Test Pattern
Shatara Michelle Ford brings a deeply human touch to this story, and it makes for an impressive directorial debut, one that feels so lived in, and eye-opening regarding the experiences of women, especially in the healthcare system. It might sound like the kind of heavy movie that would be a chore, but it is electric and engaging as hell. Give it a look.
You can see Test Pattern on VOD and home video.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
As I said in my review, I acknowledge that this is definitely the least of the three Conjuring movies, but my love for the Warrens – in the context of these movies, at least – do go really far. Once you get invested in characters, you’ll follow them pretty much anywhere, and all the stuff with them here is great. Even on its own terms, it’s a perfectly solid horror film with procedural elements, and I found it to be a nice change of pace.
You can see The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It in theaters and HBO Max.
The Disciple
While this film was sometimes a bit too slow and meditative for my taste, I think there’s a lot to love in Chaitanya Tamhane’s exploration of art, the pursuit of one’s dreams, and the notion that sometimes even raw talent isn’t enough to take you places. There’s elements here that will remind you of something like Inside Llewyn Davis, but it stands on its own really well. If that sounds like something you’d like, give it a look.
You can see The Disciple on Netflix.
The Father
For the longest time, this looked like pretty typical Oscar bait (as much as I don’t care for the term), but it really is a masterfully done film, that goes beyond any expectations I had. The way it puts you in the head of its central character is so precise and affecting, it will stick with you for long after seeing the film. Anthony Hopkins knocks it out of the park, and it’s an experience I won’t be forgetting about anytime soon.
You can see The Father on VOD and home video.
The Great Indian Kitchen
Throughout this film, I was reminded of Chantal Akerman’s 1975 masterpiece, Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. The way it captures the mundanity of domestic life with a slowly building undercurrent of anger and resentment is really something, and it sticks with you. I feel like this is essential viewing for couples, and it’s features a strong lead performance from Nimisha Sajayan.
You can see The Great Indian Kitchen on Google Play and YouTube.
The Mitchells Vs. The Machines
When you have Phil Lord and Chris Miller involved in your project, chances are it’s gonna be something really special. The Mitchells Vs. The Machines is no exceptions. It’s a really fun film with so many cool details with the animation, and at the center of it all is a genuinely affecting father-daughter story. It’s no wonder this was a big hit for Netflix. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you doing, go see it!
You can see The Mitchells Vs. The Machines on Netflix.
The Paper Tigers
This was one of the most pleasant, out-of-nowhere surprises to come out this year. The Paper Tigers is a thoroughly charming action comedy with lovable characters, and a genuine, heartfelt core that shines through. This is very clearly a labor of love, and it adds so much to the overall atmosphere. Fans of martial arts movies will get a kick out of this, but anyone looking for a fairly low-key comedy will probably be won over by this.
You can see The Paper Tigers on VOD and home video.
The Perfect Candidate
The Perfect Candidate is a great underdog film, and one that really showcases a part of the world that I certainly don’t get a lot of exposure to. Haifaa al-Mansour is a gifted storyteller, and she clearly draws a lot from her own experiences. I really enjoyed this film, and I think it does what a lot of great cinema does, and it’s provide a window into an experience you otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to witness or empathize with.
You can watch The Perfect Candidate in select theaters and virtual cinemas.
The Wanting Mare
In my review, I said The Wanting Mare was the kind of film that reminded me why I love movies, and I stand by that 100%. It’s not a film for everybody, I can see it coming off as a bit impenetrable, but it’s a film that is pure vibes, and I dig those kinds of movies. It’s also a technical marvel that shows just how much one can accomplish with a small budget and some creativity.
You can see The Wanting Mare on VOD and home video.
There Is No Evil
Mohammad Rasoulof’s meditation on the death penalty may be a nuanced portrait of the lives of Iranian characters who are in some way related to the industry of capital punishment, but this is a film that can speak to American culture as well. Some of the ideas presented here would not be a huge stretch if applied to how we handle the death penalty. It’s a very human film, a very thoughtful film, and it’s constructed in a way that is clever and haunting.
You can see There Is No Evil in virtual cinemas.
Those Who Wish Me Dead
I know I was young at the time, but I recall a period when we had movies like this coming practically every weekend, and I was quite fond of a lot of those movies. Those Who Wish Me Dead might be a mid-tier thriller compared to some of those 90s classics, but it’s such a rarity to see a mid-budget adult thriller featuring a full blown movie star, that I’ll cherish what I can get. This is one of those movies that if I were to catch it on TV, I’ll watch the rest of it. Great comfort movie.
You can see Those Who Wish Me Dead in theaters, and VOD and home video on August 3rd.
Wrath Of Man
I was never fully off the Guy Ritchie hype train like some because I still dug The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and I thought many aspects of The Gentlemen were really enjoyable. However, I did not expect to have the wind knocked out of me by Wrath Of Man, which feels like Ritchie evolving his style into something that keeps some of his impulses, but in a context that is much darker and moodier, and wow, did it really work for me. I loved this, and might even say it’s one of his very best.
You can see Wrath Of Man on VOD and home video on July 13th.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Well, we started with Zack Snyder, and it seems appropriate enough to end with Zack Snyder. Even as someone who has really liked most of his pre-Man Of Steel work, I wouldn’t have seen this coming. I think there’s a lot to appreciate about his approach to the DC universe, and while it’s not my preferred interpretation, him going all the way with the mythological approach is really striking and ambitious in a way I haven’t seen in a comic book film before. It isn’t flawless, but it swings hard, and man, does it hit more often than it misses where it counts.
You can see Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max and home video on September 7th.
And there it is, my favorite films of 2021 so far. I look forward to the films that I’ve missed, and I can’t wait to see what else the year has in store. In the meantime, feel free to tell me about some of your favorite films from the first half of the year in the comments, especially if you got some movies that I didn’t mention.