Best movies of 2021
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- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsAlana HaimCooper HoffmanSean PennThe story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.Star making performances from both leads, Bradley Cooper in his short runtime is great, they do not make enough movies like this anymore, great look and feel, feels like it's a old movie, great soundtrack also.
Grade: A- - DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsBradley CooperCate BlanchettToni ColletteA grifter working his way up from low-ranking carnival worker to lauded psychic medium matches wits with a psychologist bent on exposing him.Grade: A-
- DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandZendayaBenedict CumberbatchWith Spider-Man's identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.They're back! Spider-Man: No way home was everything I wanted to be. The villain returns were great, especially Dafoe and Molina. I loved seeing the good side of them. Aunt May's death was tragic. And the banter between Garfield and Maguire was great.
Grade: A- - DirectorJames GunnStarsMargot RobbieIdris ElbaJohn CenaSupervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.The best DCEU movie yet, a retool and sequel. Gory but fun and great use of colors. Shocking deaths and so much fun. Hope to see more from James Gunn.
Grade: A- - DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsSimu LiuAwkwafinaTony Leung Chiu-waiShang-Chi, the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.Simu Liu is a star, Tony Leung Chiu-wai is one of the best MCU villains, the colors are vibrant, the action scenes especially the bus scene are some of the best of the MCU. It feels unique and different from other MCU movies, it has great pacing, and fun cameos.
Grade: A- - DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsDaniel CraigAna de ArmasRami MalekJames Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.I am a huge fan of James Bond and the Daniel Craig era connectivity. This was the perfect sendoff. People have complained about the long time and maybe at times it drags in the middle. However, honestly all my problems with this movie are erased by a perfect ending for this version of bond. This movie does stuff that James Bond movies have never done it was great for this franchise and Craig should be nominated.
Grade: A- - DirectorAlan TaylorStarsAlessandro NivolaLeslie Odom Jr.Jon BernthalWitness the making of Tony Soprano. The story that reveals the humanity behind Tony's struggles and the influence his family - especially his uncle, Dickie Moltisanti - had over him becoming the most iconic mob boss of all time.
The criticisms of this movie are ridiculous. All the performances are amazing. The main complaint is that characters like Silvio and Paulie are sideline. But real fans know this movie was always about Dickie, who was hyped up throughout sopranos. The narration by Christopher is amazing and there are so many great references to show. I would love a sequel.
Grade: A- - DirectorSean BakerStarsSimon RexBree ElrodSuzanna SonMikey Saber is a washed-up porn star who returns to his small Texas hometown, not that anyone really wants him back.Grade: A-
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsHenry CavillBen AffleckGal GadotDetermined to ensure that Superman's ultimate sacrifice wasn't in vain, Bruce Wayne recruits a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching threat of catastrophic proportions.Four hour epic, I need the sequels.
Grade: A- - DirectorJeymes SamuelStarsJonathan MajorsZazie BeetzRJ CylerWhen an outlaw discovers his enemy is being released from prison, he reunites his gang to seek revenge.One of the best modern westerns I've seen in years. A stacked cast all give great performances. The film is vibrant, dark, and fun. The action is slick and well directed. And there is a great twist with the villain. Also has a great soundtrack
Grade: A- - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsTimothée ChalametRebecca FergusonZendayaA noble family becomes embroiled in a war for control over the galaxy's most valuable asset while its heir becomes troubled by visions of a dark future.Dune was my most anticipated movie of all time and honestly one of my most anticipated ever. Breathtaking visuals, captivating performances, amazing direction, it's a Sfci film with scale and beauty the likes I haven't ever seen. Although it can not help feel like a part 1 or set up film like deathly hallows part 1. I loved it and maybe it did not live up to my lofty expectations. But I can not judge this film fully yet. Cause it's incomplete it's half of a film. And what it sets up I need to see. I think part 2 will be one of the best Scfi movies ever and this had great moments.
Grade: A- - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsC. Thomas HowellMatt DillonRalph MacchioIn a small Oklahoma town in 1964, the rivalry between two gangs, the poor Greasers and the rich Socs, heats up when one gang member accidentally kills a member of the other.( the complete novel 2021 directors cut)
A vast improvement over the original theatrical cut. This director cut fills in the gaps and is more faithful to the book. This 80s teen movie classic takes place in the 1960s. This film has an all star cast and is full of great performances, especially from Matt Dillon. The new music in this film also greatly improves the films atmosphere. It's also shot beautiful and new 4k restoration looks great
Grade: B - DirectorRidley ScottStarsMatt DamonAdam DriverJodie ComerThe Knight Jean de Carrouges must settle the dispute over his wife Marguerite by challenging his former friend to a duel to the death.Strong direction from Ridley Scott and performances from the whole cast. They do not make enough knight movies anymore. The duel in the end was amazing. All the fight scenes were great. I love just love these type of old fashioned movies. Some pacing problems and repetiveness in the middle, but it was fun to see the other perspectives. Overall a good old fashioned knight movie.
