MY FAVOURITE MOVIES OF 2021
This year has not been a very great year for movies. As the pandemic continues to wreck havoc to travel and businesses around the world, many people are still sceptical about returning to the cinemas to watch a movie. A number of movies that were postponed from last year finally made it to the big screen, while some had simultaneous release in cinemas as well as on streaming services. A good number of movies that were originally supposed to be released last year have had their release dates further postponed to 2022.
I am fortunate to have had the chance to watch a record number of movies for 2021. However, I have to admit that there were many disappointments this year and these included a number of high profile movies. Jungle Cruise, The Suicide Squad, The Tomorrow War, and Godzilla vs Kong were some of the duds this year. Happily there were also many great movies with a diverse range of genres that made it difficult for me to shortlist my usual top ten films. Many of these seem to be recent releases at the year end perhaps because this is the time where Oscar hopefuls get released in time for awards consideration.
My personal favourite movie of the year was something I had just watched in December, Leos Carax’s musical masterpiece, Annette. I have always loved musicals and often lament the fact that they just don’t make musicals like they used to in the old days. With Annette, Leos Carax had not only made a perfect musical but one that is unique and current. There is no need to make musicals like the yesteryears when we can have something as fresh and different as Annette.
The rest of my list are listed below in no particular order:
- ANNETTE
- BECKETT
- LUCA
- THE POWER OF THE DOG
- THE EMPTY MAN
- ASSASSINS
- LAST NIGHT IN SOHO
- THE CARD COUNTER
- FRENCH EXIT
- SAINT MAUD
Also worthy of mention are a string of other excellent movies like BOILING POINT, DON’T LOOK UP, THE FATHER, THE DIG, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, and Japanese anime DEMON SLAYER – MUGEN TRAIN.
As with many things in life, the good also comes with the bad. There were the usual bad movies which I had the misfortune of having to sit through. If I were to make a choice of THE worst movie(s) I have seen this year, I guess it would be TOM & JERRY and THUNDER FORCE.
The past two years have made be realised that many things in life just cannot be controlled. It is futile trying to predict what is coming next. We can of course always hope and pray for better days ahead. Just like life, movies are somewhat the same. I shall not predict whether 2022 will be a better or great year for the movies but I can always hope and pray it would be. Happy New Year everyone and do share with me what your own favourites and not so favourite movies were in 2021.
