08 February 2025

The Best Movies of 2024


SHAI-HULUD RISES!

Hello again! It has been a while (23 months!) since I last posted about my favorite films, as I was too busy last year to devote time to my Best Movies like I have done since 2012. In addition, Everything Everywhere All at Once was such a perfect film to me that nearly all movies released in 2023 paled in comparison. I did not see anywhere near as many movies as I usually do during that year, but I will set aside one paragraph to cover my Best Movies of 2023 below (skip it if you want to get onto 2024's list). Afterwards, I will move on to the Best Movies of 2024, which was a much better year in cinema! I am limited for time this year, like last year, so instead of skipping my Best Movies list again, I will make my explanations for each award fairly short.

If you would like a short rundown of my awards, a TL;DR is included at the end of this post that ranks my favorite films of the year along with what awards they received.

DISCLAIMER: I did not see every film released in 2024, nor would I want to. I skip films that do not interest me, and I will list out all these at the end of my post. I also loved making Oscar predictions, so those will be included along with each award. My honorable mentions will also be at the end of this post.



Oscar Predictions for Unincluded Categories
  • Animated Short Film - I did not see any this year (so I don't know).
  • Costume Design - Wicked
  • Documentary Feature Film - See Animated Short Film.
  • Documentary Short Film - See above.
  • Film Editing - Conclave
  • International Feature Film - Emilia Pérez
  • Makeup and Hairstyling - The Substance
  • Production Design - Wicked
  • Live Action Short Film - See Animated Short Film.
  • Sound - Dune: Part Two


The (Belated) Best Movies of 2023

1. Godzilla Minus One


I absolutely loved this film as a Godzilla fan and moviegoer. It has way more emotional strength than I expected and tells a thrilling story about surviving war and trauma. The Jaws-esque chase scene in the middle of the film was one of my favorite theater moments that I have ever experienced.


2. John Wick: Chapter 4


This was a fitting and excellent way to end the John Wick saga. There were lots of excellent action sequences, decent storytelling, and the iconic worldbuilding that this franchise has become known for. I would love to see more John Wick films, but this was a perfect ending to the legendary hitman's story.



Without further ado, here are the Best Movies of 2024 according to Robert!



Best Animated Film: Inside Out 2


I was pleasantly surprised that a sequel to Inside Out had just as much emotional intelligence and heartfelt moments as the original. Many people struggle with anxiety nowadays, and Inside Out 2 handles that theme perfectly.

Honorable Mentions: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl; and The Wild Robot.

OSCAR PREDICTION: The Wild Robot



Best Cinematic Song: Defying Gravity (Wicked)


My favorite song from the play made a fantastic finale in film. Cynthia Erivo captures Elphaba's triumphant self-acceptance perfectly, making for a wonderful ending to a great adaptation.

Honorable Mentions: Arrival (Dune: Part Two); and He's Glitchy (Alien: Romulus).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Music (Original Song) - El Mal (Emilia Pérez)



Best Antagonist: Austin Butler (Dune: Part Two)


Every time that I watched Dune: Part Two (which was many times in theaters), Butler's Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen grew on me more and more. He has many layers that can be peeled back on each viewing, and although he is ruthless towards his enemies, he still has a sense of honor that shines through during his final moments.

Honorable Mentions: Bill Skarsgård (Nosferatu); and Margaret Qualley (The Substance).



Best Screenplay: Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)


Writing a scathing script that lambasts beauty standards in entertainment would be difficult on its own. Fargeat accomplishes this while also penning a terrifying and absurd body horror film that immediately entered rarified air with John Carpenter's The Thing.

Honorable Mentions: Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts (Dune: Part Two); and Robert Eggers (Nosferatu).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - Peter Straughan (Conclave)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Writing (Original Screenplay) - Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)



Best Supporting Actor: Willem Dafoe (Nosferatu)


I enjoy every role that Dafoe plays, but he elevates his craft whenever collaborating with writer-director Robert Eggers. His turn as the Van Helsing character of Nosferatu's story steals every scene with his charm and weirdness.

Honorable Mentions: David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus); and Zendaya (Dune: Part Two).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actor in a Supporting Role - Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actress in a Supporting Role - Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)



Best Visual Effects: Alien: Romulus


I love sci-fi films that embrace old-school practical effects while using CG for the big moments, and Alien: Romulus achieves this perfectly. The creature design alone haunted my dreams for several weeks and created one of the best moments in the Alien franchise.

Honorable Mentions: The Substance; and Dune: Part Two.

OSCAR PREDICTION: Dune: Part Two



Best Ensemble Cast: Dune: Part Two


Everyone performs their best in this epic sci-fi fantasy, with a special nod to meme-favorite Javier Bardem. Even smaller roles like Remi Fadare's priestess are portrayed well, supporting a star-studded cast that shines brightly. 

Honorable Mentions: Nosferatu; and Alien: Romulus.



Best Cinematography: Jarin Blaschke (Nosferatu)


Above all other things, Nosferatu is a beautiful film that embraces its era of cinema. A silent shot of an empty carriage in an avenue took my breath away with its foreboding portraiture, as an example of how many wonderful moments are shot in this movie.

Honorable Mentions: Greig Fraser (Dune: Part Two); and Benjamin Kračun (The Substance).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Lol Crawley (The Brutalist).



Best Leading Actor: Demi Moore (The Substance)


In a slightly meta role, Moore becomes the face of self-hatred and aging beauty in The Substance. She combines moments of fury with moments of fragility so well, none more than her character trying to prepare for a date.

