Continuing the countdown of my favorite 2021 movies…
Best Films of 2021
#4 – C’mon C’mon
I have somehow missed all three of C’mon C’mon writer-director Mike Mills’ previous films: 2005’s Thumbsucker, 2010’s Beginners, and 2016’s 20th Century Women.
I missed them despite great casts, glowing reviews and multiple award nominations. His latest effort, C’mon C’mon, suggests I have some catching up to do.
Continuing the countdown of my favorite 2021 movies…
Best Films of 2021
#5 – The Worst Person in the World
Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World was one of the last 2021 films I saw before finalizing my top ten list, and the one I was most anticipating. Despite the burden of those expectations, this movie managed to surprise and delight me in a dozen different ways.
First it was more narratively daring than I expected, then more dramatically resonant. It was more sexually frank, more emotionally intuitive, more stylistically clever, more willing to engage with modern cultural debates. Finally, it was unexpectedly thoughtful about mortality and purpose.
This is the fifth Random Weekend song from the Hunger Games soundtrack, a compilation of songs “inspired” by the 2012 film.
This was a worthy collection, featuring contributions from Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Arcade Fire, Glen Hansard, Maroon 5 and Kid Cudi, among others. Today’s track comes courtesy of the great Neko Case, who wrote two songs for the film but had only one selected for the soundtrack.
The Random iTunes Fairy serves up a lot of interesting songs. But I didn’t realize until today’s selection popped up just how rarely she delivers something I really love.
Usually, my reaction to the first notes of the random song is something akin to “huh.” As in, there’s an artist I haven’t thought about much lately. Or, I wonder how this album wound up in my iTunes library?
Continuing the countdown of my favorite 2021 movies…
Best Films of 2021
#6 – Belfast
Kenneth Branagh’s filmography as a director is split almost down the middle between high-brow literary adaptations (particularly Shakespeare) and high-budget popcorn fare.
The same man who gave us definitive takes on Henry V and Hamlet is responsible for Thor and Artemis Fowl.
But his Belfast is something completely different. This is an achingly personal film, a romanticized depiction of his early years in Northern Ireland before his family escaped The Troubles to settle in England.
Meet Me In Montauk 