Grade: B - DirectorShaka KingStarsLaKeith StanfieldDaniel KaluuyaJesse PlemonsOffered a plea deal by the FBI, William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton.Great performances from Daniel and Lakeith. Strong direction, timely and powerful. However, I would never watch it again and I do not think it's a good as critics are saying. It's still a very good historical movie that has a great last 20 minutes.
Grade: B - DirectorIlya NaishullerStarsBob OdenkirkAleksey SerebryakovConnie NielsenA docile family man slowly reveals his true character after his house gets burgled by two petty thieves, which, coincidentally, leads him into a bloody war with a Russian crime boss.fun performance, great action scenes, John Wick esque, brisk pace, simple plot.
Grade: B - DirectorLisa JoyStarsHugh JackmanRebecca FergusonThandiwe NewtonNick Bannister, a private investigator of the mind, navigates the alluring world of the past when his life is changed by new client Mae. A simple case becomes an obsession after she disappears and he fights to learn the truth about her.This movie is getting so much hate from critics and very little people seem to like it. I kind of love it even though it has problems. Some of the characters are hard to get attached too. The script is not great and predicable. But the direction and movie looks great. HUGH JACKMAN and Thadie newton crush it. The world building is great and I would love to see more of this world. The war, the city under water, land Barrons. A lot of great concepts I wished were explored more. I still really enjoy this slow burn Scfi noir. I hope it develops a cult following cause I really liked it. People were wrong about this movie!
Grade: B - DirectorTing PooLeo ScottStarsVal KilmerJack KilmerMercedes KilmerA documentary centering on the daily life of actor Val Kilmer, featuring never-before-seen footage spanning 40 years.Documentaries can be hard to rank. I am a huge fan of Val Kilmer and this was a great exploration of his life and career. I would give it an A- but would never watch it again, which is why it is lower than some of the films I gave worse grades too.
- DirectorReinaldo Marcus GreenStarsWill SmithAunjanue Ellis-TaylorJon BernthalA look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard.Great lead performance from Will Smith and is able to transcend cliche's in sport biopics. The Child actors are also great.
Grade: 85 - DirectorDominic CookeStarsBenedict CumberbatchMerab NinidzeRachel BrosnahanBusinessman Greville Wynne is asked by a Russian source to try to help put an end to the Cuban Missile Crisis.(2021 wide release)
A tense real life spy thriller with a great lead performance from Benedict Cumberabtch.
Grade: B - DirectorRidley ScottStarsLady GagaAdam DriverAl PacinoWhen Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel their legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately...murder.Overtop, but fun and strong performances make this film more exciting than most true story films. Weird music choices and strong direction.
Grade: B - DirectorShawn LevyStarsRyan ReynoldsJodie ComerTaika WaititiWhen Guy, a bank teller, learns that he is a non-player character in a bloodthirsty, open-world video game, he goes on to become the hero of the story and takes the responsibility of saving the world.One of Ryan Reynolds best movies. Fun performances and worldbuilding. Nice to see a big movie not based on an IP.
Grade: B - DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsDon CheadleBenicio Del ToroDavid HarbourA group of criminals are brought together under mysterious circumstances and have to work together to uncover what's really going on when their simple job goes completely sideways.Solid crime thriller with a great cast.
Grade: B - DirectorPaul SchraderStarsOscar IsaacTiffany HaddishTye SheridanWilliam Tell is an ex-military interrogator living under the radar as a low-stakes gambler. When he encounters a young man looking to commit revenge against a mutual enemy, he takes him on the casino circuit to set him on a new path.I love Paul Schrader, but his films can be hard to watch. A great lead performance from Oscar Issac. Solid film about one morals, has the signature Paul Schrader touch. But I would never watch it again.
Grade: B - DirectorFloyd RussStarsJermaine O'NealStephen JacksonMetta World PeaceA brawl broke out near the end of a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2004. Nearly 17 years later, we re-examine that night and all the consequences that came from it.A great short emotional sports documentary and a huge what if. I feel so bad for reggiee and as a NBA junkie great to see other angles of this story
Grade: B - DirectorJoe CarnahanStarsGerard ButlerFrank GrilloAlexis LouderOn the run from a lethal assassin, a wily con artist devises a scheme to hide out inside a small-town police station-but when the hitman turns up at the precinct, an unsuspecting rookie cop finds herself caught in the crosshairs.A fun little crime caper with solid performances from Frank Grillo, Gerald Butler, and Alexis Louder. Toby Huss also steals the show. Joe carnahan is an underrated action director.