Honorable Mentions: Mikey Madison (Anora); and Timothée Chalamet (Dune: Part Two).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actor in a Leading Role - Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actress in a Leading Role - Demi Moore (The Substance)



Best Music: Hans Zimmer (Dune: Part Two)


So, the Academy ignores Zimmer's wonderful work on Dune, then disqualify his work on Dune: Part Two? I call B.S. and crown Zimmer for the magnificent work he has done on both films, creating some of his most epic scores since Inception.

Honorable Mentions: Benjamin Wallfisch (Alien: Romulus); and Raffertie (The Substance).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Music (Original Score) - Daniel Blumberg (The Brutalist)



Best Director: Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)


It is easy to give a double-crown for Fargeat as the writer-director of The Substance. Her directing reminded me of both The Shining and Requiem for a Dream in all the best ways, elevating her status as a true cinematic auteur.

Honorable Mentions: Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two); and Fede Álvarez (Alien: Romulus).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)



Best Scene: Heading Home (Alien: Romulus)


Believe when I say that you are not ready for what is truly the best horror finale since Get Out. This scene at the end of the film had my heart racing and ears ringing with its intensity and terror. I am being purposefully vague so as not to spoil a fantastic experience for those who have not seen Alien: Romulus yet.

Honorable Mentions: Conquering Shai-Hulud (Dune: Part Two); and The Birth (The Substance).



Best Scream Queen: Lily-Rose Depp (Nosferatu)


Depp shows incredible talent in her portrayal of the haunted lead character, Ellen, especially with all that writer-director Eggers asks of her to do. 2024 was truly the best year for horror films in a very long time, and I struggled to rank one above the other between Nosferatu, The Substance, and Alien: Romulus.

Honorable Mentions: Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus); and Maika Monroe (Longlegs).



Best Film: Dune: Part Two


What a truly magnificent film that director Denis Villeneuve crafted from a novel that was thought to be unadaptable. Not only did Villeneuve create a beautiful and thrilling film, he revitalized many of the novel's characters and gave them depth that was never there before. His work on Chani alone has elevated the Dune films far above the novels, and Zendaya brought her to life with a silent fury that I did not expect from her.


There are so many memorable scenes as well, such as Paul riding Shai-Hulud, his speech in the cave, the final battle, and the final duel (with its heartbreaking conclusion). I loved the first Dune and am stunned to find that Villeneuve one-upped himself in giving us the Best Movie of 2024 in Dune: Part Two.

Honorable Mentions: The Substance; and Nosferatu.

OSCAR PREDICTION: The Brutalist



TL;DR

  1. Dune: Part Two (Best Film, Best Music, Best Antagonist, Best Ensemble Cast)
  2. The Substance (Best Director, Best Leading Actor, Best Screenplay)
  3. Nosferatu (Best Cinematography, Best Supporting Actor, Best Scream Queen)
  4. Alien: Romulus (Best Visual Effects, Best Scene)
  5. Inside Out 2 (Best Animated Film)
  6. Wicked (Best Cinematic Song)


As promised, here are my honorable mentions and skipped films:


Good, not Great

Anora
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Deadpool & Wolverine
Longlegs
Twisters
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
The Wild Robot


Bad or Overrated

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga


Skipped or Missed

Blitz
The Brutalist - (Never got a chance to see this, though I wanted to)
Challengers
Conclave
Emilia Pérez
Gladiator II
Nickel Boys
Sing Sing - (I really wanted to see this, but it wasn't available anywhere near me)



Thank you for reading through my Best Movies of 2024! I am looking forward to another year of great films, with my highest hopes set on Edgar Wright's The Running Man and Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein.

11 March 2023

The Best Movies of 2022

This was a great year in cinema, with many fantastic films released throughout the year along with what I consider to be a masterwork! It would be nice if they drip-fed the Oscar bait films throughout the fall instead of backloading December (as they always do), but I did my best to catch up during January. I then wrote about half of this list before getting too busy to continue, so I am now posting it on the eve of the Oscars! Agh!

As always, if you would like a quick summary of my awards, a TL;DR is included at the end of the blog that ranks my favorite films of the year, along with what awards they received.

DISCLAIMER: I have not seen every film released during 2022, and I did not try to. I skip the movies that do not interest me unless they get significant praise from critics and friends. However, trying to guess who the Academy will award in each category is always a ton of fun, so I will continue doing those predictions. I also decided to put my honorable mentions at the END of the blog instead of the beginning this year in order to perhaps build some more intrigue for each category.


Oscar Predictions for Unincluded Categories
  • Costume Design - Elvis
  • Documentary Feature Film - A House Made of Splinters
  • Documentary Short Film - Stranger at the Gate
  • Film Editing - The Banshees of Inisherin
  • Makeup and Hairstyling - The Whale
  • Production Design - Elvis
  • Short Film (Animated) - Ice Merchants
  • Short Film (Live Action) - Night Ride


Here are the Best Movies of 2022 according to Robert!



Best Family Film: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish


After seeing the first Puss in Boots movie in theaters back in 2011, I assumed that this sequel would be equally as bland and boring. I am so happy to be wrong, because this was one of the most fun and heartfelt animated films that I have seen since Spider-Verse. The recent trend of CG animation towards traditional 2D techniques and anime-style action lines has me so excited for the future of animated films, as it creates far more personality. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish recreates Puss as a feline going through an existential crisis while giving many of the characters their own great emotional moments, especially (surprisingly) Goldilocks. Her story easily elevates the entire film and made it simple to select this movie as the best family film of 2022. It is still in theaters if you have missed it up until now.

Honorable Mentions: Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio; and Turning Red.



