel resonant to today's America. It's an impressive
high-wire act that only two huge talents could pull off.
THE NEXT BEST:
16.) One Night in Miami
- Released in early 2021, though part of this past year's awards-season,
One Night in Miami is a tour de force. The four main actors - depicting
real life icons Cassius Clay, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, and Malcolm X - were
each incredible and awards-worthy. The great cast was matched by a
razorsharp script that examined all sorts of issues of race, class,
gender, and equality. And director Regina King nailed it too.
17.) Cyrano
-
All hail Peter Dinklage. I mean, what can't this man do? In Cyrano, the
Game of Thrones star kills it as not just a leading man, but a musical
leading man! He sings, sword-fights, and romances his way through a
hugely entertaining musical romance/adventure, directed with aplomb by
Joe Wright. I can't wait for more people to see this one - it's a
crowd-pleaser for sure.
18.) Annette
- What a year for
Sparks! The cult-favorite band went mainstream this year - getting
their own Edgar Wright doc, and penning the music for their own original
movie musical to boot. And this movie, well - it's so gloriously weird.
It feels like the closest we might ever get to a David Lynch musical.
Adam Driver gives 1000% in this one and there are so many scenes/moments
that I won't soon forget.
19.) Free Guy
- I'm so glad
I got to see this movie on the big screen, because Free Guy was
flat-out awesome - legitimately one of the best original blockbusters in
years. Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi, Lil Rel, Joe Keery
(Steve from Stranger Things) all killed it. The movie had ncredible
action and HUGE applause moments and some big surprises to boot. I was
cheering in my seat. A razor-sharp script, tons of heart - what more do
you need?
20.) The Card Counter
- The Card Counter
draws clear comparisons to earlier Paul Schrader works like Taxi Driver.
As with that classic film, this is a story about a loner with
barely-suppressed rage trying to make sense of a broken world. I was
also reminded of Schrader's First Reformed, in terms of its at times
almost surreal/nightmarish vibe. I found it to be mesmerizing,
disturbing, thought-provoking, and at times downright jaw-dropping.
Oscar Isaac is phenomenal in it, too - delivering a strange but
unforgettable performance in the lead role.
21.) Benedetta
-
Legendary director Paul Verhoeven - he of Robocop, Starship Troopers,
and yes, Showgirls fame - has only gotten more daring and fearless in
older age. And Benedetta is both an over-the-top, shock-value-for-days
satire, but also surprisingly profound to boot. I was hyped going in,
but this one lived up to that hype for me 100%. What a crazy film!
22.) Belfast
-
Written and directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh, Belfast is full of charm
and heart and nostalgia - as it's based on Branagh's own childhood
growing up in Belfast in the 60's, during the start of The Troubles.
This one left me misty-eyed, thanks in large part to stellar supporting
turns from Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds.
23.) The Matrix: Resurrections
-
Okay, some of you led me to believe that this long-awaited new Matrix
movie was some random meta side story / quasi-reboot. But this was not
that - it was a full-blown sequel, baby - and it was awesome! The movie was rife with clever and winking meta-commentary, yes -
but there was real epicness too. Lana Wachowski and team gave us a
movie that expanded on the mythology of the original films in
interesting ways - and actually retconned a bunch of stuff to make more
sense and/or feel more important than it did in the sequels. There was
some incredible sci-fi imagery, cool action, and IMO there was actually
*more* heart than in the previous movies - namely, I cared about the
central Neo/Trinity relationship more in this one than I ever had
before. This one is divisive, clearly - but I come down on the side of:
"it rocked!"
24.) Titane
- Titane is right up there
with director Julia Ducornau's Raw as an all-time visceral, disturbing,
and just plain crazy film. It's incredibly strange and uncomfortable to
watch at times, but man, does Ducornau know how to create some
incredible imagery. Working heavily in metaphor, she tells the story of
two extremely damaged people who form a strange connection that probably
shouldn't be, but somehow is.
25.) In the Heights
- I
had zero familiarity with the In the Heights musical going in to this
one, but man, it was really Lin Manuel Miranda at his best - clever,
catchy, funny, moving, poignant, and inspirational. Jon M. Chu did an
amazing job directing - adding tons of big-screen-worthy visual flair to
the story. Several sequences were total showstoppers.
MORE GREAT FILMS OF 2021:
26.) King Richard
-
Will Smith delivers his best performance in years, and the entire cast
of King Richard is so fantastic, top to bottom. Just an impeccably
written, acted, and directed feel-good film - that will no doubt net
awards attention for Smith. The true-life story of Venus and Serena
William's rise to the top of the tennis world - and the driven dad who
got them there - is a classic crowd-pleaser.