Grade: B- - DirectorJane CampionStarsBenedict CumberbatchKirsten DunstJesse PlemonsCharismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.grade: B
- StarsBrian de TagyosShaquille O'NealCharles BarkleyA look at the 30-year history of "Inside the NBA," plus interviews with celebrities, crew members, sports reporters and more who illuminate the show's evolution into a cultural phenomenon.Basically just a long documentary- great look into NBA TNT- emotional and fun.
Grade: B - DirectorJason ReitmanStarsCarrie CoonPaul RuddFinn WolfhardWhen a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.
- DirectorChloé ZhaoStarsGemma ChanRichard MaddenAngelina JolieThe saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilizations.Grade: B-
- DirectorAdam McKayStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJennifer LawrenceMeryl StreepTwo low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn humankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth.Grade: B-
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsBenicio Del ToroAdrien BrodyTilda SwintonA love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional twentieth century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in "The French Dispatch Magazine".Grade: B-
- DirectorFisher StevensStarsJustin TimberlakeJuno TempleAlisha WainwrightAn ex-convict strikes up a friendship with a boy from a troubled home.Although it's predictable and cliche Palmer was a well made, inspiring, heartfelt, and an overall enjoyable film bolstered by a great performance from Timberlake, as well as a strong ensemble cast.
Grade: B- - DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason StathamHolt McCallanyJosh HartnettA mysteriously stoic character is hired as a security guard by a cash truck company responsible for transporting a lot of money around Los Angeles each week.Thin plot, but an enjoyable violent guy Richie actin movie. Exactly what you expect it to be.
Grade: B- - DirectorDave HoffmanStarsChris FerrettiLaura GarofaloSammy GravanoThe two-hour event special on the infamous Gambino mob family, featuring a new interview with one of the most notorious hitmen in mafia history, "Sammy "The Bull" Gravano.Grade: B-
- DirectorEytan RockawayStarsHarvey KeitelSam WorthingtonJohn MagaroWhen the aging Meyer Lansky is investigated by the Feds, who suspect he has stashed away millions of dollars over half a century, the retired gangster reveals the untold truth about his life as the boss of the National Crime Syndicate.Good performance by Harvey kitel and Sam worth and Joseph. But seeing boardwalk empire can't help but feel like a cheap intimation despite solid costumes and good performances many others felt miscadt. Still fun for mafia fans,
Grade; B- - DirectorCate ShortlandStarsScarlett JohanssonFlorence PughDavid HarbourNatasha Romanoff confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises.Disappointing, with some enjoyable moments.
Grade: C+ - DirectorAdam WingardStarsAlexander SkarsgårdMillie Bobby BrownRebecca HallThe epic next chapter in the cinematic Monsterverse pits two of the greatest icons in motion picture history against each other--the fearsome Godzilla and the mighty Kong--with humanity caught in the balance.Grade: C+
- DirectorAndy SerkisStarsTom HardyWoody HarrelsonMichelle WilliamsEddie Brock attempts to reignite his career by interviewing serial killer Cletus Kasady, who becomes the host of the symbiote Carnage and escapes prison after a failed execution.Grade: C+
- DirectorMartin CampbellStarsMichael KeatonMaggie QSamuel L. JacksonRescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody, Anna is the world's most skilled contract killer. However, when Moody is brutally killed, she vows revenge for the man who taught her everything she knows.Maggie Q is great and Keaton and jackson are both solid. However, this film is forgettable. A weak messy third act, but finishes with a good ending. I liked the chemistry between Keaton and Maggie Q. The action scenes are fine, but also choppy at points. Martin Campbell knows how to helm action movies: Goldeneye and Casino Royale and recently the foreigner show that. So, I am not saying the action is bad there are some fun fights, but not as good as I wanted. Overall a solid action movie that had potetional to be something greater.
Grade: C+ - DirectorJohn Lee HancockStarsDenzel WashingtonRami MalekJared LetoKern County Deputy Sheriff Joe Deacon is sent to Los Angeles for what should have been a quick evidence-gathering assignment. Instead, he becomes embroiled in the search for a serial killer who is terrorizing the city.Strong performance and world weary as Denzel, Jared Leto is creepy, and Malik Is obsessed. I love John Lee Hancock- A perfect world is one of. my favorite movies. This movie has been in development hell for years and it definitely feels like a 90s movie. This movie was disappointing- it should have been great and was just fine. Simple predictable story, love the ending and tone, well directed, well made, they should make more movies like this( of the genre).
Grade: C+ - DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsRalph FiennesGemma ArtertonRhys IfansIn the early years of the 20th century, the Kingsman agency is formed to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions.Grade: C
- DirectorMalcolm D. LeeStarsLeBron JamesDon CheadleCedric JoeA rogue artificial intelligence kidnaps the son of famed basketball player LeBron James, who then has to work with Bugs Bunny to win a basketball game.Disappointing and hard to watch
Grade: 50