Best Screenplay: Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

This might be the best screenplay that I have experienced since The Social Network. The dialogue is witty and absurd at times, but then emotional and soulful during other times. The story is insane and insanely creative while still hitting strong thematic beats that moved me to tears many, many times. The Daniels spent nearly a decade writing this film, and their dedication to creating a wonderful story shines through in one of the best films of the 21st century. EEAAO is available to stream on Paramount+ or you can rent it from whatever digital streaming retailer if you have not yet had a chance to experience it.

Honorable Mentions: Charlotte Wells (Aftersun); Jordan Peele (Nope); and Zach Cregger (Barbarian).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson, and Ian Stokell (All Quiet on the Western Front)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Writing (Original Screenplay) - Martin McDonagh (The Banshees of Inisherin)



Most Iconic Character: Daniel Craig (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery)

For the second year in a row, Daniel Craig finds himself in my awards due to his portrayal of a fantastic lead character in a franchise. Last year was for James Bond in No Time to Die, and this year is for Benoit Blanc in Glass Onion. Although the film as a whole was not as great as Knives Out, it was still a fun mystery with piercing social commentary. Watching Blanc struggle to understand how Among Us works while being chastised by the late Angela Lansbury was possibly the funniest scene to come out of the pandemic for me. As Netflix paid an arm and a leg for multiple Knives Out sequels from Craig and writer-director Rian Johnson, that is where you can stream it if you have not yet seen Glass Onion. I was lucky enough to see it in theaters during its one week run!

Honorable Mentions: Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish); and Zoë Kravitz (The Batman).



Best Cinematic Song: Naatu Naatu (RRR)

I typically have not cared for Indian films in the past, but RRR completely surprised me as the most delightful action film of the year! Both of the lead actors, Ram Charan and N.T. Rama Rao Jr, carry the film with their charisma and bravado, giving a truly heartfelt bromance with amazing action setpieces. Of course, this also includes a fantastic dance sequence where these two Indian revolutionaries show up their British oppressors on the dance floor in an unbridled energy and passion. I am pulling HEAVILY for Naatu Naatu to win the song Oscar this year since RRR was not nominated for Best International Film (a true crime), but I fear that it may not win still. Regardless, this was my favorite cinematic song of the year, and you can catch RRR on Netflix if you have not had a chance to.

Honorable Mentions: Under Pressure (Aftersun); and Unchained Melody (Elvis).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Music (Original Song) - Lift Me Up (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)



Best Ensemble Cast: Nope

Jordan Peele's latest film was an amazing homage to classic blockbuster thrillers such as Jaws, Jurassic Park, and others. But while his writing and directing were, of course, important to the film, he also had a tremendous cast to help tell his story. Keke Palmer and Daniel Kaluuya are perfect as the outgoing, quirky sister and strong, silent brother who are dealing with some supernatural events on their ranch. Keith David and Brandon Perea both nail their supporting roles, while Michael Wincott steals the show in his scenes as a slightly insane cinematographer, giving off STRONG vibes of Quint from Jaws or Captain Ahab from Moby Dick. On top of this, you have a tremendous performance from Steven Yeun as a tourist trap owner, whose story actually carries significant importance to the film in unseen ways. Be sure to hop on Peacock to watch Nope, or otherwise rent it how you like, and enjoy the fantastic acting brought by this cast.

Honorable Mentions: Everything Everywhere All at Once; and All Quiet on the Western Front.



Best Animated Film: Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

I absolutely love movies made with stop-motion animation, having grown up watching Wallace and Gromit. The Nightmare Before Christmas and Kubo and the Two Strings stand out to me as some of the best films in this genre, as well as most of Laika Studios' catalogue. Guillermo del Toro's interpretation of Pinocchio has that magical feeling that stop-motion brings to an animated film while also embroiling itself in many of del Toro's favorite themes in film. Children are in peril in this film and treated terribly by fascist adults, forcing them to grow up very quickly. By focusing on the background setting of fascist Italy, del Toro has added a lot of political and social commentary to an otherwise simple fable. However, he also has added a lot of the whimsical and bizarre dark fairytale style that has defined his career (such as in Pan's Labyrinth), making both this story and the visuals of it more interesting. Finally, there is a very lovely emotional center of this story that made me cry at multiple moments throughout the movie. I wish so very badly that I could have seen this great film in a theater, but it is still worth watching on Netflix if you can.

Honorable Mentions: Puss in Boot: The Last Wish; and Turning Red.

OSCAR PREDICTION: Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio



Best Leading Actor: Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

There is a LOT that is being asked of Yeoh in EEAAO during her portrayal of a Chinese-American woman going through a midlife crisis. Not only is there a lot of relationships being explored with Evelyn (Yeoh), specifically with her daughter and husband, but she is also learning how to navigate and fight in a multiversal way against powerful enemies. Just like the film itself, Yeoh must have the flexibility to portray the huge, world-altering choices of a powerful protagonist while also showing her small connections to the people around her and how it affects all of their lives. There is a grand scope of parallel universes and the instability of their existence being perfectly intertwined with very close relationships and the instability of their existence as well. Such is the paradoxical nature of this magnificent film, with Michelle Yeoh leading the way as its fierce and strong lead.

Honorable Mentions: Paul Mescal (Aftersun); and Felix Kammerer (All Quiet on the Western Front).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actor in a Leading Role - Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actress in a Leading Role - Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once)



Best Technical Effects: All Quiet on the Western Front


I am once again combining several categories to save some time this year, with Technical Effects being representative of both Visual Effects and Sound. I suppose that it is a little stereotypical to give both of these awards to a war film, but All Quiet on the Western Front has some amazing work in both of these fields. The deep rumble of tanks moving towards the trenches or the sound of a man slowly bleeding out in a crater will both haunt me. The suicidal charge across no man's land will always be a gut punch for me to watch, no matter how many WWI movies that I see. However, this film specifically makes every violent action that occurs as horrific as possible. There is no glory and there are no cool moments such as in Saving Private Ryan. We only see the absolute worst of war and its consequences, with a focus on deromanticizing military conflicts. It very much reminded me of what Unforgiven was for the Western genre. Using these technical effects to elevate the horrors of war made this an easy award to hand out. Like most of these films so far, you can watch it on Netflix if you think you will be able to handle its brutality.

