I can't believe we're at the end of another year. Another long year at that.
As the pandemic drags on, 2021 will be remembered as one of those difficult years with most asking for 2022 to come. While the year was tough, fortunately there was a lot of good content to keep our minds off of Covid (or at least tried to!) and I have compiled a list of my favorite movies and television shows of the year that I saw.
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME
First one is obvious. While I have been talking about this movie for a few weeks now, I'll keep this brief! Spider-Man: No Way Home is the perfect example of a movie that not only holds up to its expectations and massive hype, but greatly exceeds it. It is in my opinion the best Spider-Man movie to date and does a lot to respect the legacy of Spider-Man on the big screen. Great performances all around, and especially a fantastic turn from Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn/The Green Goblin. My hope is that Sony and Marvel's Best Picture nomination campaign for the film is a success!
Check it out in theaters now if you can, safely of course!
ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING
At first, what drew me in to Only Murders in the Building was the fact that it was starring Steve Martin and Martin Short, a legendary duo that have performed shows together for quite some time. This show, following a group of residents creating a podcast investigating a murder in their luxury condominium, exceeded my expectations. The chemistry between Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez makes the show a rather humorous viewing. The show is also incredibly well written and has quite a few twist turns and surprises along the way. Only Murders in the Building has been nominated for numerous awards since its release, including three Golden Globe nominations. I'm greatly looking forward to Season 2 next year!
Stream Only Murders in the Building on Hulu.
WANDAVISION
While it was tough to pick one Marvel Studios show for the list, the edge for me was given to WandaVision. If you told me even two years ago that Marvel Studios was making a sitcom of sorts based on Wanda and Vision, I would have told you you were crazy. But lo and behold, Marvel knocked it out of the park and WandaVision set the path for Marvel to be successful on Disney+. Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany and Kathryn Hahn all deliver standout performances as their respective characters. The series had everything from live studio audiences, a catchy tune that landed on Billboard's Top 100, and Wanda's transformation into the true Scarlet Witch.
Stream WandaVision on Disney+.
CODA
A surprise awards season film follows a hearing girl of deaf parents (CODA) and her coming of age story with the stress of being the only hearing person in her family. A very inclusive film that puts a spotlight on deaf individuals, something not seen as much but is coming around, this film had a personal resonance for me. While I am not a CODA, I am the reverse. I am the only deaf person in my family. I could relate to some of the struggles that both the deaf characters and the hearing characters were having in the movie. I was glad to see the inclusivity and hope there will be more content from deaf creators both in front of and behind the camera in the future. The film has been getting a lot of award season love and I hope to see it nominated for quite a few Oscars in a few weeks.
Stream CODA on AppleTV+.
TICK, TICK...BOOM!
tick, tick...BOOM was the surprise viewing this year that I didn't know I needed. I am a big fan of musicals and surprisingly had never heard of Jonathan Larson, played superbly by Andrew Garfield. Directed by Lin Manuel-Miranda in his directorial debut, the film follows Larson; creator of the musical Rent, as he tries to make a great big musical by the time he turns thirty. Garfield's performance is one of the best I have seen in recent years and is my frontrunner for Best Actor at the Oscars this year (followed closely by Benedict Cumberbatch for The Power of the Dog). Garfield perfectly encapsulates Larson's phenomenal skill for music writing and his heartbreak not just professionally, but in his personal life with his friends as the film takes place during the AIDS crisis in America. If you're a fan of musicals, I highly recommend this one that will have the songs stuck in your head long after your viewing!
Stream tick, tick...BOOM! on Netflix.
ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE
Zack Snyder's Justice League is a very important film in my opinion. Yes, it is four hours and a vast improvement over Justice League (2017) directed by Joss Whedon. But what truly makes this film important is the impact of the fans. After Zack Snyder stepped away from the production of Justice League after the death of his daughter, Whedon took over and it was later reported that most of what Snyder had shot and what he planned for the movie was scrapped. For years, fans campaigned for Warner Brothers to allow Snyder to finish then film and show his vision, which was surprisingly granted. The result had fans asking for Snyder to return for more movies, which both he and the studio said is not happening at this time. It will be interesting to see if any of the upcoming DCEU movies follow any of the story threads that Snyder left in his version, but if not, it will be a shame that his oriingal Justice League trilogy plans will not see the light of day. Never underestimate comic book movie fans Hollywood!
Stream Zack Snyder's Justice League on HBOMax.
HALO INFINITE
A bit of a bonus on my list is Halo Infinite. While its not a movie or television show, Halo Infinite was finally released this year on Xbox consoles after years of delays. A return to form for the series, it has a compelling campaign following Master Chief's journey to finding out the secrets on Zeta Halo, a Halo ring capable of unimaginable force. The game's multiplayer component; free to play, is also some of the best Halo has had in years. It keeps the core gameplay Halo-esque, yet implementing new features that align with the future of gaming, but it still feels like Halo. I've had a blast playing it on Xbox Series X.
Play Halo Infinite on Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X with Xbox Game Pass.
So there you have it, my best of 2021 list. I am looking forward to 2022 and all the content that comes along with it. What were some of your favorites from 2021? Let me know in the comments below!
I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope 2022 is filled with blessings to you and your families. Stay safe out there and get vaccinated and boosted!
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