Hey! It’s literally the last day of 2021! What a year, huh? Anyways, I’m busy with work, watching screeners, getting lists together, so no Trailer Talk today, but like with previous years, I wanted to give some brief thoughts on the films I’ve been seeing and catching up on. This is Part One of…I don’t know, maybe two or three. I haven’t decided, but I do have a number of films still left to watch, so just keep checking the website. Hopefully, I’ll have my Top 50 by the end of January or early February. In the meantime, here are some movies I saw and didn’t get around to reviewing, some are already out, some are coming soon, keep an eye out for them!

King Richard

This was a far more nuanced exploration of a really fascinating figure in sports than I was expecting. I was worried from the trailers that it wouldn’t question Richard’s techniques, but it’s actually a big part of the film. Granted, the Williams sisters being as successful as they are kinda prove him right and undercut the skepticism, but hey, it’s a true story, you can only do so much. It’s easily the best film I’ve seen where Will Smith is aiming for that Oscar, but the whole cast is great. This was a really pleasant surprise.

Mass

By far and away a perfect showcase for a set of remarkable actors to really sink their teeth into some weighty material. Arguably stagey, but it really works. Everyone commits so strongly, and the emotions feel so raw and real. I was sucked in fairly quick, and it did not lose me at any point. The writing is just so strong and believable. I was shocked to learn this was written and directed by the stoner from The Cabin In The Woods. Whatever Fran Kranz wants to do next, I wanna see it.

Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City

Now, as someone not familiar with the games, and with a mildly favorable appreciation for the Paul W.S. Anderson films, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I came out enjoying it quite a bit. Is it a great movie? No, but Johannes Roberts is turning out to be a director I’m really liking. He’s clearly a big John Carpenter fan, and it shows. He brings a lot of those sensibilities to his projects, but it never feels like a cheap throwback or mimicry. It’s just really effective b-movie filmmaking, and this embraced that.

The Hand Of God

After doing some reading following the film, I was surprised by how much of the film was accurate to the experiences Paolo Sorrentino had growing up. We’ve had a couple of these film about filmmakers looking back in their childhood, Belfast being the biggest one. And like Belfast, I really liked how you really soak in the setting and the atmosphere, and given this is Sorrentino here, it is rendered through luscious and vibrant cinematography that makes for one of the most beautiful films you’ll see this year. I really enjoyed this, and if you’re a fan of Sorrentino, this is a must-watch.

Bruised

Halle Berry really impresses with her directorial debut. It’s a nice mix of classic character-driven melodrama with a genuinely compelling female-focused MMA movie. Apparently, the script originally had the lead as a man, but Berry taking the role really puts a fascinating spin on exploring a side of motherhood that we don’t see that often. Sometimes things play out a bit broad, and there were elements that I wished the film expanded upon, but when it works, it really works.

Petite Maman

While I did really like Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, Céline Sciamma’s latest is a bit more my speed. It’s a gentle and warm portrait of grief that is explored through the eyes of a child. While it may not be obvious, this is basically a film for kids, exploring heavy subject matter in a way that is digestible for young people. And of course, it does it in a way that is subtle, patient, very unconventional, and deeply touching. There was a lot to love about this, especially in the performances. Grief had become one of those subjects that I’m kinda getting tired of seeing in movies, but Sciamma brings a fresh take on it.

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