Honorable Mentions: Nope; and Top Gun: Maverick.

OSCAR PREDICTION: Sound - Top Gun: Maverick

OSCAR PREDICTION: Visual Effects - Avatar: The Way of Water



Best Emotional Actor: Paul Mescal (Aftersun)

From the very opening scene, I could immediately tell that there was a storm brewing inside of Calum (Mescal) beneath his smiling surface. Depression is often shown in movies and TV shows as this very obvious sadness that the character carries around with them, when in reality it is almost always hidden behind a facade of contentment. Mescal exemplifies this reality perfectly as a very troubled Scottish father who is trying his best to have a fun vacation in Turkey with his daughter (her mother and him are amicably divorced). I empathised very heavily with Calum and his struggles since I am also a father about to turn 30 years old, plus I have a similarly-aged son as his daughter, Sophie. It takes a really special actor to be able to pull these kind of complex and layered emotions off, and that makes this an easy award to hand to Mescal. It seems like you can only rent this movie from digital retailers or Redbox, so do so if you missed this fantastic film.

Honorable Mentions: Stephanie Hsu and Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once).



Best Music: Michael Giacchino (The Batman)


I love Nirvana, so I was hooked into this film's score from the first trailer when Something in the Way was combined with a Batman score resembling Danny Elfman's work with Tim Burton. Giacchino has done tremendous work in creating a memorable new score for a new Batman story while still paying homage to his predecessors. I was pleasantly surprised with how good The Batman was overall, despite the story being a thinly veiled retelling of Se7en. As a quick aside, Zoë Kravitz was perfect as Selina Kyle, John Turturro was a scene-stealer as Carmine Falcone, and Jeffrey Wright paired perfectly with Robert Pattinson as a buddy cop duo in Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne. I grew up loving Batman but, as an adult, found issues with a lot of his core beliefs. This movie was definitely the Batman made for people like me, presenting us a Batman and Bruce Wayne that has a much more nuanced take on crime and how to fight it. Definitely go enjoy this movie and its great music on HBO Max. 

Honorable Mentions: M.M. Keeravani (RRR); and Volker Bertelmann (All Quiet on the Western Front).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Music (Original Score) - Carter Burwell (The Banshees of Inisherin)



Best Supporting Actor: Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

If the parallel universe theory and Michelle Yeoh's character are the brains and the strength of EEAAO, Quan is ABSOLUTELY its heart and soul. I have never loved a character in a film for their profound goodness more than Quan's portrayal of Waymond, a pushable Chinese-American husband, father, and laundromat owner. He has a heart-wrenching speech towards the end of the film that explicitly acknowledges all of the bad in the world and how he is not ignorant of it nor naive. But he chooses to see the good in the world and to continue to push everyone to love each other. It sounds corny as hell in text form, but packs a whallopping punch when you see it. Quan delivers his performance with such utter sincerity that I am so upset that we lost out on possibly decades of brilliant acting due to racism against him in Hollywood after his childhood performances in The Goonies and Temple of Doom. Here's to wishing him the best and a career revitalization that will give us many more wonderful performances to look forward to!

Honorable Mentions: Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once); and Albrecht Schuch (All Quiet on the Western Front).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actress in a Supporting Role - Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actor in a Supporting Role - Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once)



Best Scene: The Star Lasso Experience (Nope)


This was one of the most memorable scenes in a film from the past few years for me. As someone with claustrophobia, there is a certain point in this scene that absolutely terrified me and disturbed me in a way that no other film has done. Not only is it the most horrifying scene in a horror-thriller movie, but it also acts as a huge turning point narratively that changes both the genre and the audience's understanding of the film. Jordan Peele never seems to miss with his incredible films, and this one is no different. And to think that this all happens right after ANOTHER super memorable scene about Steven Yeun's character and a chimpanzee.

Honorable Mentions: Trapped in a crater with the enemy (All Quiet on the Western Front); and Gordy's Home (Nope).



Best Existential Actor: Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

The character of Joy Wang carries so many very difficult life questions with her. The existential dread of nothing mattering combined with the self-loathing of feeling like a disappointment create a complex antagonist for her mother, played by Yeoh, to square off against. Hsu brings Joy to the screen with all of the creepiness and absurdity of an all-powerful being with nothing to live for while also giving her an emotional core that many members of both the millennials and zoomers can relate to. The world sucks and life is not worth living, so why even try anymore? This question posed by Hsu's character requires all of the emotional intelligence of her father (Quan) and all of the traumatic experiences of her mother (Yeoh) in order to be answered in a truly satisfying way.

Honorable Mentions: Paul Mescal (Aftersun); and Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once)



Best Cinematography: Gregory Oke (Aftersun)


Gregory Oke and writer-director Charlotte Wells have done their best to make every shot in Aftersun gorgeous, even during the quiet and otherwise inane scenes. Several shots have stuck with me for months after watching this film, especially during the first 5 minutes and the final 5 minutes of the film. Oke and Wells' ability to visually depict what is happening between a father and daughter, including what is happening in the future, has haunted me ever since the credits rolled.

Honorable Mentions: Larkin Seiple (Everything Everywhere All at Once); and James Friend (All Quiet on the Western Front).

