Top 5 Movies of 2021: From someone who still hasn't seen the Godfather

Yes, I haven't seen the Godfather.

No, That won't stop me from writing about Movies.

NOTE: I wrote this at the start of 2022, but the editing process took me a fair while

SPOILER WARNING FOR MOVIES FROM 2021 AND A GAME OF THRONES SOMEHOW

Should reviews be subjective? or try to stay objective?

Cinema is a vast field and the artsy 'films' have as much value in the space as the mind-numbing blockbusters. There is genius in all kinds of films, and popularity or critic appreciation have not served as good indicators of genius in my estimation. Popular movies can become adored with weak storytelling and lazy writing because of surface-level enjoyment such as nostalgic moments, attractive actors, or just flashy fight scenes. While these are all valuable aspects of a movie, I have always felt the core of a movie is storytelling. Other aspects to me are meant to serve as tools for storytelling, not replacements for the lack thereof. Sometimes movies that are enjoyable in the moment can leave you with an empty feeling later. As the plot slowly becomes inherently understood its superficiality becomes clearer. While not a movie, I remember celebrating Arya killing the night king towards the end of A Game of Thrones, only to wake up the next morning feeling deeply unsatisfied with the conclusion of the story arc. The movie Avatar as well had most coming out of the cinema thinking it was a strong act of storytelling. Yet years down the line, the lack of impact that movie has had on us has become evident. Most people find it difficult today to even name one character from the movie. There are thousands of movies like this, and while they may be enjoyable in the moment, their inability to leave a strong lasting impression is indicative of their storytelling weakness.

Critics on the other hand have fallen in love with 'the show do not tell idea'. Which is vital to good storytelling, IF balanced properly. Sometimes a movie can seem to be like it has depth, yet within its faux depths lies nothing of value. Meaningfulness hinted at, does not mean meaningfulness exists. Sometimes the film has gone misunderstood and there is a impactful idea there that is going unheard. This is why objective storytelling reviews can not exist. Films that deal with deep ideas are not meant for everyone, but they impact those who identify with the idea deeply. They hold value for those who understand, but close to none for those who do not. This is why I will not even attempt to create a list of what is the 'best' movie, only what provided me the most meaningful enjoyment. For me, the best movies are always those that can tell a meaningful story. Beyond the state-of-the-art special effects and the 'profoundness' of today's award-baiting movies. These are the movies I believe told the most effective and compelling stories.

5. Spiderman: No Way Home

One of the greatest superhero movies ever. Marvel show off their incredible ability to create cinema moments like no other once again. At this point recreating the emotion of End Game seems like child's play to them. While I do not believe this is one of the tightest or best-constructed plots in Movies today, it's hard to argue with the pure emotion this movie's storytelling can instill. It's premise being a stand-out weakness to me. I don't think this movie will hold up particularly well over time, but the very existence of this movie is a wonder.

4. The Green Knight

Probably the most polarizing movie of the year. Audiences were unintentionally misled into attending this movie en masse expecting an experience similar to other blockbuster Arthurian stories. However, Green Knight had different intentions. While Spiderman is definitely the most ambitious movie of 2021, just the intent of The Green Knight is fascinating. An attempt to stay close to the abstruse source material it is based on, while telling a more modern overarching tale, is insane. Combining loosely related stories with dubious morals and ideas in a modern context to tell a tale that actually has meaning is incredible, and what was attempted here was amazing. I believe they told a captivating story for it to be the greatest Arthurian movie yet.

3. Encanto

Mystifying and magical. Encanto tells a story we have heard before but provides just enough of a change that differentiates it from its kind. It is an animated kids' movie that really feels like it was written by those of a different culture than Disney animation studio is used to. They take no big risks in storytelling, but the small differences in how the characters acted and reacted compared to other stories really stood out for me. Alongside fantastic music, it feels like will be some time before they leave the confines of my mind.

2. The Suicide Squad

I'm going to be upfront about this one, Suicide Squad were always some of my favourite comics growing up and I have always had a strong desire for a good Suicide Squad movie. However, just like Deadpool, getting the tone right for the storyline to work is incredibly difficult to pull off and I didn't think it would be possible to effectively recreate the comic's tone in cinema, but James Gunn proved me wrong. This movie was everything Suicide Squad was supposed to be. It pokes just enough fun at Superhero culture while telling an engaging story. It isn't for everyone, and the comedy will fall short for a lot of people, those who will enjoy it will be in hysterics all the whole way through.

1. The Last Duel

The Last Duel was the movie that struck the balance between entertainment and meaning. It told a captivating tale. Telling a story from multiple perspectives always leads the risk of retelling story elements over and over again, but the takes are so fresh that nothing felt overdone. They seem to show the complexities of human memory and perspective in such an accurate fashion, which helps flesh out its tale. The subject matter is extremely dark and the story was difficult to tell gracefully but The Last Duel does not shy away from the darker elements ingratiated in 1300s French culture. It tells a complex, but a well-told tale, that leaves you emotional, thoughtful and disturbed.