The Films I've seen in 2021 From Best to Worst
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- DirectorSidney LumetStarsHenry FondaLee J. CobbMartin BalsamThe jury in a New York City murder trial is frustrated by a single member whose skeptical caution forces them to more carefully consider the evidence before jumping to a hasty verdict.It couldn't be more simple and yet it's one of the most powerful films ever made that is as relevant now as it's ever been, exceptionally acted by Fonda, Begley, Cobb, Marshall and the rest of the ensemble cast and brilliantly Directed by Lumet...it's my favorite Lumet film and still rank it among my top 10 films of all time, it's just timeless.
10+ - DirectorMerian C. CooperErnest B. SchoedsackStarsFay WrayRobert ArmstrongBruce CabotA film crew goes to a tropical island for a location shoot, where they capture a colossal ape who takes a shine to their blonde starlet, and bring him back to New York City.That it's been 8 years since I last saw Kong is amazing to me because my memory of it is as fresh as if I saw it yesterday, the stop motion animation still astounds, the musical score is one of my favorites and the sound effects just immerse you in this world and for me Kong is the greatest creation in cinema... as I've stated before this is the film that made me love movies and my fondness for it knows no bounds and still one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorWilliam WylerStarsMerle OberonLaurence OlivierDavid NivenA servant in the house of Wuthering Heights tells a traveler the unfortunate tale of lovers Cathy and Heathcliff.This is the only film version of the famous novel I've seen and can't imagine it being better...Wyler's direction is flawless as is Toland's cinematography and the 2 stars have rarely been better, although I do think as good as Oberon is she's overshadowed by Olivier who gives one of his all time great performances, to be honest I can't imagine any one else as Heathcliff which may be why I've never been willing to see another version of the story...this is the 3rd or 4th time I've seen "Wuthering Heights" and my opinion's pretty much the same, it's still one of the greatest tragic love stories ever put on screen.
10- - DirectorGeorge StevensStarsAlan LaddJean ArthurVan HeflinAn ex-gunfighter defends homesteaders in 1889 Wyoming.I think Shane is one of the subtlest and understated of the great westerns, I admire Steven's approach to the material so much that I'm willing to give it a pass on the things that never really worked for me as much as they should have, such as the relationship between Ladd and Arthur...it's a film without big moments and the moments that should be big are toned down from what you'd expect like the final shootout and yet it works extremely well but I still have an issue with the scene towards the end where Shane rides into town and the boy runs after him and is able to pretty much keep up and even though Ladd is fine in the title role he didn't really standout, only Palance who has the showier role made the most of his screen time...it's been over 35 years since I saw Shane and my opinions the same, Stevens made a different kind of western in terms of tone and style and even if it seems kind of bland on the surface there's lots going on underneath which makes this one of the best this genre has to offer.
10- - DirectorNicolas RoegStarsJulie ChristieDonald SutherlandHilary MasonA married couple grieving the recent death of their young daughter are in Venice when they encounter two elderly sisters, one of whom is psychic and brings a warning from beyond.I'm not the biggest Roeg fan but this for me is his masterpiece, it's a beautiful, haunting, impeccably made and acted supernatural horror film that engrosses me every time I see it and it has perhaps the greatest love scene put on film, I think it's a wonderfully edited scene that's very adult but extremely tasteful that cuts between them making love and getting dressed afterwards and the fact that to this day despite the actors denials many feel they actually did it is a testament to how memorable that scene is.
9 - DirectorSidney LumetStarsAl PacinoJohn CazalePenelope AllenThree amateur bank robbers plan to hold up a bank. A nice simple robbery: Walk in, take the money, and run. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does.I don't know why but this film never really resonated with me when I saw it back in 1984 but after seeing it again found it to be a terrific film exceptionally directed by Lumet and wonderfully performed by the cast especially Pacino who gives one of his best performances and even today says a lot about celebrity and fame and the film is quite funny...I actually think the adlibbing in which actors flub their lines gives the film a certain authenticity...2nd viewing far superior than first.
9 - DirectorOlivia WildeStarsKaitlyn DeverBeanie FeldsteinJessica WilliamsOn the eve of their high-school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends realize they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night.Even though Wilde doesn't like having this film compared to "Superbad" it's the film that came to my mind when watching it and that's not a bad thing as far as I'm concerned, I'd even say I liked this one more mainly because I felt more of an emotional connection to these girls and found an endearing quality to it all that worked even better than "Superbad"...if my memory serves me though "Superbad" was funnier but like that film how much this film is grounded in reality(if that's what you're looking for) is up for debate and I wonder if my enjoyment will be the same 2nd time around.
