It’s been a pretty great year so far, for movies at least. I’ve seen lots of movies, and it was surprisingly hard to narrow down to just 25. But I managed to do so, and have them right here along with some very brief thoughts on each. There are some films I haven’t gotten a chance to see yet such as Mad God, Official Competition, Hustle, Brian And Charles, Vortex, and You Won’t Be Alone. Some of these might have made the list, but I will need to get around to them later.
And in case anyone feels like asking, no, Everything Everywhere All At Once didn’t make the cut, I liked it, just not enough to put it on here. If you have a problem with that, feel free to make your own list.
If I have reviews for these films, the title will have the links!
After Yang
The theme of “what it means to be human” in sci-fi movies is one that I’ve been finding increasingly trite, vague, and simplistic. However, Kogonada’s beautiful and meditative After Yang manages to find genuine introspection and meaning within relationships, emotions, and family in ways that really resonated with me. I couldn’t have asked for a better follow-up to Columbus.
Ambulance
Michael Bay’s latest is a propulsive and relentless ride of a film, every bit as excessive as one would expect from the man, and boy, howdy is that excessiveness just glorious to see on the big screen. The first of two Hollywood blockbusters that act as a love letter to Tony Acott, this is a film I had such a blast from start to finish.
Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood
You’d think the movie equivalent of listening to your dad or grandpa talking on and on about his childhood would be absolutely insufferable, but it’s actually super charming and wonderful and evocative and nostalgic in the right way, avoiding the usual pitfalls you’d see in most nostalgic media. I was so swept up in the storytelling, I really think this is something special.
Beavis And Butt-Head Do The Universe
This was the last thing I saw before making this list. I knew I had to check this out before finalizing everything because obviously, you can hardly ever go wrong with a new project from Mike Judge, especially with these iconic 90s characters. It’s funny as all hell, and the film does a great job at using these characters to satirize modern society.
Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Yeah, it’s no Roger Rabbit, but that’s like saying any statue you come across isn’t Michaelangelo’s David. It’s still pretty damn good, and overall really funny with clever gags and running jokes. Sometimes they explain the bit too much, but when a moment hits, it’s smart, hilarious, and it’s got heart too. What a pleasant surprise.
Crimes Of The Future
Cronenberg’s return to body horror is unexpected, strange, surprisingly funny, and the most his film has ever operated on pure vibes mode. It’s a gnarly and satirical look at identity, humanity, art, and the agency one has over their body. No one does like Cronenberg, and it was a delight to see him playing in familiar territory, and bring a fresh approach.
Death On The Nile
These movies are just some fun, glamorous, good old fashioned entertainment, and few can bring that kind of old school glam than Kenneth Branagh. It’s no wonder the primary audience for these are old people and square old me. I had a really good time with this, and I’ll be happy to go on another adventure with Detective Hercule Poirot.
Definition Please
Two films from desi filmmakers have come out this year, and both explored complex family dynamics in a nuanced and personal way, the first is this one from Sujata Day, who delivers a funny, moving, and joyfully expressed story that has been swirling around my mind since I first saw it a couple years back.
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
One of the few films I got to rewatch this year, and it’s only gotten better on rewatch. Sam Raimi is back baby, and he is not holding back. The MCU finally delivers a film that has as much personality in the filmmaking as it does with its writing. While not perfect, Raimi shows the possibilities when you embrace everything wild and wacky about comic books, and it’s going to be one that I’ll be going back to over and over again.
Donkeyhead
The second film from a desi filmmaker, this time from Agam Darshi, who goes hard and fearless in touching on elements of family relationships that are often hard to discuss and confront. She does it with plenty of humor and pathos, and a willingness to play the central role as complicated and potentially unlikable as she can. The film packs an emotional punch, and it’s one that has stayed with me for a while.
Elvis
Feels less satisfying as a thorough retelling of Elvis’ life story, and more like Baz Luhrmann using Elvis as a template to explore the trapping nature of celebrity, as well as the intersections of art, race, and capitalism, and it doesn’t have much positive to say about those intersections. Truly an overwhelming and exhilarating experience, and while certainly flawed, I think there’s a lot of interesting things at play here, and Austin Butler is terrific.
Gangubai Kathiawadi
I almost could believe what I was seeing with this film, a shockingly sex (and sex worker) positive Bollywood film that has its focus on the way institutions harm women, sex workers, as well as highlighting themes of consent and agency. It’s provocative, bold, entertaining, and Alia Bhatt shines in the lead role.