OSCAR PREDICTION: James Friend (All Quiet on the Western Front)



Best Directors: Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (Everything Everywhere All at Once)


I will admit to not being familiar with the work of "the Daniels" before seeing EEAAO. I had heard good things about their previous film, Swiss Army Man, but it seemed too absurd for me. However, for some reason, the absurdity that is embedded into this film by the Daniels pairs perfectly with their existential but heartfelt story. They have crafted a masterpiece of artwork that is also incredibly enjoyable, which is a pairing in film that I have not seen since Get Out back in 2017. Well done, Daniels, and I eagerly await their future works!

Honorable Mentions: Charlotte Wells (Aftersun); and Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Martin McDonagh (The Banshees of Inisherin)



Best International Film: All Quiet on the Western Front (Germany)


"It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell."

General William Sherman spoke those words in regards to the Civil War that he participated in, and yet that quote is still said aloud these hundreds of years later as the world continues to ignore them. These words have been echoed time and time again through many anti-war films such as Full Metal Jacket, the original Best Picture-winning All Quiet on the Western Front, and Paths of Glory (of course there are many other examples; these are just the first three that I thought of). However, that message will NEVER become old, overstated, or overly utilized in cinema so long as horrible wars like the Ukrainian invasion and Yemeni civil war continue to happen around the world. War is devastating and terrible on not just its victims and civilians, but especially on its soldiers and footmen who are often forced into service against their will and severely traumatized for the rest of their lives.

All Quiet on the Western Front shoves these horrors directly into our faces again to remind us that we should never forget them nor ignore them. I have been appalled and disturbed by war films before, but this was the first one that made me emotional over the death of an unnamed character. When the protagonist, Paul, finds himself stuck in a crater with an enemy soldier that he just defeated in melee combat, we suffer with him as he sees the long, drawn-out consequences of his "victory". Moments like this fill this fantastic anti-war film that Germany has blessed the world with. Millions of men died for nothing but the rich's squabbles over land and oil. No life is worth a profit, and that includes the soldiers on both sides.

Honorable Mention: RRR (India).

OSCAR PREDICTION: All Quiet on the Western Front (Germany).



Best Film: Everything Everywhere All at Once


I think that this will be the least surprising entry in my entire list. Everything Everywhere All at Once is an absolute masterwork that I will rewatch and praise for decades to come. But I have already praised EEAAO up and down through six different categories now, so I will simply praise the aspects of the film that I have yet to mention.

Three different actors have won an award from me for their roles in this film, but every single member of the cast is outstanding. Jamie Lee Curtis is both hilarious and touching as a cranky middle-aged IRS agent, while James Hong is charming as a cantankerous grandfather and rebellion leader. Every single actor has multiple roles in the film, and each of these roles have small story arcs that culminate during the final "fight" scene. Both the music and visual effects in this film are amazing as well, matching the bright goofiness of one side of its themes as well as the bleak ennui of the other side. Also, for as much as I have mentioned the absurdity of the movie, I have barely even touched on how funny it is! I full-on belly-laughed multiple times throughout, and have repeatedly done so every time that I have rewatched it.


But at the end of the day, it is not the technical execution, nor the existential dread, nor the silly absurdity of EEAAO that has enraptured me. It is the wholesome heart at the center of the film about our connections with each other. Despite how hurtful those interactions can be, the joyful experiences that we get to have with our loved ones are worth all the other sludge surrounding those moments.

I have cried every single time that Evelyn finally sees her husband, Waymond, for the light in her life that he is.

Waymond: So, even though you have broken my heart yet again, I wanted to say, in another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you.

I have cried every single time that Gong Gong finally accepts his daughter, Evelyn, and his granddaughter, Joy, for who they are.
I have cried every single time that Evelyn hugs Joy and decides to just be there for her.

This is a beautiful film about imperfect people, and helps me to see the light in a world where I often find myself on the brink of complete nihilism. And so I have simply one more set of quotes to leave from the best film made in the last decade:

Evelyn: Maybe it's like you said. Maybe there is something out there -a new discovery- that'll make us feel like even smaller pieces of shit. Something that explains why you still went looking for me through all this noise. And why, no matter what, I still want to be here with you. I will always, ALWAYS, want to be here - with you.

Joy: So what? You're just going to ignore everything else? You could be anything, anywhere. Why not go somewhere where your - where your daughter is more than just...this? Here, all we'll get are a few specks of time where any of this actually makes any sense.

Then I will cherish these few specks of time.


Honorable Mentions: All Quiet on the Western Front; and Aftersun.

OSCAR PREDICTION: The Banshees of Inisherin



TL;DR

  1. Everything Everywhere All at Once (Best Film, Best Directors, Best Leading Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Existential Actor, Best Screenplay)
  2. All Quiet on the Western Front (Best International Film, Best Technical Effects)
  3. Aftersun (Best Emotional Actor, Best Cinematography)
  4. Nope (Best Ensemble Cast, Best Scene)
  5. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (Best Animated Film)
  6. The Batman (Best Music)
  7. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (Best Family Film)
  8. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Most Iconic Character)
  9. RRR (Best Cinematic Song)



Here are some explanations for films that are missing from my awards that some may be wondering about:


Good, not Great

Barbarian
The Black Phone
Elvis
The Fabelmans
Lightyear
Prey
Tár
Top Gun: Maverick
Triangle of Sadness
Turning Red


Bad or Overrated

The Banshees of Inisherin
The Northman


Skipped or Missed

Avatar: The Way of Water
Babylon
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Jackass Forever
Living
The Menu
Thor: Love and Thunder
The Whale
Women Talking



Thanks for reading my movie awards for this year! I always love writing them and I hope that you enjoyed reading them. I will see you next year for another celebration of both entertaining and artistic cinema!