9 - DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsMichelle PfeifferAlec BaldwinPaul LazarA mobster's wife hates her lifestyle, but gets a chance to change it when her husband is killed - if the Long Island mob and the FBI let her.The lighter breezier tone to this film works extremely well unlike Demme's earlier "Something Wild" where the more violent aspects of the film didn't gel with the lighter moments and the performances from much of the cast are first rate especially Pfeiffer in one of her best roles, Stockwell, Modine and Ruehl and I do think this is a genre that needs a film like this...I'm probably over rating it but everytime I see this film I get a kick out of it, it's great fun.
9 - DirectorBlake EdwardsStarsJulie AndrewsJames GarnerRobert PrestonA struggling female soprano in 1934 Paris finally finds work after posing as a female impersonator, but it complicates her personal life when a visiting Chicago gangster finds himself inexplicably attracted to the seemingly male performer.I'm not sure the film is as laugh out loud funny as it was when I first saw it almost 40 years ago but I still had a blast with this gender bender comedy and it certainly ranks as one of Andrews best performances, although Preston steals the show with that finale which puts this film over the top for me, it's also among Edwards best...2nd viewing almost as good as first.
9 - DirectorDavid SwiftStarsHayley MillsMaureen O'HaraBrian KeithTeenage twin sisters swap places and scheme to reunite their divorced parents.This is one of those films from my childhood that I loved and have been avoiding feeling that I'd find it dated and to schmaltzy but I was pleasantly surprised that it holds up beautifully and is one of Disney's best live action films with a terrific cast that makes this film such a joy to watch... Hayley Mills was one of the best child stars of her time and she shines here in a dual role and I found the film a little more daring and adult for it's time than I would have thought, especially from Disney... this is the Disney I grew up with and love maybe because my emotions were genuine and not manipulated like I find many Disney films today try to do.
9 - DirectorGeorge CukorStarsJudy HollidayWilliam HoldenBroderick CrawfordA tycoon hires a tutor to teach his lover proper etiquette, with unexpected results.I think I gave this film more credit than it deserved when I first saw it because it exceeded my expectations mainly because I thought Holliday's screechy voice would get on my nerves but to my surprise I found her endearing and the best thing about this comedy although Crawford and Holden are fine this film belongs to her and 2nd time around nothings changed except that it's not the minor classic I once thought.
9 - DirectorMichael SarnoskiStarsNicolas CageAlex WolffAdam ArkinA truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregon wilderness must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig after she is kidnapped.The surprising thing about Pig is that it's not at all what you expect...seeing Nic Cage's disheveled character one was prepared for another whacked out performance and a weird sort of film about a pig, instead you got a low key and restrained Cage giving one of his best performances and a film about love, loss and food that exceeded my expectations in every way, a real sleeper and a nice surprise.
9 - DirectorCosta-GavrasStarsJessica LangeArmin Mueller-StahlFrederic ForrestA lawyer defends her father accused of war crimes, but there is more to the case than she suspects.Even though the film isn't the minor classic I once thought, it's still an emotionally powerful film that manages to overcome it's cliched courtroom theatrics due to 2 terrific performances from Lange and Stahl but there's no denying it's taken a bit of a hit 2nd time around.
9 - DirectorSidney LumetStarsFaye DunawayWilliam HoldenPeter FinchA television network cynically exploits a deranged former anchor's ravings and revelations about the news media for its own profit, but finds that his message may be difficult to control.The film was way ahead of it's time when I first saw it back in the early 80's and still packs a wallop and seems even more prescient today but even than I had issues with the manic nature of the film and with some of the performances where it seems everyone is just shouting at times and the ending never really worked for me even though it should have and seeing it again my opinion is about the same but what works, works extremely well and still makes this one of the best films of it's kind, flaws and all.
9 - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroJerry LewisDiahnne AbbottA passionate yet unsuccessful comedian stalks and kidnaps his idol to take the spotlight for himself.This black comedy works extremely well for the most part until the last act but the performances from Lewis, De Niro and Bernhard are top notch, as is Scorsese's direction, my gripe is De Niro's comedy routine just wasn't that funny which made the ending not as satisfying as it should have been... that Lewis never even got nominated for an Oscar is still perplexing to me, I think he should have won...2nd viewing same as 1st.
9 - DirectorAndrew DavisStarsHarrison FordTommy Lee JonesSela WardDr. Richard Kimble, unjustly accused of murdering his wife, must find the real killer while being the target of a nationwide manhunt led by a seasoned U.S. Marshal.3rd or 4th time seeing this great chase film and my opinion hasn't changed...Ford and Jones are terrific and help make this such an enjoyable ride.
