It was another strange year of cinema to say the least. I cannot deny that the home viewing opportunities in 2021 grew so fast that I found myself juggling all of my streaming services and an abundance of new release movies to no end. There was a head spinning amount of material to absorb and we were certainly spoilt for choice. If you couldn't find something to watch in 2021 then you just weren't trying hard enough!
I devoured 213 movies and 142 television series this year. Basically I was flat out watching something every day of the year and I still didn't get to half of the material that is on my 'to see' lists. The task of seeing everything has become arduous beyond anyone's means, and unless you are willing to permanently strap yourself to the couch and do nothing but watch movies and TV, there is just no way that you can manage to see it all.
However, like I do every year, I did give it my very best shot and I did see a great deal of incredibly good things. 2021, just like 2020 managed to deliver greatness across all of the genres, for which I am always grateful. In particular I really appreciated seeing so many excellent horror and science fiction films this year; most of which boasted stunningly good visuals and terrifically original storylines.
And so, without further ado....here is my selection for the best viewing experiences of 2021.
BEST MOVIES (2021 release):
The Power of the Dog - Drama 5 Chilli Peppers (Hall of Fame)
Dune - Sci-Fi 4 Chilli Peppers
Nomadland - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Promising Young Woman - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Don't Look Up - Sci-Fi 4 Chilli Peppers
CODA - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Pig - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Saint Maud - Horror 4 Chilli Peppers
Bo Burnham: Inside - Comedy 4 Chilli Peppers
The Last Duel - Action/Period 4 Chilli Peppers
Encanto - Kids 4 Chilli Peppers
The Dig - Drama 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Nobody - Action 3.5 Chilli Peppers
The Mitchell's vs The Machines- Kids 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Fear Street Trilogy - Horror 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Cruella - Kids 3.5 Chilli Peppers
2021 HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Palmer - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
The Conjuring 3 - The Devil Made Me Do It - Horror 3 Chilli Peppers
Army of Thieves- Action 3 Chilli Peppers
Finch - Sci-Fi 3 Chilli Peppers
Here are my top recommendations for pre-2021 releases that I didn't see until 2021:
Portrait of a Lady on Fire - Romance 5 Chilli Peppers (Hall of Fame)
The Father - Drama 4.5 Chilli Peppers
The Trial of the Chicago 7 - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Another Round - International 4 Chilli Peppers
One Cut of the Dead - Horror 3.5 Chilli Peppers
The King of Staten Island - Drama 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Possessor - Horror 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Drama 3.5 Chilli Peppers
You Were Never Really Here - Gritty 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Host - Horror 3.5 Chilli Peppers
On the Rocks -Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
The Dry - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
Hillbilly Elegy- Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
Blinded by the Light - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
BEST TELEVISION SERIES 2021:
Ted Lasso S2 - Drama 5 Chilli Peppers
Midnight Mass - Horror 5 Chilli Peppers
Succession S3 - Drama 5 Chilli Peppers
The White Lotus - Drama 5 Chilli Peppers
Mr Inbetween S3 - Crime 5 Chilli Peppers
Britannia S3 - Fantasy 5 Chilli Peppers
EVIL S2 - Horror 5 Chilli Peppers
It's a Sin - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Wandavision - Super 4 Chilli Peppers
Reservation Dogs - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
American Gods S3 - Fantasy 4 Chilli Peppers
Black Summer S2- Horror 4 Chilli Peppers
Mare of Easttown - Crime 4 Chilli Peppers
SEE S2 - Fantasy 4 Chilli Peppers
Brand New Cherry Flavour - Horror 4 Chilli Peppers
What We Do in the Shadows S3 - Comedy 4 Chilli Peppers
Love on the Spectrum S2 - Reality 4 Chilli Peppers
Resident Alien- Sci-Fi 4 Chilli Peppers
Ghosts S3 - Comedy 4 Chilli Peppers
Foundation - Sci-Fi 4 Chilli Peppers
2021 TV HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Master of None S3- Drama 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Young Offenders S3 - Comedy 3.5 Chilli Peppers
BUMP - Comedy - 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Behind Her Eyes - Drama 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Cowboy Bebop - Sci- Fi 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Loki- Sci-Fi/ Comedy 3 Chilli Peppers
Scenes from a Marriage - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
Valley of Tears - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
Nine Perfect Strangers - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
Mr Corman - Art House 3 Chilli Peppers
The Kominsky Method S3 - Drama 3 Chill Peppers
AHS Double Feature - 3 Chilli Peppers
I devoured 213 movies and 142 television series this year. Basically I was flat out watching something every day of the year and I still didn't get to half of the material that is on my 'to see' lists. The task of seeing everything has become arduous beyond anyone's means, and unless you are willing to permanently strap yourself to the couch and do nothing but watch movies and TV, there is just no way that you can manage to see it all.
However, like I do every year, I did give it my very best shot and I did see a great deal of incredibly good things. 2021, just like 2020 managed to deliver greatness across all of the genres, for which I am always grateful. In particular I really appreciated seeing so many excellent horror and science fiction films this year; most of which boasted stunningly good visuals and terrifically original storylines.
And so, without further ado....here is my selection for the best viewing experiences of 2021.