26 March 2022

The Best Movies of 2021

For whatever reason, I did not see as many movies this year as I typically do, which resulted in a much smaller list than previous years. Perhaps this is just a rebalancing after last year featured SIXTEEN movies on my list. Still, there were some great films this year, including two phenomenal masterpieces that I am so excited to talk about! If you want to just get to the final results, I have a TL;DR at the end of my blog that ranks my favorite films of 2021, as well as showing what awards they received from me.

DISCLAIMER: As I mentioned, I did not see every movie made in 2021 (with this awards season covering March through December) so there are likely several films that I would have put on this list if I had seen them. I watched a few of the Best Picture nominees, but honestly grew fatigued of the arthouse style this year, which is funny considering some of my favorite films are very niche arthouse (see: The Lighthouse, 2019). I will still make my Oscar predictions for each category because it's fun to do!

Here are my honorable mentions for 2021, followed by my Oscar predictions for categories that will not be included in my own awards:



Honorable Mentions

The Green Knight
King Richard
Raya and the Last Dragon
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Sing 2
Vivo



Movies That I Did Not Watch

Belfast
Coda
Cyrano
Don't Look Up
F9: The Fast Saga
Free Guy
The French Dispatch
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
In the Heights
The King's Man
The Last Duel
Last Night in Soho
Licorice Pizza
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Nightmare Alley
Pig
A Quiet Place Part II
West Side Story



Oscar Predictions for Unincluded Categories

  • Costume Design - West Side Story
  • Documentary (Feature) - I did not see any documentaries this year unfortunately.
  • Documentary (Short Subject) - See Documentary (Feature).
  • Film Editing - The Power of the Dog
  • International Feature Film - See Documentary (Feature).
  • Makeup and Hairstyling - House of Gucci
  • Production Design - West Side Story
  • Short Film (Animated) - See Documentary (Feature).
  • Short Film (Live Action) - See Documentary (Feature).



Now, without further ado, here are the Best Movies of 2021 according to Robert!



Best Animated Film: Encanto


Disney gives us another great film about family, responsibility, and expectations. Lin-Manuel Miranda's songwriting combines with Germaine Franco's composing to give us a fantastic musical that will move you and entertain you. Coincidentally, they also worked together on Coco, another wonderful Mexican-cultured film in 2017, so you can expect more of the same brilliance here. If you missed Encanto in theaters, be sure to watch it on Disney+!

Honorable Mentions: Raya and the Last Dragon; and Vivo.

OSCAR PREDICTION: Encanto



Best Legendary Character: Jason Momoa (Dune)


To say that Duncan Idaho (portrayed perfectly by Jason Momoa) steals every scene that he appears in would be an understatement. Momoa uses his charisma to bring levity into the film through Duncan, while also channeling his powerful presence to make Duncan an intimidating hulk of a man. The scene in the above screenshot in particular struck me as one of the greatest moments in cinema last year, and definitely makes Dune worth watching if you have not done so yet.

Honorable Mentions: Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man: No Way Home); and David Dastmalchian (The Suicide Squad).



Best Heroic Sendoff: No Time to Die

Daniel Craig has become my favorite actor to portray James Bond of all time, and he gets one of the best endings to a Bond story arc in No Time to Die. He has shown how Bond has grown and matured since his debut in Casino Royale while also giving a final performance that made me tear up in theaters. I know that not all of the Craig-era Bond films have been great, but No Time to Die is right up there with Casino Royale and Skyfall as some of the best Bond films to ever be released. Definitely do not miss this great movie!

Honorable Mentions: Spider-Man: No Way Home; and The Matrix: Resurrections.



Best Ensemble Cast: The Suicide Squad

James Gunn has worked his magic again in taking a crew of bizarre but fun characters and bringing them to life with a fantastic cast. Idris Elba, of course, plays the lead character Bloodsport with a cool energy, but David Dastmalchian deserves recognition for his role as Polka Dot Man as well. Viola Davis, John Cena, Margot Robbie, and Sylvester Stallone bring their A-games here, but Daniela Melchior gave so much heart to this film as Ratcatcher 2 that she deserves a shoutout. She quickly became my favorite character and provides most of the best moments in the film, including a touching flashback of her days with her father, the original Ratcatcher (portrayed wonderfully by Taika Waititi). If you can stomach some intense violence, this is a great and fun movie to watch!

Honorable Mentions: Dune; and The Power of the Dog.



Best Music: Bo Burnham (Inside)

To get ahead of any potential protestations, I had the privilege of watching Inside at a local theater as well as on Netflix, so I consider Inside to be a feature film rather than a comedy special, so it is eligible for all of my awards! As such, it really is a no-brainer for me to pick Bo Burnham's masterpiece for the Best Music in 2021 cinema. On top of great music production and composition, Burnham's lyrics hit a chord with me regarding my time during lockdown and post-lockdown in a world overrun by COVID-19. Combining catchy pop tunes with haunting lyrics was the magic ingredient for an absolutely amazing musical experience for me. This will always be on Netflix, so be sure to watch Inside if you have not yet!

Honorable Mentions: Hans Zimmer (Dune); and Germaine Franco (Encanto).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Hans Zimmer (Dune)



Best Comic Book Film: Spider-Man: No Way Home

The hype for this movie was tremendous, and yet it fully lived up to those high expectations. Willem Dafoe absolutely crushed his return as Norman Osborn, while Tom Holland continued his excellent run as Peter Parker, a.k.a. your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. This story's unpredictability led to a very exciting journey from start to finish for me. In addition, having a message of rehabilitation for villains instead of punishment or death was a very unique and heartwarming choice to make, and I greatly appreciated their decision to do so. I fully expect that anyone who reads this list will have already seen Spider-Man: No Way Home, but be sure to do so if not.