27.) No Sudden Move
- A crackling period-piece
crime caper with one hell of a cast and some surprising twists. Surprisingly timely as well. David
Harbour *kills* it in this one - I think this is my favorite
performance of his to date. Benicio Del Toro, Don Cheadle, Jon Hamm,
Brendan Fraser, Ray Liotta, Bill Duke, Amy Siemetz, Kieron Culkin, and
<redacted> are great too (it's truly an all-star cast). Another
fascinating and thought-provoking film from the always-unpredictable Steven
Soderbergh
28.) The White Tiger
-
Another early 2021 release that was a 2020 holdover, The White Tiger
was a unique and fresh take on the classic rags to riches story -
vibrant, colorful, unpredictable, and darkly funny. And a scathing and
fascinating look at Indian society as well.
29.) Zola
-
A funny and entertaining fever-dream of a film that's also got a lot to
say beneath the surface about social media, trash culture, feminism,
and America (among other things). Amazing cast, and Janicza Bravo
directs the heck out of this one too.
30.) Judas and the Black Messiah
-
A powerful film about the rise of the Black Panther movement and the
controversy it created, this one features two great performances from
Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield, and is a fascinating look at a
not-often-dramatized chapter in the fight for racial equality.
31.) A Quiet Place Pt. 2
- With quick,
no-filler pacing, a smart script, some *killer* set-pieces, nonstop
tension, and a great cast - A Quiet Place Pt. 2 is arguably one of the
best horror sequels ever. John Krasinski ... man, this guy can
seriously direct, too.
32.) Werewolves Within
- A
nearly note-perfect horror/comedy/whodunnit that's often incredibly
funny, Werewolves Within also has an amazing cast of "oh hey, it's that
hilarious
person from _________" actors. Seriously though - this is one of the
best indie movies of the year and a must-watch new cult classic.
33.) House of Gucci
-
What a year for Ridley Scott. I enjoyed this WAY more than I thought I
might. It's ridiculously entertaining and insanely over the top
(fitting, I suppose, given the subject matter). Adam Driver and in
particular Lady Gaga are great, but ho-lee lord Jared Leto as Paolo
Gucci is just INSANE. See also, Al Pacino. I’m going to need memes of
his epic “NOOO! I’M DEAD!” freakout scene immediately.
34.) Riders of Justice
-
A darkly satirical revenge story that also has a genuine emotional core.
Mads Mikkelsen is great (and this continues what I assume will be his
Danish midlife crisis trilogy). Seriously though, highly recommended.
35.) Passing
- This Netflix original is a
great directorial effort from Rebecca Hall. Ruth Negga and Tessa
Thompson are excellent as the leads, in a film that is a thought-provoking, fascinating exploration of race,
sex, and class in recent American history.
36.) The Harder They Fall
- A
hyper-stylized Western revenge story with some serious Tarantino vibes,
it featured an amazing ensemble cast and memorable characters - and
some real visual panache from director Jeymes Samuel. Plus, a *killer*
ending that really sealed the deal for me.
37.) The Many Saints of Newark
38.) The Last Duel
- Anytime the great Ridley Scott gives us an historical epic, I'm all in. But, this one, really, is a much more deliberate and ambiguous drama than something like Gladiator - giving us the same story from multiple perspectives, a la Rashomon - in order to make a very timely point about how patriarchal societies can obscure the truth at the expense of women, and how that very much needs to change. Adam Driver and Matt Damon are both very good, while Jodie Comer (of Killing Eve fame) steals the show.
39.) PG: Psycho Goreman
- This movie is pure joy. A hilarious and ridiculous hand-crafted homage to 80's sci-fi and horror. A new midnight movie classic. This one deserves your love, so go rent it asap.
40.) The Alpinist
- An
absolutely crazy story - filled with fascinating characters, as well as incredible freehand climbing footage. 2021 was a great
year for docs, but this is one of the best.
41.) I Care a Lot
- A
pitch-black satire of American greed, moral hollowness, and
kill-or-be-killed mentality. Rosamund Pike definitely earned herself her Golden Globe in this one. And Peter Dinklage - so good.
42.) F9: The Fast & Furious Saga
-
This much-delayed sequel was the perfect movie to welcome audiences
back to <insert Vin Diesel voice> "the movies." An insanely over
the top and breathtakingly entertaining bit of popcorn-movie magic, F9
was a step above 8 and featured kick-ass action and plenty of awesomely
insane set-pieces.
