Best of 2021 - Part Two
Continuing through the honorable nominations of my favourite films of 2021
Starry Eyes (2014)
Dir. Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer
The Alex Essoe led indie horror—herself having a great turn last year on Midnight Mass— is not without its rough stylings and budget limitations, but this paranormal satanic horror is not afraid to bring some stunning and shocking moments. Some obvious Mulholland Dr. stylings in a film exploring evil within Hollywood with a solid WTF ending.
Ringu 0 (2000)
Dir. Norio Tsuruta
When I revisited Ringu 1 and 2 earlier this year I found them to be effective but slow films, even among their contemporaneous j-horrors. Growing up and watching The Ring as a young kid, one of the few films that left me nearly too scared to fall asleep, I remember online chatter at the time writing off the American adaptation in favour of the supposed ‘superior’ Japanese progenitor. But for all its acclaim it’s at times a bit too turgid.
This is all to say that I had a fun time with Ringu 0 - a prequel film exploring the character of Sadako thirty years prior, as a young teenager dealing with strange nightmares (with some clear influence from Carrie). I really felt for her character and her sad decent, especially as the events of this film change some of our expectations on the original story into a much greater tragedy.
Golgo 13: The Professional (1983)
Dir. Osamu Dezaki
Classic adult anime (features violence, sex, the works). Cutting edge (for its time) CG animation sequences and an ELITE theme song . A story based on the manga of the same name, doing a James Bond-riff with a Japanese assassin. Notably influenced the anime sequence in ‘Kill Bill’. Quick warning that there’s some sexual violence (*shaking fists* JAPANNNNN!).
Kung Fu Panda 1+2+3 (2008-2016)
Dir. Mark Osborne, John Stevenson, Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Alessandra Carloni
Out of the three films, the second one is the strongest, followed closely by the third and the first film, but what is satisfying about this trilogy of films is how well it works as a complete trilogy. The first film, following Po’s introduction into the world of kung fu and unlike-rise to heroism, is about the body. The second film, exploring the origin story of his character and confronting his nightmares, is the mind. The first film, where he reunites with his past but must look within to defeat his strongest opponent yet, is the soul. The genuine love to Chinese culture is apparent, and the film feels like a celebration of the culture and an embrace of Eastern themes rarely seen in Hollywood ilk, let alone in a children’s animated film. The quality of animation and action takes a massive LEAP in the second film - which I would posit as one of these best of the decade. The films also explore fatherhood and body positivity - and has some good prepare to cry moments.
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Dir. Kasi Lemmons
Love my southern gothics, baby! This one contrasts Creole-American culture, the experience of Black Americans in the 1960s, in a humid and damp Louisiana settings against dark subject matter of extramarital affairs and even sexual abuse. STRONG STRONG child performance by Jurnee Smollett and a fun complex performance by Samuel L. Jackson. A great underrated film by Kasi Lemmons.
Dune (2021)
Dir. Denis Villeneuve
Look, I’m a stan for the Lynch Dune - I saw it as a young kid during the same decade as those goofy Westwood Studios RTS games. Turned me into a fan for life. Of course this meant I rushed out to see this one on the big screen when it came out and it was… fine? Some of my gripes mainly have to do with Villeneuve’s visual style, which is always beautiful but also draining and drab in an intentional way. Lots of brutalist architecture in this one and some glacial pacing. And unlike the Lynch which, faults aside, manages to end the story, Dune 2021 splits the story directly in half. This isn’t an Infinity War/Endgame type split with a genuine compelling ending, this is: “whelp, you wanna see us ride these worms? Well cya in 2023!”. I will admit I’m on a bit of an island here; the movie was a huge critical and commercial hit. I would like to revisit this before the new one drops. Maybe seeing this all as one big 6-hour film would make it more appealing, provided you pump me full of coffee to keep me awake.
Into the Wild (2007)
Dir. Sean Penn
A fun discovery as part of the Seat Struck Movie Podcast. My co-host Curtis’ canon selection is a beautiful drama about a young man named Christopher McCandless, who in the 1990s decided to leave college and family behind and hike across America. Based on a true story and subsequent novel by Jon Krakauer, I was struck by so many of the polarizing reviews of this film. To many people (mainly, women), Chris came across as egotistical, naïve, if not a little dumb and someone who plainly benefitted by being a young white man in America. Some also viewed his behaviour as effectively a long-duration suicide. Others (mainly, men) had a “he’s just like me FR”-style take. I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle: Chris’ story may have been tragic and abrupt, but the story in this film illustrates a young man truly ‘living’ and finding himself. As he gradually became more remote and isolated, he gained a greater awareness of the importance of family and friendship. Moreover, I was struck by the whole dysfunctional family angle which went unmentioned by most. This also has a killer soundtrack by Eddie Vedder and a extremely fun pre-Twilight performance by Kristen Stewart (and along with Crimes of the Future, a very early entry into the ‘horny Kristen Stewart’ film canon).
3615 code Père Noël (Deadly Games) (1989)
Dir. Rene Manzor
What a surprise! Watched this on a whim during the holiday season and loved it. Think Home Alone meets Rambo. A young boy and his blind grandfather are home alone during the holidays while the mother is working as a manager at a local department story (think France’s answer to Macy’s). He attempts a call out to Santa, but makes contact with a local vagabond. When said man finds out where the boy’s mother works, and is then subsequently fired by her, he dons the Santa reds and makes his way to the woman’s residence to seek revenge. However, the young boy is not some hapless kid, he’s a Kevin McCallister equivalent. I really enjoyed the pacing and stakes of this film - unlike Home Alone which mostly plays things for laughs, you feel for both the boy and his beloved grandfather as they desperately evade the violent killer. CONTENT WARNING: a sad dog death!
That’s it for now - next entry will run through my ‘god tier’ list - running quick through the lower-level ones and finishing off with the top 10.