Honorable Mentions: The Suicide Squad; and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.



Best Supporting Performance: Rebecca Ferguson (Dune)


Having never read the books, I went into Dune with no expectations beyond Denis Villeneuve being one of the best modern filmmakers. After all, his films appear in my previous awards all over the place (Enemy, Prisoners, Sicario, and Arrival), in addition to the excellent Incendies that I watched long after it was released. So seeing Rebecca Ferguson turn in an amazing performance as Lady Jessica was so great for me, especially once I learned how much they amplified her role in the film as compared to the book. She shows fear and emotion in private, but calms and controls herself during those quiet moments before standing tall and fierce before others. The scene in the ornithopter about halfway through the film also showed off her frightening powers in an awesome way that made me love her even more. Ferguson definitely deserves recognition for her acting in Dune, regardless of whether she was nominated for an Oscar or not.

Honorable Mentions: Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog); and Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actress in a Supporting Role - Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actor in a Supporting Role - Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog)



Best Cinematic Song: All Eyes on Me (Inside)

Inside starts out with a goofy and light tone, but about halfway through descends into a darkness filled with depression and anxiety over the state of our world. All Eyes on Me takes the auto-tune heavy beat style used by Kanye West at concerts and harnesses it to tap into the deepest existential crises of my generation, while still acknowledging our own ennui in the face of such imminent and inevitable destruction. I cannot listen to this song and not get chills over my entire body every single time. One line in particular always resonates within me:

"You say the ocean's rising, / Like I give a shit.
/ You say the whole world's ending; / Honey, it already did.
/ You're not gonna slow it, / Heaven knows you've tried.
// Got it? Good, / Now get inside."

Honorable Mentions: Welcome to the Internet (Inside); and Surface Pressure (Encanto).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Be Alive (King Richard)



Best Emotional Return of Characters: The Matrix: Resurrections

I know that there were a lot of people who were disappointed by this film, but it gave me everything that I wanted from a Matrix sequel. It definitely has its flaws, but everything from the mind-bending first act to the insight into a post-war world where machines and human live together was so refreshing and positive (as opposed to the relentless despair of The Matrix: Reloaded and Revolutions). I also read an article several months before its release about how director Lana Wachowski lost both of her parents within a year of each other and could not figure out how to deal with her grief. In the end, she decided that although she could not bring her parents back to life, she could take these two characters who were near and dear to heart and resurrect them. That kind of emotional bond to Neo and Trinity moved me in an incredible way both when they finally reunite with each other and when they finally kiss for the first time in 50 years (within the storyline). It may not be a perfect film, but it is a truly heartfelt story that everyone should get to enjoy! Check it out on HBO Max if you missed it in theaters.

Honorable Mentions: Spider-Man: No Way Home; and No Time to Die.



Best Leading Performance: Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog)


The best villains in cinema are either pure evil (A Clockwork Orange, No Country for Old Men) or a complex character that has some empathy behind their motives (There Will Be Blood, Ex Machina). In this case, the latter applies to Phil Burbank, who is brought to life menacingly by Benedict Cumberbatch. His subtle mind games with Rose (well acted by Kirsten Dunst) drive the tension of the film, showing the burning, cold hatred of a man whose brother was "stolen" from him by a new wife. However, the tenderness and inner turmoil of Phil comes to light during the second half of the film, which sees him mentoring Rose's son, Peter (also greatly done by Kodi Smit-McPhee), while growing ever more fond of him. The way that the story takes this relationship really surprised me, and it would not have worked if it were not for the fantastic performance that Cumberbatch gives here. Definitely check out this Oscar frontrunner on Netflix if you somehow missed it up until now!

Honorable Mentions: Bo Burnham (Inside); and Stephanie Beatriz (Encanto).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actress in a Leading Role - Kristen Stewart (Spencer)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actor in a Leading Role - Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog) [but I really am rooting for Will Smith (King Richard)]



Best Technical Achievement: Dune


This year, due to the smaller size of my list, I decided to condense the categories of Best Cinematography, Best Sound Effects, and Best Visual Effects into one category. As it happens, all this really does is condense three awards that would have gone to Dune into one! The visual effects are absolutely gorgeous and bring the world of Arrakis to life in both a terrifying realistic way and a painterly fantasy way. The deep rumble of the sandworms and menacing silence of floating soldiers elevate this film, especially in a theater. Finally, Greig Fraser gives us amazing shots (such as in the above picture) that really give us the scope and size of many of these enormous beasts and machines, while also giving us those close and tender moments between characters that lets us see their expressions and emotions towards each other (especially between Lady Jessica and Paul). I fully expect Dune to nearly sweep the technical awards at the Oscars this year, and deservedly so.

Honorable Mentions: The Power of the Dog; and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

OSCAR PREDICTION: Cinematography - Ari Wegner (The Power of the Dog)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Sound - Dune

OSCAR PREDICTION: Visual Effects - Dune



Best Time Capsule of Reality: Inside

As I already mentioned, Inside really brought to the screen just exactly how it felt to feel trapped inside of our houses for over a year. As someone with a spouse who has autoimmune deficiencies, my anxiety spiked tremendously during this time and made us closed off from the outside world for almost two years while we awaited some kind of protection against a potentially deadly virus for her. Bo Burnham makes jokes in this movie about his (not so) unique circumstance while filming it, but he also really draws attention to how reliant we have become on the internet for social interaction. He also shows the dangers of living within our social bubbles that echo and amplify potentially fringe political beliefs, leading to further and further radicalization and polarization of both sides of the aisle. If anyone in the future ever asks me what it was like to live through a worldwide pandemic, I can easily point them to this film to give them the full mental and emotional experience of surviving through such a generationally traumatic event.