BEST MOVIES (2021 release):
The Power of the Dog - Drama 5 Chilli Peppers (Hall of Fame)
Dune - Sci-Fi 4 Chilli Peppers
Nomadland - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Promising Young Woman - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Don't Look Up - Sci-Fi 4 Chilli Peppers
CODA - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Pig - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Saint Maud - Horror 4 Chilli Peppers
Bo Burnham: Inside - Comedy 4 Chilli Peppers
The Last Duel - Action/Period 4 Chilli Peppers
Encanto - Kids 4 Chilli Peppers
The Dig - Drama 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Nobody - Action 3.5 Chilli Peppers
The Mitchell's vs The Machines- Kids 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Fear Street Trilogy - Horror 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Cruella - Kids 3.5 Chilli Peppers
2021 HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Palmer - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
The Conjuring 3 - The Devil Made Me Do It - Horror 3 Chilli Peppers
Army of Thieves- Action 3 Chilli Peppers
Finch - Sci-Fi 3 Chilli Peppers
Here are my top recommendations for pre-2021 releases that I didn't see until 2021:
Portrait of a Lady on Fire - Romance 5 Chilli Peppers (Hall of Fame)
The Father - Drama 4.5 Chilli Peppers
The Trial of the Chicago 7 - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Another Round - International 4 Chilli Peppers
One Cut of the Dead - Horror 3.5 Chilli Peppers
The King of Staten Island - Drama 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Possessor - Horror 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Drama 3.5 Chilli Peppers
You Were Never Really Here - Gritty 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Host - Horror 3.5 Chilli Peppers
On the Rocks -Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
The Dry - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
Hillbilly Elegy- Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
Blinded by the Light - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
BEST TELEVISION SERIES 2021:
Ted Lasso S2 - Drama 5 Chilli Peppers
Midnight Mass - Horror 5 Chilli Peppers
Succession S3 - Drama 5 Chilli Peppers
The White Lotus - Drama 5 Chilli Peppers
Mr Inbetween S3 - Crime 5 Chilli Peppers
Britannia S3 - Fantasy 5 Chilli Peppers
EVIL S2 - Horror 5 Chilli Peppers
It's a Sin - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
Wandavision - Super 4 Chilli Peppers
Reservation Dogs - Drama 4 Chilli Peppers
American Gods S3 - Fantasy 4 Chilli Peppers
Black Summer S2- Horror 4 Chilli Peppers
Mare of Easttown - Crime 4 Chilli Peppers
SEE S2 - Fantasy 4 Chilli Peppers
Brand New Cherry Flavour - Horror 4 Chilli Peppers
What We Do in the Shadows S3 - Comedy 4 Chilli Peppers
Love on the Spectrum S2 - Reality 4 Chilli Peppers
Resident Alien- Sci-Fi 4 Chilli Peppers
Ghosts S3 - Comedy 4 Chilli Peppers
Foundation - Sci-Fi 4 Chilli Peppers
2021 TV HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Master of None S3- Drama 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Young Offenders S3 - Comedy 3.5 Chilli Peppers
BUMP - Comedy - 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Behind Her Eyes - Drama 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Cowboy Bebop - Sci- Fi 3.5 Chilli Peppers
Loki- Sci-Fi/ Comedy 3 Chilli Peppers
Scenes from a Marriage - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
Valley of Tears - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
Nine Perfect Strangers - Drama 3 Chilli Peppers
Mr Corman - Art House 3 Chilli Peppers
The Kominsky Method S3 - Drama 3 Chill Peppers
AHS Double Feature - 3 Chilli Peppers
PIG
Release Date: 2021
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 92 mins
An American drama, written and directed by Michael Sarnoski in his directorial debut. And I think that it would be fair to say that the subject material here certainly had people raising their eyebrows with scepticism, but in all honesty, Pig is one of the most unexpectedly heartfelt and affecting films of the year, so don't be mislead.
A hermit truffle hunter named Rob (Nicholas Cage) has his truffle hunting pig stolen and will stop at nothing to get it back again, even if it means venturing back into a world that he abandoned long ago.
As far as the storyline goes, we have all seen this before; a damaged, lonely man becomes attached to his pet and it gets taken from him, hello John Wick. However, it isn't very far into the movie that we see that this is not just a film about avenging a stolen pig, it is actually about having the courage to choose what you really want out of life and the pure joy of simple pleasures.
Nicholas Cage is bringing his all and hasn't been this good since Leaving Las Vegas, he is actually that good. It's a riveting performance and testament to the fact that he still has it. Alex Wolf is equally good along side of Cage and the two are a powerhouse of emotion together.
I adored the contemplative tone of this film from start to end, I thought that the film's strength dwells in its simplicity. In my opinion, Pig is definitely one of the best drama offerings of 2021.
FINAL SAY: We don't get a lot of things to really care about.
4 Chilli Peppers
Release Date: 2021
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 92 mins
An American drama, written and directed by Michael Sarnoski in his directorial debut. And I think that it would be fair to say that the subject material here certainly had people raising their eyebrows with scepticism, but in all honesty, Pig is one of the most unexpectedly heartfelt and affecting films of the year, so don't be mislead.
A hermit truffle hunter named Rob (Nicholas Cage) has his truffle hunting pig stolen and will stop at nothing to get it back again, even if it means venturing back into a world that he abandoned long ago.
As far as the storyline goes, we have all seen this before; a damaged, lonely man becomes attached to his pet and it gets taken from him, hello John Wick. However, it isn't very far into the movie that we see that this is not just a film about avenging a stolen pig, it is actually about having the courage to choose what you really want out of life and the pure joy of simple pleasures.
Nicholas Cage is bringing his all and hasn't been this good since Leaving Las Vegas, he is actually that good. It's a riveting performance and testament to the fact that he still has it. Alex Wolf is equally good along side of Cage and the two are a powerhouse of emotion together.
I adored the contemplative tone of this film from start to end, I thought that the film's strength dwells in its simplicity. In my opinion, Pig is definitely one of the best drama offerings of 2021.
FINAL SAY: We don't get a lot of things to really care about.
4 Chilli Peppers
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