9 - DirectorAlex GarlandStarsAlicia VikanderDomhnall GleesonOscar IsaacA young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a highly advanced humanoid A.I.Another film I've wanted to see again and I found it even more enjoyable 2nd time around mainly because the performances from Isaac and Vikander really stood out for me this time and I still think it's one of the more intelligent, thought provoking films I've seen in a while, the film may not cover new ground but it does it better than most...my only qualm with the film is the ending while acceptable didn't quite work as well as I would have liked.
8 - DirectorWes AndersonStarsGeorge ClooneyMeryl StreepBill MurrayAn urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation.To my surprise this quirky fun stop motion animation film is one of my favorite Wes Anderson films...I found it to be an absolute delight and aimed more for adults than children.
8 - 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.Fascinating story based on facts that plays like Kurosawa's "Rashoman" and when it's over you may have your doubts about what the truth is but it doesn't really matter because this is more a film about the hypocrisy of the times, it's a film about class, chivalry, and honor with a twist where a women's honor was insignificant and only had meaning if a man would defend her honor even though he's really only defending his own and while the first 2 acts are based on recorded facts because they deal with 2 prominent male figures of the time it's the 3rd act that makes this film work that gives the woman's perspective of her ordeal and even though it's made up it's absolutely plausible and makes this such a thought provoking film and fits the factual part of the story perfectly... the performances from Damon, Driver and Comer are first rate, only Affleck seemed a bit out of place for me although I will admit it took a while for me to warm up to Damon and Ridley Scott's direction is solid as well.
8 - DirectorDennis HopperStarsPeter FondaDennis HopperJack NicholsonTwo bikers head from L.A. to New Orleans through the open country and desert lands, and along the way they meet a man who bridges a counter-culture gap of which they had been unaware.It's been about 40 years since I first saw "Easy Rider" and I remember feeling a little underwhelmed by the film, more in terms of it not living up to the hype, it starts extremely well and was quite effective as a road movie and film on the counter culture of the time but starts to lose it's way around the last 1/3 of the film and the finale just never had the power it should have at least for me and 2nd time around I feel exactly the same, it's very good but not the great or classic film many see it as.
8 - DirectorRobert AbelPierre AdidgeStarsElvis PresleyBill BaizeEstell BrownConcert footage and offstage documentary of singer Elvis Presley.Elvis in his element and I found him quite engaging and surprisingly accessible to his fans who comes across at times as a very humble and down to earth guy and even if most of the songs aren't among his classics their still quite good because that voice of his can do justice to
any type of song even covers of Bridge Over Troubled Waters and others...personally I think this is better than any of his movies.
8 - DirectorElia KazanStarsVivien LeighMarlon BrandoKim HunterDisturbed Blanche DuBois moves in with her sister in New Orleans and is tormented by her brutish brother-in-law while her reality crumbles around her.It's been over 35 years since I first saw Streetcar but the thing I always remembered about the film was the performances by Brando and Leigh and after seeing it again they are the best thing about the film but I wasn't as wowed by their performances this time and I think it's because the film though well made is on the stagey side and became a distraction for me at times and because of that I just didn't get pulled into the film like I did the first time...it's still worth watching for 2 great performances but this is another of my favorite films that's taken a hit 2nd time around.
8 - DirectorRidley ScottStarsMatt DamonJessica ChastainKristen WiigAn astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and can survive until a potential rescue.The film does become a little hokey towards the end but for the most part this is a smart, engaging and well made movie with solid performances from the cast, especially Damon who's the glue that holds this film together, it might be his best performance...2nd viewing same as 1st.
8 - DirectorNorman JewisonStarsCherNicolas CageOlympia DukakisLoretta Castorini, a bookkeeper from Brooklyn, New York, finds herself in a difficult situation when she falls for the brother of the man she has agreed to marry.Even though I remember enjoying this film immensely back in 87/88 when I saw it, it just never stayed in my consciousness the way some films do and over time the only thing I remember is the line "snap out of it" and Cher's wonderful performance and after seeing it again the performances are the best part of the film because they elevate material that at times seems a little on the sitcom side and the film as a whole isn't as romantic or funny as I once thought which made this a bit of a disappointment 2nd time around...it's still quite enjoyable but it's not the great film I once thought it was.
8 - DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppWinona RyderDianne WiestThe solitary life of an artificial man - who was incompletely constructed and has scissors for hands - is upended when he is taken in by a suburban family.I've often wondered why I never rated this film higher because my memory of it has always been that it's a wonderful fantasy blending Pinocchio and Frankenstein as only Tim Burton can do but after seeing it again I realized there's another side to this film that doesn't work and that's the darker tone that permeates most of the 2nd half and those are the parts of the film I've completely forgotten about but it really does get in the way of this being a modern classic...overall it's an engaging and at times exceptionally well made and acted film but the shift in tone does stop it from true greatness...2nd viewing about the same as 1st.
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