43.) Spider-Man: No Way Home
- An
incredibly fun spectacle, NWH had the epic, big-event, can't-miss feel
that was a bit lacking in this year's other Marvel movies. But the
funny thing is ... despite all the multiversal adventuring, big-name
hero and villain appearances, and giant action scenes ... really, the
reason, 100%, why this movie works as well as it does is simple: the
relationships between Peter and his girlfriend MJ, and between Peter and
his best friend Ned. It's a good reminder that no matter how big the
spectacle, none of it matters if your story doesn't have a beating
heart.
44.) Last Night in Soho
- Soho has some
of the most visually-stunning scenes of Edgar Wright's directing career.
Wright channels movies like The Shining and Suspiria to create a unique
horror-mystery. It's fascinating to see Wright swing for the fences and
try for something different, and I can't wait to see how he continues
to evolve from here and what he tackles next.
45.) Encanto
- Encanto is a smaller-scale story vs. a lot of animated Disney movies, but it's got really fun music from Lin Manuel Miranda and a great and unique main character in Mirabel. There's also a great message here and some moments that I think will really resonate.
46.) Shiva Baby
47.) Coda
- This Apple TV original is a
very sweet film with some fantastic performances and a seriously great cast as well. Emilia
Jones delivers what feels like a breakout performance as the lead
(though she's also great on Locke & Key!).
48.) The Tragedy of Macbeth
- Joel Coen's Shakespeare
adaptation is more straightforward than you might expect from one half
of the storied Coen Bros filmmaking duo - but it's also one heck of a
film. Visually stunning and anchored by a commanding lead performance
from Denzel Washington, the film is arguably one of the definitive
filmed versions of the material.
49.) The Power of the Dog
- Jane Campion's enigmatic Western thriller is a slow-burn ... and the kind of film that almost demands multiple viewings to fully wrap your head around its subtly-revealed plot. That's not to say that the film, as a whole, is subtle. It's a strange, hypnotic movie filled with evocative imagery, dialogue, and character moments - with Benedict Cumberbatch's lead performance being one of the year's most unforgettable.
50.) Ghostbusters: Afterlife
HONORABLE MENTIONS - OTHER RECOMMENDED MOVIES FROM THIS YEAR:
INDIVIDUAL 2021 AWARDS (Oscar 2022-Eligible Movies Only):
BEST LEAD ACTOR:
1.) Andrew Garfield - Tick, Tick ... Boom!
2.) Simon Rex - Red Rocket
3.) Peter Dinklage - Cyrano
4.) Nicholas Cage - Pig
5.) Tie: Will Smith - King Richard, Oscar Isaac - The Card Counter
(2021-Eligible Additions: Anthony Hopkins - The Father, Steven Yeun - Minari)
BEST LEADING ACTRESS:
1.) Kristen Stewart - Spencer
2.) Alana Haim - Licorice Pizza
3.) Agathe Rousselle - Titane
3.) Rachel Zegler - West Side Story
4.) Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo - Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar
(2021-Eligible Additions: Frances McDormand - Nomadland, Rosamund Pike - I Care A Lot)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
1.) Ciarán Hinds - Belfast
2.) Bradley Cooper - Licorice Pizza
3.) Al Pacino - House of Gucci
4.) Jared Leto - House of Gucci
5.) Mike Faist - West Side Story
(2021-Eligible Additions: Leslie Odom Jr. - One Night in Miami, Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield - Judas and the Black Messiah)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
1.) Cate Blanchett - Nightmare Alley
2.) Ruth Negga - Passing
3.) Judie Dench - Belfast
4.) Ariana DeBose - West Side Story
5.) Rebecca Ferguson - Dune
(2021-Eligible Additions: Youn Yuh-jung - Minari)
BEST DIRECTOR:
1.) Paul Thomas Anderson - Licorice Pizza
2.) Denis Villeneuve - Dune
3.) Lin-Manuel Miranda - Tick, Tick ... Boom!
4.) Steven Spielberg - West Side Story
5.) Wes Anderson - The French Dispatch
(2021-Eligible Additions: Chloe Zhao - Nomadland)
BEST SCREENPLAY:
1.) Spencer
2.) Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
3.) The French Dispatch
4.) Zola
5.) The Card Counter
6.) Pig
7.) Free Guy
8.) The Mitchells vs. The Machines
9.) Licorice Pizza
10.) Werewolves Within
(2021-Eligible Additions: Nomadland, The White Tiger, The Father, Minari, One Night in Miami)
And
that's a wrap on the Best of 2021. Yeah ... I'm ready for a nap. See you guys in 2022 - hopefully in theaters, probably on Netflix, and who knows - maybe in the metaverse!
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