Written By Alex Greenbaum
10. "Nightmare Alley"
"Nightmare Alley" took me by surprise. Director/writer Guillermo Del Toro's ("Hellboy", "Pans Labyrinth") most visually impressive film to date follows its 1947 predecessor almost to a tee, but wonderful performances and a myriad of twists will keep you guessing till the end.
9. "Titane"
A love child of "Under the Skin" and "Monster", "Titane" explores heavy themes with graphic imagery. A monster movie and horror slasher mended together with stunning insights, there truly is nothing like it.
8. "Saint Maud"
To say I enjoyed "Saint Maud" is an understatement. It's disheartening to know that more people won't be able to experience the film in theaters or at all. The pandemic ravaged its chances of being more widely recognized by critics and audiences alike. My advice, turn down the lights and start streaming it on Hulu as soon as you can, it's worth it.
7. "Lamb"
As it unravels its mysterious threads, "Lamb" becomes a touching metaphor for grief, loss, and our human inability to let go. It slams its message down with force, leaving me mostly speechless in more than a few occasions. I have found no film this year take so much risk, and it was a risk worth taking.
6. "The Hand Of God"
No question, "The Hand of God" includes material that will be divisive, and I can imagine many in an audience reacting negatively to its crude dialogue and edgy material. But I found none of its scenes of shock to be used in an exploitative or unnecessary fashion but rather a primary function as to why the film is such an overwhelming success. "The Hand Of God" viscerally entertains but also makes one pensively reflect on life. It's one of the best and most inspiring films of the year.
5. "Passing"
"Passing" electrified my undying love for film as it stampedes forward in a wonderfully artful way. It demands to be seen, analyzed, and not forgotten. This is a film lovers delight from start to finish.
4. "The Worst Person In The World"
As I thoughtfully reflected on "The Worst Person In The World", the more I adored its unique storytelling. This Norwegian drama, up for multiple Oscars, is a force to be reckoned with.
3. "Spencer"
"Spencer" is not a tabloid drama looking to unearth the scandals surrounding Princess Diana but rather a beautifully told biopic that looks to dig into the many stigmas associated with societal expectations and mental health. With another brilliant performance by Kristen Stewart and a wicked piece of direction by Pablo Larraín ("Jackie"), "Spencer" swept me away.
2. "Mass"
Films like "Mass" don't come around often. The chilling depiction of parents dealing with the tragic death of a child resulting from a school shooting and its aftermath will make your skin crawl and your heart pound. Director/writer Fran Kranz's achievement should be recognized as one of the best directorial debuts in recent memory.
1. "Drive My Car"
"Drive My Car" is a quintessential piece of Japanese cinema. At three hours long, there isn't a scene that doesn't hold meaning, and as a testament to the quality is just how quickly the packed runtime flies by. "Drive My Car" is my choice as the best film of 2021 and is much deserving of its best picture nomination at the Academy Awards.
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