082. Film 2021 Index
The one you (I) have been waiting for.
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Today is the last installment of yearly favorites with the Tender Forms Film 2021 Index! I will link to any I’ve written at length about to keep things moving. This also follows last year’s criteria:
As with most of my top-rated films, both my heart and mind gravitate towards those that face hard truths, ask tough questions, teach, and transports to new worlds. The list includes new-to-me films along with those released in 2021.
Here are my top ten.
*I’ve tried to link those available on popular streaming services. If not available there, you can find them for rent on all the usual platforms.
1. Pieces of a Woman (2020, Netflix) ★★★★
Color me surprised that this is my number one. When I sat down to order this list, it simply felt right at the very top. I adored everything about this film: the filmmaking, acting, cinematography, music, story, the list goes on. Head to Newsletter 046 for more.
2. Phantom Thread (2017, Focus Features) ★★★★½
I know, a Paul Thomas Anderson film that was released in 2017 that I only just watched? But truly, there was no better time than 2021. What an incredibly heady, honest, dramatic, and visionary tale that encapsulates the trials and tribulations of what it means to be a creative with a partner. I didn’t expect to understand and feel this film and character, Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis), so abundantly. And of course, Jonny Greenwood’s score was a sensation in itself.
3. Margaret (Extended Cut, 2011, Fox Searchlight Pictures) ★★★★½
Yet another long-awaited, and long forgotten by many, film. HBO Max had the extended cut earlier this year, and I’m eternally grateful that the stars aligned for me to watch this version. It was 186 minutes of grief, anger, and revelation. Head to Newsletter 048 for more.
4. The Empty Man (2020, 20th Century Studios) ★★★★
A sleeper hit that very much deserves its now cult canon status. There’s a frightening realism to this movie. Head to Newsletter 070 for more.
5. Another Round (2020, Nordisk Film) ★★★★
Mads Mikkelsen’s performance is sublime and unforgettable. Do yourself a favor and watch it. Head to Newsletter 050 for more.
6. Nomadland (2020, Searchlight Pictures) ★★★★½
If I had to choose a performance of the year, I think it’d have to go to Frances McDormand. Head to Newsletter 046 for more.
7. Malignant (2021, Warner Bros. Pictures) ★★★★
I enjoyed this tremendously. It also haunted me for several months after, but that’s mainly because I shared that same long raven hair…Head to Newsletter 075 for more.
8. Gaia (2021, Decal) ★★★★
This was a gem from start to finish. It’s a deftly told tale of very real horrors faced today without beating you over the head with it. The performances are astonishing for such a contained and limited cast. While the story and performances are eerie enough, it’s the cinematography (Jorrie van der Walt) that pushes everything over the edge. When you watch this, you feel as though you’re in the South African forest, inhaling, growing, consuming the same psychedelics as our characters. It’s an excellent, overstimulating ride in the best way.
9. Pig (2021, Neon) ★★★★
Husband and I are huge Nicolas Cage fans, and we were thrilled to see him get the much-deserved praise for this film. This unsuspecting story was as delectable as the dishes throughout. Lovely performances by Cage and Alex Wolff.
10. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021, HBO Max) ★★★★
This is on my list purely to solidify the fact that a director’s vision can make or break a film. In Snyder’s case, his ‘Justice League’ is the far superior one. *For reference, he had to step away from production on the original, and Joss Whedon came in and destroyed it on all levels. I gave the original 1.5 stars and Snyder’s 4 stars.
Honorable Mentions (split into three genres, alphabetically): The criteria for this section is simple: if the film stuck around in my brain for an extended period of time, it made this list.
Drama:
God’s Own Country (2017, Picturehouse Entertainment)
This remains Francis Lee’s (writer, director) best yet.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020, Focus Features)
Heartbreaking. It’s also the only film to have captured Port Authority the most accurately. If you know, you know. Head to Newsletter 054 for more.
News of the World (2020, Universal Pictures)
I enjoyed all 118 minutes of this duo (Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel).
The Mustang (2019, Sony Pictures Releasing)
A somber but equally sweet film. Matthias Schoenaerts is a favorite and underrated actor.
Shiva Baby (2020, Utopia)
This movie was ridiculous in the best way. I stand by my original review:
Coming in at a brisk 78 minutes, it’s impressive how claustrophobic and, therefore, time-stretching it’s made to feel. It features great performances all around.
Horror:
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021, Warner Bros. Pictures)
I adore ‘The Conjuring’ series. This third installment is no different. Does it top the original? Probably not, but it’s stellar in its own right. And I loved that this one gave us a taste of a different kind of terror.
Sci-Fi:
Dune (2021, Warner Bros. Pictures)
After viewing, I honestly did not imagine this would be as well-received as it was. Don’t get me wrong, it’s visually and sonically stunning. In fact, Hans Zimmer’s score made this film. That and all the “C” departments: concept design, costume design, and last but certainly not least, cinematography. Everything else was lackluster (pun intended for a planet filled with dust and shimmer). And if I never have to see another medium close-up rack focus on Zendaya’s face, it would be too soon. *And don’t get me wrong, I’m a Zendaya fan, but come on.
Tenet (2020, Warner Bros. Pictures)
Like ‘Dune,’ I also had issues with ‘Tenet.’ However, it’s stuck around in my head for the majority of the year, which is always a sign that there’s something I thoroughly enjoyed about it. The acting has to be number one. Washington, Pattinson, Debicki, and Branagh brought this otherwise cold and calculated world to life. I’m looking forward to rewatching it this year and seeing if my feelings have changed.
Best (in no particular order):
Scene: The entire labor sequence in ‘Pieces of a Woman.’ Yes, it’s around thirty minutes long if I recall…
Action Scene: Disaster at the police station in ‘Malignant.’ Incredibly choreographed and executed, hair and SFX makeup really sing here too.
Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis in ‘Phantom Thread.’
Actress: Frances McDormand in ‘Nomadland.’ Though Vanessa Kirby in ‘Pieces of a Woman’ is just shy of getting this.
Director: Tough one, but it must be Christopher Nolan. He’s so impassably precise.
Cinematographer: Hoyt van Hoytema for ‘Tenet.’ I know, you must be thinking it should be ‘Dune,’ but ‘Dune’ is highly stylized where the bulk of said style is achieved in VFX, not how and why the camera moves and frames. ‘Tenet,’ on the other hand, would not be what it is without the cinematography. And a special shoutout to Paul Thomas Anderson for being behind the camera in all forms on ‘Phantom Thread.’ He wins silver.
Score: Hans Zimmers’ ‘Dune.’ A true opus. This score is the film.
Thanks so much for reading! Which films did you love in 2021? I’m always looking to add movies to my watchlist, so I would love to know! You can leave a comment or reply directly to this email to respond privately! All things beauty will be back in the next newsletter.
As always, I hope you have a great start to your week! See you Feb. 13.
