My Favorite Films of 2021

Although I’m very late, I thought I would chime in with my favorite movies released in 2021. While I enjoyed several films throughout the past few months, there were very few I genuinely loved. 

Still, there were some gems to be found, especially in the science-fiction genre (as can be seen by the number of entries on my list). 

Here are my favorite movies and performances/achievements of the year: 

Favorite Film of 2021:

Swan Song

Twelve Others (alphabetical order):

After Yang

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar

C’mon C’mon

CODA

Drive My Car

Dune

Lamb

Licorice Pizza

Mass

Pig

Raya and the Last Dragon

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Performances and Achievements: 

Director: Denis Villeneuve (for Dune)

Actress: Alana Haim (for Licorice Pizza)

Actor: Mahershala Ali (for Swan Song)

Supporting Actress: Martha Plimpton (for Mass)

Supporting Actor: Troy Kotsur (for CODA)

Screenplay: C’mon C’mon and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar

Ensemble: Mass

In looking ahead to this year, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is my early pick for best film of 2022. No, I haven’t even seen it yet. But I love that shell, and the trailer gets me. Here it is for anyone who hasn’t watched it yet:

Also, Everything Everywhere All at Once is up there, too. It’s wonderful. Nope gets an early mention as well. Jordan Peele is a genius, and I’m very optimistic about this one. 

2022 looks like a very promising one for film.