You won’t believe this, but 2021 was actually a noteworthy year for film. While clearly not being an outstanding year in overall quality or performances or box office, 2021 did give us an unprecedented collection of musical films. I believe 2021 will go down as the greatest year in musical film history -and I do mean history– I challenge anyone to cite a year that came up with a better array of musical film. The most important contributor to film in 2021 was Lin-Manuel Miranda. There isn’t a second place. I don’t know that any of the music from 2021 film (aside from West Side Story, obviously) will resonate for the ages, but I do know 2021 was the best year to be a fan of musical film, whether you enjoyed it or not.
Now let’s go get it.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
My favorite documentary of the year is quite possibly also the most uplifting film of 2021. You probably know all about a soccer team being rescued from a flooded cave system in Thailand; that shouldn’t detract
from your enjoyment.
My second favorite documentary of the year in not the most uplifting film of 2021. Seaspiracy belongs in the category with Super Size Me, Blackfish, and An Inconvenient Truth among alarmist films you should have seen even if you don’t agree with them. There’s an argument in Seaspiracy that the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe was actually a net good for the living creatures in the Gulf. Think about that.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
This bizarre comical anti-technology battle pits one family against our future robot overlords. The signals run strong and deep: Netflix has figured out animation.
Would you believe that Juno Temple did something good besides “Ted Lasso” in 2021? Would you believe Justin Timberlake did something good, period? Doesn’t matter; this happened. Look for it.
My favorite pure comedy of the year explores the also-rans of DC. If DC can figure out how to make Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman even half as entertaining
as this, there would be no need for Marvel at all.
Buckle up for a loooooooooong car trip. Three hours long … but it’s worth it.
My very last entry into the best list. Not my favorite comedy, sci-fi, adventure, or anything of that sort, but the perspective of a non-player character in a violent video game is pretty entertaining.
The Top 10
Peter Parker and
Peter Parker and something?
Oh, Peter Parker
9. Wish Dragon
Looks like Aladdin
And it plays like Aladdin
Guess what? It’s better
8. I’m Your Man
Robotic husband
Seems an impressive upgrade
On the real thing
7. Fatherhood
Widower and child
Who knew expressive depth could
Come from Kevin Hart?
Who ya gonna call?
No, seriously, cuz the
Franchise died years ago
Life in the sixties
Is pretty boss, unless it’s
Twenty twenty-one
4. Non Lin-Manuel Miranda musical film (West Side Story, CODA, Dear Evan Hansen, Sing 2, Cyrano, Respect, Summer of Soul, Cinderella)
Great year for music
For everybody but not
Repeat NOT Annette
3. Lin-Manuel Miranda (Composed In the Heights and Encanto, directed Tick, Tick … Boom!)
The pandemic kept
Folks near and far from Linning
Up for his movies
2. Limbo
Colorless Hong Kong
Is gorgeous … but hear me now
You will not like this
This is the exact
Film you make when you’re done with
Consequencelessness
