2021 Cinemagazine Reviewer’s Favorite Movies

2021 will go down in history as a year in which cinemas and movie theaters in the Netherlands remained closed about half the time. Due to the measures brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, cinemas were not allowed to open again until June 5, 2021 (and then with restrictions). And in December it was hit again, on Saturday 18 December the government announced that the Netherlands was going back into a lockdown for the rest of the year. Below we provide an overview of what (some of the) critics of Cinemagazine consider to be their favorite films of the past cinema year 2021. They chose a top three from the official theatrical releases (for the complete list, see our list on Letterboxd.com). They supplement this with films that have not been seen and that are expected to earn a top ten spot, or films that deserve their place in the spotlight in some other way.

Frank vd Ven

1. pig

Nicolas Cage is a special person. After his Oscar-winning role in ‘Leaving Las Vegas’, he chose a career as an action hero. That went well for him and he soon became so rich that he spent his earned millions of dollars in no time. The result was a huge debt and dozens of roles in pathetic pulp films. Sometimes Cage chooses a role in which he can sink his teeth and then you get a brilliant film like ‘Pig’. An almost unrecognizable understated acting Cage portrays a tormented antihero that you will become attached to. Unpredictable and genius: just like the actor this film was written for!

2. Malignant

James ‘Saw’ Wan steps out of his comfort zone with the outrageous ‘Malignant’. This film is a kind of break in style for the usually quite serious director. The hysterical acting and the strange, somewhat corny atmosphere change when the grotesque plot twist of this special horror film is revealed. Wan plays with your expectations and that produces a very entertaining film that you either revere or despise. There is no in-between!

3. The Green Knight

The adventures of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table are ancient, but never dusty. ‘The Green Knight’ is the perfect example of this. This film debunks the myth of brave knights, but at the same time is an ode to human willpower. This film can be viewed as a poetic epic full of silences and subdued acting.

Marketing Failure of the Year:

son
In a just world, Ivan Kavanagh’s ‘Son’ would have been a big blockbuster. This film has similarities with ‘Hereditary’, but is a lot more accessible. The atmosphere is very strong and the soundtrack reinforces the uncomfortable feeling even more. Unfortunately, this film has been marketed quite anonymously. A hideous cover is partly to blame for this. With a stronger marketing team, this film would have had a better shot. Check out this movie if you like psychological horror!

Marvel fatigue

If you had told me thirty years ago that there would be dozens of films about Marvel characters in a relatively short time, I would have looked at you in disbelief. If you had told me twenty years ago that I would get tired of superhero movies, I would have laughed hard at you. Never! In 2021, the love for comic book adaptations has cooled down considerably with the undersigned. Especially the demanding Marvel Comics that expects you to know every movie by heart, cite all TV series and dream the source material. It is almost impossible to watch such a film without prior knowledge. In addition, the draft is considerable and the films come across as rather formulaic. ‘Eternals’, ‘Black Widow’ and a superfluous sequel to the corny ‘Venom’… A bit too much of a good thing for me!

Len Karstens

1. The French Dispatch

Beautiful film in the recognizable Wes Anderson style. With ‘The French Dispatch’ the director proves once again why he is one of the most beloved filmmakers of his generation. This time not a linear narration by the colorful filmmaker, but an anthology film of three different stories in a fictional French town. Like all of Anderson’s films, this one needs to be watched repeatedly to discover all the visual jokes and references. Atmospheric, sincere, impressive and above all: incredibly funny.

2. Press (Another Round)

A beautiful film about drinking, friendship and regret. Thomas Vinterberg is back in his element with ‘Druk’. His latest film focuses on both the positive and negative sides of Danish drinking culture, with all its highs and lows. Mads Mikkelsen delivers one of his best movie roles. His dance scene effortlessly ends up in the history books as one of the most beautiful film moments of the 21st century.

3. Quo vadis, Aida?

“Quo vadis, Aida?” It’s not an easy movie, but it’s an important one. Central to the story is the Srebrenica massacre. You already know in advance what’s about to happen, but that doesn’t make the film any less gripping. A brutal, skillful film that is extremely moving and authentic.

Honorable Mentions

The Father, The Hand of God, Judas and the Black Messiah, The Last Duel, Petite Maman, The Power of the Dog, Riders of Justice

missed

First Cow, Never Gonna Snow Again, The World to Come

Job Fifty Shield

1. Chungking Express

Wong Kar-Wai has an impressive body of work including ‘In The Mood for Love’ and ‘Happy Together’, but ‘Chungking Express’ is his most special film. A hypnotic film with two halves, both about loneliness. Wong Kar-Wai highlights two stories in busy Hong Kong where everyone is busy with all kinds of things. It’s a melancholic film, but one that you want to get into. There are few films that can touch the nerve of heartbreak so much.

2. The Father

A fantastic film about dementia and its terrible consequences. Perhaps the best role of Anthony Hopkins and a deserved Oscar winner. ‘The Father’ is touching, funny and confusing. After a while you as a viewer no longer know who is losing his mind. Undoubtedly one of the best films of the year that will surely touch you.

3. dune

After a long wait, ‘Dune’ was finally shown in the cinema. The hype was huge, but the expectations were met. The book seemed unfilmable. Yet Denis Villeneuve has impressively brought the gigantic world of ‘Dune’ to the big screen. Once again he proves that he is one of the best directors in Hollywood at the moment and the king of modern science fiction. Part two will be released (if all goes well) in two years, so it will be a while before the first epic story of main character Paul Artreides comes to an end.

Best Documentary:

The Rescue. Downright terrifying. ‘The Rescue’ is a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. In 2018, a football team of Thai children gets trapped in a deep cave that is half submerged. Even if you know how it ends by following the news, it’s incredible to see how this rescue came about. It is an inspiring documentary, but one that ensures that you will not dive deeper than one meter in a swimming pool for a while.

Missed movies: Judas and the Black Messiah, Quo Vadis, Aida?, Petite Maman