Honorable Mentions: King Richard; and The Matrix: Resurrections.



Best Comic Book Performance: Margot Robbie (The Suicide Squad)

We already knew that Margot Robbie was perfectly cast as Harley Quinn, but we never really got to see the combined goofiness and maniacal violence of her character until The Suicide Squad. The sequence about her romancing by a prince of sorts was both parts hilarious and heartbreaking, and the scene that this screenshot comes from gave us a look inside of her mind while also being a perfectly choreographed action set piece. Robbie really shines as Harley when she is given screentime in this film, making it well worth watching for even her performance alone.

Honorable Mentions: Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man: No Way Home); and Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad).



Best Screenplay: Charise Castro Smith and Jared Bush (Encanto)

To start a story about a magically-gifted family in the way that Encanto does with its main character, Mirabel, was very bold and very unexpected. However, the way that Castro Smith and Bush use that plot twist to drive the emotional underside of the movie results in a thoroughly enjoyable experience, along with an ending that made me cry both in sadness and in happiness. In particular, the moment at the end when Mirabel looks at her reflection and says, "I see me; all of me," truly hit me right in the heart, as someone who recently learned how to accept themself after months of personal therapy. My own statement changed over the course of those months from "I want to be me," to "I need to be me," and finally arriving at "I am me." To see Maribel reach the end of her own similar journey of self acceptance made and makes me feel so incredibly happy in a way that few films ever have. If you need a story that will make you feel warm in a truly personal way, watch Encanto and enjoy the fantastic writing done by Castro Smith and Bush.

Honorable Mentions: Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, and Eric Roth (Dune); and Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Writing (Original Screenplay) - Kenneth Branagh (Belfast)



Best Director: Denis Villeneuve (Dune)


To take such a legendary novel as Dune and turn it into a cinematic masterpiece requires the skill and passion that only one such as Denis Villeneuve could ever give. You can tell how much he (and most of the people working on this film) adored the source material, and it results in a truly epic film that will likely start a trilogy worthy of being placed alongside the original Star Wars movies and The Lord of the Rings. Every single shot feels carefully crafted to both look gorgeous and elicit appropriate emotions, whether they be of wonder, terror, or endearment. The fact that Villeneuve was snubbed at the Oscars this year is up there with The Dark Knight not being nominated for Best Picture. In fact, he has only ever received one nomination for Best Director (Arrival) despite having crafted so many fantastic films. My hunch is he will receive the award for Dune: Part II in a similar fashion to Peter Jackson for LOTR: The Return of the King. However, I will continue to laud Villeneuve as one of the best directors of the last 20 years and give him his second award for Best Director (Sicario in 2015; also nearly in 2017 for Arrival)!

Honorable Mentions: Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog); and Bo Burnham (Inside).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)



Best Film: Inside


In a recurring theme, my favorite film of the year was the one that I most connected to on a deeply personal level. I have watched Inside so many times, and listened to its soundtrack at least twice as much. On top of some hilarious comedy and beautiful music, Bo Burnham gives us the most soul-wrenching performance of the entire year. Although I definitely believe that some moments in this quasi-documentary are staged (I very nearly gave this Best Documentary but decided that it was not truly a documentary), a great majority of the quiet moments between the songs struck me as sincere, if at least from an emotional perspective. So many of us felt so alone and lost during the pandemic, and many of us still feel anxious about its ongoing spread and what the future holds (with recent world events contributing even more to that fear). Inside perfectly captures that isolation and takes you on a ride through every emotion that Bo (and millions more) felt during such a tenuous time.


If that sounds terrifying to you, I understand. It sounded terrifying to me enough to the point that I put off watching Inside for nearly a month after it released. But the reality is seeing someone go through a nearly identical mental struggle to your own has an odd catharsis to it. I felt seen by this film. I felt a kinship to Bo that I never would have thought was possible. Living in a state that spent the majority of the pandemic doing their best to ignore its existence left me feeling completely on my own to fend for myself; the only sane person in a sea of insanity. But even Bo, living in California, felt that exact same feeling. There were millions of us who felt isolated and surrounded by people who did not give a shit about other people's lives. But we were all there, unaware of each other and only seeing and hearing from the vocal minority of science-deniers and conspiracy theorists. To know that I was not truly alone, and that there are still many, many people who care just as I do, was oddly reassuring. The world may still feel like a terrible place right now, but there are still many good people in it that we just need to reach out and connect with again instead of burrowing down into our individual foxholes while we pray that the storm passes.

Finally, on a technical note, the fact that Bo wrote, directed, and conceptualized this entire film on his own is truly a mark of a creative genius. The lighting and cinematography of this film, given his limitations, are incredible and excellently done. That such a deeply personal experience could connect with as many people as it has while also being a fantastic visual and aural treat makes this film truly in its own class far above any other film this year. Which, of course, makes Inside my Best Film of 2021.

Honorable Mentions: Dune; and Encanto.

OSCAR PREDICTION: The Power of the Dog




TL;DR
  1. Inside (Best Film, Best Cinematic Song, Best Music, Best Time Capsule of Reality)
  2. Dune (Best Director, Best Supporting Performance, Best Technical Achievement, Best Legendary Character)
  3. Encanto (Best Animated Film, Best Screenplay)
  4. The Suicide Squad (Best Ensemble Cast, Best Comic Book Performance)
  5. The Power of the Dog (Best Leading Performance)
  6. No Time to Die (Best Heroic Sendoff)
  7. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Best Comic Book Film)
  8. The Matrix: Resurrections (Best Emotional Return of Characters)


Thank you for reading through my awards this year, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! Here's to another great year of films (I am very excited to see The Batman this weekend!) and please leave comments with your own opinions!